This study assessed the effects of herbicides on non-target plants in Denmark and Canada. The findings showed that some plants are more sensitive to herbicides in the reproductive stages of their life cycle and can experience delays in flowering and reduced seed production. The authors say future ecological assessments should consider reproductive outcomes.

Herbicides in aquatic environments can have negative consequences on local plant life. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, on a marine plant species. The herbicide caused significant changes to the plant, reducing the number and chlorophyll content of leaves, and high concentrations were lethal. The authors say use of this chemical may be dangerous to plants in estuaries.

The use of pesticides in orchards may be threatening populations of wild bees, which are important pollinators that increase crop productivity, a new study concludes. However, the damage was mitigated in areas where the orchards were surrounded by natural landscapes, such as deciduous forests.

Pesticide-sparing approaches to farming do not have to compromise on crop yields, new research suggests. A study that explored the impact of reduced herbicide use across a variety of different farming contexts found that herbicide-efficient systems could be just as productive as conventional systems — and more so than organic systems — whilst having other important environmental benefits.

Growing sugar beet varieties which are resistant to their pest, the cyst nematode, is the best way to achieve high sugar yields in northern Germany, recent research has concluded. The researchers say this method is better than growing trap crops or using pesticides to control the pests.

Two chemicals used as co-formulants in pesticides have been found to reduce the predatory behaviour of the wolf spider Pardosa agrestis, an insect predator found within agricultural landscapes. A third co-formulant was found not to affect the predatory behaviour of females and increased the prey behaviour of male spiders. This is the first time that pesticide additives have been shown to alter the predatory activity of a potential biological control agent of crop pests.

Pesticide-related poisonings in EU Member States must be reported to the European Commission under current legislation, but there is no standard information collection and reporting system. A new system has been proposed, which harmonises data collection, categorisation and reporting, enabling exposure data to be compared among Member States. The new system would improve the monitoring of pesticides in Europe and aid the identification of emerging problems.

Pesticide exposure can have negative impacts on many species and is a major threat to biodiversity. A new study is one of few to assess the risks specifically for European reptiles. The results suggest that at least one third of European reptile species are at high risk of exposure, with lizards showing the highest sensitivity to pesticides.

Researchers have developed a new approach to hierarchise pesticides based on their risk to or via the aquatic environment, which has been implemented in the Pinios River Basin of Central Greece. The analysis indicated that a number of pesticides were found in concentrations that could cause negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The results provide detailed information to inform decisions regarding the monitoring of pesticides in the Pinios River Basin and outline an approach that could be used in other watersheds.

A method for developing ecological scenarios for assessing pesticides’ risks to aquatic wildlife has been developed. It is based on the selection of vulnerable taxa according to biological trait information, exposure conditions and environmental properties. The method should help decision makers define what to include in ecological models used for future pesticide risk assessments and is proposed as a way to increase the ecological realism of pesticide risk assessment.

Pesticides used on agricultural land can leach into nearby surface water; this is called run-off and can harm aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the potential of ditches to reduce run-off, using Italy’s Po Valley as a case study. Grassy ditches were able to significantly reduce the concentration of herbicides, even during extreme flooding. The researchers therefore suggest that the promotion of vegetated ditches via agri-environment schemes would be beneficial for pesticide mitigation.

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, able to kill a broad range of plants ('weeds') that compete with crops. This study used a validated method to assess its presence in 10 German estuaries that lead to the Baltic Sea. All but one was contaminated with glyphosate, and all were contaminated with its metabolite AMPA. The researchers recommend risk assessments for these chemicals in the Baltic Sea and other marine environments.

Many toxic pesticides have been banned by the EU, however some can remain in the environment for many decades. Aquatic invertebrates are particularly vulnerable to pesticides, which can alter their feeding behaviour, growth and mobility. New research has found that persistent pesticides can increase toxicity in streams by up to 10 000 times compared to the residues of currently used pesticides. The researchers recommend these be taken into account when calculating overall toxicity.

Researchers in Spain have analysed waste water to calculate levels of exposure to phthalates in individuals. The calculations showed that levels of four types of phthalate exceeded safe daily limits in some of the sites studied, with levels of exposure in children being of particular concern. Using the results of waste-water analysis in this way can identify areas where action may need to be taken to lower exposure.

The presence of organic pollutants in waste water and drinking water can have alarming environmental and public health implications. Current water treatment methods have limitations: they can only remove certain contaminants, to certain extents, and also produce harmful by-products. New and improved methods are required. A recent review paper presents radiation processing as a promising approach, providing strong evidence of its efficacy, efficiency, safety, and feasibility. Focusing particularly on the use of electron-beam processing for the removal of organic pollutants from waste water and drinking water, the researchers present a compelling picture, relevant to stakeholders involved in water treatment and management.

Advances in nanotechnology mean that a rapidly increasing number of products are being produced using engineered nanomaterials, for example, nano-enabled thermoplastics. Many of these nano-enabled products are destined to reach their end-of-life through waste incineration or accidental fire. Now, an original study has revealed that the presence of nanofiller in thermoplastics significantly enhances both the concentration and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced during thermal decomposition at the product’s end- of-life, resulting in concentrations of total PAHs and more toxic PAHs that are up to eight times higher than those found in pure (non nano-enabled) thermoplastics. This finding has significant environmental health implications.

Environmental pollution is putting amphibians and reptiles at risk, yet these animals are not included in regulations regarding the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides. The extent to which other species already used in pesticide toxicity assessment (including fish, birds and mammals) can serve as effective surrogates is currently under debate. This study conducts a systematic review of the available literature. The results reveal a positive correlation between toxicity recorded on fish and aquatic amphibians, but indicate that birds and mammals are generally not good surrogates for reptiles and terrestrial amphibians. Moreover, some chemical-dependent trends were detected, with a number of insecticides found to be more toxic to amphibians or reptiles than to potential surrogates. These findings highlight an urgent need for further research to reduce uncertainties and contribute to future policymaking regarding the protection of amphibians and reptiles from potentially harmful pesticides.

Parasitoid wasps (Trichogramma pretiosum) are increasingly being used as a biological control agent in agriculture. Since insecticides are often applied to the same crops, it is necessary to assess the effects of different insecticides on this insect. However, the majority of studies have focused on evaluating the lethal, but not sublethal, effects of insecticides. A new study has evaluated the sublethal effects on T. pretiosum of nine insecticides commonly used in soybean production in Brazil. Overall, just three of the nine insecticides tested did not appear to have any harmful sublethal effects on T. pretiosum. This study highlights the importance of considering sublethal, as well as lethal, effects when assessing insecticide selectivity.

Today I will show you how I plotted this treble clef symbol in MATLAB:... read more >>

Measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have the additional benefit of reducing air pollutants. However, these benefits are rarely included in the design and evaluation of climate change policies. A new study suggests that considering these benefits in climate change policy could reduce the cost of such policies, and engage stakeholders who are otherwise unmotivated to tackle climate change.

Policies based on cost-benefit analysis that tackle climate change, air pollution and energy security together produce far greater benefits than policies designed to address these issues separately, according to a new study. For example, current oil reserves would last until much longer than currently predicted and the number of premature deaths due to air pollution would be reduced by some 3 million per year globally, if all three policy areas were combined.

A recent analysis suggests climate change policies may have to include a 'pollution safety margin' which accounts for the warming impact of many air pollutants. Available evidence suggests that policies to reduce the harmful effects of air pollutants could accelerate climate change over coming decades by cutting emissions that currently contribute to cooling the climate.

Low emission zones (LEZs) that restrict old vehicles in city centres may need implementation in combination with other traffic policies to have greater impacts on air quality, according to new research. A study that measured emission levels before and after the introduction of LEZs in five Dutch cities indicated that air pollution concentrations were reduced but not to a statistically significant level.

Integrating climate change policies with pollution control and energy security measures can deliver improved air quality, better public health and diversified energy supplies, and at a lower total energy cost than many previous studies have indicated, according to recent research.

A new study finds that meeting WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) on particulate emissions by 2030, thereby improving global human health, will require a combination of stringent policies on air pollution, climate change and access to clean cooking fuels.

Air pollution policy does not undermine the long-term goals of climate change policy, a new study concludes. Although reductions in the pollutant sulphur dioxide could have some warming effects on the Earth’s temperature, the impacts are only short term and will never outweigh climate policy’s cooling effects.

Changes in the home that increase energy efficiency, such as improved insulation and ventilation control, have the potential to reduce indoor air pollution. This study assessed the health impact of interventions in the UK arising from changes to indoor concentrations of fine particulate matter and found that such changes could improve health and increase life expectancy for men and women by three and two months, respectively.

A new study quantifies the economic and environmental potential of powering docked ships in European ports using local electricity networks. The authors give key recommendations on policy actions to enable implementation in European harbours.

Pollutants emitted by human activities have caused declines in air quality and drastic changes to climate. Despite being inextricably linked, these two major environmental issues tend to be viewed separately by policy. However, in certain instances, considering these issues together could lead to strategies that benefit both, according to a newly published review.

Small streams are important refuges for biodiversity, yet knowledge of the effects of agricultural pesticides on these freshwater bodies is limited. Researchers have used national monitoring data to determine the number of small streams in Germany where regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs) of pesticides are exceeded. An analysis of data covering almost 500 pesticides and over 2 000 small streams suggests that agricultural land use is a major contributor of pesticides to streams. Overall, RACs were exceeded at 26% of sampled streams, and exceedances were 3.7 times more likely if a stream was near agricultural land. This finding may have implications for environmental monitoring and agri-environmental measures.

New research suggests that feral oilseed rape poses little risk of contaminating crops, but if the oilseed is genetically modified (GM), it could be a minor source of GM traits in weeds. Throughout Europe, feral oilseed rape is now widespread on waysides and wasteland, making it potentially more problematic than some other crops, such as maize, which do not easily establish feral populations.

Applying a low voltage to polluted river sediment can boost microbes’ natural ability to degrade harmful polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminants, according to a new study. The approach could be a cost-effective, sustainable strategy to bioremediate polluted sites.

How can we better anticipate environmental changes? In our rapidly changing world, risks occur from ongoing changes (such as those occurring in the climate), to more sudden-onset risks, such as mutating microbial pathogens. This Future Brief explores some of the tools and approaches that can be used to identify emerging risk, including strategic foresight tools, citizen science and state-of-the-art monitoring technologies.

Disease-fighting microbes, insect-eating predators and mating-disrupting pheromones are among the tools listed in a new review of methods that can be used to reduce synthetic pesticide use on grapevines in Europe. Using these alternative methods can reduce the environmental and health risks associated with chemical pesticides, but further development is required to make them attractive to growers.

Biogas production from waste and manure has the potential to make a contribution to environmental, energy and climate policy objectives. However, farmer engagement has remained persistently low. A new study, involving 461 Danish farmers, has investigated their willingness to participate in collective biogas investment (where two or more farmers collectively own a biogas plant). The study suggests that the majority of farmers are willing to participate in partnership-based biogas investment (PBI) and identifies the main factors driving willingness to participate and the intensity of participation. These findings are relevant to policymaking aimed at increasing biogas production and stakeholder engagement.

SUFFOLK– As Tropical Storm Michael approaches, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District stands ready to respond to...

The post Pets help stop elderly suicide appeared first on The Lead SA.

The post Using artificial intelligence to beat cancer appeared first on The Lead SA.

BRISTOL – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a design public hearing tomorrow to show plans for the widening of a half-mile section of Business Route 23 in the Town of Wise.

Two of England’s most versatile pianists will herald the arrival of spring at a concert in Rickmansworth on Saturday, February 29.

Passionate, lyrical and profoundly sad, Sir Edward Elgar’s much-loved Cello Concerto is the featured work in St Albans Symphony Orchestra’s concert in St Saviour’s Church on Saturday, March 7, at 7.30pm.

The Master Music Festival returns in March 2020 to Watford’s Clarendon Muse. Headlining the festival is legendary Brazilian concert pianist Artur Cimirro, who will be making his long-awaited UK debut with a recital on Saturday, March 28. Alongside much-loved classics, Artur will showcase his own compositions.

A concert in Harrow will feature the winner of the BBC Young Musician competition.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

000
ACCA62 TJSJ 302335
TWOSPN

Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones del Tiempo Tropical
Emitido por El Centro Nacional de Huracanes Miami, FL
Traducido por el Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan, PR
700 PM EST sabado 30 de noviembre de 2019

Para el Atlantico Norte...Mar Caribe y Golfo de Mexico:

No se espera formacion de ciclon tropical durante los proximos 5
dias.

Esta es la ultima Perspectiva sobre las Condiciones del Tiempo
Tropical regular de la Temporada de Huracanes 2019. Las perspectivas
rutinarias sobre las condiciones del tiempo tropical comenzaran
nuevamente en junio 1, 2020. Fuera de la temporada, Perspectivas
Especiales sobre las Condiciones del Tiempo seran emitidas de ser
necesarias.

$$

Pronosticador Beven
Traduccion RVazquez

000
WTCA44 TJSJ 170242
TCPSP4

BOLETIN
Huracan Humberto Advertencia Numero 18
CENTRO NACIONAL DE HURACANES MIAMI FL AL092019
TRADUCIDO POR EL SERVICIO NACIONAL DE METEOROLOGIA SAN JUAN PR
1100 PM EDT lunes 16 de septiembre de 2019

...SE ESPERA QUE HUMBERTO SE FORTALEZCA DURANTE EL PROXIMO DIA
O MAS...


RESUMEN DE LAS 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMACION
---------------------------------------------------
LOCALIZACION...30.3 NORTE 75.1 OESTE
ALREDEDOR DE 625 MI...1000 KM O DE BERMUDA
VIENTOS MAXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...90 MPH...150 KM/H
MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...ENE O 75 GRADOS A 8 MPH...13 KM/H
PRESION MINIMA CENTRAL...966 MB...28.53 PULGADAS


VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS
--------------------
CAMBIOS CON ESTA ADVERTENCIA:

Ninguno.

RESUMEN DE VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS EN EFECTO:

Una vigilancia de Tormenta Tropical esta en efecto para...
* Bermuda

Una Vigilancia de Tormenta Tropical significa que se esperan
condiciones de tormenta tropical dentro del area bajo vigilancia,
generalmente dentro de 48 horas.

Para informacion especifica para su area, favor monitorear los producots
emitidos por su oficina de servicio nacional meteorologico.


DISCUSION Y PRONOSTICO
----------------------
A las 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), el ojo del Huracan Humberto
estaba localizado cerca de la latitud 30.3 norte, longitud 75.1 oeste.
Humberto se mueve hacia el este-noreste a cerca de 8 mph (13 km/h).
Se espera este movimiento general con un aumento en la velocidad de
traslacion hasta temprano el jueves. En el pronostico de
trayectoria, se espera que el centro de Humberto se acerque a
Bermuda tarde el miercoles en la noche.

Los vientos maximos sostenidos han aumentado a cerca de 90 mph (150
km/h) con rafagas mas altas. Se pronostica fortalecimiento adicional
durante las proximas 48 horas, y Humberto pudiera convertirse en
huracan mayor en la noche del martes o miercoles en la manana.

Los vientos con fuerza de huracan se extienden hasta 30 millas (45
km) del centro y los vientos con fuerza de tormenta tropical se
extienden a 150 millas (240 km).

La presion minima central estimada por el Avion Caza huracanes de
la Fuerza Aerea es de 966 mb (28.53 pulgadas).


PELIGROS AFECTANDO TIERRA
-------------------------
VIENTO: Condiciones de tormenta tropical son posibles sobre Bermuda
tarde el miercoles.

LLUVIA: Humberto puede resultar en lluvia fuerte sobre Bermuda comenzando
tarde el martes.

RESACAS: Las marejadas grandes generadas por Humberto aumentaran a lo
largo de la costa de Bermuda en la noche del martes.

Las marejadas afectaran el noroeste de las Bahamas y la costa
sureste de Estados Unidos desde el este central de Florida hasta
Carolina del Norte durante los proximos dias.

Estas marejadas pudieran causar resacas fuertes amenazantes a vida y
corrientes marinas peligrosas. Favor referirse a los productos
emitidos por su oficina local de meteorologia en Bermuda.


PROXIMA ADVERTENCIA
-------------------
Proxima advertencia intermedia a las 200 AM EDT.
Proxima advertencia completa a las 500 AM EDT.

$$

Pronosticador Pasch
Traduccion RVazquez

000
WTCA45 TJSJ 221030
TCPSP5

BOLETIN
Tormenta Tropical Sebastien Advertencia Numero 12
Centro Nacional de Huracanes Miami FL AL202019
Traducido por el Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
500 AM AST viernes 22 de noviembre de 2019

...NO SE ESPERA QUE SEBASTIEN SE FORTALEZCA...


RESUMEN DE LAS 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMACION
-------------------------------------------------------
LOCALIZACION...24.8 NORTE 57.0 OESTE
CERCA DE 600 MILLAS...965 KM NE DEL NORTE DE LAS ISLAS SOTAVENTO
VIENTOS MAXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...ENE O 65 GRADOS A 15 MPH...24 KM/H
PRESION CENTRAL MINIMA...999 MB...29.50 PULGADAS


VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS
----------------------
No existen vigilancias o avisos costers en efecto.


DISCUSION Y PERSPECTIVA
------------------------
A las 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), el centro de la Tormenta Tropical
Sebastien estaba localizado cerca de la latitud 24.8 norte, longitud
57.0 oeste. Sebastien esta moviendose hacia el este-noreste a cerca de
15 mph (24 km/h). Se espera un movimiento hacia el este-noreste a noreste
durante los proximos dias.

Los vientos maximos sostenidos estan cerca de 60 mph (95 km/h) con
rafagas mas fuertes. Algo de fortalecimiento se espera durante las
proximas 24 horas y Sebastien pudiera convertirse en ciclon post-
tropical este fin de semana.

Los vientos de Tormenta Tropical se extienden hasta 160 millas (260
km) del centro.

La presion minima central estimada es de 999 mb (29.50 pulgadas)


PELIGROS AFECTANDO TIERRA
-------------------------
NINGUNO


PROXIMA ADVERTENCIA
-------------------
Proxima advertencia completa a las 1100 AM AST.

$$

Pronosticador Cangialosi
Traduccion RVazquez

000
WTCA43 TJSJ 291521
TCPSP3

Huracan Lorenzo Advertencia Numero 29
Centro Nacional de Huracanes Miami FL AL132019
Traduccion por el Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
1100 AM AST domingo 29 de septiembre de 2019

...INTERESES EN AZORES DEBEN MONITOREAR EL PROGRESO DE LORENZO...
...VIGILANCIAS PUDIERAN SER EMITIDAS PARA ESAS ISLAS TARDE EN EL
DIA DE HOY O ESTA NOCHE...


RESUMEN DE LAS 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...INFORMACION
-------------------------------------------------------
LOCALIZACION...25.9 N 44.4 O
ALREDEDOR DE 1315 MI...2115 KM AL SO DE LOS AZORES
VIENTOS MAXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...145 MPH...230 KM/H
MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...NNE O 15 GRADOS A 10 MPH...17 KM/H
PRESION CENTRAL MINIMA...938 MILIBARES...27.70 PULGADAS


VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS
--------------------
No hay vigilancias o avisos costeros en efecto.

Intereses en los Azores deben monitorear el progres de Lorenzo.


DISCUSION Y PRONOSTICO
----------------------
A las 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), el centro del Huracan Lorenzo estaba
localizado cerca de la latitud 25.9 norte, longitud 44.4 oeste.
Lorenzo se esta moviendo hacia el norte-noreste a cerca de 10 mph
(17 km/h) y se espera que este movimiento continue hasta esta noche.
Un giro hacia el noreste, en conjunto con un aumento en su velicidad
de traslacion deben ocurrir el lunes y continuar hasta el miercoles.

Los vientos maximos sostenidos estan cerca de 145 mph (260 km/h) con
rafagas mas fuertes. Lorenzo es un huracan categoria 4 en la escala
de vientos de huracan Saffir-Simpson. Se espera un debilitamiento
constante durante los proximos dias, pero se sigue esperando que
Lorenzo siga siendo un huracan potente para los proximos par de dias.

Lorenzo es un huracan grande, con vientos con fuerza de huracan
extendiendose hasta 80 millas (135 km) del centro y los vientos con
fuerza de tormenta tropical se extienden hasta 275 millas (445 km)
del centro.

La presion central minima estimada es de 938 mb (27.70 pulgadas).


PELIGROS AFECTANDO TIERRA ADENTRO
---------------------------------

LLUVIA: Se espera que Lorenzo produzca un total de acumulacion de
lluvia de 3 a 6 pulgadas sobre la mayoria del oeste de Azores y de 1
a 2 pulgadas sobre el centro de Azores el martes y miercoles. Esta
lluvia pudiera causar inundaciones repentinas que amenacen la vida
en el oeste de Azores.

RESACAS: Marejadas generada por Lorenzo se estan desplazando a
traves de la mayoria de la cuenca del Atlantico. Estas marejadas son
muy probables que caucen condiciones de resacas y corrientes marinas
que amenacen la vida. Favor de consultar los productos de su oficina
local de meteorologia.


PROXIMA ADVERTENCIA
-------------------
Proxima advertencia completa a las 500 PM AST.

$$

Pronosticador Latto
Traduccion FRamos