All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

‘Sistine Chapel of the ancients’ rock art discovered in remote Amazon forest | Archaeology | The Guardian

The paintings are being filmed for a major Channel 4 series, Jungle Mystery: Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon.

Source: ‘Sistine Chapel of the ancients’ rock art discovered in remote Amazon forest | Archaeology | The Guardian

11 Facts About Coast Redwoods, the Tallest Trees in the World

For thousands of years the people of the area managed to live in harmony with these ancient trees, understanding the importance of their unique forest ecosystem. And then the gold rush happened. With the arrival of hundreds of thousands of gold-seekers starting in 1849, the redwoods were doomed. Logged into near oblivion to keep up with the demand for lumber, today, only 5 percent of the original old-growth coast redwood forest remains, fewer than 100,000 acres dotted along the coast. Source: 11 Facts About Coast Redwoods, the Tallest Trees in the World

Coronavirus: Germany to create 19 medical storage facilities for future emergencies | News | DW | 30.11.2020

The German government agreed on Monday to set up 19 locations for medical gear storage in order to avoid the lack of masks and other protective equipment faced by most of the world at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Angela Merkel’s government plans to spend around €1 billion ($1.2 billion) next year creating 19 “national health reserves” around Germany to ensure Europe’s leading economy is better prepared for any upcoming health crisis, Health Minister Jens Spahn said.

“The pandemic has taught us to take more precautions,” he told reporters.

Source: Coronavirus: Germany to create 19 medical storage facilities for future emergencies | News | DW | 30.11.2020

Avian Flu Diary: COVID-19: The Avian Vector Loophole (Birds and Mink infection)

Whether carried by the movement of humans or machinery between farms, by the wind, or on the feet, feathers, or GI tract of of wild birds, COVID-19 has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to quickly spread among mink farms in numerous countries.
While COVID-19 has not proved to be a huge agricultural issue (outside of mink farming), the next pandemic threat may not be so constrained.

Which means that agricultural interests must get much better at shutting the barn door before the next virus gets in – or out again.  

Source: Avian Flu Diary: COVID-19: The Avian Vector Loophole

How Snail Mail Connected This San Gabriel Valley School District To Its Youngest Students : LAist

Rowland Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ashley McGrath conducts class over Zoom from her garage. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

5-year-old Noah Fonseca is seconds away from discovering his new book in this screenshot from a video recorded by his mom, Maria Fonseca.

Source: How Snail Mail Connected This San Gabriel Valley School District To Its Youngest Students : LAist