Earthworms could help reduce antibiotic resistance genes in soil
Earthworms improve the soil by aerating it, breaking down organic matter and mineralizing nutrients. Now, researchers have dug up another possible role: reducing the number and relative abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in soils from di.....»»
Proposed Plastics Law Could Slash Wasteful Packaging
A law proposed in New York State seeks to reduce plastic packaging, ban certain plastic chemicals and mandate that producers of packaged consumer goods fund the recycling or disposal of what they sell.....»»
Countries Must Cut Climate Pollution, Ocean Court Rules
In its first climate change case, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea determined that a global ocean convention extends to greenhouse gases, meaning countries have an obligation to reduce them.....»»
Federal circuit says GM must meet higher standard for design patent protection
The ruling will increase scrutiny on design patents, making it easier for third-party manufacturers to produce spare parts for vehicles, a change that could reduce the cost of repairs......»»
ShotSpotter improves detection and response to gunfire, but doesn"t reduce crime, research finds
ShotSpotter gunfire detection technology has delivered as promised in terms of enabling police to quickly detect and respond to gunshots in two American cities, research from Northeastern University finds......»»
Unveiling a novel AAK1 inhibitor: How chemical proteomics unlock therapeutic potential
Enhancing drug development for life-threatening diseases like cancer hinges on a deep understanding of protein kinases, making it a focal point for researchers. These enzymes, encoded by more than 500 human genes, serve as critical players in cellula.....»»
South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto"s water and soil—study finds food gardens are at risk
For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg's estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), t.....»»
China"s food security dream faces land, soil and water woes
China"s food security dream faces land, soil and water woes.....»»
Google Meet has a cool new feature that can reduce microphone feedback
Google Meet has introduced a new feature that should eliminate feedback from microphones during group meetings. The post Google Meet has a cool new feature that can reduce microphone feedback appeared first on Phandroid. We’re sure that.....»»
New "atlas" provides unprecedented insights on how genes function in early embryo development
Although the Human Genome Project announced the completed sequencing of 20,000 human genes more than 20 years ago, scientists are still working to grasp how fully formed beings emerge from basic genetic instructions......»»
Climate change will reduce streamflow in the upper Colorado river basin as groundwater levels fall, study finds
The Colorado River makes life possible in many Western cities and supports agriculture that sustains people throughout the country. Most of the river's water begins as snowmelt from the mountainous watersheds of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and a war.....»»
Personal crises reduce voter turnout, but may prompt other political action
Experiencing multiple life disruptions such as unemployment, eviction or a loss of health insurance makes people less likely to vote—but may motivate them to engage politically in other ways, a Cornell political scientist and co-authors report in n.....»»
Study sheds light on how antibiotic "Velcro" kills bacteria
A small antibiotic called plectasin uses an innovative mechanism to kill bacteria. By assembling into large structures, plectasin latches onto its target on the bacterial cell surface, similar to how both sides of Velcro form a bond......»»
Lizard that Hulks out shows off its superhero genes
A subspecies of reptiles in Italy is much bigger and greener than its relatives. Enlarge (credit: Kristian Bell) The lizard Podarcis muralis nigriventris might not grow to a freakish size and smash everything in sight,.....»»
Uncovering new details on antibiotic resistance from 1940s milk samples
Sometime in the 1940s or so, someone in what is now the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science got a lyophilizer, a piece of equipment that freeze-dries samples, says Director of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CV.....»»
Study finds Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately exposed to wider temperature swings
Extreme heat can harm human health, but so can extreme temperature swings. Large daily temperature variation (DTV) has been associated with elevated mortality in studies around the world. Trees and other vegetation can lower DTV, as trees reduce temp.....»»
Sustainable, high-performance paper coating material could reduce microplastic pollution
Plastic pollution presents a global challenge that must be solved. In particular, packaging accounts for 30–50% of the total plastic consumption. While paper packaging is eco-friendly, it lacks crucial functionalities like moisture resistance and s.....»»
Escaped GMO canola plants persist long-term, but may be losing their engineered resistance to pesticides
Populations of canola plants genetically engineered to be resistant to herbicides can survive outside of farms, but may be gradually losing their engineered genes, reports a new study led by Cynthia Sagers of Arizona State University, US, published M.....»»
Democratizing air quality data at nearly no cost
Due to the high cost of air quality monitors, many countries don't have the tools in place to regularly monitor pollutants. Without routine measurements, policymakers cannot make evidence-based policy decisions to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2......»»
Farm wastewater modeling shows footbaths are source of antimicrobial resistance
New research has mapped wastewater flows on farms and revealed where spikes in antibiotic resistant bacteria in slurry occur, showing that water from copper and zinc footbaths used by dairy animals can cause fluctuations......»»
A metal-free organic framework for electrocatalytic production of ethylene from carbon dioxide
Use of the greenhouse gas CO2 as a chemical raw material would not only reduce emissions, but also the consumption of fossil feedstocks. A novel metal-free organic framework could make it possible to electrocatalytically produce ethylene, a primary c.....»»