Elizabeth Blackwell

History is full of examples of prejudices based on the inexplicable “rationale” that some people are born “lesser” (in other words, non-white, non-male, of different beliefs, lifestyles, or nationality) but one woman, Elizabeth Blackwell, exemplifies the juxtaposition of such limited mindsets with those able to see past others’ limitations. Born in England in 1821, Elizabeth […]

Herculaneum

Have you heard of the Herculaneum scrolls? They’re a group of writings on papyrus that were charred and buried in ashes during the deadly eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Following the discovery of the manuscripts under 50-60 feet (15-18 meters) of volcanic mud in the 1750s, scholars and scientists have long recognized that […]

Maersk ship fueled by green methanol

As much as 90% of traded goods worldwide are shipped by sea and 99% of cargo ships are powered by oil-based fuels. To change this pattern, the Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk has launched the first container ship fueled by green methanol, the Laura Maersk. Produced from low-carbon sources such as biomass, renewable organic […]

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

Steve Jobs

people power

Do you know why Amnesty International, the non-governmental organization that campaigns for human rights for all and fights injustice in the world, was formed? It was founded because one man appealed for justice for individuals sent to prison for simply having expressed their opinions. Other individuals or groups have also acted on a small scale […]

woman engineer

In the lead up to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, here’s some high-level information on what it takes to get more women to pursue careers as scientists and engineers. The US National Academy of Sciences affirms that “Women already show their proficiency with scientific content in fields like biology and medicine. They make […]

2023 progress

This uplifting end-of-year message from global communications firm Richard Attias & Associates is worth repeating. The short video highlights the year’s notable progress. Which inspiring new advancements will 2024 bring… and how might they redefine the future in ways we can’t yet imagine? — Richard Attias & Associates (@RichardAttiasAs) January 1, 2024 pic.twitter.com/dsaTKRiYGQ January 1, […]

Vathaba - Integrated Agriculture - Rice grown in a banana plantation

To end 2023 on a positive note, here are the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, earlier this month. For the first time in nearly 30 years of conferences (the first was held in Berlin in 1995), the delegates at COP recognized the need to transition […]

waves crashing in Hawaii

Anyone who has spent a bit of time at the ocean or sea will have noticed how the water levels rise and fall twice a day, independent of the wind or other meteorological conditions. The tides are the result of the gravitational pull of the moon, the rotational force of the Earth, and the sun. […]

Why is seaweed remarkable? After all, it’s just a vegetable that grows in the ocean and places like rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. It’s common, including countless species of marine plants and algae. Many types exist, classified as red (Rhodophyta), green (Chlorophyta), and brown (Phaeophyta) algae. Typical types of edible seaweeds include Wakame, […]