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.....»»
Some glaciers in Antarctica have maintained considerable stability over the last millennia
A research study led by Marc Oliva, researcher at the University of Barcelona, analyzes the evolution of glaciers on the Hurd Peninsula in Antarctica, home to the Spanish Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base. This study, published in the journal Quaternary S.....»»
Researchers call on European Commission to protect groundwater and subterranean life from pollution
The subterranean world holds a value that is often underestimated. Its significance seems to escape notice, particularly its vital role in storing drinking water—a resource long taken for granted—and its contribution to biodiversity, harboring un.....»»
Ultrafast electron imaging captures never-before-seen nuclear motions in hydrocarbon molecules excited by light
The interactions between light and nitroaromatic hydrocarbon molecules have important implications for chemical processes in our atmosphere that can lead to smog and pollution. However, changes in molecular geometry due to interactions with light can.....»»
New study highlights job challenges for people who stutter
People who stutter have lower earnings, experience underemployment and express lower job satisfaction than those who don't stutter, a new University of Florida study finds......»»
Seals" iceberg strategies: Navigating icy habitats for survival
Harbor seals in icy regions use icebergs shed by glaciers as safe platforms to give birth, care for young and molt. New research finds that as glaciers change with the climate, the resulting changes in size, speed and number of icebergs affect seals'.....»»
Illegal ritualistic hunts in West Bengal kill thousands of animals each year
A new study in the journal Nature Conservation highlights the grave impacts of illegal ritualistic hunts in West Bengal, India, where thousands of hunters gather during cultural or religious festivals to kill wildlife using traditional weapons such.....»»
Fashion police dictated gender norms in early modern Genoa, historian finds
While fashion magazines and social media strongly influence how people dress today, there were literally fashion police in most early modern European cities, according to art history scholar Ana Cristina Howie, with local laws dictating—down to the.....»»
Once-endangered Kirtland"s warblers show extensive signs of inbreeding in genome
The genome of a once-endangered songbird shows extensive signs of inbreeding, according to a new study by Penn State researchers. Because inbreeding can negatively impact survival and reproduction, the results could guide continuing conservation effo.....»»
Ozone recovery delayed 17 years by feedstock emissions, old gear
A new study published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals a 17-year delay in the projected recovery of the ozone layer since 2006, underscoring the need for enhanced global environmental policies and enforcement......»»
AI"s power demands driving toxic air pollution, study finds
Computer processing demands for artificial intelligence, or AI, are spurring increasing levels of deadly air pollution from power plants and backup diesel generators that continuously supply electricity to the fast-growing number of computer processi.....»»
Study finds increased income boosts birthweight outcomes
Higher incomes are often correlated with healthier pregnancies and babies, but is it really the money that matters? Sedimentary rocks that formed 390 million years ago, surprisingly, help provide the answer, at least for those who live above the Marc.....»»
Flash Sale: Costco Gold-Star Membership and $45 Digital Costco Shop Card
For a limited time, get a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when you sign up for a 1-Year Costco Gold Star Membership for $65......»»
Cable ISPs compare data caps to food menus: Don’t make us offer unlimited soup
Data plans compared to a "tasting menu, a buffet, or unlimited soup and salad." Cable broadband companies continue to insist that data caps are good for people with low incomes, p.....»»
Surprising rumor says new HomePod will get high-quality OLED screen
South Korean press unexpectedly claims that Apple's anticipated new HomePod with a display will use high-quality OLED screens, all of which are to be manufactured in China.An artist's rendition of a HomePod with a displayThe much-rumored HomePod with.....»»
"We live in a universe that is just right for us": Study proposes a test for the Anthropic Principle
The Anthropic Principle—stating that the universe we live in is fine-tuned to host life—was first proposed by Brandon Carter in 1973. Since then, it has sparked significant debate......»»
New study reveals link between owner demographics and canine nutrition
Dog owners have quite a bit of control over their pets' diets, and many have strong opinions on what kinds of diets are best for their canine friends......»»
Many hybrids rank as most reliable of all vehicles, Consumer Reports finds
Many hybrid vehicles stand out as the most reliable vehicles offered on the market, according to Consumer Reports' year-end survey......»»
Lizards and snakes are 35 million years older than we thought
Reanalysis of a fossil finds that reptiles' traits go back earlier than we thought. Lizards are ancient creatures. They were around before the dinosaurs and persisted long after d.....»»
Plankton study investigates how marine food webs respond to increasing alkalinity
The ocean naturally absorbs a quarter to a third of man-made CO2 emissions, but this process also leads to the acidification of seawater. By increasing the alkalinity of seawater through the addition of certain minerals (e.g., carbonates and silicate.....»»
Scientists urged to pull the plug on "bathtub modeling" of flood risk
Recent decades have seen a rapid surge in damages and disruptions caused by flooding. In a commentary article published in the journal Earth's Future, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Bristol in the United Kin.....»»