Ah, that new car smell. New plane smell is nice, too. Bright and shiny and fresh is good, right? Sure, unless it is a very […]

The post To Preserve Rare WWII bomber, Conservators Turn to Science appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Xian Hu, Salma Jalal, Michael Sheetz, Oddmund Bakke, and Felix Margadant

Despite progress made in confocal microscopy, even fast systems still have insufficient temporal resolution for detailed live cell volume imaging, such as tracking rapid movement of membrane vesicles in three-dimensional space. Depending on the shortfall, this may result in undersampling and/or motion artifacts that ultimately limit the quality of the imaging data. By sacrificing detailed information in the Z-direction, we propose a new imaging modality that involves capturing fast "projections" from the field of depth which shortens imaging time by approximately an order of magnitude as compared to standard volumetric confocal imaging. With faster imaging, radiation exposure to the sample is reduced, resulting in less fluorophore photobleaching and potential photodamage. The implementation minimally requires two synchronized control signals that drive a piezo stage and trigger the camera exposure. The device generating the signals has been tested on spinning disk confocals and instant structured-illumination-microscopy (iSIM) microscopes. Our calibration images show that the approach provides highly repeatable and stable imaging conditions that enable photometric measurements of the acquired data, in both standard live imaging and super-resolution modes.

The post Belize’s South Water Caye Marine Reserve protects biodiversity of Belizean Barrier Reef appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A 57-acre research plot at a University of Michigan forest preserve northwest of Ann Arbor has been added to a Smithsonian Institution global network used […]

The post University of Michigan forest preserve joins Smithsonian global network appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History announced today that scientists with the museum’s Global Genome Initiative will attempt to capture the genomic diversity of half the […]

The post Smithsonian and Partners To Preserve Earth’s Genomic Plant Diversity appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The US Federal Reserve has created a new group to advise on its planned faster payments service, the FedNow...

A new study has conducted a preliminary investigation into the design of reserves that would help protect coral reefs from climate change. The results indicate that, 15 per cent of coral reefs in the Bahamas, the study area, would be able to withstand rising temperature, and would therefore be appropriately placed in reserves.

The announcement of a new no-take fishing zone in the Pacific led to a 130% increase in fishing activity ahead of its implementation, satellite data reveal. Although fishing activity dropped to zero once the marine protected area (MPA) came into effect just over a year later, the study warns that the pre-emptive short-term surge in fishing could have caused long-term ecological damage.

To preserve rich biodiversity in protected areas of tropical forests, safeguarding the surrounding area can be just as important as safeguarding the park or reserve itself. This is according to a new study, which assessed the ecological health of 60 protected areas across the tropics.

Mathematical models created to help design marine reserves have tended to focus on fish species where larvae are highly mobile but adults occupy relatively small areas. However, new research has extended these models to include fish species with different life histories, such as groupers and flounders, showing that they also benefit substantially from reserve protection.

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.

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.

Bacteria taken from underground petroleum reserves could be used to effectively break down crude oil from spills at sea, new research has found. The study measured the breakdown of crude oil components in simulated seawater by four bacterial strains that had been isolated from petroleum reservoirs, as well as by four genetically modified stains. The findings raise the possibility of tailor-making organisms to clean up specific types of contamination.

70 percent of Americans surveyed by Zillow Mortgages said they would not abandon their home buying plans should interest rates rise to 4.5%

At more than 500,000 square miles, the marine park is twice the size of Texas and three times the size of Germany.

Preserved human footprints in the White Sands National Monument give us insights into early humans' hunting practices of giant ground sloths.

Fans of Mother Nature Network's Facebook page can win a box full of green, limited-edition Ball® canning jars and much more.

Large-scale installation, by artist John Gerrard, simulates the sun and night sky above a solar thermal plant in Nevada.

A 1,400-square-mile stretch of unspoiled wilderness in central Idaho has been designated as the nation’s first International Dark Sky Reserve.

There are only 300 blue-throated macaws left in the wild.

You can hang, press and even microwave a variety of flowers and keep them for years.

Learn how a community was built with pedestrians in mind.

Learn how to savor the fruits of your labor year-round with easy food drying techniques including dehydrators, sun-drying and oven-drying.

Save money and reduce waste from your garden by canning fruits and vegetables.

These are the best preserved specimens of this extinct Arctic lion ever found.

Fossil reveals plumage patterns of these ancient beasts, further establishing an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds.

Pure, clean water has always been an important part of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company heritage. In 1867, Jacob Leinenkugel and his best friend traveled t

You can take the rugged outdoors approach (rock-climbing, anyone?) or simply enjoy the views from one of eight overlooks at this scenic Alabama park.

Just west of Interstate 5 (or “the five,” as they say in these parts) within the San Diego city limits is a big slab of 15th-century California. The Torrey

The nation’s sandbox is found in southern Colorado. The heart of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a dune field that spreads out for nearly 30 sq

This DIY kitchen project couldn't be easier.

Marisa McClellan's latest recipe book, "The Food in Jars Kitchen," shows people how to use what's already in their pantry.

As the world moves away from fossil fuels, oil companies are trying to reposition themselves.

Roughly 14,000 acres along the Savannah River will forever remain undeveloped, thanks to this conservation team work.

The OCMX™ is pleased to announce the listing of BlackRose Reserve Inc. to its online portal which offers Investors and Advisors the ability to participate in this opportunity.

Wheat industry encouraged to submit comments on Environmental Impact Study

All three SR 82 projects are with AJAX Paving for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The Preserve, an active 55+ community, is with Sunshine State Developers Two.

1. NECA Helps Secure Construction Industry Exemption in Final IRAP Rule

On March 10, 2020, the Department of Labor released the final rule of the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP) regulation. The final rule contains a permanent construction industry exemption, thereby protecting our industry from participation in IRAPs. NECA released a statement thanking the Administration for recognizing that the construction industry has longstanding expertise in the creation and execution of apprenticeships.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA strongly advocated for the construction industry’s exemption, with thousands of NECA contractors sending comments to the Department of Labor. By securing this exemption, the long-established, gold standard apprenticeship model that NECA Contractors utilize will remain intact and not be subjected to these parallel programs which will operate with less scrutiny and limited educational requirements.

2. The House Introduces Legislation to Address COVID-19 Outbreak

Washington D.C., like the rest of the nation and world, is responding to the outbreak of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). On the evening of March 11, President Trump addressed the nation live from the  Oval Office. On Capitol Hill, negotiators continue to work to find a compromise between competing coronavirus response bills.

NECA’s Look Ahead: In response to the crisis, the Senate plans to cancel a previously scheduled recess week. The House will gavel out today and will return to Washington D.C. on March 23, 2020 to finish the negotiations on a final response package. NECA CEO, David Long, released the following statement in response to the legislative and regulatory negotiations: “ NECA government affairs remains fully engaged with Members of Congress, the Department of Labor, and OSHA on how to best handle the COVID-19 outbreak with safety being a top concern for our contractors and their employees. We continue to monitor legislation coming out of Congress to address the economic impact of this outbreak and will inform our contractors on how to best work with the new regulations when they are finalized.”

3. NLRB Chairman Testifies Regarding Funding      

On March 11, 2020, the House Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the National Labor Relations Board Budget Request for FY 2021. Testifying on behalf of the NLRB was the Honorable John Ring, Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB budget request and justification documents can be found here.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NLRB’s FY 2021 budget request funds their mission to protect the rights of employees, unions, and employers under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). NECA believes that lawmakers should continue to fully fund the NLRB and encourage their leadership to expedite the hiring of their regional offices.

India to build two more strategic petroleum reserves, says Piyush Goyal

Seeking to allay concerns, the sources said that government is ready to redeem $20 billion FCNR-B deposits as there is adequate forex reserves.

Reserves rose by $2.34 billion during the week under review.

  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/news-2009-06-05-game-reserve.htm

Forest and park managers have agreed it is beneficial to manage both fires under one organization. On Saturday, June 13, the Ruby and Game Reserve fires became the Ruby Complex. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/news-2009-06-15-fires.htm

The two fires forming the Ruby Complex have grown to 3,396 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/the-ruby-fire-and-game-reserve-fire-now-managed-as-the-ruby-complex.htm

The Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) of the Northwest Forest Plan guides management of riparian and aquatic ecosystems on federal lands in western Oregon, western Washington, and northern California.