Latest news with #HarvardUniversity
Gizmodo
2 hours ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Human-Constructed Dams Have Shifted the Earth's Poles, Scientists Say
Humans have built so many dams around the world that the Earth's poles have wandered away from the planet's rotational axis, new research suggests. Over the last 200 years, humans have constructed nearly 7,000 massive dams, impounding enough water to nudge the Earth's poles by about three feet (one meter) and cause a 0.83-inch (21-millimeter) drop in global sea levels, according to a new study in Geophysical Research Letters. This drift is possible because Earth's solid crust forms a hard shell around a molten layer of gooey magma. This means that whenever a significant amount of mass is redistributed across the planet's surface, the outermost rock layer wobbles, shifting relative to Earth's molten interior. When this happens, different areas on the Earth's surface end up directly over the planet's rotational axis. As a result, the planet's poles pass through different surface locations than before, a phenomenon known as true polar wander. 'As we trap water behind dams, not only does it remove water from the oceans—thus leading to a global sea level fall—it also redistributes mass around the world,' Natasha Valencic, a graduate student at Harvard University and lead author of the new study, said in a statement. In the study, Valencic and her team analyzed a previously published global database of dams to figure out their locations, the volume of water they store, and how that stored water has impacted Earth's mass distribution. Previously, the database revealed that 6,862 large dams built between 1835 and 2011 contributed to a decrease in sea levels. Collectively, these dams hold enough water to fill the Grand Canyon twice. The results showed that global dam-building has caused Earth's poles to shift in two phases. The first phase, from 1835 to 1954, coincided with a boom in dam construction in North America and Europe. These areas shifted toward the equator, and as a result, the North Pole moved about 8 inches (25 centimeters) toward the 103rd meridian east, a line that passes through Russia, Mongolia, and China. During the second wave of dam construction, between 1954 and 2011, most dams were built in Asia and East Africa. As a result, the North Pole shifted 22 inches (57 centimeters) toward the 117th meridian west, which passes through western South America and the South Pacific. Polar wander is not linear; instead, it follows a wobbly path, which is why the total shift does not add up precisely to 3.7 feet. While the results are relatively subtle, they highlight the need for researchers to account for water stored in dams when predicting future sea level rise. In the 20th century, global sea levels rose 4.7 to 6.7 inches (12 to 17 centimeters), but humans trapped about a quarter of that volume behind dams, according to Valencic. 'Depending on where you place dams and reservoirs, the geometry of sea level rise will change,' she said. 'That's another factor we need to consider, because these changes can be quite large and significant.'
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Columbia University on the cusp of a deal with Trump administration, paying millions to unlock federal funding
People walk through Columbia University campus on the first day of the new semester September 3, 2024, in New York. (Adam Gray/Reuters/File via CNN Newsource) Columbia University is on the verge of striking an agreement with the Trump administration following months of negotiation to restore federal funding to the school, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Columbia is expected to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement to victims of alleged civil rights violations, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency about hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security and safety on campus for Jewish students, according to one source familiar with the matter. In return, the source said, the school will regain access to over US$400 million in federal funding the Trump administration stripped earlier this year. Trump administration officials and officials from Columbia are expected to meet next week at the White House, the source said. The deal has not been finalized and remains subject to change. The administration believes the deal, the terms of which were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, could serve as a blueprint for other schools. A second source familiar with the matter noted the Trump administration has been approaching its negotiations with universities, including Columbia and Harvard University, with a framework of the schools paying a financial penalty. The exact dollar amount is unclear, though it varies by school. Elite schools like Columbia and Harvard University, among others, have faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on their campuses – or face the possible loss of significant federal funding. The effort is part of a broad administration push for policy changes at universities – including over diversity, equity and inclusion and other initiatives – that U.S. President Donald Trump sees as a winning political issue. But it is one that raises major questions about academic freedom and the role of the federal government on college campuses. The school's board of trustees met July 6 to review the terms of the deal, according to one of the sources. The New York City university, which is facing an investigation into its handling of antisemitism on campus, had taken a less confrontational approach than Harvard while it sought to reach a deal, and the source told CNN the administration was more amenable to Columbia's proposed terms in behind-the-scenes negotiations. In June, the Trump administration threatened to pull the university's accreditation over policies it said violated discrimination laws. Talks between a small circle of officials from Trump administration and Harvard had deteriorated in recent weeks amid disputes over some sticking points of that deal. A Columbia spokesperson emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing. 'The University is focused on advancing discussions with the federal government. There is no resolution at this time,' the spokesperson said. Asked about the state of talks, Trump told CNN last week, 'I think we're going to probably settle with Harvard. We're going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There's no rush.' Asked how much money the settlement would entail, Trump said, 'A lot of money.' A source involved in universities' response to the administration told CNN last month the White House has been looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school. 'They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity,' this person said at the time. Asked whether any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, 'Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real.' Last month, acting Columbia President Claire Shipman described the financial pressures facing the university due to the administration's campaign as 'increasingly acute.' 'Columbia's top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research. Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. We're in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity,' Shipman said in a letter to the Columbia community. She indicated it was 'essential' to restore the university's partnership with the federal government, but took aim at criticism that a resolution would amount to 'capitulation.' Shipman said that Columbia has 'engaged in conversations' with the administration about what she described as an 'unacceptable' surge in antisemitic incidents on campus. 'We've committed to change, we've made progress, but we have more to do,' she said. By Betsy Klein.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbia University on the cusp of a deal with Trump administration, paying millions to unlock federal funding
Columbia University is on the verge of striking an agreement with the Trump administration following months of negotiation to restore federal funding to the school, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Columbia is expected to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement to victims of alleged civil rights violations, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency about hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security and safety on campus for Jewish students, according to one source familiar with the matter. In return, the source said, the school will regain access to over $400 million in federal funding the Trump administration stripped earlier this year. Trump administration officials and officials from Columbia are expected to meet next week at the White House, the source said. The deal has not been finalized and remains subject to change. The administration believes the deal, the terms of which were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, could serve as a blueprint for other schools. A second source familiar with the matter noted the Trump administration has been approaching its negotiations with universities, including Columbia and Harvard University, with a framework of the schools paying a financial penalty. The exact dollar amount is unclear, though it varies by school. Elite schools like Columbia and Harvard University, among others, have faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on their campuses – or face the possible loss of significant federal funding. The effort is part of a broad administration push for policy changes at universities – including over diversity, equity and inclusion and other initiatives – that President Donald Trump sees as a winning political issue. But it is one that raises major questions about academic freedom and the role of the federal government on college campuses. The school's board of trustees met July 6 to review the terms of the deal, according to one of the sources. The New York City university, which is facing an investigation into its handling of antisemitism on campus, had taken a less confrontational approach than Harvard while it sought to reach a deal, and the source told CNN the administration was more amenable to Columbia's proposed terms in behind-the-scenes negotiations. In June, the Trump administration threatened to pull the university's accreditation over policies it said violated discrimination laws. Talks between a small circle of officials from Trump administration and Harvard had deteriorated in recent weeks amid disputes over some sticking points of that deal. A Columbia spokesperson emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing. 'The University is focused on advancing discussions with the federal government. There is no resolution at this time,' the spokesperson said. Asked about the state of talks, Trump told CNN last week, 'I think we're going to probably settle with Harvard. We're going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There's no rush.' Asked how much money the settlement would entail, Trump said, 'A lot of money.' A source involved in universities' response to the administration told CNN last month the White House has been looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school. 'They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity,' this person said at the time. Asked whether any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, 'Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real.' Last month, acting Columbia President Claire Shipman described the financial pressures facing the university due to the administration's campaign as 'increasingly acute.' 'Columbia's top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research. Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. We're in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity,' Shipman said in a letter to the Columbia community. She indicated it was 'essential' to restore the university's partnership with the federal government, but took aim at criticism that a resolution would amount to 'capitulation.' Shipman said that Columbia has 'engaged in conversations' with the administration about what she described as an 'unacceptable' surge in antisemitic incidents on campus. 'We've committed to change, we've made progress, but we have more to do,' she said.
CNN
20 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Columbia University on the cusp of a deal with Trump administration, paying millions to unlock federal funding
Columbia University is on the verge of striking an agreement with the Trump administration following months of negotiation to restore federal funding to the school, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Columbia is expected to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement to victims of alleged civil rights violations, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency about hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security and safety on campus for Jewish students, according to one source familiar with the matter. In return, the source said, the school will regain access to over $400 million in federal funding the Trump administration stripped earlier this year. Trump administration officials and officials from Columbia are expected to meet next week at the White House, the source said. The deal has not been finalized and remains subject to change. The administration believes the deal, the terms of which were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, could serve as a blueprint for other schools. A second source familiar with the matter noted the Trump administration has been approaching its negotiations with universities, including Columbia and Harvard University, with a framework of the schools paying a financial penalty. The exact dollar amount is unclear, though it varies by school. Elite schools like Columbia and Harvard University, among others, have faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on their campuses – or face the possible loss of significant federal funding. The effort is part of a broad administration push for policy changes at universities – including over diversity, equity and inclusion and other initiatives – that President Donald Trump sees as a winning political issue. But it is one that raises major questions about academic freedom and the role of the federal government on college campuses. The school's board of trustees met July 6 to review the terms of the deal, according to one of the sources. The New York City university, which is facing an investigation into its handling of antisemitism on campus, had taken a less confrontational approach than Harvard while it sought to reach a deal, and the source told CNN the administration was more amenable to Columbia's proposed terms in behind-the-scenes negotiations. In June, the Trump administration threatened to pull the university's accreditation over policies it said violated discrimination laws. Talks between a small circle of officials from Trump administration and Harvard had deteriorated in recent weeks amid disputes over some sticking points of that deal. A Columbia spokesperson emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing. 'The University is focused on advancing discussions with the federal government. There is no resolution at this time,' the spokesperson said. Asked about the state of talks, Trump told CNN last week, 'I think we're going to probably settle with Harvard. We're going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There's no rush.' Asked how much money the settlement would entail, Trump said, 'A lot of money.' A source involved in universities' response to the administration told CNN last month the White House has been looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school. 'They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity,' this person said at the time. Asked whether any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, 'Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real.' Last month, acting Columbia President Claire Shipman described the financial pressures facing the university due to the administration's campaign as 'increasingly acute.' 'Columbia's top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research. Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. We're in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity,' Shipman said in a letter to the Columbia community. She indicated it was 'essential' to restore the university's partnership with the federal government, but took aim at criticism that a resolution would amount to 'capitulation.' Shipman said that Columbia has 'engaged in conversations' with the administration about what she described as an 'unacceptable' surge in antisemitic incidents on campus. 'We've committed to change, we've made progress, but we have more to do,' she said.
CNN
20 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Columbia University on the cusp of a deal with Trump administration, paying millions to unlock federal funding
Columbia University is on the verge of striking an agreement with the Trump administration following months of negotiation to restore federal funding to the school, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Columbia is expected to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement to victims of alleged civil rights violations, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency about hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security and safety on campus for Jewish students, according to one source familiar with the matter. In return, the source said, the school will regain access to over $400 million in federal funding the Trump administration stripped earlier this year. Trump administration officials and officials from Columbia are expected to meet next week at the White House, the source said. The deal has not been finalized and remains subject to change. The administration believes the deal, the terms of which were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, could serve as a blueprint for other schools. A second source familiar with the matter noted the Trump administration has been approaching its negotiations with universities, including Columbia and Harvard University, with a framework of the schools paying a financial penalty. The exact dollar amount is unclear, though it varies by school. Elite schools like Columbia and Harvard University, among others, have faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on their campuses – or face the possible loss of significant federal funding. The effort is part of a broad administration push for policy changes at universities – including over diversity, equity and inclusion and other initiatives – that President Donald Trump sees as a winning political issue. But it is one that raises major questions about academic freedom and the role of the federal government on college campuses. The school's board of trustees met July 6 to review the terms of the deal, according to one of the sources. The New York City university, which is facing an investigation into its handling of antisemitism on campus, had taken a less confrontational approach than Harvard while it sought to reach a deal, and the source told CNN the administration was more amenable to Columbia's proposed terms in behind-the-scenes negotiations. In June, the Trump administration threatened to pull the university's accreditation over policies it said violated discrimination laws. Talks between a small circle of officials from Trump administration and Harvard had deteriorated in recent weeks amid disputes over some sticking points of that deal. A Columbia spokesperson emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing. 'The University is focused on advancing discussions with the federal government. There is no resolution at this time,' the spokesperson said. Asked about the state of talks, Trump told CNN last week, 'I think we're going to probably settle with Harvard. We're going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There's no rush.' Asked how much money the settlement would entail, Trump said, 'A lot of money.' A source involved in universities' response to the administration told CNN last month the White House has been looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school. 'They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity,' this person said at the time. Asked whether any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, 'Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real.' Last month, acting Columbia President Claire Shipman described the financial pressures facing the university due to the administration's campaign as 'increasingly acute.' 'Columbia's top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research. Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. We're in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity,' Shipman said in a letter to the Columbia community. She indicated it was 'essential' to restore the university's partnership with the federal government, but took aim at criticism that a resolution would amount to 'capitulation.' Shipman said that Columbia has 'engaged in conversations' with the administration about what she described as an 'unacceptable' surge in antisemitic incidents on campus. 'We've committed to change, we've made progress, but we have more to do,' she said.
