Urban mining for metals flashes forward
In what should be a win-win-win for the environment, a process developed at Rice University to extract valuable metals from electronic waste would also use up to 500 times less energy than current lab methods and produce a byproduct clean enough for.....»»
Greenpeace sounds alarm on microplastics ingested by Hong Kong wildlife
Microplastic particles turned up in the vast majority of waste samples taken from Hong Kong wildlife in a Greenpeace study, the group said Monday, suggesting that animals still ingest plastics even if they are not feeding in urban areas......»»
Plot twist: How giving old graveyards new life as parks can improve our cities
Old graveyards are a forgotten land asset that can find new life as urban parks in crowded cities. As the density of our cities increases, efficient use of urban land becomes paramount. In particular, land for urban parks becomes more important and h.....»»
Saturday Citations: Teen seals photobomb research site; cell phones are safe; serotonin and emotional resilience
If you're not susceptible to urban myths and misinformation, there's a new study from the World Health Organization that will ease your 2010s-era anxieties about cell phones. There were a lot of other developments this week, including the return of B.....»»
Physicists capture images of atoms flowing along a boundary without resistance despite obstacles in their path
Typically, electrons are free agents that can move through most metals in any direction. When they encounter an obstacle, the charged particles experience friction and scatter randomly like colliding billiard balls......»»
Examining climate justice in urban public space adaptation
Evaluating processes and outcomes of climate change adaptation enables learning to facilitate climate-resilient pathways and prevent potentially unjust outcomes. A new study by Vanesa Castán Broto and her colleagues focuses on adaptation interventio.....»»
Massive underwater eruption may preview deep-sea mining destruction
Scientists are exploring the underwater aftermath of the 2022 Hunga eruption. Enlarge / Following the 2022 Hunga volcano eruption, a nearby hydrothermal vent was seen coated with a white mat of bacteria and surrounded by a thick.....»»
Q&A: Making the case for artisanal and small-scale mining
Artisanal and small-scale mining plays a critical role in supplying the world with minerals vital for decarbonization, but this kind of mining typically lacks regulation and can be socially and environmentally harmful......»»
Scientists develop multifunctional photocatalyst for wastewater treatment
Water contamination by pharmaceuticals and heavy metals poses severe environmental and health risks. Traditional methods like biodegradation and filtration often lack efficiency and sustainability. Photocatalysis, using solar energy to degrade pollut.....»»
Piedmont Lithium turns to international ventures as U.S. mining plans hit snags
Permit delays and rising costs have driven U.S.-based lithium mining companies to invest in international sites......»»
Curbing toxic metals in spinach and rice crops grown for baby food
Rice and spinach are staples for babies' and young children's diets, but toxic metals and metalloids found in those foods can cause severe health impacts......»»
Global South cities lack cooling green spaces
Cities in the Global South are more exposed to extreme heat because they lack cooling green spaces, new research shows. The study found that Global South cities have just 70% of the "cooling capacity" provided by urban greenery in the Global North. T.....»»
Activists seek clarity over mining ban in Ecuador forest reserve
A sprawling Ecuadoran forest reserve, home to toucans and the spectacled bear, is at the heart of a tug-of-war between environmentalist and miners......»»
Study finds lower-income NYC residents trade comfort for affordability
In a revealing piece of research coauthored by a Singapore Management University academic, public policies to ease urban heat in one of the largest first world cities have seen price gaps emerge between homes in cooler and hotter areas, with lower-in.....»»
Study reveals key strategies to combat urban heat vulnerability
A QUT study analyzing five decades of research and thousands of studies has identified five critical areas needed to tackle urban heat vulnerability (UHV), a growing issue impacting millions in increasingly heat-prone cities......»»
AI and remote sensing data sets advance sustainable mining and Earth observation
Three studies conducted with the collaboration of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, an institute of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), show significant progress in monitoring mining areas......»»
There"s more to accessibility than availability of recreational spaces, says study
Urban planners and developers have predetermined markers of accessibility for recreational spaces, such as parks and playgrounds that might include ramps or the ability to travel to the space using public transportation......»»
Q&A: Rwanda is creating shiny, modern cities after the genocide—but this won"t help communities heal from the past
Over the past 17 years, Rwanda has cleared informal settlements to make way for modern urban construction. Kigali's ambitious city master plan is expected to be fully realized by 2050. But what about the people who are pushed out in the process, and.....»»
Return to Moria arrives on Steam with mining, crafting, and a “Golden Update”
Changes to combat, crafting, and ambient music came from player feedback. Enlarge / It's hard work, survival crafting, but there are moments for song, dance, and tankards. (credit: North Beach Games) The dwarves of J.R.R.....»»
World"s second largest diamond found in Botswana
A massive 2,492-carat diamond—the second largest in the world—has been discovered in Botswana, the Canadian mining company that found the stone announced Thursday......»»
Environmental laws failing to slow deforestation, researchers say
Australia's environmental laws are failing to stop high rates of tree clearing to make way for agriculture, development and mining, according to University of Queensland research......»»