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Billionaires Are Selling Nvidia Stock and Buying 2 Top Index Funds That Beat the S&P 500 Over the Past Decade
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1 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stock Down 41% to Buy and Hold Forever
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Warren Buffett Gets a Discount on This Outstanding Value Stock. Here's How You Can Too.
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When You Look Back in 5 Years, You'll Wish You'd Bought This $3 Trillion Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock
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5 Takeaways From the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
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Gasoline demand growth to slow this year on EV growth in China, U.S.
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A tree of life for more than 9500 plant species
An international team of researchers, including scientists from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have produced a genomic ‘tree of life’ using the DNA sequences of more than 9,500 flowering plant species. The tree of life presents the most up-to-date understanding of flowering plants which will help scientists do everything from plant classification to discovery of new medicines. Source: Timberbiz The tree of life was built using 1.8 billion letters of genetic code sequenced from living plants and centuries-old specimens held in herbaria across Australia and the world. It includes extinct and endangered species and contains 15 times more data than any comparable studies of the flowering plant tree of life, as well as 800 plants that have never had their DNA sequenced before. The tree of life presents the most up-to-date understanding of flowering plants which will help scientists do everything from plant classification to discovery of new medicines. It is also a step toward building a tree of life for all 330,000 known species of flowering plants by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Tree of Life Initiative. The paper ‘Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms’ was published in the journal Nature by an international team of 279 scientists from 138 organisations internationally, led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. CSIRO contributed to this collaborative effort through the Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) Framework Initiative consortium led by Bioplatforms Australia and partner organisations. “The Genomics for Australian Plants consortium contributed DNA sequences of 774 Australian plant species. CSIRO, a major partner in the GAP consortium, contributed daisies and orchids from CSIRO’s National Research Collections Australia. “The flowering plant tree of life maps how the flowering plants are related to each other. This important tool will have many uses from discovering new medicines, to biological control of invasive species,” CSIRO Research Scientist Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn said. “This is because closely related species tend to have similar pharmaceutical properties and may be vulnerable to the same biocontrol agents. What we know about one species can guide how we study, use and manage its relatives. CSIRO Research Scientist Dr Katharina Nargar, explained that the National Research Collections Australia at CSIRO hold 15 million specimens of plants, insects, fish and more. “Our collections are hugely valuable in large-scale, international studies of biodiversity. They provide critical data on the many species which are only found in Australia, like the sexually deceptive hammer orchids, which trick male thynnid wasps to pollinate them by resembling female thynnid wasps,” she said. “The flowering plant tree of life will help unravel the mystery of how flowering plants evolved. For example, it will help us understand how our highly unique Australian flora was assembled and evolved over time. “The Australian continent has a long history of isolation from other landmasses and underwent drastic climatic changes over geological time. Of over 21,000 Australian plant species, more than 80% occur nowhere else on the planet. Where did they come from? How did a changing climate impact their evolutionary trajectory?”
Categories: Forest Products Industry
Huge 3D printer to help build more houses
Surpassing its own 2019 Guinness World Record for the largest polymer 3D printer, the University of Maine in the US unveiled a next-generation printer that is four times larger than its predecessor to catalyse the future of sustainable manufacturing in a number of industries. Source: Timberbiz The new printer, dubbed Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0), was unveiled at the Advanced Structures and Composites Centre (ASCC). The thermoplastic polymer printer is designed to print objects as large as 96 feet long by 32 feet wide by 18 feet high, and can print up to 500 pounds per hour. It offers new opportunities for eco-friendly and cost-effective manufacturing for numerous industries, including affordable housing, bridge construction, ocean and wind energy technologies and maritime vessel fabrication. The design and fabrication of this world-first printer and hybrid manufacturing system was made possible with support from the Office of the Secretary of Defense through the US Army Corps of Engineers. FoF 1.0 isn’t merely a large-scale printer; it dynamically switches between various processes such as large-scale additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, continuous tape layup and robotic arm operations. Access to it and MasterPrint, the ASCC’s first world-record-breaking 3D printer, will streamline manufacturing innovation research at the centre. The two large printers can collaborate by sharing the same end-effectors or by working on the same part. The one-of-a-kind printer will advance various initiatives, including the development of biobased feedstocks from wood residuals abundant in Maine. This technology will advance commercialization efforts such as BioHome3D and the creation of sustainable, affordable housing. The FoF 1.0 unveiling comes ahead of a planned ground-breaking new 47,000-square-foot research laboratory called the Green Engineering and Materials (GEM) Factory of the Future. Scheduled for an August, the facility is positioned to enhance manufacturing innovation across multiple sectors. Its primary aim is to facilitate and scale up more sustainable manufacturing practices by introducing next-generation solutions and biomaterials, addressing challenges such as a diminishing workforce and strained supply chains with local solutions. “Maine needs an estimated 80,000 additional homes by 2030, many specifically for households with incomes at or below the area median income. This new technology allows UMaine-ASCC to scale-up its research and production of its innovative biobased 3D printed home technology,” said Maine Housing’s Development Director Mark Wiesendanger. “This effort creates another means of producing quality affordable housing, while further driving costs down, and using abundant wood residuals from Maine’s sawmills. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Dr Dagher, the staff and students at UMaine/ASCC in demonstrating how 3D printed homes and other next-generation housing technologies will quickly and effi iently contribute to enhancing Maine’s housing stock.” The research facility will not only scale up advanced manufacturing processes, but also explore innovative materials systems by prioritizing recycled and biobased materials. Maine, the most forested state in the nation, annually produces more than one million tons of wood residuals in its sawmills, which can be used as feedstock for 3D printing. In addition, UMaine, with the GEM initiative, has prioritized manufacturing workforce development by offering experiential learning and entrepreneurial training programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders.
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COFO in Rome with World Forest Week
The 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) will be held on 22-26 July 2024 at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy in a hybrid format. The biennial sessions of COFO bring together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions, and advise on future strategy and action. Source: Timberbiz COFO 27 will be held in conjunction with the 9th World Forest Week (WFW 2024) under the theme “Accelerating Forest Solutions through Innovation.” A highlight of COFO 27 will be the release of FAO’s flagship publication The State of the World’s Forests 2024 which will provide an in-depth analysis of forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future. The week will also feature discussion on scaling up agroforestry, the FAO Forestry Roadmap – From Vision to Action 2024-2031, on bioeconomy, climate change, ecosystem restoration, urban agrifood systems, integrated fire management, and agriculture and forestry linkages.
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Rewarding the best in biosecurity
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards that recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown a commitment to supporting and promoting Australia’s biosecurity and the systems that underpin it. Source: Timberbiz Nominations can be made by anyone with an interest in the biosecurity system as a way to recognise effort, achievement and impact within the sector. The awards will be presented later this year. Nominations are welcomed across nine categories, including the First Nations Award for Excellence in Biosecurity. This new award will recognise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution beyond their normal responsibilities to Australian biosecurity, recognising exceptional commitment to improving the protection of Country and people from pests, weeds and diseases. Deputy Secretary for Biosecurity and Compliance, Justine Saunders APM, said that these awards recognise the importance of biosecurity to Australia. “Across the country, Australians are playing their part in protecting our nation from exotic pests and diseases,” Ms Saunders said. “Our biosecurity system plays a central role in protecting more than $90 billion worth of agricultural production and $5.7 trillion worth of unique, environmental assets. “That’s why we want to acknowledge the people who go above and beyond to protect it. “The Australian Biosecurity Awards recognise the enormous, varied work that goes on in biosecurity. “Previous winners have included experts in their fields, working to keep exotic pests and diseases out of the country like khapra beetle and brown marmorated stink bug. “Other winners have led and supported projects to manage existing pest species, such as rabbits, myrtle rust and weeds, and feral pigs on Kangaroo Island. “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s excellent that we can acknowledge the huge range of innovative work that goes into keeping our country safe.” For more information on the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards, including how to submit a nomination, visit www.agriculture.gov.au/ABA nominations will close at 9am on the 10 June 2024.
Categories: Forest Products Industry
March worst month for new house approval in 12 years
New building approvals data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have once again painted a concerning picture of the nation’s housing crisis. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its monthly building approvals data for March 2024 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories which show the number of multi-units approved for construction in the first three months of 2024 fell further to be the lowest volume since April 2012. Master Builders Australia Chief Economist Shane Garrett said March was the worst month for new detached house approvals since July 2012 – almost 12 years ago,” he said. “There was a small gain (+1.9%) in approvals for higher-density homes during the month, but we need to see more growth in this sector of the market.” The results meant that just 161,500 new homes have been approved over the past year. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the figures stood in sharp contrast to the yearly target of 240,000 new homes under the National Housing Accord. “The Accord takes effect in less than two months’ time, and if we are going to have any chance of meeting this target, we need to lift new home building by 50% from current levels over the next five years,” she said. “Despite the will of governments to get home-building activity moving, there are still too many obstacles in our way. “Chronic tradie shortages, planning and licensing delays, draconian industrial relations changes, material cost inflation, inefficient regulation, unfeasible lending practices and risk allocation are making projects unsustainable. “We have to make it easier to build new homes by bringing down the cost of construction. This must be a priority in the upcoming Federal Budget.” HIA Chief Economist Tim Reardon said the mismatch between rising demand from migration and constraints on the supply of housing was likely to see the acute shortage of housing stock continue to deteriorate. “Higher density housing development is being constrained by labour, material and finance costs and uncertainties, as well as cumbersome planning rules and punitive taxes, especially on foreign investors,” he said. “This lack of new work entering the construction pipeline is occurring alongside record inflows of overseas migrants and a pre-existing acute shortage of rental accommodation across the country. “The positive news is that for the past 12 months the volume of detached building approvals has remained relatively stable, albeit at their lowest level for a decade. “There is growing evidence that the volume of new detached homes commencing construction will reach a trough in 2024, albeit, at its lowest level since 2012,” Mr Reardon said. The volume of detached approvals nationally rose for the second consecutive month, to be 0.7% higher than it was in the same quarter in 2023. “Rising interest rates is the key factor slowing building activity, but there is an increased divergence evident in some states. Those able to deliver low-cost land are seeing more modest slowing in activity,” Mr Reardon said. “Approvals for new houses in Western Australia contrast with the rest of the country and have been increasing steadily since mid-2023. House approvals in Western Australia are now 33.2% higher than in the same quarter the previous year. “It is possible to build the Australian Government’s target of 1.2 million homes over the next five years, but it will require significant lowering of taxes on home building, easing pressures on construction costs, and decreasing land costs,” he said. In seasonally adjusted terms, dwelling approvals in the three months to March increased in Western Australia, up by 38.5% compared with the previous year, and in New South Wales (+7.7%). Other jurisdictions saw declines in approvals, led by Queensland (-17.6%), followed by South Australia (-9.0%) and Victoria (-1.9%). In original terms, dwelling approvals declined in the Northern Territory (-46.2%), the Australian Capital Territory (-14.6%) and Tasmania (-5.4%).
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Forest Practices Awards open for excellent foresters
The Forest Practices Awards are presented by the board of the FPA to recognise excellence in various areas of expertise in the Tasmanian forest practices system. Source: Timberbiz The highly skilled and experienced people who continually strive for excellence in their varied roles are critical to the functioning of the system. The FPA board values this expertise and the importance of acknowledging it. There have been six previous rounds of Forest Practices Awards – in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2022. Now is your chance to highlight the outstanding achievements of someone you know (or yourself) working in the forest practices system. The nomination process is simple all you need to do is complete the nomination form found on the FPA’s website home page in the ‘News’ section and send it to the FPA. This year will feature a new award category – the Natural and cultural special values management award. This award will apply to individuals, groups or businesses showing innovative identification, planning and management of natural and cultural special values. These values could include soils and water, geomorphology, biodiversity, visual landscape or cultural heritage. It will be judged on the number and complexity of the special values, the innovation of the planning and the positive management outcomes. Nominations are open until 8 August with the awards in Devonport, Tasmania on 19 September.
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