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May42022 by adminNo Comments

Maine passes first PFAS biosolids ban, taking stand against forever chemicals

Science

BANGOR, Maine, May 4 (UPI) -- Maine has become the first state to ban fertilizer using sewage sludge containing "forever chemicals" -- synthetic compounds found in items from food wrappers to carpeting that fail to break down in the environment. The move, along with a ban approved last year on all PFAS-containing products, puts Maine at the forefront of the fight against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer and high cholesterol. The chemicals accumulate over decades, filtering into soil, water, plants and animals -- and eventually into people's bloodstreams. "Maine is one of the few states that is really taking this problem seriously and taking action to address the issue," Jared Hayes, a policy analyst with the Envi...

Jan72022 by adminNo Comments

SpaceX successfully completes first launch of 2022 from Florida

Science

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- SpaceX kicked off a surge in launch activity Thursday with the successful launch of 49 of the company's Starlink communications satellites from Florida, heading south along the state's coastline. Five SpaceX missions may launch in the next month on the southern polar trajectory, flying closer to the Florida coast toward Miami than most launches, according to the U.S. Space Force. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off as planned at 4:49 p.m. EST from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Nine minutes after launch, the first-stage booster landed successfully on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. "Starlink is now live in 25 countries and regions currently servicing over 145,000 users worldwide," SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson said during a live broadcast of the launch. "...

Apr122021 by adminNo Comments

Yuri Gagarin: Sixty years since the first man went into space

Science

Sixty years ago, a man went into space for the very first time. For the USSR, Yuri Gagarin’s single orbit of the Earth was a huge achievement and propaganda coup. There will be celebrations across Russia to mark the anniversary. Our Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg reports on the day a new Russian hero was born, and meets the little girl who witnessed it.Let's block ads! (Why?) BBC News - Science & Environment

Apr102021 by adminNo Comments

Conor Benn knocks out Samuel Vargas in first round to make big statement to welterweight division, calls out Amir Khan

Sports

Conor Benn knocked out Samuel Vargas inside one round to make a big statement on Saturday night in London. The son of British boxing legend Nigel Benn came through his latest step-up fight in sensational style, improving his record to 18-0 (12 KOs). Vargas has recently only been beaten by top names, but never in such quick time. Benn set upon him straight away and hurt the Canadian-Colombian after just a minute. His whirlwind of accurate punches forced the referee to jump in soon afterwards. Errol Spence took four rounds to beat Vargas, Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz Jr took seven, Amir Khan beat him on points. When asked about these comparisons, Benn reacted: “Statement made, all those names you just mentioned, no-one banged him out in one round. M...

Apr102021 by adminNo Comments

Watch: Joe Musgrove throws first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history

Sports

April 9 (UPI) -- Right-hander Joe Musgrove has tossed the first no-hitter in the 53-year history of the San Diego Padres. The 28-year-old Musgrove accomplished the historic feat during the Padres' 3-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Globe Life Field. Advertisement Musgrove struck out 10 and walked none in the outing, allowing only one Rangers player, Joey Gallo, to reach base on a hit by pitch in the fourth inning. He threw 112 pitches -- with 77 of those being strikes -- and induced 13 swings-and-misses. Entering Friday night's matchup against the Rangers, the Padres were the only remaining MLB team without a no-hitter. Musgrove, a native of San Diego County, snapped the club's streak of regular-season games without a no-hitter at 8,206. Musgrove, who previously played for ...