Trees Can Halve the Heat Trapped in Cities — But There’s a Catch

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Trees Can Halve the Heat Trapped in Cities — But There’s a Catch (Maria)

The author writes, “Cities and towns are usually 1–3°C hotter than the surrounding countryside, because asphalt, concrete and brick absorb heat from the sun and radiate it slowly. Some cities can be as much as 12F hotter. This effect is known as the urban heat island. This can be dangerous, especially in hot countries. There’s one simple antidote: urban trees. Authorities around the world have planted more trees to counteract heat. … But city trees are not spread evenly.”

Greece, Birthplace of Democracy, Seeks To Put Humanity Ahead of AI in Updated Constitution (Reader Steve)

The author writes, “Greece is preparing major constitutional changes, including an amendment requiring that artificial intelligence serve human society. Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined the proposed revisions on Thursday, casting them as necessary to safeguard future generations given global concerns about AI’s risks to democratic governance and humanity itself. ‘It’s very important that, in this process of constitutional revision, we take care of the world that will host our children,’ Mitsotakis told lawmakers from his governing center-right party. The proposed changes would include a provision that says: ‘Artificial intelligence shall serve the freedom of the individual and the prosperity of society, ensuring that risks are mitigated and that the advantages it provides are fully realized.’”

Trump’s NOAA Cuts Would Save Less Than a Day and a Half of Iran War Spending (Laura)

From Heated: “Our good friends at the Popular Information newsletter have calculated the real cost of the Iran War so far: $72 billion for the first 60 days, or about $1.2 billion in taxpayer dollars per day. The numbers are revealing, in that they show the Trump administration is perfectly capable of finding money when the goal is destruction. But when it comes to protecting Americans from fossil-fueled extreme weather, suddenly we’re told the cupboard is bare. Because at the very same time Trump is spending roughly $1.2 billion a day on war, his administration is proposing to gut the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA — the agency that helps keep Americans alive when the weather turns deadly. Supposedly, we just can’t afford it.”

US Spy Flights Surge On Cuba, Mimicking Pre-Venezuela Action (DonkeyHotey)

The author writes, “More than twenty US intelligence gathering flights have been reportedly conducted near the Cuban coast since February, mirroring President Donald Trump’s pattern of buildup before military action in Venezuela and Iran. US Navy and Air Force aircraft and drones have surged near Cuba since early February, according to an analysis from CNN on Sunday. At least twenty five flights were conducted, most near Havana and Santiago de Cuba. P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, used for surveillance, RC-135V Rivet Joint, used to collect signal intelligence, and MQ-4C Triton high-altitude reconnaissance drones have all traveled to areas close to the island, per the report. And some flights have gotten within forty miles of the country, according to FlightRadar24.”

Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth (Bethany)

From ProPublica: “They entered the world the way babies should, with piercing cries announcing their arrival. They passed their newborn screening tests. Some made it to their 2-week wellness visits without concern. Then, without warning, their systems began to shut down. A 7-week-old boy in Maryland developed sudden seizures. An 11-pound girl in Alabama stopped breathing for 20 seconds at a time. A baby boy in Kentucky vomited before becoming lethargic. A brown-haired girl in Texas, not yet 2 weeks old, bled around her belly button. Desperate to save them, records show, doctors inserted tubes into their airways and hooked them up to IVs. They ordered blood transfusions. … In almost every case, the babies’ deaths could have been prevented with a long-standard vitamin K shot. But across the country, families — first in smatterings, now in droves — are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot.”

Meet the Americans Who Choose To Live Without a Car in the US: ‘It Takes Some Doing’ (Mili)

From The Guardian: “We asked Guardian readers in the US how they get around if they don’t have a car in such a car-dominated country. Several of those who responded described the benefits and many challenges of going by foot, bike or public transit.”

A Mutation Gave Humans the Gift of Speech. These Mice Have It, Too (Dana)

From The New York Times: “In the balmy cloud forests of Central America, the operatic calls of Alston’s singing mouse, a small, short-tailed rodent famous for its courteous communication, can often be heard echoing through the trees. These minuscule mice, each of which weighs less than a lightbulb, sing unique, chirp-filled songs to one another that can last as long as 16 seconds. Both sonic and ultrasonic sounds flow from the mouse’s mouth, creating a song reminiscent of the buzzing of a cicada. What’s more, the mice never interrupt each other; they hold their tiny tongues until their conversational partner is done singing. Scientists have long wondered what enables these mice to have such uncannily complex conversations without the help of human brains. But as it turns out, our brains may not be so different.”