TheNewsGuru

Tag: Science

  • The sun to be cooler by 2050 – study

    The Sun might be unusually cool by 2050, according to a new study.

    Based on the cooling spiral of recent solar cycles, scientists from University of California, San Diego believe the next “grand-minimum” is just decades away, during which the Sun will be seven per cent cooler.

    A grand-minimum, according to the study, is a period of very low solar activity, which will lead to lower temperature on earth.

    During the grand-minimum in the mid-17th century, named Maunder Minimum, the temperature dropped low enough to freeze the Thames River.

    However, the cooling is not uniform around the globe.

    In spite of the chilling weather in Europe during the Maunder Minimum, other areas such as Alaska and southern Greenland warmed.

    The phenomenon appears to offer a natural solution to global warming, but scientists invalidated that idea.

    They explained that the cooling effect of the grand minimum could merely slow down global warming, but cannot stop it.

    Scientists estimate that the grand minimum would probably only result in cooling the earth by about 0.25 per cent between 2020 and 2070.

    The finding has been published in the Chicago-based journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.

     

  • Onu launches Roadmap 2030 on Science, Technology, Innovation

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has launched the South-South Sensitisation Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap 2030, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Mr Abdul-Ganiyu Aminu, the Deputy Director of Press in the ministry, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday quoted Onu as saying the effort was to ensure scientists harnessed innovation by utilising roadmap as an instrument of providing jobs.

    He said the roadmap would also create wealth and reduce poverty in the nation.

    He said the ministry would harness invention and innovation in order to catapult the nation toward economic recovery.

    According to him, the present administration has accorded priority to science and technology in the economic recovery and growth plan.

    He said with the reduction in the importation of raw materials, Nigeria would save about N3 trillion in the next five years.

    “The savings will be utilised to service other critical sectors of the economy such as job creation, social and infrastructure development,” he said.

    Onu said that local contents would now be encouraged in all Science and Engineering contracts in the country.

    He appealed to staff to study and be guided by the Roadmap in their Scientific and Research endeavours.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, Mr Ekanem Udoh, said unlike past policy guidelines, the roadmap was infused with practicable timelines to boost Scientific, and Technological Development of the country.

     

  • FG mulls maximum benefits from STI-based economy

    FG mulls maximum benefits from STI-based economy

    The Federal Government said it would intensify efforts toward employing the right policies to access the benefits to be derived from a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)-based economy.

    Mr Abayomi Oguntade, the Director of Bio-Resources Technology Department, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), made this known on Thursday.

    “Employing right policies in science and technology will help to meet Sustainable Development Goals as it affects women and the girl-child.

    “There is gender inequality in science and technology education as a result of few national policies that address gender equality the sector,’’ he said.

    Oguntade said that participation of girls and women in on STI remained lower than that of men.

    He said that the ministry was proactive in assisting in dissemination of all Research and Development (R&D) outputs from its agencies.

    “The Gender Desk of the FMST aims at assisting in the dissemination of all R&D outputs from the agencies through initiating mentorship programmes for the girl-child and women.

    “Gender mainstreaming is a new concept in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the desk officers are acquiring a proper understanding of the concept.

    “FMST and its agencies have several research and development outcomes which are documented but yet to be fully harnessed by women in the country, ‘’he said.

    He said that girls and women in Nigeria faced worse development outcomes than their male counterparts, most importantly in the science and technology sector.

     

  • Portuguese scientists storm Nigeria, to join Nigerian scientists for science summit

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, says Nigeria will host a Science Summit involving Portuguese and Nigerian scientists, engineers and Allied professionals from Dec.4 to Dec. 5.

    Onu made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a world press conference on the summit at his office.

    According to him, the theme of the summit will be: “Science, Technology and Nigeria/ Portugal collaborative framework”.

    “This is the first time in the history of our science and technology development in Nigeria to have a dialogue of this nature.

    “This collaboration will in the short term expose our scientists to international contacts, facilitate sharing of ideas, identify who is doing what research and where and improve access to international funding.

    “While in the long term, it is expected that these collaborations will fast track commercialisation of Research and Development results, and expose our scientific approaches,” he said.

    Onu said the summit would feature six technical sessions including space science and technologies for socioeconomic development; biotechnology and natural products for health marine and industries.

    Others, he said, are: science and society; renewable energy; Research and Development/Industry linkages; process and manufacturing technology/skills development.

    He said the collaboration between Nigeria and Portugal had already placed Nigeria as a founding member of a world group to study the Atlantic Ocean using science and technology tools in space science and technology.

    The minister stated that Nigeria’s Office of the Atlantic International Research (AIR) Centre would be commissioned in the course of the summit.

    According to him, the AIR Centre will provide opportunity for Nigerian Scientists, Engineers and Allied professionals to join other world scientists to study and explore the Atlantic Ocean to the benefit of Nigerians and other world citizens.

    “This will help us to achieve the goals of the Nigerian Economy Recovery and Growth Plan.

    “This study and exploration of the Atlantic Ocean cannot be done without the involvement of Nigeria, when we have a large coastal area boundary with the Atlantic Ocean.

    “The time is now for Nigeria to use the Atlantic Ocean in a sustainable way and I invite all Nigerian Scientists to join this process at this very beginning,” he said.

     

  • FG to set up leather technology centres across geo-political zones

    The federal government, in efforts to advance leather production in Nigeria, has finalized plans to create leather research and development centres across the geo-political zones of the country.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at the matriculation of trainees and inauguration of Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), North Central Leather cluster extension centre as well as leather training infrastructure.

    He said the process of creating additional leather research and development centres in other geo-political zones had reached advance stage.

    The minister said such serious steps to promote leather production would quicken Nigeria’s industrialisation process.

    “By doing this, we will also strengthen our capacity to convert our rich agricultural products into viable economic goods and services that we need for both domestic consumption as well strengthen export earnings.

    “This will help in job and wealth creation, help restore national self-reliance and self-confidence, enhance prosperity and boost our economy,” he said.

    The minister said the Ministry was determined to use Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic diversification.

    According to him, the day’s event is an affirmation of the resolution.

    The minister said the Federal Government’s new national development order on STI would help move the country from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.

    “It is expected that this will help strengthen greater grassroots participation in leather technology, thereby helping to stimulate more indigenous capacity for the ultimate benefit of our people.

    “Finally, I urge the trainees of this institute to take the vocation seriously.

    “Nigeria will look up to you on the completion of your training to help in her efforts to use leather technology to create wealth and job, reduce poverty and enhance prosperity for our people.’’

    Earlier, NILEST Acting Director-General, Dr Eucharia Oparah, said NILEST was the only tertiary institution in Nigeria engaged in the training of middle-level manpower for the leather technology sub-sector of the economy.

    “We have been training artisans, technicians and technologists at different levels since the inception of the institute.

    “Also, we have been collaborating with the tanneries, leather manufacturers, government and private organisations within and outside the country, “she said.

    According to her leather has become the major earner of foreign exchange after oil.

    She added that for a sustainable growth NILEST should be given the needed support to carry out its mandate of training and research in the field of leather and leather products.

    She said the institute ought be empowered and converted to a degree awarding institution as the highest qualification currently awarded by the institute was Higher National Diploma.

     

  • US Consul General unveils tech innovation for Nigerian gas industry

    In the face of dwindling oil revenue, the United States (US) Consul General, John Bray has unveiled a new technology known as ‘Synergy and Aruba’ he said will help oil and gas firms increase efficiency.

    At the public presentation of the technology product in Lagos, Bray said the US government is renewing its commitment to supporting trade and investment in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria presents tremendous long-term growth opportunities and the United States government remains committed to supporting American companies and local partners in deploying the US technology to help tackle some of the challenges the country is facing,” Bray said.

    According to a statement, Synergy and Aruba helps companies operating in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to increase the efficiency of operations, monitor people, manage resources, make real-time decisions, reduce risks, save costs, and increase flexibility, productivity and company bottom line.

    TheNewsGuru reports the technology, being introduced by the US government, is in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise Nigeria and its leading local partner, Manifold Computers.

    The Acting Commercial Counsellor of the US Mission, Mr. Paul Bergman, highlighted Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s long-term partnership with the American Commercial Service.

    He stressed that the US Commercial Service will continue to be at the forefront of promoting trade and investment between America and Nigeria through the development and execution of mutually beneficial international trade policies and promotion strategies.

    The Nigeria Managing Director of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Mr. Chukwuma Okpaka, noted that the high performance computing technology solution meets the modern exigencies of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

    He said modelling and simulation applications would accelerate breakthroughs in oil and gas, science, medicine, technology, and energy sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    Bray encouraged Nigerian oil and gas industry players to avail themselves of the innovative technology with a view to harnessing Nigeria’s abundant resources, and improving their bottom-line to ultimately grow the economy.

     

  • Nigeria needs Technology Park to drive innovations – Scientist

    Nigeria needs Technology Park to drive innovations – Scientist

    A top scientist in the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has called for the urgent creation of a science and technology park in the country that he said would stimulate and drive innovations which will serve to grow science and technology in Nigeria.

    Scientist Alfred Kalu, who is of the Environmental Biotechnology and Bioconservation Department of the agency, made the call on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said the park would be a place for all agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology and even private innovative institutions could come to exhibit their inventions for public view.

    The scientist advised the technology park should be created in such a way that families could go and visit any time of the day, adding that it would make it possible for Nigerians to be aware of innovations of fellow citizens.

    “This park can even go to inspire the young ones into inventing things that may be useful for the environment and will also go a long way to publicise some of the successes and breakthrough of Nigerian scientists.

    “It may even expose scientists to international collaborations because most innovations made by Nigerians are viable and of economic benefit.

    “The park will be a platform to bring all the research results from institutions and agencies in one place and this will spur healthy rivalry and competition among them.

    Speaking on the research carried out in the bio-conservation department of NABDA, he said it had to do with converting household waste products into energy.

    “The idea is for every household to be able to generate energy from the waste resource they produce, instead of the waste becoming a problem it should be turned to a useful economic resource.

    “The challenge for us as a department is to modify, standardise it and give a price tag to it so that people can see if it is economically viable or not.

    “We are hoping to collaborate with other agencies that are related to be able to build capacity in this area so that we can solve the energy problem in the country.

    The scientist noted that establishing a science and innovation park would really help to promote the research of Nigerian scientists.

     

  • Sci-tech will make Nigeria 9th largest economy in the world – Minister

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said if science and technology (Sci-tech) is exploited and harnessed, could result to achieving the projection of Nigeria as the 9th largest economy in the world.

    The Minister stated this on Wednesday after his Ministry had presented the 2017 to 2030 Science and Technology Roadmap to a sitting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Aso Rock, Abuja.

    The Science and Technology Minister after the FEC meeting said the roadmap is aimed at projecting Nigeria to occupy the position of the 9th largest economy in the world by 2050.

    He is hoping that the roadmap will exploit the country’s rich and viable cultural heritage to achieve self-reliance in technology adding that it will be difficult to attain economic height without science and technology.

    “In the road map we also identified all the things that we need to do to place Nigeria in a position; because there are estimates that by 2050 Nigeria will, by purchasing power parity, be the 9th largest economy in the world.

    “But we cannot do this without science and technology.

    “In essence, the difference between the developed nations of the world that are the richest in the world and then the developing countries that are poor, the main difference is science and technology.

    “How do you apply science and technology to nation building?

    “So this roadmap will help our nation to take us to where we should be,” said Dr. Onu.

    He said the country was worried that many primary and secondary school students did not like to study mathematics and science subjects, which, he said, had resulted in the utilization of foreign expertise to do major projects such as construction of refineries, dams, airport, sea port, major roads and bridges.

    He added that if there was anything to do in the country, the tendency was to import. He opined this has lead to the export of foreign exchange, creation unemployment, putting undue pressure on the local currency and aggravating poverty.

    Onu said the roadmap would prepare Nigeria to be a truly great nation where it could use its resources to meet the needs of the nation for self-reliance and self-confidence.

    He noted that the country had a rich science and technology heritage where its ancestors understood their environment and had built long walls in Benin.

    The minister also said the elders also developed a leader industry that was erroneously called Moroccan leader.

    Onu also mentioned the fine artefacts and craft as well as iron technology since 3000 years ago as shown by carbon dating.

    “You can imagine that our ancestors did that and today we are unable to have our own iron and steel being produced in the country.

    “This is to let our young people to know that they have a heritage and that they should aspire to be far better than their ancestors,” he added.

    He explained that the road map intended to integrate the work of investors and researchers as well as link them up with the universities and the private sector.

    He stated that the linkage is important because it is the private sector that takes the innovations up and commercialises them.

     

  • Video: Experts discuss the issue with s3x in space

    Romping in space is a “real concern” for astronauts, a top university professor in the US has warned.

    ImageFile: Sex in space

    It’s something we know little about — but is crucial if we ever want to colonise other planets like Mars.

    During a recent Atlantic Live panel, Assistant Professor Kris Lehnhardt, from George Washington University, said that the topic needs to be addressed immediately.

    He said: “It’s a real concern … something we really don’t know about is human reproduction in space.”

    “If we actually want to go places and stay there, there’s a key component and that’s having babies,” he added.

    It’s hard to imagine cracking on during a rocket mission, considering the lack of gravity. And space suits aren’t the most appealing when it comes to foreplay.

    But during the long mission to Mars (something which Elon Musk hopes to make a reality by 2030) it’s likely to happen.

    There are many things that humans need to prepare for before attempting long-duration space travel.

    Combating the radioactive space rays beaming from the sun, keeping your health in good nick and maintaining your fitness are likely to be prime concerns for astronauts.

    But sexual reproduction is probably the most important, according to Lehnhardt.

    “If we want to become a spacefaring species and live in space permanently this is a crucial issue we need to address that has not been fully studied yet,” he said.

    Earthlings might want to stick to the mile-high club.

    A sexpert said that midair romps can actually give you better orgasms, as a result of the dip in atmospheric pressure that comes with being 30,000 feet above the ground.

    The aeroplane setting is associated with a safe reduction of oxygen levels, which can excite the brain and create feelings of euphoria.

     

     

    This article originally appeared on The Sun.

     

  • Video: NASA unveils ‘Out of This World’ Mars Rover

    Video: NASA unveils ‘Out of This World’ Mars Rover

    NASA has unveiled an “out of this world” futuristic Mars rover concept vehicle to inspire young people to want to learn more about its plans to send humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s.

    While this exact rover is not expected to operate on Mars, one or more of its elements could make its way into a rover that astronauts will drive on the Red Planet, NASA scientists wrote in a blog post this week.

    The rover, unveiled at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, was built by Parker Brothers Concepts of Port Canaveral, Florida, incorporating input into its design from NASA subject matter experts.

    The rover operates on an electric motor, powered by solar panels and a 700-volt battery. The rover separates in the middle with the front area designed for scouting and equipped with a radio and navigation provided by the Global Positioning System.

    The back section serves as a laboratory which can disconnect for autonomous research.

    Following several weeks on display at Kennedy’s visitor complex, the Mars rover concept vehicle will be displayed at several locations, NASA said.

    From July to August, it will be displayed at several locations during a tour along the East Coast.

    The Mars rover concept vehicle will return to the visitor complex to be part of the new Astronaut Training Experience attraction opening in the autumn of this year, said Rebecca Shireman of the Kennedy visitor complex.

    NASA’s next robotic Mars rover is set to land on the Red Planet in 2020. The Mars 2020 rover will search for signs of past microbial life and collect core samples for a potentially future return to Earth.