Wed.Nov 06, 2024

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Trained Rats Able to Sniff Out Smuggled Rhino Horns

Yale E360

Rats could be the latest weapon deployed in the fight against endangered wildlife trafficking, according to a study of rodents trained to sniff out pangolin scales, rhino horns, elephant tusks, and hardwood.

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Misinformation Really Does Spread like a Virus, Epidemiology Shows

Scientific American

“Going viral” appears to be more than just a catchphrase when it comes to the rampant spread of misinformation

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Knots made in a weird quantum fluid can last forever

New Scientist

Shapes created by vortices in water often fall apart, but an odd quantum fluid made from ultracold atoms could support vortex knots that never lose their knottiness

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All Eyes on Baku: Expectations for Canada at COP29

Enviromental Defense

With COP29 around the corner, our team at Environmental Defence is hard at work preparing for a busy two weeks of UN climate talks. Like every year, this is a pivotal moment for climate progress. (If you missed our explainer on what COP29 is, check that out here ) COP28 was a game changer Last year at COP28 , for the first time ever, countries around the world collectively agreed on the need to leave oil, gas and coal in the ground.

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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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Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Dec. 12 Learn How To Effectively Advocate For Change Workshop In Washington County

PA Environment Daily

The Center for Coalfield Justice will host a December 12 in-person workshop on How To Effectively Advocate for Change from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Center's office at 31 E. Chestnut Street in Washington, PA. The Center is inviting leaders in Washington and Greene counties to learn how to advocate for issues that matter to our communities, including where to target advocacy, how to research targets, what a successful meeting looks like, and how to make an ask to someone with power.

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Astrology Was an Important Science for Medieval People

Scientific American

In medieval times, astrology was considered a serious science, a branch of astronomy. Curator Larisa Grollemond of the Getty Museum, walks us through the medieval zodiac and how someone’s sign decided their day-to-day life.

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More Trending

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More people are living with pain today than before covid emerged

New Scientist

Chronic pain has increased among adults in the US since 2019, which could be due to a rise in sedentary lifestyles or reduced access to healthcare amid covid-19 restrictions

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Election Grief Is Real. Here’s How to Cope

Scientific American

Understanding the psychology of ambiguous loss can help people struggling with grief and depression in the wake of the 2024 election results

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What is the price of genius, asks biography of Roger Penrose

New Scientist

The Impossible Man by Patchen Barss salutes Roger Penrose's groundbreaking work in physics and mathematics while challenging the idea that a genius should be exempt from ordinary obligations

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2024 Will Be the First Year to Exceed the 1.5-Degree-Celsius Warming Threshold

Scientific American

This year won’t just be the hottest on record—it could be the first to surpass the 1.

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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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2024 is set to be the first year that breaches the 1.5°C warming limit

New Scientist

This year’s average global temperature is almost certain to exceed 1.

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Penn State Extension Hosts Nov. 22 Behind The Scenes Tour Of Game Commission's Howard Tree Nursery In Centre County

PA Environment Daily

On November 22, the Penn State Extension will host a Behind The Scenes Tour of the Game Commission's Howard Tree Nursery in Howard, Centre County from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Participants will meet with experienced nursery staff and foresters to discuss the critical role nurseries play in environmental stewardship, focusing on best practices for tree cultivation and integrated pest management.

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Conspiracy theorists are turning their attention back to HPV vaccines

New Scientist

We are living in a vaccine-hesitant moment, with conspiracy theories thriving on social media.

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Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Applications For BHE GT&S Watershed Mini-Grants

PA Environment Daily

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S are now accepting proposals for the 2025 Watershed Mini Grant Program , which provides financial assistance to watershed groups and organizations across the region. The deadline for applications is December 16. For 2025, the program will offer funding to watershed groups and organizations in the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, F

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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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Could seaweed be the ultimate carbon capture solution?

New Scientist

Our Future Chronicles column explores an imagined history of inventions and developments yet to come.

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Wild Ones Native Plants Hosts Nov. 10 Native Plant Seed Share In Cumberland County

PA Environment Daily

Wild Ones Native Plants and Natural Landscapes of South-Central PA invites the public to their annual Seed Share taking place this coming November 10 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Camp Hill Giant Community Room, 3301 E. Trindle Rd, Camp Hill, Cumberland County. Free native plant seeds from their members to you! The event will feature a presentation by Heather Andrews-- The Thoughtful Gardener -- on why you need native plants in your garden.

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What preparing for an asteroid strike teaches us about climate change

New Scientist

Averting an asteroid strike will need many of the same skills we must hone to tackle climate change and future pandemics

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COP16 Dispatch: Week 2 Exploring the Hill of the Three Crosses

ESA

By Zohra Zahir, David Baldwin, and Jeannine Cavender-Bares This morning, four of us set out early for a hike to one of Cali’s most iconic spots: Cerro de las Tres Cruces, or the Hill of the Three Crosses. Known for its scenic views and historical significance, this hike promised not just a physical challenge but also a deep connection to the region’s natural and geological wonders.

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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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Ancient Egyptians shaped sheep's horns – and we don't know why

New Scientist

The earliest evidence of livestock with modified horns has been discovered in ancient Egypt – sheep skulls with horns that point in unnatural directions suggest humans forced them to grow that way

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Carbon-neutral ports push

A Greener Life

By Jiang Mengnan Weifang Port has become the first port in China to officially achieve carbon neutrality amid a huge push to decarbonise the global shipping industry. On 15 October, the port in Shandong was certified as carbon-neutral by the China Classification Society Quality Certification Company, according to a government statement. Weifang Port’s “zero-carbon” certification was primarily achieved by transitioning away from fossil fuel use, according to China Electric Power News (CEPN).

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Why do we burn more coal and wood than ever, asks a provocative book

New Scientist

In More and More and More, Jean-Baptiste Fressoz argues that tackling climate change means rethinking our history of energy consumption – and exposing the green transition as a fiction

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Unraveling PFAS impact

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are omnipresent — found in everything from shampoo bottles to burger wrappers. Despite their widespread use, the health risks posed by these “forever chemicals” are not uniformly distributed across society.

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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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In satire Rumours, diplomatic communiques collide with the end times

New Scientist

A stellar cast play leaders of G7 countries facing an existential crisis in Rumours, a smart film about communication, diplomatic nonsense and not coping, says Simon Ings

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To make nuclear fusion a reliable energy source one day, scientists will first need to design heat- and radiation-resilient materials

Environmental News Bits

by Sophie Blondel, University of Tennessee Fusion energy has the potential to be an effective clean energy source, as its reactions generate incredibly large amounts of energy. Fusion reactors aim to reproduce on Earth what happens in the core of the Sun, where very light elements merge and release energy in the process.

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See nature in close-up in these stunning photographs

New Scientist

Shortlisted for the Close-up Photographer of the Year contest, these images zoom in on animals in all their glory

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Artificial nests boost African penguin breeding success, but there’s no one-size-fits-all design

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the British Ecological Society. Artificial nests can boost the breeding success of endangered African penguins, but different designs are more effective at different colonies according to a new study by an international team of researchers from South Africa and the UK.

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How can I help a friend who is relentlessly negative about life?

New Scientist

From just listening to reframing the situation, there are a few ways you can help someone with a negative outlook, says advice columnist David Robson

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Registration Opens for USDA’s 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum

Nanotech

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened registration for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event, entitled “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, on February 27-28, 2025. Additionally, USDA will livestream all Forum sessions on a virtual platform. According to USDA, the program will feature a presentation on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade by USDA Chief Economist Seth Meye

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If an asteroid were heading towards Earth, could you avert disaster?

New Scientist

In this choose-your-own-adventure game, it's up to you to protect the planet.

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Community Advocates For Clean Energy Host Nov. 13 Webinar On EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program

PA Environment Daily

The Community Advocates For Clean Energy will host a November 13 webinar on EPA's Clean School Bus Grant Program from Noon to 1:15 p.m. Join us to learn firsthand accounts of the benefits of transitioning your fleet to electric, about available funding options, and what it takes to electrify a depot from Pennsylvania districts that have electrified their buses.

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More ice cream, less wine: How is climate impacting in-home consumption?

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Food Navigator USA. As Europe’s climate warms up, some consumers are eating more ice cream and swapping red wine for beer, new market research has found.

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Expanding the Massive Benefits of a Decade of Western Grid Integration

NRDC

Western electricity market turns 10 years old and surpasses $6 billion in savings.