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  • In an Apparent First, Genetic Genealogy Aids a Wrongful Conviction Case

    July 16, 2019 |

    The Marshall Project |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Idaho

    The use of genetic genealogy technology has given law enforcement the opportunity to compare DNA that people have tested personally through companies like 23andMe to DNA collected at crime scenes. Recently being used to help free people from prison who have been wrongfully convicted, the technology gives law enforcement insight as to the family tree the DNA is connected to. While showing potential, it has also raised concerns around genetic data privacy, with many companies now requiring permission from users.

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  • A fungus threatens survival of the only toads that live high in the Rocky Mountains

    July 09, 2019 |

    The Colorado Sun |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Buena Vista, Colorado

    Researchers from the University of Colorado and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are hoping the experimental antifungal bacterial baths they gave toads in the Rocky Mountains are working. A fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been killing amphibians around the world, but researchers think they may have found a way to stop it. In the lab, the experimental bath showed a 40% decrease in mortality, indicating promising results in the wild.

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  • Life After Conflict: Healing the Environmental Wounds of War

    May 28, 2019 |

    Al Jazeera |

    Video |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Bangladesh

    With the aftermath of conflict often focused on humanitarian crisis, international and local actors are also working to restore damage done to ecosystems. From Rohingya refugees volunteering to make sure endangered elephants can reach their grazing lands – and not destroy the refugee camps – to Lebonese seed banks being recreated to restore biodiversity, the international stage is paying closer attention to the environmental tolls of conflict.

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  • Termite and ventilation system

    May 20, 2019 |

    BBC |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: Zimbabwe, Harare

    Buildings with permeable surfaces increase energy efficiency, mimicking natural structures. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the Eastgate Centre employs methods borrowed from termite mound construction to efficiently regulate the building's temperature. By employing insights that scientists had gained by studying the airflow in termite mounds, the Centre’s architects used materials with a high thermal mass, increased surface area, and maximized ventilation.

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  • Probiotics help humans stay healthy. Can they benefit other animals, too?

    May 02, 2019 |

    Ensia |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

    Across the world, research is being done to figure out if probiotics – live bacteria that hold numerous health benefits – can help animals other than humans. Thus far, such treatments have yielded success in labs working with amphibians, brown bats, and coral, demonstrating that humans can help treat wildlife diseases. While the research continues to show success, many are now figuring out how to give this sort of treatment in nature and on much larger scales.

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  • The London Marathon's method for reducing plastic bottles: Edible seaweed pouches

    April 29, 2019 |

    The Washington Post |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom, London

    The London Marathon debuted a new, environmentally conscious way of keeping runners hydrated: edible seaweed pouches filled with sports drink. The pouches, or “Ooho,” created by Skipping Rocks Labs, can be eaten along with the liquid inside of them, or users can bite the corner and drink the contents, discarding the seaweed wrapping. This was the first mass use of such pouches, with the hope that they can be used to cut down on plastic at large scale events in the future.

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  • Can Scientists, Entrepreneurs, And The Private Sector Come Together To Save Sharks?

    April 29, 2019 |

    Forbes |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Bahamas

    The research group, Beneath the Waves, is cultivating cross-sector collaborations with nonprofits, scientists, and individual philanthropists in order to better study the movements and patterns of sharks in the Bahamas. What has typically been a challenging task has been made possible through the use of acoustic tags, which can provide researchers insight into ocean ecosystems and thus conservation. Such initiatives are part of a larger trend of bringing together private donors, nonprofits, and ocean scientists to bolster marine science and conservation efforts.

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  • Can This Breakfast Cereal Help Save The Planet?

    April 13, 2019 |

    NPR |

    Radio |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    Human beings' reliance on crops like wheat and rice has a detrimental environmental effect: because these annual crops need replanting every year, farmers are required to destroy any existing vegetation in order to get the seeds to germinate. But scientists with the Land Institute are promoting kernza, a perennial relative of wheat that provides seeds year after year.

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  • Scientists are getting creative to save this muppet-faced, flightless parrot

    March 05, 2019 |

    National Geographic |

    Multi-Media |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: New Zealand, Codfish Island

    Scientists, volunteers, and rangers are working around the clock to save the endangered kakapo, a native New Zealand bird. With only 147 of these charismatic birds left in the world, they’re taking a multi-pronged, highly technological approach. Efforts include smart transmitters that track every bird and when they’re mating, artificial inseminations, and hatching fertile eggs in captivity while mothers sit on 3D-printed smart eggs.

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  • Zookeeper, Zookeeper Make Me A Match: How The Denver Zoo Sets Up Animal Pairs

    February 14, 2019 |

    KUNC |

    Multi-Media |

    5-15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

    Species Survival Plan Coordinators help grow zoo populations across the United States sustainably. In an interview with the vice president of Animal Care at Denver Zoo, Hollie Colahan, she explains how detailed and scientific this process is. Coordinators must have an understanding of the animals’ genetics, pedigrees, and personalities to best ensure their ability to pair up and mate.

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