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Daily Briefing: Wed. 8/3/2011

Amazon damage rises, heat wave roasts U.S., new proof of 'multiverse,' and more.



  • Green News Roundup

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Weekend Briefing 8/5/2011

Photos suggest water on Mars, Shell to drill in Arctic, storm outlook worsens, and more.



  • Green News Roundup

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Daily Briefing: Wed. 8/10/2011

Big rigs get mpg boost, electric car goes solar, supermice rise in Europe, and more.



  • Green News Roundup

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Weekend Briefing

Bad outlook for U.S. drought, dino gave live birth, meteor shower tonight, and more.



  • Green News Roundup

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Daily Briefing: Wed.

Arctic oil worries natives, school lunches get real, sleeping bears still trouble, and more.



  • Green News Roundup

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Walk between the Smokies on North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge

SkyBridge, North America's longest pedestrian suspension bridge, opened earlier this year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. And now it's ready for Christmas.




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Bougainville residents overwhelmingly vote to become world's newest nation

Residents of Bougainville voted overwhelmingly to become independent from Papua New Guinea.




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Welcome to Niue, the first country recognized as a Dark Sky Place

The island nation of Niue may be the best place in the world to soak up a starry night.




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Scientists don't know why Polaris is so weird

It's hard to get a read on Polaris because it's too bright for our equipment. Plus, other cool facts about the North Star.




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5 reasons why the James Webb Space Telescope is such a big deal

The highly anticipated successor to the Hubble Space Telescope is scheduled to launch in spring 2021.




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Black holes power some of the brightest objects in the universe, so why is ours so calm?

Black holes generally power some of the brightest objects in the universe, so why is Sagittarius A* so calm?




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10 ways today's college students can lower their student debt

The best strategy to minimize student loan debt is to search for affordable colleges. Yes, it’s complicated, but here’s what to know.




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Why we need to make math relevant to kids

Plus, 5 ideas to use at home to get kids thinking numerically.




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There may be a good reason why we enter a 'food coma' after dinner

Sea slugs could tell us a lot about why we fall into a food coma.




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Why do we eat more when we're with our friends and family?

It's not just that your mom encourages second helpings. Studies show that a phenomenon called "social facilitation" is one factor in why we overeat with others.




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How to prep a week's worth of soups in no time

With careful planning and strategic shopping, you can prep a week's worth of soup so that getting dinner on the table isn't so hard.




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A Western-style diet could affect the brain in as little as a week

Research suggests a brain on a Western diet can't help itself from wanting more junk food.




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A lot of weird science goes into making bread

Think of making bread as a science experiment. ​But it all comes down to treating your yeast right.




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Biodiesel powers Kid Rock's Badass Beer

Kid Rock is using a sustainable brewery to brew his new American Badass Beer.




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Oregon brewery is serious about being green

Standing Stone Brewing in Ashland, Ore., has eco-responsibility covered: Bicycles for employees, energy efficient appliances, sustainable food sources.




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Planters unveils the biodiesel-powered Nutmobile

Keep an eye out for the famous biodiesel-powered, peanut-shaped vehicle.




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Cow power: Indiana farm uses manure to fuel its dairy trucks

Fair Oaks Farms now powers 42 tractor-trailers with compressed natural gas from methane, the largest project of its kind to date.




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Creature that weaves underwater silk enlisted to suture surgical wounds

Scientists are beginning to unravel the mystery of how caddisfly silk stays sticky underwater, and it could lead to the development of a wet Band-Aid.



  • Wilderness & Resources

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Lightning-powered mushrooms could boost food yields

New research reveals that mushrooms and some vegetables can multiply rapidly when struck by lightning.



  • Wilderness & Resources

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Amazing new diving suit turns wearer into Aquaman

Suit allows its human wearer to breathe liquid like a fish, making deeper dives possible.



  • Research & Innovations

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Scientists splice genes from roses and celery to create superflower

New rose will be less prone to wilting and will allow for longer lasting Valentine's Day bouquets.



  • Research & Innovations

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Computer-designed proteins could counteract chemical weapons

Custom-designed proteins made with the aid of computers could fight chemical weapons such as nerve gas and help decontaminate toxic-waste sites, scientists say.



  • Research & Innovations

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Should we bioengineer superhumans that can better combat climate change?

Philosopher suggests that bioengineering people to be herbivores with small statures and cat-like eyes could help to save the planet.




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Can genetic engineering make better flowers?

Advancements in genetic engineering and selective breeding seem to crop up everyday. Now, floral geneticists are working on flower varieties that contain geneti



  • Research & Innovations

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Spiders sprayed with carbon nanotubes spin superstrong webs

Scientists still aren't entirely sure how the spiders make use of the carbon nanotubes, but their webs are the strongest ever recorded.




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Spider drinks graphene, spins web that can hold the weight of a human

The webbing was on par with bulletproof Kevlar in strength.



  • Research & Innovations

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Why we should all embrace the sweet art of 'doing nothing'

Italians have mastered 'la dolce far niente' and so should you.




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How can large-scale solar power reduce pressure on farm land?

Utility-scale solar power requires a lot of land. But there are ways to work around that problem.




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Are solar power and agave farming a match made in heaven?

Deserts have a lot of sun, but not much water. That's why researchers are advocating combined solar and agave farms.




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5 innovative hydroelectric power ideas

Hydroelectric power has not received the attention that solar and wind enjoy, but that could be changing.




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What if we could create energy the way nature does?

Breakthroughs in artificial photosynthesis could help harness the sun's power for clean, efficient production of liquid hydrogen.




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Self-lacing shoe to be powered from walking

The concept shoe is reminiscent of the electronic-laced shoes from the 'Back to the Future' movies.



  • Gadgets & Electronics

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Germany's 'Energiewende' is picking up steam

Increased renewables, decreased emissions and falling energy prices. Germany's ambitious energy plan may be starting to pay off.




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17-year-old invents water purifier powered by the sun

Australian teen's invention could help make clean water easy and affordable to access.



  • Research & Innovations

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Tesla's new Powerwall battery could be world-changing

Build enough Powerwall batteries and you can run the world on renewable resources.




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IKEA's climate pledge is bigger than Sweden's

The Swedish furniture giant is spending staggering amounts on renewables and climate adaptation, putting entire countries to shame.



  • Sustainable Business Practices

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Scientists create engine that is powered entirely by evaporation

Technology could be used to generate electricity or even propel tiny toy cars.




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Solar Sunflower harnesses power of 5,000 suns

With the power of 5,000 suns, the real engineering breakthrough with the Solar Sunflower might be its cooling system.




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Lamp powered by a single plant can stay lit for hours

No outlet needed for this lamp — just plug it into the nearest plant.



  • Gadgets & Electronics

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There's a picturesque town in the French Alps that generates cheese power

The same thing that keeps the lights on and appliances humming tastes great on a cracker.




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Africa gets its first people-powered soccer pitch

Although solar panels do most of the heavy lifting, so to speak.



  • Research & Innovations

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First wave energy station in U.S. generates power in Hawaii

Wave power has the potential to supply 25 percent of the nation's energy.




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These wind turbines were inspired by hummingbirds

Tyer Wind has based its proposed wind turbines on a hummingbird flapping its wings.




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Dead fish will soon be powering Norwegian cruise ships

Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten is instituting a plan to power its ships using dead fish, part of an effort to be more environmentally sound.




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Landfill methane could power 3 million homes

Advanced methane capture could make a significant dent in U.S. energy demand.



  • Research & Innovations