Page 81 – Green Prophet

Amazon deforestation is killing the lungs of the earth

Isabella Hannah

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January 11, 2024

Amazon deforestation — Deforestation in the Amazon is causing fewer storms

For the first time scientists have determined that due to the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon basin in recent decades, the number of thunderstorms and rain in the region has decreased significantly, and the area over which they occur has shrunk.

This is opposite to what happens in other places, says climate change expert Colin Price: “In most areas of the world, global warming has resulted in an increase in the number of thunderstorms, but in this study we discovered that precisely in those areas where deforestation has increased the number of storms actually decreased, even with rising temperatures,” he says.

These findings are worrying because a decrease in the amount of storms leads to a decrease in the amount of rain, which in turn causes further damage to the forests. This is a dangerous feedback loop, which could severely damage the forests that provide the earth with a significant portion of the oxygen in the atmosphere and absorb a large portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by us into the atmosphere.”

The research was led by Prof. Colin Price and graduate student Raam Beckenshtein at Tel Aviv University in Israel. The research was published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.

What’s happening here? Price who has studied weather events and climate change for decades, postulates: “The Amazon tropical rainforests are the largest in the world and play a critical role in regulating the earth’s climate. These forests are often called ‘the lungs of the earth’, because through the process of photosynthesis the forests produce a significant portion of the oxygen in the atmosphere and absorb a large amount of its carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that makes a significant contribution to climate change.”

Cutting down the rainmakers

The rainforests themselves produce their own rain,” says Price. “The trees emit water vapor via evaporation into the air that eventually condenses and forms clouds and rain above the rainforests. The forests influence the local and regional rainfall.”

The researchers point out that these important processes are currently in danger due to the extensive activity of deforestation in the Amazon, from cutting down trees for wood and clearing areas for agriculture, infrastructure development, and mining.

In the 30 years between 1990 and 2020, forests whose total area is larger than the entire continent of Europe were destroyed in the Amazon basin. To sum up: the destruction of rainforests impacts global oxygen levels, while increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and disrupts natural rainfall patterns that may lead to further drought in some areas. In addition, the trees that have been cut down are often burned, releasing additional carbon dioxide into the air and contributing to global warming.

In this study the researchers tracked changes in thunderstorms in the Amazon basin in recent decades using a variety of mapping and tracking technologies.

“We expected to find an increase in the number of storms due to global warming, as has been observed in many regions of the world, but to our surprise we found the opposite trend: a decrease of 8% over 40 years.

“Further analysis revealed that most of the decrease was observed precisely in those areas where the rainforests were replaced by agriculture or other human activity. The decrease can be explained by the fact that the absence of the forests significantly reduced the moisture in the air, which is the source of energy and moisture needed for the formation of thunderstorms.

“The result is fewer thunderstorms, fewer clouds, less rain, and consequently less growth of the forest. This creates a dangerous feedback loop that can cause the forests to dry out and significantly reduce the vital contribution of the ‘Lungs of the Earth’ to oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption.”

Where is the Amazon Forest and how can you help?

The Amazon is a vast biome that spans eight rapidly developing countries—Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname—and French Guiana, an overseas territory of France.

Take deforestation from your diet

Many of the foods we eat are grown on land cleared for beef and soy and palm oil. Eat less beef, palm and soy and it will help.

Buy Amazon Land for preservation

Find a local group near you pooling funds to buy Amazon forests that can be reserved for preservation.

Find ways to support indigenous people

Decision makers and corporations create the fate for the Amazon. Support local people and help them develop sustainable incomes that don’t require slashing and burning the lungs of the planet.

Uzbek greenhouses go digital

Food

Green Prophet

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January 10, 2024

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Uzbek greenhouse, cannabis greenhouse, digital, CBD, Muslim woman — Greenhouses in Uzbekistan go digital

Sitting in a field in the heart of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley, Shaodatkhon Oripova’s greenhouse isn’t just the simple structure it used to be. It’s now alive with digital sensors connected to the internet, through which the 62-year-old farmer can control the temperature, humidity, light and soil moisture. Uzbek farmers also work with drip irrigation.

“In the past,” she said, “a lot of my earnings would disappear into paying for utility bills and buying fertilizers,” says the mother of three, whose farm produces herbs, tomatoes, lemons, corn and clover.

Now, Shaodatkhon can better regulate these inputs through the sensors. If anything needs to be adjusted in the greenhouse, her mobile phone buzzes to alert her.

New “smart” farming techniques and technologies, like drip irrigation and pest traps, are helping farmers in Uzbekistan revolutionize their greenhouses, save water and increase their crop yields and incomes. ©FAO/Guzal Fayzieva — New “smart” farming techniques and technologies, like drip irrigation and pest traps, are helping farmers in Uzbekistan revolutionize their greenhouses, save water and increase their crop yields and incomes.

These sensors were particularly useful over the summer when extreme heat and lack of water impacted production from her greenhouse. While other farmers sustained great losses, she was able to maintain her production at close to last year’s levels.

Shaodatkhon has been used to the hard work and highs and lows of farming. “I was born into a family of farmers, and I have been a farmer my whole life, but it has not been easy,” she said.

It is a different type of farming now. Shaodatkhon describes how every day is a new learning experience with digital technology. She can now free up more time for other things such as marketing her produce, spending time with her family and improving her education and quality of life.

Shaodatkhon is one of the farmers taking part in the Smart Farming for the Future Generations project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It is closely aligned with the Digital Villages Initiative, which was introduced in the villages of Novkent and Yuksalish in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan in 2023.

The Digital Villages Initiative is a flagship programme of FAO aiming to transform at least 1 000 villages around the world into digital hubs. The initiative seeks to foster rural transformation and empower communities through digitalization and participatory approaches to combat hunger, poverty and inequality. The Digital Village Initiative helps farmers access technology to boost production, access rural services and improve livelihoods.

But it’s not just farmers who are getting involved. FAO is also offering training programmes to local young people. A coding camp helped train youth in replicating smart sensor devices. In the culmination of the training programmes, a Digital Villages Hackathon took place in November 2023 yielding an array of innovative agritech solutions to the challenges faced by rural people in the Fergana Valley.

The continuation of regular collaborative innovation workshops, known as “living labs”, also provides a vital platform for exchange among farmers, experts and innovators. During these sessions, farmers like Shaodatkhon and her family discuss the challenges they face, for example heating the greenhouse against the biting winter cold. Other topics brainstormed with a range of local actors and experts have included water scarcity, a lack of infrastructure and limited access to reliable extension services.

Keep your kids away from third-hand smoke

Health

Green Prophet

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January 10, 2024

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Smoking is still a big deal in the Middle East. Tel Aviv smokes like Paris in the 80s, and the hookah and shisha pipe is going strong in every city where the taste of apple tobacco makes you forget that the smoke is bad for your lungs. Vaping is pretty much everywhere in the world. Parents typically shoo the kids outside or smoke on the balcony but the residue from smoking can also do harm, finds a new study, citing third-hand smoke.

Thirdhand smoke is the presence of toxic tobacco by-products that remain on surfaces such as furniture, décor, walls and floors. It does not matter of the tobacco is organic. Some cultures like Native Americans may use tobacco for ceremonial purposes.

In a new study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, researchers tested the surfaces in smoking households where children reside and found troubling results, says Ashley Merianos, a tobacco researcher at the University of Cincinnati who led the study.

Researchers found nicotine on surfaces in all of the children’s homes and detected the presence of a tobacco-specific carcinogen (called NNK) in nearly half of the homes, she says. The study reported that the NNK levels on surfaces and vacuumed dust were similar, which Merianos says indicates that surfaces and dust can be similar reservoirs and sources of thirdhand smoke exposure for children.

“This is critically important and concerning, since NNK is considered the most potent carcinogen for tobacco-induced cancers,” says Merianos, an associate professor in UC’s School of Human Services.

Nicotine affects poorer families

Children living in lower-income households had higher levels of NNK and nicotine found on home surfaces.
Children living in homes that did not ban indoor smoking had higher levels of NNK and nicotine found on surfaces.

Merianos says that NNK and nicotine were still detected in homes with voluntary indoor smoking bans, which highlights the persistence of thirdhand smoke pollutants on surfaces in children’s homes: “This research highlights that home smoking bans do not fully protect children and their families from the dangers of tobacco,” she adds.

Why is pee yellow mystery solved

Nature

Isabella Hannah

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January 10, 2024

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The enzyme that makes urine yellow has been finally identified. It has been known for more than 125 years that a compound called urobilin is responsible for urine’s yellow colour. But it was unclear how exactly it is created from the red-orange bilirubin.

“It’s remarkable that an everyday biological phenomenon went unexplained for so long, and our team is excited to be able to explain it,” Brantley Hall, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, said in a news statement.

This waste product from degraded red blood cells can lead to jaundice and neurological damage if too much of it builds up in the body.

The enzyme, bilirubin reductase, is made by gut microbes and converts bilirubin into colourless urobilinogen, which breaks down further into yellow urobilin.

“Gut microbes encode the enzyme bilirubin reductase that converts bilirubin into a colorless byproduct called urobilinogen,” Hall, the study’s lead author, said. “Urobilinogen then spontaneously degrades into a molecule called urobilin, which is responsible for the yellow color we are all familiar with.”

The study authors said that before their research, scientists thought there were multiple enzymes involved, rather than a single enzyme.

Lab-grown meat telling convenient lies about carbon footprint?

Food

Karin Kloosterman

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January 9, 2024

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rib eye steak aleph farms — A steak grown in the lab made by Aleph Farms. Is it a pharmaceutical product or a food product?

Lab-grown meat companies such as US–based Mission Barns and Israel-based Aleph Farms (includes Leonardo Dicaprio as investor), are making cultured meat from animal cells. This process is often marketed to be more environmentally friendly than beef because it’s predicted to need less land, water and greenhouse gases than raising cattle.

But in a preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, researchers at the University of California, Davis, have found that lab-grown or “cultivated” meat’s environmental impact is likely to be “orders of magnitude” higher than retail beef based on current and near-term production methods.

Researchers conducted a life-cycle assessment of the energy needed and greenhouse gases emitted in all stages of production and compared that with beef. One of the current challenges with lab-grown meat is the use of highly refined or purified growth media, the ingredients needed to help animal cells multiply. Currently, this method is similar to the biotechnology used to make pharmaceuticals. This sets up a critical question for cultured meat production: Is it a pharmaceutical product or a food product?

“If companies are having to purify growth media to pharmaceutical levels, it uses more resources, which then increases global warming potential,” said lead author and doctoral graduate Derrick Risner, UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology. “If this product continues to be produced using the “pharma” approach, it’s going to be worse for the environment and more expensive than conventional beef production.”

The scientists defined the global warming potential as the carbon dioxide equivalents emitted for each kilogram of meat produced. The study found that the global warming potential of lab-based meat using these purified media is four to 25 times greater than the average for retail beef.

A more climate friendly burger in the future?

Beyond Mean plant based burger — Beyond Meat, a flailing meat alternative company that uses pea protein, uses the lab to refine its ingredients for Beyond Burger, but is not considered lab-based meat

One of the goals of the industry is to eventually create lab-grown meat using primarily food-grade ingredients or cultures without the use of expensive and energy-intensive pharmaceutical grade ingredients and processes.

Under that scenario, researchers found cultured meat is much more environmentally competitive, but with a wide range. Cultured meat’s global warming potential could be between 80% lower to 26% above that of conventional beef production, they calculate. While these results are more promising, the leap from “pharma to food” still represents a significant technical challenge for system scale-up.

“Our findings suggest that cultured meat is not inherently better for the environment than conventional beef. It’s not a panacea,” said corresponding author Edward Spang, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology. “It’s possible we could reduce its environmental impact in the future, but it will require significant technical advancement to simultaneously increase the performance and decrease the cost of the cell culture media.”

Even the most efficient beef production systems reviewed in the study outperform cultured meat across all scenarios (both food and pharma), suggesting that investments to advance more climate-friendly beef production may yield greater reductions in emissions more quickly than investments in cultured meat.

Risner said even if lab-based meat doesn’t result in a more climate-friendly burger, there is still valuable science to be learned from the endeavor.

“It may not lead to environmentally friendly commodity meat, but it could lead to less expensive pharmaceuticals, for example,” said Risner. “My concern would just be scaling this up too quickly and doing something harmful for the environment.”

Save More Money on Bills by Being Energy-Conscious

Energy

Karin Kloosterman

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January 9, 2024

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Every household should strive for financial efficiency, considering how expensive bills are now, and one impactful avenue often overlooked is energy consumption. While swapping incandescent bulbs for LEDs is a known energy-saving hack, true efficiency is a holistic venture that extends beyond just light fixtures. Let’s embark on a journey to unveil practical and often disregarded strategies, shedding light on how considering the role of well-insulated doors and windows can illuminate your path to substantial energy and cost savings.

Understanding the Dynamics of Energy Efficiency

Efficiency goes hand in hand with awareness. Beyond the illumination provided by energy-efficient bulbs, scrutinising the dynamics of your home’s energy consumption can reveal surprising revelations. Unquestionably, lighting contributes, but equally important are the structural elements that regulate your home’s climate.

Weather Stripping Matters

Even the most energy-efficient doors and windows can’t perform optimally if there are gaps allowing drafts. Weatherstripping emerges as a cost-effective solution to seal these often overlooked crevices. A small investment in quality weather stripping enhances the longevity of your doors and windows and results in substantial energy savings.

Windows and Doors to Keep Warm

While we often view windows and doors as mere architectural elements, they wield profound influence over your home’s energy dynamics. Windows with poor seals, for example, will create drafts in your home. New windows, especially with double or triple glazing, will help you save money – statistics show triple-glazed windows can save up to 50% on energy bills.

Doors work similarly – well-fitted internal doors keep rooms warm and well-insulated. Visit websites like doorways.co.uk for good examples. It’s these inexpensive changes to make to your home that can save you money on expensive energy bills in the long run.

Energy-Saving Habits for Your Home

floating home, energy saving — Every home should feel like an eco oasis, and it can be done by saving energy. Here’s how it can be done.

It’s not only about what you can add to your home. It’s about what you can do when you’re in it. Consider these practical tips to make your home more energy-conscious:

Mindful Thermostat Control

nest labs google — A smart home thermostat by Nest

Setting your thermostat to lower temperatures during winter and keeping it on constantly is more eco-friendly than turning it on and off. Experts recommend keeping it between 16 and 17 degrees. Programmable thermostats can automate this process.

Lighting Choices Matter

Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs – you won’t notice a difference between them and incandescent bulbs. They last longer and consume significantly less energy.

Unplug Unused Devices

Electronics in standby mode still draw power – standby power is estimated to account for up to 40% of a device’s total power usage. Unplug chargers and devices when not in use to prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Newer appliances are more energy-efficient focused – you’ll notice the energy rating stickers on most if not all, new appliances. They may have a higher upfront cost but lead to long-term savings and reduced energy consumption.

For a more energy-conscious lifestyle, broaden your focus beyond the conventional tips. There are tons of ways that we can be more energy-conscious in the home. In 2024, sustainability and climate change will be a big topic as the earth’s temperature rises each year.

Turkish garbage collectors open library with rescued books

Karin Kloosterman

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January 9, 2024

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Garbage collectors in the Turkish capital have opened a public library comprised entirely of books once destined for the landfills. The library, located in the Çankaya district of Ankara, was founded after sanitation workers started collecting discarded books. — Garbage collectors in Ankara have turned an abandoned brick factory into a community library full of discarded books.

As a daughter of a garbage collector and reseller, and grand-daughter of a garbage dump manager, I am pretty thrilled to find other garbage collectors appreciate the value in things thrown out. Garbage collectors in Ankara, Turkey, see things the same way and have collected books thrown out in the trash and have created an underground library for all the books. They use the library before and after their shifts.

Initially, the books were only for employees and their families to borrow. But as the collection grew and interest spread throughout the community, the library was eventually opened to the public in 2017. Locals now give books directly to the library.

“We started to discuss the idea of creating a library from these books. And when everyone supported it, this project happened,” said Çankaya Mayor Alper Tasdelen, whose local government oversaw the opening of the library.

Downgrade your expectations for solar energy investments in the UK

Energy

Green Prophet

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January 9, 2024

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A perfect storm of inflation, supply chain disruption, spiralling interest rates and delays in connection to the UK’s national grid means that the swathe of solar farms approved and going through planning permission in the UK are likely to be severely delayed or cancelled undermining any hopes of achieving a government target of a fivefold increase to 70GW by 2035.

A new study by Huw Evans, an Energy Consultant and former Head of Global Economics for BG Group suggests that under the current macro-Economic conditions and impasse at obtaining connection to the National Grid, any chance of these solar farms being viable in the near future is negligible.

The UK government has gambled heavily on promoting solar energy to achieve its stated goal to be carbon neutral by 2035, he says.

In his report, Evans goes on to say that despite greatly increased prices offered by the Government in their Contract for Difference (CfD) allocation round, to encourage Renewable Energy, where prices have been increased by 30% for Solar Energy, solar developers will still struggle to make any return on their investment.

That is before you take into any account delays in connecting to the national grid. “The UK Government has vastly underestimated the increasing costs to develop solar farms, where their assumptions suggest the UK can develop Solar Energy cheaper than anywhere else in the world; based on published data, which is clearly unrealistic!” he says.

The UK not ideal for solar power

Within the report, Evans points to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) data that shows that given the UK’s climate, solar energy is within the worst 5% areas in the world to develop solar electricity, as only 10%-11% of the capacity of Solar Farms will ever be generated annually compared to double that in places such as Spain, Australia and parts of the US.

For Grid connection, as of November 2023, there are 1,300 projects that are awaiting connection to the grid which amounts to 400 Giga Watts (GW) of Grid access requirements. Companies applying for Grid access have been told they have to wait 15 years before any electricity they produce can be sold.

New rules issued by The National Grid to alleviate the backlog of connections which effectively are “get on, get back or get out of the energy queue” are in danger of creating thousands of acres of White Elephants, as grid connections continue to be delayed with diggers tearing up the landscape and then being suspended as projects are put on hold pending a grid connection date.

Evans points out that this as already happened in Torquay Devon where diggers have already cleared the site only to be told that Grid connection will be at least 5 years and there are indications that that could slip into the mid 2030s.

He further notes that Centrica have said that approximately 80% of the 300 substations across England and Wales need upgrading and “supergrid transformers are huge bits of kit that weigh several hundred tonnes, and it takes years to install them.

“We’re talking five to eight years for each one of these.”

For projects to progress they will probably need an allocation of a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the auction rounds, which come with a deadline of when the project needs to come on stream, a date from The National Grid to be connected which may or may not be in line with the deadline set by the CfD and provide the investor and financiers with a viable return on their investment which in the current climate is very doubtful.

Captive vultures can rewild and join the flock

Animals

Karin Kloosterman

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January 9, 2024

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Captive vultures can rewild and join the flock

Vulture in captivity, join the flock — Vulture in captivity learns to join the flock with biologist *Ron Efrat*

We know from watching the movie Fly Away Home with Anna Paquin that Canadian geese bred in captivity identify and imprint on the first mother they see. We also learn that Canadian geese can learn to fly with airplanes, and then evetually rewild. True story. Does the Fly Away Home theory really work for all birds?

Bird biologists from Israel say there are two types of experiences affect the behavioral skills of animals: the animal’s environment during its early development but also its acquired experience. The researchers wanted to understand how migration is impacted when captive birds are released and how fast vultures they studied could acquire experience.

The biologists attached two groups of vultures with trackers –– one group was born in the wild, a second group was born in captivity. Could captive birds catch up with their wild counter-parts? The researchers find out the answer is yes, but it takes time.

This news will certain be useful for falconers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where falconry is more than a sport. It’s a way of life. The Saudi prince takes his falcons on their own plane.

Model Omar Borkan Al Gala and his falcon.

The researchers, led by Ron Efrat from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, followed Egyptian vultures during migration, a critical and challenging period for them, and investigated how their flying skills developed by examining their performance using high resolution tracking. Egypt borders Israel in the southern tip.

“We were able to generate data on the vultures’ migration and flying skills. The data made it possible to learn about the value of early experience and acquired experience and their impact on the ability of birds to cope with challenging periods such as migration,” explained Efrat, one of the lead investigators. “It seems that birds, like humans, are also affected by their life experience,” he said.falcon

The flight skills of two groups of birds of the species Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), a long-distance soaring raptor, were assessed using GPS transmitters for autumn migrations of 65 individuals.

The two groups were quite different in terms of their early life experiences: one group was raised in captivity and the other in the wild. The birds in both groups improved their flight and migration performance as they gained experience. However, the improvements observed were most evident for vultures raised in captivity.

During their first migration, the captive-bred birds were less efficient but were able to catch up with the migration performance of those raised in the wild as early as the second migration. Thus, the experience gained helped offset the shortcomings of their early life experience at an early stage.

Just as it is harder for humans to learn a language in old age, the vultures that hatched in captivity and were set free at a later age found it difficult to learn the necessary flying and roaming skills, but eventually caught up with those that learned earlier.

Vultures are being bred in Israel part of a new $7 million USD program to help their population. The plan includes breeding programs, safe nesting zones, feeding stations and the removal of poisoned animal carcasses from their habitats. Bedouin communities in the Negev and Arab farmers in the Wadi Ara area, Galilee have been laying out poison traps to target wolves, jackals and foxes that attack livestock. But the poison bait is inadvertently killing vultures.

The research group in the latest vulture release research includes Prof. Nir Sapir from the University of Haifa, Prof. Thomas Mueller from Frankfurt University, and the Senckenberg Research Center in Germany, and Ohad Hatzofe, Bird Ecologist of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Their findings were published in the journal Current Biology last month.

Are there sustainable options to glass wine bottles?

Food

Karin Kloosterman

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January 9, 2024

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women drinking out of a can — How many oz in a bottle of wine? Time to ask how many in a wooden cask or can?

Would you be happy to pour your friends a glass of wine from a wooden cask or sip your favourite rose from an aluminium can? Are there more sustainable wine drinking options for consumers and will they go for them? This is a questions marketing researchers at an Australian business school are asking.

While alcohol is forbidden in Islam, there is a growing wine market in Mediterranean countries, such as Israel, which is emerging as boutique wine tastemaker. Winemakers in Canada have started using plastic corks which you can still find on European-sold wine (cork is being depleted faster than it grows) and people have gotten used to them. But can drinking habits accept a flask made from wood, from pottery or from terapacks?

Conventional glass wine bottles are the wine industry’s largest source of carbon emissions, with the manufacture of a single bottle generating 1.25kg of carbon dioxide. In total, the production and transport of glass wine bottles make up more than two thirds of the wine industry’s total carbon output. Here are 10 ways to lower your personal carbon footprint, in case you are wondering.

Traditional glass bottles have long been the preferred choice of packaging among wine lovers due to the belief that wine looks and tastes better in glass. While glass bottles have been the wine industry’s go-to for centuries, they are not the most carbon-friendly option available. They are however a better alternative to plastic which does not break down and which probably won’t be recycled. In America only 5% of plastics are actually recycled.

Researchers from the University of South Australia’s Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science and the University of Adelaide’s Business School have explored people’s wine packaging choices, and how attributes such as price, brand, and messaging can influence them.

hipsters at a wine bottling manufacturing site in Brooklyn — Making wine at boutique winery. A sense of purpose. Will custom-made champagne bottles be a thing of the past?

Researcher Jakob Mesidis says previous wine packaging research has largely focused on wine label and closure (cork or screw-top) preferences, but little attention has been paid to the format of the packaging. He says, “We knew that consumers weren’t buying alternatively packaged wine at the same rate they were buying it bottled, so we wanted to know what we should change to motivate them to choose more sustainable options.”

Australia’s main alternative wine packaging formats are the ‘bag-in-box’ (also known as cask wine) and aluminium cans, although new formats, such as flat plastic wine bottles, are gradually entering the market each day. Consumers might also be curious about the effect of plastics and the acidic environment of wine leaving toxins into the final sip.

These alternative formats are up to 51% more carbon efficient than glass, but Mesidis says Australian consumers are resistant when it comes to these more environmentally friendly options. He does not provide data on MENA, European or North American consumers in countries like Canada or France. “There are some underlying prejudices in relation to alternative wine packages as they are seen as the cheaper, low-quality option when compared to glass bottles, which come with a sense of heritage and luxury,” he says.

So, what can the wine industry do to bring consumers on board?

In a survey of 1200 Australians, the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute found that cask wine and flat plastic wine bottles were the most preferred formats after traditional glass bottles. Cans were the least preferred, as they were closely tied to specific occasions, such as drinking outdoors. There was no creative options such as hand-made pottery which could be converted into jars for other purposes, mentioned in the survey.

Street bistro, wine, beer streets of Paris, frites sign — It will be hard to get the French to stop drinking wine from bottles.

Results found that package format was the biggest influence on people’s choices. Price came second, while the importance of brand and eco-messaging varied depending on the respondent’s age and how many eco-friendly behaviours they claimed to engage in.

Alternative wine formats were also typically bought more by younger people. Consumers were found to be more likely to choose alternative wine packaging when it is priced at a mid-to-low price range and if it comes from a well-known, prestigious brand.

“If a smaller, less-known winery’s mission is to grow its brand as much as possible, relying solely on alternatively packaged wines is not the way to go. Most Australians—for the time being—are still going to reach for a glass bottle when they’re at the shops,” Mesidis says.

“Larger, more prestigious brands are likely to see more success with alternatively packaged wine. Ultimately, this research provides wine marketers with a foundation for their low-carbon wine packaging strategies, rather than blindly navigating this relatively new field.

Financial tech startup for agriculture gets $3 million in funding

Green Prophet

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January 8, 2024

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Financial tech startup for agriculture gets $3 million in funding

Maalexi, the UAE-based dynamic risk management platform for SME agri-businesses, announces its completion of a $3 million pre-Series A fund raise. The funding round was led exclusively by Global Ventures – MENA’s leading venture capital firm – which joins existing venture capital investors Rockstart (Amsterdam) and Ankurit Capital (New Delhi).

The proceeds will be deployed by Maalexi for tech development – to enhance its full-stack platform to help SME agri-buyers procure faster, cheaper, and safer from globally placed SME sellers; and to drive customer acquisition – specifically more buyers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and to add sellers from 50+ origin countries.

RedSea farms tomatoes growing — Tomatoes growing at RedSea farms, Saudi Arabia

Maalexi’s platform helps the millions of small agri-businesses active in the $3 trillion USD global, cross-border food trading market. Despite the market growing at 6% CAGR in the last five years – such businesses often suffer from an inability to manage trade risks, and get access to finance.

Maalexi’s technology has embedded risk management tools such as digital contracts, AI enhanced inspections, and blockchain-authenticated documentation – all on a user-friendly web platform. Maalexi’s solution increases participation and automates trade – leading to higher customer revenues, more bankability, and more sustainable enterprises.

Maalexi founders Rohit Majhi (left) and Azam Pasha

Maalexi has grown significantly in 2023 recording a Cumulative Monthly Growth Rate of 60%, adding hundreds of users, and helping SME buyers procure millions of kilograms of food supplies – across 70 products, from 27 countries.

Maalexi’s management team includes two co-founders with stellar backgrounds in supply chain management, technologies, and finance. Azam Pasha, the CEO, has over two decades as a head and senior advisor on food and agricultural supply-chain management and trade finance, and has worked with world-renowned conglomerates in this space. Rohit Majhi, the CTO, has a background in Management Consulting at Deloitte and led the technology function at US-based supply chain startups during his career.

::Maalexi

Afghanistan queen was the first Muslim feminist

Politics

Isabella Hannah

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January 8, 2024

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Queen Soraya Tarzi, Queen of Afghanistan was a voice for feminism

Did you know women in Afghanistan got the right to vote before women in countries like USA, France, Ireland, UK and Sweden? It was one of the first reforms King Amanullah and Queen Soraya put into action, after declaring Afghanistan’s independence in 1919. The young Royal Couple were eager and enthusiastic to build their new nation; a nation where women should be equal to men. With the Queen as Minister of Education; secular schools for girls and boys were built, also a hospital for women in Kabul and a theatre.

A women’s magazine and a women’s organization to protect girls/women from abuse and domestic violence were also founded by Queen Soraya, the Muslim world’s first feminist, who also arranged for young Afghan men and women to take higher education abroad.

Queen Soraya of Afghanistan was the first feminist of the Arab world

The King and Queen gave Afghanistan its first Constitution in 1923; where slavery and child marriage were forbidden. Women should have the right to choose their own husband, so forced marriage was outlawed. Polygamy and use of veil and burka head coverings were discouraged. Afghanistan’s promising start lasted only a decade. The liberal reforms were not received kindly by the ultra-conservative Islamists; who orchestrated a widespread rebellion in 1928. In order to spare the country and people from the horrors of a long civil war; the King abdicated and went into exile with his family in 1929. The picture below is one of their beautiful daughters; Princess Adela.

Princess Adela of Afghanistan, the daughter of Queen Soraya and King Amanullah

Who was Queen Soraya?

Queen Soraya Tarzi of Afghanistan was born on November 24, 1899 in Damascus, Ottoman-ruled Syria and she played a significant role as the Queen of Afghanistan from February 28, 1919, to January 14, 1929. She was the daughter of Asma Rasmiya and Mahmud Tarzi, a prominent intellectual and politician advocating for the modernization of Afghanistan. From the Pashtun Barakzai tribe, Queen Soraya received her education from her forward-thinking father, setting the stage for her future as a trailblazer.

The Tarzi family’s return to Afghanistan coincided with the ascension of Amanullah Khan to the throne in 1919. Amanullah Khan’s father, Amir Habibullah Khan, had called upon Afghan exiles to return to their homeland. It was during this time that Queen Soraya met Amanullah Khan and they were married in 1913. This union marked the beginning of a powerful partnership that would shape the destiny of Afghanistan. Queen Soraya, unlike her predecessors, emerged as a true partner to her husband.

As King Amanullah Khan led the nation through a period of transformation, Soraya stood by his side at various events, from national gatherings to hunting parties and cabinet meetings. Notably, she broke new ground as the first Muslim wife to appear publicly with her husband.

Her influence extended beyond Afghanistan, capturing the attention of the entire Muslim world. In 1928, Queen Soraya received an honorary degree from Oxford University, highlighting her global recognition and the respect she garnered in academic circles. Despite her achievements, the rapid modernization efforts spearheaded by the monarchy faced resistance in more traditional provinces.

Fearing rebellion, King Amanullah Khan made the difficult decision to abdicate, leading the royal family into exile in Rome, Italy. Their last daughter alive, Princess India, daughter of King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya, died at 94 in 2023 in Rome. If you look around a Rome you may find the grand-children of King Amanullah Khan and Queen Soraya.

Princess India, of Afghanistan — Princess India, the youngest daughter of the Afghanistan royal family who died in 2023

Queen Soraya continued her advocacy for women’s rights and education during the exile, remaining a compassionate and dedicated figure. Her efforts, however, were overshadowed by the challenges faced by the modernization initiatives in Afghanistan. The queen passed away at the age of 68 in Rome, leaving behind a legacy of progressive ideals and dedication to her nation.

Today, Queen Soraya Tarzi is remembered as a pioneering queen who played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s journey towards modernization. Her burial in the Bagh-e-Shaheed mausoleum in Jalalabad, alongside King Amanullah Khan, serves as a reminder of their enduring impact on Afghan history.

This is in stark contrast to Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad. Asma al-Assad, from London, England, is known for being the Queen of Captagon.

Inventive Ways to Serve Favorite Dumplings

Recipe

Bhok Thompson

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January 7, 2024

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Gyoza, pierogi, chicken and dumplings can be steamed, baked fried. What’s best is when they are made by hand.

Bursting with flavor, dumplings are comforting and irresistable. But their versatility also allows for inventive reinvention. Experiment with unexpected shapes, fillings, cooking methods or dipping sauces to showcase their adaptability. Garnish with spices or crunchy toppings for extra texture and flavor. Their versatility lends itself to creative customization. Pair dumplings with soups, salads or give them an upgraded twist. Let imagination transform favorite dumplings into exciting new dining experiences.

Exploring Asian Fusion Dumplings

Dumplings have global appeal, with almost every culture having its own version. An interesting idea is creating “fusion” dumplings by pairing elements from different culinary traditions. For example, try classic Chinese siu mai dumplings with a Korean kimchi filling. Or use Japanese gyoza wrappers with Thai basil and lemongrass flavors. The possibilities are endless for fusion dumpling ideas .

Experiment by swapping out traditional dumpling ingredients for unexpected ones from other countries. It opens up endless possibilities for unique creations while taking your taste buds on a world tour, all without leaving the kitchen.

Complementary Side Dishes for Dumplings

When deciding what to serve with dumplings, complementary side dishes can expand the experience. Dumplings may shine as the headliner, but they also appreciate some unexpected company. For instance, robust, fruit-forward non-alcoholic grape juices can beautifully balance beef or chicken dumplings’ rich, savory flavors.

For vegetarian mushroom and cabbage dumplings, think about what to serve with dumplings that complements their earthiness. Consider aromatic non-alcoholic fruit-based juices or sparkling water to provide a refreshing counterpoint. Additionally, spicy Asian dumplings pair well with non-alcoholic ginger beers. With some creative thought about what to serve with dumplings, you can expand your palate and complement the flavors.

Taking Dumpling Soup to the Next Level

Dumplings swimming in tasty broth create a comforting soup. But this humble dish can be elevated into something spectacular. Treat dumpling soup as a canvas for your creativity. For example, make a Japanese-inspired chicken and miso broth with vegetable dumplings. Or, a hearty Turkish lentil soup with hearty chickpea flour dumplings. These are ideal for light and fluffy gluten-free dumplings. The chickpea flour also adds extra protein and fiber to make them a healthier alternative.

The diverse broth and dumpling combinations provide wonderful possibilities to showcase one’s culinary talents. Don’t forget to also add some chickpeas to your soup or as a side for extra plant-based protein. Healthy chickpeas make a satisfying and nutritious snack on their own too. With some creative dumpling fillings and flavorful broths, the possibilities for elevating basic dumpling soup into a spectacular meal are endless.

Inventive Breakfast Dumpling Ideas

Typically reserved for lunch or dinner, dumplings also shine at breakfast. Consider taking classic bacon, egg and cheese combinations and turning them into flavorful breakfast dumplings. Or recreate sweet crepes filled with Nutella and bananas as pocket-sized dessert dumplings, perfect with morning coffee. It’s an inventive way to start the day off deliciously.

Delectable Dessert Dumpling Creations

Venturing into dessert territory, why not incorporate sweet fillings into dumplings? Picture mouthwatering apple cinnamon dumplings, indulgent Nutella and strawberry parcels or even creamy vegan avocado and dark chocolate dumplings. These treats can satisfy any sweet tooth while adding an unexpected finale to a meal. Just remember to adjust dough recipes for a suitably tender, sweetened pastry.

Crafting Creative Dumpling Doughs

Playing with different types of dough opens up more ways to serve dumplings creatively. Consider branching out from basic white flour to explore flavor and texture possibilities from other grain and starch sources.

Alternative Grain Doughs

Interesting alternatives like buckwheat, rice, millet or quinoa flours lend earthy, nutty flavors to dumpling wrappers. Mixing in a portion of these nutritious whole grains creates more complex doughs.

Vibrant Vegetable-Infused Doughs

For colorful and healthy doughs packed with extra nutrients and fiber, try mixing in vegetable purees. Options like carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, beet or spinach not only visually jazz up dumplings but also impart subtle flavors.

Starch-Based Doughs

In place of wheat, get creative with starchy root vegetables as the base. Try creamy potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams, the tender insides of cassava or taro root, or starchy green plantains to craft gluten-free dumpling skins.

Inventive Dipping Sauces for Dumplings

Don’t underestimate the importance of creative dipping sauces. Go beyond conventional soy sauce to truly elevate the experience. For example, combine smoky chipotle with fresh lime and honey to add zip to vegetable dumplings. Or try a garlicky pomegranate molasses sauce contrasting richly filled meat dumplings. With balanced and unique dips, each dumpling bite becomes a flavor adventure.

Baked Dumpling Inspirations

Instead of boiling or frying, try baking dumplings for a crispy, delightful texture without excess oil. Baking unlocks amazing possibilities – from Moroccan chicken stuffed pastillas to baked tofu veggie dumplings. Even sweet apple caramel or blueberry turnovers work wonderfully. There are nearly limitless baked dumpling options for creative cooks.

Spicing Up Dumplings

Adding spice transforms dumplings’ flavor while upping the excitement factor. Balance is key when spicing up fillings. Fiery Kashmiri lamb dumplings or zesty jalapeno and cheese combinations enhance flavor without overpowering. For milder yet flavorful options, try Turkish inspired spinach and feta dumplings with a hint of Aleppo pepper. Thoughtfully spiced dumplings provide an impressive culinary experience.

Global Dumpling Inspiration

Ethnic and cultural variations provide endless inspiration for reinventing dumplings. Infuse flavors, ingredients and techniques from around the globe to put unique twists on this comfort food favorite.

Eastern European Fillings

Eastern European cuisine offers hearty meat and vegetable combos that translate deliciously into dumplings. Try mashed potato and sauerkraut pierogies or tender cabbage stuffed Ukrainian varenyky.

Latin Dumplings

The flavors of Central and South America can be used to liven up dumplings. Imagine empanada-inspired Latin American dumplings with fillings like spiced chicken, sweet plantains or cheesy corn.

Middle Eastern Inspired

For fluffy, doughy dumplings, look to the Middle East. Stuff flatbreads like pita or lavash with lemmajun-style spiced meat or za’atar seasoned vegetables before tightly sealing and cooking to fluffy perfection.

Gourmet Dumpling and Pairing Ideas

Transform simple dumplings into elegant starters by incorporating gourmet beef, chicken or lamb fillings like oregano and tomato seasoned lamb or even za’atar spiced chicken. Accompany such extravagant appetizer dumplings with non-alcoholic sparkling juices or fine teas to impress guest’s palates. Top seafood or vegetable dumplings with sesame or poppy seeds for an exquisite, upscale bite.

Seasonal Dumpling Inspirations

Cooking dumplings with seasonal ingredients keeps flavors fresh and dynamic year-round. Hearty beef and garlic or lamb and rosemary dumplings suit winter while spring’s fresh produce like spinach and asparagus make excellent fillings. Come summer, opt for lighter shrimp and zucchini or tomato and basil variants. Regardless of season, nature offers abundance for creating flavor-packed dumplings.

Shaping Artistic Dumplings

The shaping process offers opportunities for additional creativity. Play with different folding techniques, aesthetic touches or twists on traditional shapes to make dumplings into edible art.

Complex Folds

Elaborate folding patterns like pleats, fans or flowers take some practice but yield stunning results that make dumplings look impressive.

Embellished Designs

Add visual flair by topping dumplings with herb sprigs, crushed color-popping spice blends, grated vegetables or even edible flowers before serving.

Inventive Forms and Shapes

Venture beyond rounds or crescents by crafting dumpling shapes like flowers, animals, hearts or miniature baskets. Let your imagination guide the shaping process.

The Final Dip

Dumplings’ delightful pouches brim with potential for culinary exploration. Whether blending global flavors or textures, transforming them into breakfast items or desserts, baking them into casseroles or incorporating gourmet ingredients – the possibilities are endless. By blending tradition with innovation, favorite dumplings can be reinvented into evolving flavor celebrations.

If he smells your tears, he will be more compassionate

Lifestyle

Karin Kloosterman

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January 7, 2024

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Gaza woman with braces crying

All land mammals have tear glands in their eyes, but the human tearing experience was until recently considered unique. After all, we are the only animal to shed a tear while watching Beaches. Now a new Weizmann Institute of Science study reveals that human tears have much more in common with those of other animals than previously thought: They contain chemicals that reduce aggression in others, as do the tears of, for example, mice and blind mole rats. The study, published today in PLOS Biology, showed that sniffing women’s tears lowered brain activity related to aggression in men, reducing aggressive behavior.

The study addressed the long-standing mystery of why we cry. Charles Darwin was puzzled by emotional tearing, which appeared to have no useful function – beyond the role that tears play in lubricating the eye – so he concluded that such tearing must have evolved in humans by chance. Since then, however, numerous studies, particularly in rodents, have shown that mammalian tears contain chemicals serving as social signals that can be emitted on demand. One of their most common purposes is to reduce aggression. The tear liquid of female mice, for example, contains chemicals that affect aggression networks in the brain, thereby reducing fighting among male mice. Subordinate males of blind mole rats smear themselves in tears to reduce the dominant male’s aggressive behavior toward them.

Prof. Noam Sobel and Shani Agron

Prof. Noam Sobel, whose lab in Weizmann’s Brain Sciences Department studies olfaction, the sense of smell, has hypothesized that human tears also contain chemicals that serve as social signals. Back in 2011, in research published in Science, his team had shown that sniffing women’s emotional tears reduced testosterone levels in men, resulting in somewhat diminished levels of sexual arousal.

In the new study, researchers led by PhD student Shani Agron from Sobel’s lab wanted to determine whether tears have the same aggression-blocking affect in people as they do in rodents. In a series of experiments, men were exposed to either women’s emotional tears or saline, without knowing what they were sniffing and without being able to distinguish between the two, since both are odorless. Next, they played a two-person game. The game was designed to elicit aggressive behavior in one player toward the other player, who the men were led to believe was cheating. When given the opportunity, the men could get revenge on the other players by causing them to lose money, though they themselves gained nothing.

“We’ve shown that tears activate olfactory receptors and that they alter aggression-related brain circuits, significantly reducing aggressive behavior”

After the men sniffed women’s emotional tears, their revenge-seeking aggressive behavior during the game dropped by about 44 percent – that is, nearly in half.

This seemed equivalent to the effect observed in rodents, but rodents have a structure in their noses called the vomeronasal organ, which picks up the social chemical signals. Humans don’t have this organ, so how do they sense the social chemicals? To find an answer, the researchers applied the tears to 62 human olfactory receptors in a laboratory dish and found that four of these receptors were activated by the tears, even though tears are odorless.

Furthermore, the researchers repeated the experiments while examining the men’s brains in an MRI scanner. Functional imaging showed that two aggression-related brain regions – the prefrontal cortex and the anterior insula – were less active when the men were sniffing the tears. The greater the difference in this brain activity between saline and tears, the less often the player took revenge during the game.

In each experiment, the researchers used nearly 1.5 ml of tears per participant. The entire study required more than 160 ml of emotional tears. They were collected in about 125 donation sessions from 6 female volunteers in their 20s, who were selected for their ability to cry easily.

“We’ve shown that tears activate olfactory receptors and that they alter aggression-related brain circuits, significantly reducing aggressive behavior,” Sobel says. “These findings suggest that tears are a chemical blanket offering protection against aggression – and that this effect is common to rodents and humans, and perhaps to other mammals as well.”

In fact, recent studies have found that dogs also shed emotional tears. However, more research is needed to determine whether these tears contain chemical signals that can be picked up by other dogs or by humans.

As for social interactions among humans, future research will explore whether the new study’s findings apply to women. “When we looked for volunteers who could donate tears, we found mostly women, because for them it’s much more socially acceptable to cry,” Agron says. “We knew that sniffing tears lowers testosterone, and that lowering testosterone has a greater effect on aggression in men than in women, so we began by studying the impact of tears on men because this gave us higher chances of seeing an effect. Now, however, we must extend this research to include women, to obtain a fuller picture of this impact.”

Agron adds that this effect is likely to gain in importance when verbal communication is impossible, for example in interactions with babies: “Infants can’t talk, so for them relying on chemical signals to protect themselves against aggression can be critical.”

The study was conducted in collaboration with Prof. Hiroaki Matsunami of Duke University School of Medicine, whose former postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Claire A. de March, led the research together with Agron. Study participants also included Reut Weissgross, Dr. Eva Mishor, Lior Gorodisky and Dr. Tali Weiss of Weizmann’s Brain Sciences Department, and Dr. Edna Furman-Haran of Weizmann’s Life Sciences Core Facilities Department.

Who was Mária Telkes, the solar energy Sun Queen?

Energy

Karin Kloosterman

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January 7, 2024

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Who was Mária Telkes, the solar energy Sun Queen?

Mária Telkes, a solar energy pioneer. The Hungarian-American biophysicist and inventor Mária Telkes pioneered solar energy by inventing a solar oven, a solar desalination kit and, in the late 1940s, she helped design one of the first solar-heated houses.

Mária Telkes, born on December 12, 1900, in Budapest, Hungary, emerged as a solar energy pioneer long before the world would turn to renewable energy. She invented a solar oven, a solar desalination kit and, in the late 1940s, she helped design one of the first solar-heated houses. She is known as the Sun Queen.

Telkes, who came from a Jewish family that converted to Christianity, studied at the University of Budapest and then later in Switzerland at the University of Geneva where she mastered chemistry and physics, and earned a Ph.D. in 1924.

In 1925, while visiting her uncle in Cleveland, USA, she worked along the renowned surgeon George Washington Crile who performed the first successful blood transfusion.

Telkes dedicated the next 12 years of her life to researching the energy changes cells undergo during death or cancer, resulting in the publication of their findings in a collaborative book.

Upon becoming an American in 1937, Telkes joined Westinghouse Electric, where her focus shifted towards solar energy in 1939 upon becoming a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Solar Energy Conversion project.

As the world grappled with the Second World War, Telkes was enlisted by the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD), which worked on the Manhattan Project. Her task was to leverage solar energy to transform salty water into drinkable water, addressing the critical issue of dehydration faced by soldiers at sea.

Maria Telkes invention so soldiers could drink water at sea — Maria Telkes solar energy invention so soldiers could drink water at sea

In response, Telkes invented the first solar water distillation device, capable of producing one liter of drinkable water per day using seawater. This innovation quickly became a standard component in every soldier’s pack, earning her a merit from OSRD for her invaluable contribution.

Maria Telkes saltwater sea solar energy paper — Maria Telkes dscribed the science of solar desalination in this paper from 1953

However, Telkes’ most renowned invention was the creation of the first solar house in 1948, the Dover Sun House, near Boston, designed by Eleanor Raymond and tested by the Némethy family, Telkes’ relatives.

Maria Telkes and the Dover Sun House image — Maria Telkes and the Dover Sun House. The large windows faced the sun and collected heat and stored the energy in salts. Dover Sun House was one of the world’s first solar-heated houses. It was designed by architect Eleanor Raymond and had a heating system developed by physicist Mária Telkes. Client Amelia Peabody made it noteworthy for being “exclusively a feminine project.”

To tackle the challenge of storing solar energy for use on cloudy days, Telkes ingeniously employed a glauber salt solution (natrium sulfuricium) with a low melting point (32 °C) and high enthalpy of fusion, capable of storing solar energy for up to ten days.

Despite initial challenges – the unusually cold winter of 1948 and subsequent leakage in the solution tanks in 1953 – the solar house laid the groundwork for the acceptance of solar energy as a viable heating source.

“It was a proof of premise, a radical idea for her to be thinking that broadly and to think that far ahead and actually create a liveable house as an experiment,” says Andrew Nemethy, who was a boy who lived in the Dover Sun House growing up. “She needed astronauts, and I guess we were the lucky ones,” he said in a PBS documentary.

This marked a significant shift, considering that sustainable development was not yet a recognized term. People began incorporating solar panels into house designs, often complemented by traditional heating systems in areas with insufficient sunny days.

The Dover Sun House was demolished in 2010. A PBS documentary explores the contribution of Telkers and the Dover Sun House that would be heated only by the sun in a New England winter.

Maria Telkes outside the Dover Sun House in the PBS documentary about the Dover Sun House.

Telkes received the Society of Women Engineers Award in 1952, earning the moniker “The Sun Queen” in the United States.

In 1953, when Telkes was at New York University, she received a Ford Foundation grant to develop a solar stove that could be used in developing countries. Like the designs previous, she took a simple approach.

The stove was constructed as an insulated metal box equipped with doors on both ends, topped with glass over the food placement area. Harnessing the sun’s rays, the glass amplified their intensity, aided by four metal plates strategically angled at 60 degrees.

Triangular mirrors positioned between the plates further enhanced the amplification of solar wavelengths. Remarkably, the stove could reach temperatures of 400 degrees, requiring no specialized materials for its construction and boasting an affordable price tag of merely four dollars.

Maria Telkes and her solar cooker invention — Dr. Maria Telkes, “world’s most famous woman inventor in solar energy,” speaks with Dr. J.E. Hobson (left) and Thomas K. Hitch.

Its user-friendly design (you can download the instructions here) found a welcoming market in midcentury India, precisely the tropical climate its inventor had envisioned. Telkes enthusiastically praised its merits to a reporter during a cooking demonstration, expressing, “Everything seems to taste so much better when it is cooked by the sun.”

In 1977, the American Solar Energy Society honored her with the Charles Greeley Abbot Award. At the age of 90 in 1990, Telkes submitted her last invention, leaving an indelible mark on the field.

Returning to her hometown, Budapest, after 70 years, Telkes passed away on December 2, 1995, at the age of 94. In recognition of her unparalleled contributions, she was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2012, alongside physicist Dénes Gábor.

Mária Telkes’ legacy endures as an inspiration for future innovators and a testament to the transformative power of solar energy in shaping a sustainable future.

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Complementary Side Dishes for Dumplings

Taking Dumpling Soup to the Next Level

Inventive Breakfast Dumpling Ideas

Delectable Dessert Dumpling Creations

Crafting Creative Dumpling Doughs

Alternative Grain Doughs

Vibrant Vegetable-Infused Doughs

Starch-Based Doughs

Inventive Dipping Sauces for Dumplings

Baked Dumpling Inspirations

Spicing Up Dumplings

Global Dumpling Inspiration

Eastern European Fillings

Latin Dumplings

Middle Eastern Inspired

Gourmet Dumpling and Pairing Ideas

Seasonal Dumpling Inspirations

Shaping Artistic Dumplings

Complex Folds

Embellished Designs

Inventive Forms and Shapes

The Final Dip

“We’ve shown that tears activate olfactory receptors and that they alter aggression-related brain circuits, significantly reducing aggressive behavior”

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