Research on more sustainable materials and systems. Covers nature-inspired manufacturing, resource disparities, mood-supporting materials, and low-carbon concrete.
A WCS study of fish traders in coastal Kenya found that women largely occupied fisheries with low profits and are excluded from more profitable fisheries. To promote gender coexistence and sustainability, the authors suggest increasing gear and market diversity and providing better access to fisheries knowledge and education for women.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new biomaterial that can replace plastic barrier coatings in packaging and other applications, offering strong oil and water barrier properties. The material, comprised of treated cellulose pulp and chitosan, is compostable and has the potential to greatly reduce pollution if widely adopted.
The Shenzhen Declaration outlines seven priorities to address global sustainability, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. By integrating technology, local knowledge, and public engagement, the declaration calls for collaborative solutions to build a green, sustainable future.
The global demand for sand is linked to environmental degradation and social conflicts, threatening water and food security. An interdisciplinary scientific approach is needed to identify sustainable extraction methods.
Researchers found high-quality panda habitat is growing, but areas outside nature reserves are experiencing fragmentation due to human activities and natural events. The study highlights the need for continued conservation efforts to address these gaps.
A new study suggests that a tiny fraction of oceans, approximately 0.025 percent, could satisfy the world's fish demand through sustainable aquaculture. The research identifies tropical countries with high production potential, where food security issues are prevalent, as key areas for development.
Researchers from Stockholm University have established the SeaBOS initiative to engage global seafood companies in ocean conservation. The collaboration aims to address unsustainable fishing practices and promote marine ecosystem protection.
Researchers used baker's yeast to test natural compounds from soil-based bacteria, discovering diverse agents affecting various cell processes. These compounds may be used to treat conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.
Researchers have found that swinging boat moorings damage seagrass meadows in the UK and globally, leading to a direct loss of at least 6 ha of United Kingdom seagrass. The impact results in fragmented meadows and reduced resilience to other stressors.
The Wayne State University team will train 122 students in an interdisciplinary approach to address complex urban problems, integrating science, engineering, policy, economics, and communication.
The use of remote sensing technologies has the potential to revolutionize the management of the oil palm industry, providing quick and accurate information on huge areas of oil palms. Key applications include identifying lands suitable for expansion and improving yield prediction accuracy.
A new study found that reducing meat consumption and adopting organic farming methods can help mitigate environmental degradation, but not at the expense of land use and energy efficiency. The researchers suggest combining different production systems to create a more sustainable agricultural system.
A team of marine scientists developed an inexpensive yet accurate method to estimate the number of fish in a spawning aggregation based on their mating calls. This technology can help fisheries managers design effective management practices and monitor the ongoing health of a fishery, protecting endangered species from overfishing.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a new process to make polycarbonate plastic from sugars and carbon dioxide, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The resulting plastic is biodegradable, bio-compatible, and can be used for medical implants or as scaffolds for growing tissues or organs.
Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences' Hope for Reefs initiative recently returned from the Philippines, where they discovered several new species of fish, nudibranchs, and sand dollars. The team also documented evidence of human impacts on deep-sea reefs, highlighting the need for stronger protections.
Researchers have developed biodegradable cellulose microbeads that can replace harmful plastic ones contributing to ocean pollution. The beads are made from cellulose, a renewable source, and break down into harmless sugars, reducing the risk of harming marine life.
A growing global demand for sea cucumbers is causing complex social and ecological impacts on coastal communities, leading to financial rewards that incentivize risky fishing practices and deplete local resources. The study highlights the need for rapid management of these impacts to sustainably manage fisheries with coastal communities.
The new Phytobiomes journal aims to bridge the gap between basic and applied research in sustainable crop production. The journal publishes high-quality research papers on phytobiomes, exploring interactions between plants and their environment.
A nationwide analysis reveals rural areas are falling behind in water efficiency, while urban centers show significant improvements. The study attributes this to lack of resources and political will in rural counties.
Chemists at FAU have developed a novel synthetic route towards antiviral quinazoline heterocycles using metal-free domino processes. This approach reduces lab work time, costs, and waste, while creating new compounds with intrinsic fluorescence properties.
A new study found that firms with weak financial and social performance use integrated reporting to conceal their true performance. The report is longer, less readable, and more optimistic than those from stronger performers. This 'greenwashing' tactic undermines the effectiveness of integrated reporting.
A special issue of Annals highlights the potential of pulses to address global nutrition issues and environmental concerns through increased consumption. The report emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral partnerships, research, and public interventions to promote pulse consumption and yield improvements.
A recent study reveals that rearranging nest boxes increases the return of blue orchard bees to managed sites, leading to higher nesting success and potential for sustainable commercial pollination. The experiment found a uniform nest-box distribution resulted in significantly higher nesting by all three factors measured.
A pioneering project aims to develop an innovative 'switch on-switch off' mining method for small deposits, reducing feasibility studies and improving resource consumption. The IMP@CT project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, has received €7 million funding.
A new UBC study examines the environmental and socioeconomic performance of organic farming, finding that its benefits are context-dependent. Organic farming's yield is often lower than conventional methods, but it has an important role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture.
A team at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a novel method to modify the fatty acid synthase enzyme, producing medium chain fatty acids and methyl ketones for transportation fuels. The breakthrough enables the production of sustainable biofuels in yeast cell factories.
A holistic approach to understanding migratory birds' needs is crucial for their conservation, according to a study on Kirtland's warblers. The researchers used the telecoupling framework to analyze the songbirds' migration between Michigan and the Bahamas.
Local sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) for NHS England are unlikely to work due to four major problems: insufficient funding, rushed development, lack of statutory force, and a gap in social care services. Expert Kieran Walshe calls for government action to address these issues.
A University of Missouri study finds that young workers often quit jobs due to a disconnect between their personal values and the company's practices. The study highlights issues such as environmental sustainability, materials selection, and working conditions.
A study found that 39 populations of sharks meet biological sustainability criteria, accounting for 9% of the global catch. The researchers offer five recommendations to achieve sustainable shark fisheries, including protection of low-productivity species and international cooperation.
A group of scientists is recommending giving the world's nature reserves a makeover to defend not only flora and fauna but also people. The authors propose clusters of nature reserves that would foster connectivity and permit human activity, potentially garnering more local and national support for protected areas.
A Drexel-led team will study hundreds of cities in Latin America and the Caribbean to understand how governance, design, and environment affect population health. The project aims to identify synergies between improving health and environmental sustainability.
Israeli scientists developed a supramolecular aqua material that forms a hybrid membrane with robust filtering properties, easy fabrication, and recyclability. The hybrid membrane is effective in removing toxic heavy metals and small organic molecules from contaminated water.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a renewable plastic from pinene found in pine needles, which can replace petroleum-based plastics in food packaging and medical implants. The new plastic is biodegradable and produced from a waste product previously discarded in the paper industry.
Researchers assess environmental costs of electric vehicles, identifying material trade-offs to mitigate climate change. A new framework guides developers in choosing sustainable materials for batteries and fuel cells.
A new study using mathematical modeling found that societies divided into multiple groups are more likely to conserve natural resources and survive than those without sub-group divisions. This is because each group can learn from the successes and failures of others, leading to better institutions for managing resources.
A new study uses psychological research to develop a formula for social and environmental perceptions, consumer behavior, and individual actions. The researchers found that consumers' individual actions can go a long way towards optimizing the use of shared resources.
The $250,000 award from Meyer Memorial Trust supports BREATHE Oregon's efforts to provide scientific data, legal analysis and community outreach to inform policy decisions on air quality in Portland and Oregon.
A new study reveals that consumers may actually be eating more sustainably due to mislabeled seafood. The research found that mislabeled fish are often substituted with species of better conservation status and lower prices.
A Michigan State University professor suggests that China's Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) could be a superhighway of environmental progress with global cooperation. The initiative aims to connect 65 countries and shape world economies, but it also creates routes filled with opportunity for sustainability advancements.
Researchers have decoded the genome of Chinese licorice, a plant crucial in traditional Chinese medicine and natural sweetener. The study reveals the plant's genetic blueprint, which may facilitate the creation of sustainably bred strains with high glycyrrhizin content.
A new study by the University of Southampton uses jellyfish to track marine animals' movements and locations, providing a powerful tool against food fraud. The research can also be used to maintain healthy sustainable fish stocks and ensure consumer confidence in marine eco-labelling.
Researchers identified six main themes in community initiatives that can create a more just and sustainable future. These include agroecology, green urbanism, and social movements promoting fair futures.
International researchers have identified six main overarching themes in community initiatives that can potentially play a role in creating a future that is both more just and more sustainable. These include agroecology, green urbanism, future knowledge, urban transformation, fair futures, and sustainable futures.
Researchers from the University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology found that trophy hunting is sustainable when companies are given long-term land management rights, thereby maintaining habitat for threatened lions. Sustainable land management helps to fill the shortfall of large areas needed by lions to thrive.
Researchers find that lifting the ivory ban will not address the issue of elephant poaching, as the demand for ivory is too great. They recommend managing demand effectively and promoting alternative sources of income for communities living with elephants.
Researchers found that higher-income neighborhoods had more arthropod species, likely due to the presence of diverse plants. Despite individual homes with minimal outdoor plant life, these households still supported high insect diversity due to surrounding neighborhood features.
A new study co-led by Michigan State University researcher finds that consumers participating in 'green' programs are more satisfied with the service. Rewards that benefit other organizations, such as charitable donations, create the highest rate of satisfaction among participants.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has partnered with the Land Trust Alliance to launch the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, aiming to improve bird conservation on private lands. The initiative provides technical support, workshops, and a Resources Directory to help land trusts enhance bird habitats.
Researchers found that the Atchafalaya Basin, with restored access to riverine sediment, is more stable than surrounding areas like Terrebonne Basin. The basin has emerged above mean sea level and maintained its shoreline despite rising waters and sediment loss.
A national accounting of China's ecosystem services reveals a positive impact on both humans and nature. The study found that food production, carbon sequestration, and soil retention increased significantly, while sandstorm prevention and flood mitigation improved.
The first FORCE11 Scholarly Commons workshop aimed to restart scholarly communication using technology and business-enabled models. The report published in RIO Journal outlines five principles: open and sustainable, fair, credit for all endeavors, technology- and business-enabled, not -led, and governance and funding.
Researchers found that Native Americans' method of selecting and hand-collecting oysters likely resulted in more consistent average sizes and fewer very small individual oysters. This approach may inform modern-day oyster restoration efforts, which face challenges such as disease, poor water quality, and overfishing.
A CSU-led team has identified strategies to improve global food accessibility while reducing agriculture's environmental impacts. The study highlights the importance of integrated food system approaches, such as increasing legumes in crop production practices and improving women's access to resources.
Researchers examined Nike and Adidas' strategies to improve environmental impacts and working conditions from 1995 to 2012. Both companies ultimately adopted sustainability as a core business strategy, but took different approaches to get there.
Scientists have developed a chemically recyclable foam made from a sugar-derived material, which can be used as a renewable alternative to traditional polyurethanes. The new foam, called poly(β-methyl-δ-valerolactone), has been shown to be comparable in performance to commercial polyurethane foams.
Researchers found that animal sign-based methods are more reliable than direct encounters in estimating wildlife populations. This study highlights the importance of using alternative assessment methods to ensure accurate conservation status assessments and protect local communities.
A recent study by Lund University researchers found a clear connection between global economic development and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The study analyzed data from 138 countries and discovered that as countries become wealthier, their environmental sustainability decreases.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has identified six promising practices to improve healthcare for individuals with social risk factors. These practices include commitment to health equity, data and measurement, comprehensive needs assessment, collaborative partnerships, care continuity, and engaging patient...
The Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge has selected two winning projects that offer environmentally friendly processes, products, and resources for use in developing countries. Yunsang Kim's project uses nanocellulosic fibers to reduce wastewater and toxic chemicals in textile dyeing, while Suzana Yusup's project develops a wate...