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environment

A Weather Warning that Saved Lives

January 15, 2025

Imagine getting an early warning about a massive wildfire, even before it starts! That’s what Edgar McGregor, a 24-year-old climate scientist, did for thousands of Californians. He runs a small Facebook page called Altadena Weather and Climate. On January 6, he predicted a powerful Santa Ana windsto

environment

Why Are We Dropping Pink Stuff on California's Fires?

January 14, 2025

California's wildfires are burning fast and furious, especially in hard-to-reach areas like canyons. To slow them down, firefighters are dropping a hot-pink mixture from the sky. What's in it and is it safe? This pink stuff is a special fire suppressant that's mainly water mixed with fertilizer and

environment

LA Sports Teams Pitch In: How $8 Million Aids Fire Victims

January 14, 2025

In the midst of devastating wildfires, Los Angeles and Orange County's professional sports teams have joined forces to donate a massive $8 million. These teams, including the LA Lakers, Dodgers, and Chargers, are stepping up to support those affected. The fires have been catastrophic, burning around

environment

Climate Change's Hidden Impact on Meds: What We Need to Know

January 14, 2025

Imagine if your favorite medicine suddenly became hard to find or didn't work as well. Sounds far-fetched, right? But climate change could make this a reality. We often overlook how our changing climate affects the medicines we rely on. From how they're made and distributed to how they're used, clim

environment

The Eaton Fire: A Community's Fight to Stay Informed

January 14, 2025

In the heart of Altadena, the Prata family made a crucial decision to stay behind during the massive Eaton Fire. With winds reaching 80 mph, the fire turned into a firestorm, claiming 24 lives in the Los Angeles region. The Pratas played a vital role in their community, offering invaluable informati

environment

NOAA's New Plan for Weather Data: A Fresh Approach

January 14, 2025

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is changing how it buys weather data. Instead of just buying global datasets, NOAA plans to pay more for specific observations, like oil spills or fires. Steve Volz, NOAA's assistant administrator, said this is the future, but it's not ready

environment

Amazon's $10M Boost for L. A. Wildfire Recovery

January 14, 2025

In a recent announcement, Amazon has pledged $10 million to support Los Angeles in the wake of devastating wildfires. The funds come from various divisions, including Amazon Music, Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, Ring, and Whole Foods Market. The money will be used to aid several organizations, suc

environment

Discovering New PFAS in Soil: What We Found and Why it Matters

January 14, 2025

Soils near an industrial park in Shandong Province, China, were found to contain 81 different perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This was done using a new approach that helps scientists find unknown compounds without needing to know their structure beforehand. Among these PFAS, 12

environment

Saving Water, Saving Antimony: A New Way to Clean Waste

January 14, 2025

Cleaning wastewater usually means creating more waste, especially when it comes to antimony. This stuff is dangerous and can cause real harm to the environment. So, scientists came up with a new idea. They used light and a chemical called sulfite to turn antimony into something useful. This method i

environment

UV-Aged Plastic Bits Boost Mercury Harm in Marine Tiny Crustaceans Over Generations

January 14, 2025

Imagine tiny plastic bits exposed to sun's UV light. These bits, called nanoplastics, can change over time, affecting how they interact with metals like mercury. But what happens when these aged nanoplastics meet mercury, and how does it impact marine life? A study looked into this with a tiny crust