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Race Is on To Produce a Super-Coral To Survive World’s Warming Seas (Maria)
The author writes, “It is one of the least understood processes in nature. How do two very different species learn to live with each other and create a bond, known as symbiosis, which can give them a powerful evolutionary advantage? Coral reefs are the most spectacular manifestations of symbiosis — and understanding the mechanics of this mutual endeavor has become an urgent task as global warming has triggered the widespread collapse of reefs. … An international group of researchers led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute is working together on the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics project. Powerful DNA sequencers are now unraveling the genetic secrets of coral, data that could be vital in saving the world’s reefs.”
Ronald Reagan’s Former Staff Back Harris-Walz Ticket: ‘Today Is a Choice Between Integrity and Demagoguery.’ (Dana)
The author writes, “Seventeen former staff members of the late Republican President Ronald Reagan are endorsing the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. In a joint statement first obtained by CBS News, the staff members wrote that Reagan, if alive, would have supported Harris. ‘President Ronald Reagan famously spoke about a “Time for Choosing.” While he is not here to experience the current moment, we who worked for him in the White House, in the administration, in campaigns and on his personal staff, know he would join us in supporting the Harris-Walz ticket,’ the group writes. ‘The time for choosing we face today is a choice between integrity and demagoguery, and the choice must be Harris-Walz,’ the group added. ‘Our votes in this election are less about supporting the Democratic Party and more about our resounding support for democracy.’”
New Video, Witnesses Challenge Israel’s Account of US Activist’s Killing (Laura)
From The Washington Post: “The IDF said Aysenur Eygi was shot ‘unintentionally’ during a ‘violent riot.’ A Post analysis shows clashes had subsided and protesters had retreated.”
Russia’s Espionage War in the Arctic (Reader Jim)
From The New Yorker: “For the past few years, civilian life in northern Norway has been under constant, low-grade attack. Russian hackers have targeted small municipalities and ports with phishing scams, ransomware, and other forms of cyber warfare, and individuals traveling as tourists have been caught photographing sensitive defense and communications infrastructure. Norway’s domestic-intelligence service, the P.S.T., has warned of the threat of sabotage to Norwegian train lines, and to gas facilities that supply energy to much of Europe. A few months ago, someone cut a vital communications cable running to a Norwegian Air Force base.”
As Tornado Alley Shifts East, Bracing for Impact in Unexpected Places (Laura)
The author writes, “According to National Weather Service data, 37 tornado warnings have been issued in [eastern Pennsylvania] since 1986, and 27 of them occurred after 2010. Data on tornadoes in Pennsylvania dating back to the 1950s seems to show a slight increase, with the most active years all after 1980. … With 1,495 tornadoes occurring across the United States from January through July, this year’s preliminary count is second only to 2011 and well above average for the first seven months of a year.”
Data Center Emissions Probably 662% Higher Than Big Tech Claims. Can It Keep up the Ruse? (DonkeyHotey)
From The Guardian: “Big tech has made some big claims about greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. But as the rise of artificial intelligence creates ever bigger energy demands, it’s getting hard for the industry to hide the true costs of the data centers powering the tech revolution. According to a Guardian analysis, from 2020 to 2022 the real emissions from the ‘in-house’ or company-owned data centers of Google, Microsoft, Meta and Apple are likely about 662% — or 7.62 times — higher than officially reported.”
Organisms Created in Laboratory Are ‘Third State’ Beyond Life and Death, Scientists Say (Sean)
The author writes, “Over the past several years, scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that the cells of various organisms can be repurposed into biological robots, representing stunning advancements in the field of synthetic biology. … Now, in a new review published in the journal Physiology, researchers are contemplating the implications of taking cells — from organisms dead or alive — and essentially turning them into machines with totally new functions. Namely, that this points to a biological ‘third state’ — one that doesn’t neatly fit into the categories of life and death.”
