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Gallery of Tropical Modernism Beyond Aesthetics: The Politics of Shade and Air - 5
Image 5 of 12 from gallery of Tropical Modernism Beyond Aesthetics: The Politics of Shade and Air. Redux House / studio mk27 © Fernando Guerra | FG+SG; Parikrama House / SPASM Design Architects © Umang Shah
Michigan parasitic outbreak grows as experts race to identify source
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called cyclospora cayatenensis, which is common in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.
Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned
Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing “sprinter” trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems, storing carbon, stabilizing environments, and supporting rich webs of life—especially in tropical regions where biodiversity is highest.
WHO validates elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Libya
WHO today announced that Libya has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, a landmark victory for public health in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region. This hard-won achievement protects future generations from preventable blindness and provides a powerful reminder that countries can overcome neglected tropical diseases despite persisting challenges.
Tropical cyclones and the ocean carbon budget
Schematic for the contribution of tropical cyclones to the ocean carbon budget during tropical cyclone events and after their passages.
Dual tropical storms hit both US coasts with floods and outages
More than 440,000 homes and businesses from Pennsylvania to Florida are without power and flood threats are rising at both ends of the country as the U.S. deals with a
Tropical storm Isaias triggers business, organization closures across the Gulf Coast
Video above: WKRG TROPICS: Tropical Storm Isaias Forms, Tropical Alerts Issued for the Gulf Coast (WKRG) — Multiple businesses and public facilities have announced that they are closing ahead of Tr…
Health alerts issued as cases of painful illness typically found in tropical countries spreads across Florida
A mosquito-borne virus commonly reported in tropical countries has been reported in Florida, with county health departments issuing alerts for local transmission.
Tropical Modernism Beyond Aesthetics: The Politics of Shade and Air
Uncover the interplay of climate and architecture in tropical modernism, revealing its nuanced responses to heat and social structures.
The first primates may have evolved in the cold, not the tropics
A surprising new study suggests the earliest primates didn't originate in tropical forests but in cold, dry parts of North America. Some may have even survived seasonal Arctic conditions by slowing their metabolism or hibernating. Researchers found that dramatic climate shifts, rather than warmth, played a major role in driving primate evolution and expansion. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how our own lineage began.
Trump’s billion-dollar grant cuts jeopardize Tulane public health research
President Donald Trump has terminated billions in federal science and research grants since 2025. As a result, global health research and job stability at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine are in jeopardy. Since 2025, the Trump administration has frozen or terminated $177 billion in grants on health equity,...
Early Homo sapiens may have lived in rainforests, new clues suggest — and it could overturn our understanding of human evolution
The long-held idea that rainforests held a minor role in our species' evolution is changing — and our ability to adapt to these tropical areas may give insight about 'what it means to be uniquely human.'
Tropical Cyclone Narelle Crosses Australia
The powerful storm lashed the northern edge of the continent with damaging winds and drenching rain as it made landfall multiple times.
This giant tropical fruit could help reverse gum disease damage
A new biomaterial made from jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel, and simvastatin could transform the treatment of severe gum disease. Early tests suggest it not only combats infection and inflammation but may also help rebuild lost bone and tissue around teeth.
Inside war-hit Sudan’s only functioning hospital curing tropical diseases
Sudan's health ministry says 37 percent of country's health facilities are out of service as war enters its fourth year.
A Trio of Tropical Cyclones in the Pacific
The Pacific was buzzing with storms while the Atlantic was notably quiet.
La Kaña brings energetic style for nonstop dancing
ELOY — With hits like “Arroz con Camarón,” “Canchame” and “El Chiquito,” music group La Kaña brings its energetic and upbeat cumbias and tropical sound to the Eloy Fiestas Patrias
Scientists attach cameras to whale sharks, capturing how the world’s biggest fish hunts like never before
For decades, marine scientists have watched whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), the world’s biggest fish, from boats and while snorkelling. They could only catch glimpses of the world’s largest fish gliding through tropical waters.
From spider silk to science: a new way to access hidden fungal diversity
A new study from Thailand demonstrates that the debris-heavy webs of orb-weaving spiders can serve as natural, non-destructive tools for collecting and culturing viable environmental fungi. Through the isolation of living organisms, this innovative approach has already uncovered potentially new, undocumented fungal diversity within tropical rice fields.
“Parachute science” is failing the tropics, home to more than 80% of insect species
Insects quietly hold much of the natural world together, yet conservation efforts are overlooking the tropical regions where more than 80 percent of insect species live. Monash University researchers have developed a global framework to close this gap by combining scientific studies with museum collections, local expertise, citizen science, social media records, and new technologies.
If Your Whisky Tastes Like Mango, There's A Science-Backed Explanation
The diverse flavor profiles are what makes whisky so interesting. A study looks into where the tropical fruit flavor in some whiskies comes from.
Local businesses bracing for possible storm impacts as Post-Tropical Storm Rachel makes landfall
Businesses in communities like coastal La Jolla spent the day getting ready for possible flooding from Tropical Storm Rachel. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada spoke with business owners about the step they’re taking.
Some butterflies live 25 times longer than their relatives. Scientists are unlocking their secrets
A tropical butterfly from the Heliconius tribe has evolved to live a maximum lifespan of 348 days, nearly 25 times longer than its relatives.
Thailand’s Krabi Coast
The coastal province features striking tropical karst landscapes and sandy beaches alongside a mix of natural land cover and developed areas.
Science, Public Health, and the Politics of Truth
Presented as part of the McCloskey Speaker Series.Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, joins the Aspen Institute for a keynote lecture on the intersection of science, medicine, and public trust. A leading authority on vaccines and neglected tropical diseases, Hotez reflects on the challenges facing public health today, the growing politicization of science, and what it will take to rebuild trust in scientific institutions in the years ahead.Paepcke Auditorium, doors at 5:00 pmRegistrationThis event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and capacity is established on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an event is at capacity, we will have an in-person waitlist at the door.Public registration is now open for summer 2026. Please click here to register.ParkingParking is very limited. Please carpool, walk, bike, or ride RFTA.Book signing will immediately follow the event. To learn more about his book or to order a copy, please click here.
Drought Intensifies Across Puerto Rico
Rainfall deficits and high temperatures have created unusually dry conditions and have spurred water shortages on much of the tropical archipelago.
Best fragrances and scents to wear right now: Summer 2026
This spring, popular fragrance trends will include aquatic fragrances, tropical gourmands, and citruses like fresh yuzu, according to perfumers.
Situation Report No.11: Earthquakes in Venezuela 2026 (M7.2 and M7.5)
Nearly three months after the 24 June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela, the response has moved into early recovery while sustaining essential emergency operations. Efforts now center on maintaining continuity of care across mental health, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and neonatal care, NCDs, and rehabilitation, alongside restoring affected facilities, supporting transitional camps, and strengthening Health Cluster coordination as Emergency Medical Teams and international partners withdraw. Health system recovery is advancing, with 16 ASICs and 356 health facilities assessed (61% operational) and rehabilitation progressing under CERF, CFE and US funding, while fluctuating electricity, medication refrigeration and emergency-generator gaps continue to challenge the safe continuity of essential health services. Public health surveillance and prevention remain active, with 47,145 cumulative vaccine doses administered and 556 health professionals trained, while intensified surveillance in La Guaira and Miranda and mounting environmental risks from tropical rains and heatwaves continue to require sustained vector-control and water/sanitation action. Contraception remains the most consistent unmet need across assessed shelters, particularly among adolescents and young women, while mental health needs continue to rise across the transitional camps amid limited supplies and specialized personnel. PAHO/WHO continues to support the response with critically needed medical supplies and medicines, having shipped 46.6 metric tons to Venezuela to date, benefiting 72 actors and reaching 117,714 people with treatment through PAHO and partner donations, while sustained technical and logistical support to the Ministry of Popular Power for Health (MPPS) has strengthened the national supply chain and ensured the continuity of health services through the coordination, reception, and mobilization of international donations of essential medical products.
Young scientists from across the UK shortlisted for largest unrestricted science prize
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists today announced the Finalists for the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom. The Awards recognise scientific advances by UK researchers across Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. Now in its ninth year, each Blavatnik Awards Laureate will receive an unrestricted £100,000 (US$135,000) prize, while the remaining six Finalists will be awarded £30,000 (US$40,400) each. This year’s Finalists include: Chemical Sciences Finalists Michael J. Booth, PhD – University College London (UCL) Mathew H. Horrocks, PhD – The University of Edinburgh Maxie M. Roessler, DPhil – Imperial College London Life Sciences Finalists Nicholas R. Casewell, PhD – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen, PhD – MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Pontus Skoglund, PhD – The Francis Crick Institute Physical Sciences & Engineering Finalists Radha Boya, PhD – The University of Manchester Paola Pinilla, PhD – University College London (UCL) Iestyn Woolway, PhD – Bangor University
Tropical disease spread by mosquitoes claims first recorded death in southern US state
Gay Small died on her 80th birthday from dengue after a mosquito bite near her Tampa home, the Florida Department of Health confirmed Friday.
Hurricane Hunter data reveal early signs of strengthening tropical cyclones
Nearly three decades of airborne radar observations identify four features that help storms align before they intensify
Chapel Hill business thankful for community’s help after Tropical Storm Chantal
One year since Tropical Storm Chantal ripped through Chapel Hill, a small business owner continues to be thankful for the community’s support.
AMS Science Preview: High-Res Global Forecasting, Tornado Emergencies
Recent research in AMS journals spotlights tornado emergencies, kilometer-scale global weather forecasting, a new normal for polar sea ice, links between Tibetan snow cover and intense tropical…
Until Dawn 2 Launches January 28
The interactive slasher Until Dawn 2 takes place on a tropical island and stars ‘Stranger Things’ actor Dacre Montgomery.
It's a big month for businesses in Chapel Hill that were flooded by Tropical Storm Chantal
Renovations are ongoing at many businesses, while others have closed completely.
Ecologist Cynthia Malone and her crusade to decolonize science
As a kid growing up in Bushwick, Brooklyn Cynthia Malone was fascinated with monkeys, apes, and tropical forests.
Antarctica gained a record 695 billion tons of ice. Scientists found the surprising reason
East Antarctica gained an astonishing 695 billion tons of ice between 2021 and 2023, temporarily slowing Antarctica’s long-term decline. Researchers found that warming thousands of miles away in the tropical ocean altered atmospheric circulation and funneled moisture toward the continent, triggering exceptionally heavy snowfall.
America’s Homegrown-Parasite Problem
Scientists don’t know why cyclosporiasis, a tropical diarrheal disease, is spreading more and more from domestic sources.
Harrison Ford returning as Indiana Jones in new Disney project
Harrison Ford will return as Indiana Jones inside Disney World’s new Animal Kingdom ride based on the film series. The ride replaces Dinosaur, which closed ahead of a new Tropical Americas land.
Communities unite to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with neglected tropical diseases
Marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that millions of people living with NTDs continue to face profound and often unseen suffering due to discrimination, social stigma and untreated mental health conditions. Under the rallying theme "Unite. Act. Eliminate.", WHO and partners urge governments to integrate mental health care into NTD elimination efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind in pain or isolation.
Rutgers Researchers Expand Global Climate and Forest Science Collaboration in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
When people think of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, images of turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, pristine jungles and ancient Mayan cities often come to mind. Yet beyond these iconic landscapes lies a region where tropical forests, agricultural lands and local communities are navigating the complex realities of environmental change. A Rutgers-led international research collaboration is helping to […]
Gravity Waves From Super Typhoon Sinlaku
Satellites observed striking upper-atmosphere phenomena generated by an intensifying tropical cyclone.
Rise of the Plasticorals: Plastic Has Fused With Coral in Okinawa and Could Enter the Rock Record
Scientists found melted plastic embedded inside coral rubble on three subtropical Japanese beaches.
NASA Flights Map Tropical Ecosystems, Water, Ice
Data from a NASA campaign in Panama and Peru will help communities prepare for tropical floods in cloud-covered areas, improve scientific understanding of
Sacramento’s SMUD Museum opens new cafe with a menu that’s out of this world
In addition to its Cookie Comet milkshake and Tropical Galaxy smoothie, the cafe offers full meals such as teriyaki bowls and sandwiches.
FAMU volleyball match moved up, softball game scrapped by Isaias
FAMU athletics have made some schedule changes to volleyball and a fall ball softball game as Tropical Storm Isaias nears landfall in Tallahassee.
Karol G heats up Tropitour with surprise Drake appearance in Houston
Karol G brought spectacle, tropical vibes and a surprise appearance by Drake to Houston.
Crystal Beach businesses prepare for possible flooding as tropical system approaches
In Brandon, infrastructure upgrades and a generational shift entice new business owners
After flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and years of construction headaches, downtown Brandon is seeing more new businesses open.
UAH Atmospheric and Earth Science graduate students earn top honors at 106th AMS annual meeting
Two Atmospheric and Earth Science (AES) graduate students from the at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, were recognized with top awards at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) recently in Houston, Texas. The First Symposium on Tropical Meteorology and Climate was part of the AMS Annual Meeting, one of the premier gatherings of atmospheric scientists worldwide.
How 'parachute science' is failing the world's tropical insects
Monash University scientists have developed a global framework to tackle a major blind spot in biodiversity conservation: Insects underpin ecosystems and food production but remain largely invisible to ...
Reimagining the treatment of mental health: Maria Carolina Bittencourt Gonçalves
By Jessica Leff Listen to Maria tell her story | Wyss Institute · Maria C. B. Gonçalves – Reimagine the WorldMaria Carolina Bittencourt Gonçalves, Ph.D., grew up in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest city by population in South America. It’s comparable to New York, but with a tropical climate. “I knew I wanted to be...
14 toucans found inside a car dashboard complete rehab
The colorful tropical birds are highly prized in the illegal wildlife trade.
'Blackwater' lakes and rivers in the Congo Basin are now emitting ancient carbon into the atmosphere
Carbon that has been buried in the Congo Basin's peatlands for millennia is seeping into lakes and rivers. Why this is happening remains unclear, but researchers warn that tropical peatlands could be nearing a tipping point.
Ella Halbert '23 wins 2026 National Science Foundation Award | Oberlin College and Conservatory
The young alum will use the funding to conduct wildlife and ecology research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Exclusive: Grand Theft Auto VI Features Tropical Storms And Hurricanes
Rockstar reveals new details about GTAVI's weather systems in our exclusive cover story. - Game Informer
Tiny aerosol particles could supercharge tropical storm clouds
Scientists discovered unusually high water-vapor supersaturation inside deep tropical clouds, creating conditions in which tiny aerosol particles could intensify storm updrafts. The finding suggests earlier studies may have missed the effect because they were looking in the wrong types of clouds.
Sunday Science: Forecasting the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Now one week away from meteorological summer and the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, expert tropical cyclone forecasters at NOAA and Colorado State have
The creatures born from code: Generative AI threatens to upend citizen science records
You need to tread carefully among the leaf litter of the Indonesian scrubland and its tropical rainforests. The dead leaves might seem caught in a gentle breeze, but there's more here than meets the eye. ...
Scientists tracked 21 oilbirds in Venezuela, and five disappeared from their cave for up to 73 days to stay closer to food
Oilbirds spend their nights flying through tropical forests in search of fruit, but some of them take an unexpected approach to reach their feeding grounds. Some birds regularly returned to the same main cave after feeding.
In 2019, scientists shut off rain inside Arizona’s Biosphere 2 rainforest for 9.5 weeks; carbon storage fell about 70% before the forest recovered
Researchers turned off the water supply to the tropical rainforest inside Arizona's Biosphere 2 in 2019, and watched the ecosystem respond to an artificial drought. The experiment lasted four months in total, which included the recovery period, while the forest itself went without rain for about 9.5 weeks.
Margaritaville Ball Drop 2027 Gala Megawatt Entertainment
Welcome NYE 2027, view the ball drop at a tropical paradise gala at Margaritaville Times Square Hotel, a family-friendly event with VIP amenities
Science, Public Health, and the Politics of Truth
Presented as part of the McCloskey Speaker Series.Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, joins the Aspen Institute for a keynote lecture on the intersection of science, medicine, and public trust. A leading authority on vaccines and neglected tropical diseases, Hotez reflects on the challenges facing public health today, the growing politicization of science, and what it will take to rebuild trust in scientific institutions in the years ahead.Paepcke Auditorium, doors at 5:00 pmRegistrationThis event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and capacity is established on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an event is at capacity, we will have an in-person waitlist at the door.Public registration is now open for summer 2026. Please click here to register.ParkingParking is very limited. Please carpool, walk, bike, or ride RFTA.Book signing will immediately follow the event. To learn more about his book or to order a copy, please click here.
CEO SUNDAY: Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO says 'listening and learning' are keys to success
Max Wetzel said that staying close to franchisees, employees and customers has helped guide decisions as Tropical Smoothie Cafe has grown to nearly 1,800 locations.
Studying the holistic health habits of tropical bats
What do bats do when they feel ill? SELFCURE, a multi-disciplinary project taking place in Gamboa, Panama, tracks the behavior of tropical bats when immune-challenged to understand how they take care of themselves, and what lessons we can learn from them.
Trump surprised to hear about tropical storm threatening Gulf Coast
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”Australia’s journey to eliminationAustralia’s achievement reflects decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.National efforts intensified with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006, which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the Programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence. Australia’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration, and strong integration with environmental health programmes.“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”“This recognition from the World Health Organization reflects decades of work led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, alongside local health workers in remote First Nations communities,” said Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. “Their work has been critical to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.”Advancing global efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by WHO as NTDs. Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.Australia’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the underlying determinants of health. It also underscores the feasibility of eliminating trachoma even in geographically challenging settings.In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy and scabies. Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.“Tackling neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region has long been a challenge for countries across the socioeconomic spectrum, given the complexities in reaching the most vulnerable communities, including in remote areas,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As a doctor from Tonga, I’ve experienced these challenges for myself. But I also know that with strategic commitment underpinned by optimal resources and partnerships in health, success is possible as other countries in our region have also demonstrated. I commend Australia on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem and urge all involved to remain vigilant to ensure this status is maintained.”WHO continues to support countries working to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs, ensuring that progress reaches those most in need and that gains are sustained through strong surveillance, appropriately integrated into national health systems, and mainstreamed within the wider health sector and beyond.Editor’s notesNeglected tropical diseases and trachoma elimination effortsNeglected tropical diseases are associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. Their burden is mainly felt among impoverished communities in tropical areas.Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352).In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) “unknown to the health system” of < 0.2% in ≥15-year-olds; and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years of < 5%, in each formerly endemic district, plus (iii) the existence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT.Other countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Bleisure travel continues to reshape the business trip
Business travel no longer ends when meetings do. Across the United States, conference attendees increasingly add personal time to work trips, turning what once looked like a quick flight in and out into a long weekend or short getaway built...
Super Typhoon Bavi
The third category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026 crossed the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands and Guam before continuing toward Asia.
'Nitrogen fixing' trees could help tropical forests bounce back, research suggests
On the narrow isthmus of Panama, scientists discovered adding nitrogen to the soil doubled tree growth, providing new insights into forest restoration.
A rare cancer-fighting plant compound has been decoded
Scientists at UBC Okanagan have uncovered how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare natural compound with promising anti cancer potential. The team identified two enzymes that work together to build the molecule’s unusual twisted structure, solving a mystery that had puzzled researchers for years. Because mitraphylline appears only in tiny amounts in tropical plants like kratom and cat’s claw, the discovery could make it far easier to produce sustainably in the future.
Tropical Shipping Gift Supports Supply Chain Management Program at FAU
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business and Tropical Shipping recently celebrated the naming of the Tropical Shipping Study Room at the Schmidt Family Complex, Boca Raton campus.
Scientists reconstructed a Wyoming forest from 56-million-year-old fossil leaves; it lost about 60% of its canopy during ancient warming and took more than 100,000 years to recover
Deep in the rock record of Wyoming, a layer of fossil leaves tells a quiet but powerful story about what happens to forests when the planet warms rapidly. About 56 million years ago, during a spike in global temperatures known as the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a lush subtropical forest that once covered the region lost roughly 60 percent of its canopy.
How Science Is Helping Coastal Communities Build Resilience to El Niño
The current El Niño may become the strongest in modern recorded history. The naturally occurring climate phenomenon, primarily associated with persistent, high ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, could have global-scale effects on weather and ocean conditions through 2027.
Scientists discovered that some invasive tropical plants evolved to reproduce without partners after spreading to new countries, allowing a single plant to start an entire takeover
Just one plant species can be enough to trigger an ecological invasion. Studies have shown that some tropical plants have evolved to reproduce without a mate, allowing a single individual to start a new colony.
Scientists Warn Many Insects May Not Survive a Warming World
A sweeping study of tropical insects found that many species may struggle to survive rising global temperatures.
Fund honoring late meteorologist to assist in global student experience
Jenni Evans, a world-renowned meteorologist whose research transformed the scientific understanding of tropical cyclones and strengthened storm forecasting worldwide, considered her students’ success her proudest accomplishment. The newly established Jenni Evans Fund in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science will ensure that those successes continue in perpetuity.
Extratropical Cyclone Whips Past Iceland
The powerful low-pressure system formed over the North Atlantic out of the remnants of Hurricane Isaias.
REV Ocean Begins First Operational Research Season With Ten-Mission Science Program
The missions cover seamount ecosystems off Brazil, in the Sargasso Sea, and across the Eastern Tropical Pacific—alongside Sargassum dynamics, mesophotic and deep-sea biodiversity, transboundary MPA networks, and the science-to-policy pipeline.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.
How did Hurricane Polo get so powerful?
Hurricane Polo exploded from a tropical storm into a powerful Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours on Tuesday.
The Latest GTA 6 Screenshots Showcase Brand New Features, From Tropical Storms and Hunting to Big Butts Caught on Camera
The latest GTA 6 screenshots showcase a bunch of great new features, from tropical storms and hunting, to simulated citrus farms and beach-ready butts.
Scientists discover a mysterious new frog hiding in the Amazon
Scientists discovered a new frog species in the flooded forests of the western Amazon, distinguishing it from nearly identical relatives through DNA and its unique call. Adenomera varcena highlights how much Amazonian biodiversity remains hidden even as habitat loss and climate change threaten these poorly understood species.
Asheville City Council approves $15.5M in funding for Small Business Support Program - The City of Asheville
In an important next step for small business recovery following Tropical Storm Helene, the Asheville City Council approved a $15.5 million funding recommendation on Tuesday, January 27, to support the City’s Small Business Support Program (SBSP), funded through the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
Photos offer glimpses of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson’s luxurious, tropical wedding weekend
Bettina Anderson officially became part of the country’s first family this weekend – her new name an American political brand.
East Hawaiʻi business owners, families, state and county prepare for Tropical Storm Lala
Hawai’i County hasn’t taken a direct hit from a hurricane since 1871, according to Mayor Kimo Alameda, but Lala possibly could change that.
This 23-foot crocodylian may have ruled South America’s food chain
Miocene South America was packed with giant prey—and the predators hunting them were just as spectacular. Fossil bite marks suggest crocodylians, especially the enormous Purussaurus neivensis, were more important predators than mammals in this ancient tropical ecosystem. At around seven meters long, Purussaurus may even have helped control populations of giant herbivores.
Coastal forces shape building sciences practice
When Built Environments relocated to Wilmington, the firm’s partners weren’t looking for the lazy tranquility one hopes for when on vacation. Instead, they sought sultry heat. They wanted to understand whipping coastal winds and punishing precipitation – the kind that tropical storms produce. That’s because how materials degrade can reveal a lot about how they can be improved. “We specifically chose the Wilmington market because it does fall within Climate Zone 3A, which is a coastal warm-humid climate,” said Jarrett Davis, who joined Built Environments in 2023 to lead the company’s building science practice. “There’s not a lot of product research in that climate zone, but there are a lot of structures here that get weatherized pretty severely.” Built Environments has provided building science, material testing and code compliance consulting for 25 years, ever since principal materials scientist Steve Doggett founded the company in Minnesota. “There are very few manufacturers that understand fully how their own materials and products work, whereas we know their shortfalls and their benefits out in the real world on jobsites,” Doggett said. “That’s why the original Built Environments was formed, to make buildings better.” He said the 15-employee company is just as comfortable on a jobsite, retrofitting a high-end beachside property, for example, as it is recreating some of the coast’s most intense weather conditions in the great indoors. The company operates an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 mechanical testing laboratory on Wright Street. The year-old facility has expanded Built Environments’ in-house capabilities, Doggett said. “We’re able to simulate that hurricane wind (and) rain and perform structural and impact testing on wall assemblies, roof assemblies and glazing assemblies,” he said. “There are certain requirements that those windows and doors need to meet as far as wind ratings and pressure ratings and things of that nature.” Standard Glass Co.-Glass Depots, of Wilmington, is currently testing a new glazing system using Built Environments’ stress testing, the partners said. One method involves what’s called a “large missile cannon.” “We take 8-foot two-by-fours, and we shoot them at assemblies, so they have to withstand that impact,” Davis said. “It’s pretty cool to see, I’m not going to lie.” In many cases, the lab can run a full, wall-scale test of a product in a matter of weeks or months, whereas “it might take midrange manufacturers years,” Doggett said. “We’re nimble. We can cut that time in half.” The lab also develops intellectual property. Doggett, for example, shares a patent with Sustant LLC, of Minnesota, on a fastener patch to increase the air and water tightness within building envelopes. “We have too many ideas and not enough time,” he said. But the partners noted that they or their fellow principals – of which the company has four total, including a principal engineer and a principal codes and standards expert – could be anywhere on a given day, including in the courtroom providing expert testimony in contentious insurance cases. “Let’s say there is a fire on a structure,” Davis said. “We can analyze all the specific materials within that assembly – an exterior wall or something like that – because there are loads that require certain heat release. And so, we can measure each one of those materials, if need be, to say if this was likely or not a code-approved assembly.” Despite what can be inferred in a lab, the partners said nothing beats learning from how materials change over time under real-world strain. Take, for instance, the curious case of the creaking condo. “We recently had a customer that came to us trying to assess a sound issue of a roof. It was making noises that no one could explain or account for. How do you tackle something like that?” Doggett asked rhetorically. “There’s really no generally agreed-upon methodologies.” The problem turned out to be a faulty installation of a commercial roof system. “The building in this particular case was not local,” he said. “In the initial installation, the commercial roofing contractor installed the wrong fasteners in the wrong locations into the deck, and essentially the solar radiation was causing the building to move quite substantially early in the morning when the sun initially hit that assembly after a quite cool evening, causing the threads on the fasteners to kind of jump within the material, within the metal.” Built Environments designed an effective repair methodology that was within budget, the partners said. “We get the bizarre,” Doggett said. “I will say that’s something that has stayed the same over 25 years.” The partners said they are hiring, and that Cape Fear Community College is one of their main recruiting grounds. Davis and Doggett look for talented people who can understand traditional methodologies yet are open to on-the-job training and new understandings, they said. After all, it’s not just weather that can ruin a building. “My favorite saying is,” Davis said, “‘What are the eight most expensive words in construction? That’s how my daddy used to do it.’”
Uberaba Geopark: A time capsule from the Late Cretaceous period nestled in Brazil's tropical savanna
Uberaba Geopark, also known as the "Land of the Giants," is a region in Brazil's Cerrado biome that preserved thousands of prehistoric fossils.
Coastal forces shape building sciences practice
When Built Environments relocated to Wilmington, the firm’s partners weren’t looking for the lazy tranquility one hopes for when on vacation. Instead, they sought sultry heat. They wanted to understand whipping coastal winds and punishing precipitation – the kind that tropical storms produce. That’s because how materials degrade can reveal a lot about how they can be improved. “We specifically chose the Wilmington market because it does fall within Climate Zone 3A, which is a coastal warm-humid climate,” said Jarrett Davis, who joined Built Environments in 2023 to lead the company’s building science practice. “There’s not a lot of product research in that climate zone, but there are a lot of structures here that get weatherized pretty severely.” Built Environments has provided building science, material testing and code compliance consulting for 25 years, ever since principal materials scientist Steve Doggett founded the company in Minnesota. “There are very few manufacturers that understand fully how their own materials and products work, whereas we know their shortfalls and their benefits out in the real world on jobsites,” Doggett said. “That’s why the original Built Environments was formed, to make buildings better.” He said the 15-employee company is just as comfortable on a jobsite, retrofitting a high-end beachside property, for example, as it is recreating some of the coast’s most intense weather conditions in the great indoors. The company operates an A2LA-accredited ISO/IEC 17025 mechanical testing laboratory on Wright Street. The year-old facility has expanded Built Environments’ in-house capabilities, Doggett said. “We’re able to simulate that hurricane wind (and) rain and perform structural and impact testing on wall assemblies, roof assemblies and glazing assemblies,” he said. “There are certain requirements that those windows and doors need to meet as far as wind ratings and pressure ratings and things of that nature.” Standard Glass Co.-Glass Depots, of Wilmington, is currently testing a new glazing system using Built Environments’ stress testing, the partners said. One method involves what’s called a “large missile cannon.” “We take 8-foot two-by-fours, and we shoot them at assemblies, so they have to withstand that impact,” Davis said. “It’s pretty cool to see, I’m not going to lie.” In many cases, the lab can run a full, wall-scale test of a product in a matter of weeks or months, whereas “it might take midrange manufacturers years,” Doggett said. “We’re nimble. We can cut that time in half.” The lab also develops intellectual property. Doggett, for example, shares a patent with Sustant LLC, of Minnesota, on a fastener patch to increase the air and water tightness within building envelopes. “We have too many ideas and not enough time,” he said. But the partners noted that they or their fellow principals – of which the company has four total, including a principal engineer and a principal codes and standards expert – could be anywhere on a given day, including in the courtroom providing expert testimony in contentious insurance cases. “Let’s say there is a fire on a structure,” Davis said. “We can analyze all the specific materials within that assembly – an exterior wall or something like that – because there are loads that require certain heat release. And so, we can measure each one of those materials, if need be, to say if this was likely or not a code-approved assembly.” Despite what can be inferred in a lab, the partners said nothing beats learning from how materials change over time under real-world strain. Take, for instance, the curious case of the creaking condo. “We recently had a customer that came to us trying to assess a sound issue of a roof. It was making noises that no one could explain or account for. How do you tackle something like that?” Doggett asked rhetorically. “There’s really no generally agreed-upon methodologies.” The problem turned out to be a faulty installation of a commercial roof system. “The building in this particular case was not local,” he said. “In the initial installation, the commercial roofing contractor installed the wrong fasteners in the wrong locations into the deck, and essentially the solar radiation was causing the building to move quite substantially early in the morning when the sun initially hit that assembly after a quite cool evening, causing the threads on the fasteners to kind of jump within the material, within the metal.” Built Environments designed an effective repair methodology that was within budget, the partners said. “We get the bizarre,” Doggett said. “I will say that’s something that has stayed the same over 25 years.” The partners said they are hiring, and that Cape Fear Community College is one of their main recruiting grounds. Davis and Doggett look for talented people who can understand traditional methodologies yet are open to on-the-job training and new understandings, they said. After all, it’s not just weather that can ruin a building. “My favorite saying is,” Davis said, “‘What are the eight most expensive words in construction? That’s how my daddy used to do it.’”
Coldwater Creek flooding impacts business at 'Bob's Canoes' in Milton
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Algeria eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports validating Algeria as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. This makes Algeria the 29th country globally to achieve this significant milestone. "Algeria’s elimination of trachoma is a historic triumph that connects the past, present, and future of public health, and is rooted in a century-long commitment," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "This milestone proves that with sustained political will and on-the-ground leadership from committed health professionals, we can eliminate neglected tropical diseases and build a healthier, more resilient future for all." For decades, Algeria implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease (“trachomatous trichiasis”, TT), conducting mass administration of antibiotic treatment, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness and personal hygiene as well as improvement in access to water supply and sanitation. Trachoma is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Algeria. Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a public health problem in 30 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. Blindness from trachoma is difficult to reverse. Based on November 2025 data, 97 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness. Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and by flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye. This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea. In 2024, 87,349 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 44.4 million people were treated with antibiotics. Global antibiotic coverage in 2024 was 39%. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Scientists warn that the world’s rivers are running out of oxygen
Rivers around the world are quietly running out of oxygen — and climate change is emerging as the main culprit. A sweeping global analysis of more than 21,000 river systems found that nearly 80% have been steadily losing dissolved oxygen over the past four decades, threatening fish, biodiversity, and the overall health of freshwater ecosystems. Surprisingly, tropical rivers are being hit the hardest, even more than rivers in rapidly warming polar regions.
Alice Henderson’s “Storm Warning” Is a Wild Ride of Survival Science and Savage Threats
Storm Warning is Alice Henderson’s fifth wild and wooly, storm-tossed, action-packed suspense novel featuring protagonist wildlife biologist and environmentalist adventurer Alex Carter. Her current assignment to study and protect imperiled hawksbill turtles in tropical Hawai’i seemed like an idyllic vacation of sun, surf, swimming and snorkeling. The intensive military survival training taught to her by
Two eyeless shrimp-like species found in Japan's groundwater are new to science
Researchers have identified two new species in the genus Bogidiella, small shrimp-like amphipods that live in subterranean aquatic environments, from cave waters on the Ryukyu Islands, a subtropical island ...
GTA 6 Has an 'Advanced' Weather System, but How Will It Work?
GTA 6 is confirmed to have an "advanced" weather system, leading many to wonder if we're going to get tropical storms.
Japan’s biomass energy boom threatens further deforestation in Indonesia
Expanding deforestation in Indonesia caused by the country’s wood pellet and chip industry is putting further pressure on tropical forests, Key Biodiversity Areas, and Indigenous territories in the archipelago, according