Articles tagged with Sustainable Development
A recent study found that the Amazon Rainforest in southwestern Brazil has experienced a significant increase in deforestation and burning, with 4,141 km² of forest destroyed between 2003 and 2019. The region's agricultural activities and infrastructure have contributed to this trend, posing a threat to conservation units and Indigenou...
A Swansea University research study has evaluated the long-term environmental impacts of different Japanese knotweed management methods. The study found that glyphosate-based foliar spray control is the most sustainable approach, using the least materials and having the lowest economic costs.
A European consortium has achieved a world-record solar-to-fuel efficiency of over 10% in converting CO2 and H2O into sustainable fuels using sunlight. The innovative cell produces hydrogen continuously (24/7) without the use of critical raw materials.
A study reveals that plant roots are crucial for belowground life in the tropics, supporting decomposition and soil health. Removing living roots decreases animal abundance by 42% in rainforest plots and 30% in plantations.
Scientists have developed a conductive polymer coating called HOS-PFM that can significantly enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. The coating ensures battery stability and high charge/discharge rates while extending battery life by up to 15 years.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
Researchers argue that Earth System Justice is necessary to identify and live within biophysical boundaries. The framework aims to reduce harm to people and nature while ensuring access to resources and minimizing tradeoffs.
A team led by Professor Siegfried Waldvogel has successfully degraded Kraft lignin using a
Scientists at Paderborn University have developed a new catalyst, known as Lewis superacid, to break strong chemical bonds and speed up reactions. This breakthrough enables the conversion of non-biodegradable greenhouse gases into sustainable chemicals.
Research led by Professor Corey Bradshaw found that higher baby death rates and larger household sizes contribute to higher fertility rates, supporting the need for greater access to family planning and contraception. The study suggests that increasing access to quality contraception can help reduce infant mortality and curb population...
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework faces implementation challenges due to entrenched North-South divides and inadequate funding. The framework requires countries to adopt equity principles and account for past damage to achieve its 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to engineer wood that traps carbon dioxide while increasing its strength. This process involves removing lignin and hemicellulose from the wood and replacing them with metal-organic framework particles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
An international research team from the Global South emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in tropical ecology and conservation. They suggest ten actions for researchers living in the Global South to improve their inclusivity and participation in international research collaborations.
Tiantian Yang aims to develop an integrated solution addressing precipitation variability and uncertainty with a novel AI and data mining tool. His research will be tested in collaboration with U.S. agencies, aiming to better inform water management decisions.
The study reveals that phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release large amounts of energy, providing a cooling effect in winter and a warming effect in summer. In colder climates, the energy payback period of using PCMs is the shortest, with annual energy savings ranging from 0.24 to 29.84 kWh/m2a.
A Cambridge-led consortium has received $35m to engineer plants to utilize naturally occurring micro-organism interactions, enhancing nutrient uptake and increasing crop yields. This approach aims to revolutionize smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a sustainable solution for food production.
The 30-year history of metabolic engineering has progressed significantly, enabling microorganisms to efficiently produce chemicals and degrade recalcitrant contaminants. Recent breakthroughs in systems metabolic engineering and data science have driven advancements in sustainability and health.
The UN reports that roughly 50,000 large dams worldwide will lose an estimated 23% to 28% of their combined original storage capacity by 2050, resulting in a loss of around 1.65 trillion cubic meters of water. This loss will undermine water security, irrigation, power generation, and other essential services.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Scientists at Aston University are developing processes to capture low-cost energy from rice straw, with the goal of powering Indonesia's households and reducing air pollution. The project aims to increase energy extraction from rice straw from 35% to 70%, providing a sustainable source of locally generated energy.
Researchers from various universities conducted a systematic literature review on active learning methods, finding that challenge-based learning is the most suitable in sustainability education. This approach encourages students to analyze challenges from multiple perspectives and develop skills such as teamwork and conflict resolution.
A new study reveals that child labor plays a significant role in preserving forest cover in southwestern Ethiopia. However, the economic-environmental synergy of smallholder shade coffee production is compromised by an undesirable reliance on child labor, leading to negative effects on children's schooling.
A new study from Ritsumeikan University reveals the essential role of relational values in people's readiness to participate in and support sustainable social-ecological system (SES) management. The research shows that integrating relational values into SES management plans can promote pro-SES behavior among people.
Researchers developed a novel separator using graphene oxide, acetylene black and polypropylene to suppress lithium polysulfide dissolution and improve lithium-ion transportation. The new separator enables efficient Li-S batteries with better performance and stability.
The use of real-world laboratories can facilitate knowledge exchange between science and society, enabling the development of participatory research approaches to address the complex challenges facing our oceans. By involving all relevant stakeholders in co-designing research questions and testing potential strategies, these labs have ...
A researcher reviews the evolution of the nexus approach, a method that considers multiple variables to tackle sustainable development challenges. The approach has become more complex and diverse over time, allowing for a fine-tuned analysis of real-world situations.
A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.
A new study projects that COVID-19 school closures will exacerbate existing inequalities in adult skills between countries in the Global North and South. The loss of learning due to school closures is expected to further widen skill gaps, compromising global development goals.
A new study has created a comprehensive database of 265 show caves worldwide to monitor the effects of tourism on fragile cave ecosystems. The research found that tourists can disturb life in caves through increased temperatures, pollutants, and noise, posing a threat to subterranean species.
A new atlas reveals extreme differences in urban built-up heights globally, with the Global South having nearly as much infrastructure as the Global North. This data can inform city planning and economic development efforts to address inequality and climate change.
A £1m project aims to develop a biodiversity credit standard to measure and value biodiversity for market trading and investment. The research team will test a potential methodology and assess industry uptake of new innovation.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology created a novel method to produce self-folding origami honeycomb structures using paper sheets, which can provide excellent protection against shocks and compression. The developed technique has potential applications in packaging, agriculture, and other fields.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new method to study the life cycle of tree roots, shedding light on the decomposition process. They found that fine roots, which control nutrient uptake by trees, are discarded and decompose differently than leaf litter.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA extract bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels using a fast, simple, and sustainable process. The extracts show effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This breakthrough has the potential to provide antimicrobial properties to biomaterials.
New TOD index assesses development potential around transit nodes, ranking stations for their commercial diversity, walkability and land-use vibrancy. The study identifies areas suitable for residential growth, advising developers on informed urban planning.
The study reviews electrostatic atomization minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) mechanism and applications, highlighting its benefits in clean cutting and biolubricant development. Researchers propose future directions for improving coordination parameters and equipment integration.
A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an algorithm that enables 2D materials to maintain their mechanical strength after conversion into 3D structures. The algorithm is inspired by kirigami art and mimics the structure of nacre, a natural shell coating known for its robust mechanical properties.
Researchers developed a new global water quality model to assess current and future pollution status of rivers and streams globally. The study found that achieving the SDG target would not be enough to protect surface water quality in some regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya reveals how Airbnb creates and projects the image of tourist destinations, reproducing stereotyped forms of tourism and contributing to overcrowding. The platform's user-generated guides aim to convince tourists to visit a city as if they were residents, but ignore the needs of local communities.
Research from German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research finds poorly defined land rights increase deforestation in Brazil. Private land rights can be effective if combined with strict environmental policies, such as the Forest Code.
The African Plant Nutrition Institute, Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa have signed a MoU to collaborate on agriculture development programmes that target sub-Saharan rural farmers. The planned interventions will see an improvement in food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through joint programming, shared learning, and...
A new analysis of nutrient omission trial data reveals that balanced fertilizer application can significantly improve maize and rice yields in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that doubling current yields through balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can lead to more consistent results across regions.
A £7M NIHR award will scale clean energy access to improve health, gender equality and climate in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to address household air pollution, a significant risk factor for global disease, and will focus on informing national strategies to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7.
A systematic review of 82 scientific publications found that palm oil boosts local economies and poverty reduction while exacerbating social inequalities. Sustainable palm oil production practices facilitate achievement of SDGs like quality education and access to clean water.
The NIH is launching a $8 million prize competition to develop technologies improving postpartum healthcare in areas with limited access to maternity care. Diagnostic devices and wearables are prioritized to detect conditions like heart-related conditions, infection, and bleeding during the first year after delivery.
The Lancet Commission report highlights widespread, global failures in the COVID-19 response, resulting in millions of preventable deaths and reversed progress towards UN SDGs. The report calls for strengthened multilateral cooperation, improved technology, and international health financing to address future health threats.
A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights the need for Toronto's public transit system to improve its accessibility and affordability to retain vulnerable users. The researchers recommend a reassessment of travel networks, equitable pricing, and enhanced safety measures to connect core riders better with the rest of the city.
The study reveals that between 90 and 99 percent of all deforestation in the tropics is driven directly or indirectly by agriculture. The majority of deforestation results in land speculation or abandoned projects, rather than actively producing agricultural production.
A new study finds that public-private partnerships and energy initiatives can partially address technology transfer deficits but are insufficient. China's success in attracting technology transfer through foreign direct investment is seen as an alternative model for developing countries.
A new study developed a novel way to understand how human activities cause unintended consequences on sustainable development goals. Researchers used China's Wolong Nature Reserve as a demonstration site and found that efforts to promote one goal often result in unintended impacts on others.
The primer highlights how citizens can contribute meaningfully to scientific research, enabling inclusive decision-making and closing data gaps. Citizen science promotes open data practices, advancing collaborations between various actors and making science more participatory and inclusive.
Researchers from Kyushu University analyzed global patent applications to identify R&D strategies for sustainable mining technologies. The study found that the Paris Agreement and raw metal price trends influence CCMT development, with varying degrees of impact by country.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
Researchers at the University of Turku have developed a new type of supramolecular plastic that is comparable to conventional polymers in terms of mechanical properties. The material decomposes easily and can be reused, making it a promising alternative for sustainable development.
New research reveals that fossil fuel companies' decarbonisation scenarios are incompatible with Paris Agreement goals, with most projecting high levels of warming and exceeding the 1.5°C limit. The study provides a critical assessment of scenarios published by public, commercial, and academic institutions.
The project empowers Indigenous youth to create films about locally available foods and other concerns, raising awareness of nutritional deficiencies and gender discriminatory norms. The initiative aims to improve dietary diversity and promote transformative change through self-expression and participation.
A recent study published in Construction and Building Materials has found that heat treatment can significantly improve the strength of recycled concrete, reducing its environmental impact. The researchers developed an energy-efficient means of improving recycled concrete outcomes through thermal treatment.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science create a metal–organic framework-based magnesium ion conductor showing superionic conductivity at room temperature, overcoming the limitations of magnesium ion-based energy devices. The novel Mg2+ electrolyte exhibits a high conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1, making it suitable for battery applica...