It is important to understand the extent to which atmospheric (air) pollution damages plants (i.e. its phytotoxicity) as well as the wider ecosystem (i.e. its ecotoxicity). For this reason, researchers have adapted the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Vegetative Vigour Test1 for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of samples of aerosol (suspensions of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air). Typically, the test involves spraying the trial liquid on above-ground portions of the plant, such as the leaves. The adapted protocol involves extracting water-soluble aerosol compounds from aerosol samples to spray on the plant. The new protocol is sensitive enough to determine phytotoxicity and establish a clear cause–effect relationship, and as such has the potential to serve as a useful tool for the assessment of the effects of air pollution on environmental and human health.

Researchers have developed a new computer model to help decision-makers quickly assess proposed strategies to cut air pollution, by generating an array of useful data and maps in under half a minute. The model uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to quickly make sense of the complex problem of urban air quality, and innovatively considers the influence of public opinion in its assessment of emission reduction strategies — given that some are deemed more socially acceptable than others.

New pest management strategies may be needed in landscapes where certain types of GM crop are grown, according to recent research. The study found that GM cotton grown in China, designed to resist insect attack, has had an unintended consequence: reduced insecticide use has allowed outbreaks of non-target organisms to infest crops across the agricultural landscape and emerge as new pests.

Risk assessments of potential bird mortality caused by planned wind farms should be assessed at the scale of the individual turbine rather than the whole farm, according to new research. It indicated that risk assessments made prior to building are not predicting the actual level of mortality when the farm is built.

Major controversy surrounding synthetic biology is possible but unlikely in the near future, according to the results of a new study. The researchers assessed the potential for social and political conflicts by drawing comparisons with the controversy surrounding genetic modification (GM) in the 1990s. They argue that controversy over new technologies is influenced by how they are implemented, and healthy debate surrounding synthetic biology is likely to limit conflict.

Although methods to assess the impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on terrestrial ecosystems are well defined, impacts on aquatic ecosystems have received less attention. A recent study has shown how the first step of an Environmental Risk Assessment could be applied in an aquatic environment, to assess the exposure of aquatic organisms to proteins in GM crops, using Bt maize as a case study.

A new study from Poland has confirmed the potential of fungal Trichoderma species to control diseases of oilseed rape crops. The use of Trichoderma can reduce the growth of disease-causing oilseed rape pathogens, which may allow a decrease in the use of harmful pesticides.

Traces of animals’ DNA in the environment, known as environmental DNA (eDNA), can be monitored to paint a picture of biodiversity, new research shows. This study used eDNA to assess biodiversity in an entire river catchment in Switzerland. Importantly, the eDNA technique allowed the researchers to detect both aquatic and land-based species in river water, making it possible to assess biodiversity over a broad scale.

Assessments of the effects on organisms likely to come into contact with genetically modified (GM) plants have been reviewed in a recent study. The researchers say such assessments help to understand the potential ecological impacts within the environment and are an important part of the risk assessments for GM plants.

Engineering at the nanoscale brings the promise of radical technological development — clean energy, highly effective medicines and space travel. But technology at this scale also brings safety challenges. Nano-sized particles are not inherently more toxic than larger particles, but the effects are complex and vary based on particle properties as well as chemical toxicity. This Report brings together the latest science on environmental safety considerations specific to manufactured nanoscale materials, and some possible implications for policy and research.

Researchers have published a paper providing evidence that a ‘cooling-off effect’ can lead to increased public acceptance of new environmental technologies over time. The scientists analysed survey results from over 1 000 respondents in Germany, using solar radiation management (SRM), a controversial climate-engineering technique, as a test case. They found that, following a cooling-off period of either one month, 12 months, or 18 months, acceptance of SRM increased significantly — and that the longer the cooling-off period, the larger the increase. These findings have far-reaching implications, both for the deployment of SRM and for climate policymakers seeking to more accurately measure the public acceptability of novel interventions.

Conventional municipal waste-water treatment processes are based on aeration, which is energy intensive. Now, researchers have developed an alternative waste-water treatment process. In addition to avoiding the use of aeration in favour of filtration/biofiltration and encapsulated denitrification (the application of capsules containing nitrifiers, which convert ammonium into nitrate), the process also uses waste biosolids to generate electrical energy. The process has been tested in a pilot facility and found to require just 15% of the energy required for conventional approaches. Moreover, the process is energy positive, as the biosolids are able to generate more than enough energy to power the treatment plant. If this technology could be scaled up to the municipal level, it could significantly reduce the energy use and environmental impacts of waste-water treatment.

High-throughput ‘omics’ technologies, which allow exact and synchronised study of thousands of DNA, RNA, proteins and other molecules, are rapidly becoming more advanced and affordable. As these technologies develop, it is becoming quicker, easier and more affordable to generate unprecedented amounts of biological data, much of which could usefully inform environmental management. So far, however, the application of omics information in environmental management has failed to keep pace with the rapid development of omics-based research, meaning there is untapped potential. A recent study highlights the value of bringing omics information into environmental management and outlines practical ways in which omics can contribute to the risk assessment and management of chemicals.

Tesco, one of the world’s largest retailers, is using the BT Cloud Contact solution to give its UK customers an enhanced, more flexible and more responsive contact centre service.

A 56-year-old Perth man allegedly caught with child abuse material has been charged by the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET).

The Kings Langley Players continues its 95th anniversary celebrations with a popular black comedy.

YEAR-on-year unemployment figures for Worcester are up again – but 18-24-year-olds are bucking the trend.

Friday, May 15, 2020, 10 – 10:45pm

Are you interested in a career in the growing field of information technology? Whether you are a beginner or an expert, IT Career Lab can help you find your tech career fast! Earn globally-recognized CompTia Network + and Microsoft certifications with our accelerated program in just 10 weeks. Attend our upcoming information session to learn more about this hands-on training program (and how to receive a free laptop computer)!

Help Desk Analyst
PC Refresh Technician
Desktop Support Specialist
Help Desk Technician
Network Analyst
Network Auditor
Network Technician
Computer technician
Network support specialist
Network administrator
Network analyst
Systems engineer
Systems administrator, or analyst.
and more!

Please register and attend our info session and e-mail a copy of your resume to jfessler@itcareerlab.org
Contact us directly with any quesitons.

Event type: Job and Career Fairs
Filter by Location: Twin Cities Metro
Event Audience: For Job Seekers, For Veterans
Registration link: www.itcareerlab.org…
Accommodation Request: (612) 760-3425
CareerForce Sponsored Event: Other event
More info: www.itcareerlab.org

SALEM – The left lane of southbound Route 220 is closed due to a slope failure in the median just south of the Franklin County line. The lane closure begins approximately one mile prior to  the Roanoke County and Franklin County line and just north of the intersection with Route 613 (Naff Road).   Drivers should prepare for travel delays and plan accordingly. Message boards are in place to alert motorists of the closure. The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently investigating to determine what repairs need to be made. The lane will remain closed until further notice.   For updates on this lane closure, visit www.511Virginia.org .

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

...

A study of families in Singapore with terminally ill children found that parents tend to defer discussing their psychological pain with their spouses to protect them from emotional distress. The study, conducted by psychologists at NTU through interviews, revealed the parents’ preference to support each other in pragmatic and solution-oriented ways such as discussing treatment options, arranging care plans and sharing caregiving responsibilities....

...

...

The rejuvenated Yunnan Garden, a sprawling open space of greenery, waterscapes and heritage landmarks, will officially open at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) on 13 February 2020. The 9-hectare heritage precinct – bigger than 12 soccer fields – preserves the Garden’s legacy while enriching it as an educational and recreation hub, making it a go-to place not just for the NTU community, but also for the residents who live in the wider Jurong neighbourhood....

Be sure to inspect five essential components of an old house before you buy it.

The contract for the accommodation rig at the Martin Linge field has been pushed to January 2021.

The Permian Basin rig count fell by 27 from the previous week.

New figures released this week show a decline in suspected coronavirus cases across the UK's offshore oil and gas sector.

Users of Twitter’s new Vine app quickly discovered that porn was easily accessible, putting the app's future in question.

Massachusetts teen turns to social media to get off his dream school's "wait list."

A full moon is rising for lovers on Valentine's Day, and it will be a Snow Moon.

An energetic little kelpie named "Westie" was rescued after it chased a sea lion four kilometers out to sea from a South Australia beach.

Defecating sea lions and marine birds wreak economic havoc on the affluent oceanside San Diego community of La Jolla.

Following the repudiation of a proposed English Channel bridge, a less costly 'Celtic Connection' between Scotland and Northern Ireland gains traction.

Citroen's new Seetroen glasses promise to ease your motion sickness within 10 minutes.