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Mosquitoes are eating people and plastic, bringing materials up the food…
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalAs humans, we often think of mosquitos as blood-sucking parasites that do nothing but buffet lunch on us, cause us pain and irritant to our skins, and leave us itching and sometimes bloody when we squash them between our hands. But, the little flying blood buzzards are more than that, including plastic-ingesting insects that are polluting their own bodies while they gnaw on the man-made material and bring it up the food chain. Authors of a paper — published in The Royal Society journal Biology Letters — found that when a mosquito larva eats microplastic, that plastic can remain in the insect's body into adulthood. So, the microplastic can then be transferred to whatever might eat that mosquito, including birds.
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How to keep your work environment safe
Lisa Mulcahy Facilities & GroundsThese easy, research-driven common-sense tips will nip many problems in the bud, keep you informed in case of emergencies, and create a much less hazardous daily environment.
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Plans changed for new international terminal at Houston Bush
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveA recent meeting confirmed a change of plans for the new international terminal at Houston George Bush Intercontinental to better address congestion and allow the airport to cope with its growing prominence as an international gateway. Set to open in 2024, the new proposals for the international terminal would see the existing Terminals D and E combined into a single terminal. It would cost $1.2 billion and aims to replicate the setup of the airport’s other terminals.
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Plastics, bioplastics augment and replace metal parts in farming machinery
Bill Becken EngineeringQuietly and without much fanfare, plastics and bioplastics are finding their way into the production of agricultural equipment, such as tractors, combines, plows and balers. Over the past decade, major manufacturers such as John Deere and International Harvester have transitioned both cosmetic and functional components from sheet metal to plastics and bioplastics, with very good results. Manufacturers have discovered a nifty truth, especially regarding bioplastics: They more than cut the mustard.
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Vending machines poised to take retail to a new dimension
Katherine Radin RetailAs long-standing merchants such as Sears and Toys R Us shutter, retailers continue to feel the pressure to perform "in person." When we discussed this topic more than a year ago, commercial landlords were turning to restaurants and food markets to help fill the void. Now, it seems that a more technological approach could be seen in the future — with the use of vending machines. A beloved vendor of chips, chocolate bars, and carbonated beverages, the humble vending machine has dished out a more diverse lineup of products for sale over the years, from makeup, to books, to electronics.
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Do active workstations benefit employees?
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesMost of us engage in much less daily physical activity than our parents or grandparents did. Some individuals, such as office workers, students, educators and administrators, spend a great deal of the day seated, whether working, studying or in meetings. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems. Proponents of active workstations claim they promote increased physical activity throughout the day and improve wellness. Research, on the other hand, suggests the benefits can vary depending on the individual, the type of workstation and how it is used.
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US’ largest nonprofit integrated healthcare system to be carbon neutral…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationKaiser Permanente, the largest U.S. nonprofit integrated healthcare system, is putting plans in place to be carbon neutral by 2020 as part of a larger environmental initiative. The healthcare company is walking the walk in regard to its mission to provide the best care outcomes, as recent reports suggest that the healthcare industry accounted significantly to carbon dioxide generation that could lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths if not otherwise addressed.
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Changes ahead for facility managers as more is demanded of the workplace
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsIn the near future, major changes are coming to what workers will demand of their organizations and how they are able to interact with their work environments. These changes are being fueled by demographics, use of technology and social changes, which are shifting people's expectations of the workplace, a new report issued by real estate adviser CBRE says. The report, which identifies the major trends in facility management, says that people want to "choose where and when" they work.
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Florence lands in Carolinas, killing 23 people
Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & EnvironmentalHurricane Florence, which has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, landed in the Carolinas over the weekend, delivering predicted damage. So far, the storm has killed 23 people as North and South Carolina brace for more rain in the coming days. There are close to a half-million people without power as of the morning of Sept. 17. Rain is still falling across the two states, and flooding is so severe that towns, like Wilmington, are cut off, requiring emergency services to airlift food and water into the city.
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Travel2020: Top airport amenities fly beyond duty-free
Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThink your airport is just a place to board planes? Think again. Airports, where the average traveler spends 137 minutes per trip lining up, sitting down, pacing, waiting … and waiting for their plane to start boarding, are now becoming destinations in their own right — hubs of shopping, stylish dining, entertainment, exercise, even pampering. According to Dolby & Holder consulting group, passengers are wasting 47 percent of this “dwell time,” resulting in some $6 billion in lost revenues for airports. Some airports are getting wise to ways of entertaining this captive audience.
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