Wed.Oct 02, 2024

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Study Finds Plastic Additives in the Air

Yale E360

Scientists have found evidence of plastic additives in the air over Southern California, including one additive that has been banned from use in toys.

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Election 2024 Is Already Happening—and So Is the Fight in the Courts

Union of Concerned Scientists

In Pennsylvania, voting is underway—the first voters are already completing their mail ballots. However, there are still significant legal questions that remain unsettled in courts, which could significantly influence the upcoming presidential election. More than a hundred lawsuits have been filed in 26 states this election cycle, many of them aimed at delegitimizing the election and setting the stage for election challenges.

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Power-Thirsty AI Turns to Mothballed Nuclear Plants. Is That Safe?

Scientific American

As Microsoft strikes a deal to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island to power AI, nuclear specialists weigh in on the unprecedented process

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This Hydrogen Tax Loophole Would Spike Carbon Emissions–But it’s Not Too Late. 

Union of Concerned Scientists

For hydrogen to have any role in the clean energy transition , it must be cleanly produced. The Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (“45V”), passed as part of 2022’s landmark climate investment law , was specifically designed to spur the shift away from today’s dirty methods of hydrogen production to truly clean production processes instead.

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How to Modernize Manufacturing Without Losing Control

Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives

Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri

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Ancient DNA tells story of toddler who lived in Italy 17,000 years ago

New Scientist

A young boy who lived towards the end of the last glacial period had dark skin, blue eyes and a congenital heart condition, a study of his genome reveals

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Wetlands 101

Enviromental Defense

The experience of exploring a wetland is like no other. The sounds of birds singing and frogs croaking, paired with the incredible sights like watching turtles sunbathe on rocks and logs, or seeing a beaver collect materials for its dam, wetlands are truly remarkable ecosystems. On top of being a natural paradise, wetlands are some of the hardest working ecosystems – which is why they are often referred to as the “kidneys of the earth.

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Suzetrigine Is Part of a New Class of Pain Medications That Could Offer Relief for Chronic Pain

Scientific American

A new class of drugs treats pain at the periphery. Here’s what that could mean for those with chronic pain.

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A dramatic return from space in Kazakhstan

New Scientist

Andrew McConnell's otherworldly photograph captures a Russian cosmonaut in front of the just-landed Soyuz MS spacecraft in Kazakhstan's remote grasslands

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DEP Begins Accepting Grant Applications Oct. 9 To Plug Orphan Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners

PA Environment Daily

On October 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will begin accepting applications on October 9 for grants to plug orphan conventional oil and gas wells abandoned by their owners. The new program is part of the $76 million in funding Pennsylvania received from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for plugging wells abandoned by conventional oil and gas well owners.

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Bill Gates's Netflix series offers some dubious ideas about the future

New Scientist

In What's Next? Bill Gates digs into AI, climate, inequality, malaria and more.

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The Key to Sustainable Energy Optimization: A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturing

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. 📊 Join us for a practical webinar hosted by Kevin Kai Wong of Emergent Ene

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Largest Brain Map Ever Reveals Fruit Fly’s Neurons in Exquisite Detail

Scientific American

Wiring diagram lays out connections between nearly 140,000 neurons and reveals new types of nerve cell

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Google says its AI designs chips better than humans – experts disagree

New Scientist

Google DeepMind claims its AlphaChip AI method can deliver “superhuman” chip designs that are already used in its data centres – but independent experts say public proof is lacking

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Revealed: Elephants and Gorillas Hang Out in Hidden Playgrounds

Scientific American

In a dense Republic of Congo rainforest, scientists have mapped a network of strangely open clearings where wild beasts go to eat and hang out

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Why we need to fight back against sexy Asian lady robots

New Scientist

Techno-Orientalism is a strand of futurism that condemns and erases Asian cultural power.

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How to Drive Cost Savings, Efficiency Gains, and Sustainability Wins with MES

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

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Killer Whales in Chile Have Begun Preying on Dolphins. What Does It Mean?

Inside Climate News

Scientists have captured drone footage of behavior never before seen along the coast of the South American country, threatened by both climate change and pollution. By Humberto Basilio In six years studying orcas off Chile’s coast, marine biologist Ana García-Cegarra had never witnessed anything like what she saw in May 2023. In the vast Pacific waters near Antofagasta, a killer whale hurled a small dusky dolphin into the air before devouring it.

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Can AI and new technology fix our dysfunctional democracies?

New Scientist

Democracy across the world isn’t working the way it should. But scientists and technologists are coming up with new ways to harness the power of the people. Will it save the day?

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Why Cheeses Such as Mozzarella and Cheddar Melt Differently Than Ricotta

Scientific American

Food science can explain why mozzarella melts like a dream while feta and ricotta don’t

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Exercise supplement creatine could be grown in edible plants

New Scientist

The compound creatine, a popular exercise supplement that only occurs naturally in animal products, could one day be produced in edible plants

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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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About

PBS Nature

Discover the wildlife of Transylvania, a mysterious and secretive region hiding some of Europe’s last true wilderness. Its soaring Carpathian Mountains and vast ancient forests still provide sanctuary for some of Europe’s most charismatic animals – wolves, bears and lynx. History, folklore and nature create a special blend of wild magic in Transylvania.

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I am in a rut. Is there a way to regain my zest for life?

New Scientist

Apathy can overcome many of us – even our advice columnist, David Robson.

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Choose Clean Water Coalition Now Accepting Applications For Young Environmental Professionals Of Color Mentorship Program

PA Environment Daily

The Choose Clean Water Coalition is now accepting applications for mentors and mentees for the Young Professionals of Color Mentorship Program through November 8. This mentor program enables Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities working in the environmental field to achieve their career and professional development goals, while closing the racial diversity gap that exists within the Chesapeake Bay restoration movement.

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AIs are more likely to mislead people if trained on human feedback 

New Scientist

If artificial intelligence chatbots are fine-tuned to improve their responses using human feedback, they can become more likely to give deceptive answers that seem right but aren’t

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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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Hurricanes Helene’s Floods Swamped a Hospital, Highlighting Climate Threats to Health Care

Scientific American

Hurricane Helene forced dozens of medical facilities across the southern U.S.

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Dolphin 'smiles' may truly be a sign of playfulness

New Scientist

Captive dolphins are more likely to make an open-mouthed expression when their playmate can see them and they often reciprocate, hinting that it is a form of visual communication

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Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Receives Grant To Rehab De Sale Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System; Participates In WV Mine Drainage Conference; Learn More About Datashed.org

PA Environment Daily

The latest issue of the Catalyst newsletter from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition highlights lots of recent activities by the Coalition and its partners. Read more about each of these stories in the newsletter. $251,797 De Sale Rehab Grant Stream Restoration Inc. (SRI) in partnership with the SRWC is the recipient subaward through DEP’s new AML and AMD Grant Program for the rehabilitation of De Sale Phase I and II passive treatment systems located in Venango Township, PA

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Drone versus drone combat is bringing a new kind of warfare to Ukraine

New Scientist

Machines are fighting machines on the Ukrainian battlefield, as a technological arms race has given birth to a new way to wage war

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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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Google Is a Monopoly. Should You Use Another Search Engine?

Scientific American

Alternatives to Google Search include Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search and Ecosia

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Which AI chatbot is best at avoiding disinformation?

New Scientist

AI chatbots from Google and Microsoft sometimes parrot disinformation when answering questions about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – but their performance depends on language and changes over time

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Hollow Oak Land Trust Spotlight: Laura Theofanous - Championing Milkweed At The Nike Missile Site In Allegheny County

PA Environment Daily

The Hollow Oak Land Trust , based in Coraopolis, Allegheny County, recently shared the story of Laura Theofanous and her efforts to help propagate milkweed, the monarch butterfly's favorite food, at the Nike missile site in Montour Woods owned by the Trust in Moon Township. Here is her story-- In our ongoing efforts to support pollinators, we sat down with Laura Theofanous, a passionate advocate for Monarch butterflies.

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How to rebuild democracy to truly harness the power of the people

New Scientist

Confidence in politics is falling around the world. Can scientific insights help us create a fairer, smarter foundation for government?

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New Poll: Two out of Three GTA Voters Want to Fix the Broken Public Transit Funding Model

Enviromental Defense

Statement by Nate Wallace, Clean Transportation Program Manager Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Today, Environmental Defence released a poll conducted by Innovative Research of a representative sample of more than 2,000 voters in the Greater Toronto Area on their attitudes towards public transit policy.