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☆ Alaska's pristine rivers are turning a rusty orange even when seen from space, likely because of melting permafrost: study
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAt least 75 of Alaska's brooks and streams have been turning a dirty orange likely due to thawing permafrost, with some rivers so impacted that the discoloration can be seen via satellite, a new study says. Rivers and lakes typically have a pH value of 6.5 to 8, and acid rain has a pH value of 4.2 to 4.4. Jon O'Donnell/National Park Service"These findings have considerable implications for drinking water supplies and subsistence fisheries in rural Alaska," researchers wrote. The 75 orange streams observed were scattered across northern Alaska over a span of about 600 miles, the study said. AdvertisementAn orange tributary joins the Kuguroruk River in Alaska.

Persons: —, Jenny McGrath, Jon O'Donnell, Joshua Koch, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Geological Survey Scientists Locations: Rivers, Kobuk, Alaska

☆ Experimental gene therapy restores some vision in patients with inherited blindness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

“Now, post-surgery and post recovery, I am able to see in dimmer lighting with my left eye,” Cook said. A treatment that used CRISPR was found to be safe and efficacious in improving vision among a small sample of patients with inherited blindness in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial that Cook participated in. Months following the treatment, Cook was sitting with friends on a balcony that had Christmas lights wrapped around the railing. Courtesy Olivia CookBefore the treatment, Cook said that she sometimes could conceal the vision challenges she has had. Mass Eye and EarKalberer described the CRISPR treatment as “groundbreaking,” but warned it’s not a cure.

Persons: Olivia Cook, Cook, ”, ” Cook, “, I’ve, “ I’d, you’d, CRISPR, Eric Pierce, Brigham, “ We’re, ” Pierce, Jason Comander, ‘, Michael Kalberer, Kalberer, it’s, “ It’s, It’s, Pierce, Editas, We’re, Art Caplan, ” Caplan, —, Vlad Diaconita, ” Diaconita, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Aliaa Abdelhakim Organizations: CNN, Missouri State University, New England, of Medicine, Mass, Harvard Medical School, Editas Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of Miami, Oregon Health & Science University, US Food and Drug Administration, CEP290, pharma, NYU Grossman School, Medicine’s Department of Population Health, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, CNN Health Locations: Springfield, United States, CEP290

☆ Nowhere for the water to go: Dubai flooding shows the world is failing a big climate change drainage test
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Michelle Castillo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Dubai flooding last week illustrated how urban engineering is failing a major climate change test. The United Arab Emirates' city and others like it built on previously uninhabitable areas reflect 20th century urban development ideas that result in the blocking of natural water absorption systems. What's known is that Dubai was built on sand, a natural environment which lets water seep into the soil very easily. But by pouring massive amounts of concrete on top of Dubai's natural terrain, the developers effectively blocked the soil from absorbing water. Plastic products don't absorb water well, and when they end up in landfills around the world, massive piles of trash contribute to a global backup of natural drainage systems.

Persons: Ana Arsky, Arsky Organizations: United Arab, UAE, CNBC Locations: Sharjah, UAE, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it's

☆ The allure of fasting diets for successful people — and where it falls short
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Intermittent fasting diet plans, meal kits, fitness trackers, and biological age tests can all offer something to busy people who want to feel in control. More than one in 10 Americans (12%) tried intermittent fasting in 2023, according to one food and beverage industry-backed survey. The business of intermittent fasting phone apps is blossoming and is on track for more growth in the next five to 10 years. There are many ways to do intermittent fasting — from skipping breakfast to whole days without foodPeople have been fasting for as long as people have been people. AdvertisementThe case against fasting to lose weight and live longerFirefighters in San Diego tried intermittent fasting out during the pandemic, with good results.

Persons: —, Chris Hemsworth, Podcaster Andrew Huberman, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne, Johnson, Terry Crews, It's, Sam Altman, biohacking, Dave Asprey, Gary Vaynerchuk, Bryan Johnson, Jack Dorsey, it's, Hippocrates, Daniel Belsky, There's, Satchidananda Panda, I've, Krista Varady, Dr, Peter Attia, you've, Satchidananda, He's, Randy Shropshire, nix, Valter Longo, Longo, Belsky, Stephen Kritchevsky, Mark Cucuzzella, Nir Barzilai, Nir Barzilai Nir Barzilai, Barzilai, Panda, That's, Cucuzzella Organizations: Service, Business, Columbia University, 16ers, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, University of Illinois, Getty, Cancer, gerontology, USC, Firefighters, Wake Forest University, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Locations: Greece, Chicago, San Diego, New York

☆ Taiwan needs more babies. But conservative traditions are holding back some fertility solutions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Taipei, Taiwan CNN —For married Taiwanese men Alan Hung and Danny Huang, the process of having a biological child together was never easy. Cases like this are troubling to Chen Ching-hui, who last month became the first fertility specialist to win a seat in Taiwan’s parliament. Same-sex couples and single women are banned from accessing procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing in Taiwan, while surrogacy is outlawed entirely. The issue is particularly pressing for Taiwan because, as its population dwindles, so do its military ranks. A nurse handling egg freezing inside a Taipei clinic run by fertility specialist, and now lawmaker, Chen Ching-hui.

Persons: Taiwan CNN —, Alan Hung, Danny Huang, “, ” Huang, Chen Ching, Hung, Huang, Aiden, Danny Huang “, Chen, –, Dr Chen Ching, Eric Cheung, ”, ” Chen, Hsueh, Chang, Paula Bronstein, Huang – Organizations: Taiwan CNN, CNN, Kuomintang, KMT, Communist Party, Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, Democratic Progressive Party, China Medical University Hospital Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Russia, United States, Taiwan’s, China, East Asia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, South Korea, Southeast Asia

☆ A millennial moved to Charleston from Nashville to get away from the bachelorette party scene. She's never been happier working her new dream job and paddleboarding in her new city.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Kaelyn Dannenfelser said she's happier than ever after a job change and a move to Charleston from Nashville. AdvertisementKaelyn Dannenfelser, 28, said while she misses her friends in Nashville, Tennessee, and loved being able to live there, she's definitely not moving back. AdvertisementFor those looking to move to Charleston like her, she suggested spending time researching as there are several islands. While Dannenfelser hasn't been living in Charleston or in her new role too long, she's feeling much happier so far. Advertisement"I look forward to waking up in Charleston and waking up for my job," she said.

Persons: Kaelyn Dannenfelser, —, Kaelyn, she's, Dannenfelser, Shem, Paddleboarding, She's, I've, doesn't, didn't, I'm, Dannenfelser hasn't Organizations: Service, Census Bureau, Business, Charleston, BI Locations: Charleston, Nashville, Charleston . Charleston, Nashville , Tennessee, Charleston , South Carolina, Wando, North Charleston, South Carolina, Florida, LTK

☆ China is debating if it's finally time to let people marry at 18 as it grapples with a dwindling population
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A top advisor suggested that China lower its marriage age to 18, and people aren't happy with him. It's a further sign that China's population woes can't be solved through family policy alone. His proposal, however, went viral and was quickly slammed online, a further sign that China's population woes are rooted beyond just family policies. "I thought at least those who have experienced childbirth should propose these reproduction suggestions," said one top comment with 7,500 likes on Weibo, China's version of X. China's population decreased by around 2 million people in 2023, while its birth rates have declined to their lowest levels since 1949, per government statistics.

Persons: Gan Huatian, It's, —, Gan, Mao Zedong's Organizations: Service, National Committee of, Political Consultative, National People's Congress, West China Hospital, Business Locations: China, Beijing, Sichuan, Weibo

☆ Japan’s population crisis was years in the making – and relief may be decades away
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The demographic crisis has become one of Japan’s most pressing issues, with multiple governments failing to reverse the double blow of a falling fertility rate and swelling elderly population. But Japan’s crisis is unique in that it’s been decades in the making, experts say – meaning its impact is particularly evident now, with relief unlikely to come anytime soon. ‘Not reversible’The first thing to understand about Japan’s population crisis is that it’s only partly behavioral, said James Raymo, professor of sociology and demography at Princeton University. As of last year, Japan’s fertility rate sat at 1.3. The real problem is that the fertility rate has been consistently low for so long.

Persons: handwringing, It’s “, –, it’s, James Raymo, ” Raymo, ‘, aren’t, Raymo, Tomohiro Ohsumi, – “, Stanislav Kogiku, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Princeton University, government’s Institute of Population, Social Security Research, Getty Locations: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, Italy, United States, India, Yonomori, Fukushima, singlehood, Vietnam, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Toyko

☆ Americans aren't having enough kids. That's bad news for the economy — and immigration may be the answer.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

China, Japan, and Italy are all battling dwindling birth rates — and their struggles are a reminder of an issue that could eventually become a problem for the US. Elon Musk, with his three-year-old son X AE A-Xii at the 2024 Super Bowl, thinks low birth rates pose a risk to civilization. Meanwhile, economists have warned for years about plunging birth rates in Italy . AdvertisementChina has also struggled to raise its birth rate. Congress has also played up the potential for immigration to boost the economy over the longer term.

Persons: —, millennials, Zeds, Zers, you’ve, Marc Ostwald, That’s, Elon Musk, Musk, X, Rob Carr, Italy party’s, ”, ADM’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “, ” Ostwald, Martin Heinrich Organizations: Service, United Nations, Business, ADM Investor Services International, Congressional, Republican, Democrat, Economic Committee Locations: China, Japan, Italy, India, “ Japan

☆ A 79-year-old and her 86-year-old husband moved from New York to a retirement community in North Carolina. They're more social, but services in the area are lacking.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It’s allowed them to be more social and take life easier, though it has taken some time to adjust to North Carolina. The cost of living was not a major consideration, though they figured North Carolina would be comparably cheaper. They paid about $600,000 for the 2,400-square-foot home in North Carolina with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. She’s noticed the food in North Carolina is not as fresh, with smaller produce sections and lots more frozen and pre-prepared foods. She added that there’s also a tax on grocery food in North Carolina and none in New York, and she estimates she’s paying more in North Carolina on groceries.

Persons: —, Linda Beyer, It’s, “, ” Beyer, there’s, ”, York Beyer, Beyer, “ It’s, we’re, hasn’t, we’ve, it’s Organizations: Service, Raleigh, Business, Bureau, Survey, New York, York, IBM, Rotary Club, Duke University Hospital Locations: New York, Hudson, Durham, North Carolina, New York State, Poughkeepsie, Ohio, Washington, Carolina, “, Virginia

☆ Japan’s millennia-old ‘naked man festival’ ending because of population decline
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Chris Lau | Himari Semans | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

They now face a ballooning elderly population and shrinking workforce, in a challenge to fund pensions and health care as demand from the aging population surges. Participants wearing only "Fundoshi" loincloths at the Somin-sai festival at Kokusekiji Temple in Iwate prefecture, Japan, on February 17, 2024. The Asahi Shimbun/Getty ImagesThe Somin-sai festival was one of three major “naked man” or Hadaka Matsuri festivals held in the country. It took place annually on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year at the Kokusekiji Temple in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate. Participants purify themselves with cold water on Yamauchigawa river during Somin-sai festival at Kokusekiji Temple in Iwate prefecture, Japan on February 17, 2024.

Persons: Japan’s, Daigo Fujinami, Priest, “, Kikuchi Toshiaki, ” Organizations: Tokyo CNN, Asahi Shimbun, NHK Locations: Kokusekiji, Japan, Iwate prefecture, Iwate, Okayama prefecture, Kuronuma, Fukushima

☆ 'Intellectually inferior' humans caused Neanderthals to go extinct, a new book claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A new book “The Naked Neanderthal” says humans were the main cause thanks to their superior weapons. Compared to early humans, Neanderthals were muscular with a prominent brow and less pronounced chin. Since humans were the final species to occupy the cave, Slimak argues it's because they'd replaced those Neanderthals by wiping them out. Humans' superior weaponsScientists have found relatively few weapons belonging to Neanderthals , Slimak wrote. Yet genes can't tell us much about the nature of these interactions or how closely or amicably humans and Neanderthals lived.

Persons: Ludovic Slimak, —, April Nowell, sapien, “, ”, Slimak, Bill O'Leary, sapiens, they'd, Chemnitz State Museum of Archaeology Hendrik Schmidt, Nowell, haven't, Nikola Solic, ” Nowell, Sapiens Organizations: Service, University of Victoria, Smithsonian Museum, Washington, Getty, Chemnitz State Museum of Archaeology, Reuters Locations: Europe, East, Central Asia, Southern Siberia, Southern France, Chemnitz, France, Spain, Krapina, Croatia

☆ 10 best U.S. cities for single young professionals—New York and LA didn't make the list
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

New York is still the go-to city for recent college grads, but according to a new report single young professionals are looking elsewhere. This month, Renthop released its ranking of the best U.S. cities for single young professionals. 81, while New York City was named the worst city for single young professionals with a score of 34.73. The Renthop report states that since New York City is one of the most expensive rental markets in the world, it is a less-than-ideal place for young professionals. The average rent in New York City is $3,400, according to Zillow.

Persons: Renthop Organizations: Los Angeles, New Locations: York, New York City, Los Angeles, New York

☆ The super-rich are buying more ultra-customized Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Lamborghini sold more than 10,000 vehicles last year for the first time ever and Ferrari had a more than 17% increase in revenue. But customers purchasing Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys have an even wider array of infinitely customizable paint colors and interior materials, to start with, than carmakers offer for less expensive brands. If the customer has a favorite shirt, for example, the car paint could be matched to the fabric color. At Dixon’s Rolls-Royce dealership three quarters of the roughly 90 cars sold each year include some degree of custom options, she said. While she and Rolls-Royce’s design team can provide guidance, in the end, the choices have to be the customer’s.

Persons: Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, ”, Stephan Winkelmann, Lewis Hamilton, Altrata, Royce Cullinan, Javier Gonzalez Lastra, “, ” Gonzalez Lastra, Pietro Frigerio, Kellyn Dixon, Dixon, Bugatti Chiron, Bugatti, Chiron, Lamborghini’s Winkelmann Organizations: California CNN, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Royce, CNN, Ferrari’s, Tema, Volkswagen, Ford, Art Basel Miami Beach, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Bugatti Bugatti Locations: Irvine, California, Newport Beach , California, Irvine , California, Goodwood

☆ More people need transplants than there are organ donors. Pigs might offer a solution
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

The need for more transplant organs is immense and growing. Researchers have transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys and hearts into people who were brain-dead to test whether they work in humans. Although Larry Faucette was too sick for a human heart transplant, University of Maryland doctors said he seemed physically strong enough for a genetically modified pig heart. It was more than a decade after the first heart transplant but long before such procedures became relatively routine. “We learned that the pig heart is an adequate substitute for a human heart.

Persons: Lawrence Faucette, Ann, he’d, ” Ann, Larry Faucette, Ann Faucette Ann, Larry, didn’t, ”, Robert Montgomery, “, Shelby Lum, ” Montgomery, Xenotransplantation, Art Caplan, Caplan, Babe ”, ” Caplan, They’re, eGenesis, people’s, Dr, Mike Curtis, Sanjay Gupta, ” Curtis, hasn’t, Julie O’Hara, Jim Parsons, Jayme Locke, couldn’t, Locke, Parsons, NYU —, Montgomery —, O’Hara, ” Locke, David Bennett Sr, Mary, David Jr, Bartley Griffith, Bennett, they’ve, Muhammad M, Mohiuddin, Larry Faucette’s, David Bennett’s, ” Griffith, xenotransplantation Ann Faucette, Wilbur, White’s, Ann Faucette, NYU ethicist Caplan, they’re, NYU’s Montgomery, UAB’s Locke, Steve Wood, ’ Curtis, “ I’m, it’s, ” O’Hara, Bennett’s, Larry Faucette —, ” Bennett’s, Faucette, who’d, Griffith, would’ve, Kate, Lucy, Nadia Kounang Organizations: CNN, Food and Drug Administration, University of Maryland, FDA, National Institute of Allergy, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, NYU Langone's Transplant, NYU Grossman School, Medicine’s Department of Population Health, “ Disney, University of Alabama, Transplant Institute, Parsons Family, Birmingham, NYU, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Doctors, University of Maryland Medical Center, Uno, UAB, CNN Health, NFL Locations: Frederick , Maryland, United States, Montgomery, “, Midwest, Yucatan, Maryland

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal wildlife officials announced Wednesday they will consider adding 10 new species to the Endangered Species Act, including a big bumble bee that serves as a key pollinator across the United States. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said they had completed 90-day reviews of petitions to add the species to the list and determined that listing may be warranted. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2022 to include the bee on the Endangered Species List. The agency included Eastern hellbenders who live in Missouri on the Endangered Species List in 2021. More than 1,300 species are listed as either endangered or threatened in the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act.

Persons: It's Organizations: Fish, Wildlife Service, Biological Diversity, U.S . Fish, Lockes, Lockes Wildlife Management, West Virginia . Locations: MADISON, Wis, United States, U.S, Southern, Midwest, Texas, North Dakota, Florida, Queens, Oklahoma, Alabama and Mississippi, Borneo, North Carolina, Lockes Wildlife, Nye County , Nevada, Arizona, Kentucky , Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, West Virginia . U.S, Eastern, Missouri

A person walks on the day of the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, January 19, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Denis Balibouse | ReutersThe 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland will wrap Friday. Here are some of takeaways from Davos after our week talking to business leaders and government officials at the conference. Experts see no U.S. recession in 2024Overwhelmingly, economic experts and executives privately said they don't expect a U.S. recession in 2024. China fighting for cashChina's Premier Li Qiang speaks during the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 16, 2024.

Persons: Denis Balibouse Denis Balibouse, –, —, Donald Trump, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Denis Balibouse, Wyclef Jean, Sam Altman, Altman, Li Qiang, Premier Li Qiang, it's, Li, Ian Bremmer, Bremmer, they're Organizations: Economic, REUTERS, U.S, The New York Times, Wipro, Artificial Intelligence, Reuters, Technology, Recruit Holdings, Premier, Eurasia Group Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Zurich, Swiss, takeaways, U.S, Israel, Gaza, China, India, Beijing

☆ The 10 cities workers are flocking to — and the 10 they're leaving
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US workers are moving to Sarasota and Tampa but are leaving College Station, Texas. Meanwhile, over 100 LinkedIn members for every 10,000 left College Station-Bryan in Texas and Urbana-Champaign in Illinois during the same period. Related storiesThe North Port-Sarasota area ranked first at 107 movers for 10,000 LinkedIn members. Gainesville lost 64 people per 10,000 LinkedIn members, while Tallahassee lost nearly 61. Hiring in Nashville picked back up in December 2023, per LinkedIn , and workers moving into Nashville came from Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.

Persons: —, Austin, Orlando, Bryan Organizations: College Station, Service, North Port, Station, Bryan, Port, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Chapel, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Memphis, Chicago, Bank of America, West, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale Locations: Sarasota, Tampa, College Station , Texas, North, Texas, Urbana, Champaign, Illinois, Florida, Austin, Nashville, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Portland , Oregon, Wenatchee , Washington, Boston, America's, West, Midwest, Northeast, Miami, Fort, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, New York

CHANNELVIEW, Texas — For nearly 20 years, Texas environmental regulators have kept a disturbing secret. AdvertisementTexas Community Health News; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality"Any exposure to a carcinogen increases your risk of developing cancer. AdvertisementTim Doty, a former TCEQ mobile air monitoring expert, at the industrial edge of River Terrace Park in Channelview, Texas. In fact, the agency rarely fines companies that violate Texas air pollution laws. Mark FelixHoneycutt's toxicology division soon took an even more dramatic step to weaken Texas' benzene guidelines.

Persons: Loren Hopkins, Hopkins, Mark Felix, TCEQ, AirToxScreen, AirToxScreen Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, Menefee, Tim Doty, Doty, Solv, He'd, Glenn Shankle, Kelly Keel, Todd Riddle, Riddle, Lopez, Joe Lopez, Dora, Joel Lopez, Randy Lopez, It's, Joel, Felix Benzene, wildcatters, Houston —, Forbes, Lorenzo de Zavala, Alison Cohen, Cohen, Tim Doty's, Houston Mayor Bill White, Shankle, Michael Honeycutt, Valerie Meyers, Meyers, Mark Felix Meyers, Richard Hyde, John Sadlier, Ryder, Hyde, hadn't, Russell Allen, Matt Baker, Jacintoport, Cloelle Danforth, Public Health Watch —, Danforth, Mark Felix Honeycutt's, Eric Schaeffer, Schaeffer, Honeycutt, Jim Tarr, polluters, upended, Mark Felix Fracking, Barnett, Glenn Shankle —, —, Rick Perry, Perry, Sadlier, David Bower, misstep, Baker, Bower, Michael Burgess, Greg Abbott, Abbott, Mark Felix Meanwhile, Randy, That's, Carolyn Stone, Stone, Carolyn Stone's, Mark Felix The, Cynthia Benson, Benson, Mark Felix Tim Doty, Mark Felix K, Jordan Gass Organizations: Public Health Watch, Texas Commission, Environmental, American Petroleum Institute, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, U.S . Navy, Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, General, Health, Public Health, Rice University, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Community Health, AirToxScreen Harris County Attorney, polluters, Mark Felix Public Health, TCEQ, Solv, Mark Felix Public Health Watch, myelodysplasia, Houston, Oil, Gas Watch, Texas, Houston Ship, University of California, Houston Mayor, ., . Texas Community Health, NASA, Exxon Mobil, Public, Watch, Environmental Defense Fund, Management, Civil, Air Alliance Houston, Republican, Fort, United, Texas toxicologist, EPA, Texas Tribune, Google, Land Office, . Geological Survey, National Oceanic, Firefighters, U.S . Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Channelview, Improvement Coalition, Health Watch, San Jacinto, K, Texas Legislature, Solv Group, Services Locations: , Texas, Texas, Houston, Channelview's Jacintoport, San Jacinto, California, Jacintoport, Channelview , Texas, AirToxScreen Harris County, Channelview, Harris County, United States, North Channelview, Gulf, Terrace, Joel's, Houston , Texas, Spindletop, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Port of Houston, San Francisco, . Texas, That's, polluters, lacquers, Dallas, Fort Worth, Fort Worth City, Austin, Round, Minnesota, Galveston, U.S

☆ Imagine a better climate pact than COP
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Hugo Dixon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

It’s possible to imagine an alternative, better way to fight climate change. The snag is that China or the United States – which were responsible for 25% and 11% of greenhouse gases, respectively, in 2021 – would have to take the lead. All countries agreed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times and to aim for 1.5 degrees. That’s the thinking behind the Just Energy Transition Partnerships that the United States and its allies have cut with Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa. For example, Donald Trump, who as president pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, may return to the White House after next year’s elections.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Peter Thal Larsen, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, of, UN, United, Rio Earth Summit, European, Reuters Graphics Reuters, China, African, Initiative, World Bank, Thomson Locations: Nations, Dubai, China, United States, Paris, U.S, Washington, Beijing, European Union, Japan, Canada, South Korea, United Kingdom, Russia, Russian, Xi Jinping . Washington, India, Brazil, Indonesia, African Union, Vietnam, South Africa

☆ Opinion | Is South Korea Disappearing?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Ross Douthat | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For some time now, South Korea has been a striking case study in the depopulation problem that hangs over the developed world. Almost all rich countries have seen their birthrates settle below replacement level, but usually that means somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 children per woman. For instance in 2021 the United States stood at 1.7, France at 1.8, Italy at 1.3 and Canada at 1.4. It’s worth unpacking what that means. Run the experiment through a second generational turnover, and your original 200-person population falls below 25.

Persons: you’re, Stephen King’s Locations: South Korea, United States, France, Italy, Canada, Europe, America

When the COVID-19 strain BA.2.86 entered the scene over the summer, it quickly captured the attention of officials who were concerned about the variant’s large number of mutations. The organization said that there has been a “slow but steady increase in the proportion of BA.2.86 reported” globally. The CDC said in a statement this week that BA.2.86 has also been slowly increasing in the U.S. since August. “These numbers are based on a relatively small number of BA.2.86 sequences, so should be interpreted with caution, as should BA.2.86 growth rates and other extrapolations based on these numbers,” the CDC said. COVID-19 tests and treatment are also expected to work on BA.2.86.

Persons: “ pirola, ”, Maria Van Kerkhove, ” Van Kerkhove, “, It’s Organizations: World Health Organization, WHO, Centers for Disease Control, CDC Locations: hospitalizations, U.S

☆ The history of the Paris catacombs, the city's underground tunnels of death home to over 6 million corpses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Elias Chavez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Paris catacombs were constructed after mass gravesites started to pollute the soil and leech smells. The catacombs were originally the site of limestone mines used during the Roman Empire. It took almost 30 years to move 6 million corpses into the catacombs. AdvertisementMass graves had been in use for centuries in Paris, reaching a point where some graves held 1,500 bodies at a time. Years of population boom, plagues, and wars overwhelmed Paris cemeteries.

Persons: gravesites, — Organizations: Service Locations: Paris

☆ Opinion | The Senate Is Getting Less Democratic by the Minute
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Jamelle Bouie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

62, you should consider it a concession to the political realities of the moment:A government founded on principles more consonant to the wishes of the larger States, is not likely to be obtained from the smaller States. The most populous states — including not only California, but New York, Illinois, Florida and Texas — tend to be the most diverse states, with a large proportion of nonwhite residents. The smallest states by population — like Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire — tend to be the least diverse. And the structure of the Senate tends to amplify the power of residents in smaller states and weaken the power of those in larger states. The second and more important problem is that the modern Senate isn’t the one the framers designed in 1787.

Persons: James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, Madison Organizations: Washington Post, Philadelphia Convention Locations: Philadelphia, Madison, Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, California, New York , Illinois, Florida, Texas, Maine , Vermont, New Hampshire

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The eruption of Papua New Guinea’s tallest volcano subsided Tuesday, but thick ash still billowed into the sky and coated roofs and palm trees nearby. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia, reported volcanic smoke rising as high as 15,000 meters (50,000 feet) on Monday. The nearest large town is Bialla, which is established among palm oil plantations on Ulawun’s slopes 47 kilometers (29 miles) to the southwest, the division said. Hargy Oil Palm Ltd., a company based in Bialla, did not immediately respond to an email request for comment. The division said heavy coatings of black ash were causing leaves to droop in palm oil plantations near the volcano and were accumulating on roofs.

Persons: Ulawun, Mount Ulawun Organizations: Pacific, Guinea’s Geohazards Management, Ash Advisory, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Ltd, World Bank, Papua New, ” Locations: CANBERRA, Australia, Papua, New Britain, Darwin, Papua New Guinea, Mount, Port Moresby, Honiara, Solomon, Bialla, Japan, ” Papua New Guinea

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