Charles Darwin and conspicuous consumption: Why bling is blingy
Luxury brands are a prominent feature of modern society. Thorstein Veblen coined the term "conspicuous consumption" to describe how the upper classes showcased expensive goods without inherent practical benefits to demonstrate their economic power......»»
EVs and hybrids had a noticeable effect on US fuel consumption, says EPA
Model-year 2022 cars, crossovers, and yes, even SUVs are the most-efficient, ever. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) I like the idea of drawing the year to a close with some good news for a change, and I think maybe the US.....»»
Scientists reveal foodcrust archaeology through molecule excavation
A lipid and proteomic study of ancient carbonized material (foodcrust) on pottery from the Taihu Lake region of eastern China has revealed the presence of rice, seafood consumption, various pottery functions, as well as the southward spread and plant.....»»
Scientists provide recipe to halve pollution from food production
A major report for the United Nations has put forward solutions to halve nitrogen pollution from agriculture and the food system in Europe, including reducing meat and dairy consumption, fertilizer use and food waste......»»
Research reveals origin of saltwater crocodiles caught in Northern Australia harbor
Problem saltwater crocodiles are typically traveling between 100km and 200km to Darwin Harbor potentially in search of new resources or territories, according to a new study on the migration of the reptiles......»»
A global biodiversity tipping point as first marine fish extinction declared
A species of ray, so rare it has only ever been recorded once back in the late 1800s, has been declared extinct after an assessment by an international team led by Charles Darwin University (CDU). The loss of the Java Stingaree, a small relative of s.....»»
Planting less water-intensive crops in the western United States would help alleviate water scarcity, study finds
Across the world, irrigation dominates freshwater consumption, accounting for 88% of all the freshwater consumed on a global scale. In the western United States, this is no different, as irrigated farming is the leading driver of water depletion in t.....»»
Why are people still flying to climate conferences by private jet?
Rishi Sunak, David Cameron and King Charles are just three of the more than 70,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries at the latest UN climate summit in Dubai, COP28. But they are among hundreds who will have traveled there by private jet. In fact,.....»»
Researchers develop a new approach to polarization-independent LC phase modulation
Liquid-crystal (LC) phase modulators are widely used in optical systems because of their advantages of low power consumption, lightweight, flexible bandwidth adjustment, and non-mechanical movements. However, most LC phase modulators are polarization.....»»
Where to watch A Christmas Carol
We're going to tell you where you can watch the best adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol this holiday season......»»
Using the principles of evolution to defeat cancer
November 24 marked 164 years since the publication of Charles Darwin's revolutionary "On the Origin of Species," one of the most influential scientific books ever written. In acknowledgement, 24 November is known as "Evolution Day" or the quirkier ti.....»»
Sustainability transitions in energy, mobility, food: Research focus shifts to real-world change processes
Existing consumption and production systems, which use natural resources to meet societal needs for food, shelter, energy and health, are unsustainable. Although researchers from different disciplines have long investigated how these systems can beco.....»»
New computer code for mechanics of tissues and cells in three dimensions
Biological materials are made of individual components, including tiny motors that convert fuel into motion. This creates patterns of movement, and the material shapes itself with coherent flows by constant consumption of energy. Such continuously dr.....»»
UK research finds public is climate complacent
The UK public is complacent when it comes to personal action on climate change and, without intervention, meaningful changes to lifestyles and consumption behaviors will not happen, according to new research by the University of Southampton......»»
Japan to require companies like Apple to pay taxes in place of developers
Small developers operating outside of Japan can be tough to get ahold of for owed consumption tax payments, so the Finance Ministry is placing the burden on Apple and other app market operators.App StoreMobile app markets like Apple's App Store conti.....»»
"Alien" wasps thriving in tropical forests, study finds
Researchers say they have discovered a high diversity of Darwin wasps in a tropical rainforest in Brazil, wasps which were previously thought to thrive more in cooler habitats......»»
Governments should stop converting land use, says UN scientist
Governments need to stop allowing land to be converted in the face of rising global consumption, a leading UN scientist has warned, as data shows the world is off track to meet land degradation targets......»»
Food waste prevention in Europe can generate major footprint savings
New research shows that European food consumption draws unnecessarily excessively on global resources, which is why researchers are calling for political action. Many of the foods that are consumed in Europe are produced in countries outside Europe......»»
Hydrogel-assisted microfluidic spinning of stretchable fibers via fluidic and interfacial self-adaptation
Stretchable polymeric fibers have significant impact, although their production requires rigorous environmental methods and resource consumption. The process is challenging for elastic polymers with reduced spinnability and high performance, such as.....»»
Leap seconds could become leap minutes, despite pushback from Russians, Vatican
Already endangered, the leap second might have a practical successor soon. Enlarge / Dr. Charles H. Townes, inventor of the maser, a key component of atomic clocks, illustrates the differences between it and a standard clock. (c.....»»
King Charles: Tackle AI risks with urgency and unity
King enters debate on AI as UK holds summit and announces global declaration on managing threats......»»