An unusual filing by Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be an attempt to further take over the campaign of Democrats' former 2024 ballot header, President Joe Biden. In another twist, the unprecedented move seems to have resulted in the FEC recognizing two presidential candidates named "Kamala Harris." Whoops? The...

Star athletes often face relentless scrutiny, especially if they happen to exhibit a degree of eccentricity. History has shown, however, that sports fans will forgive or even embrace the eccentricity provided the star athlete performs. In a brief viral clip that NFL reporter Dov Kleiman posted Wednesday to the social...

Score a win for free speech thanks to the efforts of Elon Musk's X, Rumble and the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee among others. Business Insider reported Thursday that the advertising trade group The World Federation of Advertisers told its member that it would be discontinuing its Global Alliance for Responsible...

When megabillionaire Elon Musk drove a global advertising activist group out of business this week, he was putting Donald Trump's tactics into practice. And both men are teaching a lesson to conservatives everywhere: When the right goes on the offensive, the left flees the field. In the Musk case, the...

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is tightening up Virginia's voting procedures. Cue the raging leftists. The Virginia Republican issued an executive order mandating paper ballots and other protocols meant to ensure free and fair elections in time for the 2024 presidential election. "Today, we issued Executive Order 35, codifying our administration’s model...

August 09, 2024

Even nine years after his death, Motörhead frontman Lemmy remains one of rock’s greatest and funniest icons

Nothing will happen to these inciters of violence. But when a British politician calls for the arrest of Muslim rioters in the streets for chanting “Allahu Akbar,” he gets condemned by Muslims and Brits alike. They literally are telling Jews that the “army of Islam  is returning in order to kill them for being Non-Muslims, […]

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If you’ve been savoring the fruits (or vegetables) of your spring and early summer gardening, you understand the satisfaction of homegrown produce. Don’t let the gardening season finish just yet. According to skilled gardeners, August is a good time to plant a variety of veggies that will thrive in the upcoming cooler months. Here’s a detailed guide to help you continue your gardening experience with seven crops that are ideal for planting in August. Why August is ideal for planting Gary Pilarchik, author of Grow an Edible Landscape, highlights the advantages of late-summer planting. “The best thing about planting vegetables in August is that almost everything can be direct seeded into the soil,” he says. “This is the most inexpensive way to grow plants for food. The warmth of the soil and the heat of the summer helps to speed up germination and early plant growth.” Important tips for direct sowing Pilarchik recommends having a good supply of water during the beginning phases. “The top 2 inches of soil can heat up to 100°F during summer days. Watering every day for 10-14 days ensures the plants will germinate, not ‘burn’ up, and establish deeper roots.” Following this period, he suggests modifying watering frequency according to the weather. Summer squashes, cucumbers, and beans Many gardeners may think it is too late to grow summer squash, cucumbers, and beans, which are generally planted in May and June. However, Pilarchik promises that if your area does not get frost until October, there is still plenty of time. “Many summer squash and zucchini will mature 35 days after germination. Cucumbers and beans can be ready in as little as 45 days.” Pilarchik also recommends growing zucchini and cucumbers several times over the summer to combat pests and diseases. “Early plants are often killed by pests and diseases or the high heat of summer. Successive planting is often more successful because the life cycle of pests and diseases have passed.” Vegetables to plant in August 1. Zucchini Zucchini grows best in broad sunlight and well-drained, organic-rich soil. The Seed Collection recommends spreading zucchini seeds 4/5 inches deep and 20-24 inches apart. Maintain moisture without overwatering. “Water the plants in the early morning or late afternoon to prevent fungal diseases,” Pilarchik says. Planting Zone: 3–11 2: Cucumber Cucumbers demand full sunlight and well-drained soil. Sow seeds 2/5 inch deep, 16-24 inches apart. Germination usually takes 4-10 days. Keep the soil wet but not saturated. Planting Zone: 4–11 3: Carrots Carrots thrive in well-drained, sandy soil. Sally Allsopp, founder of All That Grows, advises, “Water your carrot bed regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.” Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding. Planting zone: 4-8 4. Beets Beets grow quickly and can be planted for a fall harvest. Sow seeds approximately 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Thin seedlings after they have developed their first set of leaves. Planting zone: 2–10 5: Lettuce Lettuce grows quickly and is great for staggered planting. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, 8-12 inches apart. To promote seed germination, make sure the soil is fine and granular. Planting zone: 4–9 6. Kale Kale is a sturdy vegetable that needs direct sunlight and well-drained soil. Sow seeds ½ inch deep and 16-24 inches apart. Water weekly and mulch to keep the soil moist. Planting zone: 7–9 7. Peas Peas flourish in cooler climates. Plant them 70–90 days before the first frost. Pilarchik suggests using a shade cloth to protect young seedlings from the summer sun. Planting zone: 3–11 More tips for a successful August garden Using shade cloth can greatly boost germination and growth. “A shade cloth will keep the soil and plant roots cooler during August, and cooler roots mean better growth,” according to Pilarchik. When temperatures approach 90°F, shade cloths can be especially useful. Experiment with planting times and keep notes to improve your strategy each year. “The best way to figure out when to plant these crops in August is to give it a try and take notes,” Pilarchik says. This trial-and-error strategy can help you adjust your gardening schedule for higher harvests in the future. Experience the joy of gardening With these professional recommendations and a variety of veggies to plant, August may be a productive month for gardeners. “August for me is like starting a new summer and fall garden at the same time,” Pilarchik says. So, grab your gardening tools and reap the benefits of growing your own produce far into the fall.The post 7 vegetables to grow in August for a successful fall harvest first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the need for rechargeable technology—from smartphones to electric vehicles—increases, so does the demand for lithium. This rare element fuels much of our contemporary world, and this means efficient recovery from spent batteries is becoming increasingly important. Fortunately, Rice University researchers have found a game-changing approach for lithium recycling. Lithium: the essential element Lithium plays a vital function in energy storage. This lightweight element, capable of storing enormous energy, powers the ever-expanding $65 billion lithium-ion battery business, which is expected to rise by 23 percent over the next eight years. However, mining lithium is inextricably linked with environmental degradation and geopolitical tensions, with experts forecasting a supply shortage by 2030. Given these issues, the attention has switched to more sustainable solutions, such as developing alternatives to lithium-based batteries or improving recycling technologies. Traditional lithium recycling practices, however, are notoriously ineffective, recovering less than five percent of the lithium while requiring harsh chemicals. Rice University’s innovative method provides an appealing alternative. The microwave solution At the heart of the new approach is the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES), which are environmentally friendly liquids capable of precipitating metals from solutions. “The recovery rate is so low because lithium is usually precipitated last after all other metals,” says Salma Alhashim, a Rice PhD alumnus and one of the study’s lead authors. “Our goal was to figure out how we can target lithium specifically.” The researchers utilized a DES composed of choline chloride and ethylene glycol, which encapsulates lithium ions and leaches them into the solution. Traditional procedures involve heating compounds in an oil bath, which is slow and can degrade the lithium. The creative solution? Using microwaves instead. Lightning-fast lithium recovery Microwaves transformed the process, cutting recovery time from 12 hours to 15 minutes and obtaining an 87 percent lithium recovery rate. “Using microwave radiation for this process is akin to how a kitchen microwave heats food quickly,” says Sohini Bhattacharyya, a lead author and postdoctoral fellow. “The energy is transferred directly to the molecules, making the reaction occur much faster than conventional heating methods.” This approach not only speeds up lithium recovery but also allows for the selective targeting of lithium over other metals. By adjusting the DES composition, the process can be employed to extract other important metals such as cobalt or nickel from obsolete batteries. Environmental and economic benefits Pulickel Ajayan, the corresponding author and Rice’s head of materials science and nanoengineering emphasizes the environmental benefits. “This method not only enhances the recovery rate but also minimizes environmental impact, making it a promising step toward deploying DES-based recycling systems at scale for selective metal recovery.” This groundbreaking study, which appears in Advanced Functional Materials, represents a huge advancement in sustainable technology. The Rice University team’s revolutionary approach to lithium recycling provides a speedier, more efficient, and ecologically responsible alternative, opening the way for a more sustainable energy storage future. Source study: Advanced Functional Materials—Microwave assisted ultrafast, selective lithium extraction in deep eutectic solvent for LIB cathode recyclingThe post Microwave magic redefines lithium recovery in batteries first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.