Forgotten oil and gas wells linger, leaking toxic chemicals
Rusted pipes litter the sandy fields of Ashley Williams Watt's cattle ranch in windswept West Texas. The corroded skeletons are all that remain of hundreds of abandoned oil wells that were drilled long before her family owned the land. The wells, una.....»»
OpenAI board first learned about ChatGPT from Twitter, according to former member
Helen Toner, center of struggle with Altman, suggests CEO fostered "toxic atmosphere" at company. Enlarge / Helen Toner, former OpenAI board member, speaks during Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Nigue.....»»
OpenAI board only learned about ChatGPT from Twitter, according to former member
Helen Toner, center of struggle with Altman, suggests CEO fostered "toxic atmosphere" at company. Enlarge / Helen Toner, former OpenAI board member, speaks during Vox Media's 2023 Code Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Nigue.....»»
Scientists explore how single-atom catalysts impact water purification in advanced oxidation process
The rapid increase in global industrialization in the past centuries has resulted in the disposal of excessive toxic pollutants into the environment, seriously threatening the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxida.....»»
Producing gold nano-particles (and hydrogen) in water without the need for toxic chemicals
In a surprise discovery, Flinders University nanotechnology researchers have produced a range of different types of gold nanoparticles by adjusting water flow in the novel vortex fluidic device—without the need for toxic chemicals. The article, "Na.....»»
Salty soil sensitizes plants to an unconventional mode of bacterial toxicity
A collaborative study between researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology has shown how a single metabolite can render bacteria toxic to plants under hig.....»»
It took me 8 months to try out this fantastic iOS 17 feature
I had forgotten about iOS 17's StandBy feature, then the right piece of hardware came along and reminded me how fantastic it is......»»
3 underrated Amazon Prime Video movies you should watch this weekend (May 24-26)
From a forgotten 1990s action thriller to a chilling serial killer film, these Amazon Prime Video movies are among the best you can check out this weekend......»»
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.....»»
Cape Cod Weighs Big-Ticket Pollution Solutions
Toxic algal blooms are forcing Cape Cod communities to consider expensive sewer and septic system projects......»»
New study offers a cleaner path for controlling water, transforming greenhouse gases
Scientists looking to convert carbon dioxide into clean fuels and useful chemicals often make hydrogen gas and carbonates as unwanted byproducts. A new paper from the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering has found a cleaner path......»»
Sweat sensor wristwatch offers real time monitoring of body chemistry
Researchers have created a unique wristwatch that contains multiple modules, including a sensor array, a microfluidic chip, signal processing, and a data display system to monitor chemicals in human sweat. Their study is published in the journal ACS.....»»
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.....»»
Many microplastics in the world"s oceans have likely escaped detection, researchers say
Chemicals within microplastics that are found in our world's oceans and waterways, and in drinking water sources, remain of concern to scientists and public health officials. A new study that investigated the presence of the smallest particles of mic.....»»
Tracking down toxic metals from tobacco smoke
Cigarette smoke has been studied for years, revealing a multitude of contaminants, including toxic metals. But exactly which of those metals can be traced to secondhand or thirdhand smoke?.....»»
New catalyst transforms carbon dioxide from industrial emissions into commonly used chemicals
A low-cost, tin-based catalyst can selectively convert carbon dioxide to three widely produced chemicals—ethanol, acetic acid and formic acid......»»
Detecting odors on the edge: Researchers decipher how insects smell more with less
Whether it's the wafting aroma of our favorite meal or the dangerous fumes seeping from a toxic chemical, the human sense of smell has evolved into a sophisticated system that processes scents through several intricate stages. The brains of mammals h.....»»
A review of the applications of mercury stable isotopes for tracing volcanism in geologic events
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can exist stably as a gas, with high volatility and global distribution in the atmosphere. Volcanoes represent a primary natural source of Hg in the atmosphere, with significant effects on Hg cycles on both global.....»»
Researchers test ways to remove "forever chemicals" from the environment and replace them in commercial goods
An underground reservoir in Denmark is the location of a unique experiment: to test a technology for helping rid the environment of a widespread toxic pollution......»»
This modified stainless steel could kill bacteria without antibiotics or chemicals
An electrochemical process developed at Georgia Tech could offer new protection against bacterial infections without contributing to growing antibiotic resistance......»»
Scientists develop new geochemical "fingerprint" to trace contaminants in fertilizer
An international team of scientists has uncovered toxic metals in mineral phosphate fertilizers worldwide by using a new tool to identify the spread and impact of such contaminants on soil, water resources, and food supply......»»