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Science In Action: Tracking Poverty

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Ethiopian Landscape

18/08/2016 GMT

Tracking Poverty

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Tracking Poverty

Identifying Africa’s poor regions using satellites reveal places where help is needed most

Satellite tracking poverty; Wristbands that monitor pesticide exposure; Thieving Star; Birds sing of climate change; Ottawa’s Outdoor Lab

A tin roof and a paved road can be a sign of an area coming out of poverty in parts of Africa. Identifying poor regions in Africa using satellite data could save massive survey efforts and help identify regions where help is needed most.

Wristbands That Monitor Pesticide Exposure 
By providing silicon wristbands to famers in West Africa, scientists at the University of Oregon State have been able to monitor their exposure to toxic pesticide. In the future these bands could also be used to detect exposure to other organic chemicals. 

Birds Sing of Climate Change 
Zebra finch parents may be helping their young to prepare for climate change by calling to them before they have hatched. These finches are born lighter and produce more offspring than usual, helping these finches to adapt to climate change. 

Thieving Star 
A small star which ran out of fuel began to steal matter from a nearby star, ultimately leading to a classical nova explosion. Scientists at the University of Warsaw studied the lead up to and duration of this explosion, something that has not been done before. 

Ottawa’s Outdoor Lab
Ottawa is the only capital city in the world with a farm right in the middle of it. The Central Experimental Farm is a 4 kilometre square sized facility with fields full of crops like corn and wheat currently in bloom. This farm is in fact a big, living, outdoor laboratory. Its 75 scientists carry out research aimed at helping farmers increase their yields. But they are also keen to discover more about the impacts of climate change.  

(Photo: ©  Ethiopian landscape by Paul F. Donald)

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer:  Fiona Roberts

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