Plastics Are Devastating the Guts of Seabirds
New research shows that seabirds’ ingestion of the pollutant scars their insides—a new disease called “plasticosis”—and may disturb their microbiomes......»»
Can astronomers use radar to spot a cataclysmic asteroid?
How can humans protect the Earth from "devastating asteroid and comet impacts?" According to the National Academies and their 2023-2032 Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey, ground-based astronomical radar systems will have a "unique rol.....»»
Advanced artificial photosynthesis catalyst uses CO₂ more efficiently to create biodegradable plastics
Amid growing global concern over climate change and plastic pollution, researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University are making great strides in the sustainable production of fumaric acid—a component of biodegradable plastics such as polybutylene su.....»»
Florida coral reef still struggling after 2023 heat wave
Coral reefs off the Florida Keys islands are struggling to recover from last summer's record-breaking heat wave, new data showed Thursday, in another sign of the devastating impacts of human-caused climate change......»»
How to survive Valentine"s Day when you"re heartbroken
8 ways to forget your heartbreak on the most cursed day of the year Many Februarys ago, I went for lunch with a friend and was served a devastating blow. As I ordered a club sandwich, I caught her eyeing me nervously. "So, I have some news," sh.....»»
High-tech spray can prevent and cure rusty plant threat
Researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a treatment that can both prevent and cure infection caused by an invasive fungal disease devastating native Australian plants......»»
China"s doom loop: A dramatically smaller (and older) population could create a devastating global slowdown
China has announced that in 2023 its population declined from 1.4118 to 1.4097 billion people. Forecasting by the UN suggests China's population will dip to 1.313 billion by 2050 and then down to about 800 million by 2100. This is a significant chang.....»»
Struggling seabirds thrown a lifeline by new commercial fishing ban in the North Sea—but it may not be enough
With their bright, orange feet and colorful beaks full of glistening fish, puffins are really charismatic seabirds. But puffin populations are in decline, largely due to their struggle to catch enough of these shiny fish: sandeels......»»
What"s causing the Amazon"s ongoing record drought?
The devastating drought in the Amazon River Basin that reported in October has continued into Northern Hemisphere winter, which is the heart of the wet season in the southern part of the basin. The drought is cutting off rural and riverside communiti.....»»
An eight-phase methodology for analyzing microplastics in soil ecosystem
In today's world, plastics are used extensively due to their favorable properties and affordable costs. The widespread use of these non-biodegradable materials, however, makes them a waste management nuisance and global environmental concern. It is e.....»»
On Hawaii"s Kilauea, little stresses add up
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is one of the most active in the world. Its eruption in 2018 was its largest in 200 years and among the costliest volcanic disasters in U.S. history. Devastating as it was to the Hawaiian landscape, Kilauea's eruption proved.....»»
Deadly California storm brings unrelenting rain, flooding
A powerful storm lashing California on Monday has left at least three people dead and caused devastating mudslides and flooding, after dumping months' worth of rain in a single day......»»
The video game industry has laid off thousands this year. Here’s what that means for you
With over 6,000 developers laid off in January alone, the video game medium has been dealt some devastating blows that we'll all feel long term......»»
Cost analysis of using cover crops in citrus production
The citrus industry in Florida, a historic hub for citrus (Citrus sp.) production, has been grappling with the devastating effects of Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus). In the face of this.....»»
Engineers unmask nanoplastics in oceans, revealing their true shapes and chemistry
Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year. The sun's ultraviolet light and ocean turbulence break down these plastics into invisible nanoparticles that threaten marine ecosystems......»»
Scientists launch ambitious roadmap for circular carbon plastics economy
Researchers from the Oxford Martin Program on the Future of Plastics, University of Oxford, have outlined ambitious targets to help deliver a sustainable and net zero plastic economy. In a paper published in Nature, the authors argue for a rethinking.....»»
Scientists find a close-loop recycling process for one of the most widely used plastics
A pioneering development enables the targeted replication of the chemical structure of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a plastic that has been difficult to imitate until now, and shows great potential for sustainable alternatives in the plastics ind.....»»
Global warming caused widespread ocean anoxia 93 million years ago, deep-sea sediments research suggests
Marine anoxia is characterized by the oceans being severely depleted in dissolved oxygen, making them toxic and thus having devastating impacts on the organisms inhabiting them. One such event, known as Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2), occurred ~93.5 m.....»»
Climate change behind extreme Amazon drought: study
Climate change was the chief driver of the devastating drought that gripped the Amazon last year, say researchers, as warming threatens one of the world's most important ecosystems for stabilizing the global climate......»»
Revolutionizing plastics: Upcycling agricultural waste boosts performance and sustainability
Researchers from Thailand have pioneered the conversion of waste HDPE milk bottles into high-stiffness composites, using PALF reinforcement for a 162% increase in flexural strength and 204% in modulus. This eco-friendly upcycling boosts mechanical pr.....»»
What a fair deal for ex-steelworkers would look like as the industry decarbonizes
Plans to cut almost 3,000 jobs at the UK's largest steelworks, Tata Steel in Port Talbot, south Wales, mark another devastating chapter in a long history of deindustrialization......»»