New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Microplastic pollution may result in weakened mussels

Ben Coxworth January 29, 2019

In recent years, we've seen a number of research groups develop waterproof adhesives inspired by the fibers that mussels use to cling to rocks. Unfortunately, though, the mussels themselves may be losing their grip on those rocks, due to marine microplastic pollution.

As long as they're able to adhere to rocks, mussels form reefs that provide habitats for ...

Environment

Grim report details threats to human health posed by climate change

Anthony Wood November 30, 2018

A new report highlighting the grim threat posed by climate change to human health has estimated that in 2015 almost 3 million lives ended prematurely as a result of ambient air pollution, and that millions more living in cities - including the elderly - are at risk from extreme temperatures.

Air pollution and high temperatures pose a significant threat to vulnerable urban populations

Environment

Stingrays' smell damaged by exposure to oil spills

James Holloway November 15, 2018

It's well reported that oil spills can have a catastrophic biological and environmental impact. But to date, few studies have examined the effect of whole crude oil on senses of a marine vertebrate. A new study is the first to confirm effects on stingrays' sense of smell.

The team compared Atlantic stingrays exposed to oil with others in clean water

Environment

Sensors buried in farmers' fields may help prevent algae blooms

Ben Coxworth November 1, 2018

Toxic algae blooms can be nasty, killing fish, other wildlife and sometimes even people. One of the main causes of such blooms is excessive amounts of fertilizer running off of fields and into waterways. A new type of buried sensor, however, could help address that situation.

Toxic algae blooms are at least partially caused by fertilizer that runs off of farmers' fields ...

Materials

Wood-based sponge hates water but loves oil

Ben Coxworth October 24, 2018

Removing oil spills from water is a difficult business, with various approaches having met with mixed results. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Forestry believe they may be onto something, however, in the form of a reusable "wooden" sponge that absorbs oil while leaving water behind.

A sample of the sponge material draws red-dyed oil from a beaker of water

Environment

First-of-a-kind study finds microplastics in human stool around the world

Nick Lavars October 22, 2018

One the many reasons to be concerned about plastic pollution is the uncertainty around its effects when consumed by humans. A new study will do little to allay these fears, describing the presence of various microplastics in human stool samples across the globe for the first time.

Plastic particles have been discovered in human stool samples in a first-of-a-kind study

Environment Audio available

Ocean Cleanup system installed and ready for work at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Nick Lavars October 17, 2018

It has been a long journey for the Ocean Cleanup Project, but after years of development and a 1,300-plus-mile trip through the open water, its first system is now installed at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the single biggest accumulation of ocean plastics in the world.

The Ocean Cleanup Project has installed its first system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Environment Audio available

Daan Roosegaarde's incredible Space Waste Lab pinpoints orbiting space debris with long-range LEDs

Nick Lavars October 8, 2018

Dutch artist and designer Daan Roosegaarde has a knack for raising environmental awareness through spectacular and symbolic pieces of art, and his freshly launched Space Waste Lab might be his most impressive installation yet.

Studio Roosegaarde has teamed up with the European Space Agency’s Clean Space team for Space Waste ...

Science

Portable device gets the drop on toxic algae

Ben Coxworth October 3, 2018

Freshwater and marine algal blooms can be harmful – even fatal – to wildlife and humans alike, so the sooner that authorities can predict them, the better. A cheap and portable new device developed at UCLA could help them do so.

Automotive

Studded snow tires cost lives, says study

James Holloway October 2, 2018

Studded tires are a popular choice in northern climes come winter, thanks to the extra grip they afford on ice and compacted snow. But new research from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden says they actually cost more lives than they save.

Some 60 percent of Swedish drivers fit studded tires for winter, but research suggests they actually ...