Fri.Apr 12, 2024

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A Random Influx of DNA from a Virus Helped Vertebrates Become So Stunningly Successful

Scientific American

Insertion of genetic material from a virus into the genome of a vertebrate ancestor enabled the lightning-quick electrical impulses that give animals with backbones their smarts

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Arctic permafrost is now a net source of major greenhouse gases

New Scientist

An Arctic-wide survey has found that the permafrost region is emitting more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs, causing the planet to heat even further

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Paxlovid COVID Treatment Most Beneficial for Unvaccinated People with Risk Factors. Others May Not Need It

Scientific American

A recent study suggests that Paxlovid is ineffective at treating symptoms in people with mild illness or those who have been fully vaccinated.

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‘Peaceful’ male bonobos may actually be more aggressive than chimps

New Scientist

Bonobos have long been regarded as the peaceful ape, in sharp contrast with violent chimpanzees, but a study based on thousands of hours of observations suggests the real story is more nuanced

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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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DEP Posted 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 13 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 13 PA Bulletin -- -- Act 14: Little Known State Law Gives Municipalities, Counties First Chance To Comment On DEP Permits Before Applications Are Submitted; Critical First Step In Public Involvement Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency.

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Annie Jacobsen: 'What if we had a nuclear war?’

New Scientist

Not long after the last world war, the historian William L. Shirer had this to say about the next world war. It “will be launched by suicidal little madmen pressing an electronic button. Such a war will not last long and none will ever follow it. There will be no conquers and no conquests, but only the charred bones of the dead on an uninhabited planet.

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Water purifier is powered by static electricity from your body

New Scientist

A 10-minute walk can build up enough static electricity to power a battery-free water purifier, which could be especially helpful during disasters or in regions that lack access to clean water and stable power supplies

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Does Dark Energy Change over Time?

Scientific American

In just one year of observations, a program that is creating the largest 3D map of the universe to date has sniffed out hints that dark energy may be stranger than scientists supposed

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Chatbots can persuade conspiracy theorists their view might be wrong

New Scientist

After a short conversation with an artificial intelligence, people’s belief in a conspiracy theory dropped by about 20 per cent

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Measles Is Back, and That’s Scary

Scientific American

The deadly virus was practically eliminated in the U.S., but now it’s infecting more people.

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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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Untangling the enigmatic origins of the human family’s newest species

New Scientist

Five years ago, a fossil found in the Philippines was determined to be from a new species of hominin called Homo luzonensis.

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Physicists Finally Know How the Strong Force Gets Its Strength

Scientific American

New discoveries demystify the bizarre force that binds atomic nuclei together

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See inside an endangered California condor egg just before it hatches

New Scientist

The hatching of the 250th California condor chick at the San Diego Zoo marks a notable milestone for a species that narrowly evaded extinction

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Heat and Floods Are Increasingly Hitting Coastlines with a One-Two Punch

Scientific American

Compound events in which coastal flooding and heat waves occur at the same time are happening more often as the planet warms

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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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Read an extract from Nuclear War: A scenario by Annie Jacobsen

New Scientist

In this terrifying extract from Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario, the author lays out what would happen in the first seconds after a nuclear missile hits the Pentagon

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What Is Pollution Doing to Our Brains? 'Exposomics' Reveals Links to Many Diseases

Scientific American

The new science of "exposomics" shows how air pollution contributes to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, bipolar disorder and other brain diseases

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Stroud Water Research Center Highlights Benefits Of Rain Gardens; New Watershed Teaching Tools; Bern Sweeney Recognition

PA Environment Daily

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center features articles on new watershed teaching tools, benefits of rain gardens and Bern Sweeney honors. Bern Sweeney Stroud Water Research Center is proud to share that Bern Sweeney, Ph.D., distinguished research scientist emeritus, is the 2024 recipient of the Ruth Patrick Award from the Association for the Science of Limnology and Oceanography.

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Black Scientists Are Building Their Own Vital Communities

Scientific American

A person-centric scientific conference demonstrates that gathering can counter the isolation of underrepresentation

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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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Agriculture Invests Over $8 Million To Protect 2,250 Acres Of Farmland In 15 Counties

PA Environment Daily

On April 11, the Department of Agriculture announced Pennsylvania will purchase development rights for 2,250 acres on 28 farms in 15 counties, forever protecting them from residential or commercial development. The farms, approved for conservation easement purchases by the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board, represent an $8.07 million investment to ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have prime farmland to feed our families and economy in the future.

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We Are Living in the Pyrocene—At Our Peril

Scientific American

Ancient prophecies of worlds destroyed by fire are becoming realities. How will we respond?

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DEP Sets May 29 Hearing On Wheelabrator Municipal Waste Combustion Facility Air Quality Permit In Bucks County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on the Title V Air Quality and the RACT III Air Quality permits for the Wheelabrator Municpal Waste Combustion Facility located in Falls Township, Bucks County. (See two April 13 PA Bulletin notices on page 1978.) DEP has scheduled a hearing for May 29 on the RACT III Air Quality permit for the facility to be held at the DEP Sotheast Regional Office, 2 E.

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How Do Tides Shape Earth and the Solar System?

Scientific American

The ocean’s twice-daily rise and fall is only the most obvious effect of tides—they slow Earth’s spin and shape stars and galaxies, too

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Filming the World’s Smartest Raptors

PBS Nature

The remote Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic are home to the world’s most intelligent bird of prey, the striated caracara. In this behind-the-scenes film, a camera team travels there to reveal the surprising ways these curious raptors survive.

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PA Resources Council: Registration Open For Weekday Electronics Waste Collections In Allegheny County

PA Environment Daily

On April 12, the PA Resources Council announced it will collect electronics for recycling on designated weekdays in Allegheny County. Through the generous support of Allegheny County Health Department, PRC will conduct e-waste collection events on Mondays and Wednesdays in May in South Park. “PRC helps residents conveniently and cost-effectively dispose of a wide variety of items not accepted in curbside pickup,” according to PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman.

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Water From Arsenic-Laced Wells Could Protect the Pine Ridge Reservation From Wildfires

Inside Climate News

“We’re looking to deal with extended drought and the increasing intensity of wildfires.” By Taylar Dawn Stagner, Grist This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter he re.

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DEP Invites Comments On Proposed CNX Midstream Double 24-Inch, 14 Mile Long Gas Pipelines In Westmoreland County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection invites comments on a proposed Chapter 105 Encroachments Permit covering a proposed CNX Midstream double 24-inch, 13.9 mile long gas pipelines in Bell, Loyalhanna and Salem Townships, Westmoreland County. ( April 13 PA Bulletin, page 1989 ) The double gas pipelines will cross 25 streams segments and 36 wetlands in Beaver Run, Porters Run and Wolford Run.

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ARS Researchers Discover Ability of Cotton Gin Waste to Transform Silver Ions into Silver Nanoparticles

Nanotech

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service announced on April 9, 2024, that ARS researchers published a study revealing the ability of cotton gin waste to synthesize and generate silver nanoparticles in the presence of silver ions. ARS states that cotton gin waste, also known as cotton gin trash, “is a byproduct of the cotton ginning process and occurs when the cotton fibers are separated from the seed boll.

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DEP Bans Sale Of Eyoyo Electronics Products For Violating PA’s Electronic Waste Recycling Law; E-Waste Recycling Law Broken

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 13 PA Bulletin that Eyoyo is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law. ( PA Bulletin, page 2022 ) Under state law, manufacturers of new covered devices-- such as televisions, laptop and desktop computers, tablets, etc.-- offered for sale in Pennsylvania are required to register with the Department prior to offering those devices for sale u

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Ag, water and environmental law experts convene at University of Nevada, Reno

National Law Center

Ag, water and environmental law experts convene at University of Nevada, Reno National Ag Law Center presents 2nd Annual Western Agricultural. The post Ag, water and environmental law experts convene at University of Nevada, Reno appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Risk-based prioritization of PFAS using phenotypic and transcriptomic data from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes

Environmental News Bits

Tsai, H.-H. D., Ford, L. C., Chen, Z., Dickey, A. N., Wright, F. A., & Rusyn, I. (2024). Risk-based prioritization of PFAS using phenotypic and transcriptomic data from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. ALTEX – Alternatives to Animal Experimentation.

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Environmental Groups React to Final Rule for Oil and Gas Leasing on Federal Lands

NRDC

Bureau of Land Management finalizes rule that will limit speculation, improve taxpayer returns, hold industry accountable, and lay the foundation for action on greenhouse gas emissions

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Stabilization of PFAS-contaminated soil with sewage sludge- and wood-based biochar sorbents

Environmental News Bits

Sørmo, E., Lade, C. B. M., Zhang, J., Asimakopoulos, A. G., Åsli, G. W., Hubert, M., Goranov, A. I., Arp, H. P. H., & Cornelissen, G. (2024). Stabilization of PFAS-contaminated soil with sewage sludge- and wood-based biochar sorbents. Science of The Total Environment, 922, 170971.

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States’ extraterritorial jurisdiction for climate-related impacts

Law Columbia

States’ extraterritorial jurisdiction was one of the hot topics decided by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Duarte Agostinho. Strictly speaking, the “lack of it” led the ECtHR to declare the complaint inadmissible with respect to all defendant States except Portugal. This finding is in line with previous ECtHR case law but highlights a gap in human rights protection and creates a mismatch between the ECtHR’s case law and that of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) and

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