The Amazon Loses One of Its Most Celebrated Chroniclers
Last week we learned that the world lost more forest cover than in any other year on record, or the equivalent of 18 soccer fields of forested land every minute, according to researchers.
The world also lost Sebastião Salgado, a legendary photographer, champion of the environment and chronicler of his native Brazil's forests, who died last week at 81. (You can see a collection of his photos here.)
Drawing on nearly 50 visits to the Amazon rainforest, in 2021 Salgado published Amazônia, a book of characteristically dramatic black-and-white photographs of the region's awe-inspiring vastness, its threatened Indigenous people and the sheer force of nature to create weather and carve landscapes.
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Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
23 Products For Sensitive Noses And Stinky Homes
A self-sealing trash can so you no longer have to hover over a full, stinky trash bag and struggle to tie it while holding your breath. Once you take the bag out, it'll automatically replace it with a new one — welcome to the future. Promising review: "This Airdeer Smart Trash Can has been a game-changer for us. We were on the hunt for a solution to contain the odors from our cat's litter, as our kitchen can couldn't quite handle it. This can effectively seal in the air, leaving no trace of any unpleasant smells. Surprisingly, we've placed this chic little can in our living room, and there's no hint of any odors emanating from it. With two cats, we find ourselves replacing the bag about once a week, but that's in tandem with our daily or sometimes twice-daily litter cleanings. Additionally, we use it for other items with strong odors, and it handles those just as the Airdeer Smart Trash Can has been a real lifesaver. Its one-touch self-sealing mechanism ensures we don't have to come into direct contact with the trash, and the automatic bag replacement feature is a time-saver. The initial set of six refill bag rings (a total of 120 bags) provided was a generous bonus. Operating it is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly voice prompts. Plus, the battery life is impressive, lasting anywhere from 90 to 180 days on a full charge." —Connor PaparoneGet it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in three colors). Arm & Hammer deodorizers, aka your nose's savior this summer. Just plop 'em into your stinky shoes (or your partner's 👀), gym bag, hamper, or even closet to get rid of that unwanted odor for up to 60 days! A reed diffuser so your home can smell like sunshine and flowers, and it'll also serve as a gorgeous piece of decor with its dried floral arrangement. A self-cleaning litter box — whoever said technology is taking over is probably right. In this case, though, it's a good thing because this handy-dandy piece of tech cleans up kitty doo-doo so you don't have to! It sifts litter and dumps the waste into a 15-day capacity trash bag and features advanced odor control technology to keep your home smelling fresh as a daisy. I don't know who will fall more in love with it: you or your cat. A stain and odor eliminator because your poor carpet doesn't deserve to stink or stain. Instead of saying, "Bad dog!" you'll be shouting, "Amazing stain remover!" Spray and soak any mess your lil' stinker decides to make, and just like that — gone. A bottle of Sunny & Honey Carpet Miracle if your kids and pets have been dragging dirt, dog poop, and more inside your home for way too long, and it's finally time to clean it. This formula will tackle any messes and spills, leaving your carpet as good as new. An overnight tank cleaner because honestly, when's the last time you thought to clean the back of your toilet? I'm guessing it's been a *while* (or never), so you probably don't know what's festering in there. Just toss some of this powder into the tank, and it'll clean it for you. An "Angry Mama" microwave cleaner so your mama doesn't get angry the next time she comes over and sees a dirty microwave. Just fill it with vinegar and water, heat it up, and wipe down the inside once all the steam runs out (which takes around seven minutes). There's no need for cleaning products or intense scouring when you have this lil' mama! A pet hair scraper to help rid your home of hair that your fuzzy friend leaves everywhere. Just run it over any fabric surface to get the most satisfying fur removal ever! A foaming garbage disposal cleaner because even though you can't see your week-old pasta, doesn't mean that it's not still down there. Just toss this in the sink and let the water run — the disposal will clean itself so you don't have to reach down there and do it, *ick*. Once you see the bath bomb-like blue fizz, the job is done and your sink is free from the backed-up gunk. A bleach-free, no-scrub weekly shower spray to save your arms from an unwarranted workout session. It requires no elbow grease — just spray your shower once a week, wait 8–12 hours, and then rinse with warm water. Say bye-bye to scum- (plus grime-, oil-, and mold-) filled showers, and hello to your shiny new tiles. A Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaning stamp that'll clean the bowl for you so you don't have spend time scrubbing it yourself. Each stamp lasts up to 12 days and cleans the toilet with every flush. Bye-bye rings and limescale! A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets because even though that savior of a machine cleans your bowls, plates, and pretty much everything, it doesn't clean itself. All you have to do is pop in a tablet (with or without dishes) to remove limescale and mineral buildup from the pump and valve, hose, and tub. Pamper your dishwasher and think of it as a thank you for all the hard work it has done for you. A Bissell Little Green machine that looks like Mike Wazowski but is no monster — it'll be your bestie. This compact cleaner uses warm water and a specialized liquid cleaner to remove all ~oopsies~ from mud, food, pets, you name it. Reviewers love this product so much that they say they can't live without it. A Bissell carpet and floor sweeper — it gives you the benefits of a vacuum minus the noise, bulkiness, and need for electricity. That's a win in my book. When you roll this bad boy around, the rotating brush inside will pick up dust, dirt, pet hair, and everything else that lives on the floor. Some washing machine cleaning tablets that'll remove grime and odor-causing residue after placing one tablet in and running a cycle. You won't have to keep putting your laundry back in because after one wash, it'll smell like detergent, and detergent *only*. A five-pack of Air Wick oil plug-in air freshener refills, great for masking those stinky scents that may linger around your bathroom, kitchen, and living room. It'll fill your home with a delicious aroma for up to 300 days (on the lowest setting) and your nostrils will be delighted. A Pet House candle that gives off the most soothing aromas *and* helps to get rid unwanted odors that linger in your house from litter boxes, dog beds, and a whole lot more. Promising review: "I was pleasantly surprised with these candles — the powerful scent enveloped my kitchen and part of my entrance hall, that's how potent this beautiful scent is. I chose to use the vanilla crème brûlée — wow wow wow. Absolutely amazing. Not once do you think that this is a pet odor eliminator candle as the scent envelopes my ground floor with a warm fuzzy happy feeling." —Maria PuzoneCheck out BuzzFeed's review of the Pet House candle for more deets! Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (also available in multipacks and various scent options). A fan-favorite, "spray before you go" Poo-Pourri spray for restroom-goers so their business can stay their business. Yes, OFC everyone has to ~go~ but that doesn't mean everyone else has to smell it! A Door-Doc to keep your front-load washer door a tad bit open, which lets it air out. Gone are the days when you open that sealed door and get smacked in the face by that musty, moldy odor. A cult-favorite candle radiating luxurious vibes without even being lit, thanks to the gorgeous jar and bold scent. When you light this bad boy, it'll give off a captivating aroma of jasmine, oud, and sandalwood — giving your home a warm and delightful feeling. A cutie lil' cow fridge deodorizer so you can replace that ratty cardboard box of baking soda. It'll keep your fridge odorless and your food tasting as fresh as ever — just add some baking soda! Promising review: "We came back from vacation and our fridge smelled of onions so badly, so I ordered this guy. Put some baking soda inside and in about four hours, my fridge was odor-free! Plus, who wouldn't wanna see this cute guy when you open up the fridge!" —Andrew RamsaranGet it from Amazon for $9.99. An AirOasis HEPA purifier that reduces mold, bacteria, and viruses, as well as unwanted scents. When put on auto mode, the fan speed adjusts based on air quality, and the sensor will light up green, orange, or red. Promising review: "Used it in the main level of the house and didn't notice too much change in air quality, but then moved it recently into our musty basement, and found that the musty smell went away in the room I had it in within a couple of days. I am planning on buying another one." —froggy1Get it from Amazon for $351.20+ (available in four sizes).
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Northwestern University scientists develop possible replacement for PFAS, common "forever chemicals"
They're in cookware, cosmetic products, clothing, tap water, and even detectable in human bodies – PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they resist breaking down and can stay in the body for prolonged periods of time. However, a new nontoxic material developed by Northwestern University scientists could replace these harmful chemicals in paper-based food and beverage packaging. Professor of Chemistry SonBinh Nguyen and Professor of Engineering Tim Wei have developed a graphene oxide solution that is water- and oil-resistant, more compostable, and recyclable than the current average paper plate or take-out cup. The patient-pending product is being commercialized by Go-Eco, a subsidiary of Chang Robotics, where Wei is chief scientist, and a resident startup at Northwestern's Querrey InQbation Lab. Twenty years into Nguyen's research on graphene oxide, Wei came to Northwestern to give a talk about the engineering of food manufacturing before he had worked there. They remained in touch and formed a partnership over the last decade. The team has successfully tested the material on cardboard boxes, plastic produce bags, plates, cups, and straws. What are PFAS? PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals resist grease, oil, water, and heat. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PFAS do not degrade easily in the environment because their molecules have one of the strongest bonds. Because of this, PFAS break down slowly, if at all. If you grabbed a cup of coffee at your local convenience store not so terribly long ago, that cup would have contained PFAS. "Even 10 years ago, if you remember a paper cup, the outside of the cup was paper, but the inside had this sort of plasticky coating to it, and so that literally would be like a plastic, or it could be a PFAS, and that was essential to make sure your cup of coffee didn't disintegrate in your hand while you're still trying to drink it," explained Wei. A study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans. There are over 15,000 types of PFAS, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Although not all of them are in use, many are hard to detect. The EPA says it will require public water systems to monitor the level of 6 PFAS by 2027. PFAS arealso detected in food, soil and air, in addition to the consumer Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health says that PFAS can last thousands of years. How the graphene oxide material works Graphite — a naturally occurring crystalline form of carbon — is a common everyday substance best known as pencil "lead" (actual lead was never used in pencils despite the name). Graphene is a single, two-dimensional layer of graphite — simply a sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. Nguyen called it "hexagonal chicken wire." Graphene oxide is synthesized when graphene is exposed to oxygen. This process causes the substance to form functional groups — that is, structures that are responsible for reactions. Importantly, graphene oxide with its functional groups is water soluble, while pure graphene is a solid and is not soluble in anything. "So it becomes a solution that we can use to spray, to coat, to integrate it with paper making," explained Nguyen. Specifically, an oxygen function group in the graphene oxide binds onto the fiber of the paper and changes its properties — making it hydrophobic, or resistant to water. Graphene oxide also makes paper more resistant to oil, and reduces the amount of water vapor and gases that make contact with the paper, Wei explained. In other words, graphene creates a barrier when applied to paper. Studies also showed that graphene increases the strength of the substance to which it is applied. In Nguyen's early research, adding graphene oxide to a synthetic polymer, or plastic, dramatically increases its Young's modulus — a measurement of how strong a material is under compression or tension. Graphene oxide also increases the polymer's tensile strength — essentially, the force required to pull it apart. When graphene oxide is used on paper, such as a to-go cup, data likewise document a 30% to 40% increase in strength, Wei said. Better for the environment and health Graphene oxide is safer than PFAS because it is derived from carbon, according to Nguyen. "It resembles a carbohydrate," he said. "Graphene oxide will degrade in the environment the same way wood does biologically." Because graphene oxide is also water soluble, the theory is that it would not stick or stay inside the body the same way microplastics and PFAS do. The team said they are not yet at the step of getting FDA approval and will test this and verify their theories. "This material would be a lot safer for the environment, and a consumer could know that their disposable cup of coffee can safely go in the dumpster or to the compost without spreading harmful chemicals," Nguyen said. Graphene oxide has been shown to be able to filter out heavy metals from tap water, according to research done at MIT in 2021. Northwestern estimates that the U.S. produces approximately 14 million metric tons of paper-based food packaging and corrugated cardboard every year, many of which are coated with PFAS. Next steps "The problem is PFAS work really well and are really inexpensive, but as we learn as a society, that those are really problematic materials, they have to be removed," Wei said. Nguyen said the scientists are trying to "solve a little bit at a time," while pushing ahead in search of an even better alternative. Their long-term goal is to create a paper-based material that replaces plastic for food packaging for produce and meat, paper bags and tableware. The team received funding from a major national tableware manufacturer and is in talks with several companies to try pilot testing. "We work on this to make an impact on our future, our children, grandchildren, and for the whole earth," Nguyen said.
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
10 Best Vacuums For Pet Hair Around The House
Best budget vacuum for pet hair: Eureka PowerSpeed — an under-$100 option with an XL dust cup, different pet-specific tools, and five height adjustment settings so you can easily transition from your living room's hardwood floors to your bedroom's high-pile carpet — no fight necessary. What's included: Upholstery tool, dusting brush, pet tool, crevice tool, upright vacuum. Promising review: "I've tried many vacuum cleaners that claim to be for pet hair, but this is the only one that absolutely SLAYS! I'm almost embarrassed at how much pet hair it picked up on first use, since I thought my previous vacuum was decent. For reference, I have two medium-haired fluffball cats and regular visits from an American Eskimo dog who sheds more than I ever thought possible. I'd vacuum after each visit, but I always suspected there was leftover fur in the rugs and carpet. Not anymore! This machine is exactly what I needed. Never thought I'd write a product review for a cleaning device, but here we are! I love it. 10/10 would recommend." —KCGet it from Amazon for $89.99. Best handheld vacuum for pet hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser — a compact model ideal for upholstered furniture, carpets, and car interiors. This lil' guy offers a surprising amount of suction and a handy crevice tool that helps clean hard-to-reach areas so you don't have to turn a blind eye to any messes. What's included: Crevice tool, brush, and cordless reviews: "Wow! I was skeptical — I'd tried to remove pet fur with industrial-strength tape rollers to no avail — but this worked AMAZINGLY! Transformed our cushions that were covered in cat fur, and now they look good as new. A miracle given the price." —J. Greenberg"I have a Maine Coon cat. He has lots of fur that grows in thick for the winter, starting in the fall, and by around spring, it all goes POOF, and fur is everywhere. I also have a short-haired domestic cat who sheds a bit in spring. This vacuum is fantastic for the cat tree, along with any other upholstered furniture. Also fantastic for getting dog hair out of your car as well. I use the narrow tip for edges around the house. The pet eraser attachment is perfect for dealing with pet hair. When done, I do recommend taking the pet eraser head apart and cleaning the bristles out and rinsing out the compartment that holds the debris." —J. MansonGet it from Amazon for $68.99. Best cordless vacuum for pet hair: Dyson Gen5detect — a splurge-worthy pick that's the most powerful in Dyson's lineup. It's got a lot of things going for it, but one of the coolest features is the illumination technology, which allows you to see hidden-in-plain-sight dust, debris, and pet fur, so you always get the job done on your first go. What's included: Combination tool, built-in dusting and crevice tool, hair screw tool, digital motorbar cleaner head, fluffy optic cleaner head, cordless vacuum, charger, docking station, wand, and review: "I previously had a very cheap vacuum, and vacuumed the carpets regularly. After getting this, popping on the carpet cleaner head and getting to work, I fully filled the chamber over three times. The amount of yuck this thing sucks up is phenomenal. The green light is fantastic, and helps me to see and then capture lots of pet hair I wouldn't see with my eye, but would feel gross on my feet. And you get confirmation of the cleanliness via the sensors. My place has never been so clean. Green sensor mode is super quiet, and while swapping in the carpet head is louder, it's far less loud than a cheaper vacuum and 10X more powerful. The battery lasts far longer than I would need, and setting it on the charge port means it will always be full when I need it again. A lavish purchase, but if you care about cleanliness and are looking for a long-term investment that is superb and powerful, this is an excellent choice." —jimbojonesGet it from Amazon for $799.95. Best corded vacuum for pet hair: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus — a lightweight, agile pick with a series of specialized pet tools and features, including a tangle-free brush roll, one-touch dust canister emptying (so you don't have to touch anything yucky), and an optional Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator filter to keep things fresh. What's included: Crevice tool, pet turbo eraser, and 2-in-1 pet dusting brush. Promising review: "My Parson Russell Terrier sheds clouds of short, white fur. My Border Collie sheds buckets of long black hair. The beige wall-to-wall, low-pile carpets in the primary and guest bedrooms were taking a beating. Enter this Bissell vacuum, and the problem of pet hair was solved. In the first 10 minutes, I filled the large canister container TWICE with pet hair. The suction is amazing. The motor accounts for most of the weight, while the body is lightweight plastic. I'm 80, and had no problems lifting or maneuvering it around. Highly recommend." —Louise O. StandishGet it from Amazon for $199. Best vacuum for allergy sufferers: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Pro — a beloved model that sucks up dander and 99.9% of other allergens with a *completely sealed XL HEPA filter,* which ensures no pesky particles leak back into your air. What's included: Pet power brush, crevice tool, and upright vacuum. Promising review: "This vacuum sucks so good. 😎 I'm preparing my office for a new job I just took working from home. What is now my office was once my kitties' bedroom — in other words, it smelled and was just dirty/hairy. No matter how hard I tried with my other vacuum, it still didn't feel fully clean. The reviews were promising for this sucker, so I knew it was worth trying out. This thing has the suction power of a black hole. It works like a breeze, and I'll be able to use it for carpets, area rugs, furniture, hardwood floors, and who knows what else! When I first turned it on, I could tell it was like driving a Lamborghini over my Toyota Prius. It can be surprising at first how much it sticks to the floor, but I fully believe that's a good thing! I'd say after getting over that initial shock, it's very easy to use! If you're hesitating on buying this vacuum, don't. It's 100% worth every penny." —Lauren CappaGet it from Amazon for $199.99. Best robot vacuum for pet hair: Shark AI Ultra — an affordable but powerful machine with a self-emptying base, HEPA filtration, and 360-degree home mapping tech so it *won't* repeatedly run into the leg of your coffee table or get stuck under your couch. What's included: Two side brushes, XL HEPA filter, Shark AI Robot, and self-emptying base. Promising review: "I am so thankful for this little robot. It saves me SO MUCH TIME. I normally vacuum and sweep DAILY, sometimes twice a day. I have three massive dogs that shed like wild, and there is not a day in my life when little dust balls of dog fur are not lining my hallway and gathering in corners of my living room. I have loved and used my Shark brand pet vacuum for over eight years now, and knew that at least with Shark, I would get great customer service and a good warranty on the robot. When I run this thing, I don't have to sweep. It doesn't do as great on my area rug, but my floors and hallways are always clear of dog hair, which is absolutely the #1 reason I purchased. If you are purchasing to combat dog hair as I did, just be aware that you will have to clean it out after every cleaning session. I also try to free the brush underneath of hair often, as the longer dog hair just wraps around it. Still, the three minutes it takes me to empty and clean the brush is wonderful compared to 45 minutes of sweeping and vacuuming every day." —TaylorGet it from Amazon for $349.99. Best combination robot vacuum/mop for pet hair: eufy X10 — a do-it-all contraption that features AI obstacle avoidance, a self-emptying design, and an auto-detangling roller brush so you never have to flip it over and perform emergency surgery as its endless beeps sear into your brain. Since it also offers powerful 8,000 Pa suction — compared to the typical 2,500 to 5,000 Pa of other vacuums on the market — you might as well get another dog 'cause double the fur is no concern. 😊 What's included: Robotic vacuum cleaner, Omni Station, and AC line. Promising review: "I can't give this robot vac/mop enough stars. Absolutely love this thing. So easy to use and to schedule tasks using the app on my phone. We have an English Bulldog who I thought shed a lot. Then, we got a German Shepherd and oh my the hair!!! I was sweeping and vacuuming, plus using a Swiffer for pets every day, and still could not keep up with all the shedding. If I missed a day, it was horrible. I set this vac to run every day, and there is so much less pet hair. This is the best purchase ever!!!" —Stephanie ThomasonGet it from Amazon for $699.99 (available in two colors). Best touchless vacuum for pet hair: EyeVac Pet — a perfect pick for anyone whose home feels like a combination Supercuts x PetSmart Groomer given just how much human hair and fur is flying around. It's also great for collecting errant litter, kibble, and any other debris your four-legged babes dabble in. Promising review: "If you have pets who shed, this is a game changer!! We have a German Shepherd and cats. The need to sweep or vacuum our floors is a daily thing. Used in conjunction with a squeegee-type broom, it only takes minutes to get up fur, litter, and everything else on the floor. It is a quality product that sits quietly in the corner. The suction power is awesome. It will collect litter, dry pet food, and lots of fur (!!), plus sand and dirt. It looks really nice and is super easy to dump the debris out. Would highly recommend this product. Has been a game changer in my house. No more hauling out the big vacuum cleaner every day!" —CathrynGet it from Amazon for $169+ (available in five designs). Best bagged upright vacuum for pet hair: Kenmore Floor Care Elite — a formidable contender with three motors that deliver 20% more power than conventional vacuums, plus an LED dirt sensor so you don't miss ANYTHING. One reviewer says they just bought a new one after their first lasted 15 years! What's included: Extension wand, pet handimate, combo brush/dusting tool, crevice tool, and upright vacuum. Promising review: "Saw the reviews and rankings on this Kenmore, and the price was good, so I purchased. Soooooo pleased!!!! I have an Oreck, and there's simply no comparison. The suction on the Kenmore is phenomenal!!! It has two motors, so when you move from the 'floor' setting to the 'carpet' setting, it almost self-propels because the suction is just that strong. Comes with two very handy attachments, which store directly onto the vacuum. Wow! Sooooo pleased. I have dogs and cats and lots of shedded hair. The wand was great for hair build-up in hard-to-reach places. Because of the two motors, it does have some weight to it, BUT I am a petite 61-year-old, and I have no problem maneuvering it. I would highly recommend it to anyone with pets!!!!! You will be thoroughly pleased!!!" —ConconGet it from Amazon for $299.98. Best canister vacuum for pet hair: Miele Blizzard CX1 Cat & Dog — a great pick for large homes thanks to its 36-foot operating radius, 🤲 which ensures you don't have to find a new outlet every few feet. What's included: Dusting brush, parquet twister floorhead, electro plus floorhead, crevice tool, handheld turbo brush, canister vacuum. Promising review: "I have 12 indoor rescue cats, two of which are long-haired, as well as a little dog. I have been through more upright vacuums than I care to think about. So my home and pets are hard on vacuum cleaners. The majority of my home is hard vinyl, with carpeting in only two bedrooms, and two large area rugs and runners. This wonderful vacuum handles all of my flooring perfectly... it's easy to maneuver... and easy to change the heads for different jobs. The suction is strong and the power head pulls itself on carpet and area rugs... You just have to guide it. The attachments work well, plus the pet tool for upholstery is the first one I've ever had that actually worked like it should. It didn't take long to get used to pulling a canister behind me, because even though it is solid, it's not heavy or hard to maneuver. My only wish is that my Miele lasts for many, many, many years, because I think I finally found a vacuum for my house full of fur!" —julie nutterGet it from Amazon for $791.34.
