Health & Science

• Friday, June 20th 2025 - 10:13 UTC

  Spanish researchers speak of Gibraltar's “tropicalization”

  

  A study by the Málaga-based Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) documents a “tropicalization” process in the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea, where rising water temperatures, Atlantic connections, exotic species invasions, and high human activity (e.g., maritime traffic and tourism) are driving changes in fish species composition.

• Friday, June 20th 2025 - 09:53 UTC

  Chile: Private university joins National Oceanographic Committee

  

  Chile's Universidad San Sebastián (USS) has joined the National Oceanographic Committee (CONA), a public organization coordinated by the Navy's Hydrographic Service (SHOA), bringing together 30 institutions to advance marine science research.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2025 - 08:42 UTC

  Brazil sees opportunity in mRNA vaccine development

  

  Brazil's Alexandre Padilha admitted Tuesday at the at the 15th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting in Brasilia that his country was seeking to become a global leader in messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine production, leveraging partnerships with national institutions like the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) and the Sao Paulo-based Butantan Institute. Padilha also reckoned other BRICS countries such as China would be engaged in the initiative.

• Tuesday, June 17th 2025 - 08:29 UTC

  Second case of bird flu confirmed at Brasilia's Zoo

  

  Brazilian authorities confirmed Monday a case of avian flu in an Australian emu found dead at the Brasilia Zoo. The infected bird's enclosure was sanitized to prevent the disease from further spreading, and biosecurity measures were adopted while the facility remains closed to the public until further notice.

• Monday, June 16th 2025 - 20:27 UTC

  Paraguayan authorities concerned over low vaccination rates

  

  Paraguayan health authorities reported Monday that only 64% of the 1,500,000 influenza vaccine doses available nationwide had been applied by the last week of autumn, which represented an underachievement for the Government of President Santiago Peña.

• Saturday, June 14th 2025 - 05:40 UTC

  Ship anchor damaging sea fauna in Antarctica reported

  

  A 2022-2023 study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science provides the first documented evidence of ship anchor damage to Antarctica’s seafloor, revealing severe impacts on fragile marine ecosystems.

• Friday, June 6th 2025 - 18:56 UTC

  Tremor in northern Chile felt nationwide poses no tsunami risk, authorities say

  

  A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile's Atacama Region Friday at 1.15 pm local time. The epicenter was located 63.49 km west of Chañaral, at a depth of 33 km. So far, no damage to people or infrastructure has been reported, although the tremor was felt in several areas.

• Friday, June 6th 2025 - 10:59 UTC

  Historic polar ship SS Terra Nova revisited in first-ever wreck survey

  

  An expedition led by the motor yacht MY Legend has completed the first visual survey of the wreck of the SS Terra Nova, offering new insight into one of the most emblematic ships of polar exploration. Located off the coast of Greenland, the wreck was first discovered in 2012, nearly 70 years after the ship sank during World War II.

• Tuesday, June 3rd 2025 - 17:40 UTC

  Electronic ID for Cattle mandatory in step forward for UK biosecurity

  

  Cattle identification and traceability in England will change over the next 2 years, in a major step forward in disease control and trade across the farming sector, Defra has announced Monday 2 June.

• Tuesday, June 3rd 2025 - 17:24 UTC

  UK international risk status for BSE downgraded to “negligible”

  

  The UK’s risk rating status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been downgraded to negligible by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). DEFRA said it is a major boost for the food and farm sector, more avenues will now be open for trade with other countries as our improved risk status for beef and bovine products is recognized.