Reducing plastics in gardens
With plastic waste a worldwide problem, consumers are taking steps to reduce use and recycle more household packaging—including in their own backyard......»»
Enhancing hurricane forecasts: Simulations reveal reducing estimates of atmospheric friction improves storm predictions
Hurricanes and other extreme weather events are expensive in lives and money. From 1980 to 2023, weather and climate disasters caused about $2.6 trillion in damages in the U.S., according to NOAA estimates. In 2022 alone, the U.S. experienced 18 disa.....»»
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......»»
Sustainable metal-recycling method reduces cost and greenhouse gas emissions
A research team led by Rice University's James Tour has developed a method to recycle valuable metals from electronic waste more efficiently while significantly reducing the environmental impact typically associated with metal recycling......»»
Study shows virtual reality may help pedestrians and cyclists avoid harmful pollutants
Physics-informed virtual reality could be key to reducing the exposure of pedestrians and cyclists to harmful, non-exhaust vehicle emissions, according to a study published 25 Sep in the Royal Society Open Science journal......»»
Extreme botany: Paramotorists soar across remote Peru desert to collect threatened plants
In an innovative paper published today in the journal Plants, People, Planet, scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Huarango Nature and paramotorists from Forest Air, highlight the exciting potential of paramotoring as a means of aiding res.....»»
"Convergence" growing on global plastics treaty: UN environment chief
The UN environment chief said Sunday she was beginning to see convergence on the world's first binding treaty on plastic pollution despite differences on production caps and a tax-like plastic fee......»»
Vaporizing plastics recycles them into nothing but gas
Polypropylene and polyethylene can be broken down simultaneously. Enlarge (credit: Derek Berwin) Our planet is choking on plastics. Some of the worst offenders, which can take decades to degrade in landfills, are polypro.....»»
Australian study finds that lead in the environment is reducing
Efforts to reduce the presence of harmful metals like lead in the environment are having an effect, according to the results of an EPA Victoria study......»»
Reducing floodplain development doesn"t need to be complex, say researchers
A paper, titled "How local governments avoid floodplain development through consistent implementation of routine municipal ordinances, plans, and programs," published in Oxford Open Climate Change uncovers evidence suggesting that, contrary to expect.....»»
Reducing smartphone use found to increase work satisfaction
On average, we spend three and a quarter hours a day looking at our phones. Cutting back this time by one hour a day is not only good for our mental health, but also helps us to feel happier and more motivated at work......»»
Plastics: navigating the maze of dizzying acronyms
Plastics are all around us—from food packaging and drinking bottles to the insulation in our homes......»»
Germany"s parks plant a way forward on climate change
In the castle gardens of Muskauer Park, which straddles both banks of the German-Polish river border, caretakers have mounted a fightback against the impacts of climate change......»»
Exploring ternary metal sulfides as electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reactions
One of the most promising avenues for actively reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere is recycling it into valuable chemicals via electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reactions. With a suitable electrocatalyst, this can be achieved under mild conditions and.....»»
Study: Managers can boost everyone"s productivity by praising successful workers in company-wide messaging
Workplace communications platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams are sometimes accused of reducing productivity by distracting workers with constant messages and the need to respond to them......»»
Study reveals food waste bans ineffective in reducing landfill waste, except in Massachusetts
Of the first five U.S. states to implement food waste bans, only Massachusetts was successful at diverting waste away from landfills and incinerators, according to a new study from the University of California Rady School of Management......»»
Development strategies for using carbon-based catalysts in CO₂ conversion
One of the primary drivers of climate change, CO2 emissions, has reached over 35 million tons worldwide. With global annual temperatures still rising, reducing CO2 emissions has become a necessity. To turn this necessity into an opportunity, research.....»»
Ozone pollution reduces yearly tropical forest growth by 5.1%, study finds
Ozone gas is reducing the growth of tropical forests—leaving an estimated 290 million tonnes of carbon uncaptured each year, new research shows......»»
Team develops new tool to map fossil fuel emissions from space
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new tool to measure ethane from space, leading to a better understanding of fossil fuel emissions worldwide. Ethane is commonly found in natural gas and is primarily used in plastics manufacturing......»»
Study reviews ginsenoside biosynthesis and regulation in Panax notoginseng
Panax notoginseng, a perennial herb central to traditional Chinese medicine, is celebrated for its health benefits, such as promoting blood circulation and reducing inflammation. Its key components, ginsenosides, are associated with various pharmacol.....»»
"Art for insects" could help save pollinators
Gardens can become "living artworks" to help prevent the disastrous decline of pollinating insects, according to researchers working on a new project......»»