Facing its worst drought in decades, Iran is attempting to stimulate rain by spreading seeding agents in clouds, but the technique is likely to have modest benefits at best

تواجه إيران أسوأ جفاف لها منذ عقود، وتحاول مواجهة هذه الأزمة من خلال تحفيز الأمطار عن طريق نشر عوامل البذر في السحب. ومع ذلك، من المحتمل أن تكون فعالية هذه التقنية محدودة، حيث قد تحقق فوائد متواضعة في أفضل الأحوال. تعكس هذه الطريقة الحاجة الملحة لإيران للتعامل مع نقص المياه الحاد الذي يؤثر على الزراعة والحياة اليومية.

Irán enfrenta su peor sequía en décadas y está intentando combatir esta crisis mediante la siembra de nubes, una técnica que consiste en dispersar agentes de siembra en las nubes para estimular la precipitación. Sin embargo, los expertos sugieren que la efectividad de la siembra de nubes puede ser limitada, produciendo solo mejoras modestas en la lluvia. Este enfoque refleja la urgente necesidad de Irán de abordar las graves escaseces de agua que afectan la agricultura y la vida diaria.

L'Iran fait face à sa pire sécheresse depuis des décennies et tente de lutter contre cette crise par le biais de la stimulation des pluies, une technique qui consiste à disperser des agents de semis dans les nuages pour favoriser les précipitations. Cependant, les experts suggèrent que l'efficacité de cette méthode pourrait être limitée, n'apportant que des améliorations modestes en matière de pluie. Cette approche reflète le besoin urgent de l'Iran de faire face aux graves pénuries d'eau affectant l'agriculture et la vie quotidienne.

Iran is currently experiencing its worst drought in decades and is attempting to combat this crisis through cloud seeding, a technique that involves dispersing seeding agents into clouds to stimulate precipitation. However, experts suggest that the effectiveness of cloud seeding may be limited, potentially yielding only modest improvements in rainfall. This approach reflects Iran's urgent need to address severe water shortages affecting agriculture and daily life.

What is cloud seeding and could it end the drought in Iran?

A new study looks at how the mouth-on-mouth smooch came into being, and concludes that Neanderthals also kissed.

أظهرت دراسة حديثة أن فعل التقبيل يعود إلى 21 مليون سنة، مما يشير إلى أن إنسان النياندرتال أيضًا كان يمارس هذا السلوك الحميم. تستكشف الدراسة أصول الاتصال بين الفم والفم، مقدمةً رؤى حول الروابط الاجتماعية والعاطفية لأسلاف البشر. تضيف هذه الاكتشافات بعدًا جديدًا لفهم تطور الإنسان والتفاعلات الاجتماعية.

Un estudio reciente ha revelado que el acto de besar se remonta a 21 millones de años, sugiriendo que incluso los neandertales participaban en este comportamiento íntimo. La investigación explora los orígenes del contacto boca a boca, proporcionando información sobre las conexiones sociales y emocionales de los ancestros humanos. Este hallazgo añade una nueva dimensión a la comprensión de la evolución humana y las interacciones sociales.

Une étude récente a révélé que l'acte d'embrasser remonte à 21 millions d'années, suggérant que même les Néandertaliens participaient à ce comportement intime. La recherche explore les origines du contact bouche à bouche, offrant des perspectives sur les liens sociaux et émotionnels des ancêtres humains. Cette découverte ajoute une nouvelle dimension à la compréhension de l'évolution humaine et des interactions sociales.

A recent study has revealed that the act of kissing dates back 21 million years, suggesting that even Neanderthals engaged in this intimate behavior. The research explores the origins of mouth-on-mouth contact, providing insights into the social and emotional connections of early human ancestors. This finding adds a new dimension to the understanding of human evolution and social interactions.

First kiss dates back 21 million years, say scientists

Study from University of Oxford looks into evolutionary origins of kissing and its role in relations between speciesFrom Galápagos albatrosses to polar bears, chimpanzees to orangutans, certain species appear to kiss. Now researchers suggest Neanderthals did it too – and might even have locked lips with modern humans.It is not the first time scientists have suggested Neanderthals and early modern humans were intimately acquainted. Among previous studies, researchers have found humans and their thick-browed cousins <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature21674">shared the same mouth microbe</a> for hundreds of thousands of years after the two species split, suggesting they swapped saliva. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/19/neanderthals-early-humans-kissed-research-evolution">Continue reading...</a>

Neanderthals and early humans ‘likely to have kissed’, say scientists

The data is starting to reveal how galaxies and their black holes evolve.

The Euclid space telescope observed 1.2 million galaxies in just 1 year. Here's what we've learned

Whether you need a super-rugged hiking bag or a laptop bag for going to work, REI has some of our favorite bags and backpacks on clearance.
The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/rei-hiking-bag-packpack-anti-black-friday-deals/">REI&#8217;s anti-Black Friday sale: Get editor-approved hiking bags and backpacks for clearance prices</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.

REI’s anti-Black Friday sale: Get editor-approved hiking bags and backpacks for clearance prices

Help us track trends in the home insurance market by filling out this survey.

Frustrated With Your Home Insurer? Tell Us About It.

"It sounds like science fiction or the stuff of Hollywood movies."

Walk through the asteroid strike that killed the dinosaurs with American Museum of Natural History's new 'Impact' exhibit

A comprehensive UN report has found that cities and towns are home to 81 per cent of the world’s population, much more than previously thought

يكشف تقرير حديث للأمم المتحدة أن 81% من سكان العالم يعيشون الآن في المناطق الحضرية، وهو رقم أعلى بكثير مما كان يُعتقد سابقًا. يبرز هذا التحول الاتجاه المتزايد نحو التحضر في جميع أنحاء العالم، حيث أصبحت المدن والبلدات مركزًا لظروف المعيشة والتنمية الاجتماعية. تؤكد النتائج على أهمية التخطيط الحضري وتطوير البنية التحتية لاستيعاب السكان المتزايدين في هذه المناطق.

Un informe reciente de la ONU revela que el 81 por ciento de la población mundial ahora vive en áreas urbanas, una cifra significativamente más alta de lo que se pensaba anteriormente. Este cambio destaca la creciente tendencia de urbanización en todo el mundo, con ciudades y pueblos convirtiéndose en el centro de las condiciones de vida y el desarrollo social. Los hallazgos subrayan la importancia de la planificación urbana y el desarrollo de infraestructuras para acomodar a las poblaciones en crecimiento en estas áreas.

Un rapport récent de l'ONU révèle que 81 % de la population mondiale réside désormais dans des zones urbaines, un chiffre nettement supérieur aux estimations précédentes. Ce changement met en lumière la tendance croissante à l'urbanisation dans le monde entier, les villes et les villages devenant centraux pour les conditions de vie et le développement sociétal. Les résultats soulignent l'importance de la planification urbaine et du développement des infrastructures pour accueillir les populations croissantes dans ces zones.

A recent UN report reveals that 81 percent of the global population now resides in urban areas, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates. This shift highlights the increasing trend of urbanization worldwide, with cities and towns becoming central to living conditions and societal development. The findings underscore the importance of urban planning and infrastructure development to accommodate growing populations in these areas.

Four-fifths of the world's population now live in urban areas

Ancient rock art was meant to be heard as well as seen and now acoustic archaeologists are bringing the sounds of prehistoric rituals to life

We can finally hear the long-hidden music of the Stone Age

AlphaEvolve, an AI system created by Google DeepMind, is helping mathematicians do research at a scale that was previously impossible - even if it does occasionally "cheat" to find a solution

What is cloud seeding and could it end the drought in Iran?

Was this article worth reading? Share it