Fri.Jul 12, 2024

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Last common ancestor of all life emerged far earlier than thought

New Scientist

All life on Earth can trace its origin to LUCA, the last universal common ancestor – and now it seems this organism may have lived a few hundred million years after the planet formed

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Hurricane Beryl Was a Warning Shot for Houston

Inside Climate News

The category one storm dealt the city disastrous damage. Houston’s first direct hit from a hurricane in decades showed how vulnerable the nation’s energy capital remains. By Dylan Baddour When Hurricane Beryl entered the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Houston had little reason to believe it was about to take its first direct hit from a tropical cyclone in decades.

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How Did Jupiter Get Its Great Red Spot?

Scientific American

New research suggests the Great Red Spot we see on Jupiter today is an entirely different giant storm from the one astronomers observed more than three centuries ago

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Russia is building ground-based kamikaze robots out of old hoverboards

New Scientist

Hoverboards, or self-balancing scooters, are already used by hobbyists as a basis for robots, but now a group in Russia is putting them to use on the battlefields of Ukraine

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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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Why Animals Living on Islands Are at Greater Risk of Extinction

Scientific American

Warm-blooded island species tend to evolve a slower metabolic rate compared with their mainland counterparts, making it harder for them to bounce back when under stress

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Denisovan DNA may help modern humans adapt to different environments

New Scientist

Highland and lowland populations in Papua New Guinea have different gene variants derived from Denisovan archaic humans, indicating possible adaptations for lower oxygen levels and higher malaria risk

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How to Reconnect with Old Friends Who Have Become Strangers

Scientific American

People are reluctant to reach out to contacts with whom they have lost touch—but gratified when they do

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Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests Conference Sept. 21; Annual Dinner Sept. 20 With Tim Palmer And Rosalie Haizlett, In Crawford County

PA Environment Daily

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests is now accepting reservations for the Loving The Land Through Working Forests Conference on September 21 and the Friends of the Foundation Dinner on September 20 , both in Crawford County Loving The Land Conference This field conference is all about forests – threats, management practices, and ways that we can enhance their resilience and overall health.

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A microscopic diving board can cheat the second law of thermodynamics

New Scientist

Working with a tiny cantilever, physicists managed to violate the second law of thermodynamics, using less energy than expected to change the cantilever’s motion

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PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 13

PA Environment Daily

The following notices were published in the July 13 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. -- Beech Resources, LLC - Two 16-inch Water Pipelines, One 16-inch Gas Pipeline: DEP invites comments on a Chapter 105 application for three pipelines impacting Beauty’s Run (Exceptional Value), several Exceptional Value wetlands and floodways located in Lycoming Twp., Lycoming County. ( PA Bulletin, page 4052 ) Read more here.

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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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Your pupils change size as you breathe

New Scientist

Our pupils shrink and expand as we breathe in and out, but whether this affects vision is unclear

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DEP Posted 77 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 13 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the July 13 PA Bulletin -- -- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 13 [PaEN] -- The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to 80 soil and water chemical cleanup standards under the Land Recycling Program, including more compounds in the PFAS family of chemicals and lead, and setting three public hearings.

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Young Adulthood Is No Longer One of Life’s Happiest Times

Scientific American

The U-shaped curve that pegged youth and old age as the happiest times of life has changed

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Celebrate The Bloom! July 27 In Butler County, PA’s Only Prairie With Native Blazing Star, 224 Other Species

PA Environment Daily

Join the Celebrate the Bloom! , a free annual event held at DCNR's Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler County. This year it will be on July 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Jennings Center is home to the state's only native prairie ecosystem and many unique native prairie plants, including the Blazing Star. At total of 225 native plant species were identified in this 20-acre prairie habitat The Blazing Star, which can grow up to four feet high, and features spectacular purple flo

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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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Tracking Ozempic’s Nausea Side Effect to Specific Neurons May Lead to Better Drugs

Scientific American

The neurons that produce a sick feeling and food aversion are distinct from those that induce a feeling of fullness

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Environmental Quality Board Sets 3 Hearings On Proposed Changes To 80 Chemical Cleanup Standards Under Land Recycling Program, Including More PFAS Chemicals And Lead

PA Environment Daily

The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed changes to 80 soil and water chemical cleanup standards under the Land Recycling Program, including more compounds in the PFAS family of chemicals and lead, and setting three public hearing. This rulemaking proposes to add five compounds from the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family of compounds for which new toxicity data has been published.

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Former Hurricane Beryl Floods Vermont in a Repeat of Last Year

Scientific American

A damaging downpour struck Vermont on the anniversary of last year’s flooding disaster, filling streets with mud and basements with water

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DEP To Hold Aug. 14 Hearing On Title V Air Quality Permit For the IPSCO Koppel Tubular LLC Facility In Beaver County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a RACT III Title V Air Quality Permit for the IPSCO Koppel Tubular LLC facility in Harmony Twp., Beaver County. ( PA Bulletin, page 4046 ) A hearing will be held August 14 at DEP’s Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive in Pittsburgh at 9:30 a.m.

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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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How Antarctic Scientists Think about the Future of Our Planet

Scientific American

Researchers on a multimonth Antarctic expedition describe how the climate crisis intertwines with their work.

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Buying Groceries without Garbage Packaging Is Possible — And Should Be Much More Available!

Enviromental Defense

This Plastic Free July, we are turning our sights on Canada’s grocery stores — one of the major drivers of Canada’s plastic packaging waste. As we pointed out in our grocery store audit back in early 2023, way too much of our food is packaged in throwaway plastics. Even with the elimination of single-use checkout bags, we are still very much holding the bag when it comes to dealing with waste from our food purchases.

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DEP Sets Aug. 14 Hearing [If Requested] On Title V Air Quality Permit For Gas-fired Hummel Station Power Plant In Snyder County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Title V Acid Rain Air Quality Permit for the gas-fired Hummel Station Power Plant located in Shamokin Dam Borough, Snyder County. ( PA Bulletin, page 4044 ) DEP has scheduled an August 14-- if requested-- at DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street in Williamsport at 1:00 p.m.

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With Bird Flu Spreading in Cows, Is It Time for U.S. Farmworkers to Get Vaccinated?

Scientific American

Finland has decided to vaccinate farmworkers against bird flu—and experts say the U.S.

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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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DEP Invites Comments On A Water Encroachment Permit For A Beech Resources, LLC Project To Construct 3 Pipelines On A Right-of-Way Impacting An Exceptional Value Stream, EV Wetlands In Lycoming County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Chapter 105 water encroachment for a Beech Resources, LLC project involving the construction of three permanent pipelines serving shale gas development impacting Exceptional Value water resources in Lycoming Township, Lycoming County. ( PA Bulletin, page 4052 ) The project involves the construction of two 16-inch diameter waterlines and one 16-inch diameter gas pipeline which will make f

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Groundtruthing: Using Scientific Data to Support Local Communities Across Philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences

In 2023, a coalition of local environmental and neighborhood-based organizations in Philadelphia produced the Green Living Plan, an action-oriented and community-driven agenda shared with the city’s mayoral candidates. This agenda’s aim was simple: to create healthier, safer and more environmentally equitable neighborhoods. Chris Henry/Unsplash To advance these goals, the Green Living Plan held Philadelphia’s mayoral candidates responsible, with knowledge and data, for directing greater investme

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Dept. Of Agriculture Issues Quarantine Order Establishing A Framework For Taking Actions To Prevent Damage To Nursery Stock From The Invasive Box Tree Moth

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Agriculture published notice in the July 13 PA Bulletin announcing an Quarantine Order establishing a framework for taking steps to protect nursery stock from the invasive box tree moth. Agriculture said although the moth is not widely prevalent or distributed in Pennsylvania or the United States, this invasive pest has been declared an “actionable regulatory pest” by the US Department of Agriculture.

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High-Efficiency Effect-Directed Analysis Leveraging Five High Level Advancements: A Critical Review

Environmental News Bits

Liu, J., Xiang, T., Song, X.-C., Zhang, S., Wu, Q., Gao, J., Lv, M., Shi, C., Yang, X., Liu, Y., Fu, J., Shi, W., Fang, M., Qu, G., Yu, H., & Jiang, G. (2024). High-Efficiency Effect-Directed Analysis Leveraging Five High Level Advancements: A Critical Review. Environmental Science & Technology, 58(23), 9925–9944.

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Lynn L. Bergeson Earns Highest Ranking in Chambers USA 2024

Nanotech

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Lynn L. Bergeson has been awarded the highest rank attainable, Band 1, in Chambers USA Guide 2024. This is Ms. Bergeson’s 20th year earning top marks from Chambers USA as one of the best lawyers in America. Chambers quotes clients as saying Ms. Bergeson is “the best chemical lawyer on the planet,” “Lynn is exceptionally sought after, yet she never fails to return my calls or The post Lynn L.

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Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor to Remove Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater: A Bibliometric Review

Environmental News Bits

Ribeiro, M. H. G., Silva, M. C. A., & Benetti, A. D. (2024). “Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor to Remove Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater: A Bibliometric Review.” Environmental Quality Management, 1–16. [link] Abstract With the development of state-of-the-art analytical methods, new compounds have been detected in water and sewage.

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Lynn L. Bergeson, “Managing risk: what the EPA’s TSCA chemical use bans tell us,” Financier Worldwide, August 2024.

Nanotech

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued final risk management rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) banning certain uses of two chemicals: chrysotile asbestos and methylene chloride. The identity of these two chemicals is less important than the process by which the EPA concluded that the banned uses of these chemicals pose unreasonable risks to human health and the environment, and the nature and intrusiveness of the workplace and other restrictions the The po

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Between risk perceptions and adaptation policies: centering climate justice and social innovation in heat vulnerable cities

Environmental News Bits

Kim, H., Kim, H., Woosnam, K. M., & Jang, W. (2024). “Between risk perceptions and adaptation policies: centering climate justice and social innovation in heat vulnerable cities.” Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 1–15.

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Friday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 7.12.24

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 September 23 -- Com

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Webinar: How Your Team Can Navigate the New Era of ESG Compliance

Environmental News Bits

Jul 23, 2024, noon CDTRegister here. The era of voluntary sustainability and ESG disclosure reporting is coming to a close. Newly enacted US and European rules are entering into force, creating a regulatory landscape that can be daunting to navigate. Yet some things are already clear.

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