As Florida and other southeastern states were reeling from Hurricane Helene’s effects in early October 2024, another tropical threat brewed over the Gulf of Mexico.
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Researchers Examine the Persistence of Invisible Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution – tiny bits of plastic, smaller than a grain of sand – is everywhere, a fact of life that applies even to newborn rodents, according to a Rutgers Health study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
Wastewater Bacteria can Break Down Plastic for Food
Researchers have long observed that a common family of environmental bacteria, Comamonadacae, grow on plastics littered throughout urban rivers and wastewater systems.
A matter of taste: Electronic tongue reveals AI ‘inner thoughts’
Researchers recently developed electronic tongue capable of identifying differences in similar liquids, such as milk with varying water content; diverse products, including soda types and coffee blends; signs of spoilage in fruit juices; and instances of food safety concerns. They found that results were even more accurate when artificial intelligence...
Another step towards decoding smell
We often only realize how important our sense of smell is when it is no longer there: food is not as tasty as it once was, or we no longer react to dangers such as the smell of smoke. Researchers have investigated the neuronal mechanisms of human odor perception for...
Team engineers new enzyme to produce synthetic genetic material
A research team describes how they engineered an efficient new enzyme that can produce a synthetic genetic material called threose nucleic acid. The ability to synthesize artificial chains of TNA, which is inherently more stable than DNA, advances the discovery of potentially more powerful, precise therapeutic options to treat cancer...
El Niño linked to accelerated ice loss in tropics
Natural climate patterns such as El Nino are causing tropical glaciers to lose their ice at an alarming rate, a new study has found.
Transition to a circular bioeconomy requires getting prices right
A circular bioeconomy that reduces and recycles waste, transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable bio-based alternatives, and regenerates natural systems is critical for feeding and fueling the world's growing population in environmentally sustainable ways. But it's a complicated concept, and significant questions remain about how it should be implemented...
Adding Fall Blooming Plants May Help Both Managed and Wild Bees in Cities
There are nearly 4,000 native bee species in the United States, contributing to pollination in agricultural, urban and natural landscapes.
Funding Boost to Drive our Understanding of the UK Environment
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has been awarded £29.9M to deliver the National Capability for UK Challenges ‘Understanding the UK Environment’ programme.