Day: March 18, 2021

26 author report: bottom trawling for fish is responsible for one gigaton of carbon emissions a year—a higher annual total than (pre-pandemic) aviation emissions.

Posted on by Robin Edgar

It’s been well established by now that the agricultural systems producing our food contribute at least one fifth of global anthropogenic carbon emissions—and up to a third if waste and transportation are factored in. A troubling new report points to a previously overlooked source: an industrial fishing process practiced by dozens of countries around the Read more about 26 author report: bottom trawling for fish is responsible for one gigaton of carbon emissions a year—a higher annual total than (pre-pandemic) aviation emissions.[…]

Nissan finds use for old LEAF batteries in their factory. Still no way to recycle them.

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Nissan has found a second-life for old LEAF batteries inside mobile machines that help workers at Nissan factories worldwide. The old batteries are being used in automated guided vehicles or AGVs used for various tasks inside the manufacturing facilities, including delivering parts to workers on the assembly line. AGVs are used as robotic mail carriers Read more about Nissan finds use for old LEAF batteries in their factory. Still no way to recycle them.[…]

Feeding cattle seaweed reduces their greenhouse gas emissions 82 percent

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A bit of seaweed in cattle feed could reduce methane emissions from beef cattle as much as 82 percent, according to new findings from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The results, published today in the journal PLOS ONE, could pave the way for the sustainable production of livestock throughout the world. “We now Read more about Feeding cattle seaweed reduces their greenhouse gas emissions 82 percent[…]

Microsoft Office 365 Down For Some Users

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Microsoft is reporting an outage of Office 365, including Microsoft Teams. On its status page, Microsoft adds: Users may be unable to access multiple Microsoft services. User impact: Users may be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365 services, including the Service Health Dashboard. More info: Any service that leverages Azure Active Read more about Microsoft Office 365 Down For Some Users[…]

These researchers in Switzerland can get electricity by compressing wood

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have chemically modified wood and made it more compressible, turning it into a mini-​generator. When compressed, it generates an electrical voltage. Such wood could serve as a biosensor or as a building material that harvests energy. Ingo Burgert and his team at public research university ETH Zurich and Swiss Read more about These researchers in Switzerland can get electricity by compressing wood[…]

Google halves Android app fee to 15% for lower-earning devs > $1m as monopolist hunters close in

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Google will reduce the service fee it charges Android developers from 30 per cent to 15 per cent, though only on the first $1m in Google Play revenue. […] Google’s change of heart follows a similarly structured fee abatement by Apple last year and lawsuits filed recently in the US, the UK, and Australia by Read more about Google halves Android app fee to 15% for lower-earning devs > $1m as monopolist hunters close in[…]

California bans website ‘dark patterns’, confusing language when opting out of having your personal info sold

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The rule amendments [PDF], just approved by the American state’s Office of Administrative Law, were proposed last October after a set of initial rules for enforcing the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) were adopted last August, a month after CCPA enforcement began. The CCPA amendments: Clarify that businesses operating offline need to provide a way Read more about California bans website ‘dark patterns’, confusing language when opting out of having your personal info sold[…]

Following Supreme Court ruling, Uber UK recognizes drivers as workers, offers min wage, holiday pay, pension

Posted on by Robin Edgar

After years of aggressively fighting any efforts to force it to recognize its drivers as employees, on Tuesday Uber performed a U-turn on the streets of Britain and recognized all of its drivers as working for the company rather than serving as freelancers. The change is the result of a court ruling last month that Read more about Following Supreme Court ruling, Uber UK recognizes drivers as workers, offers min wage, holiday pay, pension[…]