How filter-feeding bivalves could be used to clean up microplastics
On a hot summer day in Connecticut, it's common to go to a beach-side restaurant, eat some fresh oysters and mussels, and enjoy the crashing of the waves against the sand. For a group of University of Connecticut faculty and a Florida Atlantic Univer.....»»
Microplastic hotspots forming in offshore UK North Sea, researchers find
Microplastic pollution in the world's oceans is often illustrated through evocative images of wildlife caught within large items floating on the surface, or microplastics blending in among the sand on otherwise pristine beaches......»»
Florida island starts long clean-up after Hurricane Helene
Michael Ward—who has lived on Treasure Island, off Florida's Gulf coast, for 33 years—decided to ride out Hurricane Helene despite an order to evacuate. It was a decision he quickly regretted......»»
Breathing may introduce microplastics to the brain—new study
Small plastic particles are everywhere: in the soil where our food is grown, in the water we drink and in the air we breathe. They got there from the plastic we throw away, which ends up in landfill sites, rivers and seas. There the plastic waste slo.....»»
Key negotiator Norway sees "positive signals" ahead of plastic talks
In the single week that world leaders convened for high-level UN talks in New York, nearly 100,000 water bottles' worth of microplastics swirled through the city's air, posing known and still unknown risks to human health......»»
Citizen scientists help discover microplastics along the entire German coastline
The global production of plastics and the resulting plastic waste has increased to such an extent that plastics have become ubiquitous in our environment. Plastics of various sizes are also found along the German North Sea and Baltic coasts......»»
Drone footage provides new insight into gray whales" acrobatic feeding behavior
Drone footage captured by researchers in Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute is offering new insight into the acrobatics undertaken by gray whales foraging in the waters off the coast of Oregon......»»
Cricket study suggests mating filter narrows when males are trying to save energy
A trio of biologists at the University of Minnesota has found that when male crickets need to save energy, they narrow their mating filter, to focus more exclusively on females......»»
Feeding coral reefs can aid their recovery from bleaching events
Coral reefs will continue to experience severe heat stress as rising temperatures cause the oceans to become unbearably hot—but a new study shows that altering their feeding habits could allow local populations to avoid total extinction......»»
Sharks and rays leap out of the water for many reasons, including feeding, courtship and communication
Many sharks and rays are known to breach, leaping fully or partly out of the water. In a recent study, colleagues and I reviewed research on breaching and ranked the most commonly hypothesized functions for it......»»
Businesses trying to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal
Humans have overfished the ocean, cleared forests, polluted water and created a climate crisis by burning fossil fuels. These actions are affecting biodiversity around the world, from remote islands to our own backyards......»»
Scientists reviewed 7,000 studies on microplastics. Their alarming conclusion puts humanity on notice
It's been 20 years since a paper in the journal Science showed the environmental accumulation of tiny plastic fragments and fibers. It named the particles "microplastics.".....»»
The Hoover CleanSlate portable carpet cleaner is $100 today — normally $140
If you need to clean specific areas of your carpets, rugs or upholstery this Hoover CleanSlate portable carpet cleaner is a great choice. It's on sale today......»»
Scientists say there is enough evidence to agree to global action on microplastics
Science has provided more than sufficient evidence to inform a collective and global approach to tackle the continued spread of plastic pollution, according to a new report......»»
Microplastics: Meant to last, just not forever and not in our bodies
Megan Hill is an assistant professor of chemistry and leader of the Hill Lab in Colorado State University's College of Natural Sciences. Her research leverages organic chemistry to design advanced polymeric materials for applications in sustainabilit.....»»
Everyone should have a LifeStraw in their emergency kit — only $13 today
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is the perfect lightweight accessory to take on your hikes. It's on sale at Amazon making it even more affordable......»»
“Dead Internet theory” comes to life with new AI-powered social media app
SocialAI takes the social media "filter bubble" to an extreme with 100% fake interactions. Enlarge (credit: gremlin via Getty Images) For the past few years, a conspiracy theory called "Dead Internet theory" has picked u.....»»
Ocean sediment is a "mudtropolis"—meet the carbon-cycling creatures thriving beneath the seabed
Sitting in darkness, deep below the sunlit surface, an iridescent nightmare awaits its prey. With precision and speed, it strikes and slices a passing fish clean in half with a set of jaws twice the width of its head. The armor-plated creature retrea.....»»
Study finds mine-drainage treatment cost effective, but far more costs lay ahead
New research led by the University of Pittsburgh shows that state and federal appropriations allowing Pennsylvania to treat abandoned mine drainage works to both successfully and cost effectively clean up the acidic water—particularly to the benefi.....»»
Antarctic research finds exceptional warm air intrusions and omnipresent aerosol layers in the stratosphere
Extremely clean air on the ground, warm air intrusions and sulfate aerosol at high altitudes—a Leipzig research project has gained new insights into clouds in Antarctica. From January to December 2023, the vertical distribution of aerosol particles.....»»
Researchers simulate novel metal-filtered VCSEL modal control
A study led by researchers from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed a novel metal-dielectric film mode filter structure that can flexibly regulate transverse modes in vertical-cavi.....»»