Carib Scope

分类： science

  • Dominican Republic to host the first International Congress on Urban Pest Control

    Dominican Republic to host the first International Congress on Urban Pest Control

    The Dominican Republic will achieve a historic milestone in April 2026 by hosting its inaugural International Congress on Urban Pest Control (CIPLAG RD 2026). Scheduled for April 16-17, this groundbreaking event represents a transformative initiative to elevate professional standards and technological innovation within the pest management industry across the Caribbean region.

    Under the leadership of Alexander Mata and the National Association of Urban Pest Management (ANMPU), the congress will serve as a comprehensive knowledge-sharing platform. The event will convene globally recognized experts, manufacturers of advanced biocides, and technology innovators specializing in cutting-edge monitoring and control solutions.

    The congress agenda features multiple interactive components including technical presentations by international specialists, an exhibition of emerging market technologies, professional networking sessions for strategic collaboration, and hands-on workshops dedicated to technical skill development. This multifaceted approach ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical implementation strategies.

    Strategic objectives include establishing the Dominican Republic as a regional hub for professional pest management practices while promoting environmentally sustainable methodologies. The initiative underscores the critical intersection between pest control, public health security, and ecological preservation.

    CIPLAG RD 2026 specifically targets industry entrepreneurs, technical professionals, and institutional stakeholders seeking to advance their operational capabilities. Through this congress, ANMPU demonstrates its institutional commitment to driving innovation, excellence, and professional standardization within the pest management sector.

  • 31st International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology set for Santo Domingo

    31st International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology set for Santo Domingo

    Santo Domingo has been selected as the host city for the XXXI International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology, marking a significant milestone for archaeological research in the region. The prestigious event, scheduled for July 13-17, 2026, will unfold primarily within the historic Colonial City district, with additional activities at complementary cultural venues.

    The Dominican Republic Academy of Sciences, in partnership with the International Association of Caribbean Archaeology (AIAC/IACA), will spearhead the organization of this comprehensive gathering. They have secured substantial institutional support from both cultural organizations and government entities. Key collaborators include the García Arévalo Foundation, Centro León, the Casa del Cordón Taíno Cultural Center, the Museum of Dominican Man’s Volunteer Program, and the Guahayona Institute. Official state support comes through the Vice Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the General Directorate of Museums.

    This five-day international convention will assemble distinguished researchers, academic students, heritage management professionals, and archaeology enthusiasts from across the globe. The congress agenda features presentations and scholarly discussions on cutting-edge research examining migratory patterns, cultural developments, and social transformations throughout the Caribbean region. The academic program will explore historical timelines spanning from prehistoric eras to the colonial period.

    The primary venue for academic sessions will be the auditorium at the INDOTEL Cultural Center, strategically located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City. Supplementary events and activities will be hosted at the Academy of Sciences headquarters and the Casa del Cordón Taíno Cultural Center, providing participants with immersive experiences in Dominican cultural heritage.

    This event significantly enhances the Dominican Republic’s standing as a central hub for archaeological scholarship and heritage preservation in the Caribbean basin. The congress promises to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote collaborative research initiatives, and highlight the nation’s commitment to advancing archaeological sciences.

  • Dominican official joins colleagues in Grenada for workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting

    Dominican official joins colleagues in Grenada for workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting

    Grenada is currently hosting a pivotal five-day regional workshop focused on enhancing land conservation reporting capabilities across Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The event, which commenced on February 2 and continues through February 6, brings together twenty-six environmental specialists including Josh Baron from Dominica’s Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Parks.

    The technical workshop, formally titled ‘Regional Technical Workshop on High-Resolution SDG 15.3.1 and PRAIS SO1 Reporting for Caribbean SIDS,’ represents a significant capacity-building initiative for the region. Participants from all 13 Caribbean SIDS will engage in an immersive program designed to strengthen national reporting mechanisms on land degradation through advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications.

    Core curriculum components include sophisticated training in high-resolution land cover analysis, assessment of land productivity trends, precise measurement of soil organic carbon, and comprehensive integration of these indicators into Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 evaluations. Additionally, attendees will develop specialized skills in generating PRAIS-compliant datasets with complete metadata documentation.

    A primary objective of this gathering is the establishment of a Caribbean GIS Community of Practice dedicated to land degradation monitoring and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) initiatives. This professional network will support ongoing implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) through the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) platform.

    The workshop is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) serving as Implementing Agency and the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) acting as Executing Agency. Technical training is delivered in collaboration with Apacheta, creating a robust multilateral partnership aimed at strengthening regional environmental governance and sustainable land management practices.

  • Jamaica Customs Agency: Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance & Commitment

    Jamaica Customs Agency: Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance & Commitment

    NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery in its exploration of Mars, uncovering compelling evidence of complex organic molecules within the Jezero Crater. This finding, published in the prestigious journal Nature, represents the most robust indication yet that the Red Planet may have hosted conditions suitable for prehistoric life.

  • UWI Five Islands to host public lecture on Antigua’s geological history

    UWI Five Islands to host public lecture on Antigua’s geological history

    The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus has announced it will present a complimentary public lecture in February focusing on the geological formation of Antigua and its significance within the broader Caribbean tectonic framework. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 11th at 6:00 PM AST, the event will take place in the campus cafeteria and is freely accessible to all members of the community.

    Distinguished scholar Professor Simon Mitchell, an expert in sedimentary geology from the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, will deliver the presentation titled “Geology of Antigua: From Its Setting in the Caribbean to What We Want to Know.” His lecture will provide comprehensive insights into the island’s geological genesis, its connections to regional tectonic processes, and highlight pressing scientific questions that continue to drive contemporary geological research in the area.

    This educational initiative, organized under the auspices of the Office of the Campus Principal, represents part of the institution’s broader commitment to fostering public engagement with academically significant topics. The lecture series aims to bridge the gap between academic research and community awareness, particularly regarding matters of national and regional importance in the Caribbean context.

  • Polar Bears ‘Healthier’ Despite Melting Arctic Ice

    Polar Bears ‘Healthier’ Despite Melting Arctic Ice

    In a surprising ecological development, polar bears inhabiting Norway’s Svalbard archipelago demonstrate significantly improved physical condition compared to two decades ago, according to groundbreaking research published in Scientific Reports. The comprehensive study, tracking hundreds of bears between 1992 and 2019, reveals that body condition metrics began improving from the year 2000 onward—a period during which the region lost approximately 100 days of sea ice coverage.

    Lead author Jon Aars of the Norwegian Polar Institute expressed astonishment at the findings: “I would have predicted that body condition would decline. We observe precisely the opposite phenomenon.” The research indicates the Svalbard population remains stable or potentially growing, challenging conventional assumptions about polar bear vulnerability.

    The study suggests these Arctic predators have adapted their feeding strategies, supplementing traditional seal hunting with terrestrial food sources including reindeer and scavenged walrus remains. This behavioral flexibility appears to have compensated for reduced hunting opportunities on diminishing sea ice.

    University of Washington polar researcher Kristin Laidre notes the findings complicate simplistic narratives: “People often receive a message of total doom regarding polar bears. This research demonstrates significant regional variability in how bear populations are responding to environmental changes.”

    While climate change continues to pose the most substantial threat to Arctic species worldwide, this research reveals unexpected resilience in certain polar bear populations, suggesting their survival mechanisms are more complex and adaptable than previously understood.

  • Regional workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting for Caribbean SIDS

    Regional workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting for Caribbean SIDS

    Grenada will host a pivotal five-day technical workshop in February 2026, uniting Geographical Information System specialists and land management experts from across the Caribbean to enhance regional capabilities in monitoring land degradation. The specialized training program, formally designated as the Regional Technical Workshop on High-Resolution SDG 15.3.1 and PRAIS SO1 Reporting for Caribbean SIDS, represents a significant capacity-building initiative for Small Island Developing States.

    Organized by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), the intensive hands-on program will bring together 26 participants—two technical experts from each of the 13 Caribbean SIDS. The curriculum has been meticulously designed to provide comprehensive training in advanced geospatial analysis techniques specifically tailored for environmental monitoring.

    Participants will engage in practical sessions covering high-resolution land cover analysis, land productivity dynamics assessment, and sophisticated soil organic carbon estimation methodologies. The program will further equip attendees with the technical expertise required to integrate these critical indicators into Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 assessments, which specifically target land degradation neutrality.

    A cornerstone of the workshop involves training in the preparation of PRAIS-ready datasets, including standardized tables and metadata that comply with international reporting requirements. This technical preparation is crucial for effective participation in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System.

    The workshop’s most significant anticipated outcome is the establishment of a Caribbean GIS Community of Practice dedicated to land degradation monitoring and sustainable land management. This professional network will serve as an ongoing resource for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration beyond the workshop’s duration.

    Financial support for this initiative is provided through the Global Environment Facility, with the United Nations Environment Programme acting as Implementing Agency and PISLM serving as Executing Agency. Technical training delivery is being conducted in collaboration with Apacheta, an organization specializing in environmental data management solutions.

    This capacity-building effort directly supports Caribbean nations in fulfilling their reporting obligations under international environmental agreements while strengthening regional resilience against land degradation challenges.

  • Earthquake unit dispels myth

    Earthquake unit dispels myth

    Jamaican seismic experts are actively combating the widespread misconception that atmospheric conditions influence earthquake occurrence as the nation concludes its January Earthquake Awareness Month. Karleen Black, Scientific Officer at Jamaica’s Earthquake Unit, presented definitive scientific clarification during a recent JIS Think Tank session, emphasizing that seismic events originate from profound geological processes deep within the Earth’s crust.

    Black explained that the fundamental mechanisms driving earthquakes operate at depths ranging from 15 to 100 kilometers beneath the surface, far beyond the reach of meteorological conditions. “The weather at the surface is not going to affect them,” she stated authoritatively, dismissing the long-held myth connecting hot temperatures to seismic activity.

    While acknowledging earthquakes as inherent natural phenomena, Black stressed that their devastating consequences can be substantially mitigated through comprehensive preparedness strategies. She highlighted the cascade of secondary hazards triggered by seismic events, including tsunamis, landslides, soil liquefaction, and fires, particularly emphasizing coastal tsunami preparedness for island residents.

    The Earthquake Unit maintains ongoing collaborations with multiple stakeholders to enhance national resilience through targeted public education programs and disaster readiness initiatives. These efforts form part of Jamaica’s broader strategy to build societal resistance against geological threats in this seismically active Caribbean region.

  • Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    Google unveils AI tool probing mysteries of human genome

    PARIS — Google DeepMind has launched a groundbreaking artificial intelligence system designed to decode the complex language of human genetics, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of genetic diseases and paving the way for innovative treatments.

    The newly unveiled AlphaGenome represents a significant advancement in genomic research, employing deep learning algorithms to interpret the previously enigmatic regions of human DNA. This development comes from the same research division that produced AlphaFold, the AI system that recently earned a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for its protein structure predictions.

    Pushmeet Kohli, Google DeepMind’s Vice President of Research, explained the historical context: “The first complete human genome sequence in 2003 provided us with the fundamental text of life. However, comprehending its intricate grammar—how our DNA actually governs biological processes—has remained one of science’s most challenging frontiers.”

    The human genome consists of approximately three billion nucleotide pairs, represented by the genetic letters A, T, C, and G. While merely two percent of this genetic material contains protein-coding instructions, the remaining 98 percent—once dismissively labeled ‘junk DNA’—is now recognized as containing crucial regulatory functions that direct cellular operations.

    AlphaGenome’s sophisticated model was trained on extensive public datasets measuring non-coding DNA across hundreds of human and murine cell and tissue types. The AI demonstrates remarkable capability in analyzing extended DNA sequences and predicting how individual nucleotide pairs influence various biological processes within cells.

    This technological breakthrough enables researchers to simulate and study the fundamental mechanisms behind difficult-to-treat genetic conditions by examining the disease-associated variants contained within non-coding DNA regions. The research findings supporting AlphaGenome’s development have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature.

    The scientific community has welcomed AlphaGenome as a transformative tool that could accelerate genetic research and potentially lead to novel therapeutic approaches for conditions with genetic components.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture Transforms as Tradition Blends with Sustainable and High-Tech Farming

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture Transforms as Tradition Blends with Sustainable and High-Tech Farming

    The agricultural landscape across the Caribbean, with a focused lens on Antigua and Barbuda, represents a dynamic fusion of historical tradition and technological innovation. This sector demonstrates remarkable resilience in confronting persistent challenges such as climate volatility, land constraints, and food import dependency. The evolution from colonial-era sugarcane monoculture to today’s diversified and tech-integrated approaches illustrates a significant regional transformation.

    Historical agricultural methods continue to form the foundational layer of Caribbean farming. Generational knowledge sustains practices such as intercropping—where cassava, maize, and pulses are cultivated together—to enhance soil health and ensure crop variety. Livestock rearing remains integral to rural livelihoods, though mindful management is essential to prevent overgrazing and land degradation.

    In response to increasing climate disruptions, including intensified hurricanes and irregular precipitation, farmers are adopting climate-smart methodologies. These strategies encompass the cultivation of drought-resistant crop varieties, advanced water conservation through rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation, and soil preservation techniques like contour farming and mulching.

    Sustainability is now a central pillar of modern agricultural development. Agroforestry systems, which incorporate fruit trees into farming plots, not only improve biodiversity but also act as natural windbreaks during storms. There is a growing shift toward agroecology, emphasizing organic alternatives such as biofertilizers and biopesticides to minimize ecological footprints.

    Innovative integrated systems are gaining traction to optimize limited land resources. Aquaponics and hydroponics enable efficient, soil-less cultivation of vegetables, particularly advantageous in urban and arid zones of Antigua and Barbuda. These closed-loop systems maximize output while conserving water—a critical consideration for island nations.

    The most groundbreaking advancement is the incorporation of drone technology. Unmanned aerial vehicles provide farmers with precise, real-time data for crop monitoring, early detection of pests or diseases, and targeted application of inputs. This precision agriculture reduces waste, lowers costs, and enhances productivity on small-scale farms, making it a powerful tool for post-hurricane recovery and yield forecasting.

    Despite promising innovations, barriers to widespread adoption persist. These include the need for comprehensive farmer training, accessible financing for technology acquisition, and supportive policy frameworks that incentivize sustainable practices. Effective collaboration between governments, research institutions, and farming communities is crucial for long-term success.

    Ultimately, Caribbean agriculture is navigating a path toward greater sustainability and self-sufficiency. By harmonizing time-tested traditions with cutting-edge technologies, the region is building a resilient food system capable of withstanding environmental and economic pressures, ensuring food security for future generations.