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Microbiology must be represented at climate change talks
But Peixoto found one aspect of the meeting particularly unsettling: in all the climate discussions, microbes were effectively omitted. “We should be looking at the most important player of the equation, the microbes. [All the climate crises] are driven by microbes, disturb microbes, or can be solved by microbes”, she recalls thinking. Yet, other microbiologists…
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Climate and health strategies must take vaccination into account
Climate-driven shifts in temperature, precipitation and nutrient availability are altering the transmission and distribution of human, animal and plant pathogens. More than half of all infectious diseases that affect humans are aggravated by climate change, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing a ten-times-higher burden of infectious diseases than their affluent counterparts1,2. Despite contributing little…
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‘It just feels magical:’ NY & VT science centers light up for the holidays
A pair of destinations in our region, both dedicated to educating patrons about science and nature, are inviting folks to explore the outdoors on their brightly illuminated grounds.The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is once again presenting “Wild Lights,” a growing tradition in northern New York now in its fourth year. Thousands of lights decorate…
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Meet Ferrisburgh, a Rescued Kestrel Who Started Painting After a Wing Injury
Ferrisburgh, a kestrel at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, has begun painting for mental enrichment after losing his ability to fly. Anna Morris An American Kestrel named Ferrisburgh has found a new calling as an artist after an unexpected wing injury took away his ability to fly. The falcon led his first art class…
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Wetlands offer greater cumulative benefit for flood control: Study
Weltands boost flood storage capacity and promote the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. Credit: Tulane University Adding multiple smaller wetlands to the landscape can make large reservoirs more effective at flood control, according to a new study from Tulane University published in Environmental Research Letters. Using the Brazos River basin in Texas as a…
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Sex, Lies, and Science Wars
Sex, Lies, and Science Wars [introductory music] Voice 1: What makes us human? Voice 2: Who you are. Voice 3: History. Voice 4: Your function in community. That’s where we find our purpose. Voice 5: We are profoundly connected as human beings. Voice 6: What makes us human? Voice 7: Let’s find out. Voice 8:…
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Bridging Nature and Technology: Fullerton Arboretum’s Digital Florilegium
Fullerton Arboretum, the 26-acre botanical garden located on the Cal State Fullerton campus, is working on an exciting new project: a digital florilegium. The florilegium will consist of a website/database of the arboretum’s rare and threatened plants and feature botanical illustrations of each plant. This project, which will likely take several semesters to complete, will…
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Comment: ‘Nature positive’ has hit the mainstream. We need to ensure it delivers transformation, not greenwashing
November 28 – It’s rare that environmental terms become buzzwords, but that is what’s happened in recent months to “nature positive”. The phrase is suddenly everywhere, from nature-positive insurance to nature-positive fashion shows and nature-positive cities. Major businesses, including the likes of Salesforce, GSK, Holcim and Unilever, are setting out how they plan to contribute…
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Statewide Coastal Resiliency Strategy
Beverly — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of the ResilientCoasts initiative, a holistic strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change along the coastline of Massachusetts. In collaboration with the state’s 78 coastal communities, ResilientCoasts will pursue a multipronged approach to identify regulatory, policy, and funding mechanisms to develop focused long-term solutions. Notably,…
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Looking to cure the boredom blues? Check out our guide to North Texas family-friendly events
Finding activities that the whole family can enjoy can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore. Even before you’ve discovered an activity everyone can agree on, there are still considerations like location, cost, age-appropriateness and, since we live in Texas, the weather, before you jump in the car and go. Who knew that looking…
