Environment
News and analysis of environmental issues and green technology.
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Scientists discover polar bears adapting to live largely on glacier slush
June 17, 2022Scientists have discovered a genetically distinct subpopulation of polar bears that has adapted to survive on glacier slush instead of sea ice for large parts of the year, boding well for adaptability of the species. -
Rising beaches suggest Antarctic glaciers are melting faster than ever
June 13, 2022According to a new study, two of the glaciers that make up the Antarctic ice sheet are now melting faster than they have over the past 5,500 years. Ironically, the conclusion is based on how sea levels have seemingly dropped in the region over time. -
Study reports a big reduction in plastic waste on Australian beaches
June 13, 2022Although there's no doubt that marine plastic waste pollution is a major problem, there may be at least a small sliver of hope. According to a new study, plastic trash on Australian beaches has actually decreased by almost a third in recent years. -
Superworms act like "mini recycling plants" to survive solely on plastic
June 09, 2022A team of researchers has found that hungry little critters known as "superworms" have a healthy appetite for polystyrene, which they were able to trace to specific enzymes in the worms' gut bacteria that convert the plastic waste into energy. -
First microplastics discovered in freshly fallen Antarctic snow
June 09, 2022The ongoing discovery of microplastics in remote, seemingly pristine corners of the world continues to add important detail to a troubling picture of widespread pollution, and the latest finding takes the threat into new terrain. -
Atmospheric CO2 now 50% higher than pre-industrial levels
June 05, 2022Climate scientists have reported the highest levels of carbon dioxide ever recorded in the atmosphere. The latest in a series of record-breaking years saw levels 50 percent higher than pre-industrial times, a concentration not seen 4 million years. -
Fabric-based filter converts flue gas CO2 into bicarbonate
June 03, 2022Scientists have announced an interesting new means of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gas emissions, which would create a usable substance. It's a sheet of treated cotton, which converts CO2 gas into bicarbonate. -
Slow sand filter cleans 99.9 percent of nanoplastics from drinking water
June 01, 2022Today's filtration technologies do a wonderful job of producing potable water, but the spread of plastic waste means there are new threats to contend with. A new study suggests a technique called slow sand filtering may be up to the task. -
Ingestion of microplastics could hamper mussel growth
May 31, 2022Because they feed by filtering seawater, mussels are particularly vulnerable to pollutants present within that water. According to new research, it now looks like waterborne microplastics could keep the molluscs from growing to their regular size. -
World's fastest carbon capture system claims 99% efficiency in ambient air
May 29, 2022Carbon capture could be an important tool to fight climate change. Researchers have now developed a new compound that can reportedly remove carbon dioxide from ambient air with 99 percent efficiency and at least twice as fast as existing systems. -
Underwater Seaglider drone deployed to monitor ocean acidification
May 26, 2022Measuring ocean acidification is possible to an extent with sensors fitted to stationary buoys and vessels, but a newly fitted out deep-diving underwater drone promises to fill in the blanks in a big way. -
Mobile system treats crop seeds using electrons instead of fungicides
May 25, 2022Because seeds may contain yield-reducing fungi, bacteria or viruses, they're often chemically treated before they're sold to farmers. A new mobile system, however, substitutes microbe-killing electrons for harsh and eco-unfriendly chemicals. -
Recycled tires make for roads that last twice as long in hot sunshine
May 25, 2022Changing up the recipe could help roads last longer. Researchers in Australia have now shown another advantage of adding rubber from old tires to asphalt – extra Sun protection that could help roads last up to twice as long before cracking. -
Rising temperatures due to climate change shaving hours off our sleep
May 23, 2022Scientists are beginning to explore the relationship between climate change and sleep quality, based on the premise that rising ambient temperatures are impacting our rest. And a new study indicates it may already be costing us many hours per year. -
New treatment breaks down toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" in hours
May 22, 2022Scientists are ramping up their efforts to better break down dangerous PFAS "forever chemicals" before they can cause harm, and a new breakthrough demonstrates how this might be done in a matter of hours using UV light.
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