Richard Hilliard
@richardhilliard.bsky.social
been looking at 'forever chemicals' for a minute
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
An estimated 1.73 million vehicles were repossessed last year, the most since recession-wracked 2009, and there are signs the surge continues.
We Spent the Night Shift With the Repo Man, Who Is Busier Than Ever
Car repossessions are on the rise as delinquency rates on some auto loans hit record levels. Drivers hunt for cars and opportunity as the business model shifts.
on.wsj.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
An estimated 1.73 million vehicles were repossessed last year, the most since recession-wracked 2009, and there are signs the surge continues.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
A machine learning method counts nearly 12 million dead trees, many likely killed by rising seas. https://scim.ag/3Wg37q3
AI reveals vast ‘ghost forests’ along U.S. coast
Machine learning method counts nearly 12 million dead trees, many likely killed by rising seas
scim.ag
October 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A machine learning method counts nearly 12 million dead trees, many likely killed by rising seas. https://scim.ag/3Wg37q3
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai has been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art,” said Mats Malm, the Swedish Academy’s permanent secretary.
Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai awarded Nobel Prize in literature
The Swedish Academy honored the writer whom critic Susan Sontag once called the “master of the apocalypse” for “his compelling and visionary oeuvre.”
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai has been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art,” said Mats Malm, the Swedish Academy’s permanent secretary.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of about 40 boats carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to break through a naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Intercepted, Boarded by Israeli Navy
A weekslong standoff ended with the detention of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who tried to sail to the war-torn enclave.
on.wsj.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Israeli forces have intercepted a flotilla of about 40 boats carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to break through a naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
A paper in Nature Communications identifies 85 previously undocumented lakes beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. These subglacial lakes fill and drain with a variety of patterns, revealing interconnected hydrological pathways channeling large volumes of water under the ice sheet. ⚒️ 🧪
Detection of 85 new active subglacial lakes in Antarctica from a decade of CryoSat-2 data - Nature Communications
Wilson and colleagues identify 85 previously undocumented lakes beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. These subglacial lakes fill and drain with a variety of patterns, revealing interconnected hydrological pathways channeling large volumes of water under the ice sheet.
go.nature.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 AM
A paper in Nature Communications identifies 85 previously undocumented lakes beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. These subglacial lakes fill and drain with a variety of patterns, revealing interconnected hydrological pathways channeling large volumes of water under the ice sheet. ⚒️ 🧪
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Today I learned that certain deep-sea sponges live long enough to track Earth's climate over time. 🧪
Siliceous deep-sea sponge Monorhaphis chuni: A potential paleoclimate archive in ancient animals
The deep-sea sponge Monorhaphis chuni forms giant basal spicules, which can reach lengths of 3m; they represent the largest biogenic silica structures…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Today I learned that certain deep-sea sponges live long enough to track Earth's climate over time. 🧪
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
The AI program uses data collected from smartphones, including where people were before and went after they entered the area, how long they spent there and personal information like annual income. www.bangordailynews.com/2025/08/28/b...
Old Town plans to track residents and visitors with AI
The AI program uses data collected from smartphones of people, including where they were before and went after being in a specific area.
www.bangordailynews.com
August 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The AI program uses data collected from smartphones, including where people were before and went after they entered the area, how long they spent there and personal information like annual income. www.bangordailynews.com/2025/08/28/b...
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Health insurance rates in Maine set to skyrocket
Health insurance rates in Maine set to skyrocket
Two major factors are driving up insurance rates in Maine: rising costs of prescription drugs and little competition in Maine’s market.
www.pressherald.com
August 4, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Health insurance rates in Maine set to skyrocket
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Satellite observations over the Greenland Ice Sheet reveal a destructive mode of meltwater drainage whereby a subglacial flood induced by the rapid drainage of a subglacial lake burst through the surface, fracturing the ice sheet, according to a paper in Nature Geoscience. 🧪
Outburst of a subglacial flood from the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet - Nature Geoscience
Satellite observations over the Greenland Ice Sheet reveal a destructive mode of meltwater drainage whereby a subglacial flood induced by the rapid drainage of a subglacial lake burst through the surface, fracturing the ice sheet.
go.nature.com
August 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Satellite observations over the Greenland Ice Sheet reveal a destructive mode of meltwater drainage whereby a subglacial flood induced by the rapid drainage of a subglacial lake burst through the surface, fracturing the ice sheet, according to a paper in Nature Geoscience. 🧪
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Millions of Americans are now facing higher electric bills thanks to surging demand from Big Tech data centers that power AI.
Experts fear their growing needs for power will outstrip supply and prices will spike for everyone. wapo.st/4l2by2j
Experts fear their growing needs for power will outstrip supply and prices will spike for everyone. wapo.st/4l2by2j
The AI explosion means millions are paying more for electricity
Across much of the eastern U.S., electricity bills have jumped. The reason? Data centers required for AI and other tech wonders are driving up electricity demand.
wapo.st
July 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Millions of Americans are now facing higher electric bills thanks to surging demand from Big Tech data centers that power AI.
Experts fear their growing needs for power will outstrip supply and prices will spike for everyone. wapo.st/4l2by2j
Experts fear their growing needs for power will outstrip supply and prices will spike for everyone. wapo.st/4l2by2j
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Investors say genetic prediction services for embryos, used by Elon Musk and others, are a trust fund for future children. Many scientists are skeptical.
Inside the Silicon Valley push to breed super-babies
Investors say genetic prediction services for embryos, used by Elon Musk and others, are a trust fund for future children. Many scientists are skeptical.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Investors say genetic prediction services for embryos, used by Elon Musk and others, are a trust fund for future children. Many scientists are skeptical.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
In a new #SciencePolicyForum, researchers argue that the recent proposal to permit the uncontrolled spread of highly pathogenic avian influence among U.S. poultry to identify birds that survive infection is dangerous and unethical. scim.ag/4nC6JPI
July 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In a new #SciencePolicyForum, researchers argue that the recent proposal to permit the uncontrolled spread of highly pathogenic avian influence among U.S. poultry to identify birds that survive infection is dangerous and unethical. scim.ag/4nC6JPI
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
So-called forever chemicals in sources of drinking water can find their way into beers brewed nearby, a new study suggests. cen.acs.org/food/PFAS-lo... #chemsky🧪
PFAS in local beer come from local water
Brewing processes do not remove the fluorinated chemicals from water
cen.acs.org
May 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
So-called forever chemicals in sources of drinking water can find their way into beers brewed nearby, a new study suggests. cen.acs.org/food/PFAS-lo... #chemsky🧪
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
The USDA has agreed to end its bid to halt federal funding for child nutrition programs, a move it hoped would force Maine to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on girls' sports teams:
In settlement, the USDA agrees to end Maine funding freeze challenged by state AG
The USDA has agreed to end its bid to halt federal funding for child nutrition programs, a move it hoped would force Maine to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender a...
www.mainepublic.org
May 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The USDA has agreed to end its bid to halt federal funding for child nutrition programs, a move it hoped would force Maine to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on girls' sports teams:
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Scientists have found a way to tattoo tardigrades. Yes, really.
But why? They’re testing a new microfabrication technique that’s compatible with living tissues, and the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature made them the perfect first test subjects. [1/3]
But why? They’re testing a new microfabrication technique that’s compatible with living tissues, and the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature made them the perfect first test subjects. [1/3]
April 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Scientists have found a way to tattoo tardigrades. Yes, really.
But why? They’re testing a new microfabrication technique that’s compatible with living tissues, and the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature made them the perfect first test subjects. [1/3]
But why? They’re testing a new microfabrication technique that’s compatible with living tissues, and the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature made them the perfect first test subjects. [1/3]
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
After years of advocacy, TCE — a cancer-causing chemical that’s contaminated drinking water for millions — was finally banned.
Now some in Congress want to undo it under TSCA.
New blog from @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social
🔗 toxicfreefuture.org/blog/we-fina...
#TCE #TSCA #BanTCE
Now some in Congress want to undo it under TSCA.
New blog from @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social
🔗 toxicfreefuture.org/blog/we-fina...
#TCE #TSCA #BanTCE
We finally won a ban on toxic TCE—now some in Congress are trying to roll it back - Toxic-Free Future
EPA's final ban on most uses of toxic TCE marked a long overdue victory for public health. But this ban is in jeopardy due to Congressional Review Act Resolutions in Congress that seek to stop it.
toxicfreefuture.org
April 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
After years of advocacy, TCE — a cancer-causing chemical that’s contaminated drinking water for millions — was finally banned.
Now some in Congress want to undo it under TSCA.
New blog from @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social
🔗 toxicfreefuture.org/blog/we-fina...
#TCE #TSCA #BanTCE
Now some in Congress want to undo it under TSCA.
New blog from @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social
🔗 toxicfreefuture.org/blog/we-fina...
#TCE #TSCA #BanTCE
Good news for people way behind on keeping up with the literature, soon there won't be anymore!
"Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and the Journal of Health and Pollution (JHP) [...] are pausing the acceptance of new manuscript submissions at this time."
ehp.niehs.nih.gov/do/10.5555/b...
"Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and the Journal of Health and Pollution (JHP) [...] are pausing the acceptance of new manuscript submissions at this time."
ehp.niehs.nih.gov/do/10.5555/b...
EHP Publishing
ehp.niehs.nih.gov
April 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Good news for people way behind on keeping up with the literature, soon there won't be anymore!
"Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and the Journal of Health and Pollution (JHP) [...] are pausing the acceptance of new manuscript submissions at this time."
ehp.niehs.nih.gov/do/10.5555/b...
"Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) and the Journal of Health and Pollution (JHP) [...] are pausing the acceptance of new manuscript submissions at this time."
ehp.niehs.nih.gov/do/10.5555/b...
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
#PFAS, linked to metabolic issues, high cholesterol & cancer, may be contaminating well water. 🧪 🤝 🌎
Join MDI Bio Lab's Dr. Jane Disney & Dr. @richardhilliard.bsky.social for an Online Science Café, "Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI" — April 14, 5-6 p.m.
Register now:👇
Join MDI Bio Lab's Dr. Jane Disney & Dr. @richardhilliard.bsky.social for an Online Science Café, "Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI" — April 14, 5-6 p.m.
Register now:👇
Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI
ow.ly
March 13, 2025 at 11:59 AM
#PFAS, linked to metabolic issues, high cholesterol & cancer, may be contaminating well water. 🧪 🤝 🌎
Join MDI Bio Lab's Dr. Jane Disney & Dr. @richardhilliard.bsky.social for an Online Science Café, "Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI" — April 14, 5-6 p.m.
Register now:👇
Join MDI Bio Lab's Dr. Jane Disney & Dr. @richardhilliard.bsky.social for an Online Science Café, "Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI" — April 14, 5-6 p.m.
Register now:👇
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Maine could try to attract more domestic visitors, Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, said, but there will be competition for those vacationers too.
Trump’s tariffs expected to cause 25 percent drop in Canadian tourism to Maine
Maine could try to attract more domestic visitors, Carolann Ouellette said, but there will be competition for those vacationers too.
www.bangordailynews.com
April 4, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Maine could try to attract more domestic visitors, Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, said, but there will be competition for those vacationers too.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
The CDC is planning to conduct a large-scale study to re-examine whether there is a connection between vaccines and autism, federal officials said Friday. Dozens of scientific studies have failed to find evidence of a link.
C.D.C. Will Investigate Debunked Link Between Vaccines and Autism
Dozens of studies have failed to find evidence of a link. The decision to re-examine the question comes as a measles outbreak, driven by low vaccination rates, widens in Texas.
www.nytimes.com
March 8, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The CDC is planning to conduct a large-scale study to re-examine whether there is a connection between vaccines and autism, federal officials said Friday. Dozens of scientific studies have failed to find evidence of a link.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
The Maine CDC on Thursday announced the positive test, marking the first new case in more than two months.
Penobscot County sees 15th HIV case in recent months
The Maine CDC on Thursday announced the positive test, marking the first new case in more than two months.
buff.ly
January 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Maine CDC on Thursday announced the positive test, marking the first new case in more than two months.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans.
Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says
Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans.
buff.ly
December 27, 2024 at 11:41 PM
Scientists believe the mutations may allow the virus to better bind to receptors in the upper airways of humans.
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Any new technique to remove or sequester PFAS from farmland is good news, but even if biochar is incredibly effective, Maine is going to have start producing a lot more than 70 yards of it each day.
www.bangordailynews.com/2024/12/03/m...
www.bangordailynews.com/2024/12/03/m...
Maine farmers turn their PFAS-tainted fields into a research hub for solutions
There are three research projects underway at the farm to deepen understanding of how to keep PFAS from being taken up by crops.
www.bangordailynews.com
December 3, 2024 at 12:56 PM
Any new technique to remove or sequester PFAS from farmland is good news, but even if biochar is incredibly effective, Maine is going to have start producing a lot more than 70 yards of it each day.
www.bangordailynews.com/2024/12/03/m...
www.bangordailynews.com/2024/12/03/m...
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
Got milk?
Across the country, from Texas to Maine, PFAS forever chemicals are contaminating milk and farm animals, while threatening the livelihood of farmers.
One more reason why retailers, brands, states, and the feds need to turn off the tap on #PFAS.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Across the country, from Texas to Maine, PFAS forever chemicals are contaminating milk and farm animals, while threatening the livelihood of farmers.
One more reason why retailers, brands, states, and the feds need to turn off the tap on #PFAS.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestock
The fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ranchers across Texas have spread it on their land.
www.texastribune.org
December 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Got milk?
Across the country, from Texas to Maine, PFAS forever chemicals are contaminating milk and farm animals, while threatening the livelihood of farmers.
One more reason why retailers, brands, states, and the feds need to turn off the tap on #PFAS.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Across the country, from Texas to Maine, PFAS forever chemicals are contaminating milk and farm animals, while threatening the livelihood of farmers.
One more reason why retailers, brands, states, and the feds need to turn off the tap on #PFAS.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Reposted by Richard Hilliard
The city was notified of a broken sewer line on the mall’s property on Aug. 22. The line was reportedly fixed on Aug. 26.
Sewage from Bangor Mall leak still lingering in nearby ponds, city says
The city was notified of a broken sewer line on the mall’s property on Aug. 22. The line was reportedly fixed on Aug. 26.
buff.ly
December 18, 2024 at 12:35 AM
The city was notified of a broken sewer line on the mall’s property on Aug. 22. The line was reportedly fixed on Aug. 26.