Research on more sustainable materials and systems. Covers nature-inspired manufacturing, resource disparities, mood-supporting materials, and low-carbon concrete.
A Kyoto University research team found that males can 'cost' less when there are more females, increasing the competitiveness of sexual reproduction. This discovery may have implications for studies on the evolution and sustainability of sex in nature.
Experts call for legislative action to reduce food waste, citing 7% global emissions contribution and need for sustainable food system. Voluntary agreements deemed insufficient, smaller portions and healthier diets proposed as complementary measures.
The €7 million Tools for Assessment and Planning of Aquaculture Sustainability (TAPAS) project will create cost-efficient management tools to investigate sustainability in European aquaculture. The study aims to enhance environment sustainability, aquatic food security, and support transparent and efficient licensing.
Researchers at Columbia University have won a design competition to reimagine a future cemetery using architectural and technological innovations. The 'Sylvan Constellation' proposal envisions a network of memorial vessels transforming biomass into a perpetually renewing constellation of light.
A new study shows that large companies in developed countries prioritize social acceptance over profit maximization in their sustainability management activities. Legitimacy-oriented measures, such as improving employee motivation and reputation, are more important than profit-driven tools like eco-efficiency analyses.
Experts are looking into alternative materials that can be used in building houses, focusing on local sources such as bamboo and straw bales, while also considering economic and environmental factors. Khanjan Mehta emphasizes the importance of scalability and finding suitable alternatives for cement, which is often scarce and expensive.
The article highlights the African housing shortage, particularly for low-income families, and explores the challenges posed by inadequate housing. Experts suggest that a combination of local materials and innovative building methods, such as interlocking bricks, could provide affordable solutions.
The One Ecosystem Journal offers innovative publishing models for ecology and sustainability research, incorporating open data and peer review. The journal uses the ARPHA platform to facilitate collaboration and dissemination of information.
Arizona State University researchers develop an equation to estimate monetary value of natural resources like groundwater and forests, accounting for ecosystem changes and human behavior. The framework enables valuation of natural capital on a balance sheet with traditional assets, guiding sustainable use.
A new science framework, telecoupling, is used to examine the often unseen consequences of global transactions on human-nature interactions. The framework, developed by sustainability scholar Jianguo Liu, allows scientists to analyze how distant environmental and socioeconomic actions lead to reactions and feedbacks globally.
A team of researchers has developed a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for making wrinkle-resistant cotton fabrics. The new process uses citric acid and xylitol to create textiles without the need for hazardous formaldehyde, mitigating environmental and health concerns.
A new research network, CompSustNet, aims to develop computational solutions for creating a sustainable future. Researchers from multiple institutions will collaborate on complex issues like smart electrical grids and renewable energy management.
Scientists at Michigan State University propose a novel approach to understanding the global impacts of megacity water demands. The telecoupling framework examines how environmental and socioeconomic actions lead to reactions and feedbacks, often highlighting research gaps previously overlooked.
The study found that global bicycle ownership has declined from 60% to 32% over the past three decades, with significant variations across regions. The data highlights the need for policy makers to develop targeted strategies to boost cycling as a sustainable mode of transport.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that reducing cropland to below 60% or restoring wetlands to above 6% can bring about significant improvements to surface water quality. Small tweaks to landscape composition may also enhance freshwater benefits in urban areas by adding rain gardens or parks.
Researchers found that World Vision's community-led approach, which integrates local committees and fee collection, significantly increases well functionality. Nearly 80% of Wells drilled by World Vision remain operational after over two decades with proper maintenance and repair.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans should incorporate sustainability considerations to address the health and wellbeing of Americans and the planet. Sustainability evaluations may lead to future regulation, change food-group guidance, and form new political coalitions that favor sustainable diets.
A new framework reveals how panda conservation efforts in China impact cities worldwide, including economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. The study also explores the effects of tourism and conservation on local ecosystems.
New research questions prevailing theory on female genital cutting as a social norm, finding no correlation between community norms and cutting practices. Alternative forces like sexual fidelity benefits may sustain the practice, highlighting the need for more effective policy interventions.
Researchers estimate that 47% of edible US seafood supply is lost annually, mainly from consumer waste. The study suggests that reducing waste can support increased seafood consumption without stressing aquatic resources.
The symposium will cover the entire food supply chain, from input companies to consumers, and feature representatives from major food companies, including American Crystal Sugar and General Mills. Sustainability will be a key focus of the event, with panel discussions from industry experts.
The Urban Water Innovation Network will develop technological, institutional, and management solutions to enhance urban water resilience. The network, led by Colorado State University, aims to create an enduring research network for integrated water systems and sustainable cities.
Scientists have created a sustainable and safe igniting fluid from waste paper, offering a potential solution for reducing harmful emissions from charcoal grills. The new compound, gamma-valerolactone (GVL), can safely start charcoal fires and light glass lamps without producing smoke or odors.
The Genetics Society of America is a founding member of the Plant Science Research Network, which aims to unite the plant science community and promote collaborative research. The network will support new collaborations, foster data exchange standards, and prepare graduate students for diverse careers.
A new model suggests that wealthy countries' ability to mitigate flood risks through investments will be unsustainable in the long term. As a result, they may experience similar flood risk levels as developing countries.
Researchers from ASU's School of Sustainability and surrounding institutions are developing holistic methods to assess urban infrastructure resilience. The team aims to incorporate natural systems into designs, creating 'safe-to-fail' scenarios that balance social, ecological, and technical needs.
Researchers discovered microalgae meal is a promising feedstuff for growing beef cattle, providing high energy and nutrients. The study found that cattle readily consumed algae meal at all concentrations, and its inclusion in diets increased average daily gain and dry matter intake.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recommends eight steps to make the scientific enterprise sustainable, including predictable funding and reduced regulations. The recommendations aim to spur action and implement changes at institutions and within the government.
A new report from The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health warns of impending irreversible environmental effects threatening human health. Human activities are degrading the planet's resources and ecological systems, putting future generations at risk of increased mortality rates and non-communicable diseases.
Research from the Institute of Food Technologists highlights algae, quinoa and pulses as promising alternatives to meat, rich in protein and low in environmental impact. These plant-based options are being increasingly adopted in food products, offering a sustainable solution for feeding the world's growing population.
A new methodology has been developed to assess the environmental sustainability of timber structures, taking into account factors such as social responsibility and economic development. The tool evaluates various criteria and indicators to produce an Environmental Sustainability Index for these structures.
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to determine contaminant prevalence in urban agriculture soil, identify risk factors and develop guidance for safe and sustainable gardening. The project will provide urgently needed information on physical, chemical and biological contamination in urban agricultural environments.
When safety-net agencies close, clients are often left 'lost in the system,' with delays in care and a loss of essential connections. Researchers recommend that agency leaders plan for sustainability and policymakers implement incremental changes to ensure vulnerable individuals can access necessary services.
A team of Northeastern University researchers is studying community organization and connectivity in rocky intertidal habitats throughout the Gulf of Maine. The study aims to identify common rules governing these communities, which can be scaled up to explain broad biogeographic variation across the region.
The Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) will examine ways to use polymers in infrastructure construction, reducing maintenance and carbon footprints. Researchers aim to develop cost-effective, sustainable structures with improved outcomes over the next three years.
A $2.4 million investment from the Canadian government will scale up menstrual hygiene management and free health education in Africa, focusing on rural and urban low-income women and girls. ZanaAfrica Group will increase access to safe, affordable sanitary pads and related health education through a tiered distribution model.
Scientists have developed a new way to recover indium from liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), which could help prevent the depletion of this rare metal. The researchers found that crushing and grinding LCD glass into tiny particles and bathing them in sulfuric acid solution can effectively extract indium.
Researchers found that exotic fish can amplify viral levels in garden ponds, while chemicals like slug pellets weaken frog immune systems. Simple precautions, such as reducing chemical use and not stocking non-native species, can help reduce the spread of the devastating ranavirosis disease.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed heat-triggered self-destructing electronic devices that dissolve into their molecular components. This technology reduces electronic waste and boosts sustainability in device manufacturing.
Research recommends a new approach to sustainable fishing decisions that considers 'taboo tradeoffs', prioritizing local communities and addressing trade-offs with wellbeing. The study found that ignoring these tradeoffs can lead to social losers and environmental degradation.
Researchers at Washington State University found that vineyards with native plant habitats have three times the number of butterfly species and four times more butterflies than conventional vineyards. This conservation method helps reduce pesticide usage and promotes a sustainable agricultural industry.
A study by researchers at the University of Exeter found that New Zealand stoats have greater genetic diversity than their native Britain, preserving extinct British genes. This is unusual as introducing a species typically leads to a loss in genetic diversity.
A study combines ecology and human needs to map regional strengths and weaknesses in Baja fisheries. The research reveals that each region has unique characteristics, requiring tailored policies to achieve sustainability without undermining its strengths.
A new study predicts that up to 8.5 million hectares of additional rubber plantations will be required to meet demand by 2024, threatening significant areas of Asian forest and globally threatened unique species. The expansion is comparable to oil palm and has catastrophic biodiversity impacts.
A new study from Arizona State University examines the environmental consequences of rapid urban expansion in California's Central Valley. The research explores temperature-mitigating technologies and strategies to reduce urban heat island effects, but also reveals potential secondary effects on air quality.
Researchers at Michigan State University reveal two hidden benefits of electric vehicles: reduced heat emission and potential cooling effect on city dwellers. The study finds that replacing gas-powered vehicles with electric ones could reduce urban heat intensity by nearly 1 degree Celsius, saving energy and carbon emissions.
A study by Aksel Sundström reveals that bribery among South African government inspectors contributes to overfishing, allowing fishermen to break rules and exploit protected areas. The researchers found that inspectors are often bribed or blackmailed into ignoring regulations, putting marine resources at risk.
Pollinator decline threatens European food security and ecosystem diversity. The STEP project has mapped the climatic risk of European bumblebees, revealing that many species are at high risk under climate change scenarios.
Researchers have created an 11-point checklist to help smaller UK ports ensure sustainable operations. The system covers topics such as environmental practice, proactive partnerships, and strategic planning for the future.
Darla Munroe examines the impact of telecoupling on sustainability, revealing that reforestation efforts may harm other countries' forests. The US added 7.6 million acres of forests between 1990 and 2010, but Munroe questions whether this is an environmental gain globally.
A new international project, led by the University of Exeter, aims to study how ancient societies used and transformed the Amazonian land. The research will focus on the scale and nature of human societies' transformation of the environment during the late pre-Columbian period.
Grand Challenges Canada funds BasicNeeds' award-winning model for mental health treatment in resource-poor countries, enabling access to care for nearly 75% of the world's people with mental illness. The model generates sustainable impact, enabling 86% of people with mental health problems to access treatment and report reduced symptoms.
China's enormous aquaculture sector is under scrutiny for its impact on global seafood supplies. The Stanford-led study suggests a more sustainable alternative using processing waste to reduce pressure on wild fisheries.
A new study from San Francisco State University reveals that consumers' loyalty to automobile brands is primarily driven by aesthetics rather than functionality. The research found that social and emotional values, such as design sophistication and pride of ownership, have a more significant impact on brand affection. In contrast, func...
A new study from Duke University finds that a combination of federal regulations and local community-based conservation measures are urgently needed to protect spinner dolphins in Hawaii. The research suggests that managing the bays where dolphins rest should be tailored to each bay's unique use, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-...
A new model developed by economists at Duke University and the University of Connecticut helps fishermen boost profits by identifying the most efficient fishing practices and behaviors. The model found that in some cases, congestion can actually increase potential late-season profits and reduce the risk of fishery depletion.
China's vast seawall, covering over half its coastline, faces criticism for ecological costs and lack of protection. The wetland ecosystems support millions of migratory birds and produce 28 million tons of fishery products, underappreciated services that threaten with unsustainable development
Scientists propose creation of new research program to study humanity's future in astronomical context, leveraging astrobiology and sustainability. They calculate average lifetime of species with energy-intensive technology could lead to collapse or sustainability, informing decisions for a sustainable future.
Companies like Invista and Genomatica are pursuing plant-based nylon intermediates from sugar, while Coca-Cola is making progress toward a 100% biobased soda bottle. The main challenge to this shift is economics, with prices needing to drop to competitive levels and manufacturers investing in new facilities.
The review highlights oats' role in improving satiety, with a higher viscosity of oatmeal beta-glucan compared to ready-to-eat cereals. Oats also show potential benefits for digestive health, with resistant starch boosting beneficial bacteria in the gut.