Thu.Apr 18, 2024

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Quantum-proof encryption may not actually stop quantum hackers

New Scientist

Cryptographers are scrambling to understand an algorithm that could undermine the mathematics behind next-generation encryption methods, which are intended to protect against quantum computers

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What Philosopher Ibn Sina Can Teach Us about AI

Scientific American

A philosopher who lived centuries before artificial intelligence might be able to help us understand the field's personhood questions

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Extreme heat in 2023 linked to drastic slump in growth of marine life

New Scientist

Last year’s marine heatwaves saw an unprecedented decline in the growth of phytoplankton and algae, which many animals in the oceans depend on for food

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Guest Essay: Claims That Only Thermal Energy Resources Can Ensure Electric Grid Reliability Don’t Pass The Laugh Test

PA Environment Daily

By John Quigley, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy , University of Pennsylvania The challenge of decarbonizing the electricity grid while ensuring its reliability is acute in Pennsylvania. So is the level of misdirection in the policy debate. The Commonwealth is the nation’s third-largest electricity producer , and exports more of it than any other state.

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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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Particles move in beautiful patterns when they have ‘spatial memory’

New Scientist

A mathematical model of a particle that remembers its past so that it never travels the same path twice produces stunningly complex patterns

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Viewpoint: Heating homes with supercomputers

A Greener Life

Photo credit: Keith Hunter / University of Edinburgh. By Jeremy Williams Did you know that Britain has a national supercomputer? It’s hosted at the Advanced Computing Facility at the University of Edinburgh and it’s used on our crunchiest problems, such as climate modelling or processing health data. It’s in the news this week because of a trial of a new heating idea – an idea that chimes nicely with the seasonal heat storage technologies I was writing about recently.

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The Theoretical Physicist Who Worked with J. Robert Oppenheimer at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age

Scientific American

Melba Phillips co-authored a paper with J. Robert Oppenheimer in 1935 that proved important in the development of nuclear physics.

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Cocaine seems to hijack brain pathways that prioritise food and water

New Scientist

Cocaine and morphine hijacked neural responses in the brains of mice, which resulted in them consuming less food and water

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Hollywood Should Give Brain Science a Star Turn

Scientific American

Movies and TV shows frequently depict physical and biological sciences well, but often depict psychological and brain sciences poorly.

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Dietary changes relieve irritable bowel syndrome better than medicine

New Scientist

Both a special diet that excludes “FODMAP” compounds and a low-carb high-fibre diet were effective

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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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FDA Recalls Heart Pumps Linked to Deaths and Injuries

Scientific American

Two medical devices that mechanically pump blood to the heart have caused hundreds of injuries and more than a dozen deaths

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Jupiter's moon Io has been a volcanic inferno for billions of years

New Scientist

Measurements of sulphur isotopes in Io’s atmosphere show that the moon may have been volcanically active for its entire lifetime

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Media Advisory: This Earth Day Weekend, Ontarians Across the Province are Gathering and Demanding More Protection for the Environment

Enviromental Defense

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Starting on Friday April 19th and and continuing through until Saturday April 27th, local groups from across Ontario are hosting rallies, hikes, clean-ups, street parties and educational events as part of the Yours To Protect Weekend.

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This Nearly 50-Foot Snake Was One of the Largest to Slither the Earth

Scientific American

Fossilized vertebrae that were found in an Indian coal mine belonged to a gigantic and previously unknown snake species

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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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DCNR State Parks April Environmental Education Newsletter Celebrates Earth Month

PA Environment Daily

The April issue of DCNR State Parks Environmental Education newsletter helps educator celebrate Earth Month with features like this-- -- How To Make Every Day Earth Day -- Teaching Ideas For Earth Day, Amphibian Week + More! -- Subject To Climate - Earth Day Activity Bundle -- Celebrate Arbor Day April 26 -- Explore the Outdoors - Leave No Trace Series -- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Nurture A New Way To Learn: Outside For 5 -- Take The 2024 PA Environmental Education Survey -- Calendar o

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SpaceX’s Starship Could Save NASA’s Beleaguered Mars Sample Return Mission

Scientific American

Facing budgetary pressure for its Mars Sample Return program, NASA has turned to private industry for ideas—perhaps with one specific company in mind

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After 13 Years, No End in Sight for Caribbean Sargassum Invasion

Inside Climate News

The growing invasion of sargassum in the Caribbean has impacted the quality of life of the islands' residents. But local governments have so far failed to coordinate an international response to address the problem, which scientists believe is triggered by global pollution, the climate crisis and a shortage of funds to mitigate it. By Freeman Rogers/The BVI Beacon, Olivia Losbar/RCI Guadeloupe, Maria Monsalve/El País, Krista Campbell/Television Jamaica, Suzanne Carlson/The Virgin Islands Daily N

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Encina Announces Chemical Plastics Recycling Plant Will Not Be Built In Northumberland County

PA Environment Daily

On April 18, Texas-based Encina Development Group announced it will not move forward with its chemical plastics recycling plant in Northumberland County "at the current time." The company said it will pursue other projects in the US, Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia. “Encina has had several key projects under review or development in the USA, KSA, and SE Asia for more than 18 months.

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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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Federal Bills Propose Changes to the H-2A Program

National Law Center

In 2022, agriculture and food related jobs accounted for approximately ten percent of employment in the United States. H-2A workers play. The post Federal Bills Propose Changes to the H-2A Program appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Original Student 'Hellbender Defenders' Celebrate 5-Year Anniversary Of PA's Official State Amphibian And Clean Water Ambassador

PA Environment Daily

Five years ago this month and clad in a blue “HELLBENDER DEFENDER” t-shirt, Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation designating the Eastern hellbender as Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian. Gathered around him was an excited group of passionate teenagers who made it happen. Those original “Hellbender Defenders” have been inspired to pursue careers in the fields of conservation, education, and the environment.

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Deadly African Heat Wave Would Not Have Been Possible without Climate Change

Scientific American

Scientists say extreme temperatures that reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit and killed at least 100 people in parts of West Africa would only occur every 200 years in the absence of climate change

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Asbury Woods Environmental Center Takes On Greater Erie City Nature Challenge April 26-29; Six Other PA Areas Participating

PA Environment Daily

The Greater Erie City Nature Challenge is back for its third year, taking place from April 26 – 29, 2024 throughout Erie County. This 4-day international community science event challenges us to explore the biodiversity around us. Everyone is welcome; all you need to do is download the free iNaturalist app on your phone or tablet, create an account and start exploring!

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New Rule Charts Conservation Path for Public Lands

NRDC

The Bureau of Land Management has modernized the agency’s strategies for conserving water, wildlife, and other natural resources.

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About

PBS Nature

Ireland is renowned worldwide for its lush green hills and wild Atlantic coast, but one of its greatest natural treasures is a landscape of grey stone called the Burren, which is home to some of Ireland’s most enchanting wildlife. Featuring striking wildlife sequences set in this fantastical otherworld, the documentary follows its lead character, the elusive but charming pine marten, as her story takes us on a delightful journey through this incredible habitat and the lives of its wild birds and

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AI Report Shows ‘Startlingly Rapid’ Progress—And Ballooning Costs

Scientific American

A new report finds that AI matches or outperforms people at tasks such as competitive math and reading comprehension

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Penn State Extension: Can You Tell If A Stream Is Healthy? Meet The Stream Doctors With Science U

PA Environment Daily

Stream health is crucial for maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems and the overall well-being of surrounding environments. Healthy streams provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, support biodiversity, and contribute to clean water sources for human consumption and recreation. Additionally, they play a vital role in regulating local climates and mitigating the impacts of flooding by absorbing excess water.

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The landscape of fear in cattle farms? How the presence of barn swallow influences the activity of pest flies

The Applied Ecologist

Authors of a research article recently published in Journal of Applied Ecology talk us through how barn swallows are effective biological control agents for lowering pest fly activity in livestock farms.

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It’s Time to Act on Pilot’s Mental Health

Scientific American

Mental health recommendations for pilots and air traffic controllers bring new ideas to old problems; the FAA must decide what’s next

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Audubon Society Of Western Pennsylvania & Bird Town PA Partner To Create Sustainable Environment for Birds, Wildlife, People

PA Environment Daily

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has partnered with Bird Town Pennsylvania to make our ‘Burgh (even more) Bird Friendly. Bird Town is a state-wide grassroots program that works in partnership with local municipalities and organizations to promote community-based conservation actions that create a healthier and more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.

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KlimaSeniorinnen and the Choice Between Imperfect Options

Law Columbia

Incorporating International Climate Change Law to Maintain the ECHR’s Relevance Amid the Climate Crisis “Everything could be different – and yet there is almost nothing I can change.” This is, as Niklas Luhmann observed , the paradoxical blend that modern democracies impose on citizens, inviting either utopianism or fatalism. Disillusionment with the transformative potential of democracy is indeed widespread in the face of the “ rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sus

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Registration Open! Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium, May 23 In Harrisburg

PA Environment Daily

Penn State Extension is now accepting registrations for the 11th Annual Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium to be held May 23 in Harrisburg. The Symposium will be preceded by an optional day-long field trip highlighting springs, caves and other groundwater resources in the Cumberland Valley on May 22. Groundwater professionals, natural resource managers, educators, and anyone interested in the management and protection of water resources are invited to attend.

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NRDC, the Black List, the Redford Center, and the CAA Foundation Announce Recipients of NRDC’s 2024 Climate Storytelling Fellowship

NRDC

LOS ANGELES – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), the Black List, the Redford Center, and the CAA Foundation today announced the recipients of the 2024 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship and the Hollywood creatives who will mentor them.

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New Craft Beer In Williamsport Celebrates National I Love My State Parks Week By Supporting State Parks

PA Environment Daily

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation , in conjunction with New Trail Brewing , is excited to announce a new “I Love My State Parks” craft brew celebrating the importance of the nation’s state park system. The “I Love My State Parks” beer will be released on April 24th at their brewery in Williamsport, and to New Trail retail partners across Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

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