Category: Sustainability

  • New Dual-Purpose Method to Destroy ‘Forever Chemicals’

    In a new study published in Nature Water, researchers at Rice University have unveiled a transformative approach to remove and destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” which contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks. The new method not only removes PFAS from water systems but also converts waste into…

  • Breakthrough Method to Recycle PFAS Chemicals

    In a significant scientific breakthrough, a team of researchers from the University of Oxford and Colorado State University has developed an innovative method to destroy and recycle poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These findings, published in the journal Nature, could revolutionize environmental management and industrial production. PFAS have been ubiquitously…

  • New Study Reveals Severe Freshwater Scarcity for Lithium Mining

    New research led by UMass Amherst hydrologists reveals a stark underestimation of freshwater availability in South America’s “Lithium Triangle,” consisting of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. This region is home to more than half of the world’s lithium resources, a vital component for batteries powering the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The study, published in…

  • Insecticides May Lead to Increased Weed Problems

    Insecticides used to safeguard crops from pests may inadvertently lead to increased weed growth, according to new research. The study, published in the journal PeerJ, compared preventive insecticide use at planting with an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, which only uses insecticides when a significant insect threat is present. The researchers also evaluated the impact…

  • MIT Engineers Develop Breakthrough Spray Technology to Enhance Agricultural Efficiency

    Reducing the amount of agricultural sprays used by farmers could decrease polluting runoff, while at the same time cutting farmers’ costs and perhaps enhancing productivity. A team of researchers at MIT and a spinoff company they launched has developed a system to do just that. Their technology adds a thin coating around droplets as they…

  • Breakthrough in Material Science Paves Way for Efficient CO2-to-Fuel Conversion

    Researchers led by North Carolina State University have developed an innovative material that could significantly advance technologies for converting atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuel, offering a potential breakthrough in the quest for renewable energy solutions. The team engineered a new class of materials called metalcones, designed to transform CO2 into methanol — a liquid…

  • Study Finds Family Businesses More Committed to Sustainability

    Family-owned businesses are leading the charge in environmental sustainability, according to a recent study from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), conducted in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and Universidad de Salamanca. The research, published in the Journal of Business Ethics, underscores the vital role that family enterprises play in advancing green practices and…

  • Innovative Recycled Cement Reduces Emissions Without Compromising Strength

    Engineers at the University of São Paulo and Princeton University have introduced a revolutionary method for recycling cement waste into a sustainable, low-carbon alternative that matches traditional Portland cement in strength and performance. This innovative process could substantially reduce the massive carbon footprint of the cement industry, which is responsible for approximately 8% of global…

  • Sustainable Meat: Can ‘Better’ Mean Less in Our Diets?

    Finnish consumers who buy natural pasture-raised beef have varied perspectives on sustainable meat consumption, a new study reveals. Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the Stockholm Resilience Center at Stockholm University set out to explore whether the concept of “less but better” meat truly reduces overall meat intake. The study, published in the journal…

  • New Approach to Secure Water Supplies on Pacific Islands

    Researchers from Flinders University are urging for an urgent review of bore-field operations to protect freshwater resources on Pacific islands such as Kiribati, where rising sea levels pose a critical threat to local water supplies. “These atoll islands have the most threatened fresh groundwater on Earth and are relied upon by some of the most…