The level of soil contamination with radioactive substances in the areas around the damaged Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant is comparable to the indicators recorded after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
British researchers have concluded that vuvuzelas can help transmit infectious diseases. This, coupled with high levels of noise pollution, is prompting organisers of the 2012 London Olympics to consider banning vuvuzelas from competitions.
The European Commission has launched a public consultation process on the future of plastic bags, which will last until August 2011, said EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik. The EC is currently considering the possibility of banning free plastic bags in shops or imposing a special tax on them.
As reported on the official website of the European Space Agency ESA, to create the map, scientists used data obtained by the GOCE apparatus, a satellite for studying the gravitational field and constant ocean currents.
Scientists found that cocaine use increased the risk of heart attack by 24 times, while exposure to air pollution increased the risk by only 5%, but the number of people using cocaine is significantly smaller than those exposed to air pollution.
Google and Microsoft have agreed to help the administration of US President Barack Obama create a non-profit organization to combat illegal online pharmacies, Bloomberg reports, citing the Office of Management and Budget under the US President.
