Debra Atlas is a journalist based in Redding, United States of America.

Soaking Up Soil Conservation: Saving Water In The Face Of Drought

22 Dec 2014  |  Earth911  |  English  |  Drought

Water availability amid ongoing droughts is a global concern. Soil conservation through composting is an effective method to retain water and nurture the land. Increasing organic matter in soil significantly enhances its water-holding capacity. Experts like Stephen Andrews and Bob Shaffer emphasize the benefits of compost, which can hold substantial amounts of water and improve soil health. The Marin Carbon Project, involving U.C. Berkeley and other collaborators, has demonstrated the effectiveness of compost in water retention and carbon sequestration. Successful applications at places like Alexander Vineyards show potential for large-scale implementation, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches to soil and water conservation.

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U.C. Berkeley Marin Carbon Project USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Carbon Cycle Institute USGS Alexander Vineyards

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Prutha Bhosle is a journalist based in Pune, India.
She is currently exploring a freelance job opportunity in an esteemed organisation. 
Since March 2016 to July 2016, she has worked as a full-time journalist with Pune Mirror, a local newspaper. There, she has edited reporter copies and designed ...

How children play a major role in COVID-19 transmission

22 Aug 2024  |  www.mid-day.com  |  English  |  Education

Recent research indicates that children could be significant spreaders of COVID-19, challenging earlier assumptions of their low risk. The World Health Organization now recommends masks for children aged 12 and over, and possibly for those aged 6-11. A study in two Indian states found that children transmit the virus mostly within their own age group. The study, which is the largest on COVID-19 transmission patterns, involved tracing over half a million contacts of 85,000 cases. Experts emphasize the need for careful consideration before reopening schools and suggest that precautions such as mask-wearing, distancing, and proper ventilation are necessary to prevent outbreaks. There is also a call for enhancing testing among children to monitor transmission.

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School of Public Health at the UC Berkeley World Health Organization PD Hinduja Hospital Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oxford

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A highly motivated, resourceful director specialising in adventure, natural history and remote location work, Charlie is known for his creativity and leadership, combined with a superb work ethic, adept at adapting to challenging environments and managing complex logistics and H&S. A veteran of ...

Don't Stand Still

24 Apr 2022  |  Green.org  |  English  |  Innovation

James Wang, General Partner at Creative Ventures, discussed with Green.Org the critical nature of addressing climate change and the importance of continuous action. With a background in healthcare, labor shortages, and climate change, Wang emphasizes the need for technological advancements to combat climate issues. He highlights the cyclical nature of venture investing in climate tech, predicting more success in the future as technologies like carbon capture become economically viable. Wang also mentions his work with startups, his academic background, and his previous role at Google X. He advises that political pressure and support for government investment in climate research are key ways individuals can contribute to making a difference.

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UC Berkeley Green.Org Stanford Dartmouth Georgia Tech

Gabrielle Canon is a journalist based in Oakland, CA who provides content in many formats, including print, video, broadcast, and photography. She is also available for on-air interviews and can speak on a variety of topics including prison reform, criminal justice, policies to combat homelessness, ...

California snowpack lowest in decade despite hope with December storms

04 Jan 2024  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Weather

California's first snow survey of the season reveals the lowest snowpack in a decade, with only 25% of the historical average despite recent storms. Experts highlight the increasing volatility in the state's climate, with warmer winters and more severe swings between wet and dry conditions. The snowpack, crucial for California's water supply, is threatened by these changes. State officials and water managers face challenges in adapting infrastructure and policies to manage the fluctuating water availability. Recent improvements in water management, including projects to divert excess water into underground basins and streamlined regulatory processes, offer some hope, but significant challenges remain.

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UC Berkeley snow lab Public Policy Institute of California Department of Water Resources Governor Gavin Newsom

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Sam Chen is a journalist based in New York, United States of America.

Gen Z is changing the landscape on job searches. Here’s what many look for in a company.

11 Sept 2023  |  San Diego Union-Tribune  |  English  |  Corporate Culture

Gen Z employees prioritize working for companies that align with their values and offer meaningful change, work-life balance, and mentorship. Companies struggle to communicate their values effectively, risking missing out on this talent pool. Businesses need to revamp job descriptions, company culture communication, and social media presence to appeal to Gen Z job seekers. The author's company, Fetti, conducted a survey at UC Berkeley, finding that impactful work and work-life balance are top priorities for Gen Z. The author suggests that companies should showcase authentic company life, take stances on important issues, and creatively communicate their values to attract and retain Gen Z talent.

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UC Berkeley

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Melissa Daniels is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She has extensive experience covering political campaigns, public policy and the judiciary — as well as feature reporting for arts and culture sections and business publications. She is available for freelance assignments as well as contract ...

How minimum wage hikes could affect retail workers in 2024

01 Oct 2023  |  www.modernretail.co  |  English  |  Employment

The article explores the potential impact of minimum wage hikes on retail workers in 2024, highlighting that while major retail companies like Amazon and Target already comply with or exceed minimum wage requirements, smaller businesses may struggle. In California, new laws could pressure wages upward, potentially leading to layoffs or price increases for smaller businesses. The Congressional Budget Office notes uncertainty in the effects of a federal minimum wage increase. The article emphasizes the importance of wage equity, particularly for women and people of color in the retail sector.

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UC Berkeley Labor Center California Retailers Association Congressional Budget Office

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Avi Gopani is an Erasmus Mundus Journalism masters student. She is currently working as an independent journalist, interested in travel, cultural and political journalism.

Automating model parallelism with just one line of code

15 May 2022  |  analyticsindiamag.com  |  English  |  Technology

Researchers from Google, Amazon Web Services, UC Berkeley, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University have introduced Alpa, a method to automate model parallelism with just one line of code. Alpa categorizes ML parallelization strategies into inter-operator and intra-operator parallelism, optimizing execution on user-provided device clusters. Tested on AWS instances, Alpa demonstrated performance comparable to the best existing frameworks, simplifying the complex process of parallelizing large models.

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UC Berkeley Shanghai Jiao Tong University Duke University Carnegie Mellon University

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Matthew Green is a journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Thousands of Buildings in the Bay Area, State Have Weakness Similar to Those Damaged in Turkey and Syria Quake

05 Oct 2023  |  www.kqed.org  |  English  |  Building Retrofitting

The article discusses the vulnerability of thousands of buildings in the Bay Area and California to earthquakes, similar to those damaged in recent quakes in Turkey and Syria. Experts highlight the challenges in identifying and retrofitting older concrete buildings, emphasizing the need for updated building codes and political will to mandate retrofitting. The article also notes the historical context of earthquake damage in the region and the ongoing efforts by cities like San Francisco to address these structural weaknesses methodically and equitably.

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UC Berkeley UC San Diego Los Angeles Times Caltech’s Seismological Laboratory San Francisco

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I am a multimedia journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic and elsewhere.  Since 2000, I have divided my time between the U.S. and the West Bank, covering a range of political, economic and cultural issues for print, TV and radio.

Before moving back to ...

Thousands of Americans to stage anti-bigotry rally

30 Jun 2016  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  US Politics

A group of American Muslims, along with interfaith leaders, are organizing a march in Washington DC to stand against bigotry, extremism, and gun violence. The rally, set for July 23, aims to condemn terrorism and reject the ideology of ISIL. The event is being organized by the Islamic Society of Central Florida and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, with support from over 20 organizations. The initiative responds to rising anti-Muslim sentiment, partly fueled by the rhetoric of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Southern Poverty Law Centre and other organizations have reported a significant increase in anti-Muslim attacks and Islamophobic incidents in recent years.

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Centre for Race and Gender at UC Berkeley Islamic Society of Central Florida All Dulles Area Muslim Society Southern Poverty Law Centre Council on American-Islamic Relations

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Shuchita is a freelance journalist currently based in France. After working with The Times of India in India for 4 years, she moved to France to explore new cultures. Having expertise in beats like Women and Child Development, Culture, Travel and Education she is now working on these issues and ...

5 ways you can use the Internet sustainably

04 May 2023  |  Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, business and innovation.  |  English  |  Carbon Emissions

The Internet significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, with data centers consuming vast amounts of electricity. The Middle East is addressing this issue by developing more sustainable AI platforms like Vicuna, which reduces energy consumption compared to other platforms. Individuals can also reduce their carbon footprint by switching to basic HTML emails, minimizing email attachments, streaming videos in lower resolutions, optimizing app use on devices, and downloading content instead of streaming. These actions collectively help in reducing the Internet's carbon emissions.

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UC San Diego UC Berkeley Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence Carnegie Mellon University Stanford OVO Energy

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Alexander Kim is a journalist based in Vancouver, Canada.

Quantum Computing Could Threaten Blockchain, Crypto

17 Aug 2023  |  news.bloombergtax.com  |  English  |  Blockchain Technology

Quantum computers, utilizing qubits and principles of quantum mechanics, have the potential to break advanced cryptographic protocols, including those used in blockchain technologies. Current quantum computers are limited and error-prone, but recent research by IBM and UC Berkeley suggests they may soon offer utility beyond classical computers. This could lead to faster cryptocurrency mining and the possibility of decrypting private keys, posing a threat to the decentralization and security of blockchain protocols. Developers are exploring quantum-resistant cryptography to mitigate these risks. The article highlights the importance for investors, users, and regulators to consider the potential impact of quantum computing on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

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UC Berkeley IBM

Aleksandar Kostovic is a journalist based in Klek, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Radxa and StarFive Partner to Deliver RISC-V Single Board PC to Consumers

01 Aug 2021  |  Tom's Hardware  |  English  |  Open Source

Radxa and StarFive have announced a partnership to produce a single-board computer (SBC) powered by the RISC-V processor, expected to be released by the end of Q3 2021. The new board will utilize StarFive's JH7100 processor, featuring two SiFive U74 cores and additional IPs like Nvidia's NVDLA neural network accelerator. The collaboration follows previous efforts with Seeed Studio and Beagleboard. The RISC-V ISA, developed at UC Berkeley, is open-source and license-free, making it accessible for widespread use.

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UC Berkeley

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Mariel Lozada caraqueña, actualmente viviendo en Santiago de Chile.

GIJN Women: Investigative Journalism with a Gender Perspective

01 Jan 2023  |  gijn.org  |  Spanish  |  Violence Against Women

Journalists worldwide are exploring gender-related issues, from misinformation about contraceptives to cross-border surrogacy, sexual harassment in high places, and violence against women. In Latin America and Spain, investigations have focused on abortion access, war crimes affecting women, and LGBTQ community challenges. The article highlights notable investigations from 2022 and early 2023, including reproductive rights, violence against women, domestic violence, LGBTQ rights, surrogacy, and the #MeToo movement. It also discusses the impact of armed conflict on women, social and health issues, and sexual abuse in humanitarian aid. The GIJN Women group, with 370 members from 92 countries, continues to monitor and share gender-focused investigative journalism.

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Berkeley Journalism UC Berkeley GIJN Reveal Mother Jones Mutante Connectas Insight Crime Salud con Lupa Centro de Periodismo Investigativo de Puerto Rico Presentes OC Media Finance Uncovered Pulitzer Center Animal Político iFact The Observer Eesti Päevaleht Metrópoles CORRECTIV Süddeutsche Zeitung The Washington Post SIRAJ Sawt Podcast Daraj RFE/RL Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism Zan Times Rukshana Media Fuller Project Global Press Journal The New Humanitarian Al Jazeera Thomson Reuters Foundation World Health Organization

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Evan Maguire is a  student journalist based in Washington, United States of America.

Mayor of Portland Responds to Stabbing by Attacking Free Speech

30 May 2017  |  spectator.org  |  English  |  Violence

In response to a Portland stabbing incident, Mayor Ted Wheeler is calling for the cancellation of two rallies, a pro-Trump free speech rally and an anti-Sharia march, citing hate speech concerns. The article criticizes the mayor's actions, arguing that the stabber, Jeremy Joseph Christian, was not a right-wing supporter but had mental health issues and supported Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein. The text also discusses past violence at free speech rallies and the perceived hypocrisy of left-wing politics in addressing civil rights issues.

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UC Berkeley Federal Government

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I'm an experienced breaking news and investigative reporter in Oakland. I worked for six years as a staff breaking news reporter and editor at San Francisco-based Bay City News Service before becoming a full time freelancer in 2017. Since then, I've been writing investigative features on policing, ...

Holly Quan is a journalist based in Martinez, United States of America.

San Mateo lawmaker calls for 'zero tolerance' for hate crimes as attacks on Asians increase

22 Mar 2021  |  www.audacy.com  |  English  |  Racism

In response to the rise in anti-Asian violence, politicians in the Bay Area are advocating for more stringent anti-hate laws. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa is proposing legislation to make the county a zero tolerance zone for hate crimes, mandating full prosecution of such offenses. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who has been criticized for his handling of a case involving an attack on an elderly Asian man, will attend a rally against anti-Asian violence. Assemblymen Phil Ting and David Chiu are organizing a news conference in San Francisco's Chinatown, where police presence has increased. Historical context is provided by Lok Siu, an associate professor at UC Berkeley, who references past violence against Asian Americans.

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UC Berkeley San Mateo County San Francisco District Attorney's Office

KRis REyes is a journalist based in New York, NY, United States of America.

UC Berkeley launches new lab dedicated to test, detect Bay Area wastewater for COVID-19

29 Oct 2020  |  abc7news.com  |  English  |  COVID-19

UC Berkeley has established a BioSafety Level 2 lab to analyze wastewater for COVID-19, led by postdoctoral scholar Rose Kantor. The lab, which was quickly funded and staffed in response to the pandemic, has already collected over 500 samples from the Bay Area, with many testing positive for the virus. The testing method involves an 8-hour process to break down the contents of wastewater collected over a 24-hour period. This approach is seen as a valuable tool for public health agencies, especially for testing asymptomatic individuals, those without access to medical care, or those hesitant to get tested. The lab is currently processing 30 samples a week but has the capacity to increase to 200 samples with a 72-hour turnaround for results. The data aims to help understand infection rates and could become more critical as cases decrease and continuous mass testing becomes less practical.

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UC Berkeley

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Susan Shain is a journalist based in Oaxaca, Mexico.

More on the PRO Act

12 Mar 2021  |  wheretopitch.substack.com  |  English  |  Labor Law

The article discusses the PRO Act and its implications for freelancers, addressing concerns about the ABC test and its potential impact on employment law. It includes perspectives from various experts and organizations, highlighting the debate around the bill's future and its likelihood of passing in the Senate. The author acknowledges the complexity of the issue and encourages further research.

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UC Berkeley Freelancers Union The Authors Guild Fight for Freelancers House Education and Labor Committee Vox

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Laura Shields is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium.

UC Berkeley research shows squirrel behavior is not so nutty

09 Apr 2018  |  www.eastbaytimes.com  |  English  |  Scientific Research

Research conducted by psychologist Mikel Delgado at UC Berkeley reveals that squirrels exhibit complex decision-making processes when it comes to storing food. The study found that squirrels consider factors such as perishability, nutritional value, and the presence of competitors when deciding whether to eat or cache food. The research also documented behaviors like head flicking and chunking, which help squirrels manage their food storage efficiently. The findings highlight the sophisticated cognitive abilities of squirrels and aim to foster greater appreciation for these animals.

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UC Berkeley

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Zara Stone is a freelance multimedia journalist and producer. She has produced, shot and edited video for live TV and ABC affiliate stations and written stories for The Atlantic and OZY media.

The Best Burger You'll Ever Have Is Made From Plants

08 Aug 2018  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Food Innovation

The article explores the rise of plant-based burgers and alternative proteins, driven by investments from Silicon Valley venture capitalists, meat moguls, and notable figures like Bill Gates. Companies like Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and Good Catch Foods are leading the charge with innovative products that aim to replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat while offering environmental and health benefits. The market for plant-based foods is growing rapidly, with significant investments and increasing consumer demand. The article highlights various companies and their hero products, emphasizing the potential for these alternatives to transform the food industry and address global challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions and overfishing.

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UC Berkeley Alternative Meat Lab Y Combinator Good Food Institute

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I am a UK-based freelance journalist writing about conflict, migration and human rights. I have reported from Myanmar, Thailand, Greece and the UK. My written work has appeared in IRIN News (now The New Humanitarian), Roads & Kingdoms, The Diplomat, and Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer. I have ...

Cyberattacks as war crimes

12 Oct 2023  |  www.ibanet.org  |  English  |  International Law

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the severe consequences of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, with significant incidents disrupting services like air raid sirens and power grids. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is considering the potential for cyberattacks to be classified as war crimes, despite the Rome Statute not explicitly mentioning cybercrimes. Experts emphasize the challenges of attributing cyberattacks to specific individuals and the need for sophisticated technical capabilities. Civilian involvement in cyber operations further complicates the issue, blurring the lines between combatants and non-combatants. The International Committee of the Red Cross and other organizations stress that international humanitarian law applies to cyber operations, and ongoing investigations may set precedents for future legal interpretations.

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UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center International Criminal Court State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine International Committee of the Red Cross NATO

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Jennifer Zaino is a journalist based in Long Island, NY, United States. She specializes in covering technology, business, healthcare and education issues .

Data Orchestration Brings Your Data Closer and Makes Access Faster

22 Oct 2019  |  DATAVERSITY  |  English  |  Digital Transformation

Data orchestration aims to streamline and accelerate access to data across fragmented storage systems and computation frameworks. Alluxio, formerly known as Tachyon, is highlighted as a key technology in this space, enabling efficient data sharing and management across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The article discusses the benefits of data orchestration in digital transformation, emphasizing its role in reducing data wrangling and improving analytics performance. Key figures like Haoyuan Li and Steven Mih provide insights into the technology's impact and future direction.

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UC Berkeley’s AMPLab Yahoo Tachyon Nexus Redhat Nokia Intel Databricks

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Stephanie Zhang is a journalist based in Melbourne, Australia.

View Stephanie's previous work on their website: ****

Through generations

26 Apr 2023  |  elestoque.org  |  English  |  Generational Differences

Danica Novotny, a third-generation immigrant, reflects on how her heritage from Hong Kong and Czechia has shaped her identity, despite being born and raised in the U.S. Similarly, Sidhant Malik, whose parents immigrated from India, discusses the impact of Hindu traditions on his life. Cynthia Kim, who came to the U.S. for education, shares her challenges in assimilating and maintaining cultural ties. The article explores the evolving cultural identities of immigrants and their descendants in the U.S.

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UC Berkeley

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