Category: Sustainability

  • Innovative Pollination Contracts Enhance Beekeeping Sustainability in California Almond Orchards

    As global native bee populations continue to decline, U.S. crop production increasingly relies on commercial pollination services. Addressing this critical gap, a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores pollination contracts between beekeepers and California almond growers, identifying contractual clauses that could benefit both parties significantly. “There’s about 1.3 million acres of almond…

  • Scientific Breakthrough in Watering Techniques Promises Healthier Tomato Plants

    In a new study, scientists led by Man-Qun Wang, a professor at the College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, have discovered a simple yet effective method to bolster the health and productivity of tomato plants by altering watering practices. This innovative approach, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, could help…

  • Study Identifies Key Owners of Reefers, Enhancing Global Seafood Transparency

    In a landmark discovery poised to transform the global seafood industry, researchers have identified the key players behind the world’s refrigerated cargo vessels, or reefers, in a study published in the journal Science Advances. This breakthrough promises enhanced transparency and accountability in seafood supply chains, tackling long-standing issues of illegal fishing and opaque practices. Fish…

  • CityUHK Researchers Unveil Cost-Effective, Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

    Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have unveiled a significant breakthrough in the field of solar energy. A pioneering fabrication technique developed by the team promises to enhance the commercial viability of perovskite solar cells by boosting their stability, reliability, efficiency and affordability. The research, published in the journal Science, reveals a simplified…

  • Study Finds ‘Forever Chemicals’ More Toxic as Mixtures

    A landmark study by researchers at the University at Buffalo, in collaboration with Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany, has revealed a crucial finding about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The study meticulously measured the toxicity levels of various PFAS when combined, disclosing that their collective toxicity…

  • New Study Reveals PFAS in Groundwater May Persist for Over 40 Years

    A recent study led by researchers at North Carolina State University reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) could remain in the groundwater of Cumberland and Bladen counties in North Carolina for more than 40 years. The study shines a spotlight on the lingering effects of these persistent chemicals, which have been linked to serious…

  • Innovative Solution for Tackling Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Water Supplies

    In a significant breakthrough, researchers led by Iakovos Tzanakis from Oxford Brookes University have developed an innovative method to tackle one of the world’s most stubborn environmental threats — PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals, prevalent in everyday items and a known health hazard, have long eluded effective and sustainable removal strategies. A…

  • Breakthrough in Understanding Bacterial Photosynthesis

    Scientists at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with several international institutions, have made significant strides in understanding bacterial photosynthesis. By employing state-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopy, they have captured detailed structural images of key photosynthetic protein complexes in purple bacteria, specifically Rhodobacter blasticus. These findings, published in the journal Science Advances, could propel advancements in…

  • Wastewater Bacteria Break Down Plastic for Food, Pioneering Pollution Solution

    After years of observing plastic consumption by environmental bacteria in urban waterways, a research team led by Northwestern University has unveiled how certain bacteria break down plastic waste for sustenance. This breakthrough could offer a revolutionary method to tackle the burgeoning plastic pollution problem. The study, recently published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology,…

  • Human Actions Have Caused a Greater Loss of Bird Species and Diversity Than Previously Known, Study Finds

    A study published in Science underscores the vast extent of bird species extinctions due to human activity over the last 130,000 years, revealing a notably greater impact than previously understood. This monumental loss spans approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history and 7% of global avian functional diversity. While the diminishing of species richness…