-
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…
-
New Study Finds Microplastics Could Be Fueling Antimicrobial Resistance
Microplastics — tiny shards of plastic debris — pervade our planet. They infiltrate food chains, accumulate in oceans, gather in clouds and on mountains, and even find their way inside our bodies at alarming rates. As scientists race to uncover the consequences of such widespread plastic contamination, a team from Boston University (BU) has made…
-
Rising CO2 Threatens Space Sustainability, Says New Study
Greenhouse gas emissions aren’t just heating up the Earth’s surface; they’re also impacting space. Researchers led by MIT have discovered that these emissions are altering the environment of near-Earth space, potentially reducing the number of satellites that can operate safely in the coming decades. Published in Nature Sustainability, the study demonstrates that carbon dioxide and…
-
New Circular Fashion Guidelines to Combat Industry Waste
Experts at RMIT University have teamed up with leading fashion brands to launch a set of new guidelines aimed at promoting sustainable fashion practices, thereby addressing the substantial waste and environmental impact of the global fashion industry. Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale is a newly published guide that outlines a systematic approach for…
-
Seismic Study of Singapore Unveils Insights for Urban Development and Renewable Energy
In a new study that could significantly shape the future of Singapore’s urban development and renewable energy strategies, researchers have unveiled key seismic insights into the city’s subsurface. The study, published in Seismological Research Letters, provides a detailed analysis of areas with heightened seismic risk and identifies a potential reservoir for geothermal energy. Jiayuan Yao…
-
Scientists Pioneer Plexiglass Recycling Method
In a recent development for the world of materials science, ETH Zurich researchers have achieved what has long been considered nearly impossible — the complete breakdown of Plexiglas into its monomer building blocks. Their breakthrough promises to revolutionize the recycling of plastics, offering a sustainable alternative to the current practices that often result in incineration…
-
Study Finds Increasing Political Divide Towards Solar Energy
Public support for solar energy, while still substantial, has shown a marked decline and increase in polarization from 2016 to 2022, primarily driven by opposition in Republican-leaning regions. This revelation comes from a new study led by researchers at North Carolina State University and published in the Journal of Computational Social Science. “The U.S. saw…
-
Novel Battery Turns Nuclear Waste Into Energy Source
In a landmark study, researchers led by The Ohio State University have developed a battery capable of converting nuclear waste into electricity. The study, published in the journal Optical Materials: X, offers a promising solution to the longstanding problem of safely managing radioactive materials. Nuclear power plants provide approximately 20% of the United States’ electricity…
-
Calling for Equity in EV Charging Infrastructure
As electric vehicles (EVs) gain traction in the global effort to combat climate change, the layout and accessibility of public charging stations are becoming increasingly scrutinized. At the forefront of this complex conversation is Xinwu Qian, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering expert at Rice University, who is leading research to ensure EV…
-
New Sustainable System Extracts Drinkable Water From Air
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a sustainable system that pulls drinkable water from the air using common natural materials like discarded food scraps, stray branches and seashells. Their system, termed “molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels,” can convert various organic materials into sorbents — substances that absorb liquids. By combining these sorbents…
