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Toxic nanoparticles found in human brains -

A new study of brain tissue from 37 people found abundant quantities of magnetite particles, an iron oxide that comes from industrial air pollution. The finding is particularly worrying because high concentrations of magnetite particles in the brain have been linked to Alzheimer's disease, though more research is needed. The Guardian

The Coastal California gnatcatcher will remain on Endangered Species List -

Developers, barred from carving up 197,000 acres of the songbird's critical habitat in Southern California, argued that the gnatcather was not a genetically distinct subspecies and was therefore, undeserving of special protection. This week the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service responded to their petition with its own evaluation: A panel of independent scientists confirmed it was, in fact, its own subspecies and gave the endangered bird a fighting chance. Los Angeles Times

Massive reef found hiding behind Great Barrier Reef -

Scientists have known for decades that mysterious geological structures were lurking in the deep waters north of the Great Barrier Reef, and now sea floor mapping has revealed them. This second reef is made up of bioherms—mounds of calcified algae, and researchers are eager to find out how these sensitive organisms are responding to climate change. Christian Science Monitor

Poaching is driving a massive population decline in Africa's savanna elephants -

The first ever continent-wide survey of the species finds that 144,000 of the animals, or 30 percent of the total population, were wiped out by poachers between 2007 and 2014. A few pockets, however, had stable or increasing numbers, and new populations were found in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Botswana. The Guardian

Pope Francis renews calls for environmental action -

The Pope has been vocal about curbing climate change before, and he reiterated his message of environmental stewardship this week in a document released for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. He urged the world's one billion Roman Catholics to add protecting nature to the traditional seven works of mercy. Amen to that. Reuters

Geologists say it's time to officially declare the Anthropocene -

The new geological epoch would apply to the time after about 1950, when humanity's collective impact began to profoundly change the earth. Radioactive material, plastic pollution, soot from power plants, and the abundant bones of domestic chickens (!) are all markers of the end of the Holocene, the scientists say. The Guardian