Wed.May 15, 2024

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FERC and NERC Review of Winter Storm Gas Failures Lacks Transparency and Key Details

Union of Concerned Scientists

This blog post first appeared in Utility Dive on May 3, 2024. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff recently revealed that winter storms Gerri and Heather brought a grid operator to the brink of rolling blackouts sometime between January 10 and January 17, 2024. But instead of providing a detailed assessment of what went wrong, they primarily highlighted the absence of rolling blackouts and the incremental improvements that have been made since the dangerous grid failures of storms Elliot

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Einstein was right about the way matter plunges into black holes

New Scientist

For the first time, astronomers have observed the area right at the edge of a black hole where matter stops orbiting and plunges straight in at near light speed

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A Cubic Millimeter of a Human Brain Has Been Mapped in Spectacular Detail

Scientific American

Google scientists have modelled a fragment of the human brain at nanoscale resolution, all 150 million connections

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Frozen human brain tissue can now be revived without damage

New Scientist

Using a new approach, scientists have successfully frozen and thawed brain organoids and cubes of brain tissue from someone with epilepsy, which could enable better research into neurological conditions

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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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New Report: Gas Does not Belong in A Canadian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy

Enviromental Defense

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Today Environmental Defence published a new report titled, Gas Is Not Green: Why Gas Does not Belong in A Canadian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy that outlines why fossil fuels like ‘natural’ gas should not be included under a sustainable finance label.

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Take a photographic tour around the world's first fully organic state

New Scientist

All farmland in the Indian state of Sikkim, shown in these images, has been certified organic since 2016, and local authorities say the change is already improving wildlife populations and the area's arid soil

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How overcoming negative attitudes to ageing can make you live longer

New Scientist

Ageism is pervasive, accepted and invisible.

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Why We Must Talk About Climate Change When Things Are on Fire

Enviromental Defense

There’s a line in a song by Midnight Oil that was very popular in the environmental movement when I was younger: “How can we sleep when our beds are burning?” Since starting with Environmental Defence in January, I’ve been grappling with an updated version of those song lyrics: “Why we must talk about climate change when everything is burning?” Two communities in northern Alberta have been put on evacuation alert as wildfires close in.

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Why did hominins like us evolve at all?

New Scientist

Animal life on Earth existed for over half a billion years before hominins hit the scene – a complex combination of environmental changes, innovations in technology and competition may have led to us

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A Citrus-Scented Cannabis Compound Reduces Anxiety for Weed Users

Scientific American

New research into weed reveals how a lemon-scented terpene can ease anxiety without reducing the high.

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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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Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C

New Scientist

A solar energy absorber that uses quartz to trap heat reached 1050°C in tests and could offer a way to decarbonise the production of steel and cement

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What Does the European Court of Human Rights’ First Climate Change Decision Mean for Climate Policy?

Law Columbia

On 9 April the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued its first ever comprehensive decision in a climate litigation case. The judges of the Court’s Grand Chamber found that Switzerland was in breach of its positive obligations to protect the health, well-being and quality of life of Swiss citizens from the impacts of climate change. This violation was attributed to the Swiss government’s failure to implement the robust regulatory framework necessary for fulfilling its commitment to redu

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Quantum internet draws near thanks to entangled memory breakthroughs

New Scientist

Researchers aiming to create a secure quantum version of the internet need a device called a quantum repeater, which doesn't yet exist - but now two teams say they are well on the way to building one

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The New 'Dream Chaser' Spacecraft Prepares to Visit the International Space Station

Scientific American

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser is set to make its inaugural trip to orbit to deliver supplies to the International Space Station

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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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Beans, beans, do they really make you fart? Scientists investigate

New Scientist

Feedback gets wind of new research into flatulence, and reminds us all of past studies into "the gas-producing ability of Boston baked beans"

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The Immune System May Struggle to Handle Hotter Summer Temperatures

Scientific American

Heat seems to trigger a sweep of changes in immune system molecules, although researchers disagree on what they might mean

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Around half the world could lose easily accessible groundwater by 2050

New Scientist

In coming decades, major groundwater sources may become economically unfeasible — this could raise food prices and shift diets, among other impacts

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DEP: $5 Million In Grants Recommended To Support Mitigation Projects In Beaver County Related To Shell Petrochemical Plant Environmental Violations + Shell Paid Total Penalties Of $7,606,027.75

PA Environment Daily

On May 15, the Shapiro Administration, through an advisory board at the Department of Environmental Protection made up of environmental and community advocates, has recommended funding 21 projects to benefit the environment, heath, and quality of life of the Beaver County community to mitigate the negative impacts of the Shell Petrochemical Plant's environmental violations.

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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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Huge jellyfish invasion could disrupt Arctic ecosystems as waters warm

New Scientist

The Arctic could see a surge of jellyfish as climate change leads to warmer waters and less ice – a process known as “jellification”

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The Comstock Act Originated with Disregard for Women’s Lives. It Still Does Today

Scientific American

Activists who seek to revive this antiquated law share with Anthony Comstock, the Comstock Act’s namesake and progenitor, a similar view of women as subordinate to the decisions of men and God

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Surgeons can use AI chatbot to tell robots to help with suturing

New Scientist

A virtual assistant for surgeons translates text prompts into commands for a robot, offering a simple way to instruct machines to carry out small tasks in operations

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Goose Bumps,Extra Nipples and Leftover Tails Remind Us of What We Once Were

Scientific American

Human’s evolutionary remnants show us the kinds of animals we used to be

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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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Cameras inspired by insect eyes could give robots a wider view

New Scientist

Artificial compound eyes made without the need for expensive and precise lenses could provide cheap visual sensors for robots and driverless cars

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Don Pettit, NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut, Is Going Back to Space

Scientific American

Veteran spacefarer Don Pettit is set to launch this summer on a half-year mission to the International Space Station to perform novel science experiments, snap unique orbital photos, and much more

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Dear David: How do I reconnect with old friends?

New Scientist

The research shows that getting back in touch with old friends is easier, and more welcome, than you might think, says David Robson, in his new evidence-based advice column

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Wednesday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 5.15.24

PA Environment Daily

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” - - Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution [It’s Not A Suggestion] House next voting day May 20, 21, 22, Jun

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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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OpenAI overtakes Google in race to build the future, but who wants it?

New Scientist

With big announcements about the latest artificial intelligence models this week, tech firms are competing to have the most exciting products - but generative AI remains hampered by issues

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Solar United Neighbors To Host Centre County Solar Tour May 18

PA Environment Daily

See solar energy installations close up, ask questions about how solar works, learn why homes in your community are going solar, and connect with your neighbors during the Centre County Solar Tour on May 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There are eight solar homeowners participating in the tour, spread out across State College, Bellefonte, Port Matilda, and Centre Hall.

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How the US used science to wage psychological war

New Scientist

The US has been honing its psychological warfare skills since the 19th century, when it started sending anthropologists onto battlefields, says Annalee Newitz

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Schuylkill Center For Environmental Education Names Erin Mooney Executive Director

PA Environment Daily

On May 15, the Philadelphia-based Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education board of trustees announced they have named Erin Mooney as the organization’s executive director. Mooney has served as the interim executive director of the organization since April 2023. Prior to that, she served for six years on the Center’s board of trustees, most recently as vice president.

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Why it's vital we fight prejudices about the elderly once and for all

New Scientist

Ageism is a widespread global prejudice.

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