Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 8, 2024

There’s no sugarcoating it: over the last two terms, but particularly in the last month, an ideologically-driven Supreme Court majority has issued ruling after ruling that collectively undermine how we protect public health and safety in this country. In a string of 6-3 and 5-4 rulings emerging from deliberately selected cases, this court has targeted decades of precedent and invited further attacks on the safeguards we all rely on.

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New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Recent fossil finds suggest that big brains weren't an evolutionary asset to our ancestors but evolved by accident – and are likely to shrink again in the near future

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Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 8, 2024

This article is republished from SciLight, an independent science policy publication on Substack. It’s been a rough few weeks for the US legal framework for protecting public health and safety and science-based decision making. In a string of really problematic decisions, the US Supreme Court’s ultra-conservative majority has ensured that the hard job of regulatory agencies in protecting the public interest will get even harder, if not impossible in many instances.

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New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

While ultra-processed food is the latest buzzword in nutrition, the scientific evidence for how it affects our health continues to point in different directions. Why can't researchers just tell us the perfect diet?

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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.

Waste

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 8, 2024

Massachusetts is laser focused on passing new legislation to streamline the building of new energy infrastructure to clean the electric grid and electrify buildings and transportation. While being able to build fast is a key component of a clean energy transition, the slow speed is not the only major failure of Massachusetts’ current siting process.

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New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Particles generated by cosmic rays can penetrate indoor and underground environments with ease, and could provide a more secure alternative to GPS for synchronising financial transactions worldwide

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New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Cars carrying sensors and scanners have been touring UK cities collecting data to help property owners plan carbon-cutting retrofit projects

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Inside Climate News

JULY 8, 2024

All recent research on global warming and tropical storms show the growing threat for developing island states and other vulnerable coastal areas. By Bob Berwyn Climate heating caused by fossil fuel pollution supercharged Hurricane Beryl during its unusually early July push from the heart of the tropical Atlantic Ocean to the coast of Texas, scientists said Friday.

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New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Tests on lab-grown “mini-brains” show a one-off gene therapy treatment can prevent the formation of the tau tangles associated with several neurodegenerative conditions

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National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

JULY 8, 2024

Cover crop experiment at Rogers Farm Forage and Crop Research Facility in Orono, Maine. Photo credit: Reana Kovalcik. On June 11, 2024, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee advanced the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2025 on a party-line vote. The bill – which provides Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – totals $2

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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

2024

New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Dingoes, the native wild dogs of Australia, arrived on the continent more than 3000 years ago and their gene pool has had little input from domestic dogs

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Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

Scientists, pilots and even a Jesuit priest have tried over decades to understand some of the most ferocious storms on Earth, but climate change is making such efforts to avert damage more difficult

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Climate Change 110

New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

Europe is set to regain its capacity to launch satellites into space when the Ariane 6 rocket finally flies after years of delays

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PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

On July 8, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy released a new video highlighting the Youth Conservation Corps’ recently completed a 50-mile paddling Perki-Bay Expedition following three Pennsylvania waterways. The Expedition went from the Conservancy’s home base on the Perkiomen Creek in Schwenksville, to the Schuylkill River and out to Fort Mifflin on the Delaware River.

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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.

Clean Energy

New Scientist

JULY 8, 2024

An artificial sports pitch that stores water below the surface cools itself down on hot days by letting water evaporate, just like natural grass

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Cooling 114

PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

The PA Association Of Environmental Educators is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference scheduled for March 10 to 12 in Erie. The deadline for proposals is September 13. The theme of this year’s conference – Waves of Connection – celebrates what makes PAEE so special-- the collective ability as passionate environmental educators to drive change through resilience, diversity, engagement, and connections.

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Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

It’s well known that petrochemicals are toxic to our health. Here’s how to steer clear of these by-products of the fossil fuel industry.

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Fossil Fuels 119

PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

By Penn State News The Arboretum at Penn State has been recognized with an international award for sustainable landscape architecture for its Pollinator and Bird Garden. The garden was awarded the A+ International Jury Award for Sustainability for Landscapes by Architizer, an online platform for architects and designers. “This is well-deserved recognition,” said Harland Patch, director of pollinator programming at the Arboretum and assistant research professor for the Penn State College of Agric

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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.

2022

Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

A low-tech immune boost may help some species of frogs survive a brutal fungal disease that’s already ended 90 species

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PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection and US Environmental Protection Agency forecast a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Tuesday, July 9 for the Susquehanna Valley and Southeast PA-- -- Susquehanna Valley includes Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties; and -- Southeast PA includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

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Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

While most Americans enjoy access to marijuana, barriers to research and knowledge expansion persist—with dangerous consequences.

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PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

By James M. Seif, Former Administrative Assistant to Gov. Dick Thornburgh At 3:53 a.m., March 28, 1979, the cascading failures of valves, pumps, gauges and reactor operators combined to produce the worst accident in the U.S. commercial nuclear power industry. The accident occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant Unit 2 near Middletown, a few miles downstream from Harrisburg.

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Sustainable Development

Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

In the Paris 2024 summer, Olympic swimmers will be guided by their digital twin.

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2024 107

PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-D) will be the featured speaker during The Sierra Club DelCo Green Team webinar on July 15 starting at 7:30 p.m. The topic of the webinar will be Congress, the Environment, And Congressional Review Act. There is substantial concern among the environmental community nationally that the Congressional Review Act (CRA) could be used to weaken or undermine environmental administrative rulings nationally.

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Clean Energy Climate Change Waste 2024 105

Acoel

JULY 8, 2024

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Lynn L. Bergeson * A federal district court recently issued an Order to enjoin enforcement of California’s Proposition 65 warnings related to titanium dioxide in cosmetics and personal care products. This is the third case successfully challenging Prop 65 warnings on First Amendment grounds, with previous cases involving glyphosate and acrylamide, as discussed in our FIFRA blog.

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PA Environment Daily

JULY 8, 2024

“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] Click Here To View Or Print The Entire Jul

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Environmental News Bits

JULY 8, 2024

Zilia, F., Andreottola, F. G., Orsi, L., Parolini, M., & Bacenetti, J. (2024). “Trash or treasure? A circular business model of recycling plasmix.” Circular Economy, 100089. [link] Abstract The production of plastic materials in the mid-20th century brought about transformative changes in consumer goods manufacturing and societal norms.

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Scientific American

JULY 8, 2024

Fear of hidden costs pushes us to avoid “free money” or suspiciously good offers

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Environmental News Bits

JULY 8, 2024

Nsude, C. C., Loraamm, R., Wimhurst, J. J., Chukwuonye, G. N., & Debnath, R. (2024). Renewables but unjust? Critical restoration geography as a framework for addressing global renewable energy injustice. Energy Research & Social Science, 114, 103609. [link] Abstract A global transition toward a sustainable energy system, incorporating for example Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs), is … Continue reading Renewables but unjust?

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Nanotech

JULY 8, 2024

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is hosting the fully virtual 2024 Chemical Security Seminars on July 11 and 18, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT). The sessions will cover a range of topics related to the security of dangerous chemicals. The preliminary agenda includes: The seminars are free to attend and open to the public.

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2024 45

Environmental News Bits

JULY 8, 2024

Azizimehr, B., Armaghani, T., Ghasemiasl, R., Kaabi Nejadian, A., & Javadi, M. A. (2024). A comprehensive review of recent developments in hydrogen production methods using a new parameter. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 72, 716–729. [link] Abstract The current study reviews recent developments in hydrogen production methods. Also, the study seeks to take a step … Continue reading A comprehensive review of recent developments in hydrogen production methods using a new parame

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2024 52

Nanotech

JULY 8, 2024

On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it recently reviewed the following plants modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they posed an increased plant pest risk relative to non-modified comparators: Plants modified for altered product quality: CoverCress, two pennycresses; Hjelle Advisors, rice; and Toolgen, soybean; Plant modified for increased yield: Inari, two soybeans; Plant modified for

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