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.....»»
What can bees tell us about nearby pollution? The answer lies in their honey, a new study finds
Inside every jar of honey is a taste of the local environment, its sticky sweet flavor enhanced by whichever nearby flowers bees have decided to sample. But a new study from Tulane University has found that honey can also offer a glimpse of nearby po.....»»
Mangroves save $855 billion in flood protection globally, report finds
Mangroves have been shown to provide $855 billion in flood protection services worldwide, according to a new study from the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience at UC Santa Cruz. The research, conducted by project co-lead, Pelayo Menendez and center.....»»
Climate change threatens global food supply: Scientists call for urgent action
As climate change accelerates, scientists are sounding the alarm about its potentially devastating impact on the world's food supply. In a paper published by Trends in Plant Science, an international team of researchers warns that without rapid chang.....»»
Global study points to a clear solution for the massive decline in sharks and rays
A new global study blames overfishing for a more than 50% decline in sharks and rays since 1970, but also shows a clear path to preventing their numbers dwindling further. James Cook University's Professor Colin Simpfendorfer was co-author of the ana.....»»
Environmental pollutant decreases by half after passing through digestive tract of marine worm in Japan, study finds
Dr. Atsuko Nishigaki and their research team from Toho University, discovered that the marine worm Marphysa sp. E, an annelid living in the tidal flat sediments of Tokyo Bay, rapidly decreased the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PA.....»»
Study: Warming has accelerated due to the Earth absorbing more sunlight
If it's a trend, then future warming will be at the high end of estimates. 2023 was always going to be a hot year, given that warmer El Niño conditions were superimposed on the l.....»»
Experiments show coating rice seedling with nanoscale carbon dots from durian helps rice plants thrive in salty soil
Extreme weather and pollution have increased the salt content in some soil, making growing conditions harsh for salt-sensitive crops like rice. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano detail a possible solution that doesn't require genetic modificatio.....»»
Scientists identify mutation that could facilitate H5N1 bird flu virus infection and potential transmission in humans
Avian influenza viruses typically require several mutations to adapt and spread among humans, but what happens when just one change can increase the risk of becoming a pandemic virus?.....»»
Historical outbreaks of coffee wilt disease linked to gene transfer from another fungus
The fungus that causes coffee wilt disease repeatedly took up segments of DNA from a related fungal pathogen, which contributed to successive outbreaks of the disease. Lily Peck of Imperial College London, U.K., reports these new findings in a study.....»»
Meta-analysis of hunter–gatherer societies shows remarkable physical abilities of both genders
A trio of archaeologists at the University of Cambridge, in the U.K. conducted a study of hundreds of papers outlining research into hunter–gatherer societies, finding that people in such groups engage in a variety of physical activities. George Br.....»»
Sociologists find claims of cultural appropriation target powerful without really challenging the status quo
New research finds that claims of cultural appropriation target the powerful without really challenging the status quo......»»
Study explores how fear impacts financial health of airline industry
A new study reveals how news and external uncertainties, like rising investor fear and geopolitical risks, affect the financial performance of airline companies. By analyzing airline equity returns, researchers found that some shocks have long-term e.....»»
Hitting the target for eradicating feral pigs on Kangaroo Island
The Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20, that razed more than half of the landscape on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, left an indelible mark on the island's unique native biodiversity, which is still struggling to recover......»»
Study identifies pathways to enforce First Nation-led cultural heritage protection
A new research collaboration between the K'ómoks First Nation and Simon Fraser University highlights how Indigenous cultural heritage policies can protect archaeological sites threatened by development, given inadequate provincial heritage protectio.....»»
Plantain power: Reducing nitrate leaching in pasture systems
Nitrate leaching into water is a challenge globally and practical tools to reduce it are needed to aid in water quality improvement. Researchers from Teagasc investigated the effect of including ribwort plantain with grass-clover for reducing nitrate.....»»
Study shows chimpanzees perform the same complex behaviors that have brought humans success
A new study suggests that the fundamental abilities underlying human language and technological culture may have evolved before humans and apes diverged millions of years ago. The findings were published 5 December 2024 in the journal PeerJ......»»
Neanderthals and modern humans must be classed as separate species to best track our origins, study claims
A new study published by researchers at London's Natural History Museum and Institute of Philosophy, KU Leuven has reinforced the claim that Neanderthals and modern-day humans (Homo sapiens) must be classed as separate species in order to best track.....»»
New research explores social dimension of sustainable diets
New research supported by the Interdisciplinary Research Innovation Fund (RAFINS) at the Friedman School highlights an often overlooked aspect of sustainable diets research: How the production and consumption of food impacts people, communities, and.....»»
Proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay likely to remain for at least one month, study finds
Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) investigating the pathways of the proposed wastewater discharge from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) find it has a high probability of remaining in Cape Cod Bay for at least one m.....»»
Study investigating climate change models suggests impact studies should include high-sensitivity climate models
High-sensitivity climate models should not be excluded when projecting future regional climate impacts because the level of warming measured globally is not always the only good indicator of regional changes, a new study suggests......»»