Research on more sustainable materials and systems. Covers nature-inspired manufacturing, resource disparities, mood-supporting materials, and low-carbon concrete.
Research highlights the adverse effects of plastics on human health, including endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA and DEHP. Biodegradable plastics are not without risk, while recycling poses environmental challenges.
Researchers create large-scale production method for sclareol, a prized fragrance ingredient, using bacterial cultures and Clary sage plant DNA. The new technology provides a more sustainable alternative to natural ambergris, which is scarce and expensive.
Researchers use metathesis to create valuable personal care product ingredients from plant essential oils, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional raw materials.
A new study by Aalto University found that sustainable business innovations significantly increase a company's market value. Regular announcements of sustainability innovations result in an 0.82% increase in market capitalization.
Researchers examine China's massive Grain to Green Program, which has invested over $32 billion to persuade farmers to return cropland to forest and grassland. The study found that too much land is being enrolled in the program in flat areas, and policymakers need to communicate more with farmers to better understand their needs.
The NSF is highlighting the importance of incorporating human factors into geophysical research to address environmental issues. By combining natural and social sciences, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability challenges., Researchers supported by the CNH program are exploring ways to balance human ne...
Scientists at the American Geophysical Union conference present findings that human population growth outweighs climate change as the culprit in region's dwindling water supplies. The research highlights the importance of water conservation and sustainability.
Research by McElhaney found that companies with one or more women on their boards are significantly more likely to have improved sustainability practices. Additionally, the study found that companies with at least three female board members had better ESG performance.
A new transparent solar cell has been developed that produces energy by absorbing mainly infrared light, making the cells 66 percent transparent to the human eye. The panels could be used in smart windows or portable electronics.
The UK and US healthcare systems have much to learn from each other, particularly in areas like financing, organisation, and information technology. The authors highlight key differences between the two countries' reforms and suggest that country-specific expertise could be valuable.
A $11.9 million NSF award supports a multi-institution research network on sustainable climate risk management strategies at Penn State and nine additional universities. The network aims to develop improved analysis frameworks, mentor diverse researchers, and inform climate-related risk management decisions.
Research suggests that metropolitan areas with state-mandated comprehensive planning and higher per-capita income tend to have more sustainable transportation practices. These areas experienced a smaller decline in transportation ecoefficiency between 1980 and 2008 compared to others.
A new study published in Science magazine provides population assessments for thousands of data-poor fisheries worldwide, revealing that over half are in decline. However, the research highlights hope for recovery: most unassessed fisheries have not yet collapsed and can provide a significant seafood supply boost if managed sustainably.
A new assessment technique allows researchers to determine fish population status using less data than traditional methods. This enables the recovery of thousands of 'data-poor' fisheries, which could boost seafood supply by 8-40% compared to unsustainable fishing practices.
Researchers found that half of drivers make the stop-go decision three seconds before the stop line and few can clear the intersection before the light turns red. The study also revealed that people over 60 years old react slower to yellow lights due to longer perception-reaction times.
A new study found that making a general commitment to be environmentally friendly or a specific commitment to reuse towels leads to more sustainable behavior. Symbolic gestures, such as receiving a 'Friend of the Earth' lapel pin, significantly increase eco-friendly actions.
A new UCLA-led study found that employees in green companies, which adopt international environmental standards, are 16 percent more productive than the average. The researchers discovered a positive correlation between the adoption of these practices and increased employee motivation, training, and interpersonal relationships.
In Chitwan National Park, Nepal, tigers have shifted their nocturnal activity to coexist with people, indicating a potential middle ground for human and tiger survival. The study suggests that conservation efforts can consider both nature and humans, paving the way for sustainable solutions.
The Central Maya Lowlands collapsed due to a combination of natural climate change and human-made environmental stress. The researchers developed a complex systems theory that highlights the role of commerce and choice in the collapse.
The US received a slightly above average score of 63 in the Ocean Health Index, which evaluates global oceans in critical aspects. Key findings include high biodiversity scores and strong coastal livelihoods, but poor food provision and pollution concerns.
The Ocean Health Index assesses the benefits to people of healthy oceans, combining ecological, social, economic, and political conditions. It scores countries globally, ranging from 36 to 86, with densely populated nations like Germany and uninhabited islands leading the way.
A study by Arizona State University reveals that megapolitan expansion could lead to local maximum summertime warming of nearly 4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the warming caused by increased greenhouse gases. The research found that incorporating 'cool roofs' into urban planning can alleviate summertime warming substantially.
China's water crisis is characterized by severe pollution, eutrophication, and lack of access to safe drinking water, with two-thirds of cities experiencing shortages. To achieve sustainability, experts suggest adopting a systems approach that considers multiple perspectives and values.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that choosing sustainable seafood also means selecting healthy options, with larger longer-lived fish being high in toxins. Safer alternatives include Alaskan Pollock and Atlantic Mackerel.
A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery found that nearly half (43%) of patients participating in a publicly-funded adult weight management program dropped out before achieving sustainable weight loss. The drop-out rate was significantly lower for surgical patients, with only 12% exiting the program.
A Michigan State University study reveals that people's attitudes towards tigers are influenced by benefits and pragmatic costs of having tigers nearby, suggesting a combination of psychological responses drives tolerance. The research provides critical information on how to protect species by understanding human-neighbour relationships.
Pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) technology harnesses freshwater flow to produce electricity, requiring no fuel and releasing no carbon dioxide. This process has the potential to meet the electricity needs of 520 million people without emitting greenhouse gases.
A new study by Utpal Dholakia at Rice University found that daily deals are becoming increasingly successful for businesses, with three-quarters reporting profits after seven or more deals. The study also reveals that newer and smaller businesses tend to perform better in the long term, with sustainability rates of up to 40%.
NTU hosts international students, top water experts, and Young Water Talents Symposium to share knowledge on sustainable water management. The university's five-year strategic plan focuses on sustainability research, with S$849 million dedicated to the field.
Researchers will assess nine ecosystem services provided by grasslands before and after woody plant encroachment in Kansas and New Mexico. The study aims to understand the ecological, economic, and social consequences of this dramatic change.
Tiramisu Transit LLC, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff, has received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I funding to commercialize its smartphone application enabling real-time bus schedule and seating information. The team plans to identify sustainable business models for crowd-sourced transit systems.
An international treaty is proposed to address global health research and development issues, ensuring coherence, fairness, efficiency, and sustainability. The treaty aims to provide fair contributions and benefit sharing from all countries, generating a globally sustainable system.
A recent study found that 54% of microwaves in the UK are disposed of for cosmetic reasons or minor faults, and 85% can be safely repaired. Simple design changes could prevent these issues altogether, reducing waste and conserving resources.
A new University of Florida study suggests that selective logging of tropical forests can be a viable conservation option, as long as the forest is given adequate time to recover. The research found that biodiversity and carbon retention take a hit from logging but can be reversed over time.
A long-term study reveals that nature tourism in China's Wolong Nature Reserve increases conservation efforts, but disproportionately benefits individuals with existing resources. The research suggests that poverty alleviation policies may need to be revised to address the unequal distribution of benefits.
The prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Foundation has selected four University of Miami students as 2012 Goldwater Scholars: Christopher Sanchez, Ian Ergui, Juan Pablo Ruiz, and Christine Chesley. Sanchez is majoring in Environmental Science and Policy with a focus on Anthropology.
An international group of scientists proposes a plan to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years, leveraging worldwide collections and technological advances. This mission aims to chart the biosphere and understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a novel procedure to assess plant species diversity in an area by analyzing vegetation information collected by satellites over time. This allows resource managers to evaluate biodiversity without collecting regionwide field data.
A study reconstructing fisheries yields over seven centuries in Hawaii and Florida Keys reveals that Native Hawaiian societies managed fisheries sustainably through local regulations and community involvement. The authors argue that incorporating ancient techniques into modern policy may be key to sustaining coral reef fisheries.
A new test developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory uses impurity profiling to trace the source of nerve agents used in terrorist attacks. Up to 88% of impurities in source chemicals can wind up in the finished product, making them unique like a fingerprint.
A CU Denver study reveals a positive correlation between Green School practices and student achievement in science, with the Midwest region showing the highest average survey score. The research highlights the importance of green schools in promoting environmental literacy and sustainability.
The construction of roads in isolated villages disrupts traditional information flow patterns, leading to changes in economy and social life. As a result, inhabitants adapt their subsistence strategies and environmental management, resulting in significant transformations.
Arizona State anthropologist Michelle Hegmon's research draws on the past to inform modern climate policy, exploring how societies adapted to change and what it was like to live in those societies. Her work offers lessons on tradeoffs and the human experience in times of climate change.
Researchers at Michigan State University are exploring the intersection of art and science to better understand sustainability. Artists Joe Zammit-Lucia, Sacha Kagan, and David Maggs will discuss how their work can provoke thinking and change people's perceptions of complex sustainability issues.
A study by North Carolina State University found that most college athletics departments lack formal relationships with campus groups working on sustainability initiatives. Athletic department representatives understand the importance of sustainability, but few have incorporated sustainable practices into their strategic plans.
A University of Manchester research consortium found that UK carbon emissions targets could be met with significant expansion of both renewables and nuclear electricity by 2035. However, this would require a huge increase in nuclear power to make up for the loss of current nuclear stations.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Indiana University analyzed the field's evolution, composition, and collaboration structure. The study concludes that sustainability science is both applied and basic, spanning worldwide institutions and governments. A global collaboration network emerged around 2000, defining the fie...
Researchers found that sustainability science has become a cohesive global field, doubling in size every 8.3 years, with contributions from over 2,200 cities and 174 countries. The most productive city for sustainability publications was Washington, D.C., surpassing major tech hubs like Boston and the Bay Area.
Research from the University of Sheffield found that people are willing to pay extra for greener urban spaces, with greater tree coverage attracting higher payments. The study surveyed public opinions on various redevelopment scenarios and found a strong correlation between green space quality and willingness to pay.
Researchers from the University of Leicester are working with Kenyan partners to develop demonstration projects for an ecologically sustainable source of flowers grown at Lake Naivasha. The project aims to reduce water use, improve ecosystem health, and increase access to clean water for local communities.
Researchers argue that inland fisheries can be protected by extending sustainable seafood initiatives to freshwater species. Modified approaches would be needed due to smaller and more concentrated fisheries in developing countries.
A new study provides a predictive sequence of events leading to coral reef collapse and identifies key sustainability targets for managing coral reefs. Researchers found that well-protected areas typically have 1000-1500 kilos of reef fish per hectare, and regulations restricting gear or species can help maintain biomass.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing means to efficiently breed saltwater fish and invertebrates in captivity. Successful breeding has been achieved for seven species, including clownfish, gobies, and coral, reducing reliance on destructive wild-caught methods.
Researchers suggest using linear compensation to design emissions reduction strategies that benefit all nations, with punishments adjusted relative to other countries' performance. This mechanism leverages national abatement efforts to incentivize cooperation.
A team of experts recommends ending most commercial fishing in the deep sea due to their unsustainability. The study suggests redirecting subsidies to rebuild fish populations in closer-to-coastal waters.
Researchers will focus on predictive molecular signatures and biomarkers to screen high-risk populations and provide effective treatment strategies. The collaboration aims to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs in the fight against colorectal cancer.
In exploring the formation of disaster-response agencies after 9/11, a researcher finds that most new nonprofits ceased operation within two years. However, those with stronger ties to families of victims endured past two years. The expert's research also highlights the importance of collaboration and leveraging resources.
Japan's universal health coverage has been a success story, maintaining equity and containing costs over the past 50 years. However, the ageing society of Japan threatens its sustainability, with rising premiums and emerging uninsured populations.
A recent commentary in CMAJ highlights that alternative funding models for healthcare in Canada will not reduce costs nor achieve financial sustainability. The majority of healthcare costs are spent on a small proportion of the population, and private healthcare has higher administrative costs.
Researchers found that many eco-labeled Chilean sea bass sold in US groceries were not sustainably sourced from the recognized fishery off South Georgia. The study revealed genetic variations in the fish, indicating possible mislabeling and mixing with other species.