Articles tagged with Natural Resources
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
A new $1.25 million NIH grant provides teaching resources and professional development for middle school teachers to boost disciplinary literacy skills and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. The program aims to help traditionally underrepresented groups feel confident about potential careers in STEM.
A new study by Cornell University found that rare and endangered insects and spiders can be easily purchased without adequate oversight through basic internet searches. Many species, including those with valuable ecological services like ladybugs and pollinators, are being sold illegally online.
The study highlights the interconnectedness of the Arctic's natural resources, ecosystems, and people with global events. Climate change, conflict, and increased resource extraction are identified as key drivers of socioeconomic and environmental changes in the region.
A new study by a University of Georgia researcher finds that plastic bag bans or fees can lead to an increase in the sale of smaller trash bags, potentially offsetting any reduction in plastic waste. Sales of larger trash bags remain relatively unchanged.
A University of Illinois study found that neighborhoods with fewer trees have higher medical costs and poorer health outcomes. Residents in areas with more tree cover incur $374 less in medical costs per year, a difference that translates to approximately $194 million annually.
A study by HSE University and University of Basel found that the brain's pleasure centre is suppressed when resources are depleted, but responds differently to private and public resources. This understanding may help identify measures to preserve common natural resources.
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Research by Shan Jiang found that introducing nature views into hospital corridors can significantly ease confusion and anger in navigating large medical complexes. The study revealed that participants used shorter time and walked less distance to complete wayfinding tasks when exposed to green spaces.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
The study found that nitrogen fertilizer accelerated residue decomposition, producing more carbon dioxide and reducing the incorporation of residues into soil organic matter. This long-term problem can cause microbes to attack stable organic matter, leading to a decline in soil health.
The study tracked nations' progress in meeting basic needs and respecting environmental limits, finding that no country meets both criteria without overconsuming resources. Wealthy countries like the US and UK drive ecological breakdown while poor countries like Bangladesh struggle to meet basic human needs.
A new study describes a proof of principle for engineering Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria to extract rare earth elements from ore in a way that meets U.S. environmental standards. The method is more efficient than current thermochemical extraction and refinement methods, with potential to control the resource and meet domestic demand.
A URI researcher has published a series of articles in the journal Biological Invasions to address concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion. The study found that the editorial board was overwhelmingly American and white, with most papers published by Americans and Europeans.
A new study suggests that larger conservation areas are ineffective in protecting threatened species in central Africa, citing a lack of funding and resource management issues. The research found that broader conservation efforts often led to decreased populations due to the lands being too large to manage effectively.
A new model suggests that integrating massive offshore wind generation, power storage, electric vehicles, green hydrogen production, and expanded transmission can reduce costs of renewable power integration into the grid. This strategy could make achieving China's carbon neutrality by 2050 feasible without significantly increasing costs.
Researchers found that most anglers weren't thinking about how invasive species could affect their own lives, highlighting the need for personalized messaging. Tailoring education campaigns to an angler's values and risk perceptions can motivate action, such as decontaminating boats or attending cleanup events.
A new kind of concrete made from recycled waste materials could significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint. The calcium carbonate concrete uses captured carbon dioxide and discarded concrete to create a durable and versatile building material.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a non-toxic alternative to traditional cyanide-based gold extraction processes. The new chloride-based method, called EDRR, achieves an impressive 84% gold recovery rate, surpassing the 64% recovered with traditional cyanide methods.
A new study projects that marine heatwaves will wipe out hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fish available for catch in a country's waters by the century's end. Researchers warn that extreme temperatures will exacerbate impacts on fisheries and human communities, leading to significant job losses.
A new study found that bigleaf maple trees are declining due to warmer, drier summers in Western Washington. The research team discovered that the trees' growth is sensitive to dry weather conditions, leading to smaller leaves and reduced overall mass.
A new study by the University of British Columbia found that many catch share fisheries globally are not paying royalties on their harvests, despite generating an estimated US$17.7 billion in value. The study highlights that countries like Canada do not charge for the use of these natural resources.
Researchers found socio-cultural barriers, lack of maintenance and funding, economic challenges, institutional barriers, technological and environmental barriers hinder GI adoption. Community-based approach identified the need for increased transparency and communication from government, as well as resident participation and engagement.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that seagrass ecosystems are more vulnerable to loss and degradation than mangrove ecosystems. Communities with greater reliance on fisheries and tourism income have higher socio-economic sensitivity due to low adaptive capacity, leading to limited alternatives to fishing. Improving acce...
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a wave energy converter that doubles the power harvested from ocean waves, overcoming technical challenges and unlocking vast untapped potential. The dual-turbine design is cost-effective and requires no special syncing technology.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
Pasquali proposes splitting hydrocarbons to produce clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon materials, which could replace materials with large carbon footprints. This transition would generate robust growth in manufacturing jobs and improve production efficiency.
New research from the University of Arizona identifies climate-related threats to US Department of Defense facilities in the southwestern United States. The study recommends emphasizing risks to DOD missions, finding champions at individual bases, and integrating climate considerations into existing plans to mitigate these challenges.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology estimates the median cost of plugging abandoned oil and gas wells at $76,000, with costs varying widely based on location, age, and other factors. The analysis of over 19,500 orphaned wells across the US provides valuable insights for regulators to adjust bonding requirements ...
A collection of articles shows community monitoring can provide information about resource conditions and counter overuse, but may require compensation to be effective. Training and incentivizing community members to patrol forests has been successful in some cases.
A comprehensive review of US fatalities linked to methylene chloride paint strippers reveals more deaths than expected, with 85 reported between 1980 and 2018, most in occupational settings. Safer alternatives are available, and experts urge the EPA to limit use and prevent further deaths.
Researchers from the University of Illinois highlight the importance of proper bat box design and placement to prevent overheating. They recommend using large, well-ventilated designs with materials that provide better temperature buffers.
A study by researchers from Russia, Germany, and Switzerland found that natural resources decrease income inequality in countries like Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. These nations' developed democracies and transparent market economies hindered the concentration of control over resources, preventing an increase in inequality.
A new report finds that western US butterfly populations are declining rapidly due to fall warming trends, which induce physiological stress and affect development and hibernation preparation. Conservation efforts in urban areas with constant water flow will be crucial in preventing further declines and extinction.
Research finds that water clarity affects how growth rates of walleyes change as lakes start to warm; growth rates increased in some lakes and decreased in others
A new study published in Ecological Applications reveals that Nebraska anglers tend to visit the same seven popular fishing spots consistently, drawn from the same ZIP codes throughout the year. This finding provides valuable insights for natural resource managers seeking to optimize lake management and sustainable fishing experiences.
A University of Illinois study suggests that tree cover around schools improves standardized test scores, regardless of student demographics or school resources. The study found that even small amounts of tree cover closer to the school made a significant difference.
A global survey of health professions schools reveals that 63% offer climate change education, with most commonly integrated into core courses. However, many schools face institutional challenges and limited resources in developing curricula.
A new research review argues that societal adaptation to climate change should focus on collective action and systems-level thinking, rather than individual coping strategies. The authors propose transformational change to ensure society's resilience in the face of increasing hazards.
A recent study suggests that targeting deeply held values is crucial for inspiring pro-environmental behavior. Researchers found that people with egalitarian values tend to care more about benefiting the environment, while those with hierarchical values prioritize authority and influence. The study's conclusions highlight the importanc...
The University of Houston Law Center has been awarded a three-year energy research grant to explore ways to facilitate public and private efforts to achieve goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The partnership will focus on key global issues in addressing climate change, with faculty members working together to develop new s...
Cristina Watkins, a UTIA doctoral student, has won a national scholarship to study the connection between wilderness areas and diverse societies. Her research focuses on socio-demographic groups' values of wilderness areas and creating accessible opportunities for minority groups in outdoor recreation.
A study on the cultural status of saltwater crocodiles in East Timor reveals a complex relationship between humans and animals. The research highlights the importance of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into wildlife management to address severe human-crocodile conflict.
A new Illinois study finds that Western environmental systems and regulations in Africa are not working as intended, leading to conflict between small-scale miners and multinational corporations. The researchers argue that domestic-level 'translators' have become part of the global system of governance, leading to a lack of translation...
Researchers found that cash transfer programs can exacerbate environmental degradation, particularly in rural areas where livelihoods depend on natural resources. The study suggests that these programs need to be implemented with environmental policies to maximize their effectiveness.
Climate change is causing fishing communities to adapt by changing their fishing locations and strategies. Large North Carolina-based trawl vessels are now sailing 250 miles north to catch summer flounder and Atlantic croaker off the coast of New Jersey.
A new integrative stratigraphy and timescale for 13 geological periods in China has been published, highlighting advances in stratigraphy and timescale development. The research provides a precise framework for geological mapping and natural resource exploration, benefiting all geologic disciplines.
A new study reveals a significant decline in wind energy resources over the Northern Hemisphere, with 30-80% of stations losing wind power potential since 1979. Climate models are found to be inadequate in simulating long-term wind energy changes, underscoring the need for careful consideration when using GCM-based projections.
A study of salmon in Northern Finland found that the gene version urging them to mature earlier has become more prevalent, while the version for larger growth is rarer. This suggests that evolution is at play as salmon adapt to their environment.
A project at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences combines traditional woodworking techniques with innovative cinematic forms of communication to create documentary-style tutorials. The project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, aims to preserve traditional crafts for future generations.
Researchers analyzed precipitation and temperature records with NDVI data from 1982-2011 to find a shift in the climate factors controlling vegetation dynamics on the central and southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The study suggests that global warming may be contributing to this change, potentially impacting regional ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that raising tortoises in captivity and releasing them into a protected habitat can significantly boost wild populations. The study found that 70% of head-started tortoises were still alive after one year, with strong site fidelity allowing them to reproduce.
Seong-Hoon Cho, a UTIA researcher, will spend six months in South Korea designing the country's framework for forest carbon sequestration payments. The project aims to optimize risk/reward trade-offs and encourage forest carbon sequestration through innovative economics and finance modeling.
A recent study by Lund University found that chance plays a significant role in local species survival, sometimes overriding conservation initiatives. The researchers also discovered negative frequency-dependence, which counteracts the role of chance and helps rare species recover.
A 16-year study found that over 100,000 orangutans were lost on Borneo due to changes in land cover, with many disappearing from intact forest areas. Effective partnerships with industries and public education are key to the species' survival.
John C. Stier, associate dean at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been named a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy, the highest recognition bestowed by the society. He is recognized for his career contributions to the turfgrass industry and his service as a professor and researcher.
The USDA has invested $3 million in three colleges serving Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians to prepare students for careers in food, agriculture, and natural resources. The University of Hawaii and the University of Alaska Fairbanks will develop pathways to recruit underrepresented students into their programs.
The Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool has received a national award for its exemplary leadership in addressing climate change impacts on fish and wildlife species and their habitats. The tool, launched in 2015, provides information on climate change vulnerabilities and offers adaptation strategies to protect natural resources.
A North Carolina State University study reveals significant knowledge gaps in protecting cultural resources from climate-related changes. Researchers found that most studies focus on European and US sites, with limited research on Australia and Asia.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii are using acoustics to understand and track the movement of the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. By analyzing the beetle's chirp signatures, they hope to develop a new method for tracking and mitigating its impact on Hawaii's palm trees.