The Smithsonian Research Online program recently surpassed the mark of 10,000 publications in the Digital Repository. This collection of digital publications by Smithsonian staff represents a broad review of research done by researchers at the Institution.

The post Smithsonian Digital Repository Now Contains 10,000 Items appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

National Zoo Veterinarian Katharine Hope treats about 2,000 animals from 400 different species. She and her colleagues care for a variety of animals, from small baby flamingos to adult Asian elephants, so there's no such thing as an average day.

The post National Zoo veterinarian Katharine Hope is in charge of the health of 2,000 animals from 400 different species. appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The post Short video featuring the fieldwork of Smithsonian scientists created in 2000, posted by the Smithsonian Archives appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Time-lapse captured at the Hirshhorn Museum of Yayoi Kusama’s The Obliteration Room, on view in “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors.” In Yayoi Kusama’s “The Obliteration Room,” […]

The post Adding 750,000 dots to The Obliteration Room appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

UK-based banks have received around 100,000 applications in a single day after The Bounce Back Loans scheme for small businesses was released.

The National Research Council today released its assessment of U.S. doctoral programs, which includes data on over 5,000 programs in 62 fields at 212 universities nationwide.

As of today all PDF versions of books published by the National Academies Press will be downloadable to anyone free of charge. This includes a current catalog of more than 4,000 books plus future reports produced by the Press.

Hepatitis B and C kill more than 20,000 people every year in the United States.

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced 11 grant awards totaling $341,283 to assist in the recovery of Gulf Coast scientific research efforts impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine today announced 11 grant awards totaling $287,565 to assist in the recovery of Gulf of Mexico region scientific research efforts impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Agora Financial's Byron King and John-Mark Staude of Riverside Resources offer their viewpoints on markets during the COVID-19 pandemic in this conversation with Maurice Jackson of Proven and...

Visit the aureport.com for more information and for a free newsletter

Bob Moriarty of 321gold discusses economic collapse and gold.

Visit the aureport.com for more information and for a free newsletter

Agora Financial's Byron King and John-Mark Staude of Riverside Resources offer their viewpoints on markets during the COVID-19 pandemic in this conversation with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable.

The users' personal data are now up for grabs on the dark web for anywhere between US$3,500 and US$22,000 worth of bitcoin

The post 600,000 people affected in email provider breach appeared first on WeLiveSecurity

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

Published to mark the 20th anniversary of the Habitats Directive, this latest Thematic issue examines the challenges and successes in managing and restoring biodiversity in the Natura 2000 network.

Over a third of all food waste in Sweden is avoidable, according to new research. If such waste minimisation were achieved, there would be less potential for biogas production, but the researchers suggest that this does not represent a compromise because it is currently performed on only a very small amount of waste food.

Power plants are a major source of CO2 emissions and contributor to global warming. This study reports on a portable technology to remove CO2 from their combustion exhaust gases. Pilot testing on a coal burning plant in Poland captured thousands of kilograms of CO2 per day. This could be a viable future means of mitigating CO2 emissions from the power generation sector.

A look at what’s going beyond the scenes in one of the largest software bot deployments in the world.

Inhaling smoke from forest, grass and peat fires causes about 340,000 premature deaths worldwide every year, according to new research. Reducing the number and extent of human-induced landscape fires could significantly improve air quality, mitigate climate change and reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, say scientists.

A new study has shown that agricultural products make the largest contribution to the water footprint of the EU and recommends reducing food waste, changes in diet and increased agricultural efficiencies. On average, each EU citizen consumes 4,815 litres of water per day, when the water used to produce all goods and services, including those imported into the EU, is accounted for.

The company on Wednesday announced systems integration (SI) capabilities including consulting, agile devOps, cloud migration, cloud capacity optimization and the Future Mode of Operation aimed at taking the communications industry to the cloud at an accelerated pace.

An analysis of conservation management strategies in the EU identifies a number of options for increasing the cost-effectiveness of conservation within the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. More time and money should be given to implementing conservation measures than planning them and governments should guarantee conservation funding over longer terms, say the researchers.

A recent study has developed a mapping system to show the impact on habitats and species caused by construction projects, such as dams, near Natura 2000 conservation areas. Using a Greek case study, the system was able to identify risks from a dam construction project to species including otters, toads and tortoises.

A recent study has developed a method of diagnosing the environmental condition of wildlife habitats in forest areas. This allows biodiversity conservation to be integrated into the planning and management of the European-wide Natura 2000 nature protection areas.

A study of how the Natura 2000 network was implemented in the Netherlands and in Italy has been conducted. From this analysis, recommendations have been made to help other EU Member States implement and manage the network, which include providing local authorities with better information on and understanding of Natura 2000 and how to balance ecological, social and economic needs.

High quality landscape assessments of areas protected under the Natura 2000 network are critical for effective long-term management plans. In a recent study, scientists have presented a integrated assessment of a Natura 2000 site in Sicily, Italy, which not only considers preservation of environmental features, as required by Natura 2000, but also human features, such as places of historical interest or industrial activity.

New research suggests that Natura 2000 sites are highly effective in minimising the number of endangered species of concern to European conservation. The findings may reduce concerns that poor coordination between Member States in setting up the European network of protected areas has led to inadequate protection of vulnerable species.

Connectivity between protected areas is vital for safeguarding many animals and plants. New research has shown that Natura 2000 sites are well connected across provincial borders in Germany, Italy and Spain. This is the result of strong coordination from central governments combined with good regional cooperation, the study???s authors conclude.

A new decision-making aid to identify the best type of management plan for Natura 2000 sites has been developed by researchers. Using extensive data on different facets of biodiversity and human impacts, the researchers created two indices to show where conservation measures need to be integrated with socio-economic development. This study used sites in Italy as a case study but the method is widely applicable to all Natura 2000 sites, the researchers stress.

A new method for identifying forest sites to protect under the Natura 2000 network — as well as reviewing existing sites — is presented in a recent study. The modelling approach predicts the location of certain types of high nature value habitats using existing data on the distribution of key indicator species. The study demonstrates the method using the case of a German federal state, Lower Saxony.

Governance of biodiversity is closely linked to social and economic processes and human behaviour, appreciation of which can enhance conservation outcomes. This study reviewed findings on the social aspects of Natura 2000, identifying research gaps and recommendations for improving the network’s implementation across the EU. The researchers say limited stakeholder participation, negative perceptions of the network and a lack of consideration of the local context hinder the network’s effectiveness. They recommend increasing public awareness and compensating private landowners.

The coverage of ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ (IBAs) in relation to Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds in the EU has been assessed in a new study. Overall, 66% of the IBA network is covered by SPAs. SPAs were found to cover 23% of the distributions of 435 EU bird species as well as 25% of the distributions of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Natura 2000 sites have, on average, 10% more carbon in their topsoil than non-protected areas, according to new research. They also generally have lower economic value for agriculture. The results suggest that there is significant potential to develop win-win biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation efforts within the EU.

Insect numbers in west German nature reserves have fallen by more than 76% in just 27 years, according to a new study. The fall was even higher in the summer months, with 82% on average fewer insects being recorded. The reasons for this dramatic fall are unclear. The researchers ruled out changes in weather, plant cover and local landscape playing a significant role in the observed decline, but suggest that intensive agriculture and pesticides in fields near to the reserves could be responsible. Whatever the cause, the catastrophic fall in insect numbers will inevitably lead to knock-on effects on ecosystems in the long term, particularly due to their essential role as pollinators and their position in the food web. The researchers say that preserving and protecting insects should now be a priority for conservation policies.

Natura 2000 sites may not be adequately protected in Eastern Europe, according to a recent publication. Researchers in the Czech Republic found that, despite being designated as a Natura 2000 site, environmentally damaging activities continued in the Šumava National Park. They recommend that good environmental education is needed to help post-communist countries implement Natura 2000 and better recognise its value and importance.

A species of mussel has been used to investigate the connectivity of two marine protected areas (MPAs) along the central Portuguese west coast in a new study. The chemistry of mussel shells was used to trace the dispersal routes for larval mussels, demonstrating that the Arrábida MPA is an important source population in the area.

Real time monitoring of public health during two periods of high air pollution in the UK showed that there were an estimated 3 500 extra healthcare visits for acute respiratory symptoms and approximately 500 for severe asthma during these spells in 2014. The results of this research are presented in a new study which demonstrates the value of such ‘syndromic surveillance’ systems for exploring air quality’s effects on human health.

Those taking their government-approved daily walk have been warned not to pick wildflowers - or risk facing an eye-watering £5,000 fine.

 
 000
 FKPZ24 KNHC 210234
 TCAPZ4
 
 REMNANTS OF PRISCILLA ICAO ADVISORY NUMBER   4
 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       EP192019
 0300 UTC MON OCT 21 2019
 
 TC ADVISORY
 DTG:                      20191021/0300Z
 TCAC:                     KNHC
 TC:                       PRISCILLA
 NR:                       004
 PSN:                      N2000 W10442
 MOV:                      NNW 09KT
 C:                        1005HPA
 MAX WIND:                 025KT
 FCST PSN +6 HR:           21/0900Z N2036 W10450
 FCST MAX WIND +6 HR:      020KT
 FCST PSN +12 HR:          21/1500Z N//// W/////
 FCST MAX WIND +12 HR:     ///KT
 FCST PSN +18 HR:          21/2100Z N//// W/////
 FCST MAX WIND +18 HR:     ///KT
 FCST PSN +24 HR:          22/0300Z N//// W/////
 FCST MAX WIND +24 HR:     ///KT
 RMK:                      THE FORECAST POSITION INFORMATION IN
                           THIS PRODUCT IS INTERPOLATED FROM
                           OFFICIAL FORECAST DATA VALID AT 0000...
                           0600...1200...AND 1800Z.
 NXT MSG:                  NO MSG EXP
 
 ..
 
 

000
WTCA42 TJSJ 260313 RRA
TCPSP2

BOLETIN
Pos-Tropical Ciclon Olga Advertencia Numero 3
Centro Nacional de Huracanes Miami FL AL172019
Traducido por el Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
1000 PM CDT viernes 25 de 2019

...OLGA SE CONVIERTE POS-TROPICAL...
...SE ESPERA QUE PRODUZCA LLUVIA FUERTE Y CONDICIONES SEVERIAS A
TRAVES DE LA COSTA CENTRO DEL GOLFO Y EL LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALEY
EL SABADO...


RESUMEN DE LAS 1000 PM CDT...0300 UTC...INFORMACION
---------------------------------------------------
LOCALIZACION....27.8 NORTE 92.2 OESTE
ALREDEDOR DE 170 MI...275 KM AL SSE DE LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA
VIENTOS MAXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...NE O 40 GRADOS A 17 MPH...28 KM/H
PRESION MINIMA CENTRAL...999 MB...29.50 PULGADAS


RESUMEN DE VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS EN EFECTO:
------------------------------------------
No hay vigilancias o aviso costeros de ciclon tropical
en efecto.

Favor referirse a Pronosticos de Alto Oleaje emitidos por el
Servicio Nacional y los productos emitidos por el Servicio
Nacional de Meteorologa para informacion sobre vigilancias y
avisos no-tropical asociados a este sistema.


DISCUSION Y PRONOSTICO
-----------------------
A las 1000 PM CDT (0300 UTC), el centro de Pos-Tropical Ciclon Olga
estaba localizada en la latitud 27.8 norte, longitud 92.2 oeste. La
pos-tropical ciclon esta moviendose hacia el noreste a cerca de 17
mph (28 km/h) Se pronostica que Olga se mueva rapidamente hacia el
norte a norte-noreste el sabado y despues girarse hacia el noreste
tarde el sabado o doming. En la trayectoria pronosticada, el centro
del ciclon pos-tropical debe moverse a traves del Mississippi Valley
manana y hacis los Great Lakes mas tarde el fin de semana.

Los vientos maximos sostenidos estan cerca de 50 mph (85 km/h) con
rafagas mas fuertes. Se espera que Olga se debilite despues que el
sistema se mueva sobre tierra el sabado por la manana.

Vientos con fuerza de tormenta tropical se extienden hasta 140
millas (220 km) del centro.

La presion minima central estimada basado sobre los datos anteriores
reportado por el Avion Cazahuracan y observaciones de la superficie
sobre el norte del Golfo de Mexico es de 999 mb (29.50 pulgadas).


PELIGROS AFECTANDO TIERRA
-------------------------
VIENTO: Vientos con fuerza de galerna asociado con Olga y sus remenantes
deben extenderse sobre sectores de la costa norte del Golfo esta noche y
sabado.

LLUVIA: El ciclon pos-tropical, y lluvia frente al sistema a lo
largo y al norte de la zona frontal a traves de la costa del Golfo
Central deben producir acumulaciones totales de lluvia de 3 a 6
pulgadas con totales maximos de 8 pulgadas a traves de la costa del
Golfo Central hasta sectores del Lower Mississippi Valley y el oeste
del Tennessee Valley hasta el sabado en la manana. Estas lluvias
pudieran producir inundaciones repentinas a traves de la costa del
Golfo Central hacia Lower Mississippi Valley y y el oeste del
Tennessee Valley.

INUNDACIONES COSTERAS: Mareas sobre lo normal e inundaciones costeras
asociadas son posibles a traves de sectores de la costa norte del
Golfo. Favor ver los productos emitidos por el Servicio Nacional de
Meteorologia local para mayor informacion.

TORNADOS: Tornados aislados son posible esta noche hasta el sabado
por la manana a traves de sectores del sureste de Louisiana, sur de
Mississippi, y el oeste de Alabama.


PROXIMA ADVERTENCIA
-------------------
Este es la ultima advertencia publico emitado por el Servicio
Nacional Huracanes sobre este sistema. Para mas informacion
adicional sobre este sistema se puede ser encontrados en los
pronosticos de alta mar emitidos por el Servicio Nacional de
Meteorologia, debajo del encabezado NFDHSFAT1 de AWIPS, encabezado
FZNT01 KWBC, y en la web a ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.php

Informacion adicional sobre lluvias fuertes y vientos en rafgas
pudiera ser encontrados en los productos de los resumens de
tormentas emitidos por el Centro de Prediccion de Meteorologia en
www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc3.html

$$

Pronosticador Zelinsky
Traduccion JPena

Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy spent hours creating this breathtakingly detailed composite image of our moon.