Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 6h

Biodegradable bamboo breakthrough.

Scientists have developed a tough new bamboo-based plastic that biodegrades in 50 days. The new material matches the strength of engineering plastics used in cars and appliances while retaining 90% of its durability after recycling.

https://f.mtr.cool/qhdfycbhxm

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 11h

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Salmon breeding in River Don for first time in 200 years

The Don Catchment Rivers Trust says evidence of spawning is beyond its "wildest expectations".

www.bbc.com

Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 12h

Dams in the hands of conservationists.

The sale of four hydroelectric dams to conservationists in Maine paves the way for the largest river-restoration effort in US history and could reopen hundreds of kilometres of spawning habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon.

https://f.mtr.cool/cyzcehqbek

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 14h

Bali starlings are making a wild comeback.

Under new Indigenous-led protections: the iconic songbird’s survival rate has more than doubled, with breeding pairs now re-established in several villages, reversing decades of poaching and habitat loss.

https://f.mtr.cool/yijktgcmie

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 16h

Electric wheels take half the market.

Sales of fully electric cars in the UK surged nearly 30% in September to 72,779, the highest monthly total on record. Together with plug-in hybrids, electrified vehicles made up more than half of all new UK registrations.

https://f.mtr.cool/rzazzyposl

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 18h

Resurrection of the Don.

Salmon have returned to England’s River Don for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. Once biologically dead from steel-mill pollution, the river has been steadily revived through habitat restoration and clean-ups.

https://f.mtr.cool/cuaomsxukh

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 20h

Poland is safer for curlews and coots.

The hunting of 13 migratory bird species has been banned in Poland after years of pressure from conservation groups. The decision reflects improving awareness of wetlands’ ecological value across Eastern Europe.

https://f.mtr.cool/ndpynaddou

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

California Migratory Bird Act Signed Into Law.

The act, extending state-level safeguards to more than 700 species, strengthens oversight of developments near wetlands, shorelines and nesting areas, reinforcing California’s role as a refuge for millions of birds.

https://f.mtr.cool/sdtedmspjm

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

The towers of Notre-Dame reopen.

After years of restoration following the 2019 fire, the renovated towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral are now open again to visitors. The central part of the cathedral was reopened in December 2024.

https://f.mtr.cool/easgynqogm

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Reposted by Angus Hervey

Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 2d

Grid scale batteries are changing our electricity system. Excellent new visual story on batteries in FT today shows just how far this technology has evolved.

Fasten your seatbelts, this is just the beginning.

ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...

41 450 1.4K

Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

Autonomy for all bodies.

The Council of Europe has approved the world’s most comprehensive policy on intersex rights, banning non-consensual surgeries, guaranteeing anti-discrimination protections, and ensuring access to justice.

https://f.mtr.cool/zaagxdzhyi

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

Social media use begins global decline.

An analysis of 250,000 adults across 50 countries shows average daily social media use dropped nearly 10% since 2022, reversing a decade of growth. The steepest declines are among teens and 20-somethings.

https://f.mtr.cool/jteioocjyw

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

Free fuel for Indonesia’s learning minds.

In its first year, one of the world’s largest national school-meal programmes has provided daily meals to over 30 million children, improving nutrition and school attendance while supporting local farmers and caterers.

https://f.mtr.cool/fswsxwkxgy

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Angus Hervey @angushervey.com · 1d

Lack of paperwork saves lives.

From 2007, 106 HIV clinics in Malawi replaced paper records with touchscreen-based systems that allowed staff to instantly access a patient’s medical history and receive guideline prompts. Within 5 years of adoption, deaths fell by 28%.

https://f.mtr.cool/ezubsypzcr