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Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. The Triceratops fossil emerged first as it eroded from the rock of the Hell Creek Formation in 2006. Across the universeAn artist's illustration shows a supermassive black hole as it wakes up at the center of a faraway galaxy. M. Kornmesser/ESOAstronomers are watching a supermassive black hole awakening in the middle of a distant galaxy for the first time. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt.
Persons: dino, rex, Mark Eatman, , Eatman, Sergey Krasovskiy, Lokiceratops rangiformis, Lokiceratops, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, won’t, Stephen Hawking, Robert Erwan Fordyce, Benjamin Kear, Martin Bernetti, Fernando Trujillo, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, NASA, International Space Station, Boeing, ESO, University of Otago, Southern Hemisphere, Uppsala University’s Museum, Evolution, Getty, CNN Space, Science Locations: what’s, Montana, Raleigh, what's, Maribo, Denmark, British, New Zealand, Pangea, Uppsala, Sweden, Nui, Chile, AFP, Easter, Rapa, Colombian
Nearly all Amazon deliveries in North America no longer include plastic air pillows, the e-commerce giant said on TK [date] Thursday . Amazon said the change will avoid some 15 billion air pillows — the company's largest reduction in plastic packaging to date. Plastic air pillows are made with a film that's commonly found littering marine areas. It's enough to circle the Earth more than 200 times in the form of air pillows, Oceana said. Amazon's plastic packaging data reflects orders shipped through its own fulfillment centers — which some independent sellers opt for — and through its grocery business.
Persons: Amazon, Matt Littlejohn, Oceana's, Oceana, Pat Linder, That's, Linder Organizations: Service, TK, Business, Oceana Locations: North America, Europe, Oceana, Cleveland
CNN —Scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles’ proliferation and potential health effects mount. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Ramasamy said he wasn’t surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a “very vascular organ,” like the heart. Seven different types of microplastics were detected, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) the most prevalent, according to the study. “We need to identify whether microplastics are linked to ED and if there is a level beyond which it causes pathology and what types of microplastics are pathologic,” he said.
Persons: Ranjith Ramasamy, Ramasamy, wasn’t, , ” Ramasamy, Toxicologist Matthew J, Campen, ” Campen, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN —, University of Miami, CNN, University of New, “ Plastics, NYU Langone Health, American Academy of Pediatrics Locations: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
"Penis being such a vascular organ, similar to the heart, we said, 'Hey, could this also be present in the penis?'" What he's found, while still preliminary, is that microplastics are present in some penises experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). Ramasamy wanted to know whether microplastics might physically impact penis muscle function. The most abundant plastic in the penises was polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a common plastic used in food packaging including plastic bottles and takeout containers. He's not getting a lot of the takeout that often comes in plastic-lined containers, and he's not drinking from plastic-lined coffee cups or plastic water bottles very often.
Persons: , Ranjith Ramasamy's, he's, Peter Dazeley, microplastics, It's, Ramasamy, He's, it's, Carol Yepes, Richard Pilsner Organizations: Service, Business, International, University of New, Wayne State University Locations: Miami, University of New Mexico
These three peaks — Mt. Everest, Mt. Professional mountaineer Garrett Madison has achieved the Everest triple crown not once, but twice — first in 2023, the deadliest Everest climbing season on record, and again this year. Plus, the climbers have to carry extra protective equipment like gloves and packages for transporting the trash down the mountain. Madison's cleanup project partners with both of these organizations in a united front against trash pollution on the world's tallest peaks.
Persons: , Garrett Madison, he's, we've, Madison, PRAKASH MATHEMA, Everest haven't, Troy Aupperle, summitted, Aupperle, PIERRE BESSARD, it's, Alton Byers, Byers, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Madison, DOMA, Everest, Pollution Control Locations: Everest, Mt, Lhotse, Nuptse, microplastics
The glue pizza search result was traced back to a comment from a Redditor who went by "fucksmith" making an obvious joke on the subreddit r/Pizza. Because I'm both brave and a genius, naturally, I had to try to make the glue pizza myself. Was Google's response to tamp down its big AI search ambitions just because a few jokesters on X made silly queries? The ridiculousness of those AI answers does call into question the entire concept of using AI for Google search results. And I like to convince myself that my eating glue pizza was part of the noise that prompted Google to act.
Persons: I'm, Barack Obama, Katie Notopoulos, Liz Reid, Reddit, Sundar Pichai, Max Read, John Herrman Organizations: Service, Google, Business, New York Magazine
CNN —Younger generations are getting their first periods earlier, and the length of time it takes to become regular is changing — which could point to later health problems, according to a new study. But other research has documented the trend in first menstrual cycles starting at earlier ages over time. Earlier periods might be associated with high body mass index, or BMI, during childhood, Wang said. “This implies that childhood obesity, which has been increasing in the US, might be contributing to people getting their periods earlier,” Wang added. Physicians should evaluate children with early periods or a long duration of irregular cycles to make sure there isn’t an underlying problem, Feinberg said.
Persons: CNN —, , Zifan Wang, Harvard University’s T.H, Wang, ” Wang, Eve Feinberg, ” Feinberg, Feinberg, Shruthi Mahalingaiah, T.H Organizations: CNN, Harvard University’s, of Public Health, Apple, Apple Health, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, , BMI, T.H Chan, Physicians Locations: Chan, Chicago
They wanted to find out whether this type of facility already had tools that could remove microplastics from wastewater. In a single pass, their device can remove between 84% and 94% of microplastics in water, according to a press release. On a smaller scale, it could filter microplastics in laundry machines and even fish tanks. In another 2023 study, researchers at Shinshu University tested a similar ultrasound-filtering method to remove microplastics from water. But Ou and Huang say their device is simpler, more efficient, and the first to use ultrasound to block and filter microplastics directly.
Persons: , Victoria Ou, Justin Huang, Huang, Gordon E, Moore, Lisa Fryklund, Huang —, Chris Ayers, Society for Science Huang, Ou, Justin Huang didn't, Chris Ayers Ou, they're Organizations: Service, Mount, Business, Science, Engineering, Google, Environmental Sciences, Society for Science, EPA, ISEF, New Mexico Tech, Technology, Shinshu University Locations: Woodlands , Texas, Mount Everest, Victoria, Los Angeles, Texas, microplastics, Mt, Everest
CNN —Human testicles contain microplastics and nanoplastics at levels three times higher than animal testes and human placentas, a new small study found. “They look like little shards, tiny broken bits from very, very old plastics,” said Campen, a regents’ professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Researchers expected to find more plastic shards in the testicles of older men in the study, but that wasn’t the case, Campen said. “In testes, the levels of plastic was three times as much as we saw in placentas,” Campen said. In studies of pregnant mice, researchers have found plastic chemicals in the brain, heart, liver, kidney and lungs of the developing fetus 24 hours after the pregnant mother ingested or breathed in plastic particles.
Persons: , Matthew Campen, Campen, ” Campen, “ We’re, Adrienne Bresnahan, Kimberly Wise White, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, micron, Sciences, University of New, Endocrine Society, Getty, American Chemistry Council, placentas, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States, placentas, Beijing
The latest bad news on microplastics and human health emerged last week, when a study from researchers at the University of New Mexico examined 47 canine and 23 human testes, taken from neutering operations and cadavers, respectively. All of those testicles had microplastics inside — there were 12 different kinds of microplastic inside the organs studied, including the common plastic making material that plastic silverware and plastic bottles are made from. Woodruff isn't exactly surprised that microplastics are showing up in testicles. AdvertisementBut Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, an expert in reproductive urology, says if it's true that microplastics are invading testicles, that's of extra concern. Getty ImagesScientists know that certain chemicals inside plastic disrupt our hormones.
Persons: , microplastics, Tracey Woodruff, Woodruff isn't, Woodruff, Ranjith Ramasamy, Jonathan Kitchen, Ramasamy Organizations: Service, University of New, Business, University of California San, New, of, Getty Locations: University of New Mexico, , University of California San Francisco, California
It's an urgent question — what do we do with the 40 million tons of plastic waste we produce annually? One year of plastic waste is roughly enough to smother the entirety of Manhattan a meter deep, and it has to go somewhere. For decades, America sent its plastic waste to countries like China and Indonesia. Unlike aluminum or glass, the plastic that can be recycled rarely results in replacing one recycled water bottle with another. By downcycling a tiny portion of plastic waste, companies can genuinely reuse a relatively small share of plastic, while convincing consumers that the industry has created a circular economy of infinitely recycled plastic.
Persons: Kartik Byma, they're, Tim Miller, Susan Freinkel, Nestlé, Lea Suzuki, Larry Thomas, what's, Taylor Dorrell, Biden, that's, Taylor, Miller, Kelley Sayre, Vicky Abou, it's, Mike Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Espen Barth Eide, Norway's, Abou, It's Organizations: Getty, America, Chevron, Exxon, Paper Stock, Plastics Industry Association, Organization for Economic Co, San Francisco, NPR, International Energy Agency, ExxonMobil, Alterra Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Royal Paper Stock, Akron, Buckeye Environmental, Business, Eastman Chemical Co, American Chemistry Council, New, Beyond Plastics, UN, Buckeye Environmental Network Locations: America, Manhattan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, AFP, Ohio, American, San Francisco, Akron, Taylor Dorrell Akron , Ohio, United States, Oregon, New York City
Breaded shrimp contained the most tiny plastics by far, at well over an average of 300 microplastic pieces per serving. Plastics are everywhereThere are a staggering number of plastics in the world, today, according to a recent analysis — 16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment. (The authors declined to mention which brands of bottled water they studied.) Prior research using older technology had identified only about 300 nanoplastics in bottled water, along with bigger microplastics. · If you can, eat as much fresh food as possible, and limit purchase of processed and ultraprocessed foods wrapped in plastic.
Persons: CNN —, can’t, Rice, Let’s, it’s, ” Sherri “ Sam ” Mason, ” Mason, , pollock, Mason, don’t, Organizations: CNN, McGill University in, University of Queensland, Penn State, International, Water Association, Environmental Research, Environmental Locations: McGill University in Quebec, Canada, Erie , Pennsylvania, United States
London CNN —Microplastics have been found in historic soil samples for the first time, according to a new study, potentially upending the way archaeological remains are preserved. In total, the study identified 16 different microplastic polymer types in contemporary and archived soil samples, the statement adds. While preserving archaeological remains in situ has been the favored approach in recent years, the new findings could trigger a change in approach, as microplastic contamination could compromise the remains’ scientific value. “The presence of microplastics can and will change the chemistry of the soil, potentially introducing elements which will cause the organic remains to decay. If that is the case, preserving archaeology in situ may no longer be appropriate.”The study was published in Science of the Total Environment.
Persons: London CNN —, ” John Schofield, ” David Jennings, , , Organizations: London CNN, University of York, University of York’s Department of Archaeology, York, Environment Locations: London, United Kingdom, Coppergate, York
Microplastics Are a Big Problem, a New Film Warns
  + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Andrew Jacobs | ) www.nytimes.com   time to read: 1 min
It’s been more than five decades since Dustin Hoffman’s character in “The Graduate” was offered a kernel of wisdom about the path to prosperity. “Plastics,” he’s told by Mr. McGuire, the starched corporate executive who offers the advice. “There’s a great future in plastics.”Plastics have indeed been a game changer for humanity, and the enormous range of cheap, durable plastic goods, from food containers and PVC pipes to polyester clothing and single-use medical products, have inarguably improved life. The problem, as nearly everyone knows, is that plastics are forever and very little of it has been recycled. The U.N. has estimated that most of the 400 million metric tons churned out annually — a doubling of production since 2000 — will remain on Earth in some form as they are broken down into teeny specks by sunlight, wind and the sea.
Persons: It’s, Dustin Hoffman’s, ” he’s, McGuire, “ There’s Organizations: “ Plastics, , ” Plastics
People with microplastics in their plaque were more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. This is the first time microplastics have been linked to health problems in humans. AdvertisementPeople who had microplastics in their blood vessels in a study were more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die earlier than those who didn't. Younger men were more likely to have microplastics in their plaqueIt's important to note that the findings don't prove that microplastics cause heart attacks and strokes but rather suggest a link between the two. This might suggest that microplastics in the bloodstream exacerbate inflammation, which increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke, study author Francesco Prattichizzo told New Scientist.
Persons: Microplastics, , Raffaele Marfella, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Marfella, Francesco Prattichizzo, Vahitha Abdul Salam, Abdul Salam Organizations: microplastics, Service, New England, of Medicine, University of Campania, New, Queen Mary University of London Locations: microplastics, Mount Everest, Naples, Italy
“Should exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics be considered a cardiovascular risk factor? Nanoplastics have been found in human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother’s milk, and the placenta. The examination found “visible, jagged-edged foreign particles” scattered in the plaque and external debris from the surgery, the study said. Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics, and subsequent inflammation, may act to increase one’s susceptibility to these chronic diseases,” Stapleton said in an email. However, calling the study results “a direct link to cardiovascular disease is a stretch for the findings,” she added.
Persons: , Raffaele Marfella, Marfella, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Philip Landrigan, ” Landrigan, nanoplastics, Landrigan, Mary Conlon, , that’s, Andrew Freeman, Phoebe Stapleton, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario, , ” Stapleton, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, New England, of Medicine, University of Campania, Boston College, Program, Global Public Health, Global, Planetary Health, International, Water Association, Surgeons, Jewish Health, Rutgers, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Getty, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: Naples, Italy, Denver, Piscataway , New Jersey
The folks at Riverbed Ranch have answered these questions decisively, embracing a radical turn toward self-reliance and small-scale sustainability. He founded Riverbed Ranch after losing power during a winter storm. Gleason's wife, Colleen, said of Riverbed residents in a 2021 TV interview : "Most of them tend to be prepper types." AdvertisementGleason envisions Riverbed Ranch as a safe environment for families: "This is about the kids." "The American idea that we're going to go on forever is naive at best," Fisher told me.
Persons: Jesse Fisher's, Fisher, Philip Gleason, they'd, Gleason, Jesse Fisher, of Jesus Christ, Elon, Blonquist Gleason, " Gleason, Colleen, bristled, Priscilla Hart, Hart, you've, Sarah Vezzani, , Vezzani, Lance Pope, Brittany Organizations: Apple Watch, of Jesus, dodgers, Fox News, Pew Research, Rockies Locations: Utah, Ukraine, Gaza, Idaho, Ogden , Utah, Ogden, Nebraska, America, Arizona, Santaquin , Utah
About 10 to 100 times more nanoplastics than microplastics were discovered in bottled water, the study found. AdvertisementScientists said they're cutting back on bottled waterThe inside of an optical box reveals the components that organize the light from laser beams to identify nanoplastics, microscopic plastic pieces. Related storiesAll four co-authors interviewed said they were cutting back on their bottled water use after they conduced the study. Wei Min, the Columbia physical chemist who pioneered the dual laser microscope technology, said he has reduced his bottled water use by half. Previous studies looking for microplastics and some early tests indicate there may be less nanoplastic in tap water than bottled.
Persons: Naixin Qian, Mary Conlon, , Qian, Phoebe Stapleton, microplastics, Wei Min, Stapleton, Beizhan Yan, there's, Jason Somarelli, Somarelli, Zoie Diana, Diana, Min, Yan, Kara Lavender, Denise Hardesty, Louis Organizations: Service, Business, Columbia, Rutgers, National Academy of Sciences, micron, WalMart, Water Association, American Chemistry Council, United Nations Environment, Duke University, University of Toronto, Kara Lavender Law, Sea Education Association Locations: Columbia, New Jersey, Australian, Boston, St, Los Angeles
Using fruit peel, orange seeds and coffee ground waste collected from businesses in Italy, Krill products can be redistributed to the same businesses for use in their offices, instead of furniture made from common plastics. “After three or four years, you have to change your furniture [anyway],” says Marco Di Maio, director of operations at Krill. “But if all that furniture was made using our materials, we would be able to recover them, crush them and print other furniture with the same material. First, the food waste is dried and crushed into a very fine powder. It’s also looking to develop injection molding — injecting the molten compound of food waste and PHB into a mold instead of 3D-printing — which could cut costs and save time.
Persons: , , Marco Di Maio, Di Maio, won’t, Rekrill, we’ve, ” Di Maio, San, Iles, Ellen MacArthur, bioplastics, ” Iles, It’s Organizations: CNN, Circle Economy Foundation, bioplastics, Ellen MacArthur Foundation Locations: Milan, Italy, San Pellegrino, Sicily,
New York CNN —New York’s water and parks are full of plastic waste. PepsiCo has downplayed the risks of its plastic packaging and created a public nuisance in the state, she alleged in a lawsuit filed against the company on Wednesday. Additionally, PepsiCo has failed to properly warn the public about where its plastic packaging ends up, according to the lawsuit, making it sound like recycling will effectively deal with plastic waste. Environmental advocates activists are hopeful that the complaint could help change the way lawmakers approach plastic pollution. Generally, lawsuits surrounding plastic pollution are brought by non-profits, not government officials, she said.
Persons: litterbugs, Letitia James, It’s, James, , , Kirstie Pecci, Just, “ There’s, Judith Enck, James ’ Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York, PepsiCo, Pepsi, Research, CNN, Environmental, Beyond Plastics Locations: New York, Buffalo, City, Lake Erie, , Niagara, Vermont, York State
The lawsuit seeks to force Pepsi and Frito-Lay to clean up wrappers and bottles on the shores of the Buffalo River. Microplastics have been found in fish species and in Buffalo's drinking water supply, the lawsuit alleges. "No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health. "We will not sit idly by as our waterways become polluted again, this time from ever-growing single-use plastic pollution." It also asks that the company take steps to prevent additional plastic pollution from entering the Buffalo River.
Persons: Letitia James, , James, Microplastics, Jill Jedlicka Organizations: NY, PepsiCo, Pepsi, Frito, Service, New, PepsiCo Inc, Lay Inc, Lay, America Inc, state's Department of Environmental, Buffalo Niagara, Gatorade Locations: Buffalo, Lake Erie, United States, New York
Microplastics may affect the weather, new study finds
  + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com   time to read: +4 min
Now, scientists have found that these tiny particles might even be able to influence the weather. Microplastics form when larger plastics break down, either by chemically degrading or physically wearing down into smaller pieces. The authors of Wednesday’s study found microplastics affect cloud formation, and clouds are of huge importance to the weather we experience. According to the study, microplastics can now be added to that list. Once the first water droplets cling to microplastics and other tiny particles, more water droplets are pulled together and clouds form.
Persons: CNN —, They’ve, Judith Enck, ” Enck, Microplastics, Albert Gea, microplastics Organizations: CNN, Science, Technology, Beyond Plastics Locations: China, Barcelona, Spain, Tai
“No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health. All New Yorkers have a basic right to clean water, yet PepsiCo’s irresponsible packaging and marketing endanger Buffalo’s water supply, environment, and public health,” James said in a statement. PepsiCo is the single largest identifiable contributor to the plastic waste contaminating the Buffalo River, according to the lawsuit. Microplastics have also been found in fish species that are known to inhabit Lake Erie and the Buffalo River, as well as Buffalo's drinking water supply, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the opposite is happening, and that PepsiCo misled the public about its efforts to combat plastic pollution.
Persons: Letitia James, ” James, Microplastics, , Jill Jedlicka, James Organizations: — New York, PepsiCo Inc, PepsiCo, Frito, Lay Inc, Lay, America Inc, state’s Department of Environmental, Buffalo Niagara, Gatorade, Pepsi Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, Buffalo, , Lake Erie, United States, New York
In a series of graphics, we take a look at some of the biggest environmental challenges facing our planet. Global wildlife populations plummeted by 69% on average between 1970 and 2018, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022. Swipe to see more Forest loss Note: These figures do not include regrowth or regeneration of forest. But many are facing threats from pesticides and crop monocultures, as well as the destruction of their habitats. Swipe to see more Bird populations Source: BirdlifeDespite the scale of the challenges, there are countless groups and individuals committed to protecting our planet.
Persons: it’s Organizations: CNN, Resources Institute, Global, UN, University of Sheffield, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, British Trust for Ornithology, Birdlife Locations: California, Hawaii, India
US venture capital firm Regeneration.VC, backed by Leonardo DiCaprio, has moved a founding partner to Europe and is raising its second fund. Michael Smith, a general partner at LA-headquartered Regeneration.VC, moved his family to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in August. Smith set up Regeneration.VC in 2020 to back seed and Series A stage companies in what he dubbed "consumer climate technology." "For our first fund, we had investors and then companies in our portfolio in Europe. Around one third of Regeneration.VC's first fund has gone to European companies so far, Smith said.
Persons: Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Smith, Smith, Regeneration.VC, Biden's Organizations: LA, Lightspeed Ventures, Economy Foundation Locations: Regeneration.VC, Europe, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sequoia, Denmark, New York, New Zealand, California
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