Latest news with #RegionalCenter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
236-million-year-old Triassic fossil reveals earliest known butterfly, moth scales
Paleontologists associated with different institutions in Argentina, along with a scientist from the U.K., have identified specks of scales from lepidopterans—a family of winged insects including several species of butterflies and moths—in samples of dung recovered from an excavation site at Talampaya National Park, located in the Argentina's western La Rioja Province. Digging at the national park began in 2011, revealing that the area had once served as a communal latrine used by many animals, including large plant-eaters, who returned regularly to urinate and defecate. Researchers collected dung samples from the Talampaya site and sent them to different institutions for analysis. One of these samples ended up at the Regional Center for Scientific Research and Technology Transfer of La Rioja, where the team behind this new study made the discovery. Researchers examined the sample using multiple methods and determined it to be around 236 million years old—dating to the middle of the Triassic period and just 16 million years after the end-Permian extinction, which wiped out roughly 90% of Earth's animal species. Among the contents, paleontologists found tiny scales, each about 200 microns long, which they identified as belonging to a lepidopteran. Previous research has estimated that Lepidoptera first evolved around 241 million years ago. However, until now, the oldest known physical evidence of their existence dated back only to about 201 million years ago. This left a significant 40 million-year gap between their predicted origin and the earliest fossil record, making it difficult for scientists to confirm when these insects first appeared and how they fit into early ecosystems. However, the new discovery by the team in Argentina helps fill in a key gap in the evolutionary record of Lepidoptera. It also led to the identification of what may be a previously unknown species, which the researchers have named Ampatiri eloisae. The researchers noted that, based on the age of the fossil, the newly identified species likely belonged to a subgroup called Glossata—meaning it would have had a proboscis similar to the long, tube-like mouthparts used by modern moths and butterflies to feed on liquids like nectar. During the Triassic period, forests were made up only of conifers and cycads, as flowering plants had not yet evolved. These nonflowering plants produced sugary droplets to aid pollination—small treats that would have provided an ideal food source for early insects with proboscises. It is estimated that the proboscis first appeared between 260 and 244 million years ago, soon after the mass extinction event. This suggests that the distinctive feeding structure of butterflies likely developed not from feeding on flowers, but for accessing these ancient nectar-like secretions. This key adaptation probably enabled early butterflies and moths to thrive by feeding on sugary pollination drops, ultimately setting the foundation for their future interaction with flowering plants, which wouldn't evolve until nearly 100 million years later. The study of the discovery has been published in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait to invest $3.24bln in renewable energy development
KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait's Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Boushehri, emphasized the need for intensified efforts, strengthened partnerships, and a comprehensive approach centered on innovation, cooperation, and strategic planning to drive the transformation in the energy sector. In his speech at the 24th meeting of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, held in Kuwait, the Minister highlighted that the event reflects Kuwait's commitment to supporting regional cooperation in the energy field. The meeting, hosted by Kuwait for the first time, gathered representatives from Arab countries and comes at a time when the adoption of clean energy technologies and enhanced energy efficiency are becoming foundational elements of sustainable development. Minister Boushehri explained that the meeting aims to foster efforts toward sustainable energy systems and optimal energy use to achieve the goals of sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of adhering to plans that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality, emphasizing that energy efficiency will play a crucial role in environmental preservation. He acknowledged the significant role of the Regional Center, an international governmental organization, in promoting the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices across Arab countries. The center supports regional efforts by facilitating the exchange of expertise and providing recommendations that contribute to the development of effective, actionable policies. During the meeting, Minister Boushehri also announced that Kuwait, through the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, will host the Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week from May 11 to 13. This event, organized by the Regional Center, will bring together regional and international entities from both the public and private sectors. The minister expressed hope that it will serve as a leading platform to enhance cooperation, showcase the latest innovations, and facilitate the exchange of experiences in sustainable energy solutions for the Arab region. In his statement to reporters, the Minister elaborated that the meeting would focus on renewable energy, particularly the integration of traditional and renewable energy sources, aiming for a production mix of 30 to 50 percent renewable energy. The discussions will also cover energy efficiency across various sectors, including residential, private, investment, commercial, industrial, and agricultural, with the goal of promoting consumption rationalization and resource preservation. He emphasized that combining energy efficiency with clean energy use is key to achieving carbon neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the meeting will explore direct investments in renewable energy, the localization of modern technologies, and the qualification and training of national professionals in this field. Minister Boushehri expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to actionable decisions and policies. Regarding Kuwait's progress in renewable energy, the Minister shared details of two key projects. The first, in collaboration with China in the Shaqaya area, aims to generate 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy. The second, with the Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority, is designed to generate 2,700 megawatts, representing about 30 percent of Kuwait's total production. The estimated value of these renewable energy projects is approximately one billion Kuwaiti dinars (about 3.2 billion US dollars). Minister Boushehri also noted that independent supplier projects may include renewable energy projects. The Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with private sector companies to produce electricity for the Ministry under the independent supplier system.
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait to invest 1 billion dinars in renewable energy development
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: Kuwait's Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Boushehri, emphasized the need for intensified efforts, strengthened partnerships, and a comprehensive approach centered on innovation, cooperation, and strategic planning to drive the transformation in the energy sector. In his speech at the 24th meeting of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, held in Kuwait, the Minister highlighted that the event reflects Kuwait's commitment to supporting regional cooperation in the energy field. The meeting, hosted by Kuwait for the first time, gathered representatives from Arab countries and comes at a time when the adoption of clean energy technologies and enhanced energy efficiency are becoming foundational elements of sustainable development. Minister Boushehri explained that the meeting aims to foster efforts toward sustainable energy systems and optimal energy use to achieve the goals of sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of adhering to plans that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality, emphasizing that energy efficiency will play a crucial role in environmental preservation. He acknowledged the significant role of the Regional Center, an international governmental organization, in promoting the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices across Arab countries. The center supports regional efforts by facilitating the exchange of expertise and providing recommendations that contribute to the development of effective, actionable policies. During the meeting, Minister Boushehri also announced that Kuwait, through the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, will host the Kuwait Sustainable Energy Week from May 11 to 13. This event, organized by the Regional Center, will bring together regional and international entities from both the public and private sectors. The minister expressed hope that it will serve as a leading platform to enhance cooperation, showcase the latest innovations, and facilitate the exchange of experiences in sustainable energy solutions for the Arab region. In his statement to reporters, the Minister elaborated that the meeting would focus on renewable energy, particularly the integration of traditional and renewable energy sources, aiming for a production mix of 30 to 50 percent renewable energy. The discussions will also cover energy efficiency across various sectors, including residential, private, investment, commercial, industrial, and agricultural, with the goal of promoting consumption rationalization and resource preservation. He emphasized that combining energy efficiency with clean energy use is key to achieving carbon neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the meeting will explore direct investments in renewable energy, the localization of modern technologies, and the qualification and training of national professionals in this field. Minister Boushehri expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to actionable decisions and policies. Regarding Kuwait's progress in renewable energy, the Minister shared details of two key projects. The first, in collaboration with China in the Shaqaya area, aims to generate 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy. The second, with the Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority, is designed to generate 2,700 megawatts, representing about 30 percent of Kuwait's total production. The estimated value of these renewable energy projects is approximately one billion Kuwaiti dinars (about 3.2 billion US dollars). Minister Boushehri also noted that independent supplier projects may include renewable energy projects. The Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with private sector companies to produce electricity for the Ministry under the independent supplier system.
