Thu.Jan 04, 2024

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When Species Names Are Offensive, Should They Be Changed?

Yale E360

Amid a wider social justice reckoning, some scientists are calling for scrapping species names that honor people considered objectionable, including dictators and enslavers, or use offensive words. Others question whether such a monumental effort is worthwhile or even possible.

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Judicial Activism and Climate Change: An Unhealthy Combination

Legal Planet

An Oregon federal judge has convinced herself that climate change is a constitutional issue. After what promises to be a lengthy trial, Judge Aiken plans to decide whether U.S. energy policy passes constitutional muster. While I have no doubts about her sincerity and good intentions, her opinion itself shows why her courtroom is not the right place for climate policy to be made.

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First working graphene semiconductor could lead to faster computers

New Scientist

Researchers have created a functional semiconductor from graphene for the first time, creating the possibility of computer chips with greater performance and efficiency

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Did Neurons Evolve Twice?

Scientific American

Tracing the history of the earliest animals offers clues to whether the birth of the neuron was a one-time event

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Manufacturing Sustainability Surge: Your Guide to Data-Driven Energy Optimization & Decarbonization

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets.

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There’s a 5% chance of AI causing humans to go extinct, say scientists

New Scientist

In the largest survey yet of AI researchers, a majority say there is a non-trivial risk of human extinction due to the possible development of superhuman AI

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No, COVID mRNA Vaccines Won't Damage Your DNA

Scientific American

You have a “better chance of becoming Spider-Man” than being harmed by DNA from COVID vaccines

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More Trending

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Judge Orders Jail Time For Prominent Everglades Scientist

Inside Climate News

Tom Van Lent is accused of stealing “trade secrets” from his former employer, the well-connected Everglades Foundation By Amy Green ORLANDO, Fla.—A renowned Everglades scientist whose work has helped steer one of the most ambitious attempts at ecological restoration in human history has been sentenced by a state judge to spend 10 days in jail in a bitter legal dispute with his former employer.

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Neptune isn't as blue as we thought it was

New Scientist

An analysis of photos taken by Voyager 2 in the 1980s shows that Neptune and Uranus have a similar pale blue hue as perceived by the human eye

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Real Climate Solutions Will Take Real Leadership

Scientific American

As we careen on a climate catastrophe, the COP28 conference has witnessed world leaders’ failure to avert clear disaster for humanity

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Notoriously complex material called 'plumber's nightmare' created

New Scientist

An unusual material that consists of a complex jumble of intricately entwined tubes isn't much use on its own – but the technique needed to build it could be

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

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Tinicum Conservancy Protects 86 Acres In Little Tinicum Creek Watershed Bucks County

PA Environment Daily

The Tinicum Conservancy recently announced it has protected 86 acres of exceptional value stream and forest land in Bucks County with a new conservation easement. Thanks to new landowners, an 86-acre property located in the Little Tinicum Creek watershed will be protected forever. The property includes a home and historic barn that dates back to the early 1800’s surrounded by mostly forested and rugged terrain, with a stream that feeds Tinicum Creek.

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What the mathematics of knots reveals about the shape of the universe

New Scientist

Knot theory is linked to many other branches of science, including those that tell us about the cosmos

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Western PA Conservancy Protects 163 Acres Of Forestland, Streams In Westmoreland County

PA Environment Daily

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently announced the purchase of conservation easements to permanently protect and limit development on two forested properties, totaling 163 acres, within the Ligonier Valley of Westmoreland County. One of the easements is on approximately 33 acres in Cook Township and now a new addition to an existing 289-acre property the Conservancy protected in 2022 along headwater streams within the Fourmile Run watershed.

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Earth911’s 2024 Mission: Reduce Environmental Impacts By 50%

Earth 911

The ups and downs make the path to sustainable living feel like a roller coaster. The post Earth911’s 2024 Mission: Reduce Environmental Impacts By 50% appeared first on Earth911.

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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

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Natural Lands Preserves 458-Acre Girl Scout Camp In Montgomery County

PA Environment Daily

On January 4, Natural Lands announced the permanent preservation of 458 acres of vulnerable open space in New Hanover and Upper Frederick Townships, Montgomery County. Camp Laughing Waters , which has been run as a camp by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania since the 1950s, is now protected with a conservation easement. The Girls Scouts will continue as owners of the land, and the easement—a voluntary and permanent land protection agreement—will ensure the camp remains open space so future gene

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Zapping the brain with electricity makes us easier to hypnotise

New Scientist

Electrically stimulating part of the brain makes people more susceptible to hypnosis, which has shown promise for treating conditions such as chronic pain

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How Weathered Rocks Can Lessen Climate Change

Scientific American

Rocks can pull carbon out of the air more inexpensively than machines. But can the process be scaled?

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Sharp decline of African birds of prey puts them at risk of extinction

New Scientist

The populations of species including bateleurs and secretary birds have fallen precipitously within the past 50 years, putting these birds at risk of extinction

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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Adventures of a Bone Hunter

Scientific American

Annie Montague Alexander went on paleontology expeditions most women could only dream of in the early 1900s

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Humanoid robot acts out prompts like it's playing charades

New Scientist

A large language model can translate written instructions into code for a robot’s movement, enabling it to perform a wide range of human-like actions

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Asbury Woods Environmental Center Kicks Off The Year Of Trees In Erie County

PA Environment Daily

On January 4, Asbury Woods Environmental Center in Erie County announced they will have a yearlong theme once again for their programs and outreach activities-- The Year of Trees. Click Here for a video introduction of The Year Of Trees. “Yearly themes help us to dive deeper into various environmental and conservation topics as we pursue our vision for Northwestern Pennsylvania to be a place where appreciation for and protection of natural places is a deeply held personal and community value.

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No, COVID mRNA Vaccines Won't Damage Your DNA

Scientific American

You have a “better chance of becoming Spider-Man” than being harmed by DNA from COVID vaccines

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Zefiro Methane Corp To Begin Monitoring Abandoned Conventional Wells For Plugging To Create Emission Offsets

PA Environment Daily

DEP inspection reports show the Zefiro Methane Corp has begun evaluating abandoned conventional wells in Springfield Township, Erie County to be part of its privately-funded effort to plug wells to generate methane emission offsets it will offer for sale. On January 2, 2024, DEP inspection reports show five abandoned conventional wells located on State Game Land 314 and placed on DEP’s abandoned well list June 17, 2015 will be monitored by Zefiro to quantify the amount of methane leaking from th

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The Language of Astronomy Is Needlessly Violent and Inaccurate

Scientific American

Astronomy is beautiful and elegant.

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WeConservePA Hosts Jan. 30 Webinar On Building Reliable Support For Land Preservation

PA Environment Daily

On January 30, WeConservePA will host a webinar on Building Reliable Support for Land Preservation from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Learn how a small land trust’s ideas came to fruition after years of hard work, resulting in a county wide tax increase for land conservation. Teamwork, marketing, grants, polling, luck, humor, sacrifice, and more all contributed to a successful campaign despite limited resources.

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How Nocturnal Bush Babies Survive at Night

PBS Nature

This young bushbaby learned from his mother where to find an important winter food: acacia gum. A large and reliable source can be found half a mile away, but he must navigate through the dense forest to get there.

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Saga Continues For DEP Trying To Get A Conventional Operator To Plug Warren County Well Venting Gas Since At Least 2018

PA Environment Daily

The continuing saga of trying to get Tatonka Oil Co. LLC -- an Ohio-based company-- to plug the Nancy 13 conventional gas well in Deerfield Township, Warren County that was found to be leaking brine and gas since at least December 20, 2018 -- continues. [ Read prior history here.] On February 8, 2019, a DEP inspection report said Commonwealth Court had issued an order to Tatonka Oil Co.

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AI's Biggest Challenges Are Still Unsolved

Scientific American

Three researchers weigh in on the issues that artificial intelligence will be facing in the new year

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Penn State Extension To Host Jan. 18 Webinar On Unlocking The Power Of Hydrogen

PA Environment Daily

On January 18, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on Unlocking the Power of Hydrogen from Noon to 1:00 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of hydrogen, the role of hydrogen in clean energy, the role of hydrogen in industry and agriculture, and some exciting insights on the future of hydrogen development. The new MACH2 (eastern PA) and ARCH2 (western PA) hubs announced by the Department of Energy through the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program (H2Hubs) will include hydrogen production,

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Appellate Court Rules Port of LA Must Obey Environmental Law or Risk Closure of Largest Terminal

NRDC

After decades of violating state environmental law to benefit its largest shipping customer, the Port of Los Angeles must take long-overdue measures to protect the health and well-being of residents and workers from diesel exhaust and other air pollutants, the.

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Clean Air Council's Feet First Philly Announces Award Of Mini-Grants To 21 Public Space Enhancement Projects

PA Environment Daily

On January 4, Feet First Philly is Philadelphia’s only pedestrian advocacy group dedicated to protecting the rights of pedestrians and is a project of the Clean Air Council. In partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, FFP supports projects that will improve Philadelphia’s public spaces with mini-grants of up to $2,000, making them safer and more accessible to pedestrians.

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About

PBS Nature

Small animals must sometimes make epic journeys to find a home or a mate. While the distances may not seem monumental to us, grasses appear like skyscrapers and raindrops fall as big as cars to these little creatures. Meet six heroic, tiny travelers – a turtle, a bushbaby, a pangolin, a lion tamarin, a water vole and a chameleon – risking it all to complete big journeys against the odds.

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Protect delicate polar ecosystems by mapping biodiversity

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the University of East Anglia. Polar regions contain vast, undiscovered biodiversity but are both the most-threatened and least-understood areas of the world.

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