Ever notice how much more tempting it is to pick up fast food for dinner after being stuck in traffic? It's not just you. New research shows that traffic delays significantly increase visits to fast food restaurants, leading to unhealthier eating for millions each year.
High-yield rice breed emits up to 70% less methane
Rice cultivation is responsible for around 12% of global methane emissions, and these emissions are expected to increase with global warming and as the human population continues to grow. Now, scientists have identified chemical compounds released by rice roots that determine how much methane the plants emit. They report that...
Global internet grid could better detect earthquakes with new algorithm
Early detection of earthquakes could be vastly improved by tapping into the world's internet network with a groundbreaking new algorithm, researchers say. Fiber optic cables used for cable television, telephone systems and the global web matrix now have the potential to help measure seismic rumblings thanks to recent technological advances,...
Building a circular future: Study reveals key organizational capabilities for sustainability
A recent study by management scholars underscores the importance of organizations' dynamic capabilities for greener business practices. Analyzing data from 139 manufacturing companies, the research reveals that financial and technological expertise combined with adaptability to regulations and evolving consumer demands, are key to advancing the green transition.
Life cycles of some insects adapt well to a changing climate: Others, not so much
Some biologists speculate that animals will get smaller with global warming to reduce heat stress. While this may be true of warm-blooded animals, what about exotherms like insects? Thanks to a 65-year-old grasshopper collection, scientists have documented that some species -- those overwintering as juveniles -- got larger over the...
How does the atmosphere affect ocean weather?
A new study of satellite imagery and high-resolution climate model data upends previous assumptions and provides insight about how the atmosphere and ocean weather patterns interact. The new research reveals the surprising ways atmospheric winds influence ocean eddies, shaping the ocean's weather patterns in more complex ways than previously believed.
Recycling lithium-ion batteries cuts emissions and strengthens supply chain
Researchers compared the environmental impacts of lithium-ion battery recycling to mining for new materials and found that recycling significantly outperforms mining in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and energy use.
Ventilation in hospitals could cause viruses to spread further, study finds
Increased use of ventilation and air cleaners, designed to mitigate the spread of viral infections in hospitals, is likely to have unpredictable effects and may cause viral particles to move around more, according to a new study.
Low-level traffic air pollution linked to liver damage and fatty liver disease
Low levels of traffic-related air pollution harms the liver and may raise the risk of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a new study in mice suggests.
Polar bear population decline the direct result of extended ‘energy deficit’ due to lack of food
U of T Scarborough researchers have directly linked population decline in polar bears living in Western Hudson Bay to shrinking sea ice caused by climate change.