Dandelion News - June 22-28
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1. Can globally essential mangroves bounce back from deforestation? New study gives hope
ā[The study] found that unexpected expansion and regrowth across the world began counterbalancing mangrove forest loss around 2010. The rate of gain has nearly outpaced losses, resulting in about a cumulative 1% global decline since the 1980s. [ā¦] The study also found that mangroves are becoming less degraded [ā¦] which means they are denser, retain more carbon and help secure shorelines.ā
2. Peptide alternative to antibiotics could combat antimicrobial resistance crisis
āThe peptide is stable and nontoxic to humans and is synthesized to attack the surfaces of bacterial or fungal cells that create biofilms, a sticky matrix that is often impenetrable to antibiotic treatments. [ā¦] āOur peptide shredded bacterial biofilms, which cause up to 75% of life-threatening infections," Neelakantan explains. [ā¦ It] ānot only rescues from devastating bacterial infections, but also reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing."ā
3. Norwegian startup raises $6M to fix this sneaky source of energy waste
ā[The new] software-enabled devices can dial down the use and temperatures of existing heating cables to reduce electricity demand [using precise sensorsā¦.] Nordic Pharma said it has seen a 20% drop in the cablesā energy consumption since installing Eqonās devices, which have also helped to alert the manufacturer to potential problems, such as frozen pipes and over- or underheated oil, that can disrupt production.ā
4. How a tiny blue gecko became a conservation comeback story
āThe gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) lives in only two small forest reserves [ā¦] and depends almost entirely on screwpines for shelter, food, basking and breeding. [ā¦] Since 2016, they have cut down nearly 100,000 [invasive] cedar trees, reduced forest fires by around 80%, and planted about 5,000 native trees a year. Those efforts are helping the geckoās population return toward earlier levels [as well as] improving habitat for other wildlife[ā¦.]ā
5. Amazon floodplains cocoa offers a climate-resilient and sustainable chocolate
āProtected and irrigated by the forest canopy of the floodplains, Eleneās cocoa is more resistant to [ā¦] a fungus that devastated Brazilian crops in the 1980s, as well as climate change impacts like droughts and heavy rains. [ā¦ The presence of] āabundant and diverse local pollinators [ā¦] improves reproduction and results in better-quality fruit, more resistant to disease, higher in quantity and superior in flavor.ā [ā¦ Between 2000 and 2024] reforested cocoa areas expanded more than fourfold[ā¦.]ā
June 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I donāt claim credit for anything but curating.)
