A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses areContinue Reading
Secrecy around the project, including public officials bound by non-disclosure agreements, has left residents with more questions than answers. By Lee Hedgepeth BESSEMER, Ala.—Developers of a proposed hyperscale data center may find themselves lacking a resource essential for the operation of what would be one of the largest such facilitiesContinue Reading
An analysis of National Weather Service job vacancies found that in more than a third of offices overseeing flash flood hotspots, one or more of three senior leadership roles are open.Continue Reading
Flash floods can start suddenly and become dangerous quickly. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, both in the moment and well in advance. (Image credit: Jim Vondruska)Continue Reading
Long-tailed macaques given short videos were glued to scenes of fighting—especially when the combatants were monkeys they knew—mirroring the human draw to drama and familiar faces. Low-ranking individuals watched most intently, perhaps for self-protection, while high-strung ones averted their gaze., Read MoreContinue Reading
A new report outlines how ERCOT’s transformation, increased load growth and extreme weather risks challenge Texas’ grid reliability. By Arcelia Martin Texas’ independent electric grid has transformed in recent years with the significant addition of wind, solar and battery storage facilities, and faces new risks as large load users likeContinue Reading
This semester, MIT D-Lab students built prototype solutions to help farmers in Afghanistan, people living in informal settlements in Argentina, and rural poultry farmers in Cameroon. The projects span continents and collectively stand to improve thousands of lives — and they all trace back to two longstanding MIT D-Lab classes.Continue Reading
The time-honored tradition of humans looking to the natural world can help us survive difficult times. The post In stressful times, what do the plants and animals have to say? appeared first on High Country News.Continue Reading
Auditors are failing in their role as third-party guarantors of the quality of carbon offsets, according to new academic research.Continue Reading
In the wake of the deadly flash floods in Texas, state leaders are exploring whether to install more flood warning sirens. Such sirens can save lives if they’re part of a larger warning system. (Image credit: Brandon Bell)Continue Reading
People can intuitively sense how biodiverse a forest is just by looking at photos or listening to sounds, and their gut feelings surprisingly line up with what scientists measure., Read MoreContinue Reading
The state’s vast farmlands sit atop an underground basin of rock that is ideal for some carbon dioxide storage, but legislators want to protect a valuable aquifer that provides water to hundreds of thousands of people. By Susan Cosier A bill passed by the Illinois legislature could slow the growthContinue Reading
Batteries are nearing their limits in terms of how much power they can store for a given weight. That’s a serious obstacle for energy innovation and the search for new ways to power airplanes, trains, and ships. Now, researchers at MIT and elsewhere have come up with a solution thatContinue Reading