Articles tagged with Sustainability
The team created a tile that captures, holds, and slowly evaporates water, cooling surfaces without fans or compressors. The tile's unique design, inspired by African elephant skin, allows it to maintain a stable temperature of 89.6° Fahrenheit under infrared heating and periodic watering.
A machine learning pipeline developed by LMU researchers reveals notable imbalances in global health aid allocation, with non-communicable diseases receiving only 2.5% of disease-specific aid funding despite making up 60% of the global disease burden. The study's findings suggest that health aid is being directed to the wrong areas, an...
A team of researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo has developed a novel, one-step synthesis method for producing highly active nickel-cerium oxide catalysts. These catalysts achieve outstanding methanation performance while being suitable for large-scale production, offering a practical route toward carbon-neutral fuel technologies.
A study reveals weaknesses in farm sustainability monitoring, finding that one in four cocoa farm entries showed manipulated data. Auditors were more likely to make changes when aware of the target value required for certification, highlighting the need for independent verification.
Researchers investigated adding iron to the ocean to boost CO2 removal, finding varying effects on marine ecosystems. The Southern Ocean offers a favorable balance of climate impact and ecological consequences, while other regions face more severe consequences.
A team of researchers has developed a compact, rechargeable supercapacitor that can be disassembled into reusable components, reducing electronic waste. The device uses zinc ions in a water-based electrolyte and dissolvable adhesives, allowing it to be recycled multiple times with minimal loss of performance.
Researchers found that electrifying kilns and using DAC can significantly reduce cement production's climate impact. The technology removes more CO₂ than it generates over its lifecycle, with efficiencies ranging from 85-96% depending on the energy mix used.
Industrial-scale illegal fishing accounts for 8-15% of global marine wild capture, with impacts unevenly distributed globally. Eliminating harmful subsidies and strengthening enforcement are key to addressing the issue.
Researchers have developed a durable, compostable leather-like fabric from mycelium fibers. The production process is promising and could enable large-scale production of affordable, eco-friendly materials.
Research from University of Georgia suggests that focusing on personal benefits can encourage people to participate in environmental cleanup efforts. Exercise and physical activity were found to be key motivators for many participants, who saw picking up litter as a way to improve their health and well-being.
Concordia researchers have developed a scalable technique that cuts waste while producing catalysts that convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. The new method uses resonant acoustic mixing and dramatically reduces water usage compared to conventional methods.
A new study combines satellite imagery, environmental data, and habitat surveys carried out by citizen scientists to create detailed maps of lowland heathland. The approach enables conservationists to identify small pockets of heathland that can often be missed by broader national mapping products.
Research team identifies best strategies for managing native cacao trees in Peru, resulting in 59% higher yields after three years. Grafting native 'Blanco de Piura' cacao varieties onto fully grown trees increases productivity levels comparable to commercial clones.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a catalytic process to transform carbon dioxide into recyclable, high-performance materials. These new materials can replace today's plastics in many situations and feature sought-after characteristics such as high mechanical strength and flexibility. The foundational building blo...
A new holistic scoring system for dietary protein evaluates environmental impact, health, affordability, and availability. The analysis found plant-based foods dominate the highest-scoring quintile while animal-based products are in the lowest-scoring group.
A new study by Hanyang University ERICA researchers reveals how air exposure can trigger chemical changes in manganese-coated batteries, accelerating degradation. The team proposes a simple solution to suppress defective surface phases and restore stable manganese-oxygen bonding, leading to improved long-term durability.
A new carbon calculator, SPA-DEC, allows spas and wellness centers to measure emissions per visit in real-time. The calculator combines live data with normalized figures to allocate total emissions to individual visits across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Researchers have created a new, recyclable yarn that mimics the properties of spandex-based yarns, offering an alternative to non-recyclable stretchy garments. The yarn is made from a form of plastic and can be melted down and reused multiple times without losing its strength and flexibility.
A new study reveals that green cryptocurrencies are better at transmitting volatility compared to traditional green assets, offering limited hedging effectiveness. Portfolio analysis shows that Cardano and Stellar are key drivers of volatility, while green bonds and ESG investments absorb disturbances.
Researchers propose three principles for sustainable robots: minimally invasive, universally accessible, and symbiotic. They emphasize the importance of considering robots' environmental and social impacts in design.
A new international study reveals that age plays a significant role in shaping global food-related greenhouse gas emissions. The research found that adolescents and young adults consistently have the highest per-capita dietary greenhouse gas emissions globally, while population aging has become an increasingly important driver of total...
Researchers at Hasanuddin University developed a biodegradable plastic film with oxygen-scavenging properties, using cellulose from fermented coconut water to improve strength and functionality. The film breaks down quickly in soil, but maintaining flexibility and barrier performance remains a challenge.
A global review of 411 studies found that river sand and gravel mining is removing sand faster than it can be replenished, threatening rivers, infrastructure, and communities. The study recommends better tracking, measurement, and regulation to manage extraction and protect the environment.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed high-performance silk with 50% greater tensile strength and reduced shrinkage after wetting. By altering silkworm diets, they added plant-derived cellulose nanofibers to improve silk fibers' properties.
Reducing carbon dioxide concentration improves microbial production of biodegradable plastic, such as poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. Lower CO2 levels trigger adaptive cellular responses that enhance carbon utilization efficiency.
A new study by Hanyang University researchers found that carbon-based pricing can increase pro-environmental behavioral intentions among tourists. Participants who knew wasteful consumption could increase their costs reported stronger conservation intentions.
A study analyzing 2.9 million sustainability indicators from 10 years of annual reports found that companies are increasingly disclosing climate data, but coverage of value chains and social factors remains patchy. Sustainability performance and transparency are converging, with a significant increase in disclosed indicators.
Researchers are engineering biochar-based composites to overcome limitations, such as insufficient adsorption capacity and limited selectivity for certain emerging pollutants. The new review highlights the importance of balancing treatment performance with environmental safety throughout the material's life cycle.
A shift to healthier diets could lead to a significant reduction in global agricultural land use and livestock production value, with potential benefits for human health and the environment. The study suggests that transforming food systems could result in a 42% decline in global livestock production value compared to 2020.
A sustainable management model is proposed for the Duernas Saltworks to preserve its geological heritage, cultural landscape and support rural development. The model aims to balance conservation, artisanal production and community engagement.
Researchers developed an AI model to optimize water usage in agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. The model identifies cause-and-effect relationships between water availability, crop needs, and industrial expansion, generating recommendations for each state.
This study found that households in metropolitan areas with higher population density and income levels show stronger voluntary water conservation during drought. The AI-based scenario analysis showed that increased drought-related news coverage leads to significant water savings in these regions, but has a limited impact on rural areas.
The University of Stuttgart is ranked first worldwide for its innovative capacity in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings. The institution has achieved the highest possible score in the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure category, reflecting its research and teaching's impact on sustainable development.
A two-year field study shows that biochar-derived from rice straw improves soil health and crop resilience to saline-sodic stress. Biochar enhances nitrogen metabolism, increases yield, and reduces oxidative stress, making it a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in salt-affected regions.
A new study found that increased transparency through EU regulations has led to more stakeholder criticisms of companies' environmental and social practices. As a result, companies are under greater scrutiny to maintain responsible business conduct and close the gap between their actions and public expectations.
A EU research project has found that reducing average living space per person can lead to significant CO2 emission reductions in the European building sector. By minimizing living spaces, emissions can be reduced by up to 90%, meeting the EU's 2.0-degree climate target by 2050.
Researchers develop a comprehensive framework to predict drilling instability in backfilled ground, considering strength differences and asymmetry. The proposed design criterion aims to reduce inclined drilling deviations by at least 10 millimeters per meter of depth.
Researchers have found that oyster meat extract can effectively reduce TNF-α-induced intestinal inflammation by interrupting NF-kB signalling pathways and decreasing COX-2 enzyme expression. This natural supplement has potential as a sustainable solution for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new food preservation solution using pumpkin peel, creating a nanomaterial that slows deterioration of fruit and reduce transport damage. The material showed good biocompatibility and was effective in suppressing microbial growth and preserving freshness.
A new study by Swansea University introduces a One Health Sustainability Framework linking biodiversity, ecological condition, and environmental sustainability with wellbeing outcomes in nature prescribing. The framework highlights the need to understand what kinds of nature and how much are needed to support health in a sustainable way.
Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.
Researchers found evidence of early ozone loss dating back to the late 1950s, linked to carbon tetrachloride use, in contrast to CFCs' later role. This discovery reveals that modern monitoring tools could have detected earlier signs of human-induced depletion.
University of Michigan researchers developed a framework to help stakeholders consider economic, environmental, and social trade-offs in EV battery development. The framework aims to balance the needs of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, drivers, and recyclers, to achieve better outcomes for batteries and electric vehicles.
A new study suggests that data centers can lower average energy costs by providing grid flexibility during high-cost periods. The researchers found cost savings of up to 5% in Texas, 4% in the Mid-Atlantic region, and 2% in western U.S. states by shifting more than 20% of their consumption to non-peak hours.
MIT researchers developed a framework that allows users to apply constraints to algorithmically generated structures, making them more buildable. The approach has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in construction by up to 90% by designing structures with multiple materials and taking into account materials' properties.
A new study from Penn State researchers found that sending a simple acknowledgment message to customers can boost repeat participation in recycling and reuse programs, making sustainable behavior more sustainable over time. The study showed that acknowledgment emails tripled consumer participation in a dining service's reuse program.
A new review compares conventional and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, showing how microwave heating can tailor biochar for removing metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. Microwave-derived biochars often show higher surface area, stronger mesoporosity, and greater retention of oxygen-containing functional groups.
Researchers have designed a clay material that can absorb and retain ethylene gas, slowing down the ripening process of fruits and vegetables. This innovation has the potential to reduce food waste and improve fruit flavor by allowing for later harvesting in the ripening process.
Researchers have identified a mechanism to improve energy efficiency by converting wasted heat into electricity using hollow silicon nanotubes. This technology has the potential to replace rare metals with abundant silicon, leading to more efficient thermoelectric devices.
A recent study reveals that oil crops like coconut, oil palm, and soybean cause more species extinction than previously thought. The research found that these three crops are responsible for 75% of biodiversity loss caused by oil crops worldwide.
A University of Göttingen study reveals that traditionally farmed landscapes can produce food while protecting nature and preserving cultural traditions. The research highlights four key strategies for adapting these systems to local environments and markets.
A study by Southeast University and Korea University provides a roadmap for converting biomass into renewable energy and chemicals. The researchers highlight the potential of biomass chemical looping (BCL) for producing hydrogen, methanol, and other low-carbon products.
The TSESOM framework proposes a dynamic service ecosystem approach to manage sustainable operations in botanic gardens, integrating biodiversity research and ecosystemic thinking. It offers a flexible tool for transformative collaboration and innovation, supporting planetary health and global sustainability transitions.
A Danish study reveals that financial compensation alone is insufficient to persuade landowners to restore low-lying soils as wetlands. The decision-making process is influenced by factors such as responsibility, professional pride, and attachment to the land, highlighting a mismatch between policy design and farmers' actual thoughts.
Researchers at Okayama University of Science have successfully cultivated juvenile chum salmon in a land-based aquaculture system using third water. The project aims to establish fully closed-cycle aquaculture, which could fundamentally change the future of salmon production and contribute to long-term sustainability.
The system uses two AI agents to comb through publicly available data and conduct life cycle assessments, achieving an average error rate of 5%-19% similar to expert-led LCAs. The team also developed a new method to bypass detailed data collection and estimate carbon footprints for unknown devices using 'nearest-neighbors' approach.
A new review highlights the potential of biochar's intrinsic redox properties to enhance pollutant degradation, microbial processes, and energy recovery. Biochar can act like an electron shuttle or buffer, transferring electrons more efficiently than highly conductive materials in stressed environments.
The study demonstrates how environmentally responsible strategies can be integrated into chemistry classes while maintaining academic rigor. Students at Georgia State University conducted a redesigned experiment as part of their coursework, experiencing green chemistry concepts directly in the lab.
UC San Diego Health has received multiple awards from Practice Greenhealth for its achievement and innovation in health care sustainability, including the Greenhealth Leader Award and Circle of Excellence Award. The institution's commitment to operations supporting healthier patients, staff, and communities is recognized nationally.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia developed an octopus-inspired soft robotic arm with integrated tactile sensors, enabling autonomous grasp and manipulation in aquatic environments. The system combines distributed tactile sensing and decentralized control to detect contact and adapt grip autonomously.