Scientists from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom used satellite data to establish increases in subnival vegetation — plants that grow between the tree line and the snow line — in the Himalayas. ### Using NASA Landsat satellite data from 1993 to 2018, remote sensing scientists measured “small but significant” increases in vegetation cover across four height brackets between 4,150 and 6,000 meters (13,615-19,685 feet) above sea level. ### “There are now more areas that are covered in plants than there were in 1993,” Karen Anderson, a remote sensing scientist who led the research, told CNN. ### Around Mount Everest, there was a significant increase in vegetation across…

Wu Huayan, 24, died at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in the city of Tongren on Monday, a spokesman for the hospital confirmed to CNN, while declining to provide a reason for her death. ### A third-year student at Guizhou Forerunner College, Wu was 135 centimeters tall (4.4 feet) and weighed just 21.6 kilograms (48 pounds), according to a statement by the Tongren municipal government in October. She captured national attention that month, when her story was told in Chinese media. ### Both of Wu’s parents had died and she was living with her younger brother, surviving on a social security program allowance of 300 yuan (US$43.5) per…

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan. More than 20,000 people died or went missing in the quake and tsunami, while hundreds of thousands more lost their homes. ### Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant melted down, releasing radioactive materials into the air and more than 100,000 people were evacuated from the area. ### Scientists have now discovered that wildlife is abundant in areas that humans no longer live. ### Using remote cameras, researchers from the University of Georgia recovered more than 267,000 photos of more than 20 species — including racoon dogs, wild boars, macaques, pheasants, foxes and Japanese hares in the areas surrounding…

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Moon said the recent birthday message sent by US President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should be considered a good sign. ### “Many were worried about a possible military provocation ahead of Chairman Kim Jong Un’s birthday, but instead, there was a congratulatory message from President Trump,” said Moon, adding that although dialogue between the US and North Korea is not active, relations between the two leaders remain unchanged. ### “North Korea has made it clear that the door for dialogue hasn’t been shut, even though there was a condition that the dialogue can only resume when North Korea’s demands…

So much for the playoff inexperience of the 2019 San Francisco 49ers. Their first postseason experience with coach Kyle Shanahan in Levi’s Stadium could have been confused with the great performances of their storied playoff past. The 49ers dominated the Vikings 27-10 in Saturday’s divisional playoff game, advancing to host next week’s NFC championship game (6:40 p.m. ET, Fox) against the Packers, who beat the NFC West runner-up Seahawks on Sunday. Regardless of that result, San Francisco is headed to its first Super Bowl in seven years. Forget Shanahan’s team challenging Jim Harbaugh’s success. The 49ers’ blowout victory, which wasn’t even as close as the final score indicates, channeled the five-ring heyday of Bill Walsh…

All eyes will be on New Orleans on Monday night when the LSU Tigers and Clemson Tigers face off in the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship game. LSU is currently favored by 5.5 points over Clemson, and the total is one of the highest in the history of national title games at 69.5. There are sure to be plenty of fireworks, and in addition to betting on the game itself, you can bet on player props and more exotic options. Fans can bet on whether famous alumni of both schools will be shown on the air, and there are multiple wagering options regarding President Donald Trump. MORE: Get the…

NFL conference champonshiip weekend is here for the 2020 playoffs. The AFC and NFC title games serve as the penultimate games before Super Bowl 54. So far, we have picked 264 games this season with rather pleasing results. That only increases the pressure to deliver in the three biggest matchups of the NFL’s 100th season. This week, there are clear home favorites playing on Sunday afternoon and evening. Without further ado, here’s our latest fearless forecast for upcoming NFL results. All odds are courtesy of SportsInsider.com. MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends from Sports Insider NFL playoff picks, predictions against spread for AFC, NFC championship games (Getty Images) Patrick Mahomeshttps://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/68/cc/patrick-mahomes-011320-getty-ftrjpg_1v6a7gvhvaf6t15hdbvpigyl4m.jpg?t=-1611681265&w=500&quality=80…

The 2020 XFL season kicks off on Feb. 8, about a week after the Super Bowl. So if you’re craving for some extra football after the NFL season, you might want to tune in to the XFL to see what it’s all about. But while the XFL is a football league, its rules differ greatly from the NFL. The league announced its rules in early January, and there are several key differences between the two football leagues.  “What we did is listen to fans,” XFL commissioner Oliver Luck said in a statement. “And what they told us is that they love this game, but they would like it at a…

NEW ORLEANS — When LSU coach Ed Orgeron accepted Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award on Saturday — presented by the Football Writers Association of America — he was quick to point out the lasting lesson he learned from the Grambling coaching icon. “You try to mold yourself to emulate guys like this,” Orgeron said while motioning to the Robinson bust at a presentation at the Sazerac House. “In order for you to have success, your players have to know that you love them. You have to treat them like your sons. That’s our No. 1 philosophy — the No. 1 philosophy at LSU.” That explains how the native…

One of the two coaches in the 2020 national championship game is among the highest-paid college football coaches, and there are also plenty of well-rewarded coaches with on-field results that aren’t quite as impressive. In terms of conferences, though, there’s not many surprises to be had. All of the top-10 coach salaries come from the Power 5. USA Today publishes a database of coach salaries from most FBS schools (some private schools are exempt from providing contract data), offering a glimpse into the financials of the very lucrative college football industry, though of course it’s not quite as lucrative for the players on the field. Here’s a list of the highest-paid college…