Feature Channels: Environmental Science

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In an effort looking for optimized air pollution control, scientists from Peking University have detected large variations in the composition and toxicity of ambient particles collected from 31 major Chinese cities located across varying latitudes. The results imply an urgent need to rethink the suitability of current air quality standard adopted, i.e., sole use of PM mass concentration.

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A new study of coral reefs in Papua New Guinea shows ocean acidification simplifies coral structure, making crucial habitat less appealing to certain fish species.

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Innovative research out of Bowling Green State University is highlighting the effects of removing long-standing dams from water-based ecosystems and providing a blueprint for future conservation efforts.

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Groundbreaking research at Bowling Green State University is transforming traditional views of farming while paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

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In a pioneering study, scientists harnessed machine learning to explore the genetic resilience of Spartina alterniflora, a halophyte thriving in saline environments. The research uncovers intricate salt tolerance mechanisms, offering vital insights for developing cereal crops resistant to saline stress. This advancement is critical for global food security as soil salinity increases.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about the increased risk of dengue fever in the United States, marking a significant public health concern. The increased risk of dengue infections in the US is particularly concerning as it represents a shift in the geographical spread of this mosquito-borne disease.

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The onset of the hurricane season has brought renewed attention to the impacts and preparedness efforts necessary to mitigate the damage caused by these powerful storms. The increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes are attributed to global warming and climate change, posing significant risks to lives, property, and economies.

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A pivotal study decrypts the global interplay of particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollutants, highlighting an urgent call for integrated strategies to curb their detrimental impacts on human health and the environment. This research unveils the spatial and temporal dynamics of compound pollution, offering a blueprint for a coordinated global response.

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Wayne State University received a $5.2 million P30 environmental health sciences core center grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in support of the “Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors” that is a collaborative hub focused on community-engaged research and environmental health equity in Detroit and throughout the region.

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UC San Diego Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Itay Budin teamed up with researchers from around the country to study the cell membranes of ctenophores (“comb jellies”) and found they had unique lipid structures that allow them to live under intense pressure. Their work appears in Science.

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In a rare opportunity to study carnivores before and after wolves were reintroduced to their ranges, researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that the effects of wolves on Isle Royale have been only temporary. And even in the least-visited national park, humans had a more significant impact on carnivores’ lives.

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Curious by Nature, presented by Newswise, is a podcast for curious people. In each episode, listeners can travel briefly into the fascinating world that comes with years of dedication to one field of study. Be inspired by the many amazing things that are going on right now, some of which may have a major effect on our lives. Enjoy this concentrated knowledge from experts. We hope you can take inspiration from glimpses of innovation, dedication, and discovery.

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U-Ride is the first app that allows users to easily compare and track the environmental and health impacts of their trip. They can see their carbon savings in pounds of CO2 and calories burned as an individual and as a community. Data collected from U-Ride will help improve the transit system over time and ensure that major transportation investments made by universities as well as government agencies are benefitting the greatest number of students.

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In a new study, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Vienna shed light on an unexpected partnership: A marine diatom and a bacterium that can account for a large share of nitrogen fixation in vast regions of the ocean. This symbiosis likely plays a key role for global marine nitrogen fixation and productivity, and thus uptake of carbon dioxide. The newly-discovered bacterial symbiont is closely related to the nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia which live in partnership with many crop plants and may also open up new avenues for engineering nitrogen-fixing plants. The results were published in the current print edition of the renowned journal Nature.

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UAlbany Professor Mathias Vuille is launching two research projects focused on past, present and future climate change in South America.

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A new study out this week finds that protecting an additional 1.2% of the world's land as nature preserves would prevent the majority of predicted plant and animal extinctions. ...

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Why do just one experiment at a time when you can do ten? Empa researchers have developed an automated system, which allows them to research catalysts, electrodes, and reaction conditions for CO₂ electrolysis up to ten times faster. The system is complemented by an open-source software for data analysis.

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The research team at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed a technology for quantifying the effect of river vegetation patches on flood level changes to aid in better decision-making of river management for balancing ecological benefits and flood mitigation.

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To harvest small amounts of humidity, researchers in ACS Energy Letters have developed a compact device with absorbent-coated fins that first trap moisture and then generate potable water when heated.

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Many municipal landfills “burp” gas from decomposing organic matter rather than letting it build up. And burps from buried waste containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can release these “forever chemicals” into the air, say researchers in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

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The Rhisotope Project at Wits is entering a new testing phase with the insertion of radioisotopes into 20 live rhinoceros.

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A cutting-edge study reveals that inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into acidic soils significantly bolsters soybean growth, particularly in plants with enhanced phosphorus efficiency. This eco-friendly method outperforms traditional phosphorus fertilization, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in nutrient-scarce environments.

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A new study investigates how the influence of low gravity, as found on ocean worlds in our solar system, impacts flows of water and heat below their seafloors.

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The summer sun beats down. People without air conditioning must find refuge in schools and community centers. Outdoor workers struggle to keep cool. Hot nights interrupt people’s sleep, not allowing them to get the rest needed to recover from the warmth of the day. People with cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses have these conditions worsen.

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À la suite d'un processus approfondi basé sur les standards mondiaux des Zones Clés pour la Biodiversité (KBA), le Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki, géré par la WCS depuis plus de 30 ans, est devenu le premier site au monde à être reconnu pour son intégrité écologique.

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As a result of a thorough process based on the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Standard, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, which has been under WCS management for over 30 years, has become the first site in the world to be recognized for its ecological integrity – a measure of the region's robust natural processes and resilience against disturbances.

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The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) will launch NexusXp, its new interactive pavilion at SLAS2025 to showcase collaborative and integrated lab automation scenarios.

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Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory are monitoring areas around Hawaii with AI-enabled sensors to better understand the community’s recovery process from the 2023 wildfire and provide new air quality and weather data.

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In an important scientific advancement, researchers have explored significant mechanisms and health implications of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in infants, analyzing their transfer through the placenta and into breast milk.

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For the first time since its inception in 1963, Cal State Fullerton’s Biology Greenhouse Complex has a rare flower that bloomed this week: the Victoria amazonica water lily, which is the second largest water lily in the world.

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Join this virtual Q&A with Carl P. Lipo, PhD, Binghamton University, to discuss the upcoming embargoed paper about Easter Island agricultural and anthropology research.

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Climate change is causing a series of maladies by warming land and sea. A study published online in Limnology and Oceanography Letters, demonstrates that one consequence of climate change that has already occurred is the spread and intensification of toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie.

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Wildlife Conservation Society, along with American Forest Foundation, Conservation International, Environmental Defense Fund, Fauna & Flora, and The Nature Conservancy, signed a joint letter supporting the use of high-quality carbon credits in the abatement of scope 3 emissions under the Science Based Target initiative’s Net-Zero-Standard.