Notices by Ada Palmer (adapalmer@wandering.shop)

Ireland shuts last coal plant, becomes Europe’s 15th coal-free nation
Following wind’s rise to 37% of generation last year, the 915MW Moneypoint plant has just been switched off, ending four decades of Irish coal-fired electricity. The station will serve only as an emergency backup until 2029, underscoring how rapid renewables growth and grid reforms are wiping coal from one of Europe’s last hold-outs. PV Magazine https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/06/20/ireland-coal-free-ends-coal-power-generation-moneypoint/?ref=fixthenews.com
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Amazonian scorpion molecule wipes out breast-cancer cells in lab tests. Brazilian scientists isolated a peptide from Brotheas amazonicus venom and, using yeast ‘factories’, mass-produced it to screen against tumour lines. In vitro, the compound triggered necrosis in breast-cancer cells within 24 hours, achieving effects comparable to chemotherapy without damaging surrounding tissue. https://www.sciencealert.com/amazonian-scorpion-venom-can-kill-breast-cancer-cells-scientists-say?ref=fixthenews.com
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Bacteria turn plastic bottles into paracetamol in 24 hours. Scientists in Edinburgh hacked E. coli by slipping in two extra genes to make missing enzymes, which then use a little phosphate 'kick-starter' to pull off a chemical flip (called a Lossen rearrangement) that converts plastic leftovers into paracetamol. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jun/23/scientists-use-e-coli-bacteria-to-turn-plastic-waste-into-paracetamol-painkiller?ref=fixthenews.com
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From June 2025, China requires all delivery companies to use biodegradable or reusable packaging, targeting the environmental impact of 175 billion parcels annually.The regulations aim to reduce excessive packaging waste, promoting sustainable practices in the rapidly growing industry. China Daily https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/27/WS68350d97a310a04af22c1a3a.html?ref=fixthenews.com
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Luxembourg has passed new legislation extending full adoption rights to people in registered partnerships, cohabiting couples, and single individuals. Previously, full adoption, which legally severs ties with the child's biological family, was only available to married couples. The law was also recently updated to allow same-sex married couples to adopt on equal terms with heterosexual couples. RTL https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2291074.html?ref=fixthenews.com
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Electric propulsion now dominates global ferry orders, with 70% of new vessels featuring batteries. Already operating on about 200 ferries worldwide, this shift to batteries means reduced emissions and lower maintenance costs. Thanks to a 5-8 year payback period, most fleet operators have now developed electric retrofit plans, signalling an irreversible transformation. Clean Technica https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/05/global-ferry-electrification-accelerates-70-of-new-orders-go-electric/?ref=fixthenews.com
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Scientists overturn century-old belief about how cells divide in living organisms. Using advanced imaging and cell-patterning techniques, UK researchers found that elongated parent cells maintain their asymmetry during division, creating daughter cells with different sizes and functions. This breakthrough could transform our understanding of tissue development, cancer progression, and regenerative medicine approaches. Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2025-05-scientists-discovery-upends-beliefs-cells.html?ref=fixthenews.com
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In California, solar panels on farms generates 25 times more revenue than crops. Solar panels on California's Central Valley farms generate an average of $124,000 per hectare annually, a lucrative practice that already powers 500,000 households while saving enough water for 27 million people a year. Some farmers are doubling up, growing shade-loving crops beneath panels or grazing livestock, creating wildlife habitat while maintaining food production.
https://grist.org/climate-energy/farmers-are-making-bank-harvesting-a-new-crop-solar-energy/?ref=fixthenews.com
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Japan's greenhouse emissions fall to record low, down 23% from 2013 peak, marking the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1990. The decline was driven by reduced energy consumption and increased renewable energy, which now accounts for 22.9% of Japan's electricity. Japan hopes to cut emissions 46% from 2013 levels by 2030. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/japans-greenhouse-gas-emissions-fall-4-fy2324-record-low-2025-04-25/?ref=fixthenews.com
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@bookstodon @ergative @HistoPol

It’s a TV quote (Firefly)

In my book I use it for a moment during a revolution in Milan when the Ghibellines suddenly betrayed the Guelphs, inevitable because it replayed an old factional pattern inescapable in the region over 300 years, but sudden b/c that specific political switch (suddenly supporting the attacking force) was sudden & caught everyone by surprise. Thus Milan’s republic fell suddenly but inevitably like so many neighbrs

A landmark ruling against a rancher who destroyed 175 penguin nests has catalysed unprecedented wildlife protections in Argentina. The nation’s first “environmental crime trial” has prompted the government to establish a specialised environmental prosecutor's office, and consider adding wildlife crimes to the national penal code. As well as expanding the protected area with the penguin nests from 500 to nearly 4,000 acres. National Geographic https://archive.md/4xa6I
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Almost all schools in England have banned mobile phone use by pupils, according to the first national survey conducted on this issue. The survey of more than 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools now have some form of ban in place. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/apr/10/majority-of-schools-in-england-ban-mobile-phone-use-survey-shows?ref=fixthenews.com
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@ergative @bookstodon That betrayal was so sudden yet so inevitable!

Finland almost coal-free four years ahead of schedule. Finland has virtually eliminated coal power, dropping to less than 1% of its energy mix. Wind energy has more than doubled since 2020, now supplying 25% of the country's electricity while reducing consumer prices. The transition has cut Finland's emissions by 5% and boosted energy independence by ending reliance on Russian imports. Euronews https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/04/01/finland-ahead-of-schedule-on-coal-phase-out-as-helsinkis-salmisaari-plant-closes?ref=fixthenews.com&utm_content=buffere8d75&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
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Paralyzed man stands again after pioneering stem cell spinal treatment. In a world-first trial, two of four paralyzed men regained significant mobility after receiving injections of neural stem cells. The most dramatic recovery enabled its recipient to stand independently: “that person is now training to walk.” Another man regained motion in his arms and legs. Larger trials are in the works, but researchers thus far report no serious side effects. Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00863-0?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
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EVs in Australia now able to power homes and their earn owners money. Regulatory changes now allow Australia's 300,000 electric vehicles to feed power back to the grid, potentially adding 13.5 GWh of storage. Bidirectional charging could generate up to $3,000 yearly for EV owners. "We’re counting on it to help solve a lot of our grid issues." AFR https://archive.md/Kih1N
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Researchers in Texas have developed a system that transforms common biomass—food scraps, branches, seashells—into water-harvesting materials. The system requires minimal energy while being scalable for off-grid communities, and produces 14.19 litres of water daily per kilogram of material, triple the output of conventional methods. Advanced Materials https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/archive/10158-from-scraps-to-sips-everyday-biomass-produces-drinking-water-from-thin-air?ref=fixthenews.com
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Europe’s wild predators stage a stunning comeback. Since 2016, golden jackal numbers have surged by 46% to 150,000, wolves have increased by 35% to 23,000, brown bears by 17% to 20,500, and Eurasian lynx and wolverine populations expanded by 12% and 16% to 9,400 and 1,300 animals respectively. The best recovery? Iberian lynx numbers are up from 100 at the turn of the century to over 2,000 today. Guardian https://buff.ly/KBxDcd9
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So easy getting a measles booster!

Went in for my spring COVID booster & it was trivial asking for a Measles (MMR) jab too! Places like Walgreens & CVS keep it on hand, & the vaccine is cheaper to make than the test to see if you’re still resistant so Doc recommends just getting it, no down side!

Coming soon: the world's 'most colourful' map of the cosmos.
NASA's SPHEREx telescope, launching today, will create an unprecedented multi-coloured map of the entire sky by dividing light into 96 distinct spectral bands. Unlike Webb and Hubble, which examine tiny portions of space in high detail, this compact but powerful instrument will survey the full sky every six months, cataloging over 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars. The Conversation https://buff.ly/3EZCqRi
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