Scientists find the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season

Arctic sea ice has been rapidly declining in recent decades. These changes can have a significant impact on global weather and climate through interactions with the atmosphere and oceans. In addition, the Arctic shipping routes are a shortcut to connect the major countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic region is also rich in natural resources and biological resources. Simulation of the Arctic sea ice could provide valuable information for Arctic shipping as well as climate studies, and it is therefore urgent to evaluate the ability to simulate Arctic sea ice and diagnose the sources of simulation errors.

Bionic idea boosts lithium-ion extraction

Lithium is an energy-critical element that has become a geopolitically significant resource. However, the supply of lithium may not be enough to meet continuously increasing demand. As a result, scientists are looking for new ways to extract lithium ions.

Dating apps don't inhibit love

Mobile apps have revolutionized the way people meet in Switzerland and elsewhere in recent years. Unlike traditional dating sites, these apps do not feature detailed user profiles but are largely based on rating photos using a swipe review system. As dating apps escalated in popularity, so has criticism about them encouraging casual dating only, threatening the existence of long-term commitment, and possibly damaging the quality of intimacy.

5 tips to help quit smoking in 2021

Many smokers make a New Year's resolution to quit, so the American Lung Association offers advice to improve their chances of success.

Even rich Americans don't get world-class health care: study

Even the most privileged people in the United States with the best access to health care are sicker and more likely to die than average folks in other developed nations, a new study finds.

'Warp speed' officials say U.S. COVID vaccine distribution too slow

Even though 11.4 million doses of the approved Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines had been distributed across the United States by Monday morning, just 2.1 million had made it into the arms of high-risk Americans.

Precautions even more important with new coronavirus variant: experts

A new and more infectious variant of the COVID-19 virus has shown up in separate cases in Colorado and California, weeks after it first emerged in the United Kingdom.

Roll over, Fido: Half of pet owners say dogs co-sleep in their beds

Forget buying a dog bed. New research shows that nearly half of pet parents say their pooches co-sleep in their owner's bed.

How to identify heat-stressed corals

Researchers have found a novel way to identify heat-stressed corals, which could help scientists pinpoint the coral species that need protection from warming ocean waters linked to climate change, according to a Rutgers-led study.

New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs

In some cases, immune cells in the lungs can contribute to worsening a virus attack. In a new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden describe how immune cells called macrophages develop in the lungs and which of them may be behind severe lung diseases. The study, which was published in Immunity, may contribute to future treatments for COVID-19, among other diseases.

Vaping combined with smoking is likely as harmful as smoking cigarettes alone

Smoking traditional cigarettes in addition to using e-cigarettes results in harmful health effects similar to smoking cigarettes exclusively, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

Canada surges from 500,000 to 600,000 COVID-19 cases in two weeks

Canada surpassed the grim milestone of 600,000 coronavirus cases Sunday, two weeks after passing half a million, underscoring the pandemic's persistence in the country during the end-of-year holiday period.

Brazil private clinics seek deal for Indian COVID vaccine

A Brazilian association of private health clinics said Sunday it was negotiating with Indian pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech to buy five million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, which India has just authorized for emergency use.

Beijing vaccinates thousands in COVID-19 jab drive

Thousands of people lined up in Beijing Monday to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as China races to innoculate millions before the Chinese New Year mass travel season in February.

Poachers' paradise: Gulf hunts fuel Pakistan falcon trafficking

Since learning to capture birds as a teen, Muhammad Rafiq has amassed a small fortune in Pakistan trapping and trafficking falcons—including some endangered species—for wealthy Gulf Arabs.

Nigerian scientist studies country's coronavirus variant

A Nigerian scientist has spent the holiday season in his laboratory doing genetic sequencing to learn more about the country's COVID-19 variant, as cases increase in the country.

Australian 'lives and homes' at risk as fire nears Perth

An out-of-control bushfire threatened lives and homes in Australia's west coast city of Perth Monday, with locals told to shelter in place from toxic fumes.

Japan PM says weighing coronavirus emergency for Tokyo area

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Monday he was considering declaring a state of emergency in the greater Tokyo area over a "very severe" third wave of coronavirus infections.

Race to save Bangladesh hound from extinction

In a rickety hut on the border with Bangladesh and India, two brothers are among the last local breeders of the Sarail hound, a dog on the brink of extinction.

Britain to roll out AstraZeneca shots as virus vaccinations gather pace

Britain was on Monday set to begin a mass rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, the cheap and easy to distribute shot that experts hope will help crush the pandemic, as China raced to inoculate millions with a homegrown prophylactic.

UK ramps up inoculations with Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Britain on Monday took another giant step in the fight against COVID-19, ramping up its immunization program by giving the first shots in the world from the vaccine created by Oxford University and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.