Our hospitals are in crisis
A recent increase in COVID-19 patients has strained the facility’s resources. It is expected that by August 2021, this strain will be noticeable and possibly even more severe than what happened last December when a major surge hit them hard during their time of need! This time, though the strain is more severe and it […]
Pacific NW
Our hospitals are in crisis
A recent increase in COVID-19 patients has strained the facility’s resources. It is expected that by August 2021, this strain will be noticeable and possibly even more severe than what happened last December when a major surge hit them hard during their time of need! This time, though the strain is more severe and it […]
PeaceHealth offering new treatment option for COVID patients
PeaceHealth is now offering monoclonal antibody IV therapy in southwest Washington. This therapy is a promising treatment for patients at risk for severe complications from COVID-19. In southwest Washington, PeaceHealth will initially provide the treatment at PeaceHealth Memorial Urgent Care at 3400 Main Street in Vancouver. To be eligible for treatments patients must have a […]
Climate change causing animals to evolve faster
Caption: Dark-eyed juncos have evolved bigger bills in response to the larger temperature extremes they are experiencing throughout their range across North America thanks to human-induced climate change. Credit: DaPuglet, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some wildlife species are evolving much more rapidly in response to the warming climate -- D. Gould, Hendersonville, NC It’s amazing to think that climate change is causing animals to evolve faster than they would otherwise, but the science speaks for itself. Researchers from Australia’s Deakin University found evidence of so-called “shapeshifting” in recent years in direct response to warming temperatures across habitat ranges. Indeed,Wildlife corridor makes slow progress
Caption: Conservationists are working to create a 2000-mile long wildlife corridor between the Canadian Yukon and Yellowstone National Park so wolves and other charismatic megafauna can have enough space and resources to thrive. Credit: Brenda Timmermans, Pexels. Dear EarthTalk: Whatever happened to the Yukon to Yellowstone (Y2Y) wildlife corridor dream that was in the news years ago?-- Jos. Meredith, Bozeman, MT Conservationists’ dreams of a wildlife corridor stretching from the Yukon to Yellowstone (Y2Y) where “charismatic megafauna” like bears, wolves and caribou can roam freely and have enough continuous undisturbed habitat to thrive is slowly becoming a reality thanks to the
West faces worst drought in recorded history
Caption: The current drought across the American West may just be the worst in recorded history. Thanks, global warming! Credit: Joe Leineweber, Pexels. Dear EarthTalk: What are the environmental implications of the current drought across the American West and how does it compare with past dry spells? -- S. Diamond, Methuen, MA The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) database, found on Drought.gov, reports that as of August 31, 2021, 39 percent of the U.S. is in drought, with 30 states experiencing Moderate Drought or worse. The USDM uses a five-category system to classify drought severity, from Abnormally
‘Slow fashion’ gaining ground
Caption: Ireland's Avoca Handweavers have been making fashionable clothing items with the care and attention to detail nowadays associated with "slow fashion" since 1723. Credit: William Murphy, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: What is “slow fashion?” Does it relate to sustainability? – K. Lam, Taos, NM In the U.S., millions of shoppers pack clothing stores, excited to key into the newest trends while paying low prices. On the other side of the world, low-wage workers—many of them young girls— are crushed under the hammer of “fast fashion” (the mass production of cheap, poor quality, disposable clothing), laboring without safety protections or adequate rights. FastBald eagle population growing rapidly
Caption: Bald eagles have come back from the brink of extinction in the Lower 48, but some wonder if there are too many of them around nowadays. Credit: Anthony, Pexels.com. Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that we’ve done such a good job bringing back bald eagles that they’ve become pests now?-- D. Maguire, Winston-Salem, NC It’s hard to believe the bald eagle was on the brink of extinction in the Lower 48 United States just a half century ago, given how common the majestic birds are all over the country nowadays. While their population rebound is indeed a great source of pride
New wave of supersonic flight on horizon
Caption: United Airlines has committed to purchasing 15 of Boom Supersonic’s first commercial supersonic (SST) jet, the Overture. Dear EarthTalk: Are the new SST jets friendlier to the environment than the SSTs of the 1970s?-- P. Barnes, Midlothian, TX Nearly 20 years have passed since the last flight of the Concorde, the first supersonic passenger-carrying commercial airplane (or supersonic transport, SST). The aircraft cruised the Queen of England and the ultra-wealthy across the seas at Mach 2 speed, or 1,350 mph, while soaring at an altitude of 60,000 feet. In 1996, the Concorde achieved its fastest flight from New York to London
Backyard wind turbines seen as part of energy future
Caption:Backyard wind turbines could help us make the transition away from fossil fuels. Credit: Cowrin, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: You see a lot of people putting solar panels on their homes these days, but windmills not so much. Is there any future for small residential wind turbines as we transition to more renewable forms of energy?— […]
XPRIZE launches $100 million climate change competition
Caption: XPRIZE founder Peter Diamandis has steered several competitions toward solving pressing environmental problems. Credit: XDRIVE Foundation. Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard of XPRIZE, which funds innovations in space exploration technology. Is XPRIZE used to address climate change or other environmental problems?— J.D. via e-mail XPRIZE was launched in 1996 to spur innovation in the commercial […]
Are hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars still viable?
Caption: Consider yourself lucky to see a Toyota Mirai or any other “FCV” (fuel cell vehicle) out in the wild — there are only about 300 on the road in the U.S., with the vast majority of those in California. Credit: Aaron Smart, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest on hydrogen powered fuel cells? Not […]
Intel meets digital challenges with memory, storage products
Editor’s note: Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer with a reported 21,000 employees in the state. Intel recently announced six new memory and storage products to help customers meet the challenges of digital transformation. Key to advancing innovation across memory and storage, Intel announced two new additions to its Intel® Optane™ Solid State Drive (SSD) […]
This Intel barista never gets your order wrong
Editor’s note: Intel is Oregon’s largest private employer with a reported 21,000 employees in the state. At Crown Coffee, a small-yet-homey coffee bar in downtown Singapore, the barista never gets your order wrong. Ella is her name and with uncanny consistency she makes a perfect cup of coffee every time. Ella is not human, but […]
