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Gun Investigators Cautiously Optimistic About New Fingerprint Technology

Ann Givens

October 11, 2019 |

The Trace |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: England, Loughborough

A collaboration between England’s Loughborough University, the UK’s Ministry of Defence, and a company called Foster + Freeman has led to a new technology that can pull fingerprints from shell casings. What was once a nearly impossible task, is showing promise, as police departments across the United States try out the new technology. That said, there are still some questions about its efficacy and ability to stand up as evidence in court.

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'A model of sustainable commerce': carbon footprint, grid concerns push SoCal weed industry to be more green

Melissa Daniels

October 10, 2019 |

Desert Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Desert Hot Springs, California

California-based cannabis company, Canndescent, has taken many steps toward low-carbon sustainability in its operations. The company uses commercial-scale solar energy, reverse-mounted ceiling fans, and microburst irrigation systems as a way of demonstrating “a model of sustainable commerce.” As legalizing cannabis grows in popularity, other states and cities are looking toward sustainable practices to off-set the high-energy needed for such growth.

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Pinterest says AI reduced reported self-harm content by 88%

Kyle Wiggers

October 10, 2019 |

VentureBeat |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Using artificial intelligence, social media companies can quickly identify and reach out to those at risk for self-harm. Pinterest, a San Francisco-based social media company, is employing AI to support its user’s emotional well-being. Those who search for content related to self-harm receive links to support resources thanks to the help of collaborations with groups like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Vibrant Emotional Health. The effort has significantly reduced content related to self-harm on the platform.

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In France, Elder Care Comes with the Mail

Zoey Poll

October 09, 2019 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: France, Revin

Mail carriers in France are stepping in to provide health checks to the vulnerable and elderly as part of a program known as Veiller Sur Mes Parents – or “Watch Over My Parents.” Not only does this service help create connections between community members and provide reassurance to family members, but it also acts as an additional stream of revenue for La Poste by expanding the postal work job description to include "picking up prescriptions, returning library books, and delivering flowers."

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An App That Can Catch Early Signs Of Eye Disease In A Flash

Joe Palca

October 07, 2019 |

NPR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Waco, Texas

It's often difficult to detect eye diseases such as cancer in infants and toddlers because they have trouble sitting still, but a new smartphone app is helping eliminate this challenge. Parents are able to scan photos of their child within the app, and using artificial intelligence, the app attempts to detect early signs of diseases.

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After Hurricane Dorian, The 'Wikipedia Of Maps' Came To The Rescue

Joanne Lu

October 03, 2019 |

NPR |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Humanitarian, crowdsourced street mapping has become a crucial part of disaster relief efforts. Initiatives like Missing Maps and OpenStreetMaps call on volunteer cartographers – professional or not – to fill in maps and data gaps so that emergency humanitarian efforts can help as many people as possible. Such platforms became necessary after Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in September 2019, with over 100 people coming through to map previously unidentified roads and buildings.

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From Weed to Cash: Researchers Genetically Engineer Pennycress

Ryan Denham, Sean Newgent

October 03, 2019 |

WGLT |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

A gene editing practice called CRISPR is transforming a penny-shaped weed known as pennycress into a cover crop. This practice offers farmers a source of revenue in their off season and provides habitats for insects, as well as improved soil health.

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A New Deal for Turkey's Homeless Dogs

Didem Tali

October 02, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Turkey, Istanbul

Thanks to increased awareness and public pressure, Turkey has shifted from culling street animals to catching, neutering, and vaccinating them. Following social media campaigns and the work of activists, Turkey's government has changed its policies. Today, instead of being poisoned, street dogs are treated and tagged by animal welfare teams funded by the state. The vaccinations help reduce the risk of diseases like rabies, while neutering the animals avoids the use of chemicals potentially harmful to humans.

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After oil and gas: Meet Alberta workers making the switch to solar

Sharon J. Riley

October 02, 2019 |

The Narwhal |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Alberta

Alberta, Canada is a place that historically has had a close relationship with oil and gas. But as renewable energy surges into the market, these industries become more and more precarious. This article talks to a range of young men—a key demographic in these industries—about why they made the decision to leave oil and gas for solar energy and what helped them make that transition. Many said, among other things, that their motivations lay in wanting to leave a better world for their children to grow up in.

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Curing Our Plastic Problem

Tom Gibson, Vicky Feng, Leila Hussain

September 30, 2019 |

Bloomberg |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Thailand

A company in Thailand called Universal Bio Pack created biodegradable packaging made out of cassava starch and natural fiber that could reduce the amount of single use plastic that people consume. Another company in Spain called Plastic Energy takes mixed plastics that can’t be recycled and converts it into usable oils that make fuel. Both are different solutions that could be used simultaneously to tackle the world’s plastic pollution crisis.

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