A new Finnish study reveals that nature experiences play a significant role in people's long-term well-being, particularly in boosting self-acceptance and purpose in life. The research found that younger and older participants alike valued the sense of connection with nature, which helped them tap into their own values and agency.
Energy & Environment Nexus is a pioneering open-access platform exploring the dynamic interplay between energy and the environment. The platform spans key areas such as renewable energy, sustainable technologies, and pollution control, aiming to accelerate innovation and impact.
Researchers have developed a hydrogel electrolyte that regulates the coordination environment of water molecules, enabling high-stability and flexibility in zinc-based devices. This breakthrough can lead to advanced energy storage solutions for extreme environments.
A pilot study found that a four-week nature-based programme, Roots and Shoots, improved mood, mindfulness, and reduced stress in adults. The programme, led by the University of Exeter, empowered individuals to spend more time in nature and improve their wellbeing.
A new study from South Dakota State University reveals how grapevine canes can be converted into a biodegradable plastic-like material. The resulting films are stronger than traditional plastic and will decompose in the environment, providing a potential solution to the plastic waste problem.
New research highlights four components where nature-based climate actions have fallen short, including inadequate accounting for albedo and carbon leakage. The study proposes reforms to improve the performance and scalability of these strategies.
New research from UT Arlington reveals that nature-focused livestreams help people reconnect with nature and form new online communities. The study shows that these streams offer more than passive entertainment, sparking natural conversations and promoting environmental attitudes.
Face masks degrade into nanoplastics under sunlight, changing their chemical nature and affecting ecosystems. Researchers found that exposure to sunlight is required for the formation of manganese oxide on plastic particles, altering their interaction and transport in the environment.
Researchers propose reforms to nature-based climate actions by accounting for feedbacks and ensuring outcomes that wouldn't have happened otherwise
A study by the University of Exeter found that immersive VR nature scenes can reduce symptoms of long-term pain. Participants who felt more present during the experience experienced the strongest effects. The study suggests that nature scenes delivered using VR can help change how pain signals are transmitted in the brain and spinal cord.
Researchers identified a key neural switch that controls instinctive behaviors, fine-tuning the brain for survival based on environment. By comparing two deer-mouse species, they found a hypersensitive response in mice living in densely vegetated environments.
The EU-wide requirement emphasizes five key steps for successful nature restoration: clear communication, agreed targets, coordinated measures, supportive frameworks, and attractive incentives. Effective implementation is crucial to achieving long-term biodiversity goals and mitigating climate change.
A new study published in Nature provides a comprehensive overview of all chemicals that can be present in plastics, their properties, uses, and hazards. The study identified 4,200 plastic chemicals as of concern due to health and environmental hazards.
A new study reports the easy preparation of copper single atoms (Cu SACs) using a mesoporous silica KIT-6 templating agent. The resulting product exhibits excellent catalytic performance in CO2 cycloaddition reactions, with a yield of 91.7% and high turnover frequency (TOF).
Insilico Medicine secured a position among the Top 100 global corporate institutions for biological sciences and natural sciences publications. The company's remarkable rise was driven by two studies published in Nature Biotechnology, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in providing solutions for unmet medical needs.
The Nature Relationship Index (NRI) aims to measure a country's sustainable path by assessing its relationships with nature, tracking progress and development. The NRI adds an environmental dimension to the Human Development Index, fostering mutually beneficial relationships between humans and the natural world.
A new paper proposes a global framework to measure how well people and nature are thriving together, introducing the Nature Relationship Index to complement the Human Development Index. The index assesses countries' relationships with ecosystems, access to nature, and environmental protection.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that neutrophils recruited by the tumor environment support tumor progression. They identified neutrophils and endothelial cells as key players in advanced-stage breast cancer tissues.
A comprehensive study explores reciprocity with nature worldwide, highlighting its impact on sustainability and social well-being. The research showcases diverse cultural practices that foster reciprocal relationships with nature, offering hope for a more sustainable future.
Researchers develop a new offline reinforcement learning algorithm that incorporates causal structure into the environment model. The proposed method, FOCUS, achieves superior performance compared to existing causal model-based reinforcement learning algorithms in the offline setting.
Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology developed an efficient method to represent the environment as a hybrid of feasible planar regions and heightmaps. The method accelerates planar region extraction and ensures walking safety for biped robots, completing the perception process in 0.16 s per frame.
A new book calls for a transition to a nature-positive world, valuing the living natural world in economic decision-making. The authors propose shifting from GDP to Gross Ecosystem Product, and encourage businesses to contribute to a nature-positive economy now.
New research challenges conventional views on the link between environment and conflict, highlighting global inequalities that disproportionately harm countries in the Global South. The study finds that ecological sustainability and peace are not positively correlated, but comprehensively sustainable peace is possible.
A new international collaboration by the University of Exeter found that people living in greenest neighbourhoods are 13% less likely to smoke and 31% less likely to drink daily. Intentional visits to nature also have benefits, reducing smoking rates.
Research reveals nature-relatedness is crucial for improving well-being in urban areas with poor socioeconomic conditions. Early-life exposure and equitable access to nature are essential factors in public health.
A new tool developed by McGill University researchers can detect nanoplastics and microplastics in the environment at a low cost and high accuracy. The technology, called HoLDI-MS, enables direct analysis of samples without complex sample preparation, facilitating global monitoring of plastic pollution.
A new study reveals a gap in how nature playspaces are designed and delivered across Australia, with no clear evidence-based guidelines to support children of all ages and capabilities. Researchers call for national, research-backed recommendations to ensure consistency and quality across the country.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution shows that integrating nature restoration with land management strategies can ensure long-term sustainability. Strategic restoration efforts can yield significant biodiversity and climate benefits while ensuring continued food and timber production across Europe.
A new study by Griffith University reveals that the term 'nature positive' is being used more for political rhetoric than actual conservation efforts, posing a threat to biodiversity. The research found that only 0.01% of the global tourism sector makes net positive contributions to conservation.
The CHANCE collaboratory at Concordia University allows researchers to examine the social aspects of gambling behavior and its influence on gamblers' interactions with their environment. The facility features a simulated gaming space with interactive terminals, cameras, and conference rooms for discussion.
A team of researchers has identified a novel oncometabolite that accumulates in tumors and impairs immune cells' ability to fight cancer. The study highlights how the metabolic environment of tumors influences T cell function, opening new possibilities for improving cancer immunotherapy by targeting tumor metabolism.
A study by Associate Professor Mitsuko Tanaka found that a good group work environment significantly increases motivation among English language learners, regardless of individual factors. The research suggests that educators should prioritize environmental preparation for successful project-based learning outcomes.
Researchers have developed a method to prepare copper single atoms using a nano-constrained environment, resulting in improved catalytic performance. The new catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity in CO2 cycloaddition reactions.
Researchers developed a method that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and deep machine learning to double the mapped infrastructure of Alaska, more accurately projecting economic risks associated with permafrost thaw. The new model nearly doubles the amount of information available for Alaska on OpenStreetMap.
A $1.2M grant will fund a comprehensive study on the potential links between neighborhood environment and cancer risk. The research team, led by Dr. Chris Lim, will analyze data from two ongoing studies to identify factors contributing to increased obesity-related cancer risk in specific neighborhoods.
A new study found that viewing nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception. The research suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine and could provide an alternative way to relieve pain, potentially used in conjunction with medication.
Researchers found that watching nature videos reduces acute physical pain and brain activity related to pain processing. This effect is attributed to the reduced raw sensory signal received by the brain when exposed to nature.
A recent VR study on locusts' navigation challenges classical models of collective swarming behavior, revealing internal cognitive decision-making processes. The findings suggest that locusts do not follow fixed interaction rules as previously thought, but instead respond to their sensory environment with probabilistic decision-making.
A study at Michigan Medicine found that using less polluting inhaled anesthetic agents reduced CO2 equivalents by over 14 kg per case. This resulted in a 50% decrease in harmful emissions without impacting patient safety or outcomes.
Researchers discovered rate-induced tipping in Daisyworld, a model that regulates temperature through light and dark daisies. This finding mirrors observations in other models and real-life ecosystems, highlighting the danger of rapid environmental changes.
Researchers at the Kavli Institute discovered that grid cells perform rapid, rhythmic sweeps into the space ahead of the animal, allowing it to probe the environment. This new understanding of spatial navigation reshapes our understanding of how the brain builds mental maps and tracks precise positions within these landscapes.
The Micro Immune Response On chip (MIRO) replicates tumours and their environment, allowing researchers to study the efficacy of immunotherapy treatments. This technology has been tested with breast cancer samples and shows promise in understanding how the immune system interacts with tumours.
Researchers create 3D-printed model to understand how neurons form networks and mature in neurological disorders. The nanostructured arrays guide neural network growth and directionality, influencing neuronal maturation.
Researchers found that training AI agents in a less noisy environment can lead to better performance than traditional methods. The indoor training effect suggests that constructing simulated environments with specific noise levels can improve AI learning.
A new study by the University of Portsmouth warns that corrosion-protection systems in offshore wind turbines could leach harmful levels of metal into the ocean. The research highlights the need for comprehensive monitoring of water and sediments around wind farms to mitigate risks to ecosystems and human health.
A Tel Aviv University study finds that microplastic particles are excreted in the feces of marine animals, making them undetectable as plastic. This process can lead to increased carbon and nitrogen levels on the seafloor, promoting algal blooms and disrupting the marine food web.
The new school will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in climate science, environmental studies, and policy, focusing on five interconnected imperatives. It aims to prepare students for careers in critical fields through experience-based learning.
Researchers introduce a framework to classify biodiversity credits, highlighting the challenges of representing biodiversity in a single unit. The study demonstrates the risks of relying on 'offsetting' and emphasizes the need for genuine nature recovery funding.
A new UN report highlights the economic benefits of investing in sustainable land and water management to reduce drought costs. The study estimates that nature-based solutions can generate up to $10.1 trillion in business value by 2030, while creating millions of jobs.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks report highlights environmental changes and extremes impacting Alaskans and their livelihoods. Warmer temperatures are particularly notable in winter, with the northern state experiencing an 8.2°F increase.
A groundbreaking study reveals how anglerfish evolved extraordinary traits, including bioluminescent lures and large oral gapes, to exploit scarce resources in the bathypelagic zone. Despite environmental challenges, anglerfish achieved high levels of phenotypic disparity, suggesting a capacity for adaptive radiation.
A German Research Foundation-funded project led by Stefan Mecking aims to quantify the biodegradation of polyethylene. The team develops methods to distinguish carbon dioxide from plastic and investigate factors influencing biodegradability, such as molecular structure and functional groups.
Researchers at Rice University developed soTILT3D, an innovative imaging platform that enables fast and precise 3D imaging of multiple cellular structures while controlling the extracellular environment. The platform improves upon conventional fluorescence microscopy by reducing background fluorescence and increasing imaging speed.
Researchers tested ODS FeCrAl alloys in a liquid LiPb environment and found that they form durable γ-LiAlO2 layers, which provide strong resistance to corrosion. The study's findings are crucial for improving material durability in fusion reactors and high-temperature energy systems.
A new survey highlights the need to revive England's hedgerows to meet national restoration targets. While agri-environment schemes have improved hedge condition, overall length remains unchanged. Experts call for increased participation and better incentives among farmers and landowners to rejuvenate the network.
University of Delaware researchers develop a method to remove toxic particles from tires by upgrading a molecule that provides UV protection into safe chemicals. The leftover crumb rubber can be recycled using classic plastic recycling methods or converted into aromatics and carbon black.
A recent study by Probal Dutta finds that companies with good environmental performance tend to disclose more information about their activities and effects on nature, often with external verification. This is a positive association, suggesting that companies are taking responsibility for their impact.
Experts argue that current implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain policy is flawed, with localized offsetting leading to double conservation gains when targets are placed where they benefit biodiversity most. This approach can greatly improve benefits to wildlife and help nature-deprived areas.
Researchers found that wildfire suppressant products can contribute to elevated metal levels in the environment. The study tested 14 fire suppression products and found that they contained at least one metal exceeding EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level regulations for drinking water.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University neuroscientist Jay Schneider suggests that high-quality maternal care and an enriched environment can reduce the toxic effects of lead exposure in rats. The findings provide hope for families with lead-poisoned children, particularly those from lower socioeconomic status.