Environment
How baker’s yeast sheds light on human migration
How baker’s yeast sheds light on human migration Baker’s yeast has been found to have genetic links to human migration, suggesting that humans domesticated it around 7000 BCE. Researchers analyzed DNA from wild and domesticated yeast in different regions of Europe and America, finding distinct subpopulations within continents. The study suggests that the forest populations […]
🔬 Science
A Canadian mining company wants Trump’s permission to mine the deep sea
A Canadian mining company wants Trump’s permission to mine the deep sea A Canadian mining company, The Metals Company, has applied for a permit from the Trump administration to mine the deep sea without following international regulations. The move is seen as an “act of total disregard for international law” by Greenpeace International and other […]
📰 News
The EPA says it still cares about forever chemicals, but health advocates are wary
The EPA says it still cares about forever chemicals, but health advocates are wary The EPA has announced a new plan to address “forever chemicals” (PFAS), but health advocates are skeptical due to vague details and potential delays. The agency plans to study PFAS, develop new guidelines for manufacturers, and launch efforts to detect and […]
📰 News
NASA 3D Wind Measuring Laser Aims to Improve Forecasts from Air, Space
NASA 3D Wind Measuring Laser Aims to Improve Forecasts from Air, Space NASA’s Aerosol Wind Profiler (AWP) instrument aims to improve weather forecasts by collecting precise measurements of wind direction, speed, and aerosol concentration. The AWP uses a coherent Doppler wind lidar technology to gather data on atmospheric conditions, which can significantly improve weather forecasts, […]
🔬 Science
50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine
50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine The Vietnam War had devastating environmental consequences, including widespread deforestation, pollution, and contamination of soil and water. The US government initially denied responsibility for Agent Orange cleanup, but eventually agreed to remediate contaminated sites […]
📰 News
Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk
Kids exposed to higher ozone levels face higher asthma risk Children exposed to higher ozone levels early in life are more likely to develop asthma, according to a new study. Asthma affects over 6% of US children, making it the most common chronic disease in kids nationwide, and air pollution is a major contributor to […]
🏥 Health
NASA Airborne Sensor’s Wildfire Data Helps Firefighters Take Action
NASA Airborne Sensor’s Wildfire Data Helps Firefighters Take Action NASA’s AVIRIS-3 airborne imaging spectrometer helped firefighters contain a wildfire in Alabama by providing real-time data on the fire’s location, extent, and intensity. The sensor detected the 120-acre fire on March 19 and transmitted images to firefighters’ phones in minutes, allowing them to limit its spread […]
🔬 Science
Federal laws don’t ban rollbacks of environmental protection, but they don’t make it easy
Federal laws don’t ban rollbacks of environmental protection, but they don’t make it easy The Trump administration has announced plans to review or reverse dozens of environmental protection regulations, but the process is not as simple as just saying so. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must follow the Administrative Procedure Act, a federal law that […]
📰 News
Appliance efficiency standards save consumers billions, reduce pollution and fight climate change
Appliance efficiency standards save consumers billions, reduce pollution and fight climate change Appliance efficiency standards have been in place since 1974, starting with California’s regulations for refrigerators, and have saved consumers billions of dollars by making home appliances and business equipment more efficient. The federal government has created standards for over 70 products that consume […]
📰 News
White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry
White House plans for Alaskan oil and gas face some hurdles – including from Trump and the petroleum industry The White House has reopened large swaths of government land in Alaska to oil and gas drilling, despite concerns from conservation groups and Indigenous communities. The Trump administration’s plans for Alaskan oil and gas development are […]
🏛️ Politics