Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Levels of microplastics in human brains may be rapidly rising, study suggests

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:00:06 +0000

Research looking at tissue from postmortems between 1997 and 2024 finds upward trend in contamination

The exponential rise in microplastic pollution over the past 50 years may be reflected in increasing contamination in human brains, according to a new study.

It found a rising trend in micro- and nanoplastics in brain tissue from dozens of postmortems carried out between 1997 and 2024. The researchers also found the tiny particles in liver and kidney samples.

Republicans move to repeal lead limits imposed by Biden-era rules

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:00:21 +0000

US government would be prohibited from ever mandating lead pipe replacement or lowering lead limits in water

Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration are attempting to repeal the Biden administration’s groundbreaking rules that require all the country’s lead pipes to be replaced over the next 13 years and lower the limit on lead in water.

A manatee: Imagine eating lettuce under water | Helen Sullivan

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:00:48 +0000

Manatees don’t have incisors or canines, only ‘cheek teeth’. No hair, only whiskers. Algae growing on their backs. Everything is gentle

A manatee looks like every animal I have ever tried to make with play-dough: roll a big piece into a sausage, flatten a bit on either side with your forefingers, and a bit at the end with your thumb. Hey presto. A manatee also happens to be the grey of all Play-Dough colours mixed together.

‘No idea what he’s talking about’: Dutton’s nuclear plan could raise – not cut – electricity bills, experts warn

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:00:48 +0000

Opposition leader claims a 44% cost reduction compared with Labor’s plan would be passed onto Australian household bills, but not everyone agrees

Why are gen Zs deserting garden centres? Maybe they’re more into planting than shopping | Claire Ratinon

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:09:31 +0000

They can be joyful and important social spaces, but a new generation of customers runs a mile from the shelves of plastic and chemicals

Study finds microplastic contamination in 99% of seafood samples

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 12:00:42 +0000

The peer-reviewed study detected microplastics in 180 of 182 samples comprising five types of fish and pink shrimp

How Trump is targeting wind and solar energy – and delighting big oil

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:00:39 +0000

Critics say Trump is using every presidential power possible against clean power in sharp turn after Biden investments created jobs

For several years, Republicans accused Joe Biden of waging a “war on energy” even as the Untied States drilled more oil and gas than at any time in its history. Now, a more tangible assault is gathering pace under Donald Trump – aimed squarely at wind, solar and other cleaner forms of power.

I always needed background noise in my life. Then I turned off my phone and embraced the silence | Krissi Driver

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:00:38 +0000

The cacophony around me seemed to drown out my daily worries until a writing retreat showed me there was a better way

Environmental groups in UK ‘still very white – especially at the top’

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 06:00:32 +0000

Greenpeace co-director responds to report finding fewer than one in 20 working in sector identifies as non-white

Environmental organisations “are still very white, especially at the top”, the co-director of Greenpeace has said as research showed little to no improvement in the ethnic diversity of their workforces.

Residents capture footage of severe floods in north Queensland – video

admin — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:24:18 +0000

Authorities say there is 'more significant rain to come' in north Queensland, amid warnings to residents not to return to flooded homes. Dams and river catchments from Mackay to Cairns remain swollen from a week of heavy rain, which has dumped more than 1.2 metres at some locations. More than 400 people – mostly in Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell – are in evacuation shelters after being advised on Sunday to flee