Several European nations—including the UK, France, and Sweden—are already in a “pre-civil war state” and may have crossed the point of no return, according to one of the world’s leading experts on modern conflict. David [...] The post UK, France, Sweden Are in ‘Pre-CIVIL WAR’ State, Warns Professor of War—’Past The Point of No Return’ appeared first on The People's Voice.

A judge has indicated that he is "likely" to reject the eleventh-hour attempt to postpone Bryan Kohberger’s murder trial.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world drowning in plastic, scientists in Japan may have found a lifeline. Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo have developed a new type of plastic that can dissolve in seawater within hours without leaving a trace. While biodegradable plastics have been around for a while, this new material stands out for how quickly it breaks down and how little it leaves behind. In a lab demonstration in Wako city, just outside Tokyo, a small piece of the plastic disappeared after being stirred in salt water for about an hour. Not your average plastic Project lead Takuzo Aida said the material is as strong as petroleum-based plastics but degrades rapidly in seawater and soil. Even better, it’s non-toxic, non-flammable, and doesn’t release carbon dioxide when it breaks down. What happens when it dissolves? According to Aida, the material breaks down into its original components, which can then be digested by naturally occurring bacteria. This process prevents the creation of microplastics: tiny, persistent particles that can harm marine life and creep into the food chain. And it’s not just seawater that breaks it down. Salt in the soil can also do the trick. A piece about five centimeters in size will disintegrate on land after roughly 200 hours. From ocean saver to shelf staple? While the research is still in its early days, interest is already bubbling up, especially from the packaging industry. Aida and his team are now focused on refining coating methods that allow the material to be used like traditional plastic while preserving its quick-dissolving magic. The team hasn’t yet announced commercial plans, but this innovation comes at a critical time. The UN Environment Programme predicts plastic pollution will triple by 2040, potentially adding 23 to 37 million metric tons of plastic waste to the oceans each year. “Children cannot choose the planet they will live on,” Aida said. “It is our duty as scientists to ensure that we leave them with the best possible environment.” The big picture This new plastic may not be a silver bullet, but it could be a powerful piece of the solution puzzle. By designing materials that work with nature rather than against it, scientists are showing that the future doesn’t have to be plastic-wrapped. Source study: Science— Mechanically strong yet metabolizable supramolecular plastics by desalting upon phase separationThe post A splash of good news for oceans: new plastic dissolves in seawater in just hours first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Smoking in America is steadily declining, and young adults are at the forefront of this health transformation. A recent study by scientists at the University of California San Diego shows that younger generations are quitting cigarettes faster than ever before, especially in states where smoking rates were once highest. The data signals a turning point in a decades-long public health battle. A generational divide Published in JAMA Network Open, the study draws on data from the Tobacco Use Supplements to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. Researchers analyzed responses from 1.77 million people between June and October 2024. According to this research, while cigarette use is down across all age groups, the difference in pace is striking: younger adults are ditching smoking rapidly, while those over 50 continue to quit at a much slower rate. “The rapid decline in smoking among young adults is clear evidence that the smoking epidemic will come to an end in our lifetime,” said lead author Dr. Matthew Stone, assistant professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health. Indeed, researchers project that national smoking prevalence could drop below five percent by 2035. Still, the slow progress among older adults, especially in states that historically had high smoking rates, means that smoking-related diseases like lung cancer and heart disease will take longer to decline. Where we’ve been and where we’re going America’s smoking story has changed dramatically. In 1955, nearly 57 percent of U.S. adults smoked. By 2000, that number had dropped by more than half. In 2022, it halved again. If today’s trends continue, the country is on track to reach fewer than five percent smokers by 2035. Another powerful takeaway? The states that saw the sharpest reductions in smoking have also experienced the greatest decreases in lung cancer deaths, though often with a 16-year delay. One concern fades, another emerges While the drop in cigarette use is encouraging, researchers caution that another threat is gaining ground. “The ongoing decline in cigarette smoking is a major public health success story,” said study co-author Dr. John P. Pierce. “Recent evidence suggests that the tobacco industry has successfully recruited a new generation of teenagers into e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction.” That rise in vaping, especially among teens, raises new challenges for public health experts. Even as smoking becomes less common among young adults, today’s teenagers could be facing a different kind of addiction. A smoke-free future Decades of hard work through education, policy, and support programs have dramatically reshaped smoking habits. But to continue this momentum, it’s essential to: Accelerate cessation efforts for older adults Stay ahead of the vaping trend Adapt public health strategies for shifting tobacco landscapes The future, however, looks bright. As younger generations continue to turn away from cigarettes, researchers and policymakers have a hopeful opportunity to ensure a healthier, smoke-free tomorrow. Source study: JAMA Network Open— State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projectionsThe post Young adults are the driving force behind hopeful future for a smoke-free America first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'I said 'Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first, you can worry about this later''