Articles tagged with Sustainability
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.
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.
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.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that even stringent fertility restrictions or catastrophic mass mortality would not significantly reduce the world population by 2100. Instead, researchers suggest focusing on policies and technologies that reverse rising consumption of natural resources...
A new study by the University of Toronto found that countries with higher levels of compassion and openness score better in environmental sustainability. The research examines how population differences in personality characteristics predict a nation's environmental records.
A team of researchers led by D.J. Seo will integrate data from advanced weather radar systems, wireless sensors, and crowdsourced cell phone data to create high-resolution models of urban water systems. The project aims to produce a suite of products for flash flood forecasting, water quality monitoring, and storm management.
Research shows that larger females produce far more eggs than smaller fish, increasing population productivity and stability. Older fish also provide a 'storage effect', allowing them to spawn successfully when conditions are favorable.
A recent study by Pamela Norum found a significant gap in common clothes repair skills between baby boomers and millennials. Baby boomers generally possess more knowledge of clothes repair and laundry than younger generations.
Grand Challenges Canada announces $2.4 million in grants for 22 innovative projects addressing maternal, newborn and child health globally. These projects include programs improving infant nutrition, malaria diagnosis, and vaccine storage, as well as initiatives to combat iron deficiency and improve access to healthcare.
Curtin University research monitors Nile River water volume to help 200 million North-East Africans plan for sustainable use of resources. The study uses GRACE satellite data to isolate total water storage, providing independent insights for countries to inform decision-making and reduce reliance on the river's precious water supply.
Despite Congress's adjournment, the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 remains a crucial issue in healthcare finance. Experts, including Dr. Eli Adashi, advocate for bipartisan efforts to address the SGR law and promote reforms to move Medicare towards quality-based compensation.
The National Science Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants to study coastal sustainability, addressing key issues like sea-level rise, invasive species, and climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems. The grants aim to improve management of coastal environments and provide ecosystem services that sustain human well-being.
A Mexican plant-based fixative alternative to expensive ambergris could significantly reduce the environmental impact of perfumery. Researchers found that producing this new fixative could generate $20 million in local profits and create hundreds of jobs, while minimizing its environmental cost through renewable energy use.
Researchers found that adopting the USDA's 'Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010' would lead to a 12% increase in diet-related greenhouse gas emissions due to increased consumption of dairy products and seafood. In contrast, reducing daily caloric intake while shifting to a healthier diet would result in only a 1% decrease in emissions.
A Yale School of Environment special issue examines life cycle engineering for a more sustainable manufacturing sector. The study finds that product design and maintenance can significantly reduce environmental impact.
A new study by Yale University authors found that consumers are more likely to purchase a product if it is perceived as environmentally friendly due to unintentional design changes rather than intentional eco-friendly efforts.
New study finds that seafood mislabeling distorts true abundance of fish, defrauds consumers, and causes unwanted exposure to harmful pollutants like mercury. The researchers found that even MSC-certified fish can have high mercury levels if substituted with other species from the same geographic area.
A new study reveals that Millennials are eating tofu because it's convenient and filling, rather than for its nutritional value. The research found that highlighting the ease of cooking and taste can be a more effective way to convince others to try tofu.
Researchers from Oregon State University argue that video games can educate the public on complex problems like pollution, drought, and climate change. Video games encourage creative thinking, strategic problem-solving, and social collaboration, making them a potential tool for promoting sustainable practices.
In experiments by Yale and Harvard psychologists, more than two-thirds of people were willing to take a sustainable 'fair share' of resources, while selfish individuals consistently destroyed them. Democratic principles led to group consensus on resource allocation, ensuring the next generation's survival.
The New York Botanical Garden is launching a two-phase project to inform future conservation efforts in Myanmar. The first phase will establish collaborations with national institutions, provide training for young botanists, and collect preliminary data on the country's flora.
Scientific collections provide wealth of information on species' diet, breeding habits, growth rates, lifespan, and ecology. Collections have played crucial role in understanding climate change impacts and disease tracking, with discoveries like de-extinction of the Vegas Valley leopard frog.
UCSB's residential dining services incorporated local pesticide-free or organic produce into their menu, resulting in a significant increase in sustainable food options. The project demonstrated that scaling up local food systems can have a positive impact on the community and environment.
A GW researcher advocates for a sustainable approach to controlling soil-transmitted helminths (STH), proposing the use of biogas technology to provide sanitation, parasite control, and energy supply. This grassroots solution offers cost-effectiveness and community-driven development in underdeveloped areas.
A new study evaluates the environmental impact of biocontainers in commercial greenhouse production, finding minor differences in global warming potential compared to traditional plastic containers. The researchers suggest that using more efficient lighting sources could have a greater impact on overall sustainability.
A Concordia University study found that consumers are more likely to buy eco-friendly products if they predict their own sustainable shopping behavior and feel observed. The study also discovered that this effect is stronger for individuals who define themselves based on social ties and peer opinions.
A new analytical tool, HANDY, incorporates two new variables into the well-known predator-prey model, reflecting the accumulation of wealth and economic stratification between rich and poor. The model suggests that human societies can reach a sustainable steady state when they do not over-deplete natural resources and avoid extreme eco...
A UIC chemistry professor has been awarded a prestigious international sustainability grant to lead the US effort in developing novel catalytic methods. The project aims to replace rare metals with inexpensive and abundant metals, reducing environmental pollution and resource depletion.
The Telecoupling paper, published in Ecology and Society, presents a new framework for studying interconnected human and natural systems across scales and distances. This approach holds promise for understanding complex challenges like water sustainability, climate change, and food security.
A study of 9,500 residents in six US cities found that while some urban lawn care patterns were similar, others varied significantly. The research suggests that lawns may be a key indicator of where cities need to address sustainability concerns, particularly in terms of nutrient pollution.
Eight international scientists propose eight sustainable livestock strategies to cut costs while boosting the quantity and quality of food produced. These include feeding animals less human food, raising regionally appropriate animals, and tailoring practices to local culture.
Researchers are working to conserve the high diversity of potatoes found in South America, where over 5,000 varieties exist. A top-down approach using remote sensing and bottom-up knowledge from local farmers is being used to identify agrobiodiversity hotspots and create strategies for sustainable use.
A new model developed by Bruno Ribeiro at Carnegie Mellon University assesses the viability of membership-based websites and social networks. The model successfully predicted the sustainability of six years' worth of user statistics for 22 membership-based websites, separating self-sustaining from unsustainable sites.
A new study emphasizes the importance of a data-driven team in launching and sustaining a School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) framework. The study found that an effective school-based team using data for decision-making was more critical to sustainability than principal support.