New Safer RNA Insecticide Can Target Only the Devastating Potato Beetles and No Other Bugs

nnA genetically specific pesticide has shown to be lethal to the destructive Colorado potato beetle while leaving all other tested species, even the beetle’s close relatives, unharmed.nnEvery year, this native of the Rocky Mountains causes $500 million or more in damages across the Northern Hemisphere—all across which it’s now found as an invasive species.nnThe company […]

The Vatican Goes Green: Pope Francis Announces New Suburban Solar Plant to Power Vatican City

nnThere’s no country anywhere on Earth that’s entirely powered by renewable energy every day, but that’s soon to change.nnIn a letter released on June 21 entitled “Brother Sun” Pope Francis announced his intention to transition Vatican City onto 100% renewable energy using solar panels.nnThe apostolic letter issued “motu proprio,” or on his own initiative, detailed […]

Researchers Test Use of Nuclear Technology to Curb Rhino Poaching in South Africa

nnIn South Africa, biologists and scientists have developed a novel way of disincentivizing poaching that will allow rhinos to keep hold of their horns.nnPreviously it was widespread practice to capture and de-horn rhinos to disincentivize poachers from killing them, but the lack of a horn deeply interfered with the animals’ social structures.nnInstead, rhinos at a […]

Good News in History, July 2

101 years ago today, Wisława Szymborska was born in Poland. This poet, essayist, translator, and recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature penned over a dozen poetry books that won numerous prizes from cultural organizations and civic ones. Her wit and irony belied her Communist education and upbringing, and though her body work remained […]