Weather records broken as world faces alarming levels of change

Last year broke weather records left, right and centre, according to a new statement by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on the status of global climate in 2015. This is included the highest level of ocean warming on record and the most extensive melting of winter sea ice in the Arctic. A billion people in South Asia also suffered an unprecedented killer heat wave. The alarming rate of change we are now witnessing in our climate as a result of green – house gas emissions is unprecedented in modern records. The WMO says that new temperature records are already being set this year, with average global air temperatures in January and February the highest for those months on record. The startlingly high temperatures so far in 2016 have sent shockwaves around the climate-science community, said David Carlson, head of the WMO’s World Climate Research Programme. But while air temperatures fluctuate with the mercury soaring in 2015 partly because of a major El Nino event – the WMO says the real signifiers of global warming are the oceans. From more than 3000 oceans temperature sensors established at the start of the century, it says that global ocean heat content reached record levels to a depth of at least 2000 meters in 2015. More than 90 percent of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by rising concentration of greenhouse gases finds its way into the oceans.

Artificial Pancreas may be available by 2018

Artificial pancreas – a device which monitors blood glucose in patients with diaberes and automatically adjusts levels of insulin entering the body – is likely to be available by 2018. Currently available insulin pumps deliver insulin to people with diabetes after taking readings from glucose meters, but these two components are separate. It is the joining together of both parts into a “closed loop” that makes an artificial pancreas, researchers said. “In trials, users have been positive about how use of an artificial pancreas gives them ‘time off’ or a ‘holiday’ from their diabetes management since the system is managing their blood sugar without constant monitoring,” said Roman Hovorka of the University of Cambridge.

Greenhouse gases making Indo-Pacific Pool hotter

Greenhouse gas emission have caused the Indo-Pacific warm pool –largest area of warm water in the world-to get hotter and increase in size, scientists have warned. The pool stretches about 14,484 km along the Equator and 2,414 km from north to south. It is an area of ocean with an average temperature of more than 28 degrees Celsius. Researchers, including those from commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia and Ocean University of China, also found that if Indian Ocean section of the warm pool expands more than the Pacific part, it leads to an increase in rainfall in Western Indian Ocean. But if this reversed, it results in a decrease in rainfall over East Asia.

A robot therapist to treat muscle strains

Suffering from back pain? A robotic massage therapist developed by a Singapore-based start up may help relieve muscle strains and injuries. Emma, or short for Expert Manipulative Massage Automation, a robotic arm with a 3D-printed massage tip, can resolve some of the challenges faced by sport therapy clinic, such as a shortage of trained therapists and a need deliver high quality therapy consistently.

                Developed by AiTreat, a start-up company founded by Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) graduate Albert Zhang, Emma is undergoing user trials at a medical institution that offers sports injury rehabilitation and pain management.

                Emma has a user-friendly interface and recommended guidelines for various sports injuries. The robot consist of a single, 6-axis robotic arm capable of highly articulated movements, a 3D-stereoscopic camera for vision, and a customized, fully rotatable 3D-printed massage tip. Several safety features which work in tandem with pressure sensors are also in-built, to ensure comfort and the safety of patients.