Increasing death rates of children and adolescents in the United States
Featured article: *Woolf SH, Wolf ER, Rivara FP. (2023). The New Crisis of Increasing All-Cause Mortality in US Children and Adolescents. JAMA. Published online March
Fear — impacts on decision-making and behavior: update
Fear is corrosive whether caused by events outside our control or if purposefully used (for example, by politicians trying to gain or consolidate power). Fear
Nuclear power and climate change: update
There has been vigorous debate for more than 20 years about whether nuclear energy can be considered a viable option to help mitigate/prevent warming global
ChatGPT and generative AI: What is it all about?
ChatGPT and generative AI (artificial intelligence): a quick primer … *Heaven, W.D. (2023). ChatGPT is everywhere. Here’s where it came from: OpenAI’s breakout hit was
How ChatGPT robs students of motivation to write and think for themselves
Naomi S. Baron, American University (from The Conversation) When the company OpenAI launched its new artificial intelligence program, ChatGPT, in late 2022, educators began to
Food and diet and impacts on human behavior
What are the connections between the food we eat and how we behave? In particular, is there a connection between diet and aggressive behavior? Can
Pharmaceuticals: corporations, markets, and manipulation?
Three books that examine the global pharmaceutical industry, the quest for profit, inequality and inequity, our own perceptions, the value of life itself, and more.
Mental models: misinformation and truth
“A mental model is a form of mental representation for mechanical–causal domains that affords explanations for these domains. Mental models contain mental representations of objects
What is a flash drought? An earth scientist explains
Antonia Hadjimichael, Penn State, from The Conversation Many people are familiar with flash floods – torrents that develop quickly after heavy rainfall. But there’s also
Propaganda and deception in politics
Propaganda “is communication that is deliberately designed by one group in society to influence the attitudes and behavior of others. It often uses symbolism and
Firearm violence in the United States
“Firearm violence in the US is an unrelenting clinical, public health, societal, and political concern of major proportion. The morbidity and mortality attributed to firearms
Looking back on America’s summer of heat, floods and climate change: Welcome to the new abnormal
Shuang-Ye Wu, University of Dayton (from The Conversation) The summer of 2022 started with a historic flood in Montana, brought on by heavy rain and
Cell development and determination
During the development of an embryo, how is the function of a cell determined? How does a cell “know” it is supposed to, for example,
Climate change is intensifying the water cycle, bringing more powerful storms and flooding – here’s what the science shows
Mathew Barlow, UMass Lowell (from The Conservation) Powerful storm systems triggered flash flooding across the U.S. in late July 2022, killing at least 25 people
More droughts and more severe droughts
Most regions on Earth are warmer at present than in past decades and centuries, and many regions are experiencing a drying trend as a result
Full text access through Strategian
Records from the Science Primary Literature database provide (where available) free full text access to journal and magazine articles (example). These links are also available
Buying into conspiracy theories can be exciting – that’s what makes them dangerous
Donovan Schaefer, University of Pennsylvania (from The Conversation) Conspiracy theories have been around for centuries, from witch trials and antisemitic campaigns to beliefs that Freemasons
What are PFAS, and why is the EPA warning about them in drinking water? An environmental health scientist explains
Kathryn Crawford, Middlebury (from The Conversation) “PFAS? What’s PFAS?” You may be hearing that term in the news as the federal government considers new rules
Excessive rainfall: a product of a changing climate
Pockets of intense rainfall occurring over a short period of time amid a larger movement toward drought is a signature of a changing climate. For
Open educational resources (OERs) and science
“Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching, learning, and research resources that are free of cost and access barriers, and which also carry legal permission for
Climate change and agriculture: damage to crops
Our changing climate is impacting agriculture today and will continue for decades to come. No place on Earth is immune to this; the major growing
Mental illness and gun violence: is there a real connection?
Is there a real connection between mental illness and violence, especially gun violence? Mental illness is a frequent scapegoat for politicians, organizations, and groups who
US shootings: Norway and Finland have similar levels of gun ownership, but far less gun crime
Peter Squires, University of Brighton (from The Conversation) In the wake of the most recent US mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 pupils
Food waste: beyond good ideas, what will people actually do?
On an international scale, food waste is a big problem. “The largest contribution to food waste is from the consumption stage, where household food waste
School shootings, firearm laws, and gun ownership in the United States
Featured articles: *Reeping, P. M., Klarevas, L., Rajan, S., Rowhani-Rahbar, A., Heinze, J., Zeoli, A. M., . . . Branas, C. C. (2022). State firearm
Agriculture and climate change: foods for the future
Climate change is impacting agriculture around the world. The greater frequency of weather extremes including heatwaves, drought, and it’s opposite, torrential rainfall and flooding (and
Extreme heat in India and Pakistan–and climate change
“India has witnessed extraordinary spikes in temperatures. This year [2022], though, the heat is unrelenting across a vast swath of the country, and it’s raising
Cities and the lack of water
“São Paulo. Cape Town. Now Santiago and Los Angeles. Cities around the world are being forced to live with less water, as global warming melts
Meet the power plant of the future: Solar + battery hybrids are poised for explosive growth
Joachim Seel, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Bentham Paulos, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Will Gorman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (from The Conversation) America’s electric power
The power of propaganda
Propaganda “is communication that is deliberately designed by one group in society to influence the attitudes and behavior of others. It often uses symbolism and
How do genetics, lifestyle, diet and the environment affect the microbiome-and then affect human health and disease?
Research has shown that the human microbiome can play a large role in a person’s health. But how do “genetics, exposome [environmental factors], lifestyle and
Severe weather in the U.S. Midwest
Thank you to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet (Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA). ‘Strong storms fired over and near Iowa on Tuesday evening [April 12, 2022].
Thawing permafrost is roiling the Arctic landscape, driven by a hidden world of changes beneath the surface as the climate warms
Mark J. Lara, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (from The Conversation) Across the Arctic, strange things are happening to the landscape. Massive lakes, several square
Climate change intersections: wildfires and flooding
Wildfires in the western United States are becoming more intense and are burning larger areas. At the same time, heavy, extreme rainfall is becoming more
People gave up on flu pandemic measures a century ago when they tired of them – and paid a price
J. Alexander Navarro, University of Michigan (from The Conversation) Picture the United States struggling to deal with a deadly pandemic. State and local officials enact
Knowledge and understanding can overcome fear and anxiety
If you believe all of social media or follow politically-aligned media outlets, we live in a scary world. Yet, many people throughout history have felt
Discrimination based on how we talk and how we sound
Does discrimination happen based on how people talk and sound? Based on accents, word choice, enunciation, emotion, etc.? In the United States, people can be
What is the microbiome?
The human microbiome involves the microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that live within or around the human body. Damage or changes or abberations of this
CuratedSci: science news from the best sources
CuratedSci is your one-stop resource for science-related news from the best science news sources. Leveraging the expertise of well-known and respected organizations, CuratedSci provides a
The behavior of crowds: partisan/politicized
More research on the behavior of crowds–benefits and risks … Featured articles: *Becker, J., Porter, E., & Centola, D. (2019). The wisdom of partisan crowds. PNAS
Into the future with COVID: stress, depression, endemic/pandemic … will there ever be “normal” again?
Will we ever return to the world of 2019? A time before COVID-19 dominated the education, work, mental and physical health–the very existence of billions
Caenorhabditis elegans: a model organism in Biology
Caenorhabditis elegans is a small roundworm usually found in soil that often feeds on bacteria among rotting vegetation and decaying organic matter; it is nonparasitic and
Facial recognition technology: privacy and political orientation
There is growing concern that the widespread use of facial recognition technology has led and will lead to the decline of privacy and civil liberties.
Long COVID: what it is, impacts, and treatments
“Long COVID refers to a variety of symptoms affecting different organs reported by people following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection” (Taquet, 2021). “The symptoms of
The causes of Alzheimer’s disease
“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common
Extreme weather and a changing climate
Is there a connection between extreme weather events (torrential rain, polar cold, heatwaves, extended droughts, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, and more) and a changing climate? Yes.
Why do we fear change?
“Fear of change is a natural impulse; the desire to pull up the drawbridge follows. But as we have repeatedly reported, that response is irrational
Preschool: the benefits for children and society
Over the years, research has shown that going to preschool can benefit children immediately in many ways–building and strengthening academic skills plus social and personal
The Strategian “universe”
Use all the sites under the Strategian banner to identify, obtain, understand–to get the most out of science information; these are open resources: Science Evaluation
Using Facebook and Instagram: effects on well-being and mental health
Can using Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms be a genuine hazard to our well-being and mental health? Are the purported benefits of digital
Searching for topics and sources in Biology?
Search Science Primary Literature (external database): Antibiotic resistance Bacterial pathogens Bacterial resistance Biology Botany Caenorhabditis elegans Escherichia coli Food contamination Gut microbiome/microbiota Microbiology Molecular Biology
Off-shore oil drilling can increase the spread of antibiotic resistance
Featured article: *Wang, J., & Jiti, Z. (2021). Petroleum exploitation enriches the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 in offshore sediments. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,
A strategy to find, understand, evaluate, and use academic information
Explore the microcosm: Questions? Please let me know (engelk@grinnell.edu).
Algorithms, part 2: impact on searching and finding academic information
Algorithms are literally everywhere in the digital environment. The databases, sources, and systems you use at a college or university or high school are not
What will the climate in your city be like in 2050?
What will the climate in your city be like in 2050? The changing climate is driving hotter temperatures and longer and more severe droughts–which, in
Searching for topics and sources in Chemistry and Biochemistry?
Search Science Primary Literature (external database): Chemistry Biochemistry See the Science Bibliographies (external site): The Diels-Alder reaction: a mainstay of organic chemistry For more resources,
Content and source evaluation: the most important thing you do in any search for information
For more information, see — Evaluation Algorithms: what are they? What can they do? The Facebook whistleblower says its algorithms are dangerous. Here’s why. (Karen
Algorithms: what are they? What can they do?
At its most basic, an algorithm is a procedure to solve a problem. A computer program can be a procedure to solve a problem expressed
The consequences and costs of climate risks
Climate risks are increasing in the United States and in many other parts of the world. Yet, some areas that are particular climate “hot spots”–increasingly
The health benefits and risks of cannabis
People have promoted the health benefits of cannabis/marijuana for decades. That has been a factor in the loosening of marijuana use restrictions in the United
Microplastics: impacts on the environment and human health
Hundreds of millions of tons of plastics are produced each year. Millions of those tons enter our air, soil, and water as waste. As waste,
Ransomware: malware and cybercrime
What exactly is ransomware? And what happens in a ransomware attack? What does research say about ransomware and the pervasive and increasing threat and damage
Extreme weather and a changing climate
Our climate is changing, and rapidly. The evidence is all around us. One result of our changing climate is the increased frequency of weather and
Race and class and heat in cities
Hot temperatures in cities and towns are not experienced the same by residents. Neighborhoods with more minority residents (especially), neighborhoods with lower-income residents, and neighborhoods
Sleep, health, and race/ethnicity
Sleep is inextricably tied to our health. Getting enough sleep, the amount of uninterrupted sleep, how deeply we sleep. Are our sleep patterns tied to
Drinking alcohol and the risk of cancer: what do Americans believe?
Can drinking alcoholic beverages cause or increase the risk of developing cancer? Yes. But do Americans believe that? An update to the Drinking alcohol: how
Water purification by solar power: an update
An update to the Solar-powered water harvesting and purification bibliography. The most current version of the bibliography can be seen here — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/solar-powered-water-harvesting-and-purification/. Featured articles
A new way of looking at Alzheimer’s Disease?
A different perspective on the factors that cause Alzheimer’s disease? Will it help bring about successful treatments? Featured article: *Pannuzzo, M. (2021, May 29). Beta-amyloid
Brown adipose tissue/brown fat
Brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, is a type of fat cell that converts energy into body heat when food is eaten and digested, as
Water, drought, and the western United States
The western United States (including parts of the Great Plains) is going through an historic period of drought–a level of extended drought that the region
The Diels-Alder reaction: a mainstay of organic chemistry
The Diels-Alder reaction is one of the most important in Organic Chemistry and plays a role in the synthesis and manufacture of many products including
Climate change and human migration
Background: Hundreds of millions of climate migrants likely by 2050 Lustgarten, Abrahm (2020, July 23). The Great Climate Migration. New York Times Magazine. [Cited by]
Opioids: addiction and overdose — update
An update to the Opioids, addiction, and overdose bibliography; these articles have been added to the bibliography and to the Science Primary Literature Database. **
Climate change = a greater frequency of extreme weather
More evidence … See also: Extreme weather and climate change: the connections and impacts Connections with a changing climate: drought, intense rainfall, and flooding How
T cells and autoimmune disease
An update to the Autoimmune diseases–prevention and control bibliography; this article has been added to the bibliography and to the Science Primary Literature Database. Featured
E-mail and work: enhancing productivity or source of stress?
E-mail … we hate it, we love it. We use it, we have to use it. Or, do we? Is it essential to work? Does
Parent influence on child obesity
How do parents influence the development of obesity in their children? Conversely, how can parents prevent child obesity? An update to the Childhood obesity and
Can viruses do good things?
Can viruses be beneficial? Did they aid the development of life on this planet? Can they be used in treating cancer? Can they protect plants
High-sugar diets: Discovering human impacts through animal models
High-sugar diets can have many negative effects. One way to pinpoint the physical changes they can cause in humans is to test their effects on
Search the Science Primary Literature Database
Students, Educators: use the Science Primary Literature Database … Available at no cost; curated and updated; search for articles, books, and images that actual college
Sea level rise and climate change: impact on the economy and migration
Update to the Sea level rise and climate change bibliography; these articles have been added to the Science Primary Literature database — Feature articles: *Robinson,
Online extremism: the dangers and the psychology
**for the most current version of this bibliography, see — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/online-extremism-the-dangers-and-the-psychology/ Online extremism–through social media and other channels–is real and is very dangerous. The events
Generalized Anxiety Disorder–an update
An update to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–a sign of the times bibliography … Featured articles (these articles have been added to the Bibliography and to
Hallucinogens, depression, and mental health
Featured article (this article has been added to the Science Primary Literature database): *Davis, A. K., Barrett, F. S., May, D. G., Cosimano, M. P.,
Bacteriophages: basic science and applications
“We urgently need an alternative method to fight bacterial infection. One promising method for killing bacteria is to use bacteriophages: viruses that infect and kill
Copper nanoclusters: applications
“A nanocluster is a type of nanoparticle in which researchers have pinpointed the precise arrangement of every atom, along with their bond lengths and bond
Extreme weather and climate change: the connections and impacts
Is there a connection between extreme weather events (rain, cold, heat, droughts, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, and more) and climate change? Yes. Are extreme weather events
Do guns deter crime and violence?
Many people believe that owning a gun makes them safer. That having a gun in their home or carrying a gun deters potential criminal acts
Aging chimpanzees and aging humans: not that far apart
As humans and chimpanzees age, they exhibit similar patterns of social behavior. Aging behavior in humans was thought to be based on the ability to
How and why does false information spread online?
How does false information/”fake news” spread through social media and web sites? And, why does it? See the video — https://youtu.be/OFSwcbHxggY. We are told–frequently–by legitimate,
Technology will not protect us from human weakness–and can make it worse
“When we think about misinformation … we tend to focus on the presence of bad information — but really we should be focusing on the
Is Facebook hazardous to our well-being?
Is use of Facebook (and other social media sites) a genuine hazard to our physical and mental health? Are the purported benefits of digital social
Revisiting: Understand the context of information important to you; reduce the fear and anxiety
Knowledge brings understanding; understanding reduces fear and anxiety. Understand the value of the information that is important to your life; use that understanding to make
Updated: Chatbots — propaganda is being taught how to speak
Bots–“simple computer scripts–were originally designed to automate repetitive tasks … sparing humans hours of tedium.” But, bots “can also be used to operate large numbers
Corruption and power: the connection
Was Lord Acton right? “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Or, is it more as John Steinbeck described “Power does not corrupt.
Voter suppression and nonvoting is a social norm in the United States
Read this — it’s important! The United States prides itself on being a model for democracy. And, yet, widespread (and increasing) voter suppression and high
Updated: A new world disorder?
It may seem like absolutely everyone today is glued to their phones and uses social media incessantly. Facebook, the largest social media network globally, claims
Updated: Narcissism and social media–the connection
Since the early days of social media, researchers have looked at the relationship between narcissism and social media use. Narcissism is a personality type “marked
Electric vehicles: benefits, technology, obstacles
Vehicles (cars and trucks) can be powered partially or wholly by electricity. “All-electric vehicles (EVs) have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.
Preterm birth and kidney disease: the risk
“Preterm birth (<37 gestational weeks) interrupts the development and maturation of the kidneys during a critical growth period. The third trimester of pregnancy is the
Updated: In-group bias is ingrained in humans
Adults and children–even children as young as three–“are really quick to sort themselves into … social groups and to form a preference for their in-group.”
Updated: Prejudice, discrimination and social norms
News: Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, continues to make and post derogatory statements that are based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion,
Cancer: is it part of evolution? What can we learn from cancer in animals?
Domestic and wild animals get cancer. Animals, like humans, see an increase in cancer when living in areas of heavy chemical contamination. But, some animal
Why should you critically evaluate information? Because of situations like this …
A key part of information evaluation is to understand the context in which the information was created. What is the motivation? Why was the information
Life expectancy vs. life span for humans: has it really changed?
Are we living longer than our ancestors or even people that lived thousands of years ago? It seems that way; life expectancy, until recent years,
Updated: The psychological origins of prejudice, discrimination, and racism
Are people “hard-wired” to discriminate based on skin color, ethnicity, religion, place of origin, gender, sexual identity, etc.? Is it hereditary? Do we have no
Wildfires and climate change
There is a direct connection between wildfires in the western United States and climate change. Featured article: Park Williams, A., Abatzoglou, J. T., Gershunov, A.,
Where are all the birds?
Where are all the birds? Where have they gone? Even a cursory glace at the skies, in the trees, listening for bird sounds .,. there
Update: the environmental effects of offshore drilling
2020 updates to the bibliography: The environmental effects of offshore drilling **for the most current version of this bibliography, see — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/the-environmental-effects-of-offshore-drilling/ *Cordes, E. E.,
Face shields and their effectiveness in preventing transmission of COVID-19
The transmission of COVID-19 “is believed to be predominantly through respiratory droplets from infected persons in close proximity to uninfected persons, although airborne transmission may
Revisiting: Hurricanes are slowing down and becoming more dangerous
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey moved very slowly across parts of Texas (US) dropping “more than 30 inches of rain in two days and nearly 50
Climate change and human behavior
In the face of the many and significant challenges of a changing climate, how and why do humans act the way they do? Does it
Symmetry breaking and Biology
“During the latter half of the twentieth century, spontaneous symmetry breaking became important in biology. All organisms start off as highly symmetric entities, such as
Arabidopsis: model organism in Biology
Arabidopsis thaliana is a small, annual rosette plant. It belongs to the family of the Brassicaceae in the eudicotyledonous group of angiosperm vascular plants. This
The sixth mass extinction on Earth
Featured article: Ceballos, G., Ehrlich, P. R., & Raven, P. H. (2020). Vertebrates on the brink as indicators of biological annihilation and the sixth mass
Bee populations declining in the United States, especially in the midwest
“Since at least the 1960’s it has been widely recognized that insecticide application can also negatively affect non-target species, including populations of insect pollinators [like
Revisiting: Politics and Fear
Whipping up fear is a common tactic in politics. Providing stark, seemingly life or death choices, us versus them, scapegoating, creating a false bogeyman to
Trends in treating industrial textile wastewater and other effluents using electrocoagulation
Featured article: Gafoor, A., Ali, N., Kumar, S., Begum, S., & Rahman, Z. (2020). Applicability and new trends of different electrode materials and its combinations
Connections with a changing climate: drought, intense rainfall, and flooding
The connection: Extended periods of drought in the U.S. Midwest — Interspersed with briefer periods of intense, even extreme rainfall — Leading to destructive flash
There is a much greater flood risk in the United States
Across much of the United States, the flood risk is greater (in some cases, far greater) than what government estimates and maps currently show. As
Greater air pollution and heat tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes
More and more of us–especially in urban areas–are exposed to greater air pollution and higher temperatures (factors of a changing climate). Based on a review
Current explorations of nutrition and the gut microbiome: a comprehensive evaluation of the review literature
The human gut microbiota — it might be more accurate to think of it like an immune system: a collection of cells that work in
Revisiting: Scapegoats and self-blame
Scapegoating is “the act of blaming and often punishing a person or a group for a negative outcome that is due, in large part, to
Essential workers: economic and health vulnerability
We live in a very unequal society in the United States. Many have pointed this out for years and the COVID-19 pandemic has starkly illustrated
Crowds: behavior, social change, movement, collective action, social media, context, identity
Humans often gather into large groups–crowds. As part of crowds, do we act and think differently than we would if we were isolated or in
The psychological origins of prejudice, discrimination, and racism
Are people “hard-wired” to discriminate based on skin color, ethnicity, religion, place of origin, gender, sexual identity, etc.? Is it hereditary? Do we have no
Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19 and is spread person-to-person through close contact. This review investigated the effects of physical distance, face
Lack of sleep linked to cardiovascular problems
We know that sleep is vital for humans. Lack of sleep, sleep disruption, changes in sleep habits, and more can lead to real problems–physical and
The use of face masks/face shields to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases–are they effective?
How effective is wearing face masks and/or face shields in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases? Recommendations in the United States, at
A healthy lifestyle equals more years of life without major diseases
Connections: “Various healthy lifestyle profiles appear to be associated with extended gains in life lived without type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancer.”
Cloud cover, plants, and a changing climate
“Cumulus clouds make a significant contribution to the Earth’s energy balance and hydrological [water] cycle and are a major source of uncertainty in climate projections.”
Freshwater, drought, and climate change
Lack of freshwater for human consumption and agricultural use is a growing and very serious problem globally–including in rich countries like the United States. As
Mental health benefits of nature, green and blue spaces, and being outdoors
White, M. P., Pahl, S., Ashbullby, K., Herbert, S., & Depledge, M. H. (2013). Feelings of restoration from recent nature visits. Journal of Environmental Psychology,
The benefits of kindness
Be kind to others; it’s good for you and for them. “Doing good is, in fact, good for you.” There have been many supporting studies.
Authoritarianism and corruption
Authoritarianism and corruption go together. “Corruption is the misuse of public power for private gain and has become a worldwide problem for economies and social
Further loss of plant and animal species due to climate change may occur abruptly
Earth’s climate is changing. No, it is not a hoax, not a projection, not something that may happen hundreds of years from now, and not
Tribalism in our society
Tribalism is the possession of an identity (cultural, ethnic, national, etc.) that divides a member of one group from members of another group. The identity
How far do COVID-19 particles travel from people who are infected?
Many governments have recommended social distancing guidelines of 6 feet (about 2 meters). A study using surface and air samples obtained in February and early
Childhood obesity and parents’ influence
Child obesity is a major global health problem in both developed and developing countries. Tens of millions of children (perhaps as many as 15-20% of
Is it necessary to take 10,000 steps per day for good health? Part 2
Another look at the association between the number of steps taken per day and health–as measured by the incidence of disease and death. “It is
What can we learn from history about the pace and path of a pandemic?
What can we learn from the past about what we are facing and may face with COVID-19? An increasingly good comparison is the 1918-1919 influenza
What is the impact of COVID-19 on children’s health?
What is the impact of COVID-19 on children? Can children get the disease? If they do, how severe are the symptoms? What does research tell
The effects of stress brought on by pandemic diseases
Pandemic diseases–such as COVID-19–can be extremely stressful. The uncertainty of transmission, the intense desire to protect family and friends (and yourself), the unknown of the
Microplastics, horizontal gene transfer, and impacts on human health
An estimated 300 million tons of plastics are produced annually. Millions of those tons enter our air, soil, and water as waste every year. As
Deaths by injuries in the U.S.–is there a connection to climate change?
Temperatures that differ from the long-term average over time–hotter or colder–will become more frequent as our climate changes. Hotter temperatures have been tied to increases
Pandemics–history, control, and prevention
A pandemic is defined as a disease epidemic occurring over a widespread geographic area. Whether technically a pandemic or not, the world has experienced many
What is linked to autism?
Autism represents a wide spectrum of disorders that impact how a person relates to and communicates with other people. Effects include a variety of social
Integrity and honesty: do they really matter?
Are integrity and honesty important? Do they actually mean enough that they can cause engagement, action, a change of behavior in other people? Are they
Drinking alcohol: how much is too much?
For alcohol consumption, how much is too much? Clearly, prolonged heavy drinking or heavy binge drinking is bad; there are a range of negative effects–health,
Fear — impacts on decision-making and behavior
Fear is corrosive whether caused by events outside our immediate control or if purposefully used (for example, by politicians trying to gain or consolidate power).
Coronaviruses
What are Coronaviruses? What does a Coronavirus infection mean for humans? Have we seen them before? Will we keep seeing them in the future? What
Facial recognition: technology and privacy
Quick bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on facial recognition–the technology and privacy concerns. Classic reviews: Bowyer, K. W. (2004). Face recognition technology: security versus privacy. IEEE Technology
The importance of sleep and its impacts (physical and mental health)
Quick bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on the importance of adequate sleep for good physical and mental health. Classic reviews: Dewald, J. F., Meijer, A. M., Oort,
Stop being manipulated! Take charge of the information in your life: Seek information, not affirmation
Seek information, not affirmation; what does that mean? If you use Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp to get news and learn about current events, you are
Neuroscience, molecular biology, and the childhood roots of health disparities: Building a new framework for health promotion and disease prevention
The origins of adult disease are often found among developmental and biological disruptions occurring during the early years of life.
Stop being manipulated! Take charge of the information in your life.
Disinformation and propaganda are not new; they have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years. With algorithm-driven social media platforms, however, they have
Declining life expectancy in the United States
Life expectancy in the United States is declining–officially since 2014–but the causes have been a long time in the making extending back to at least
Nine evidence-based guidelines for a good life (Gary M. Bakker)
The guidelines (“discovered through observation” and research) are — *Exercise your body and your brain every day. Research shows that “moderate, daily exercise” for your
Sea level rise and climate change
Quick bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on sea level rise and climate change. **Updated January 2021** Classic reviews: *Hallegatte, S., Green, C., Nicholls, R. J., & Corfee-Morlot,
Generalized Anxiety Disorder–a sign of the times?
Quick bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)–a sign of our times? **Updated January 2021** Classic review: *Tyrer, P. & Baldwin, D. (2006). Generalised
Nuclear power and climate change
There are many connections between nuclear power and climate change. Public perception of nuclear power has a very important and powerful impact on its current
Opioids, addiction, and overdose
Bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on opioids, addiction, and overdose. **Updated March 2021** Classic review: *Paulozzi, L.J. (2012). Prescription drug overdoses: A review. Journal of Safety Research, 43 (4),
Gun ownership and violence
Quick bibliography: Reviews/articles on the connections between gun ownership and violence. **updated November 2022** Classic review: van Kesteren, J.N. (2014). Revisiting the Gun Ownership and Violence
Excessive rainfall–the new normal
News: Do you see a trend? More episodes of excessive, even extreme rainfall leading to widespread, frequent, and long-lasting flooding. It is happening now in
Solar-powered water harvesting and purification
Quick bibliography: 5 reviews/recent articles on solar-powered water harvesting and purification. Classic review: Sampathkumar, K., Arjunan, T.V., Pritchandi, P., & Senthilkumar, P. (2010). Active solar
Hundreds of millions of climate migrants likely by 2050
News: Are you concerned about immigration? Then, consider this–a report from The World Bank estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America could see
How cities are/will be impacted by climate change
**updated June 2021** News: City life has changed and will change even more due to the impacts of climate change. Cities in the United States
The environmental effects of offshore drilling
Quick bibliography: Reviews/recent articles on the environmental effects of offshore drilling. **for the most current version of this bibliography, see — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/the-environmental-effects-of-offshore-drilling/ Classic review: *Menzie,
Postmenopausal bone health and nutrition
Quick bibliography: 5 reviews/recent articles on postmenopausal bone health and nutrition. **for the most current version of this bibliography, see — https://sciencebibliographies.strategian.com/postmenopausal-bone-health-and-nutrition/ Classic review: Ilich,
Most-read Science topics (quick post)
Over the last year (since September 2018), the top 5 posts searched and read on Science Connections have been: The impact of sea level rise
Save money, do good–change your light bulbs (quick post)
Switching light bulbs in your home to LED is a simple, relatively inexpensive way to cut your energy bill (the amount of electricity used with
Misinformation and trust
News: “Social media has facilitated the proliferation of false belief at an unprecedented scale.” Why? Humans are social learners. “We develop most of our beliefs
Owning a gun does not make you safer
News: The wide and easy availability of guns is a contentious issue in the United States and in some other countries. Many people believe that
Be kind to others; it’s good for you and for them
News: You can be kind to others–you really can. It’s something you can control. So much of life today seems constrained, controlled, surveilled, forced, overshadowed.
China’s burgeoning scientific muscle
News: It’s well-known that the publication of scientific research in the form of journal articles especially (but also books, book chapters, and other formats) has
Fish oil supplements don’t work for CVD
News: Once in decline, deaths from cardiovascular disease (strokes, heart attacks, etc.) in the United States “have been rising dramatically since 2011.” The American Heart
A new world disorder?
News: It may seem that absolutely everyone today is glued to their phones and uses social media, but that’s not true. Facebook, the largest social
Should anyone be playing American football?
News: The midbrain in humans controls “functions such as hearing and temperature regulation.” But, because of its location–in the middle of the brain–this area is
The heat island effect divides cities as well
**updated June 2021** News: It’s known that there is a “heat island effect” in urban areas–large buildings, industrial zones, uncovered parking lots, paved roads, densely-built
It’s raining plastic
News: It’s literally raining plastic–that is, “multicolored microscopic plastic fibers.” Previous research has found microplastics in mountains in Europe, at the bottom of the ocean,
What’s the best way to get eggs from chickens?
At an exhibit in Iowa, USA, a comparison of the ways of getting eggs from chickens: The “conventional housing” is demonstrated: And, is touted over
We need action
Land and water degradation, food and water supply shortages, drug-resistant infections from overuse of antibiotics, overuse of pesticides and disease, sea level rise affecting coastal
Metals, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance
News: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics with farm animals (especially to promote growth) and with humans “is a main reason behind [the] evolution of antibiotic
The biggest unknown of Climate Change: us
Connections: The difference in human behavior that climate change has been shown to cause can be detrimental in the long run if we get stuck
Prejudice, discrimination and social norms
News: Donald Trump, the President of the United States, continues to make and post derogatory statements that are based on race, ethnicity, and gender (among
Is it necessary to take 10,000 steps per day for good health?
News: For women and men who are not very active? No. Researchers tracked the step volume and step intensity of 16,741 women with an average
Autoimmune diseases–prevention and control (quick bibliography)
Quick bibliography: Reviews on the prevention and control of autoimmune diseases. “An autoimmune disorder is a malfunction of the body’s immune system that causes the
Corporate farming and its consequences in the U.S. Midwest
News: I live in Iowa, USA; I’ve lived here all my life–60 years. My parents, born in the 1920’s, both grew up on small family
We need to work together; can we find a way?
News: This is worth 7 minutes of your time–a story of oil palm, Indonesia, researchers, and large multinational corporations. What does this have to do
Restoring and maintaining natural forests can be a key to controlling carbon in the atmosphere
News: Recent headlines and research built on the 2018 IPCC special report have indicated that planting about 1 billion new hectares of forest globally (and
Climate change impacts on human behavior
Connections: The difference in human behavior that climate change has been shown to cause can be detrimental in the long run if we get stuck in
Advances in solar water purification
News: Here is some potentially very positive news … It’s estimated that nearly 800 million people globally today lack access to safe drinking water–that’s not
The Midwestern U.S. is still flooding (quick post)
News: The lower Mississippi River in the United States is still flooding; some towns have seen continual flooding in 2019 for as long as 100
Large, intense thunderstorms will happen more frequently
News: “Large, intense thunderstorms cause flooding and fatalities.” The United States is especially impacted. Storms of this nature (mesoscale convective system-organized storms) “have increased in
There is no privacy any more (quick post)
News: Would you let an employee from Walmart or Amazon come inside your home (while you’re not there) to deliver packages or put groceries in
Chennai, India is running out of water (quick post)
News: Chennai, India, a city of nearly 5 million people, has become the latest major city to run out of water. Climate change (drought and
In-group bias is ingrained in humans
News: Adults and children–even children as young as three–“are really quick to sort themselves into … social groups and to form a preference for their
Topic of the day (TOTD): Social withdrawal and neuropsychiatric disorders
Review: The mental processes that allow us humans to live beside and with other humans are extremely complex. Our brains have become highly specialized for
A more sustainable version of plastic could be a reality
News: It’s well known; very little plastic is actually recycled globally–only 10% or less. Why? It’s the plastic itself along with the materials that are
Social media and depression
News: These social media behaviors are related to major depressive disorder (MDD): individuals who are more likely to compare themselves to others better off than
Why don’t we do anything about climate change?
News: Our climate–Earth’s climate–is changing. It’s a fact, not a theory, not a guess. Overall, our climate is getting warmer; we will see fewer periods
Microplastics now found in the mountains
News: Microplastics–tiny fragments of plastic waste–can be “ingested and inhaled by humans.” There are many news reports and studies that have shown that microplastics can
Science Primary Literature Database–last 5 added
The Science Primary Literature Database provides access to primarily journal articles and book chapters that have been found useful by college and university science students. The publications
Good carbs and high fiber
Just as with fats, there are “bad carbs” and “good carbs” (and conflicting dietary claims and sometimes controversy). Importantly, good carbs are high in fiber
Politics and Fear
Whipping up fear is a common tactic in politics. Providing stark, seemingly life or death choices, us versus them, scapegoating, creating a false bogeyman to
Is there any privacy left in America?
Connections: 9/11 was a big turning point in sacrificing privacy for national security. While there are differing opinions on whether this was the best decision
How to deal with single-use plastics
Single-use plastics (SUPs) are terrible for our environment. Humans have created an estimated 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics since the 1950’s–79% of this has
Were we scavengers rather than hunters?
For decades, the theory has been that the emergence of stone tools led early humans (around 2.6 to 3.5 million years ago) to hunt for
Science highlights: human adult neurogenesis, and a fungus killing amphibians
A new study provides further evidence that the adult brain in humans does grow new neurons (a process called neurogenesis) in the hippocampus–the section of
Science highlights: threats to global health, and apple trees are dying
See the WHO’s 10 threats to global health in 2019. Diabetes, cancer, and heart disease account for more than 70% of all deaths globally–driven by
Getting kids hooked on sugary beverages
The prevalence of obesity in the United States among those 40-59 and over 60 years of age is an extremely high 41-43% and about 19%
Trending science on Twitter (winter 2019)
Based on an analysis of the Twitter sites, Science Headlines and Headline Science, these were the topics that people were most and least engaged in
Science highlights: insomnia, and maternal mortality
Sleeplessness is a big problem today; its costs from health problems to lost productivity are huge. Recent research has probed the biological basis of insomnia.
Effective leadership and core values
In 2005, Laura Reave reviewed over 150 studies on leadership effectiveness. A focus was on “spiritual values” and the overlap between religion and business. But,
Science highlights: dwindling seafood, Alzheimer’s/Parkinson’s and inflammation, today’s fast food, and disease-carrying mosquitos
Rising sea water temperatures have lowered the yield of 235 fish stocks globally by 4% since 1930. However, by 2100, water temperatures will increase more
Science highlights: job automation, dishonesty, and craving sweets
Job automation is here and is happening in the fast food industry. 70% of fast food sales come from drive-through. From taking orders, customer interaction,
The power of words …
As we all know, good communication is a bedrock virtue. For families, for organizations, for society to function well, we need to communicate honestly, sufficiently,
Science highlights: food waste, weather forecasting, 2080 climate, and sinking land
1/3 of all fruit & vegetables produced annually are thrown away because they appear marked or spoiled. A new edible food coating–already in use–helps food
Are we too gullible? Or, are we relearning how to communicate?
Are people too gullible? On the surface, the answer is “yes.” We vote in the millions sometimes to elect and even reelect politicians who patently
Weather extremes–global warming and polar cold
Read this article … Weather extremes–a hallmark of climate change. Searing heat, wildfires, drought, electrical grids being overwhelmed, deaths, etc. in one place. Arctic cold,
Americans are more aware of climate change than ever (quick post)
“Two major new polls are in, and they both found that Americans are more attuned to the threats of climate change than ever before. My
Consumer DNA testing–no oversight, no peer review, only estimates (quick post)
In a recent test, identical twins received different ancestry profiles from each of five well-known consumer DNA testing companies; the results should have been identical.
Termites may do good
Are termites always bad? Maybe not … In a study conducted in Borneo during the extreme drought of 2015-2016, researchers compared “widely scattered” plots of
Consumer DNA testing and the placebo effect
Research shows that receiving genetic risk information for Alzheimer’s, cancer, obesity, etc. through consumer DNA testing can change actual body physiology, exertion/endurance during exercise, and
Regular exercise helps the brain
Regular exercise helps prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and other age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Exercise aids in the generation of neurons, improvement of memory, and the brain’s ability
Plants can recognize kin (quick post)
As with humans and other animals, the evidence is mounting that plants can also recognize genetic “kin” (other plants that are similar) and will adapt
Plastic waste (quick post)
What has happened with plastic waste? It’s still a huge problem; but, while China and other countries have heavily restricted imports, countries like Malaysia and
Simple sugars (quick post)
Research indicates that simple sugars (like fructose & sucrose) do reach the colon and shut down the actions of beneficial bacteria. Simple sugars are not
How do we get along?
Unless someone is completely self-absorbed and amoral, most people care for somebody, some group, or at least something besides themselves. Research has shown that “people
Tornadoes form from the ground up
A significant finding for countries that experience tornadoes … For decades, the theory has been that tornadoes form high in the atmosphere (hundreds to thousands
The Northeast Corridor may be underwater
Here is another direct impact of climate change. The Amtrak Northeast Corridor, in the United States, carries 12 million people by rail each year on
Are we just playing a big game of chicken?
So, time to ponder. Some day when future humans or another species dig back through time, what will they find to “determine who we were
Who do you believe?
Who do you believe? What do you believe? Why do you believe it? All humans are biased to some degree. Yes, we want other people
Cell phones, free apps, and location tracking data
Echoes of Orwell and 1984–if you have a cell phone in the United States and have downloaded free apps, your location is probably being tracked
Our sources of freshwater are being invaded by salt; we are paying the price
Salt and brine is applied to roads, parking lots, and sidewalks in winter to help melt ice and snow … and then washes off into
Guns are the second-leading cause of death for children in the United States
For the period 2006-2016, guns were the second-leading cause of death for children (1-18 years of age) in the United States (according to statistics compiled
Increasing frequency of drought and decreasing yields for soybeans
Soybeans are one of the major food crops globally–along with corn, rice, and wheat. The midwestern United States (particularly Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Indiana)
Narcissism and social media–a match made in heaven?
Since the earlier days of social media, researchers have looked at the relationship between narcissism and social media use. Narcissism is a personality type “marked
We never forget how to ride a bicycle? Why not?
I’m almost 60; increasingly, I sporadically forget names of people I’ve met even fairly recently; I’ll draw a sudden blank on my own phone number;
Extreme rainfall will continue
New research indicates “that any particular place on the globe gets half its annual rainfall–on average–in just 12 days” out of the year. Which particular
You have the power to make your own decisions about issues important to your life–use it!
Knowledge brings understanding; more fully understanding an issue (immigration, health care, abortion, border security, taxation, tariffs, climate change, etc., etc.) reduces fear and anxiety about
Buses are still the future of public transit
In these days of Uber and Lyft, the proliferation of electric scooters, and other individual ride services, it may seem that the best way to
Parkinson’s disease and the gut
A theory was proposed more than 10 years ago that “the seeds of Parkinson’s disease somehow climb out of the gut and into the brain.”
Scapegoats and self-blame
Scapegoating is “the act of blaming and often punishing a person or a group for a negative outcome that is due, in large part, to
Disseminating science via social media
Even though much of our society and even our very lives is built upon and made possible through scientific advances, there is a significant anti-science
Why is it so hard to change people’s minds?
It’s Thanksgiving, your family is gathered uncomfortably around the turkey, and your uncle is loudly lecturing you about why climate change is a complete myth
A change in diet can help mitigate climate change
It’s already known that corporate agriculture and “the global food system is a major driver of climate change, land-use change, and biodiversity loss” as well
The consequences of warming half a degree; and the courage to chart a new future
The recent IPCC report described the consequences of the Earth warming 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The Earth has already warmed
100 years later, we are even more vulnerable to an influenza pandemic
100 years ago–in 1918–a global influenza pandemic killed 20 million to 50 million people worldwide; perhaps 20% to 33% of all people living at that
Seeking information about a science topic–where do you go? Who do you trust?
https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/hyBUeD Take the short survey (click the link above) … when you are looking for information about a science topic, where do you go? And,
Robotic farms may be a future for agriculture
Strategian Science is based in Iowa, USA–a region well-known for modern agricultural productivity. Unlike the often promoted image of the happy and prosperous farm family,
A paint that reduces surface temperature
An innovation that fits under the category of trying to cope with the hotter weather brought on by climate change … A team from the
Clues to deception; who is telling the truth?
In a highly-cited study from 2003, DePaulo, et al. investigated if “people behave in discernibly different ways when they are lying compared with when they
Migration due to climate change is already happening in the United States
With more frequent and stronger hurricanes, torrential and extended rainfall, expanding wildfires, increasing heat, inexorable sea level rise, and more, climate migration is already happening
Microplastic pollution can be spread by mosquitoes
“There is little doubt that plastic and microplastic pollution is a major environmental concern globally.” Mosquito larvae, living in ponds and puddles, tend to eat
Using recycled plastic for building roads
As we already know, very little plastic is actually recycled. “The vast majority ends up being dumped, most of it in landfills.” Much plastic also
Climate change is impacting airports and air travel
Another impact of climate change–“a quarter of the world’s 100 busiest airports are less than 10 meters/32 feet above sea level.” “12 of those airports–including
Chatbots; propaganda is being taught how to speak
Bots–“simple computer scripts–were originally designed to automate repetitive tasks … sparing humans hours of tedium.” But, bots “can also be used to operate large numbers
Algorithms increasingly control our lives; is that a good thing?
Read this article; it’s important. We’ve discussed this topic before. Social media, e-commerce, and entertainment sites (Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, gmail/Microsoft, Instagram, Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
Higher temperatures will lead to additional crop damage from insects
Hotter temperatures brought by climate change are already bringing additional challenges to world agriculture–more weather extremes including more drought, more flooding, and more high heat
The world IS warming … and there are consequences.
**updated June 2021** See this interactive graphic that illustrates an impact of climate change–the increase in the number of 90+ degree (F) days (32 degrees
Wind energy had a big year in 2017
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2017 Wind Technologies Market Report, wind power had a big year. Over 7,000 MW of new capacity was
Air pollution can cause declines in human intelligence
It’s well-known that high levels of air pollution are linked to various physical and psychological ailments in humans–including premature death (an estimated 7 million deaths
Understand the context of information important to you; reduce the fear and anxiety
Knowledge brings understanding; understanding reduces fear and anxiety. Understand the value of information that is important to your life; use that understanding to make your
Higher temperatures make trees grow faster, but the wood is weaker and breaks more easily
As climate change pushes overall temperatures higher, trees and other plants “are experiencing longer growing seasons, sometimes as much as 3 extra weeks a year.”
Inadequate sleep leads to big economic losses
According to a study by the Rand Corporation, the United States is suffering an economic loss of up to $411 billion annually due to people
Concentrated, intensive therapy–a new way of treating anxiety disorders
There is “a new wave of concentrated, intensive therapy programs for psychiatric disorders.” New research is showing that, for both children and adults, the concentrated
Earth Overshoot Day at the earliest date ever recorded
Earth Overshoot Day, the point at which yearly consumption of carbon, food, water, fiber, land, and timber exceeds the capacity of nature to regenerate, has
Heatwaves and droughts lead to power plants shutting down
Nuclear and coal power plants use a tremendous amount of water. These plants use cool water “drawn from rivers, lakes, or seas” to condense steam
Gluten-free; is it gluten or our industrially-produced foods?
While just a small percentage of people actually have celiac disease and require gluten-free food, a significantly larger percentage are choosing a gluten-free diet believing
How do people determine right from wrong?
“How do people determine right from wrong?” How do you determine right from wrong? Do you follow a moral code that came from your parents?
Smoke from wildfires causes health problems.
As the number, size, and explosiveness of wildfires increases in the U.S. and other countries, it brings danger not only due to the destructiveness of
Spread some happiness …
All we seem to hear these days is bad news–wild fires, heat waves, droughts, politics, greed, corruption, discrimination, low wages, stress, unhappiness … So, make
Climate change is happening now …
Climate change is happening before our eyes. All over the world–“from Japan to the Middle East, and North America to Europe,” the heat waves, floods,
AAP guidelines–avoid certain chemicals that are added to or leach into food
Guidelines recently issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics add to “the growing body of scientific evidence indicating that certain chemicals that enter foods may
Increasing heat could drive up the number of suicides
It has long been noted that the number of suicides increases during “warmer months.” But why? What is the role of higher temperatures? Recent research
Spring is beginning sooner …
One apparent result of a changing climate is that spring seems to be starting earlier than in the past. Yet, it has been hard to
Bots and the spread of misinformation
Much misinformation is spread through social media by automated accounts–called “bots.” The purpose of these fake accounts is to sway public opinion, change behavior (like
The pitch of adult voices may be largely determined in the womb
The pitch of voices–higher, lower, etc.–affects “our impressions of a person’s physical and social dominance, attractiveness, and trust.” Voice pitch, and the impressions it creates
mTOR inhibitors appear to boost the immune system of older adults
A recent clinical trial found that mTOR inhibitors–two experimental anti-aging drugs–both reduced the number of respiratory infections and boosted “people’s responses to the flu vaccine.”
Nighttime temperatures are warming faster
**updated June 2021** More impact from climate change–at one point this month (July 2018), “more than 100 million people” in the United States were under
A pet medicine may protect humans against disease
Diseases like the Zika virus and malaria are spread by mosquitoes and fleas; it’s a problem worldwide especially in the developing world but also in
Discovering new genes behind human intelligence and mental health
Recent studies using “a new statistical method called MAGMA” to analyze the health and genetic records of over 6 million people have identified over 1,000
Bees survive better in cities compared to open agricultural land
Bumblebees are vital pollinators for flowers and crops. But, bee populations have been declining world-wide due to “pesticides, disease, and habitat loss.” A recent study
Looking to the past for an alternative to cement
“More than 20 billion tons of concrete is produced around the world every year”–to fuel the building boom in cities as more and more people
Solar windows and the future of building
“Houses and office buildings account for 75% of electricity use in the United States, and 40% of its energy use overall.” And, all the windows
The impact of sea level rise on Florida–and the world
Read these two excerpts (here and here) from a new book by Elizabeth Rush which details the effects of sea level rise on the south
Facial recognition and privacy
Connections: 9/11 was a big turning point in sacrificing privacy for national security. While there are differing opinions on whether this was the best decision
Methane leaks undermine the benefits of using natural gas
Natural gas has long been “promoted as a clean alternative to other fossil fuels.” It’s main ingredient is methane. Compared to other greenhouse gases, like
Now that China will no longer take it, the U.S. and other countries will have to deal with their own plastic waste
Recycling plastic is a challenge. Over the past few decades, plastic “recycling” has in fact consisted–about half the time–of sending that plastic to China (often
Using the Allam Cycle to generate electricity and capture CO2
As of May 30, 2018, a supercritical carbon dioxide demonstration power plant began operation in Texas, USA. Operated by NET Power, LLC, the technology is
Hurricanes are slowing down and are becoming more dangerous
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey moved very slowly across parts of Texas (USA) dropping “more than 30 inches of rain in two days and nearly 50
Antarctica’s ice is melting faster and the seas are rising
Most of the world’s fresh water is found frozen in Antarctica. And, that ice is melting today–and the melting is happening at an increasing rate.
Water and the West
Lack of fresh water for agricultural use and for human consumption is a growing and very serious problem globally–including rich countries. Read this article (Henry
Is there a “tipping point” for public opinion?
How and when does an established viewpoint of a society change? What does it take for a society (a very large group of people) to