Wed.Dec 06, 2023

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Another Record-Hot Month Puts 2023 on Track to Be Hottest Year Ever

Yale E360

November was the sixth month in a row of record-warm weather, according to a new analysis that finds 2023 will almost inevitably end as the hottest year ever recorded.

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Is “carbon management” just another COP-out?

Legal Planet

Emissions cuts alone will (almost certainly) not keep the global average temperature rise below 1.5°C. But some optimism remains. Alongside a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, substantial deployment of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) techniques might avert – or at least limit – overshoot of 1.5°C. At COP 28 this week the US and several partners launched a ‘Carbon Management Challenge’ with an aim to collectively store 1.2 Gt of CO2 by 2030.

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Master Service Agreement Dispute Turns on Definitions

Energy & the Law

The outcome of a multimillion-dollar suit was in the hands of a jury of 12 good and honorable citizens. The question: Was a certain party an agent, consultant, contractor, or none of the above? One side wanted the jury to be instructed on the legal definitions of those terms. The other wanted the words to be interpreted in their “ordinary and popular sense”.

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In the Search for Life beyond Earth, NASA Dreams Big for a Future Space Telescope

Scientific American

Astronomers are moving ahead in planning NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, a telescope designed to answer the ultimate question: Are we alone in the universe?

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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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How bad is vaping for your health? We’re finally getting answers

New Scientist

As more of us take up vaping and concerns rise about the long-term effects, we now have enough data to get a grip on the health impact – and how it compares to smoking

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At COP28, a Growing Sense of Alarm Over the Harms of Air Pollution

Inside Climate News

A study released on the eve of the conference found that 8 million people around the world die annually from air pollution. And experts say the crisis is worsening. By Victoria St. Martin In one home video, Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah bops to a choreographed Beyoncé dance. In another, she looks at the camera, and her mom and plants a big kiss on her lips.

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The Vaginal Microbiome May Affect Health More than We Thought

Scientific American

A recent study finds varying combinations of microbes in the vaginal microbiome may influence health outcomes such as risk of sexually transmitted disease and preterm birth

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Space Force’s secretive space plane is making its highest flight yet

New Scientist

The US Space Force is launching its mysterious X-37B space plane on 10 December atop a Falcon Heavy rocket for what will probably be its highest and longest flight yet

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Unless We Cut Emissions, Ice Sheets, Forests and Ocean Currents Are Headed for Catastrophe

Scientific American

Hundreds of scientists warn that the world must rapidly phase out planet-warming emissions to avoid crossing dangerous climate “tipping points”

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Google says its Gemini AI outperforms both GPT-4 and expert humans

New Scientist

The Gemini artificial intelligence comes in a variety of sizes, with Google saying its mid-range version will be incorporated into its Bard chatbot and available to the public from today

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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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The Vaginal Microbiome May Affect Health More than We Thought

Scientific American

A recent study finds varying combinations of microbes in the vaginal microbiome may influence health outcomes such as risk of sexually transmitted disease and preterm birth

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Why I've been somewhat obsessed with space-time this year

New Scientist

I have been revisiting the Unruh effect, a beautiful, strange concept that describes quantum field theory in curved-space time, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

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How Quantum Math Theory Turned into a Jazz Concert

Scientific American

A mathematician and a musician collaborated to turn a quantum research paper into a jazz performance

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Quantum computer sets record on path towards error-free calculations

New Scientist

A quantum computer built by QuEra contains the largest ever number of "logical quantum bits", which can be used for error-free calculations

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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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Voting Begins For Pennsylvania’s 2024 River Of The Year: Allegheny, Lackawaxen, Youghiogheny Rivers

PA Environment Daily

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the public is invited to start voting online December 6 for the 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year , choosing from among three waterways nominated throughout the state. The nominees are the Allegheny River, the Lackawaxen River and the Youghiogheny River. Click Here to learn more about each river.

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Genetic errors are behind more than two thirds of early miscarriages

New Scientist

Chromosomal abnormalities were thought to cause around half of miscarriages, but a new genetic analysis technique puts the figure at nearer two-thirds for early miscarriages, with the remaining third probably also due to factors that are out of our control

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New Mexico Looks to Address Increasing Aridity With Brackish and Produced Water. Experts Are ‘Skeptical’

Inside Climate News

The Southwestern state announced Tuesday that it would spend $500 million on salty water from deep underground and wastewater from oil and gas production as a solution to its shortage. By Wyatt Myskow New Mexico will invest $500 million into purchasing water from controversial sources , including treated oilfield wastewater, as a means to bolster the state’s water portfolio.

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Roo-ver: Australia's first moon rover has name chosen in public vote

New Scientist

The Australian Space Agency is working on plans for its first moon rover, which will fly on an Artemis mission later this decade – and it has already chosen a name

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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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Jailbroken AI Chatbots Can Jailbreak Other Chatbots

Scientific American

AI chatbots can convince other chatbots to instruct users how to build bombs and cook meth

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The placebo effect means painkillers may work better with side effects

New Scientist

A painkilling nasal spray was better at relieving people's discomfort when it caused a mild burning sensation, possibly due to the placebo effect

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PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In November Now Available

PA Environment Daily

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In November is now available featuring articles on-- -- New EPA Methane Controls Announced [ EPA Release ] -- General Assembly Lagging Behind Public, Markets On Decarbonization -- State Leaders Have Constitutional Obligation To Address Climate Change, Air Pollution -- Philly Awards Celebrate Special Places, Innovative Leadership -- NE PA Partnership Awards Highlight Individuals To Inspire Others To Protect -- Explore PA With PEC and Purple Lizar

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Erland Cooper interview: The composer who melts hearts with icy music

New Scientist

Research into the acoustics of Svalbard's glaciers and caves is at the heart of Orkney composer Erland Cooper's latest works

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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 Plugs 132 Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells So Far; DEP Issued 490 NOVs For New Conventional Well Abandonments So Far In 2023

PA Environment Daily

On December 6, the Shapiro Administration announced it has capped and plugged 132 abandoned conventional oil and gas wells so far in 2023-- plugging more wells in the Governor’s first 11 months than in the previous eight years combined. Unfortunately, DEP has issued 490 notices of violations for new conventional oil and gas well abandonments without plugging so far in 2023.

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Robotic mouse with flexible spine moves with greater speed and agility

New Scientist

Most robots lack a flexible spine, so researchers created a 3D-printed mouse with the ability to bend its back and found that it could move faster

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DCNR Forest Focus Newsletter Highlights Draft Forests For All Plan; Extended Wildfire Season; 2024 Spongy Moth Outbreak; Forest Carbon Management

PA Environment Daily

The Fall issue of DCNR’s Forest Focus newsletter features articles on a variety of important issues in the Bureau of Forestry and State Forests, including-- -- Forests For All: A Plan for PA’s Forests And People -- Extended 2023 Wildfire Season In PA - What Can We Do About The Spongy Moth Outbreak? [2024 to be another bad year] -- Forest Carbon Management -- Fall 2023 Forest Research Update -- The Best Of Forest Fridays!

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The best science-inflected music of 2023

New Scientist

From Ashnikko to Hannah Diamond, our resident experts Bethan Ackerley and Tim Boddy round up the best music albums of 2023 - if science is your thing

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DCNR Awards Grant To French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust For Lawn Conversion, Streamside Tree Planting In Chester County

PA Environment Daily

On December 5, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust ­­­­$159,700­­­­­­­­­ ­­­­of grant funding to develop a program for lawn conversion and streamside tree planting on properties permanently protected by the Trust. Property owners whose lands are protected with a voluntary Conservation Easement held by French & Pickering and meet the eligibility criteria can receive technical assistance and up to 80% of costs covere

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COP28: The biggest climate wins and flops from the first week

New Scientist

Much of the world pledged to triple renewable energy this decade – except some of the biggest emitters – and ambitious climate mitigation goals have been set without clear funding

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Western PA Conservancy Protects 410 Acres Of Forestland Along Clear Creek In Somerset County; Land Added To Forbes State Forest

PA Environment Daily

On December 4, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 410 acres of steep forested slopes and riparian forest in Somerset County that safeguards water quality and wildlife habitat along Clear Run Creek, a tributary to Laurel Hill Creek. The Jefferson Township property was immediately conveyed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to become an addition to Forbes State Forest.

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DNA nanobots can exponentially self-replicate

New Scientist

Tiny machines made from strands of DNA can build copies of themselves, leading to exponential replication.

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Perry County Dairy Producer Gives Inside Look At Rotational Grazing Operation, How To Drive Strong Milk Production And Pasture Health

PA Environment Daily

In the Center for Dairy Excellence’s latest episode of the “ Cow-Side Conversations” podcast , Neil Hertzler of Rock Hollow Dairy LLC in Perry County, Pennsylvania shares how his family transitioned their dairy operation to a rotational grazing model years ago. The Hertzlers have 240 milking cows and are passionate about giving their cows as much grass and sunlight as possible.

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Pretend engine noises make electric cars more fun

New Scientist

Feedback ponders that old philosophical question, what is reality, after discovering that Toyota has built an electric car with a fake transmission