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Thousands of businesses will fail to meet pledges to combat climate change unless they start training employees on sustainability, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith told Reuters. Speaking ahead of a report the software maker released Wednesday, Smith said common instruction on issues like carbon accounting was too piecemeal for the roughly 3,900 companies that have vowed to cut their CO2 emissions. “We have to move very quickly to start to bring our emissions down, and the ultimate bottleneck is the supply of skilled people,” he said.

Microsoft sells software for organizations to track their environmental impact. Still, companies need more than technology to address global warming, said Smith, announcing plans to develop green education materials including on LinkedIn, which Microsoft owns.

Wednesday’s study, by Microsoft and Boston Consulting, found that many corporate environmental leaders – 68 percent – were internal hires whose team members lacked sustainability-related degrees more often than not. The findings primarily stemmed from interviews and surveys with Microsoft and eight other large companies in sectors such as finance and consumer goods.

It took one Microsoft employee, for instance, more than 30 years at the company moving through customer-support, procurement and other roles before a promotion to lead part of its sustainability team – a time horizon the report contrasted with an expected 11 years before humanity will have released a dire amount of carbon dioxide.

While Microsoft itself has grown its sustainability headcount to about 250 employees from only 30 largely in the past three years, having the right workforce to deliver on its carbon-reduction goals remains a challenge, Smith said.

“That is in part an issue for us because it’s an issue for everybody,” he said. “Employers really need to step back and take a broader look at their investment in employee learning and training.”

Companies should bring in instructors, pay for continuing education and convene on carbon-reduction strategies, he said.

© Thomson Reuters 2022

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First-Ever Female Burial With Weapons Uncovered in Hungary

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January 4, 2025

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First-Ever Female Burial With Weapons Uncovered in Hungary

The first confirmed case of a female burial with weapons from the 10th century in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary, has been uncovered. Skeletal remains and grave goods, including weaponry, were identified at the Sárrétudvari-Hízóföld cemetery. This discovery, described by experts, challenges prior assumptions about societal roles during the Hungarian Conquest period, a time marked by mounted archers and frequent conflicts. Although evidence of weapons was present, researchers approached conclusions cautiously, ensuring findings were grounded in detailed analysis.

Archaeological Findings and Methodology

The study was led by Dr. Balázs Tihanyi and his colleagues, published in PLOS ONE. As reported by Phys.org, the burial contained a silver penannular hair ring, bell buttons, a bead necklace, and archery-related items such as an arrowhead, quiver parts, and an antler bow plate. Genetic and morphological tests confirmed the individual, referred to as SH-63, was female, despite the poor preservation of skeletal remains.

Dr. Balázs Tihanyi, leader of the research team, told the publication that the combination of grave goods in SH-63’s burial was unique within the cemetery, blending typically male and female items.

Challenges in Determining Warrior Status

The presence of weapons did not lead to assumptions about SH-63’s status as a warrior. Researchers noted that being part of a warrior class involved specific societal roles, and physical evidence alone is insufficient for confirmation.

Indicators such as joint changes and trauma were identified, possibly suggesting activities like horse riding or weapon use. However, it was emphasised that these signs could also result from daily life unrelated to warfare.

Historical Implications

It was reported that this discovery provides a glimpse into the complexity of life in 10th-century Hungary, with SH-63’s burial raising questions about gender roles and social structures of the time. Further investigations are planned to compare this case with others from the same period, aiming to deepen understanding of the era’s societal dynamics.

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JUNO Neutrino Detector Nears Completion, Set to Begin Operations in 2025

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January 4, 2025

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JUNO Neutrino Detector Nears Completion, Set to Begin Operations in 2025

Physicists are finalising the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a facility designed to unravel the mysteries surrounding neutrinos, subatomic particles with no electric charge and minimal mass. Scheduled to commence data collection in summer 2025, the observatory aims to identify the heaviest among the three neutrino types. Situated 700 metres beneath the ground in China, the project represents a significant step in the study of these elusive particles and their antiparticle counterparts, antineutrinos.

Key Features of the JUNO Detector

According to a Science News report, the observatory features a 35-metre-wide acrylic sphere at its core, which will hold 20,000 metric tons of liquid scintillator. This liquid is engineered to emit light when particles from an antineutrino interaction are detected. The setup includes tens of thousands of photomultiplier tubes to capture these light signals. To minimise interference from other particles, the detector is surrounded by a water-filled cylindrical pit, the filling of which began on December 18, 2024.

Focus on Antineutrinos

Antineutrinos from two nuclear power plants located 50 kilometres away will be observed, offering insights into their properties and interactions. According to project sources, this experimental setup will not only aid in determining neutrino masses but also contribute to broader physics research, including the understanding of matter-antimatter asymmetry.

Significance of JUNO

Reports indicate that this observatory will be the largest of its kind globally, with scientists expecting groundbreaking findings. By investigating antineutrinos in detail, JUNO is anticipated to enhance understanding of subatomic physics and the fundamental structure of the universe.

The collaborative efforts of international teams underscore the importance of the project in advancing neutrino research. This facility marks a major advancement in the quest to uncover the properties of neutrinos, with its findings expected to have far-reaching implications in the field of particle physics.

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Tristan Da Cunha: The Earth’s Most Remote Inhabited Island

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January 4, 2025

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Tristan Da Cunha: The Earth's Most Remote Inhabited Island

Tristan da Cunha, a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, is renowned for being the most isolated inhabited location on the planet. This British Overseas Territory houses a farming community of approximately 250 people on its only populated island, Tristan da Cunha. The settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, is surrounded by rugged landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity, providing a unique environment for both its residents and visiting researchers. The archipelago is situated over 1,500 miles southwest of St. Helena and stretches across vast expanses of the Atlantic.

Formation Through Ancient Geological Processes

According to a BBC report, the islands were formed millions of years ago due to volcanic activity linked to the breakup of Gondwana, an ancient supercontinent. The hotspot now referred to as the Walvis Ridge Hotspot is believed to have played a significant role in this process. As tectonic plates shifted, magma from deep within Earth’s mantle created these volcanic islands.

The main island, characterised by Queen Mary’s Peak, features a striking central crater containing a heart-shaped lake. This natural feature freezes in winter and thaws during summer, attracting adventurous hikers seeking its summit.

Biodiversity and Accessibility

A Live Science report highlight that the region is a haven for wildlife, including seals, northern rockhopper penguins, and albatrosses. Despite its rich ecosystem, reaching Tristan da Cunha is challenging, requiring a six-day boat journey from South Africa. This isolation has shaped the lives of its inhabitants, who primarily rely on farming for sustenance.

Volcanic Legacy and Extinct Peaks

As per reports, Tristan da Cunha and its neighbouring islands were shaped by volcanic eruptions along the ocean floor. These volcanoes, fed by magma plumes, gradually became inactive as tectonic movement carried them away from the hotspot. Each island in the archipelago represents a distinct phase of this geological evolution, forming a snapshot of Earth’s dynamic history.

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