Thousands flee Indonesia volcano on Sumatra

Thousands of Indonesians are spending the night in emergency shelters after fleeing the erupting volcano Mount Sinabung on the island of Sumatra.

Mount Sinabung, some 60 kilometres south-west of Sumatra's main city Medan, has not erupted for 400 years.

Officials from the Red Cross say that more than 19,000 people were being moved from the slopes of Mount Sinabung and surrounding areas.

New technique to collect DNA from dolphin breath

Biologists have developed a new way of harmlessly collecting DNA from dolphins from their exhalations or "blow" - simply holding a test tube over the dolphins' blowhole.

The "blow" is exhaled at great force at speeds of 70 litres per second. Because of this cells from the surface of their lungs can be found in their blow and so DNA can be extracted from it.

Understanding dolphin genetics is critical to the conservation of wild populations.

Current methods to collect dolphin DNA use a procedure, "Dart biopsying" which can be harmful.

This involves firing a dart with a small barb into the flank of the animal, which then extracts a small plug of tissue.

There has been one documented case of death of a dolphin from a dart biopsy.

Finding a new technique has become a priority particularly for internationally protected species of dolphins.

A noxious brew that might fashion the future

Fashion designers and scientists have developed a new fabric that is grown in vats of tea.

The material, which has a leather-like texture but is extremely lightweight, has been used to make shirts, jackets, dresses and even shoes.

Scientists at Imperial College London have been working with designers from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, also in the capital, to create the fabric.

They believe such innovative, sustainable textiles will become increasingly important as pressure increases on the resources needed to create traditional fabrics such as cotton, wool and leather.

The new fabric is grown in a soup of green tea, sugar and other nutrients over the course of several days. Bacteria added to the solution produce long filaments of cellulose that clump together to form thin mats of fabric that float on the top of the mixture.

Once dried, the material becomes see-through and similar in appearance to papyrus. It can then be treated, dyed and moulded to produce different textures and effects.

However there are still challenges to overcome - including the new fabric's unpleasant smell - before it would start appearing in shops.

Chinese herbs may reduce chemotherapy side effects

An ancient Chinese herbal remedy could reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy.

Research published in Science Translational Medicine said a mix of plant extracts known as Huang Qin Tang, and used for more than 1,800 years in China to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, also reduced similar sickness caused by a common chemotherapy drug.

Junta subverts sanctions with Australian radios

Myanmar's army has evaded Australian government sanctions to obtain radio sets from a Perth manufacturer that allow it to scramble its communications, gaining a new advantage against domestic rebels and dissidents and possibly in its suspected covert nuclear weapons program.

British defence journal Jane's Intelligence Review reports in its latest issue that the Perth company Barrett Communications has been selling its radio sets directly in response to tenders by Myanmar's Ministry of Defence, contradicting suggestions by the company that it was selling the radios to civilian agencies of the Myanmar government for general communications.

The company told Jane's that Barrett 2050 radios sold to Myanmar did not include a frequency-hopping option that makes monitoring by others all but impossible and which would contravene Australian export controls on sensitive military technology, including signals encryption.

Jane's says that in 2008 an officer in one of Myanmar's armed ethnic groups showed its correspondent a Barrett transceiver with an activated frequency-hopping system that he had bought on the retail market in Singapore.

2 GOLDs in 2010 :
ASIAN Geographic Wins WAN-IFRA Best in Photojournalism Award (Feature Photography) +Asian Publishing Awards

ASIAN Geographic magazine took the Excellence Awardees title in the Design and Layout category for the story, "In the footsteps of Alfred Russel Wallace" by Dr Jeff Neilson, which was designed by ASIAN Geographic's Benjamin Cheh Ming Hann.

Rubbish chokes Yangtze

Layers of rubbish floating in the Yangtze river are threatening to jam China's massive Three Gorges hydroelectric dam. The garbage is so thick in parts of the river that people can walk on the surface.

More than 150 million people live upstream from the dam.

In several nearby cities, household garbage is dumped directly into the river - China's longest - because municipalities are unequipped for rubbish disposal.

After three months, oil gusher plugged, says BP

Engineers have stopped oil flowing freely into the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in almost three months - but stress tests over the next 48 hours will determine whether the new cap on the deep-sea well will hold.

Officials claim the next two days would be critical as engineers keep a close watch on pressure levels within the well. The new construction includes a containment cap with a built-in "blow-out preventer", the device that failed to cut off the oil flow when the Deepwater Horizon drill rig caught fire after an explosion in April.

The latest strategy for stopping the flow follows several failed attempts over the past three months. BP has faced a storm of criticism over the disaster with US President Barack Obama insisting on full compensation for the clean-up.

Mr Obama remained cautious about the latest development, preferring to wait until further testing was completed.

Monkeys Catapault Themselves Over Electric Fence in Escape Bid

London daily, The Telegraph reported that a group of 15 monkeys at Japan's Kyoto University primate research institute have used the branches of trees to catapault themselves over a 17ft high electric fence in order to escape.

However, despite the intelligence shown in their great escape, the primates appeared unsure as to what to do with their newfound freedom: they remained by the gates of the research centre and were lured back into captivity by scientists armed with peanuts.

Scientists have since cut the trees in order to prevent a repeat escape.

Around 80 Japanese monkeys currently live in the enclosed forest space within the confines of the institute from which the primates managed to escape.

Early humans hardier than previously thought

Flint tools found in an English village show ancient humans settled in northern Europe 800,000 years ago, far earlier than previously thought, which could prompt scientists to reassess the capabilities of early humans.

The discovery, reported in the journal Nature, showed that contrary to previous scientific thinking, that they were able to move to and live in cooler parts of northern Europe.

The researchers believe the humans adapted their way of life to cope with tougher living conditions, with few edible plants and animals, and extremely cold winters in northern Eurasia.

Whaling protester gets suspended jail term in Japan

A New Zealand activist who boarded a Japanese whaling vessel in an attempt to stop an annual whale hunt was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for five years, a Japanese court said.

Pete Bethune, a former captain of the Sea Shepherd's high-tech vessel called the Ady Gil, was indicted in April on five criminal counts, including one for carrying a knife when he boarded the Japanese vessel in what the activists said was an attempt to conduct a citizen's arrest.

It was reported that one of Bethune's lawyers said he was relieved that the sentence was suspended, adding that Bethune and his lawyers had no plans to appeal.

Regulatory risk mounts for European green energy

A pullback in renewable energy support from governments in Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain is stoking investment jitters.

Italy plans to unveil new cuts in solar support. Spain recently cut support for wind and solar and is considering wider solar cuts, while planned German cuts are awaiting parliamentary approval.

The Czech Republic approved cuts in March 2010.

Renewable energy, including wind and solar power, also has to compete for project finance with perceived bargains in more established industries.

Wind power stocks are down an average 32 percent over the past year to June 2010, compared with a 21 percent rise for the NASDAQ exchange.

Installation of new wind power projects is also down in 2010 compared with last year in the United States, Spain and Germany.

However 2010 could still be a record year for added wind and solar capacity worldwide.

Long-term renewable energy prospects for operators is said to be rosy, with falling capital costs and rising competition among suppliers.

Germany could kick fossil fuel habit by 2050: study

Germany could derive all of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050 and become the world's first major industrial nation to kick the fossil fuel habit.

The German government has set goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 to 2020, and by 80 to 85 percent by 2050. That goal could be achieved if Germany switches completely to renewable sources by 2050.

A German Federal Environment Agency study found that switching to green electricity by 2050 would have economic advantages, especially for the vital export-oriented manufacturing industry. It is believed that this would also create tens of thousands of jobs.

Solar-power plane heads into first night flight

A solar-powered aircraft designed to fly round the clock without traditional aviation fuel or polluting emissions has headed into its crucial first night flight.

The plane, named Solar Impulse, took off for its first 24-hour test flight just after dawn from an air base near this central Swiss town and began climbing above nearby lakes and mountains toward a peak altitude of 8,500 meters (27,900 feet).

The Solar Impulse has 12,000 solar cells built into its 64.3-meter (193-foot) wings.

Biggest consumer losing appetite?

In our fight to put dinner guests off shark fin soup, we could take a leaf out of Hong Kong's book.

Clement Lee Yui-Wah's 'Cut gift money for shark fin banquets' Facebook campaign calls on netizens to tell soon-to-be-married couples: leave the traditional soup off the menu or receive a 30 percent cut in gift money. This movement has now garnered over 8,600 supporters and continues to grow.

Hong Kong government agencies are also setting positive examples. Shark fin soup is banned from the Hong Kong Observatory's official functions. While other Hong Kong government departments have yet to impose such a clear rule, an existing practice of not serving shark's fin soup at their official events already exists.

The Asian premier of multi-award winning conservation documentary 'Sharkwater' took place this month in Hong Kong, the world's largest importer of shark fin. Spain, Singapore and Taiwan are the biggest suppliers.

There's More Water On The Moon Than Anyone Thought

There is far more water on the moon than just about anyone thought and it is likely widespread deep under its surface, according to a report released recently.

BP Agrees To $20 Billion Spill Fund, Cuts Dividend

BP Plc agrees to set up a $20 billion fund for damage claims from its huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill and suspends dividend payments to its shareholders.

Message from the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Sawasdee krub,

Recently, events in Thailand have caused concern among potential visitors worldwide. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises travellers that the situation here has returned to normalcy. More importantly, the events of the past few weeks only took place in a few areas of the country. Major tourist destinations outside of Bangkok, and most of the city itself, were not affected.

Over the last 50 years, the TAT has helped to build Thailand into one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The things that make Thailand so appealing to visitors - our unique culture, natural attractions from mountains and beaches, incomparable value, and the welcoming hospitality of Thai people – have not changed. The country's transportation infrastructure is fully operational. Tourism operators throughout Thailand are ready and waiting to offer visitors exceptional holiday experiences.

With a strong commitment to the travel and tourism sector, the TAT will do our utmost to restore Thailand's position as one of world's favourite destinations. We are already implementing plans to regain visitor confidence. The TAT will let the world know that we warmly welcome everybody to Amazing Thailand.

All of us at the TAT thank you for your encouragement and concern during the recent events. We look forward to your continued support in spreading our heartfelt feelings and hope to see you in Thailand again soon

Sincerely,
Suraphon Svetasreni
Governor

From fish to forest: How standards help biodiversity

The use of fish and wood products continues to grow and are fast becoming the world's most traded commodities in their respective fields. At the same time, both sectors, crucial to biodiversity, are facing the pressing threat of climate change.

ISO Focus+ - the magazine of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) - recently highlighted the contribution ISO standards can make to supporting the three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - in the forestry, fisheries and aquaculture sectors. A selection of articles show how ISO standards contribute to harmonizing test methods in timber structures, adapting high-tech equipment to tractors and machinery for forestry, thus helping to protecting operators. ISO's new work on standards for the growing sector aquaculture are also described.

Bambang Setiadi, the new Chair of the ISO Committee on developing country matters (ISO/DEVCO) underlines in his Comment article for the May issue: "ISO standards for the more traditional activities of wood products and for the newer enterprise of aquaculture help to ensure business efficiency balanced by the intelligent and responsible use of resources".

ISO's standards are powerful tools for taking action and the May issue showcases stories from companies benefiting from ISO standards, such as a Namibian fish processor and a large Brazilian company in the paperboard market implementing management systems standards for quality and environmental or food safety as well as occupational health and safety.

The issue also features an exclusive interview with Pieter Burghout, CEO of the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) highlighting the benefits of ISO standards: "International Standards generally are well recognized worldwide as providing proven industry best practice solutions to building and construction methodologies.

"In many countries, such as New Zealand, International Standards are helping put detail to otherwise non-prescriptive performance-based building codes. International Standards encourage economic growth by helping to standardize across country borders certain industry practice – particularly in the area of quality and safety." iso.org

Asian Geographic Magazines Bags Six Awards at MPAS Magazine Awards 2010
It was a night of jubilation as Asian Geographic Magazines bagged six awards at the MPAS Magazine Awards 2010.

Held at the Rang Mahal Pavilion Restaurant at Sentosa's Hard Rock Hotel this year, the MPAS Magazine Awards is an annual event that celebrates the best magazine publishing efforts in Singapore.

The first award received by the Asian Geographic team was that for the Travel Magazine of the Year, which was won by ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT.

Next was ASIAN Geographic JUNIOR, which was named the Best New Magazine of the Year.

But the most credit had to go to the team behind flagship magazine ASIAN Geographic, which swept four awards.

These were: Best Front Cover Design of the Year: "Crossing Comfort Zones" (AG Taboo Edition); Best Feature Story of the Year: "Culture Shock: Deep Traditions, Outrageous Rites", (AG Taboo Edition); Best Visual Spread/Photography of the Year: "Photo Annual 2009: My Asia" (AG Portraits Edition); and Magazine of the Year (Bronze Award): AG 10th Anniversary Edition.

Last year, ASIAN Geographic won two awards in the 2009 MPAS Magazine Awards. Its 2008 Photo Annual won the Best Visual Series/Photography Award, while its Wild Edition was a finalist for Best Cover/Feature Story.

Summary of awards won at the MPAS Magazine Awards 2010:

- Travel Magazine of the Year: ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT

- Best New Magazine of the Year: ASIAN Geographic JUNIOR

- Best Front Cover Design of the Year: "Crossing Comfort Zones", ASIAN Geographic (Taboo Edition)

- Best Feature Story of the Year: "Culture Shock: Deep Traditions, Outrageous Rites", ASIAN Geographic (Taboo Edition)

- Best Visual Spread/Photography of the Year: "Photo Annual 2009: My Asia", ASIAN Geographic (Portraits Edition)

- Magazine of the Year (Bronze Award): ASIAN Geographic (10th Anniversary Edition)