Is there more to palm oil than deforestation?
Palm oil is the world's most produced and consumed vegetable oil and everyone knows that its production can damage the environment. But do consumers have the full picture? In fact, replacing palm oil with rapeseed oil would require a four to five-fol.....»»
Google Bard hits over 180 countries and territories—none are in the EU
Google is expanding Bard availability as the EU crafts landmark AI regulation. Enlarge (credit: Google) On Wednesday, Google detailed the evolution of its Bard conversational AI assistant, including PaLM 2 and expanded.....»»
The AI race heats up: Google announces PaLM 2, its answer to GPT-4
PaLM 2 can code, translate, and "reason" in ways that best GPT-4, says Google. Enlarge (credit: Google) On Wednesday, Google introduced PaLM 2, a family of foundational language models comparable to OpenAI's GPT-4. At it.....»»
Fossil find in California shakes up the natural history of cycad plants
Cycads, a group of gymnosperms which can resemble miniature palm trees (like the popular sago palm houseplant) were long thought to be "living fossils," a group that had evolved minimally since the time of the dinosaurs. Now, a well-preserved 80-mill.....»»
Adonit Star Review: Fountain Pen iPad Stylus With Basic Essentials
The Adonit Star is an iPad stylus that looks like a classy fountain pen. It enables palm rejection (with compatible models), and not much else -- it's simple. Th.....»»
Google releases security LLM at RSAC to rival Microsoft’s GPT-4-based copilot
Google Cloud announces the release of Security AI Workbench, a new security tool that uses the Sec-PaLM LLM to identify malicious activity. Google Cloud announces the release of Security AI Workbench, a new security tool that uses the Sec-PaLM LL.....»»
Companies" zero-deforestation commitments have potential to halve cattle-driven deforestation in Brazilian Amazon
Cattle-rearing is the biggest cause of tropical deforestation in the Amazon—and the world......»»
Despite Lula"s promises, deforestation still rampant in Brazil
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest in the first quarter of 2023 was one of the worst on record, according to official figures released on Friday......»»
Generative AI is heading to Google Workspace & Google Cloud
Google is bringing AI tools to users in Google Workspace and opening up its AI language model called PaLM for developers and businesses.Google increases AI effortsThe company is continuing its push to add artificial intelligence into more products an.....»»
Google’s PaLM-E is a generalist robot brain that takes commands
ChatGPT-style AI model adds vision to guide a robot without special training. Enlarge / A robotic arm controlled by PaLM-E reaches for a bag of chips in a demonstration video. (credit: Google Research) On Monday, a group.....»»
Mechanical weeding promotes ecosystem functions and profit in industrial oil palm, finds study
Oil palm trees are the most productive oil crop and global demand is increasing. However, their productivity is due to conventional management practices including high fertilizer usage and herbicide application, resulting in severe environmental dama.....»»
Carbon credits: a contested tool to fight deforestation
Planting trees or safeguarding tropical rainforests have become popular tools for companies seeking to offset their carbon emissions and proclaim their commitment to the environment......»»
Worst-ever February rainforest data for Brazilian Amazon
Brazilian Amazon deforestation reached its worst-ever February level in the second month of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's presidential term, provisional data showed Friday......»»
Wetter storms, deforestation: Manila faces worsening floods
From her house in a Manila suburb, Rowena Jimenez can't see the bare mountains around the built-up city. But she feels the impact of deforestation every time her living room floods......»»
The coastline is at risk from rising seas, and we’re making more of it
Satellite imagery shows how much urban coastlines have changed in 20 years. Enlarge / Aerial view of the exclusive island of luxury hotels and residences of The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (credit: Vicki Jauron,.....»»
Major firms not doing enough to curb deforestation: report
Many major global firms and financial institutions that directly or indirectly contribute to deforestation do not have any policies in place to protect forests, increasing the risk for catastrophic nature loss, a report said Wednesday......»»
Argentina lost one-fifth of its Atlantic Forest in the last four decades
Deforestation in tropical South America extends beyond the Amazon basin. Enlarge / The Iguassu Waterfall and nearby forests straddle Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. (credit: Craig Hastings) Deforestation not only cause.....»»
Brazil"s Amazon deforestation down 61% in January
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest was down 61 percent in January—Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's first month back in the job—compared with the same period last year, according to an official report published on Friday......»»
New DJI Mini 2 SE can fly up to 31 minutes while shooting video
The newest drone from DJI is the Mini 2 SE, an affordable entry to the company's drone lineup that can fit in the palm of a hand.The new DJI Mini 2 SE droneThe Mini 2 SE is an ultraportable, regulation-friendly drone that weighs less than eight ounce.....»»
A Looming El Niño Could Dry the Amazon
When a warm band of water develops in the Pacific, drought grips the rainforest. The Amazon, devastated by deforestation and fires, is especially vulnerable......»»
Major palm oil companies broke their promise on No Deforestation—recovery is needed, says researcher
Despite a 2013 pledge by major palm oil firms to maintain environmentally friendly operations, a recent report by environmental group Earthqualizer revealed that more than 440,000 hectares of forest and peat land (roughly three times the size of Lond.....»»