Mon.May 13, 2024

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The State of the Air in 2024? Not Great

Union of Concerned Scientists

I am into air quality. Especially when it means I can breathe outside because there is no pesticide drift, wildfire smoke, vehicle exhaust, or pungent odors. However, the reasons why I am into air quality are a bit contradictory. On the one hand, I am fascinated by air quality because I love working with sensors and monitoring equipment. I enjoy doing outreach and education about electronics with kids.

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Oldest known human viruses found hidden within Neanderthal bones

New Scientist

Genetic analysis of 50,000-year-old Neanderthal skeletons has uncovered the remnants of three viruses related to modern human pathogens, and the researchers think they could be recreated

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Record-Breaking Ocean Heat Wave Foreshadows a Dangerous Hurricane Season

Scientific American

An active hurricane season could be in store because of ocean temperatures in the North Atlantic that broke records for more than a year

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Edible gel prevents and treats alcohol intoxication in mice

New Scientist

Mice given unlimited access to alcohol recovered faster after consuming a gel based on a milk protein, with the same treatment also preventing intoxication in another group of mice.

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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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DEP Awards $5.67 Million In Federal Funding To Support Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Mine Water Treatment, Subsidence Control Projects; Next Grant Applications Due June 3, Sept. 23

PA Environment Daily

On May 13, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of $5,672,751 in federal funding to support eight local abandoned mine lands and mine drainage restoration projects as a part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program. The projects are located in Allegheny, Bedford, Butler, Elk, Northumberland and Westmoreland counties.

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Did humans evolve to chase down prey over long distances?

New Scientist

Outrunning prey over long distances is an efficient method of hunting for humans, and it was widely used until recently, according to an analysis of ethnographic accounts

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How an audacious sonic survey could help revive damaged rainforests

New Scientist

The world’s largest "ecoacoustic" survey, listening to Costa Rican rainforests, could pave the way for a network of sensors listening to the planet’s biodiversity in real time

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The Internet Is Full of Deepfakes, and the Sky Is Full of Trash

Scientific American

Deepfake images, a delayed spaceflight, the troubles with space junk and a blast from our past for your Monday review of science news.

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ChatGPT got an upgrade to make it seem more human

New Scientist

OpenAI's new ChatGPT model, called GPT-4o, provides more human-like interactions through a voice mode, and it is capable of conversations that incorporate text, audio and video in real time

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Advanced Nuclear for Clean Power Act of 2024: Addressing Expected New Clean Power Demand

Cresforum

Over the past few months, electric utilities have been focused on projections of new demand for electric power, which is projected to increase by several times that of previous estimates. As the need for electricity continues to skyrocket, Congress must ensure demand can be met. In consideration of this growing demand comes the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2024 , an amendment included in the House approved version of S. 870, the Fire G

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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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Sticky oil sprayed onto plants offers alternative to pesticides

New Scientist

A sticky liquid made from vegetable oil could be sprayed onto plants to catch small pests such as thrips without affecting larger insects such as bees

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America250PA, Keep PA Beautiful Award $19,500 In Community Improvement Grants In Partnership With EQT Natural Gas, PennDOT

PA Environment Daily

The PA Commission for the US Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful , EQT Corporation natural gas drilling and pipeline company and the Department of Transportation, announced the eight recipients of its 2024 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants. Grants totaling $19,500 were awarded in support of projects that improve the community and engage volunteers.

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Watch a Möbius strip robot move and climb when hit by light

New Scientist

When light strikes a soft robot made from a twisted strip of hydrogel sheets, it moves in a predictable way and can climb a vertical rod or haul up a load

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Nuclear Weapons at Any Price? Congress Should Say No

Scientific American

Costs are skyrocketing to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

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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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Ultrasound therapy could treat lung condition linked to heart failure

New Scientist

Mice benefitted from ultrasound therapy for a rare lung condition – the treatment might work for common forms of high blood pressure, too

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Americans Are Lonelier than Europeans in Middle Age

Scientific American

The lack of a safety net in the U.S.

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Pigs seem less stressed if their barn is scented with lavender

New Scientist

If a lavender scent is sprayed into pig pens three times a day, the animals show less aggressive behaviour and appear more relaxed

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How to Check If You Have Immunity to Measles or Need Another Dose

Scientific American

Certain adults may need to get an additional dose of the measles vaccine.

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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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Having more children protects parents’ brains from age-related decline

New Scientist

The brains of adults who have raised children appear younger later in life.

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Meeting Developmental Milestones Early Doesn’t Always Predict Success

Scientific American

Developmental milestones help us understand when a child needs help, but meeting them early doesn’t necessarily predict long term success

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A New Set of Tools in the Toolbox for Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Washington Nature

Stormwater runoff is just as certain as the rain that falls in the Puget Sound. When rain falls on impervious surfaces, like roads and rooftops, it picks up pollution and carries the pollution on a journey that ends in our waterways and ecosystems. This pollution is a lethal threat to salmon and contaminates our environment and food. One of mother nature’s invisible superpowers, infiltration, has inspired a type of nature-based solution called Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI).

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An analytical strategy for challenging members of the microplastic family: Particles from anti-corrosion coatings

Environmental News Bits

Hildebrandt, L., Fischer, M., Klein, O., Zimmermann, T., Fensky, F., Siems, A., Zonderman, A., Hengstmann, E., Kirchgeorg, T., & Pröfrock, D. (2024). “An analytical strategy for challenging members of the microplastic family: Particles from anti-corrosion coatings.” Journal of Hazardous Materials, 470, 134173.

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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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Bicameral Legislation Would Ban Non-Essential PFAS Uses within Ten Years

Nanotech

On April 18, 2024, Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) announced that she and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act (H.R. 8074, S. 4187), “bicameral legislation to address the excessive use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across the nation’s supply chain, which has led to the harmful compounds contaminating water sources, as well as surrounding environments and communities.

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What’s in tattoo ink? My team’s chemical analysis found ingredients that aren’t on the label and could cause allergies

Environmental News Bits

by John Swierk, Binghamton University, State University of New York Tattoos are an incredibly common form of permanent self-expression that date back thousands of years. Most tattoo artists follow strict health and sanitation regulations, so you might assume that tattoo inks are carefully regulated, too. But as work done by my team of chemistry researchers … Continue reading What’s in tattoo ink?

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¿El estado del aire en 2024? No es bueno.

Union of Concerned Scientists

Me interesa mucho la calidad del aire. Especialmente cuando eso significa que puedo respirar afuera porque no nos están rociando con pesticidas, no hay humo de incendios forestales, ni gases de escape de vehículos ni olores repulsivos. Sin embargo, las razones por las que me importa la calidad del aire son un poco contradictorias. Por un lado, me fascina la calidad del aire porque me encanta trabajar con sensores.

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A review of pharmaceuticals removal from water resources using magnetic iron-based nanomaterials

Environmental News Bits

Nyakairu, G. W. A., & Shehu, Z. (2024). “A review of pharmaceuticals removal from water resources using magnetic iron-based nanomaterials.” Nanofabrication, 9. [link] Abstract The presence of pharmaceuticals in water resources is a growing concern worldwide due to their potential health impacts on aquatic life and humans.

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Monday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 5.13.24

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, Ju

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Japan’s cherry trees have been blossoming earlier due to warmer spring temperatures

Environmental News Bits

Via Our World in Data. The peak flowering of cherry trees in Kyoto, Japan, has been recorded since the ninth century.

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Pouring Gas on a Five Alarm Fire

Legal Planet

At a dinner for oil industry CEOs last week, Trump promised to fulfill the industry’s every dream in return for a billion dollars in donations. We urgently need now is more federal climate action, not less. Yet the reelection of Donald Trump would wipe out years of federal climate action. It’s important to understand fully not just the immediate effect, but the permanent impact of a second Trump term.

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Corporate climate watchdog document deems carbon offsets largely ineffective

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from Reuters. Staff at an influential corporate climate action group whose board announced a plan to allow companies to offset greenhouse gas emissions from their supply chain with carbon credits has now found such offsets are largely ineffective, a confidential preliminary draft reviewed by Reuters shows.

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Three beloved great horned owls living in Lincoln Park die in a month: ‘It’s a really tragic end’

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the Chicago Sun-Times. The deaths in the span of a month of a family of great horned owls that stole the hearts of the Lincoln Park community is likely related to rodenticide poisoning, experts say.

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Chemicals in car interiors may cause cancer — and they’re required by US law: Study

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at The Hill. Tens of millions of Americans each day breathe in carcinogenic chemicals that are woven into the interiors of their cars, a new study has found. While opening a window can help reduce the risk, only reforms can keep people safe, researchers wrote in a study in Environmental Science and Technology.

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