Latest news with #Stanford
Axios
27 minutes ago
- Business
- Axios
Climate poses big threat to crop production, new study says
Adaptation can't outrun climate change, and rich farming nations — including the U.S. — face jeopardy despite their resources, according to a major new paper on global warming and crop production. Why it matters: It's the first look at climate effects on staple crops to weigh farmers' "real-world adaptation measures" and fold them into projections of future damage, a summary states. The Nature paper projects losses for all staples analyzed except rice, though there's lots of regional variation. The big picture: The paper estimates that for every 1°C of temperature rise, global food production capacity falls by 120 calories per day per person. "If the climate warms by 3 degrees, that's basically like everyone on the planet giving up breakfast," said co-author Solomon Hsiang, a Stanford environmental policy professor, in a statement. Hot and relatively low-income regions are showing more adaptation to date than wealthier breadbaskets in more moderate climates. That's one reason future risks are so high. State of play: The authors analyze over 12,600 regions in 54 countries, looking at six staple crops — corn, soybeans, rice, wheat, cassava and sorghum. It's "one of the most comprehensive samples of subnational crop yields ever assembled," the study states. It sees future gains in some areas, but declines on a global basis for most crops. Threat level: One reason for the conclusions? Realism. A clear-eyed look at how farming evolves is needed, the paper states, comparing its work to prior models that assume optimal responses. In reality, financial constraints, market failures, human error and more influence farming. What they found: Under a moderate emissions growth case, central estimates in 2100 — with adaptation and income growth — are -12% for corn, -13.5% for wheat, and -22.4% for soybeans, to name three. But the uncertainty bands are quite big because they're looking well into the future. What's next: Adaptation and higher wealth alleviate 6% of global losses in 2050 and 12% in 2100 in that moderate emissions scenario. That's RCP 4.5 for you wonks out there, which still sees enough emissions to warm the world beyond Paris Agreement targets. The paper also explores a runaway emissions case (RCP 8.5), though many scientists no longer consider this CO2 growth likely. Zoom in: Check out the country-level projections for various crops. The paper estimates that even with adaptation, parts of the U.S. could see corn and wheat declines in the 25% range in the moderate emissions case. Here's the same map under runaway emissions. summary notes.
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Secret police have no place in L.A. or democracy. But here they are
I've watched two disturbing videos in the past day of federal authorities acting with frightening disregard for decency and democracy as they arrest immigrants. At least, I think they are federal authorities. But these days, who knows? The alleged officers detaining hundreds if not thousands of people each day in California and across the country are often masked. They sometimes refuse to answer questions, including which agency they represent. They threaten force — and even use it to make arrests of bystanders — when they are challenged. In the first video I watched, a man in an unmarked car detains another man sitting on a bus bench in Pasadena. The man presumed to be a federal agent has on a vest that simply says 'Police' and a cheap black ski mask that covers every bit of his face — the kind that looks like it was purchased on Amazon and that we have previously most associated with criminals such as robbers and rapists. A few of his colleagues are in the background, some also seemingly masked. If these men approached me or one of my kids dressed like that, I would run. I would fight. I would certainly not take his word that he was 'police' and had the right to force me into his car. In the second video, another presumed federal agent jumps out of his unmarked vehicle and draws his weapon on a civilian attempting to take a photo of the license plate. Yes — he points his gun at a civilian who is not threatening him or committing a crime. Folks, maybe you consider it a bad idea to try to photograph what may or may not be a legitimate police operation, but it is not illegal. This alleged officer appears to have simply not liked what was happening, and threatened to shoot the person upsetting him. The man taking the photo ran away, but what would have happened had he not? These actions by alleged authorities are examples of impunity, and it is what happens when accountability is lost. 'It's terrifying to be assaulted by people that you can't be sure are law enforcement and who seem to be hiding their identity from you,' David Sklansky told me. He's a law professor at Stanford and an expert on policing. He said there are times when secrecy by authorities can be justified, but it should be the exception, not the rule. 'The seizure of people by agents of the state who don't identify themselves as agents of the state is a tool that has a long and ugly history of being used by authoritarian regimes,' he said. ICE has claimed that its officers have a need and right to remain anonymous because threats and attacks against them have dramatically increased. The agency has been publicizing that its staff has seen a 413% increase in assaults against them, and that they and their families have been doxxed. Speaking on the New York Times podcast 'The Daily,' President Trump's top border policy advisor, Tom Homan, said that his officers are doing the best they can under difficult circumstances. 'It's not about intimidation,' Homan said. 'ICE officers are wearing masks because they've been doxxed by the thousands. Their families have been doxxed. ICE officers' pictures have shown up on trees and telephone poles. Death threats are sky-high. I know because I've been doxxed 1,000 times myself.' You know what? I believe ICE officers are getting doxxed and threatened. Any violent attack on law enforcement should be condemned. And while we are at it, I don't have any issue with deporting dangerous criminals. For today, I'm leaving aside the issue of whether Trump's aggressive drive to deport people is good or bad. This isn't about what is happening with these deportations, but about how authorities are exercising their power. Threatening a law enforcement official is a crime. Doxxing is a crime. These agencies have the resources to track down, arrest and prosecute anyone who breaks those laws. They should absolutely do that. Instead, federal authorities are hiding, apparently too frightened of online provocateurs and in-person hecklers to do their duty in plain sight. But judges are being doxxed and don't wear masks. Journalists are being doxxed and don't wear masks. Politicians are being doxxed — and even killed — and are still doing their jobs out in the open. Which raises the question: Is it really not about intimidation? 'Quite frankly, I've had lots of guns pointed at me. I've had lots of threats against my life,' Lt. Diane Goldstein told me. 'I never once wore a mask because I was afraid.' Goldstein is the executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, a nonprofit composed of justice system authorities who advocate for better policies. She was also the first female lieutenant in the Redondo Beach Police Department, where she worked for more than 20 years, including on undercover assignments. She points out that accountability demands some way to attach actions to individuals. Take that officer who pulled the gun on the license plate photographer. 'If one of my officers would have done that, I would have put him on an administrative leave, taken his gun away and initiated an internal affairs investigation,' she said. 'There is no constitutional reason for him to jump out of a car and point a gun in that type of aggressive fashion at an ordinary citizen.' However, we likely will never get to ask that officer what he was thinking — if he saw a threat that justified lethal force — because there is no easy way of identifying him. Forget who he is personally, we don't even know what agency he is from. 'You have no idea if it's the FBI, if it's the DEA, if it's ICE, if it's CBP,' said Goldstein, rattling off the acronyms for various federal authorities. 'There is no accountability and transparency.' Sklansky points out that accountability doesn't necessarily require a name or face. Although there is no law that requires it, federal authorities could simply put their badge number and agency name someplace visible. Voila! Accountability and safety for officers. 'Lots of law enforcement works this way,' he said. Failing to provide any kind of trustworthy identification causes its own dangers, both Sklansky and Goldstein told me. People are required by law not to interfere with law enforcement doing their duty. But if you don't know it's law enforcement and fear you are witnessing an attack or are the victim of one, the situation is different. Goldstein said that she worries about violence if bystanders think they are in the midst of a crime, or that local law enforcement will be called to intervene in what appears to be a kidnapping or assault. 'People can't tell if they're crooks or they're law enforcement,' Goldstein said of officers who mask or hide their affiliation. 'Someone's going to get hurt. A citizen is going to get hurt, a local cop is going to get hurt or a federal agent is going to get hurt. Their tactics are dangerous and putting the community in danger,' she said. That fear that people are posing as law enforcement is real. Last week, a Minnesota legislator and her husband were killed by a gunman posing as a police officer. That same gunman earlier also went to the home of another politician and his wife and shot them as well, though they are expected to survive — their 28-year-old daughter called 911 after being shielded from the bullets by her mom. The shooter banged on the front door of his victims, demanding to be let inside because he was law enforcement. Since then, articles are popping up, pointing out that people have a right to ask questions before just assuming that guy with the badge is really a cop. After that attack, St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton sought to quell fears of fake cops roaming the streets by putting out a statement that stressed that it is 'important that our public has confidence in the identification of our police officers.' Of course it is important. In fact, it's vital to democracy and public safety. The might of law derives from our trust in those empowered to enforce it, our willingness to respect their authority because it comes with both boundaries and responsibilities. The death of George Floyd and the protests that followed show just how tenuous, and how vital, that trust is. An anonymous man in a ski mask does not inspire that trust, and does not deserve it.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Harvard trained gut doctor ranks 10 foods for the gut-brain axis on a scale of 1 to 10: Idli and yoghurt to fruit juice
Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist and 'Harvard and Stanford trained expert', took to Instagram on June 19 to rank 10 foods for your gut-brain axis. In a post he titled, 'Harvard-trained gut doctor ranks 10 foods for the gut-brain axis on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 is the best)', Dr Sethi said, 'your mental wellness starts in your gut'. Also read | You are what you digest: Know how gut health affects everything, from mood to metabolism In the video he posted, Dr Sethi ranked 10 everyday foods on a scale of 1-10 'based on how they impact your gut-brain connection, mental clarity, mood, focus, and stress response'. Here's his rating: ⦿ Sweet potato: 5/10 ⦿ Idli: 6/10 ⦿ Movie popcorn: 4/10 ⦿ Broccoli and cauliflower: 8/10 ⦿ Blueberries: 7/10 ⦿ Granola bars: 3/10 ⦿ Fruit juice: 2/10 ⦿ Avocado: 9/10 ⦿ White bread: 1/10 ⦿ Unsweetened yoghurt: 10/10 Let's break down Dr Sethi's rankings and explore why these foods scored the way they did for the gut-brain axis. Top scorers – unsweetened yoghurt (10/10), avocado, broccoli and cauliflower – are rich in probiotics, which support beneficial gut bacteria, provide healthy fats, fibre, and various micronutrients and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, respectively, and therefore, support gut health and brain function. Middle of the pack are blueberries, rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, idli, a fermented food that contains probiotics that can benefit gut health, and sweet potato, a good source of fibre and vitamins. Meanwhile, lower scorers, such as popcorn, granola bars, fruit juice, and white bread, can negatively impact gut health. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Lexie Hull's New Post After Sun Game
Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Lexie Hull's New Post After Sun Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As of Wednesday, the Indiana Fever are 6‑5 and No.3 in the East. They have just secured two crucial victories: one on Saturday over the 10-1 New York Liberty and another on Tuesday over the Connecticut Sun. Advertisement Off the court, the team is revelling in just as much success. On Wednesday morning, Fever guard Lexie Hull took to Instagram to share snapshots from what she described as a "successful business trip," showcasing her Athleta Apero Mesh Tank and Transcend Scoop Bra paired with a skirt set from an ensemble she dubbed "corporate 🔥." Within a few minutes, fellow Fever guard Sophie Cunningham weighed in, commenting, "a queen 😍." Hull, drafted sixth overall by the Fever in the 2022 WNBA Draft, has steadily grown into a reliable two‑way contributor. A Stanford graduate, Hull has earned the Elite 90 Award at the 2022 NCAA Final Four and multiple Academic All‑American honors in her time with the Cardinals. Advertisement On the court, she was a two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive team member and a three-time All-Pac-12 Team honoree. In 2025, Hull is posting career-highs across the board with the Fever, averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Indiana Fever guards Lexie Hull (10), Caitlin Clark (22) and Sophie Cunningham (8).Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Cunningham, meanwhile, has brought veteran savvy to Indiana's backcourt. A second‑round pick (13th overall) by the Phoenix Mercury in 2019, Cunningham spent six seasons in Phoenix before arriving in Indianapolis via a four‑team trade on January 31. A decorated Missouri Tiger, Cunningham has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in her first season with Indiana. Advertisement Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nineteen US colleges are among the best global universities, US News says
Nineteen United States institutions nabbed top positions in the top 100 global universities, according to 2025-2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings. Of those, Harvard University earned first place and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology took second. Stanford University was third, followed by the University of California, Berkeley in sixth, the University of Washington, Seattle in eighth, Yale University in ninth and Columbia University in 10th. Outside of the top 10, were the University of California Los Angeles (13), Johns Hopkins University (14) and the University of Pennyslvania (15). Cornell University, Princeton University, the University of California San Francisco all took 16th place. Beyond those were: the University of California San Diego (21), the University of Michigan (21), California Institute of Technology (23), Northwestern University (24), the University of Chicago (26) and Duke University (27). Read more: 'Far reaching consequences' — UMass Amherst sounds the alarm amid federal uncertainty The ranking includes 2,250 top institutions, spread across 105 countries. The rankings are evaluated by Clarivate™, which creates a group of 2,346 universities that are used to rank the top 2,250 schools. Then the institutions were ranked based on 13 indicators, which included global and regional research reputation, publications, books, conferences and international collaboration. The publication said the list provides 'insight into how U.S. universities — which U.S. News has been ranking separately for nearly 40 years — stand globally," according to its website. 'Far reaching consequences' — UMass Amherst sounds the alarm amid federal uncertainty MIT joins group of universities suing the DOD over funding cuts As federal funding cuts hit Harvard, a private investment firm and other donors step up 20 NIH grants restored to UMass system after judge rules against Trump admin Trump admin asks court to rule against Harvard without a trial Read the original article on MassLive.
