Wildfires Used to Be Helpful. How Did They Get So Hellish?
Fires are supposed to reset ecosystems, paving the way for new growth. But human meddling and climate change have turned them into monsters......»»
Drought-hit Spain braces for early heat wave
Drought-hit Spain was bracing Monday for an unusually early heat wave, prompting fears for wildfires in a nation already so dry that some farmers have opted not to plant crops......»»
One iPhone 14 feature just saved three people’s lives
Emergency SOS via Satellite is a helpful feature that may have saved three people's lives over the weekend after a canyoneering trip went wrong......»»
Up in smoke: Human activities are fueling wildfires that burn essential carbon-sequestering peatlands
For centuries, society has scorned bogs, fens and swamps—collectively known as peatlands—treating them as wastelands available to be drained and developed without realizing they're important buffers against climate-changing carbon emissions......»»
Climate change increases the risk of extreme wildfires around Cape Town, but it can be addressed, say researchers
Across the globe, many recent severe wildfires have moved from wildlands into the urban periphery (the "wildland urban interface"). In their wake, they've left death, destruction and disruption. This has led to questions about the extent to which cli.....»»
This sensor-filled ‘smart’ classroom is designed to improve literacy
Are sensors in the classroom bringing Big Brother to education or are they a helpful tool to improve literacy? In a world of smart everything—phones, watches, and even walking canes—it was only a matter of time before “smart cla.....»»
Wildfire and drainage accelerate carbon loss from northern peatlands, study finds
The harm caused to the Northern Hemisphere's peatlands as a result of wildfires could lead to greater quantities of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, a new study involving the University of Plymouth has warned......»»
New research on megafire smoke plumes clarifies what they contain, how they move and their potential impacts
In recent years, large, intense wildfires, known as megafires, have increasingly caused severe damage to forests, homes, and crops. In addition to megafires fatally impacting humans and wildlife alike, they may also be impacting climate change. New r.....»»
(Almost) everyone likes a helpful trash robot
How do New Yorkers react to robots that approach them in public looking for trash? Surprisingly well, actually......»»
Methane from megafires: Novel detection technique raises pollution policy questions
Using a new detection method, UC Riverside scientists found a massive amount of methane, a super-potent greenhouse gas, coming from wildfires—a source not currently being accounted for by state air quality managers......»»
Naturally fire-prone ecosystems tend to have more species of birds and mammals, study reveals
Wildfires. Many see them as purely destructive forces, disasters that blaze through a landscape, charring everything in their paths. But a study published in the journal Ecology Letters reminds us that wildfires are also generative forces, spurring b.....»»
SwitchBot’s Hub 2 is the first Matter device that really matters
It's a climate sensor and display, automation button, infrared remote, and more. Enlarge / SwitchBot's new Hub 2 is most helpful for those who already have SwitchBot products in their home, but also those with infrared devices th.....»»
The Therapy Part of Psychedelic Therapy Is a Mess
There’s little evidence to prove how necessary or helpful many of the accepted norms in psychedelic-assisted therapy are—and some could even harm patients......»»
Video: Watch the Ted Lasso cast give Stephen Colbert a pep talk and custom ‘Believe’ sign
The cast of Ted Lasso has taken its positive energy off the futbol pitch and into the dressing room of comedian and late-night host Stephen Colbert. Along with giving him a helpful pep talk, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis also bestowed a custom inspi.....»»
Harnessing nature to promote planetary sustainability
As Earth's population grows, the demands of modern lifestyles place mounting strain on the global environment. Proposed solutions to preserve and promote planetary sustainability can sometimes prove more harmful than helpful. However, technologies th.....»»
The coming flood: Meet the flood watchers
Floods in California rarely attract the sort of attention that earthquakes, wildfires or even shark attacks do. Perhaps it has something to do with the severity of an unprecedented, yearslong drought that is far from over. This winter's deluge—part.....»»
Spain mulls options as wildfires gain in size, intensity
Walking through the charred remains of the forested hillsides of Sierra de la Culebra that were devastated by Spain's worst wildfire last year, Pablo Martin Pinto is blunt......»»
Modeling study shows how bark beetle infestations affect wildfires
A recent modeling study shows that bark beetle outbreaks in forests won't necessarily cause bigger and more damaging wildfires—at least not for awhile......»»
Researchers introduce new optimal recommendations for fungicide resistance management
Fungicide application, while helpful in controlling plant diseases, has complicated limitations that may cost growers both peace of mind and quantity of yield. Plant pathogens which would otherwise be killed off by fungicides can evolve to avenge the.....»»
Framework helps local planners prepare for climate pressures on food, energy & water systems
As the world faces increasingly extreme and frequent weather events brought on by climate change—such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires—critical civic resources such as food, water, and energy will be impacted. Local and regional plan.....»»
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review: fast, modern, and helpful
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is an incredibly fast and well-built machine, stocked with modern components. It's expensive, but comes with 24/7 live support......»»