Category: Science

G-7 Ministers Set Big New Targets for Solar and Wind Capacity

SAPPORO, Japan—The Group of Seven (G-7) rich nations on Sunday set big new collective targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity, agreeing to speed up renewable energy development and move toward a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels. But they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out coal that Canada and other…


Europe’s Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor Kicks Off in Finland

HELSINKI—Finland’s much-delayed and costly new nuclear reactor, Europe’s most powerful by production capacity, has completed a test phase lasting more than a year and started regular output, boosting the Nordic country’s electricity self-sufficiency significantly. The Olkiluoto 3 reactor, which has 1,600-megawatt capacity, was connected into the Finnish national power grid in March 2022 and kicked…


FAA Gives OK for SpaceX’s Starship Test Flight From Texas

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—SpaceX has cleared the final hurdle for launching its new giant Starship from Texas as early as next week on a first test flight. The Federal Aviation Administration issued the long-awaited license on Friday. SpaceX announced that Starship—the world’s biggest and most powerful rocket—could soar as soon as Monday. No people or satellites…


The Surprising Good News From Swiss Authorities: No More COVID-19 Vaccinations

Commentary As a subscriber to Dr. John Campbell’s popular YouTube channel, I sometimes keep the video playing in the background. On April 11, I heard him say that the Swiss authorities have suspended all COVID-19 vaccinations. I was both shocked and surprised. Could this really be the case? As a former scientist who worked at…


Is Your Clothing Drenched in ‘Forever Chemicals’?

The term dressed to kill has taken on a whole new meaning. Dangerous chemicals are now so ubiquitous they are in our water supply, the food we eat, and even—the clothing we wear. What Are PFAS? PFAS stands for the almost impossible-to-pronounce perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—also known as “forever chemicals.” The reason they are called…


European Spacecraft on Way to Jupiter and Its Icy Moons

A European spacecraft rocketed away Friday on a decadelong quest to explore Jupiter and three of its icy moons that could hold buried oceans. The journey began with a perfect morning liftoff by Europe’s Ariane rocket from French Guiana on the coast of South America. But there were some tense minutes later as controllers awaited…


Compact Galaxy’s Discovery Shows Webb Telescope’s ‘Amazing’ Power

WASHINGTON—The detection of a highly compact galaxy that formed relatively soon after the Big Bang and displayed an impressive rate of star formation is the latest example of how the James Webb Space Telescope is reshaping our understanding of the early universe. Scientists said the galaxy, dating to 13.3 billion years ago, has a diameter…


Trial Date Set for EPA Fluoride Lawsuit

In a court hearing on Tuesday, the second trial date was set for Jan. 29, 2024, in the ongoing lawsuit (pdf) brought against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) “to prohibit the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water supplies.” The lawsuit that began six years ago has seen many delays and recently…


Long Awaited Trial Date Set for EPA Fluoride Lawsuit

In a court hearing on Tuesday, the second trial date was set for Jan. 29, 2024, in the ongoing lawsuit (pdf) brought against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) “to prohibit the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water supplies.” The lawsuit that began six years ago has seen many delays and recently…


‘Remember to Vaccinate’: Tetanus Shot Reminder After Recent Aussie Death

Following three recent tetanus cases including the first death in 30 years of an Australian woman, the government is urging people to be up to date with their tetanus vaccinations and alert them to the severity of the disease. Director of Communicable Diseases Christine Selvey said that the disease is particularly dangerous for the elderly….