The Human Imprint

Eating almonds can help to fight off viruses

The Telegraph reports that new research would suggest that eating almonds can help to fight off viruses.

"A new study has revealed that naturally occurring chemicals found in the skin of the nut boost the immune system's response to such infections. Researchers found almond skins improved the ability of the white blood cells to detect viruses while also increasing the body's ability to prevent viruses from replicating and so spreading inside the body."

Follow the link to find out more.

Water levels in Lake Mead drop to lowest level ever

Scientific American reports that Lake Mead, the reservoir created in the late 1930s by Hoover Dam on the Arizona–Nevada border, has dropped to its lowest level ever.

"The lake has been steadily growing shallower since drought began reducing the flow of its source, the Colorado River, starting in 2000 due to below-average snowfall in the Rockies". Follow the link to read the scientific arguments about whether or not this can be deemed natural climate variation or climate change.

Rise in urban beekeepers

The Independent reports that a survey carried out by British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA)  found that each hive produced on average 32lb of honey, worth around £130 to the beekeeper, but the value to the wider economy of pollination by honeybees was worth more than £600 per hive.The BBKA said its members had increased the number of bee colonies by 50 per cent this year – up from 80,000 to 120,000 since March with 31% in urban areas.

Severe drought afflicts Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian government has announced $13.5m (£8.6m) in emergency aid for Amazon regions hit by the worst drought in decades according to BBC News. The money will fund water pumping and purification, as well as food deliveries to towns cut off by the drop in river levels. The Brazilian air force has already flown 500 tonnes of supplies to areas that usually depend on water transport.

India malaria deaths hugely underestimated

Check out the BBC News video about malaria cases in India. Data, published in the Lancet, suggests there are 13 times more malaria deaths in India than the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. The authors conclude that more than 200,000 deaths per year are caused by malaria.

'Water footprint' data to steer farming onto greener path

According to Euractiv.com precise data on water usage will soon help farmers and policymakers make better decisions on where to grow crops quoting Derk Kuiper from the Water Footprint Network, a UN-backed organisation. The author suggests that better information about water usage will lead to more efficient agricultural production as the data can help pinpoint where to grow high-water demand crops that are essential to Europe's food security. Follow the link to find out more.

Virus warning over undercooked pork after three die

The Telegraph reports that a rare strain of the liver disease hepatitis E has killed three people in Cornwall and caused at least 55 more across the UK to fall ill.

"Hepatitis E is generally thought to be caused by poor sanitary conditions and previously it had been assumed that British sufferers had caught the disease abroad." It is believesdthat the main cause may be contact with raw pork and the link is now being researched.

Qatar's seeks to feed its growing population

Check out the BBC News video on how Qatar is trying to improve its food security.

Floods in Greece

BBC News reports that Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency on the Aegean Sea islands of Ikaria and Chios after flash floods left two people dead. Follow the link to see the video showing the terrible conditions.

Typhoon Megi leaves 200,000 homeless in Philippines

Nature has shown its immense power again after Typhoon Megi swept through the Phillipines leaving 200,000 homeless. It is gathering strength and heading towards southern China. BBC News reports floods as well in Vietnam which have led to several deaths.