Leading global shipping company Maersk is set to launch a container ship powered by bio-methanol this week, marking a significant step in its accelerated decarbonization strategy. The merchant shipping industry, responsible for emissions on par with the airline sector, is actively exploring various approaches to reduce its carbon footprint, including the adoption of methanol gas, ammonia, and hydrogen.

Although these alternative fuels are notably 200% to 400% more costly than traditional fuels, the sheer cargo capacity of these vessels means that the cost increase for individual items, such as a pair of shoes, could amount to just five cents.

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During a fishing trip in Florida to reach a group of students about shark habits, a scientist managed to land a 13-foot jagged-faced creature of a different sort.

Although it had incredibly sharp teeth like that of jaws, what the fisherman had caught from the depths of Cedar Key was a very mature female sawfish. This strange looking relative of stingrays, this particular fish has a nose – called a rostrum – that looks like a menacing chainsaw, which also happens to be an animal almost extinct in the United States.

Marine ecologist at Florida State University, Dean Grubbs, had initially set out with the hopes of capturing a juvenile shark. In fact, he was hoping to get a nurse shark in order to provide a learning experience for all the students on the boat.

But what he caught in the gulf waters located southwest of Gainsville was not the sea creature he wanted, but rather something even better in a way.

Grubbs says in a statement, “I was pretty sure this was a sawfish, but I remained stone-faced because I didn’t want to disappoint the students if I was wrong. I saw the tail before the rostrum, so I lost my calm at that point and screamed ‘Sawfish! It’s a sawfish!’”

When they managed to secure the fish to the side of their boat, one of the students went back to shore to get a tagging device, despite not thinking they would actually need one. Incredibly, it was the first sawfish to be discovered and tagged in the Cedar Key area in more than 30 years.

Sawfish were once quite widespread in the US Southeast, however, their numbers dropped for many different reasons. In fact, they were the first native freshwater fish to be placed on the Endangered Species list.

By tagging this fish, biologists will be able to track this jeopardized animal for at least one decade to see how they spend their time. Grubbs and his colleague were highly encouraged to see that the animal was not only female, but she even had mating scars which means she was reproducing.

Typically, sawfish nurseries are located in serene waters beneath and around mangrove trees, such as those close to Tampa Bay, which happens to be south of Cedar Key. Three juvenile sawfish were also recently spotted at one of the sites called Rattlesnake Key.

It is believed that during the early 20^th century, both Cedar Key and Rattlesnake Key were filled with sawfish. In addition, there is a growing belief that these sea creatures are slowly recovering and returning to their historical habitats.

Director of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s shark research program, Gavin Naylor, says in the statement, “What’s remarkable to me is that they’re creeping back into exactly the previous habitats and range from which they’ve been extirpated. It’s as if they have a deeply embedded knowledge of where to go.”

Grubbs also told Newsweek that the sawfish population is rebounding following their inclusion in the Endangered Species List, as well as the implementation of additional conservation measures. These measures included heightened protection for mangrove ecosystems and the prohibition of gill nets, which were notorious for ensnaring sawfish rostrums.

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Wounded veterans of the US Army are finding a renewed sense of purpose as they engage in a remarkable endeavor: the restoration of coral reefs in the captivating expanse of the Florida Keys. This initiative not only offers these veterans a fresh mission but also aids them in overcoming the all-too-familiar feeling of purposelessness that often plagues individuals who have served in the military across various generations.

One of the prevalent challenges faced by veterans is grappling with a sense of aimlessness once they transition to civilian life. This profound struggle has echoed through the years, affecting veterans from different eras. However, beneath the waves of the Florida Keys, an innovative undertaking is making substantial strides in combatting this prevailing sentiment of listlessness. Moreover, the unique underwater environment serves as an equalizing force, diminishing the hindrances posed by physical disabilities such as lost limbs.

This inspiring initiative is a result of a collaborative effort between the Mote Marine Laboratory and the non-profit organization known as the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC). Annually, a group of veterans converges for a week-long expedition, led by Michael Crosby. Their shared mission involves the meticulous restoration of coral reefs beneath the glistening waters that adorn the southern extremity of Florida.

At the heart of this endeavor lies Michael Crosby’s pioneering work in cultivating corals with specific phenotypes that showcase resilience against the challenges posed by escalating temperatures and increasingly acidic waters. These environmental conditions are anticipated to characterize the forthcoming half-century as our climate continues to evolve. Armed with nursery-raised corals, the veterans embark on their mission, this year witnessing the collective effort of 31 veterans who planted a remarkable 1,040 new coral specimens in a reef aptly named Higgs Head. As a testament to their dedication, the Mote Laboratory’s tally of planted corals has now surpassed an astounding count of 200,000.

The process entails a series of dives into the aquatic realm. The veterans first meticulously cleanse deceased or ailing corals of encroaching algae. Subsequently, using epoxy resin, they carefully adhere newly cultivated lab-grown coral fragments to the reef’s intricate matrix. This fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques symbolizes a marriage of skills forged in military service with cutting-edge scientific knowledge.

In essence, this collaborative effort serves as a beacon of hope for veterans seeking renewed purpose. By reinvigorating the delicate underwater ecosystems that flank the Florida Keys, these veterans not only heal themselves but also contribute tangibly to the well-being of our planet. Their mission not only restores the vibrancy of the marine world but also rekindles the sense of duty and camaraderie that defined their military service.

“They have been instrumental in my recovery, helping me learn what I was going to be able to do after losing my leg,” a 41-year-old Army veteran Billy Costello shared. “It’s great for the heart and the soul, especially when you’re around a group of veterans that have gone through very similar situations and have beat the odds and recovered in such a positive way… It is such a blessing.”

“The coral planting gives the wounded, ill, or injured service member a new found sense of purpose, they get to help the environment and work as a team with other military members who have been what they have been through,” Lt. Col. (Ret) Andrew Lourake, CWVC Vice President of Operations, added. “The challenge, camaraderie, and knowing they are making a difference is the highlight of the year for almost all our participants.”

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In the expansive realm of the northern Pacific Ocean, a formidable oceanic ‘gyre’ orchestrates the convergence of numerous ocean currents, coalescing them into a singular domain—an area renowned as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).

Long before plastic waste had invaded these waters, and remarkably, even in the face of its presence, the Northern Pacific Ocean gyre hosts an array of specially adapted marine organisms that gracefully meander through the aquatic expanse.

Consider, for instance, the enchanting violet snail; this creature crafts buoyant bubble rafts by delicately dipping its form into the surrounding air, entrapping individual bubbles one at a time. Each captured bubble is then cocooned in a glistening veil of mucus, affixed to its floating vessel—a remarkable display of nature’s ingenuity.

In recent times, scientists have meticulously chronicled an assorted multitude of life forms densely concentrated at the heart of the GPGP. Within this extraordinary environmental phenomenon, birthed by a staggering assemblage of 1.8 trillion plastic fragments, a unique tapestry of existence unfolds—a spectacle unparalleled on our planet.

In the year 2019, an intrepid swimmer named Benoît Lecomte embarked on a remarkable journey, traversing a distance of 389 miles across the expanse of the GPGP. Recognizing the significance of this endeavor, Lecomte enlisted the participation of scientists from Georgetown University, tasking them with documenting the hidden world of marine life that inhabits these waters.

The fruits of their labor have now been unveiled through the pages of the esteemed journal PLOS One. Their findings reveal a paradoxical truth: amidst the seas awash with trillions of plastic fragments, the core of the GPGP pulsates with a heightened concentration of wildlife. This phenomenon is not a consequence of the plastic invasion, but rather a testimony to the resilience of these seaborne voyagers, who, over millennia, have evolved to harness the dynamic currents and gyres of the ocean for their journeys.

Within this mesmerizing realm, one encounters a vibrant assembly of beings. The violet snails, the blue button jellies, the by-the-wind sailor jellies, and the sea slugs known as blue sea dragons—all thrive in abundance. The blue sea dragons, in particular, exhibit a cunning strategy, preying upon the tentacles of formidable man o’ wars to fashion impromptu shields of protection.

Thus, the enigma of the GPGP unfolds—an extraordinary convergence of ecological tenacity and a testament to life’s adaptability, nestled within a realm defined by the inexorable forces of nature and the human footprint on the planet.

“We saw just massive amounts of life at the surface,” senior author Rebecca Helm, a marine biologist at Georgetown University, said when she spoke to National Geographic. “We’ve seen so many pictures of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but we’ve never seen any pictures of life there.”

“These places that we’ve been calling garbage patches are really important ecosystems that we know very little about.”

The scientific term encompassing all the drifting marine organisms is “neuston,” with a significant portion exhibiting a blue upper surface and a white underside, which Helm and her research group theorize serves as a form of camouflage.

The majority of our youth might never have the opportunity to witness the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) firsthand. This is due to the current projection that it will undergo a thorough cleaning, even at the microplastic scale, within the next two decades.

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The National Life Insurance Company, with a 175-year legacy rooted in Montpelier, Vermont, continues to uphold its motto, “Believe in tomorrow. Do good today,” even in the face of historic flooding.

The town was set to have their annual benefit concert called the Do Good Fest, which they normally hold on the company’s picturesque back lawn. But sadly, a devastating flood struck the region.

However, in an amazing display of resilience, the organizers managed to work swiftly, and in just three days, they transformed the event into an intimate indoor acoustic performance that was live-streamed in order to reach audiences across Vermont, as well as even nationwide and worldwide. Through their digital platform, they were able to receive contributions to rebuild Vermont through online donations.

Despite their hardships, the Do Good Fest fundraiser managed to exceed their expectations and the company raised their original promised amount to match $500,000 with donations pouring in.

During the event on July 15, National Life’s CEO, Mehran Assadi, announced a remarkable decision: the company would not match donations, which were nearing $750,000, resulting in a grand total of $1.5 million. This extraordinary contribution stands as the most significant gift thus far to the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023.

The substantial funds raised will be channeled into the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund 2023, with an initial allocation of $500,000 directed to local relief agencies for immediate assistance.

Remarkably, the tax-exempt public charity had amassed over $2.5 million in gifts and commitments for the Recovery Fund within its very first week, yet they continue to welcome additional donations.

According to Mr. Assadi, “National Life Group is an insurance company with a soul. We have been a part of this community since 1848, and this is what a good company does – it takes care of its neighbors.”

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For the very first time, scientists were able to witness metal fragments spontaneously cracking and then rejoining without any human intervention. This is a revelation that completely challenges fundamental scientific theories that have been in place for years.

This groundbreaking discovery holds the potential to revolutionize engineering, paving the way for self-healing engines, bridges, and airplanes that can reverse the damage caused by wear and tear, ultimately enhancing their safety and lifespan.

The study findings, which were published in the journal Nature, were conducted in a joint effort by teams from Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University.

As per Sandia materials scientist, Brad Boyce, in Sandia National Laboratories’ news release, “This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand.”

He adds, “What we have confirmed is that metals have their own intrinsic, natural ability to heal themselves, at least in the case of fatigue damage at the nanoscale.”

The phenomenon under examination occurs due to the repeated stresses or movements endured by the metallic components of machinery, which over time develop microscopic cracks. Gradually, these fissures expand and propagate until they lead to the complete failure of the device.

The actual crack that was observed by Boyce and his team was one of these minuscule yet consequential fractures, measured only in nanometers.

Boyce said, “From solder joints in our electronic devices to our vehicle’s engines to the bridges that we drive over, these structures often fail unpredictably due to cyclic loading that leads to crack initiation and eventual fracture. When they do fail, we have to contend with replacement costs, lost time and, in some cases, even injuries or loss of life. The economic impact of these failures is measured in hundreds of billions of dollars every year for the U.S.”

Despite sounding like something out of science-fiction, self-healing is something that has occurred thousands of years before. In fact, the Romans figured out that making concrete with particular ingredients, such as lime clasts, give it the ability to heal itself over time.

In recent years, a group of engineers from the University of Illinois also discovered how to develop self-healing lithium-ion batteries using polymer-based electrolyte that doesn’t form harmful lithium dendrites that have the ability to cause shorting and explosions.

Currently an associate professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Khalid Hattar, and an employee of the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Chris Barr, spearheaded the experiment at Sandia when the discovery was made.

Although they only meant to evaluate how cracks formed and spread through a nanoscale piece of platinum using specialized electron microscope techniques, something they had developed to repeated pull on the ends of metal at least 200 times per second.

However, around 40 minutes into the experiment, the damage actually reversed its course. As if it was retracing its steps, one end of the crack fused back together, leaving no trace of the original injury. As time passed, the crack regrew in another direction.

According to Hattar, he called this phenomenon an “unprecedented insight.”

Despite this breakthrough, the engineers explain that there is still a lot that remains unknown regarding this self-healing process, such as whether it is will become a practical tool in a manufacturing setting or not.

“The extent to which these findings are generalizable will likely become a subject of extensive research. We show this happening in nanocrystalline metals in vacuum. But we don’t know if this can also be induced in conventional metals in air,” Boyce said.

Regardless of all the unknowns, this discovery marks a significant leap forward in the field of materials science.

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Paleontologists propose that this airborne reptile, uncovered within a German rock quarry, was not yet fully matured when it became encased in sediment. Nonetheless, it boasted an impressive two-meter wingspan and an impeccably parted pompadour reminiscent of Elvis Presley.

During its existence, this creature likely frequented the shores of shallow seas, with potential forays into estuaries and lakes. Its extended jaw, adorned with numerous small teeth, would have been adept at seizing small fish, shrimp, and other aquatic prey.

Standing out within its subgroup, it possessed the most substantial crest and ranked among the largest pterosaurs of the late Jurassic epoch.

This formidable entity belonged to the Ctenochasmatidae clade of pterosaurs. However, unlike its nearest kin, it exhibited a posterior skull expansion, enabling the attachment of robust jaw muscles. This anatomical feature endowed it with a more potent bite compared to many of its contemporaries.

“The animal was nicknamed ‘Elvis’ when the fossil was first unearthed in Bavaria, Germany because of the giant pompadour-like bony crest on its skull,” said Bruce Lauer of the Lauer Foundation as well as the study co-author.

Lauer collaborated with a group of paleontologists from Britain, the United States, and Germany. Together, they formally designated it as Petrodactyle wellnhoferi, a name that signifies ‘Wellnhofer’s stone-finger,’ in tribute to the renowned German paleontologist Peter Wellnhofer. Wellnhofer had dedicated his career to the study of German pterosaurs, distinguishing it from the previously proposed name Petrodactyle presleyi. 

“Petrodactyle is a member of a group of pterosaurs called the ctenochasmatids that were mostly small filter feeders,” Lauer explained. “The specimen was located in a quarry which is producing scientifically important fossils that provide additional insights into Late Jurassic Pterosaurs.”

The prevailing belief is that pterosaurs primarily employed their bony crests as signals of sexual nature towards fellow members of their species. However, among the ctenochasmatids, Pterodactylus boasts the most immense crest ever observed.

“Big though this crest is, we know that these pterosaurs had skin-like extensions attached to it, so in life Petrodactyle would have had an even larger crest,” Dr. David Hone said. He is from Queen Mary University and the study lead author. “[I]t is one of the largest pterosaurs known from the Late Jurassic period.”

It’s truly strange to contemplate that such an enormous mouth and menacing visage were connected to a filter feeder, much like a duck. The Jurassic Era was teeming with colossal creatures, and it stands to reason that although the methods of procuring sustenance mirrored those of the animals coexisting with us today, the key to survival was possessing a substantial body capable of both hunting and safeguarding against the other massive beings that roamed the Earth during that era.

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Paleontologists have made an astonishing discovery in China’s Liaoning Province. While this is a remarkable find, it may not be as surprising as one might think considering this area is often referred to as ‘Dinosaur Pompeii’ due to its extensive wealth of well-preserved fossils. However, this particular find shows an exceptionally fossilized scene of a dinosaur being attacked and devoured by a mammal.

This incredible find showcases the intertwined remains of a beaked and horned herbivorous dinosaur and a smaller meat-eating creature known as Repenomamus. This ancient duo were found entombed by a mudslide, forever captured in this dramatic moment in time.

Significantly, this discovery is one of the earliest examples of predatory behavior by a mammal toward a dinosaur.

According to the co-author of the English language paper written about its discovery, Dr. Jordan Mallon from Ottawa’s Museum of Nature, “The two animals are locked in mortal combat—intimately intertwined. The weight of the evidence suggests that an active attack was underway.”

Upon close examination, it becomes evident that the dinosaur, a Psittacosaurus roughly the size of a large dog, lies prone with its hindlimbs neatly folded on either side of its body.

Meanwhile, the weasel-like Repenomamus, the largest mammal of the Cretaceous period, is coiled to the right, perched atop the dinosaur. It grips the prey’s jaw while biting into its ribs, and its back foot is firmly clutching the hind leg of the Psittacosaurus.

Taking a closer look at what they found, the research team ruled out scavenging as the cause of death for the dinosaur since there were no tooth marks on its bones. Plus the entangled position of the two creatures also makes it improbable that they simply became trapped together. Furthermore, Repenomamus was known to have preyed on Psittacosaurus due to fossilized baby bones of the herbivorous dinosaur being found in the mammal’s stomach.

Due to the elevated position of the Repenomamus, it also suggests that it was the aggressor between the two.

This behavior echoes the modern world, where solitary predators, such as lone wolves, are known to hunt larger prey, like caribou and domestic sheep. At the same time, members of the Mustelidae family, which include weasels, martins, and stoats, tend to prey on significantly larger mammals like rabbits, on a regular basis.

The fossil site at Lu Jia Tun holds additional treasures, including the remains of small mammals, amphibians, and lizards that were suddenly buried by mudslide debris following nearby volcanic eruptions.

In his paper, Dr. Mallon expressed confidence that these fossil beds will continue to yield even more insight into the interactions among species that were previously unknown to the scientific community.

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This year’s annual convention hosted by the American Veterinary Medical Association took a bit of a different turn. The vets decided to turn it into a medical drive for companion animals for the homeless population living in the Denver area.

In partnership with The Street Dog Coalition and many other corporate sponsors, the event gave way to anyone needing to bring their pet in for a free health check, vaccinations, and other vital supplies, which they could take home with them.

Scientific research has found social isolation to be a major risk factor for human health, discovering that it is the same as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Having a companion animal can have a profound effect on that person’s life, alleviating those adverse effects that come with such loneliness. This becomes particularly vital for those dealing with homelessness, where emotional support from their pets hold even more significance.

One of the volunteer veterinarians who offered up their time during the convention, Dr. Ashley Ackley, said “I think there’s a big judgment and stigma out there about, ‘gosh you need to be able to afford everything or you shouldn’t have a pet,’ and I really struggle with that.”

Moreover, every pet owner who attended the event got a referral for other services, like spaying, neutering, or follow-up vaccinations, depending on the specific needs of their animal depending on the Denver area.

Executive Director of The Street Dog Coalition, Katrina Weschler, said, “People experiencing homelessness have incredibly strong bonds with their pets who provide companionship, purpose, and unconditional love. By providing free compassionate care to both ends of the leash, we hope to help preserve, protect, and strengthen those bonds.”

If you or someone you know is in need of veterinarian services, check out where The Street Dog Coalition plans to show up next here.

See more about this event in the video below:

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If you’re familiar with the legend of the Philosopher’s Stone, then this particular scenario may not seem so farfetched. This is a tale of a group of scientists who managed to transform material that costs just $100 per ton into something worth thousands and thousands of dollars per pound.

This particular team of scientists from Rice University embarked on a journey where they decided to convert coal – a relatively low-value energy source – into graphene. Graphene happens to be a very versatile raw material that boasts of various applications within the field of electronics.

This groundbreaking discovery has led them to realize that they could also employ a wide range of carbon sources for their experiments, which includes the unconventional choices of deceased cockroaches, coffee grounds, and even Girl Scout cookies.

Graphene, derived from the mineral graphite, represents a unique carbon allotrope, one of just two naturally occurring forms of carbon. Possessing metal-like properties, it holds immense value as a conductor in crucial sectors such as aerospace, medicine, and electronics.

According to the publication Medium, the global demand for this extraordinary material is projected to reach a staggering $1 billion, with an average market price of $67,000 per ton.

The scientists created their own technique, which they called “flash graphene” where they create high-value graphene flakes from an array of raw materials. This process involves connecting the materials to a pair of capacitors and electrodes, delivering a scorching 3,000° Kelvin shock.

According to Dr. James Tour, the lead researcher and a professor specializing in materials and nanotechnology at Rice University, this application works by passing a current through coal or trash with enough energy to break ‘every carbon-carbon bond in the substance before they recognize themselves as graphene.’

“You can put your finger right on the container a few seconds afterwards. And keep in mind this is almost three times hotter than the chemical vapor deposition furnaces we formerly used to make graphene, but in the flash process the heat is concentrated in the carbon material and none in a surrounding reactor,” said Dr. Tour.

This innovative approach allowed the team to generate graphene in substantial quantities.

“All the excess energy comes out as light, in a very bright flash, and because there aren’t any solvents, it’s a super clean process,” he said.

The conventional method of graphite mining carries significant environmental concerns, akin to other mining practices. However, the team identified two transformative aspects of bulk flash graphene production that could not only reduce the cost of various products but also substantially improve the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.

First, as detailed in the research paper authored by Dr. Tour and his team was published in Nature, the addition of just 0.1% of graphene to concrete could reduce its environmental footprint by a remarkable one-third.

Dr. Tour told his university press, “Essentially, we’re trapping greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane that waste food would have emitted in landfills. We are converting those carbons into graphene and adding that graphene to concrete, thereby lowering the amount of carbon dioxide generated in concrete manufacture. It’s a win-win environmental scenario using graphene.”

Second, as explained in the accompanying video, existing coal mines and coal mining companies could redirect their product to flash graphene production instead of coal power plants. This strategic shift would eliminate the typical CO2 emissions stemming from coal combustion and, potentially, preserve thousands of jobs in the coal industry.

See more in the video below:

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