“I got 30 percent of the crew that’s not loyal to the flag,” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said in an address to the oil industry.
Sigh….
Category: Science and Stuff,
Updated: First big efforts to sequence ancient African DNA reveal how early humans swept across the continent
Two new studies suggest extensive migration and an early south-west population split
cool
Vegetarian dinosaurs may have cheated with shellfish
Even Jurassic herbivores had to have a meat fix every now and then.
…scientists say they have evidence that the shell fragments were big enough to suggest that the hadrosaurs were intentionally chomping down on seafood, rather than accidentally eating some stray shell bits with their prehistoric salads.
The shell pieces also appeared in the majority of the poop samples over a span of 20 km (about 12.5 miles), which signaled to researchers that this was probably not just one herbivore gone rogue.
…The researchers believe the hadrosaurs only ate shellfish seasonally. It could have been that they switched over to shellfish when vegetation was scarce, or when they needed an extra calcium and protein boost, as they would during breeding and egg-laying season. For the most part, though, they probably stuck to their plant-based diets.
Herbivore dinosaurs may have cheated with shellfish — Quartz
hmmmm
Hurricane Irma left a poop problem in its wake.
There’s a lot of sewage still to clean up.
….Pollution reports submitted to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection show that, due to power outages and flooding caused by Irma, human waste has been spilling into streets, residences, and waterways across the entire state. At the time of this article’s publication, at least 113 “Public Notices of Pollution” had been submitted to the DEP. Combined, those discharge reports showed more than 28 million gallons of treated and untreated sewage released in 22 counties. The total amount is surely much more; at least 43 of those reports listed either an “unknown” or “ongoing” amount of waste released, and new reports continue to roll in—sometimes as many as a dozen per hour.
In other words, Irma was a literal shitstorm. But it’s no laughing matter. Sewage spills pose a major threat to public health, and they’re likely to become more common due to two increasingly connected crises facing America: an aging infrastructure and climate change.
Hurricane Irma left a poop problem in its wake.
hmmmmm
Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks have been completely digitized — and you can read them for free
It’s a challenging but very rewarding read.
Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks have been completely digitized — and you can read them for free
cool!
Viking warrior found in Sweden was a woman, researchers confirm
For more than a century, archaeologists and historians have assumed that the remains of a person found buried along with arms and horses in one of the most spectacular graves discovered in the Viking Age town of Birka, in Sweden, belonged to a man. Turns out they were wrong. Osteology- and DNA tests now show that that he has always been a she, and she was most likely a powerful military leader.
…Now, however, a DNA-analysis has been carried out, clearly confirming that the Viking warrior was indeed a woman.
“This image of the male warrior in a patriarchal society was reinforced by research traditions and contemporary preconceptions. Hence, the biological sex of the individual was taken for granted,” Hedenstierna-Jonson, Kjellström and the eight other researchers behind the study, wrote in their report.
Viking warrior found in Sweden was a woman, researchers confirm – The Local
Wild.
Hurricane Jose strengthens to ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4
This is the first time on record that the Atlantic has had two hurricanes with 150-plus mph winds at the same time, Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach said.
Hurricane Jose strengthens to ‘extremely dangerous’ Category 4 – CNN
Sigh….
‘Listen to women’: UK doctors issued with first guidance on endometriosis
The NHS must listen to women, says Nice. If they have symptoms including continuing pelvic pain, severe period pain, pain during sex or they suffer from infertility, endometriosis must not be ruled out. It should not be discounted if the woman continues to say she has symptoms when examinations such as ultrasound scans are negative.
“Delayed diagnosis is a significant problem for many women with endometriosis leading them to years of unnecessary distress and suffering,” said Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at Nice.“
The condition is difficult to diagnose as symptoms vary and are often unspecific. However, once it has been diagnosed, there are effective treatments available that can ease women’s symptoms. This guideline will help healthcare professionals detect endometriosis early, to close the symptom to diagnosis gap and to ensure more timely treatment.”
‘Listen to women’: UK doctors issued with first guidance on endometriosis | Society | The Guardian
sigh….
Hurricane Harvey: Houston’s flooding made worse by unchecked urban development and wetland destruction
The city’s gung-ho approach to development has destroyed the area’s natural ability to drain away hurricane floodwaters.
hmmmmm
Human History ‘To Be Re-Written’ After Controversial 5.7 Milllion-Year-Old Discovery
Controversial new study could change the entire history of the origin of mankind after a footprint was discovered in Crete.
Human History ‘To Be Re-Written’ After Controversial 5.7 Milllion-Year-Old Discovery
Not sure it really changes the origins of mankind theory as much as it adds to or refines it. Crete and Morocco aren’t exactly on the opposite ends of the earth after all…
Harvey Is Becoming an Utter Ecological Disaster
Three decades of bad decisions have led us to this moment.
Harvey Is Becoming an Utter Ecological Disaster
hmmm
Potential Effects of Growing Up With a Smartphone
What’s the connection between smartphones and the apparent psychological distress this generation is experiencing? For all their power to link kids day and night, social media also exacerbate the age-old teen concern about being left out. Today’s teens may go to fewer parties and spend less time together in person, but when they do congregate, they document their hangouts relentlessly—on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook. Those not invited to come along are keenly aware of it. Accordingly, the number of teens who feel left out has reached all-time highs across age groups. Like the increase in loneliness, the upswing in feeling left out has been swift and significant.
…Social media levy a psychic tax on the teen doing the posting as well, as she anxiously awaits the affirmation of comments and likes.
…These more dire consequences for teenage girls could also be rooted in the fact that they’re more likely to experience cyberbullying. Boys tend to bully one another physically, while girls are more likely to do so by undermining a victim’s social status or relationships.
…Adolescence is a key time for developing social skills; as teens spend less time with their friends face-to-face, they have fewer opportunities to practice them.
Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? – The Atlantic
Not ready to jump on board with the alarmist suggestions about how to rip technology out of the hands of tweens but interesting none-the-less.
Trump’s Nominee To Be USDA’s Chief Scientist Is Not A Scientist : NPR
The chief scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is typically a low-profile job in any presidential administration. But President Trump’s nomination of his former Iowa campaign manager for the post is raising concern in the scientific community and beyond about the politicization of science policy in the Trump administration.
Among the concerns: Clovis isn’t a scientist. He holds a doctorate, but it’s in public administration and not a scientific discipline.
…As a Senate candidate in 2014, Clovis told Iowa Public Radio that he was skeptical that human activity is driving climate change.
…There is an overwhelming body of scientific evidence showing that humans are causing the climate to warm by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a view supported by data collected by government agencies such as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Trump’s Nominee To Be USDA’s Chief Scientist Is Not A Scientist : NPR
sigh…
Ancient Rome: Sunken City Devastated by a Tsunami 1,600 Years Ago Discovered off Tunisian Coast
The discovery has revealed the Roman city of Neapolis, with its networks of submerged streets and monuments, was a crucial trading hub.
Ancient Rome: Sunken City Devastated by a Tsunami 1,600 Years Ago Discovered off Tunisian Coast
wild
Record-setting astronaut Peggy Whitson heads for home
Peggy Whitson, NASA’s most experienced astronaut, returns to Earth Saturday after extended mission
Record-setting astronaut Peggy Whitson heads for home – CBS News
Respect.
Trump taps Climate Science Denier with no experience to run NASA.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fl., the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee that will handle Bridenstine’s confirmation, said appointing a member of Congress to run NASA could hurt the agency’s reputation as a non-political institution.
“The head of NASA ought to be a space professional, not a politician,” he said in a statement released by his office Saturday morning.
Democrats like Nelson also are likely to bring up Bridenstine’s dismissal of climate change and its link to human activity during a floor speech in 2013.“
Global temperatures stopped rising 10 years ago,” Bridenstine said, refuting the overwhelming conclusion of the scientific community. “Global temperature changes, when they exist, correlate with sun output and ocean cycles.”
Trump taps Bridenstine to run NASA. Some senators have reservations.
Sigh…
AP EXCLUSIVE: Toxic waste sites flooded in Houston area, EPA not on the scene
Long a center of the nation’s petrochemical industry, the Houston metro area has more than a dozen Superfund sites, designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as being among America’s most intensely contaminated places. Many are now flooded, with the risk that waters were stirring dangerous sediment.
…The Associated Press surveyed seven Superfund sites in and around Houston during the flooding. All had been inundated with water, in some cases many feet deep.
…AP journalists used a boat to document the condition of one flooded Houston-area Superfund site, but accessed others with a vehicle or on foot. The EPA did not immediately respond to questions about why its personnel had not yet been able to do so.
AP EXCLUSIVE: Toxic waste sites flooded in Houston area – San Antonio Express-News
sighh….
F’ing toothless EPA
The disaster in Crosby is purely man-made.
Explosions and flames erupted into the air at a chemical plant in Crosby very early Thursday morning. Floodwaters had knocked out the cooling system needed to prevent organic peroxides from breaking down, and also blocked any path for workers to get back to the site and prevent the disaster.
Now the surrounding residents, living 25 miles northeast of downtown Houston, have been instructed to shut their doors and windows, turn off air conditioners and do everything possible to avoid breathing in the acrid smoke and fumes pouring out of the plant owned by Arkema Inc.
…Exposure to the Arkema fire has sent 15 sheriff’s deputies to the hospital as of this writing, yet the company still won’t explain the specific sort of adverse health effects that people should expect from the emissions. The company also couldn’t answer pointed question by Dempsey about why volatile materials weren’t neutralized before workers fled the site.
The disaster in Crosby is purely man-made. – Houston Chronicle
A society that doesn’t hold those who injure others responsible doesn’t care about the welfare of its own people.
Orange is the new green: How orange peels revived a Costa Rican forest
In the mid-1990s, 1,000 truckloads of orange peels and orange pulp were purposefully unloaded onto a barren pasture in a Costa Rican national park. Today, that area is covered in lush, vine-laden forest.
Orange is the new green: How orange peels revived a Costa Rican forest
hmmmm
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