#Rock-breathing bacteria are electron spin doctors, study shows

“#Rock-breathing bacteria are electron spin doctors, study shows” Electrons that shuttle through protein “wires” between bacterial cells and surfaces outside those cells tend to have a particular quantum spin. Credit: Katya Kadyshevskaya Electrons spin. It’s a fundamental part of their existence. Some spin “up” while others spin “down.” Scientists have known this for about a…

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#Study finds less impact from wildfire smoke on climate

“#Study finds less impact from wildfire smoke on climate” Los Alamos research reveals that wildfire smoke plumes contribute less to warming temperatures than previously thought. Credit: Dreamstime New research revealed that tiny, sunlight-absorbing particles in wildfire smoke may have less impact on climate than widely hypothesized because reactions as the plume mixes with clean air…

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#Long-term survey reveals Chinese government satisfaction

“#Long-term survey reveals Chinese government satisfaction” Beijing’s skyline. Credit: Zhang Kaiyv/Unsplash Understanding what Chinese citizens think about their own government has proven elusive to scholars, policymakers, and businesspeople alike outside of the country. Opinion polling in China is heavily scrutinized by the government, with foreign polling firms prohibited from directly conducting surveys. Given China’s global…

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#To bring back endangered fish, this First Nation is claiming environmental management authority

“#To bring back endangered fish, this First Nation is claiming environmental management authority” Eulachon can be sun-dried, but this is only one of many ways to process the nutritious fish. Credit: Brodie Guy Over 20 years ago, the Bella Coola River—located in southern British Columbia and central to the traditional territory of the Nuxalk Nation—saw…

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#Smaller farm fields can reduce biodiversity loss and increase wild plants, birds, beetles, and bats

“#Smaller farm fields can reduce biodiversity loss and increase wild plants, birds, beetles, and bats” Smaller farmers fields can be beneficial to wild species. Credit: Shutterstock Around the world, biodiversity is dropping precipitously. In North America, about three billion birds have been lost over recent decades and amphibian populations are declining at a rate of…

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#The next trend in food: Edible insects?

“#The next trend in food: Edible insects?” Credit: UC Santa Barbara You might not have known, but a lot of people think you should be eating insects. Their arguments are legion: Edible bugs are better for the environment and can help slow climate change, they can alleviate malnutrition and ease food insecurity. Also, they’re delicious….

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