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Fish & Fish Oil: Separating the Facts and the Myths

By Ben Kligler, MD March 2023 The focus on the potential of fish and fish oil to reduce our chance of heart attack and other cardiovascular disease dates back to two Danish scientists in the 1970s.

 

What Does 1,4 Dioxane Ban Mean For You?

By Erin Speiser, PhD, MA March 2023, If a cosmetic or cleaning product is on the shelf at the local market, does that mean it’s safe?

 

Gut microbes can also help you heal faster and avoid fatty liver disease

The human gut is integral to just about every part of the body, but especially our immune system when you consider that roughly 70 percent of it lies within the gut.

 

Study Finds Evidence That Tropical Deforestation Stops the Rain

Even as miners, loggers and ranchers fell them at record rates, scientists are still learning about all the things that forests do to keep the local and global climate comfortable and stable.

 

New Study Links Zero-Calorie Sweetener to Heart Attack and Stroke

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, and it has about 70% of the sweetness of sugar.

 

Warmer climate may drive fungi to be more dangerous to our health

A new study finds that raised temperatures cause a pathogenic fungus known as Cryptococcus deneoformans to turn its adaptive responses into overdrive.

 

If Your Strawberries Taste Bland, Pesticides May Be to Blame

If you’ve ever bitten into a juicy, red strawberry only to find that it was watery and somewhat flavorless, certain pesticides could be to blame.

 

One easy way to fight antibiotic resistance? Good hand hygiene

Antibiotics save lives by killing bacteria that cause infections. But antibiotics don’t just kill infection-causing bacteria or stay in the area of the body where the infection is occurring.

 

Every 500 steps seniors take reduces their risk of heart problems

People over 70 who take an extra 500 steps a day lower their risk of heart failure or stroke by 14 percent, according to a new study.

 

Nutritional Benefits of Vanilla Bean for Your Mind and Mood

It’s a flavor most all of us grew up eating, whether in ice cream or another type of dessert. Vanilla might seem boring, but it’s truly one of the most classic flavors you can never go wrong with.

 

Is your drinking water safe? Heres how to ensure clean, contaminant free H2O

Water may not be every kid’s top choice for a beverage, but it’s essential for their well-being. Parents and other caregivers should teach kids to drink water, starting with being good role models and serving water often.

 

Green tea, black tea and matcha tea found to suppress dioxin toxicity

Dioxins are formed from the burning of hydrogen and chlorinated compounds. Industrial processes, house fires, and trash burns all unleash these carcinogens into the atmosphere.

 

Are Mushrooms the Wave to Plastic-Free Surfing?

Rather than plastic, Steve Davies – a 23-year-old board designer based in Porthcawl, Wales – is developing a surfboard made from mycelia, the root-like structures of mushrooms and other fungi.

 

How to Take Care of Your Thyroid on a Plant-Based Diet

Our thyroid is one of the most important parts of our endocrine system; this gland regulates everything from our mood, our weight, our body temperature, metabolism, and even digestion.

 

More than 330 species contaminated with forever chemicals

Polar bears have a PFAS problem: Pollution from the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS contaminates polar bears, tigers, monkeys, pandas, dolphins and fish and has been documented in more than 330 other species of wildlife around the world, some endangered or threatened.

 

If you follow these 5 sleeping habits, you are 30% less likely to die from any cause

Following five key sleeping habits can add years to your life, according to research.

 

Neonicotinoids Combined with Other Pesticides Elevate Hazards to Honey Bee

(Beyond Pesticides, February 22, 2023) Combining neonicotinoid insecticides with other commonly used pesticides can result in synergistic effects on honey bees, increasing toxicity more than any individual chemical could,

 

Fathers Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in the Workplace Increases Risk of Heart Disease in Infants

A father’s exposure to occupational (work-related) chemicals, including pesticides, around the time of his partner’s pregnancy, has an association with a higher risk of infant congenital heart defects (CHDs), according to a Japanese study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. The prevalence of infant CHDs is one of the most common genetic (congenital) diseases worldwide. However, the etiology of CHD includes both genetic and environmental facto

 

Deep Sea Mining Could Harm Whales and Dolphins

Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, but that didn’t save them when commercial whaling wiped out as much as 97 percent of their numbers.

 

Many parents are overmedicating their children on fever-reducing drugs

Once winter rolls around, kids usually start to get sick due to consistent viral exposure in schools and daycares. One of the first signs of illness for them is usually a warmer-than-normal forehead or fever.

 

Groundbreaking map shows toxic forever chemicals in more than 330 wildlife species

Today the Environmental Working Group published an analysis of peer-reviewed data that for the first time shows the global scope of contamination by the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, which may be harming over 330 wildlife species around the world.

 

Floridas Latest Red Tide Sparks Concern Among Pregnant People, the Elderly, and More

While the Florida Keys are almost underwater, things aren't much better in the southwestern part of the state. Lee and Charlotte Harbor are currently considered to be hot spots for red tide, a phenomenon involving toxic algal blooms that generally only happens in the summer and fall. And although these events pose a risk to all walks of life, many are wondering how red tide affects pregnancies.

 

Honey Bee Colony Loss Linked to Pesticides, Parasites and Extreme Weather Across U.S.

Honey bee declines in the U.S. are “primarily related” to pesticide exposure, parasitic mites and extreme weather conditions, research published by Penn State scientists have determined.

 

How Power Plant Emissions Affect Cloud Formation in Utah Mountains

Humans have been altering the planet in many ways, from the extreme weather of climate change to the destruction of wildlife habitat and ecosystems.

 

Toxic Train Derailment Raises Need for Systemic Change

The freight train that derailed February 3, 2023 in East Palestine was carrying a number of toxic chemicals. EPA notified the railroad, “EPA has spent, or is considering spending, public funds to investigate and control releases of hazardous substances or potential.

 

Fossil Fuel Consumption Subsidies Soared to Record Heights in 2022

Despite constant warnings from the scientific community about the dangers of the climate crisis and extreme weather events from devastating flooding in Pakistan to record-breaking heat waves worldwide, world leaders still subsidized fossil fuel consumption with a record more than $1 trillion in 2022.​

 

How Pesticide Use and Climate Change Make Each Other Worse, and What We Can Do About It

That’s one of the striking findings from “Pesticides and Climate Change: A Vicious Cycle,” a first-of-its-kind report from the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) detailing how these two environmental problems interact to make our food system less just and resilient.

 

From plastic waste to valuable nanomaterials

Scientists create carbon nanotubes and other hybrid nanomaterials out of plastic waste using an energy-efficient, low-cost, low-emissions process that could also be profitable.

 

The Pros and Cons of Filtered Water

Everyone deserves to have clean water but sometimes the water we think is clean actually isn’t. The good news is you can buy water filters at almost any grocery store nowadays and if you’re really committed to drinking clean water, you can even install a filtration system in your house.

 

Glyphosate Weed Killers Reduce Crop Yields and Hamper Climate Mitigation Efforts

Glyphosate use in grassland pastures reduces crop yield and impedes climate change mitigation, finds two studies (1,2) published this month from the University of Turku, Finland. While massive public relations campaigns by the agrichemical industry have poured in millions of dollars to convince politicians and the public that pesticides are necessary to ‘feed the world’ and address the climate crisis, the data does not support these claims.

 

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can change the shape of a baby’s face

How much alcohol a mother drinks before and during pregnancy could determine the shape of their child’s face, a new study explains.

 

Exercising doesn’t help kids looking at screens all day offset obesity risk

Just staying active isn’t enough to help children avoid obesity, according to a team from the University of Toronto.

 

10 Ways Plant-Based Eating Keeps You Safe From Colds

Coughing uncontrollably and having to carry around gobs of tissues is annoying, not to mention it’s hard to breathe or sleep.

 

Reversing hearing loss closer to reality after scientists learn to regenerate cells

Many people forget to bring a pair of earplugs when they’re favorite band or musician comes to town, and most end up regretting that oversight when their ears are still ringing a few days later.

 

Wake up, get thin! Morning exercise leads to burning more calories

Morning gym-goers reap more rewards and burn more calories, a new study explains.

 

ENVIRO-TERROR in Ohio as TOXIC GAS CLOUD unleashed

An act of ecological terrorism has been carried out in Ohio as “authorities” set fire to as many as ten train cars carrying highly toxic vinyl chloride (and other chemicals), unleashing a massive plume of chemical-laden smoke that exploded into the skies and spread for hundreds of square miles.

 

What New York’s Laundry Detergent Ban Means for Some Popular Brands

Many commercially available detergents were found to contain a probable human carcinogen.

 

Vitamin D found to prevent diabetes

If you or someone you know is prediabetic, it might interest you to know that a new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine confirms that vitamin D may be a cure that prevents the formation of full-blown diabetes.

 

Low-calorie diets slow down the aging process as much as quitting smoking

Low-calorie diets could slow down the pace of aging and have as much of an impact on health as quitting smoking, a new study suggests.

 

Intermittent fasting doesn’t influence weight, Johns Hopkins study suggests

Intermittent fasting is a popular dietary routine followed by many to maintain a healthy weight, but it may not be as effective at shedding the pounds as believed, according to new research.

 

Full marijuana legalization leads to less use? Teen cannabis vaping highest in states that only allow medical use

Surprising research from Washington State University suggests widespread cannabis legalization may actually promote less marijuana use among teens. Researchers say more high school seniors reported vaping cannabis in states where it is legal only for medical purposes in comparison to other states where cannabis is fully legal for all adults.

 

Common chemical in shampoo and soap sends womens risk of diabetes skyrocketing

A common chemical in personal hygiene products like soap and shampoo can raise a woman’s risk of developing diabetes by over 60 percent, new research reveals.

 

At least 2 cups of coffee per day helps maintain healthy blood pressure

If you’re a coffee lover, there’s good news for you and your heart. Italian researchers report that people who drink two or three cups of coffee per day have lower blood pressure than those who drink less.​

 

Study on National Pollinator Declines Blames Pesticides, Pests, and Extreme Weather

(Beyond Pesticides, February 1, 2023) Honey bee declines in the United States are “primarily related” to pesticide exposure, parasitic mites, and extreme weather conditions, research published by Penn State scientists have determined.

 

Could Algae Help to Cure the Common Cold

Could algae help to cure the common cold? Scottish scientists are investigating the possibility of turning waste molecules from the superfood spirulina into a treatment for colds, COVID-19, and other viruses.​

 

Wood Stoves Could Cause New Air Pollution Hotspots in the UK

The crackle and glow of a wood stove may be comforting, but the pollution it produces is pretty frightening. Burning wood releases high levels of toxins into the environment, creating localized pollution hot spots.

 

Plastic debris in the Arctic comes from all around the world

In the course of five years, citizens who went on sailing cruises to the Arctic surveyed and collected plastic debris that had washed up on the shores of Svalbard. This has now been analyzed.

 

Single Use Plastic Production Surged in 2021 Despite Growing Awareness of Environmental Impact

In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the risk that single-use plastics pose to the environment and human health as well as greater efforts made to regulate them.

 

Climate change may cut US forest inventory by a fifth this century

A study found that under more severe climate warming scenarios, the inventory of trees used for timber in the continental United States could decline by as much as 23% by 2100.

 

Understanding Iron Deficiency and Why Women Are More At Risk

With plant-based diets becoming more popular, cases of iron deficiency have also risen. Yet, even though iron deficiency is very common, a laissez-faire attitude around the condition can be very dangerous, especially when it comes to women’s health.

 

High-intensity workouts the best way to boost brain power later in life

Exercising in your forties could improve your brain’s ability to process and retain information, a new study explains.

 

Scientists Create Biodegradable Plastic Using Solar Energy

Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have found a way to synthesize fumaric acid, a raw material using for producing the biodegradable plastic polybutylene succinate, using artificial photosynthesis.​

 

Lung cancer rates have decreased for the Marlboro Man, but have risen steeply for nonsmokers and young women

When many people think of an average lung cancer patient, they often imagine an older man smoking. But the face of lung cancer has changed. Over the past 15 years, more women, never smokers and younger people are being diagnosed with lung cancer.

 

Junk food isnt just for kids: 1 in 8 older Americans show signs of addiction

If you think junk food is just something younger people eat, think again. A new poll by researchers at the University of Michigan finds that one in eight adults over 50 have such an unhealthy relationship with ultra-processed junk foods that it qualifies as a food addiction.

 

Switching From Gas to Induction Stoves Leads to Major Drop in Indoor Air Pollution in Bronx Pilot Program

In a pilot program in the Bronx, New York, a switch from gas stoves to induction stoves led to a 35% decline in nitrogen dioxide, as well as a decrease in average carbon monoxide concentrations. Additionally, controlled cooking tests found higher amounts of air pollution for apartments with gas stoves.​

 

Here’s why leaving the city for the suburbs during pregnancy might lead to smarter children

Could a move to the country help mothers-to-be give birth to smarter children? A new study finds breathing in all the smog in busy cities can have a harmful effect on a woman’s unborn child.

 

Adding 6 minutes of intense exercise to your daily routine can help support brain health in middle age

According to researchers from University College London (UCL), adding at least six minutes of intense exercise to your daily routine can help boost brain health in middle age.

 

Surfing in a Sewer: How Water Pollution is Driving Top Surfers Away From the UK

Sarah Jackson, a windsurfer and two-time world championship silver medalist, has recently made the difficult decision to leave her home on the south coast of England for the cleaner waters of Spain, The Guardian reported.

 

Plant Based Diet Reduces Risk of Cognitive Decline, Study Finds

A recent study on the health benefits of the elderly eating a plant-based diet revealed that it can reduce the risks of cognitive decline in the elderly.

 

Is makeup making kids sick?

Think twice the next time your child wants face paint for a costume, or some glitter for a party.

 

California lawmaker introduces bill to eliminate lead from school drinking water

California Assembly member Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) on Wednesday introduced a bill aimed at removing all lead from drinking and cooking water used in schools, which would help protect young children from lead’s serious harms.

 

Common Fungicide Adds to Growing List of Pesticides Linked to Gastrointestinal and Microbiome Damage

A study published in Food Safety and Toxicology finds that the widely used fungicide azoxystrobin (AZO), used in food production and turf management, can disrupt the function of the intestinal (colonic) barrier responsible for the absorption of nutrients and defense against harmful substances.

 

Plastic Contamination Can make a Family Sick for Generations

Toxic chemicals bleeding out of plastic don’t just make the user sick, they can affect the metabolic health of an entire family.

 

Gum infection may be a risk factor for heart arrhythmia

Periodontitis, a gum disease, can lead to a litany of dental issues from bad breath to bleeding and lost teeth. Now, researchers have found that it could be connected to even more severe problems elsewhere in the body -- the heart.

 

Stamp-sized wearable heart monitor can take medical images without going to a hospital

A new wearable heart monitor can provide doctors with images of the organ as people go about their daily routine. The postage stamp-sized device can stay on the wearer’s chest for up to 24 hours and works even during strenuous exercise.

 

Its science! The no-cost, simple solution to keeping your kids from getting sick

Here’s one more reason to make sure your kids don’t become couch potatoes. New research from the Medical University of Warsaw reports that children with higher levels of daily physical activity are much less likely to contract upper respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

 

Heres How the Parabens In Your Beauty Products Can Affect Your Skin and Hair

Years ago, consumers didn’t worry about the ingredients in their beauty products — they just blindly accepted them, hoping the FDA had their best interest at heart.

 

Traffic Air Pollution Can Impair Human Brain Function Within Just Two Hours

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria have found just how quickly air pollution can negatively impact the human brain.

 

The single oil spill that can disrupt the global energy supply

A maritime area three times the size of the city of London holds the highest risk for oil spills in the Gulf which can have devastating consequences locally and globally.

 

Yoga: Modern research shows a variety of benefits to both body and mind from the ancient practice

The popularity of yoga has grown tremendously in the past decade. More than 10% of U.S. adults have practiced yoga at some point in their lives.

 

Why Cant Styrofoam Be Recycled?

For many people, green living is the act of sacrificing convenience in our own day-to-day lives in exchange for a cleaner future for everyone. Composting, driving less, eating cleaner, and recycling are all part of the process, but for some people, these minor inconveniences are not worth the time it takes to separate cans from your regular garbage.

 

How a gene found in centenarians could be turned into an anti aging drug for the heart

An anti-aging gene common in people who live to be 100 years-old has the ability to rewind the biological age of someone’s heart by 10 years!

 

Beetroot juice can significantly increase muscle force while working out

Countless people spend untold hours in the gym in pursuit of stronger muscles. For many, they follow these sessions by consuming a whole lot of protein to promote muscle recovery and growth.

 

You Can Reuse and Recycle Your Candle Jars, After the Wax Has Melted

After a grueling day of work, nothing surpasses silencing your phone, snuggling up to your pet, and lighting every single candle you own.

 

Integrating Plant-Based Detox Foods into Your Daily Diet

Have you ever thought about a detox? Maybe you’ve even tried a cleanse? While you feel great afterward, you may have noticed that the lost weight returns and that the light, healthy feeling diminishes quickly.

 

Average American wakes up well-rested only 3 days a week

If you’re waking up feeling more exhausted than when you fell asleep, you’re not alone. According to new research, the average American wakes up feeling well-rested only three mornings out of the week.​

 

Heres why watching beautiful sunrises sunsets actually improves your health

Do you often wake up in a crummy mood? Consider taking a few minutes to watch the sunset at night. According to researchers from the University of Exeter, you just might come away from the experience feeling better.

 

Antibiotics in wastewater and sewage contaminating global waterways, boosting drug-resistant superbugs

Antibiotic residues in wastewater and sewage works are contributing to antibiotic resistance, a new study warns.

 

Having ADHD in adulthood strongly linked to development of anxiety, depression

Adults living with severe ADHD symptoms are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than those with high levels of autistic traits, according to a new study.

 

Forever chemicals in freshwater fish: Mapping a growing environmental justice problem

From coast to coast, and in almost every state in the U.S., high levels of the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS contaminate freshwater fish.

 

These 4 healthy eating patterns can help you live longer

Dieting and eating healthy have been longtime keys to feeling good. Now, a new study finds following at least one of four healthy eating patterns decreases a person’s risk of premature death.

 

Meditation can alter human microbiome, improve gut health

Deep breathing techniques are known to have a positive impact on stress levels, but scientists are reporting another significant benefit for the body.

 

Detox Your Mind – No Supplements Required!

Are you feeling overwhelmed, scattered and forgetful? How about tired, run-down and apathetic? It might be time for a deep detox. No, I’m not talking about a warm salt soak and consuming larger amounts of lemon water—-although that wouldn’t hurt either.

 

Pesticides Not Only Linked to Parkinsons Disease Development, But Accelerating Disease Symptoms

(Beyond Pesticides, January 12, 2023) Exposure to certain pesticides among individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can increase the risk of symptom progression. According to a study published in Science of the Total Environment,

 

Chemical researchers discover catalyst to make renewable paints, coatings, and diapers

Researchers have invented a groundbreaking new catalyst technology that converts renewable materials like trees and corn to the key chemicals, acrylic acid, and acrylates used in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers.

 

Are gas stoves bad for your health?

Cooks love their gadgets, from countertop slow cookers to instant-read thermometers.

 

Hope in hair Transplanted follicles could better heal wounds, prevent longterm scars

The best Band-Aids could be sprouting from your scalp, a new study suggests. British researchers say hair follicles may have wound-healing properties, with the potential to avoid lifelong scars that can be damaging to one’s confidence.

 

4 Herbs to Help Cleanse Your Body

Our bodies and mood can start to feel quite sluggish, especially at the start of the year after a pretty epic holiday season of eating and drinking.

 

Children who dont get enough sleep consume more junk calories than their well-rested peers

When children don’t get enough sleep, parents don’t get enough sleep. Apparently, another thing these sleep-deprived children can’t get enough of is food. There appears to be a strong correlation with poor sleep affecting a child’s appetite in a not-so-healthy way, according to a recent study.

 

Climate change helped make it US 3rd most expensive year on record

U.S. weather disasters are getting costlier as more people move into vulnerable areas and climate change raises the risks of extreme heat and rainfall, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials warned as they released their annual billion-dollar disasters report on Jan. 10, 2023.

 

Fewer cases of melanoma among people taking vitamin D supplements

Fewer cases of melanoma were observed among regular users of vitamin D supplements than among non-users, a new study finds.

 

Critical first step toward firefighting foam made without forever chemicals

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Defense quietly released new requirements for the firefighting foam it uses to put out jet fuel fires. It marks a crucial step toward ending the use of foams containing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, which have long contaminated drinking water.

 

Uranium Water Contamination In US Far More Prevalent Than Believed

Maybe it’s the good kind of uranium that turns you into Spider-Man or the Incredible Hulk and not the bad kind of uranium that turns you into Thyroid Cancer Man – one of the lesser-known Marvel superheroes.​

 

Solar-Powered Device Can Recycle Both Climate and Plastic Pollution

Carbon dioxide and single-use plastics are two of the leading pollutants wreaking havoc on Earth’s systems. But what if it was possible to turn them both into something actually useful by channeling the power of the sun?

 

Just 6 minutes of high-intensity exercise could prevent Alzheimer’s disease

DUNEDIN, New Zealand — Just six minutes of strenuous exercise each day could stave off Alzheimer’s, according to new research.

 

15 Soothing Plant-Based Recipes to Prevent the Winter Flu

Winter is coming. It’s a wonderful, festive time of year and no one wants to catch the flu. There are many basic ways to prevent the winter flu, such as washing your hands regularly, staying hydrated, and handling your food with care.

 

Eating fast food linked to fatty liver disease, study warns

The occasional Big Mac or Whopper can be delicious, but new research is warning fast food fans to keep those visits to the drive-thru sporadic at best. Even if you are trying to eat the healthiest fast food items, a new study finds that fast food can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

 

3 reasons local climate activism is more powerful than people realize

Global warming has increased the number of extreme weather events around the world by 400% since the 1980s.

 

8 Horrifying Facts about PFAs

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are problematic, to say the least. They are bad for the environment, they are bad for our health, and they don’t go away.

 

No. 5 Plastic May Soon Be No. 1 in Recycling

PureCycle is a U.S.-based company seeking to turn plastic waste into an infinitely recyclable material. Over the last year, the company has partnered with stadiums in Orlando, Cincinnati and Jacksonville on a pilot project to capture as much polypropylene (PP) waste plastic as possible in order to recycle it.

 

Is Particle Board Furniture Safe? How Chipboard Is a Health Risk

You’ve just moved into your apartment. It’s too expensive, of course, and far too small, but it’s yours. As far as furniture goes, you’ve had to settle on some cheap and lovely pieces from your local Target.

 

8 Zinc-Rich Plant-Based Foods to Boost Your Immune System This Winter

With the official start of winter just weeks away, it’s crucial to build up a strong immune system to ward off those nasty flu viruses that circulate during this time of the year.

 

Listening to music can lower stress, improve mood during particularly tough times

Listening to music reduced stress during the pandemic, according to new research. The study of 711 people found music also improved mood, adding to evidence that our favorite tunes are a great antidote for anxiety.

 

Taking antibiotics regularly disrupts gut health, increases risk of developing IBD

Researchers from NYU Langone Health say the risk seems to be cumulative and reaches its greatest point one to two years after taking a course of medication, as well as after taking antibiotics which target gut infections.

 

Reducing Your Use of Rock Salt

After a winter storm hits, snow and ice need to be removed from facility walkways and parking lots. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most common substance used for deicing is sodium chloride (NaCl)—also known as rock salt. Rock salt is the same chemical as common table salt, only in larger granules, and it’s used for good reason, as it’s a very effective and inexpensive way to melt snow and ice.

 

Why gardening could save your life: Having a green thumb could keep cancer away, benefits mental health

Studies often point to the amazing benefits from spending time outside and connecting with nature. Here’s one more fantastic reason to put the smartphone down and enjoy the great outdoors.

 

Shorter days affect the mood of millions of Americans

The annual pattern of winter depression and melancholy – better known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD – suggests a strong link between your mood and the amount of light you get during the day.

 

Foams used in car seats and mattresses are hard to recycle

A new plant-based substitute for polyurethane foam eliminates the health risk of the material, commonly found in insulation, car seats and other types of cushioning, and it’s more environmentally sustainable, our new research shows.

 

Average person only drinks 4 glasses of water a day

The average person drinks just four glasses of water a day — with most of them hydrating through beverages like tea and coffee instead.

 

How do you slow down aging? Scientists explain how exercise keeps you young

Time and time again, exercise continues to demonstrate its ability to protect against diseases. When it comes to aging, however, the results are not so clear cut.

 

Report: 32 million pounds of toxic pesticides sprayed on Ventura County fields from 2015 to 2020

“Ventura County, Calif.,” began a feature story in The Washington Post in August 2015, “is the absolute most desirable place to live in America.”

 

Alcohol use is widely accepted in the US, but even moderate consumption is associated with many harmful effects

This month, millions of Americans are taking part in “Dry January” in an effort to forgo alcohol for a month and cleanse themselves of the excesses of the holiday season.

 

Green jobs are booming, but too few employees have sustainability skills to fill them – here are 4 ways to close the gap

To meet today’s global sustainability challenges, the corporate world needs more than a few chief sustainability officers – it needs an army of employees, in all areas of business, thinking about sustainability in their decisions every day.

 

Kick up your heels – ballroom dancing offers benefits to the aging brain and could help stave off dementia

Social ballroom dancing can improve cognitive functions and reduce brain atrophy in older adults who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

 

On climate & biodiversity, where are we, post-COP15?

There are many connections between climate change and biodiversity loss, and many of the actions needed to meet the 2030 action targets around biodiversity loss can also work toward climate change targets.​

 

RECYCLING IS IN A CRISIS

The collapse of recycling is primarily due to high contamination levels in the recycling stream - which means the public is throwing a lot of "garbage" in recycling bins. Contamination cripples the economics of recycling. The process to remove contamination reduces profitability, driving up the cost of recyclables, thereby preventing many manufacturers from reusing recycled materials. As a result, they continue to deplete finite natural resources at alarming levels.

 

Climate warming reduces organic carbon burial beneath oceans

An international team of scientists painstakingly gathered data from more than 50 years of seagoing scientific drilling missions to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of organic carbon that falls to the bottom of the ocean and gets drawn deep inside the planet.

 

A step towards solar fuels out of thin air

A device that can harvest water from the air and provide hydrogen fuel -- entirely powered by solar energy -- has been a dream for researchers for decades.

 

Working from home worse for you Here’s why commuting may actually improve mental, physical well-being

Working from home may not be as good for you as commuting after all, a new study suggests. Researchers at University College London report that traveling more than 15 miles from home regularly is better for your mental and physical well-being.

 

PG&E reports nuclear reactor welding leak at Diablo Canyon facility

Pacific Gas & Electric found damage to part of a reactor cooling system at the aging Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in California, but it hasn’t yet answered key questions about the extent of the problem.​

 

Green power giant Iberdrola makes floating solar debut on Brazil paradise island

Global green power giant Iberdrola will leap into floating solar with a debut project on a Brazilian eco-paradise island.

 

Hydration can significantly impact your physical health, study finds

But drinking enough water is also associated with a significantly lower risk of developing chronic diseases, a lower risk of dying early or lower risk of being biologically older than your chronological age, according to a National Institutes of Health study published Monday in the journal eBioMedicine.​

 

Recycling plastic is practically impossible and the problem is getting worse

The vast majority of plastic that people use, and in many cases put into blue recycling bins, is headed to landfills, or worse, according to a report from Greenpeace on the state of plastic recycling in the U.S.

 

Protecting Your Workers From Cold Stress

The current winter weather in the United States serves as a reminder that, during winter’s cold months, it’s important to be aware of the effects that “cold stress” can have on workers—and know how to prevent it from happening.

 

EWG welcomes cosmetics law reforms in end-of-year spending bill

WASHINGTON – Congress today passed the first update since 1938 to the federal law regulating personal care products, with key cosmetics reform provisions included in must-pass end-of-year spending legislation. ​

 

Healthy Toys For Happy Kids

By Erin Speiser, PhD, MA With the deluge of toys available to kids, sorting through related health information may feel like a challenging road to navigate. Thankfully, there’s a few simple guidelines to help ensure that the toys in your home are as safe as possible, and support their health and wellbeing:

 

Temperature changes due to Tonga eruption will affect food production

“Adapt 2030” channel creator and producer David DuByne believes food production will be affected by temperature changes caused by a huge volcanic eruption in Tonga early this year.

 

Series of small dams pose big cumulative risk to Amazon’s fish and people

Small hydropower plants and small-scale fish farming in the Brazilian Amazon basin are often thought to cause negligible environmental harm, yet a new study reveals their cumulative damage is greatly underestimated and can be more impactful than large dams.

 

India’s GM Mustard: An Increasingly Bitter Taste

In a fair world, Aruna Rodrigues would be heralded as an incredible individual for her ongoing struggle to protect the socio-economic and environmental integrity of India. So says respected environmentalist, author and campaigner Leo Saldanha.

 

U.S. cardiovascular disease cases projected to skyrocket by 2060

Roughly one to two Americans die from cardiovascular disease every minute, according to the CDC. While those numbers are troubling today, research published by the American College of Cardiology is sounding the alarm bell about America’s cardiovascular future. Scientists project rates of both cardiovascular risk factors and disease will increase significantly across the United States by the year 2060.​

 

New 3D-printing ink could make lab-grown meat much cheaper to produce

Lab-grown, or cultured, meats represent a promising, more environmentally friendly alternative to actual meat from livestock, but high production costs have hindered its widespread use. Now, however, research out of Singapore and China reports the discovery of a way to use food waste to make cultured meat, which would reduce production costs considerably.

 

Los Angeles is becoming too hot to bear. Can it design its way cooler?

The city is forecast to double the number of days it reaches 95F by 2050, but innovative materials may help fight off the heat

 

Three’s a crowd: how farmers are cutting out the supermarkets

CrowdFarming network provides a one-stop shop to bring fresh produce to the customer’s door

 

DEA warns that ADHD overprescription could be as bad as OPIOID CRISIS in stinging letter to pharmaceutical giants it accuses of 'aggressive marketing

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has expressed concern that 'aggressive marketing practices' by telehealth companies may be contributing to excessive prescriptions for medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a letter from the agency.

 

Consider the Human Factor in Environmental Cleaning

A health care facility’s environmental services (EVS) team is one of its best resources for infection control. However, EVS workers, like all humans, are subject to mistakes and weaknesses. Beyond the typical education and training, infection control leaders are looking for new tools to help EVS workers stay on track.

 

Number of young children who accidentally ate cannabis edibles jumped 1,375% in five years, study finds

In just five years, the number of small children in the US exposed to cannabis after accidentally eating an edible rose 1,375%, a new study says.

 

Scrap tire generation outpaces consumption

Over the past decade, consumption of scrap tires has not kept pace as scrap tire generation has increased. In 2013, about 96 percent of scrap tires generated were consumed by end markets, but in 2015, that figure decreased to 88 percent, and in 2017, that figure was down to 81 percent.

 

How many Ohioans live near a toxic release facility?

Corporate sites across the U.S are releasing toxins into the surrounding land, air, and water on a regular basis—and often unbeknownst to surrounding communities.

 

Millet for the Environment and Better Nutrition

Americans today don’t even know what millet is. Those who do probably think of it as bird food. But millet is a climate-resilient crop that produces nutritious food. Its potential for promoting food security more sustainably in a world affected by climate change is so great that the United Nations has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets.

 

Light Pollution: Everything You Need to Know

There are four main types of light pollution: skyglow, glare, light trespass and clutter.

 

Noise pollution is a menace to humanity – and a deadly threat to animals

Noise pollution is one of the gravest yet least recognized health threats of our time. Even moderate levels of noise – the kind that surrounds us in any urban environment – increase risks of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, developmental delays and dementia. Now, scientists are revealing that non-humans, too, suffer from noise pollution – and that they are far more sensitive than humans.​

 

Unprecedented NY flood of fentanyl causing ‘heartbreaking’ loss

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan, who worked as a homicide prosecutor during the surge of crack in the city in the late 1980s, and early 90s.​

 

Big Meat is wasteful, polluting and powerful

Big Meat stands accused of egregious ethics violations, even as it recorded sky-high profits in 2022​

 

How a Country Embraced the River It Feared

When the Waal River floods near the Netherlands’ border with Germany, the overflow inundates the Millingerwaard nature reserve, swamping meadows, glades and trails. Beavers move up into the trees and build temporary homes. The current reshapes the landscape, eroding gullies and leaving new ponds in its wake. This isn’t disaster. It’s design.

 

Apocalyptic highway fire exposes dangers of plastic tunnels

An apocalyptic conflagration left a stretch of highway near Seoul a mess of molten plastic and melted cars. And it left relatives of the victims — the dead now numbering five — in utter disbelief.

 

Petition: Pass New Bill That Would Help Hold Factory Farms Accountable

A new bill introduced by Senator Cory Booker could finally help hold factory farms accountable and reduce the suffering of millions of farm animals across the US.

 

How We Came to Know and Fear the Doomsday Glacier

It’s the world’s most vulnerable glacier and key to the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, yet we’re only now getting to know Thwaites Glacier. What took us so long?

 

Hazardous Fumigant in Food Production Harmful to Farmworkers, Groups Call for Ban

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced new rules that remove existing limits on the use of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D or Telone), allowing Californians to breathe much more 1,3-D than some state toxicologists say is safe and highlighting the dangers to which farmworkers are routinely exposed.

 

Consumption of Chemical Pesticides is Not Reducing While The Use of Bio-Pesticides Increases Gradually

Data provided by the government in the Parliament indicates that the consumption of Chemical Pesticides has not reduced in the country with the consumption averaging around 60,000 MT in the last nine years. On the other hand, the consumption of bio-pesticides has increased by more than 40% between 2015-16 and 2021-22 though their total consumption is less than 1/6th of the chemical pesticide consumption.​

 

How extreme weather is changing real estate nationwide and in Miami

For many of us, our homes represent safe havens where we feel secure, comfortable and protected from the elements. As extreme weather events associated with climate change grow in frequency, however, our homes, in turn, are becoming more vulnerable. From floods, hurricanes and severe winter storms to droughts, wildfires and extreme heat, residential communities face a growing number of climate-related threats.

 

The Longest Lasting Cars: Gas vs Electric, in Miles

When properly maintained, well-built cars can last an impressive amount of miles. Most modern cars are expected to last 200,000 miles before experiencing some significant failure. That’s roughly double the lifespan of cars from the 1960s and 1970s, which typically lasted about 100,000 miles.

 

The environmental impacts of the VinFast electric car factory

“The VinFast project is an enormous site in Chatham County, with a mission to increase electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions,” Haw Riverkeeper Emily Sutton said. “But this company that has touted an environmental conscience has submitted a proposal that would destroy thousands of feet of streams, cross the Haw River, and permanently fill dozens of acres of wetlands.”

 

Ski slopes close as Europe enters 2023 with record January warmth

European gas prices fell and Alpine ski resorts closed due to a lack of winter snow after much of Europe greeted 2023 with unusually warm weather.

 

Horn of Africa: 20 million children at risk of disease, thirst, starvation, says UNICEF

The number of children suffering terrible drought conditions across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia has more than doubled in five months, according to a UNICEF press release published in December, 2022.

 

Eco-Friendly Options to Insulate Your Home

While it isn't something you might think about very often, insulating your home is key to reducing your energy consumption through heat retention. However, many homes in the U.S. come with fiberglass insulation, which comes with a host of environmental detriments. Luckily, there are more eco-friendly insulation options out there.

 

The DOPAMINE CORRELATION: How alcohol, sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and hard drugs all have one common underlying effect that keeps consumers ‘hooked’

There are many addictive substances on planet earth, and most consumers never meant to become so hooked that they can’t find a way to quit, or even cut back. As with most addictive substances, the more often the frequency of use, and the more potent the substance, the more dopamine is released in the brain, but over time, this fuels serious mental and physical health issues.

 

Wind turbine bursts into flames in Germany

An investigation is underway after a Vestas V90 MK3 2MW turbine burst into flames at a wind farm in southwestern Germany late on 28 December.

 

US Ignored Own Scientists' Warning in Backing Atlantic Wind Farm

US government scientists warned federal regulators the South Fork offshore wind farm near the Rhode Island coast threatened the Southern New England Cod, a species so ingrained in regional lore that a wooden carving of it hangs in the Massachusetts state house. The Interior Department approved the project anyway.

 

Plug-In Hybrids May Actually Be Worse For The Environment

Using self-reported fuel consumption data from Fuelly.com and engine-off distance traveled collected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), the study estimates that the number of electric miles driven by PHEV owners is anywhere between 25% to 65% lower than the EPA labeling program suggests. Without being plugged in daily, real-world fuel consumption is around 42% to 67% higher.

 

“Green corridors” for cruise ships won’t be enough

Cruise ships are environmentally destructive. Amid industry greenwashing, why wait to enact anti-dumping regulations and a ban on heavy fuel oil?

 

5.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Northern California and ‘felt more violent’ than the previous quake, official says

An earthquake struck Northern California Sunday morning for the second time in less than a two-week span, according to the US Geological Survey.

 

Ecosystems and wildlife can't sustain the worsening winter weather whiplash scenarios, forests are dying, insects and earthworms are disappearing

Record warm to record cold and back again, the climate engineers are completely out of control. Flash freezes are turning to flash warmups, flash flooding, thunderstorms and tornados. Ecosystems and wildlife can't sustain the worsening winter weather whiplash scenarios, forests are dying, insects and earthworms are disappearing and the birds along with them.

 

Crab Fishery Collapse Seen as Warning About a Changing Bering Sea

Less than five years ago, prospects appeared bright for Bering Sea crab fishers. Stocks were abundant and healthy, federal biologists said, and prices were near all-time highs. Now two dominant crab harvests have been canceled for lack of fish.

 

New York health chiefs urge people to make it their New Year's resolution to quit 'highly addictive and dangerous' e-cigarettes

New Yorkers are being urged by the state's health department to make it their New Year's resolution to quit vaping.

 

Wasted potential of e-waste

E-waste often contains several precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, etc, and can become a vital source of export earnings. Failure to implement e-waste rules has left the industry in the hands of scrap traders, who, among other things, are putting the environment at risk

 

Staying hydrated is linked to lower risk for disease, faster aging and early death, study finds

Drinking enough water is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing chronic diseases, a lower risk of dying early or lower risk of being biologically older than your chronological age, according to a National Institutes of Health study published Monday in the journal eBioMedicine.

 

A Toxic Stew on Cape Cod: Human Waste and Warming Water

Climate change is contributing to electric-green algae blooms. Massachusetts wants a cleanup of the antiquated septic systems feeding the mess, but it could cost billions.

 

Antibiotic-resistant superbugs

A report on the dangerous emergence of super-bugs, infections that are drug resistant because of the over-prescription of antibiotics. Lesley Stahl spoke with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the government’s Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, for this story.

 

Owning a dog may cut risk of children getting eczema, study suggests

Owning a dog might help your future children — by slashing their risk of eczema, research suggests.

 

Is there mercury in the fish we eat? Amazonians tap WhatsApp to find out

The Mebêngôkre Kayapó worry that mercury could be contaminating the fish they eat. They want to better understand what effect mining — both on their land and just outside its borders — has on the aquatic populations they rely on for sustenance.

 

IBD Treatment With No Medication? A Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Up To 60% Of Cases

Leading a healthy lifestyle may be the simple secret to treating inflammatory bowel disease. Scientists reveal that lifestyle changes prevented up to 60 percent of IBD cases in a large international study. ​

 

Paying ex-prisoners to tackle pollution

In the US, former prisoners usually have a hard time getting a job. An environmentalist group in Washington is offering work and fair salaries to help people reintegrate into society and to help protecting the city's urban nature and wildlife.

 

Wind farm fears as SNP ministers admit they don't monitor 'toxic' leading edge erosion

A Scots Tory MSP has hit out after the SNP Government admitted it had no idea how many of Scotland's 19,000 wind turbines may be releasing dangerous chemicals.

 

‘There’s been a fundamental change in our planet’: hunt on for spot to mark the start of the Anthropocene epoch

In a few weeks, geologists will select a site that demonstrates most vividly how humans have changed the structure of our planet’s surface. They will choose a place they believe best illustrates when a new epoch – which they have dubbed the Anthropocene – was born and its predecessor, the Holocene, came to an end.

 

Countries resolve to protect cetaceans from marine plastic pollution

Following the adoption of a Resolution on Marine Plastic Pollution at the 68th International Whaling Commission conference (IWC68) in October, member countries will have to report on the status, reduction, recycling, and reuse efforts on marine plastic pollution.

 

Sampling program sheds light on microplastics and pollution at NC beaches

This summer, a group of volunteers spent quite a bit of time out on the beach combing through the sand in search of microplastics.

 

Best Manuka Honey: Top 5 Healthy Superfood Spreads Most Recommended By Experts

New Zealand bees create this special type of honey by pollinating a flower known as the Manuka bush, hence the name. Manuka honey has long been used for healing wounds, soothing sore throats, preventing tooth decay and improving digestive issues, among other things.

 

Florida city’s sewer plant to save the Blackwater River may make pollution worse

The Blackwater River is about to drown. Drown, that is, in pollution from the city of Milton, Santa Rosa’s county seat, which has plans for building a new multimillion-dollar sewer plant near the river.

 

New York man sues Hershey after tests showed its dark chocolate bars contain toxic metals

A New York man has sued chocolate giant Hershey, alleging that it continues to market products containing harmful levels of lead and cadmium.

 

Revealed: how warehouses took over southern California ‘like a slow death’

In California’s Inland Empire, nearly 9,500 warehouses – many near schools – cloud the air with pollution​

 

FDA under fire over approval of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm

US drug regulators failed to follow their own guidance and practices when they approved the controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, a congressional report said on Thursday.

 

Researchers develop eco-friendly materials capable of purifying water

Professor Park Chi-Young's team successfully developed an atypical porous polymer material that can completely remove phenolic organic contaminants in water at ultra-high speeds.

 

The toll extreme weather took in the U.S. during 2022, by the numbers

Storms fueled crippling floods in Missouri and Kentucky. A drought starved Lake Mead, Lake Powell and much of the American West, endangering water supplies and creating conditions for devastating wildfires.​

 

CDC warns US is staring down the barrel of type 2 diabetes crisis with rates in children expected to soar EIGHT-FOLD by 2060

The number of Americans under the age of 20 with type 2 diabetes could skyrocket by as much as 700 percent by 2060, according to an official study.

 

Why are India's donkeys disappearing?

Mechanization, illegal slaughtering and a booming demand for donkey skin to produce traditional Chinese remedies are contributing to India's declining donkey population.

 

How to Be an Energy-Efficient Cook

Sustainability in the kitchen isn’t just about ingredients and food waste – it’s also about energy usage. Fifteen percent of energy used in homes comes from the kitchen, according to the US Department of Energy, and about 5% comes from cooking specifically. The way we use electric ovens, stovetops, and appliances has a big impact on household energy use. Here are a few tips for being a more energy-efficient cook.

 

Residue from detergents left on dishes could harm gut health

New research is questioning the safety of certain chemicals used in dishwashing detergents after intestinal cell models revealed high doses of components in rinse aids can damage gut health.

 

Here's how you recycle your old electronic gear

The holidays might mean new electronics in your house. Maybe the old stuff ends up in a closet or your garage with all the other old monitors, hard drives, and cell phones. But, that electronic waste can be recycled. There are valuable materials in some of that gear.

 

Disguising solar panels as ancient Roman tiles in Pompeii

Solar panels disguised as ancient Roman tiles or terracotta bricks to match the city skyline. The innovative solutions adopted by the archaeological park of Pompeii and the Portuguese city of Evora pave the way for an inspiring model: turning architectural constraints into assets, boosting heritage and sustainability.

 

California is investigating whether those thicker, plastic shopping bags really are recyclable

“We’ve all been to the store and forgotten to bring our reusable bags,” Bonta said recently. “At least the plastic bags we buy at the register for 10 cents have those ‘chasing arrows’ that say they are 100% recyclable, right? Perhaps wrong.”

 

The hypercar that runs on RUBBISH: Italian firm Bertone unveils design for a high performance vehicle that is powered by fuel made out of plastic waste and can reach speeds of almost 240mph

A legendary Italian automobile firm has revealed a new 'hypercar' that's powered by fuel made out of plastic waste. The new Bertone GB110 uses 'Select Fuel', a patented method of converting waste polycarbonate materials, such as plastic bottles, into liquid fuel.

 

The Radioactive Legacy of the Cold War

That the world hasn’t been the same since the ignition of the Atomic Age in the 1940s is certainly an understatement, yet the public’s awareness of how the nuclear industry operates has always been dismally low.

 

MIT's zero-electricity cooling system could tackle the hottest regions of the world

The cooling system appears to have been developed primarily to ensure an accessible and environmentally friendly cooling system solution. Remarkably, it requires zero electricity.

 

Christmas tree recycling is a good alternative to landfills

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday season. For those with a real tree, figuring out what to do with it can be as easy as placing it by the curb. In most states, it can be the gift that keeps on giving.

 

This Is the Absolute Worst Food for Gut Health, According To Registered Dietitians

If you're trying to improve your gut health, the first step is to take inventory of your diet. What you eat can affect the amount of good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome—and when there’s an imbalance, it can lead to a wide range of health issues.

 

WHOI Scientist Weighs In On Risks Of Radioactive Wastewater

The company in charge of decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth wants to dump one millions gallons of radioactive wastewater into Cape Cod Bay. The wastewater comes from the plant’s spent fuel pool, from when the plant was still operating. A spent fuel pool is a large pool of water where nuclear fuel from the plant’s nuclear reactor is stored when it is no longer usable. Spent fuel is hot and radioactive, so it spends months or years cooling down in the pool.

 

Africa, GMOs and Western interests

Across Africa, lobbyists, philanthropists and businesspeople are working to open up the continent to GMOs. They argue that GMOs can provide a miracle solution to two of Africa’s biggest problems: famine and malaria.

 

Why Are Honey Bees Dying? Study Finds Bee Lifespans 50% Shorter Than 50 Years Ago

In another blow to bee pollinators, a new study has found that honey bees are living significantly shorter lives compared to 50 years ago. Several bee species are at risk of extinction from a loss of habitats and human activities, and this new finding suggests genetics may also be driving bees to die faster. Understanding which genes are shortening the lives of bees may help with the future breeding of honey bees which live longer.

 

Ancient Spice Saffron Works as Well as Ritalin for ADHD

While powerful stimulant medications remain the standard treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the spice saffron has been found to offer comparable efficacy -- with the added benefit of better sleep

 

NYC Electric Garbage Truck Plans Hit Wall After Trucks "Conked Out" Plowing Snow After Just Four Hours

In a move that absolutely nobody could have seen coming, New York City is scrapping its brilliant idea for electric garbage trucks after finding out the truck simply "aren't powerful enough to plow snow". ​

 

Iced out! Furious Tesla owners share videos of their cars failing to work in harsh winter snowstorm as arctic temperatures freeze doors shut

Furious Tesla owners have complained about being locked out of their car after their door handles froze shut during a massive winter storm in Canada and the US.

 

BMW Is Further Making Lithium-Ion Batteries A Thing Of The Past

Earlier this month, one of BMW's top engineers for its next-generation batteries think that we've reached the peak of what lithium-ion batteries are capable of. Any improvements from here on for the current lithium-ion batteries will mostly be focused on lowering their cost or improving their energy density. For us to truly meet our goals, the jump toward solid-state batteries is inevitable, and BMW is also on board with this tech.

 

Feds: Vanishing right whale must remain on endangered list

The fading North Atlantic right whale will remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, and the species requires a series of protective steps to stave off extinction, federal authorities said Tuesday.​

 

Denka plant to face new rules on disposal of likely cancer-causing waste

Federal regulators announced Wednesday they had reached an agreement with the controversial Denka Performance Elastomer plant in LaPlace over violations of hazardous waste rules related to its handling of a likely cancer-causing chemical.

 

Discarded oyster shells used to build new reefs in coastal Louisiana

“Oyster shells were just going into landfill,” says Darrah Bach, who coordinates the oyster shell recycling program at the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. Her group is collecting discarded shells from restaurants and using them to build new oyster reefs instead.

 

The Chilling Tale of The 'Demon Core' And The Scientists Who Became Its Victims

It was August 13, 1945, and the 'demon core' was poised, waiting to be unleashed onto a stunned Japan still reeling in fresh chaos from the deadliest attacks anyone had ever seen.

 

US to require all travelers from China to test negative for COVID before being allowed into country starting Jan 5 - but won't that be TOO LATE?

The US will require all incoming travelers from China to submit proof of a negative Covid test before entering the nation starting January 5, officials announced today.

 

Holy icy chill, Batman! Freezing bats saved in Texas

A wave of frigid air triggered "hypothermic shock" in a colony of bats clinging to their roost beneath a bridge in Houston, a sprawling city in Texas. Nearly frozen, the bats began losing their grip and falling to the pavement from nine meters (30 feet) up, the Houston Humane Society reported on its Facebook page.

 

Children are constantly ingesting microplastics — even in the womb, study reveals

Microplastics have been found crossing the placenta into unborn babies, a shocking study reveals.

 

Common Arthritis Treatment May Actually Accelerate Disease Progression

Two recent studies have shown that corticosteroid injections, which are commonly used to treat the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, may actually contribute to the progression of the disease. These findings were recently presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

 

January is Radon Action Month

The Surgeon General, the EPA, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Jefferson County Environmental Health Department would like to remind everyone that January is Radon Action Month and urges everyone to test their home for radon which is easy and inexpensive to do.

 

A Brief But Spectacular take on ‘glassroots’ recycling

Franziska Trautmann is the founder and CEO of Glass Half Full, a recycling company that converts glass into sand for coastal restoration projects and disaster relief.

 

Spontaneous baby movements have purpose

Spontaneous, random baby movements aid development of their sensorimotor system, according to new research. Detailed motion capture of newborns and infants was combined with a musculoskeletal computer model, to enable researchers to analyze communication among muscles and sensation across the whole body. Researchers found patterns of muscle interaction developing based on the babies' random exploratory behavior, that would later enable them to perform sequential movements as infants.

 

Waste Management advises public on dangers of lithium batteries in trash

Waste Management is advising the public of potential dangers when lithium batteries are disposed of improperly. Lithium batteries are increasingly causing fires in waste and recycle streams, Waste Management said.

 

Deadly fentanyl hybrids and substitutes could fuel 2023’s opioid crisis

As 2022 comes to a close, the U.S. opioid crisis — now more than two decades old — rages on.

 

Heavy metals, pesticides, and undeclared colors spur FDA to step up import alerts

The Food and Drug Administration is continuing its use of import alerts to enforce U.S. food safety regulations for food from foreign countries. The agency updates and modifies the alerts as needed. Recent modifications to FDA’s import alerts, as posted by the agency, are listed here

 

EPA Finds Carbon Tetrachloride, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Poses an Unreasonable Risk to Human Health

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 27, 2022, the availability of the final revision to the risk determination for the carbon tetrachloride risk evaluation issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 87 Fed. Reg. 79303. EPA determined that carbon tetrachloride, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use (COU).

 

Actinidia arguta (sarunashi) juice found to inhibit lung cancer in mice

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in Japan and across the globe. Among all the cancers, lung cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates. Smoking tobacco and using tobacco-based products is known to heavily contribute to the development of lung cancer. It is a clinically established fact that the active ingredients in various fruits minimize the risk of chronic diseases including cancer.​

 

Babies in danger of ingesting opioids laced with animal tranquilizer

When a toddler or an infant accidentally ingests a prescription opioid medication, the immediate results can prove deadly, experts warn.

 

A greener internet of things with no wires attached

Emerging forms of thin-film device technologies that rely on alternative semiconductor materials, such as printable organics, nanocarbon allotropes and metal oxides, could contribute to a more economically and environmentally sustainable internet of things (IoT), a KAUST-led international team suggests.​

 

These ‘floating garbage bins’ are mitigating ocean pollution by capturing tons of marine litter

Plastic pollution is among the most pressing environmental issues given the rapid increase of disposable plastic products over the past decade. Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations, and forecasts suggest this could double by 2025 if drastic action is not taken.

 

New study highlights role of drug and alcohol use in serious crashes

Each year, many people look forward to ringing in the new year with family and friends. However, some celebrations include the combination of alcohol and late-night driving—which can lead to fatal accidents.​

 

We must change how we think to solve the plastic waste crisis

The world has a plastic waste problem. Most single-use plastics, which represent about 50 percent of all plastic production and include everyday items like straws and shampoo bottles, wind up in landfills, incinerated, or leaked into the environment.

 

Build healthy bones the natural way with ONIONS

Bones are healthy living tissues that are constantly being broken down and replaced. Fortunately, many nutrition and lifestyle habits can help build strong bones and maintain this strength as time passes.​

 

Geoengineering scheme launched to DIM the sun, POLLUTE the skies and FREEZE Earth’s ocean water

A climate cult company called “Make Sunsets” wants virtue signaling companies to pay it to pollute the skies and dim the sun, cooling planet Earth and causing ocean levels to plummet as the world’s life-giving water is locked up in ice.

 

The mission to return jaguars to the US: ‘We aren’t right without them’

The big cats once roamed North America but have been pushed near to extinction. Could they make a comeback?​

 

The Story Of The Buffalo Is America’s Story

The buffalo — like the Plains Indians — is iconic of the West. The bison (buffalo) is on the back of the nickel. We sing “Home on the Range”: “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam.” In 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act making the bison our national mammal.

 

Physical attacks on power grid surge to new peak

People are shooting, sabotaging and vandalizing electrical equipment in the U.S. at a pace unseen in at least a decade, amid signs that domestic extremists hope to use blackouts to sow unrest.

 

Should you be worried about endocrine disruptors? Here’s what experts say.

Hormone health is a big trend in wellness, according to theTikTok star Hannah Bronfman, who says you'll be hearing a lot more about it in the future. Specifically, she says, addressing endocrine disruptors is the "next big thing."

 

Arizona Considers $5.5 Billion Water Desalination Plant, 200-Mile Pipeline From Mexico To Combat Drought

Arizona's Water Infrastructure Finance Authority has been tasked with reviewing a proposal for a multibillion-dollar project to construct a water desalination plant in Mexico that would pump water through a 200-mile pipeline to the border state as part of an effort to counter its drought-driven water uncertainty.

 

Are winter sports threatened with extinction?

With the relentless march of climate change, lack of snow and a lack of acceptance, winter sports are dealing with a number of issues. Some disciplines are in better shape than others, but they’ll still have to change.

 

Keep well this winter with these warming spices packed with health benefits

Under the weather? Fend off the chill, relieve that feeling of sluggishness and welcome winter with a healthy note with these warming spices.

 

Why the government fails to limit many dangerous chemicals in the workplace

It's no secret that the plant's workers are being exposed to poison. Government scientists began testing their urine more than 30 years ago. And Goodyear, which uses ortho-toluidine to make its tires pliable, has been monitoring the air for traces of the chemical since 1976. A major expose even revealed, almost a decade ago, that dozens of the plant's workers had developed bladder cancer since 1974.​

 

Better sleep for kids starts with better sleep for parents – especially after holiday disruptions to routines

Regular, high-quality sleep habits help children consolidate memory and learn better. A lack of sleep contributes to childhood depression, anxiety and even risk of suicide, along with physical health problems, including risk of injury. The challenge is making sure kids log those valuable zzz’s.

 

Los Angeles taps contaminated aquifers at Superfund sites to boost drinking water supplies

Los Angeles is nearly finished with a $600 million project in the east San Fernando Valley that will turn contaminated groundwater from Superfund sites into drinking water for as many as 261,000 households annually.

 

How play makes hospital less traumatic for children

Play is how children learn to navigate the world, create relationships, manage their emotions and cope with stressful situations.

 

New US lawsuit targets ‘forever chemicals’ in plastic food containers

A new lawsuit says many plastic containers used in the US to hold food, cleaning supplies, personal care items and other consumer products are likely to be contaminated with toxic PFAS. It is now asking federal courts to halt their production.

 

Soft plastic, not fantastic: what to do with bread bags and chip packets

Trials are under way to find advanced solutions to a notoriously difficult problem. But could a focus on recycling distract from other issues?

 

Aging slowly turns the immune system into fat, study reveals

Even our immune systems tend to pack on a few extra pounds as we grow older. Now, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden are detailing why human lymph nodes tend to gradually accumulate fat and lose their function with age, as well as how this influences the effectiveness of our immune system. ​

 

Lost sleep, jangled nerves, panicked pets: The rising onslaught of harmful noise

Mike Thomson’s friends refuse to stay over at his house anymore. Thomson lives about 50 yards from a busy freeway that bisects California’s capital city, one that has been increasingly used as a place for high-speed races, diesel-spewing big rigs, revving motorcycles — and cars that have been illegally modified to make even more noise.

 

Ultra-processed fake food is next step in globalists’ plans to destroy health

Globalists are taking whole foods and turning them into ultra-processed junk foods, all while trying to convince you the junk food is healthier for you.

 

Insects and us: a mind-blowing 20 quadrillion ants and what they mean for the planet

Scientists revealed in September that there are an estimated 20 quadrillion (or 20 million billion) ants globally – that’s 2.5 million for every person on the planet.

 

'Blizzard of the century' continues to grip Buffalo

Motorists have been slammed for failing to heed travel warnings about the 'blizzard of the century' that swept across the United States and especially devastated Buffalo, leaving at least 34 dead in the western New York region.

 

New inexpensive sensor can detect toxic chemicals in food

Researchers have developed a new cost-effective sensor that can detect toxic chemicals such as formalin in food samples like preserved meat, fish and honey.

 

Finnish study shows one significant way to improve children’s health

If you want your kids to build a greater resiliency against illness, you may want to make sure they spend more time around plants and trees.

 

Carbon Mapper: NASA Sensors to Help Detect Methane Emitted by Landfills

A nonprofit group, Carbon Mapper, will use data from NASA’s EMIT mission, plus current airborne and future satellite instruments, to survey waste sites for methane emissions.

 

Immunologists uncover obesity-linked trigger to severe form of liver disease

UT Southwestern immunologists have uncovered a key pathogenic event prompted by obesity that can trigger severe forms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and potential liver failure. The finding, published in Immunity, could pave the way for developing therapies to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

 

Time to strike antifreeze off your list of usable poisons?

Ethylene glycol is the most common ingredient in automotive antifreeze. But for years, it was used in deadly poisonings. What made this household chemical so dangerous? And why is it no longer a viable poison?

 

Lithium ion batteries for buses are toxic

Last week the Democrats outdid themselves with further inflation fanning, but this one added $19,000 of debt to each of us. Jimmy Panetta made sure Monterey County got its slice of pork as well: three electric buses costing $900,000. The irony is that, when life cycle analysis is performed, the electric bus actually produces much more carbon and sulfur than a regular bus, chiefly due to the enormous carbon production from the lithium ion battery manufacturing. Well, I’m sure Panetta will be busy soon, virtue signaling this event.

 

What’s the link between toxic chemicals and cancer?

A San Luis Obispo group is working to educate local families about the link between toxic chemicals and cancer — and what steps parents can take to protect their kids.

 

Critics sound off after Navy paves toxic foam spill area while still awaiting test results

The investigation into a toxic foam spill is being finalized and will soon be submitted to the Joint Task Force for Red Hill for review, the Navy said on Tuesday.

 

Sepsis is one of the most expensive medical conditions in the world: Research clarifies how it can lead to cell death

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition arising from the body's overreactive response against an infection, leading it to injure its own tissues and organs. The first known reference to "sepsis" dates back more than 2,700 years, when the Greek poet Homer used it as a derivative of the word "sepo," meaning "I rot."

 

A new kind of refrigerator

A pair of researchers at Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory used a commonly known, naturally occurring phenomenon to build a new kind of environmentally safe refrigerator.

 

Despite ban, small turtle online pet trade in the US found to be flourishing

A team of researchers at the University of Rhode Island, working with a colleague at the University of Richmond, has found that despite laws banning the sale of hatchling turtles, there is a thriving online market for them in the U.S. In their paper published in the open-access journal PLOS One, the group describes their survey of online sites selling turtles and whether such sites were adhering to federal regulations.

 

Structured school days can keep kids healthy. How can we maintain it over school holidays?

Every parent knows kids spend their time differently when they're on holidays. Our new research found out just how differently.

 

Technology Is Saving You From Profound Levels of Boredom And It's a Problem

The constant distraction of social media could be preventing our minds from settling into a deeper, more complete feeling of boredom, according to a new study. Which is a shame, given complete boredom can be fertile grounds for innovation.

 

The EPA Is Finally Addressing 4 Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ — Out Of Over 4,000

There’s four thousand seven hundred … That’s roughly the number of different PFAS chemicals out there, globally. They’re present in thousands of products you buy and use. They’re even in your drinking water. And this entire category of chemicals, including the ones developed to be “safer” replacements, have increasingly been shown to be dangerous to human health.

 

PFAS may endanger health of children

So the Department of Natural Resources is again trying to adopt regulations and limits on PFAS. These are chemicals that do not break down in the environment, bioaccumulate in animals and cause bad health outcomes.

 

4 in 5 Maternal Deaths Are Preventable, Mental Health Cited as Leading Cause

A “staggering” 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, which makes it clear that mental health conditions are an important factor in many of these preventable deaths.

 

Honeybees are at risk, along with the crops they pollinate

A phenomenon called colony collapse disorder has abated, but Bucknell University researchers warn that the valuable insects remain at risk from climate change, pesticides, and parasites.

 

‘When in doubt, plant a nut tree’: the push to seed America with chestnuts

Chestnut forests could provide food security for communities, be a boon for farmers and benefit the environment​

 

Utah’s scourge of unplugged oil wells

According to federal data, 642 oil and gas wells, which haven’t produced in four or more years, sit idle and unplugged on public lands in Utah, while another 400 unproductive wells remain unplugged on state and land. Under state and federal regulations, the operators should have plugged or reclaimed these sites, or at least presented a good reason to keep them unplugged.

 

Can geoengineering fix the climate? Hundreds of scientists say not so fast

As global heating escalates, the US government has set out a plan to further study the controversial and seemingly sci-fi notion of deflecting the sun’s rays before they hit Earth. But a growing group of scientists denounces any steps towards what is known as solar geoengineering.

 

Death toll from America's big freeze rises over 50

The death toll from an ungodly blizzard in upstate New York has risen to 27, as trapped residents brace for another foot of snow.

 

How bad does it have to get before more of the population opens their eyes and realizes something is very wrong with our skies and our weather?

"Gov. warns people to get where they need to be before potential flash freeze". Does this sound like headline straight out of "The Day After Tomorrow" movie? Temperatures in some regions crashed by as much as 75 degrees in only hours. What does it take to wake the sleeping masses? How bad does it have to get before more of the population opens their eyes and realizes something is very wrong with our skies and our weather?

 

Is YOUR new Christmas gadget actually from a Congolese cobalt slave mine?

Siddharth Kara, the author of the book Cobalt Red: How The Blood of The Congo Powers Our Lives, insists there is no such thing as 'clean cobalt' - the term given to describe ethically mined cobalt.

 

EVs Gobble Up Rare Earth Minerals as Miners Struggle to Keep Up

Electric vehicles require six times the amount of minerals of conventional cars. That includes minerals commonly used in all cars, such as copper and manganese, but also some that are specific to lithium-ion battery production, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. As production ramps up, the supply of these minerals has to keep pace with demand for automakers to meet their EV targets, and increasingly suppliers are feeling the strain.

 

Empathetic People Seem to Have A Special Ability When It Comes to Animals

A study led by ethologist Elodie Briefer from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark found that people who had higher empathy scores were better at identifying animal emotions from sound alone.

 

Environmental benefits of geothermal technology and sustainable design

A study led by Professor Leena Thomas from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has found homes at a world-leading sustainable community in western Sydney use 21 percent less electricity than comparable nearby suburbs because of geothermal technology.

 

A Single Giant Queen 'Murder Hornet' Sparked The Invasion of Europe

Nearly 20 years ago, the beefy little stingers – often called 'murder hornets' – made their debut appearance in Europe, eventually jumping the channel where they were spotted on UK soil in 2016.

 

Mongabay Explains: What’s all the brouhaha over bottom trawling?

A new episode of “Mongabay Explains” examines the controversial fishing method known as bottom trawling, in which vessels drag a net across the seafloor to scoop up bottom-dwelling marine life.

 

Smokers more likely to develop mid-life memory loss and confusion

The harmful respiratory and cardiovascular consequences of smoking are no secret, but new research finds smokers may also be putting themselves at greater risk of cognitive decline as well. Scientists at The Ohio State University report middle-aged smokers are much more likely to experience memory loss and confusion than nonsmokers.

 

A type of simple DIY air filter can be an effective way to filter out indoor air pollutants

A team of researchers from Brown University's School of Public Health, Brown's School of Engineering and Silent Spring Institute found that simple air filtration devices called Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are effective at reducing indoor air pollutants.

 

Five ways sequins add to plastic pollution

Christmas and New Year are party time - an occasion to buy a sparkling new outfit. But clothes with sequins are an environmental hazard, experts say, for more than one reason.

 

Reindeer thrive as they shift diet towards ‘popsicle-like’ grasses

As the Arctic warms, concern for the plight of Santa’s favourite sleigh pullers is mounting. But in one small corner of the far flung north – Svalbard – Rudolph and his friends are thriving.

 

Is Christmas wrapping paper recyclable? Tips for leftover holiday packaging

Some wrapping paper is not recyclable because of the materials that go into making the products. The paper is commonly dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver colored shapes, glitter and plastics, which cannot be recycled

 

Shifting gears: why US cities are falling out of love with the parking lot

Car parking spaces have a monotonous ubiquity in US life, but a growing band of cities and states are now refusing to force more upon people, arguing they harm communities and inflame the climate crisis.​

 

GM’s Cruise Autonomous Vehicles under Investigation after Crashes

The self-driving Chevy Bolts braked abruptly in a series of crashes, causing rear-end collisions, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into the situation.

 

A Tesla in 'full-self-driving' mode caused an 8-car crash in California and injured 9 people, report says

Tesla's "phantom braking" problem, already under federal investigation, caused an eight-car pileup in the San Francisco Bay Area last month, according to a report from CNN.

 

Uncle Sam Wants You To Recycle The Dead Cellphones And Laptops In Your Junk Drawer

There’s little need to repeat all the drawbacks of the supply chain for lithium-ion batteries—the destructive and exploitive mining, the dependence on dubious governments, the increasing rarity of critical materials. One bridge to next-generation batteries may lie in America’s junk drawers.

 

Tesla Owner Stranded At Supercharger Station On Christmas Eve After Cold Weather Paralyzes Battery

Besides freezing door handles, Tesla owners who braved the cold this Christmas weekend were met with 'winter range anxiety.' As we explained last week, cold weather will degrade battery performance. At least one video went viral on Christmas Eve of a person whose Model S wouldn't charge in the cold at a Supercharger station.

 

Can dogs sniff out bovine respiratory disease?

A Texas A&M AgriLife researcher is taking a page out of human disease research to see if dogs might be able to sniff out bovine respiratory disease, BRD, one of the largest health challenges for the feedlot cattle industry.

 

New blood test to identify infections could reduce global antibiotic overuse

In developing countries, most antibiotic prescriptions are not only pointless—an estimated 70% to 80% of them are given for viral infections, which the medications don't treat—they're also harmful, as overuse of antibiotics accelerates antibiotic resistance.

 

CONSUMER ALERT: The Deadly Reason Tylenol Should Be Banned Immediately

Tylenol, a trademarked form of the chemical known as acetaminophen or paracetamol, is one of the most commonly used painkillers in the United States today, yet is also one of the most dangerous. For instance, nearly 500 die and 30,000 are hospitalized each year in the US as a result of its well established, yet seldomly discussed toxic effects.

 

How Turmeric Can Save the Aging Brain From Dementia and Premature Death

Presently, there are no pharmaceutical interventions that effectively slow, and certainly not reverse, age-related cerebrovascular pathologies linked to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. A new study on turmeric extract, however, indicates that a natural curative agent already exists and is close to the everyday consumer as their spice rack.

 

11 Things Better Than Drugs Or Supplements For Healing

Natural medicine doesn’t just involve “nutraceuticals,” but extends to modalities like yoga and acupuncture that an increasing body of peer-reviewed research shows can be superior to drugs.

 

Fewer infectious particles from children's lungs

Children exhale significantly fewer potentially infectious particles than adults -- at least this is true for the small respiratory droplets that are predominantly produced in the lungs.

 

Best Organic Baby Formula: Top 5 Healthy Choices For Infants, Most Recommended By Experts

When it comes to baby formula, making the right decision for your infant can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Choosing the best formula, let alone a backup if your first choice is out of stock can be overwhelming. To help you in your quest for the healthiest choices, StudyFinds sought out the consensus best organic baby formula per expert reviews.

 

4 Reasons to take Vitamin B3 every day

Vitamin B3 is one of eight B vitamins that help the body convert carbohydrates from many kinds of foods into fuel.

 

5G Vs. Bees, “Bee Heroic”

‘For decades, the agrochemical, geoengineering, and communications industries have been wreaking havoc the lives of untold trillions of insects, birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other animals, as well as the microbial communities which support the base of our food and eco-systems. Through the direct and indirect poisoning of agriculture and ecosystems through chemicals and radiation, they are driving forces in the current mass extinction event. Today, these same industries – and p​

 

Cinnamon Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure

1 out of 3 Americans suffer from high blood pressure, a precursor to many forms of cardiovascular disease. Researchers believe cinnamon may be a novel and therapeutic approach to the management of high blood pressure

 

Brussels Sprouts Have As Much Vitamin C As Oranges – And Plenty Of Other Health Benefits

For many people, Christmas dinner is not complete without a side helping of Brussels sprouts. Indeed, they are Britain’s favourite Christmas dinner vegetable. But if you’re not a convert, perhaps these health benefits will convince you to give them a second chance.

 

Heat: One Of The Biggest Challenges With Lithium Ion Batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power phones, laptops, other personal electronics and electric cars, and are even used to store energy generated by solar panels. But if the temperature of these batteries rises too high, they stop working and can catch fire.

 

Visualizing EV Production in the U.S. by Brand

How long will Tesla hold onto its dominant electric vehicle (EV) market share? This is one of the biggest questions facing the U.S. automotive industry. On one hand, Tesla has a very strong brand and loyal customer base (similar to Apple). The company also has a headstart in EV production and spends more on R&D per car than its competitors.

 

Power Outages In Texas

Current power outages in Texas by provider and region.

 

IARC Will Soon Reassess RF Cancer Risk —Or Maybe Not

Calls for a new IARC evaluation have been mounting for some years following the release of two large animal studies showing elevated tumor counts after lifelong exposure to RF radiation.

 

Why Chinese Aluminum Producers Emit So Much of Some of the World’s Most Damaging Greenhouse Gases

More than half of the aluminum in the world is produced in China, but it is responsible for 81 percent of the industry’s emissions of PFCs. Simple automation could go a long way toward cutting them.

 

US military ‘downplayed’ the number of soldiers exposed to ‘forever chemicals’

The number of US service members who have been exposed to toxic “forever chemicals” is much higher than the military has claimed, a new independent analysis of Department of Defense data has found.

 

Got MilQ? Fake Milk to Replace Dairy and Breast Milk

The globalist technocrats are intent on monopolizing the entire food supply. They already have a monopoly on grains and have made headway in genetically engineered (GE) seafood. The next targets include lab-grown meats and dairy substitutes. Biomilq, made from cultured breast tissue, will be marketed as a breast milk substitute

 

Deaths of thousands of wild birds from avian flu is ‘new Silent Spring’

The planet is experiencing a new “Silent Spring” of wildlife destruction because so many wild birds have died from avian flu, according to a leading scientist, who said the past year has seen the most significant and sudden loss of birds in decades.

 

Australia rejects forest biomass in first blow to wood pellet industry

On December 15, Australia became the first major economy worldwide to reverse itself on its renewable classification for woody biomass burned to make energy. Under the nation’s new policy, wood harvested from native forests and burned to produce energy cannot be classified as a renewable energy source.​

 

Young men in some U.S. cities 3 times more likely to die from gun violence than soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan

In certain U.S. cities, young men are over three times more likely to be shot dead than American soldiers deployed to war zones in the Middle East, new research reveals.

 

Groups push agencies to buy only products free from ‘forever chemicals’

A year after President Joe Biden ordered federal agencies to steer their purchasing contracts away from products that contain the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, a coalition of advocacy groups is urging further action from the administration on buying PFAS-free items.

 

SHOCKER: Big Oil caught lying to voters in signature drive to reverse drilling ban near schools, homes and hospitals

People being paid to gather signatures for a California referendum to reverse a state law banning drilling near schools, homes and hospitals are using lies to lure unsuspecting residents to sign the petition, according to an investigation by the Associated Press.

 

Why Your Body Needs Zinc -- and Top Zinc-Rich Foods

Zinc is an important trace mineral found throughout your body, second only to iron in its prevalence in human cells and tissues. Zinc plays a part in critical processes like wound healing, immune system response and functions such as cellular growth and repair.

 

We need more honesty on nuclear power’s long legacy of hazardous waste

We need more honesty about the fact that nuclear power inescapably generates large quantities of hazardous human-made waste, the worst of which will remain hazardous probably beyond Homo sapiens’ time on the planet.

 

Study Identifies New Cause of Melting Antarctic Ice Shelves

An international team of scientists found that adjacent ice shelves play a role in causing instability in others downstream.

 

Is ‘Chemical Recycling’ a Solution to the Global Scourge of Plastic Waste or an Environmentally Dirty Ruse to Keep Production High?

Diplomats, industry reps and environmentalists wrestled with this question during talks in Switzerland on guidelines related to the Basel Convention on hazardous wastes.

 

Sizing up Mauna Loa’s Lava Flows

The world’s largest active volcano—Hawaii’s Mauna Loa—has been quiet for the past 38 years. But in 2022, the volcano began to stir, showing increased numbers of small earthquakes and subtle swelling of certain land surfaces in September. On November 27, fountains of lava began spurting from the mountain’s Northeast Rift Zone and streams of molten rock flowed to the north.

 

The Weedkiller Dicamba Is Poisoning Wildlife Habitat. Will the EPA Finally Act?

Blamed for destroying crops and fraying community ties, the widely used herbicide also poses a threat to the plants birds need, experts say.

 

“Smart” Meters, Faster Storm Outage Restoration? Safe? Secure? Reliable? – Not!

“Until smart meters can dial utilities promptly and persistently, wield chainsaws, drive bucket trucks, splice lines and convince trees not to fall on power lines, these primary smart meter benefit claims remain more myth than fact. Smart meters are just not that smart. Utility salespeople, however, are.”

 

Tobacco: Vaping and smoking drive environmental harm from farm to fingertip

Vaping for a day and tossing it away is all the rage. Electronic cigarette sales have boomed in recent years, with single-use, throwaway devices growing in popularity, particularly among youth in some countries such as the United States and United Kingdom. This new, trendy face of the tobacco industry — touted for creating a smoke-free, but not tobacco-free, world — carries a heavy, and yet unquantified, environmental burden.

 

Nearly HALF of street drugs are laced with deadly cow tranquilizer 'xylazine' that most Americans have never heard of, analysis suggests

Nearly half of America's street drugs are laced with a dangerous animal tranquilizer, a study suggests.​

 

Common Sweetener Linked With Anxiety in Startling New Research

Florida State University College of Medicine researchers have linked aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in nearly 5,000 diet foods and drinks, to anxiety-like behavior in mice.

 

Pitch-Perfect: Secrets of World Cup’s Turfgrass May Help Crops Yield More From Less

Grass is famously resilient. But Paspalum vaginatum, a species better known as seashore paspalum, can tolerate stresses diverse and deadly enough to rival camels and cactuses. Salinity? It’s still worth its salt. Drought? Not thirsty. Heat? No sweat. Cold? It can chill.

 

Evidence of horizontal gene transfer between human maternal microbiome and infant gut microbiome

Researchers have discovered a new mode of vertical mother-to-infant microbiome transmission, where microbes in the maternal gut shared genes with microbes in the infant gut during the perinatal period starting immediately before birth and extending thought the first few weeks after birth.

 

Microplastics deposited on the seafloor have tripled in 20 years

The total amount of microplastics deposited on the bottom of oceans has tripled in the past two decades with a progression that corresponds to the type and volume of consumption of plastic products by society.

 

Residents Fear New Methane Contamination as Pennsylvania Lifts Its Gas-Drilling Ban in the Township of Dimock

Coterra Energy pledges “responsible and safe” development of abundant gas in Dimock, which sits atop reserves a Penn State geologist says could be worth almost $4 billion.

 

Once-in-a-generation -70F bomb cyclone lashes the US with Midwest colder than MARS

A 'once-in-a-generation' storm across most of the United States was intensifying on Friday as blizzard conditions and hurricane-strength winds grounded thousands of flights and left nearly one-and-a-half million homes without power.

 

This 3D Printed House Is 100% Recyclable—Because It’s Made of Sawdust

3D printing is taking off as a viable construction technology. The first several homes and buildings were all made of some sort of cement mixture (the exact composition of which varies by company), but now the list of materials that can be used as printer “ink” is growing. There’s clay, recycled plastic, regolith from the moon (this one hasn’t actually been used yet, but NASA’s working on it), and most recently, wood.

 

Canadian polar bears near ‘bear capital’ dying at fast rate

Polar bears in Canada’s Western Hudson Bay — on the southern edge of the Arctic — are continuing to die in high numbers, a new government survey of the land carnivore has found. Females and bear cubs are having an especially hard time.

 

Enzymes could make it cheaper to recycle waste polyester textiles and bottles than making them from petroleum

What do a T-shirt, a rug, and a soda bottle have in common? Many are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a ubiquitous plastic that revolutionized the materials industry after it was patented in the 1940s.

 

Vertical Farming Has Found Its Fatal Flaw

Europe’s energy crisis is forcing companies to switch strategies or close down. The industry’s future hangs in the balance.

 

A $3.5 Billion EV Battery Plant Will Convert Millions of Old Batteries Into New Parts

As the world attempts to transition away from fossil fuels over the next several decades, critical minerals will likely be among the world’s most sought-after commodities. The US isn’t in a great position with respect to resources like cobalt, lithium, or graphite, all of which are needed for electric vehicles. China, meanwhile, controls 65 percent of the supply chains for battery-ready lithium chemicals and has 20 times more battery manufacturing capacity than the US.

 

‘Full-on crisis’: Groundwater in California’s Central Valley disappearing at alarming rate

Scientists have discovered that the pace of groundwater depletion in California’s Central Valley has accelerated dramatically during the drought as heavy agricultural pumping has drawn down aquifer levels to new lows and now threatens to devastate the underground water reserves.

 

The price of beauty: Many “clean” products may STILL contain toxins

Once a fringe movement, “clean” beauty has now entered the mainstream. Major cosmetic brands have begun incorporating labels like “BPA-free” and “cruelty-free” into their packaging. Industry magazines are publishing even more articles about clean products.

 

Eating a Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of deadly pregnancy condition, study finds

A mother who eats the famed Mediterranean diet while pregnant is at a decreased risk of suffering a deadly pregnancy condition, a study suggests.

 

Prenatal Tests and Tragic Decisions: What Happens When FDA Fails to Regulate Medical Products

Despite tragic stories and calls for reform by patient advocates, the government has done little to improve oversight of the growing prenatal screening test industry.

 

97 New Locations in 3 States Contaminated With PFAS Chemicals From Fracking Waste

Exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used in fracking and other types of oil and gas wells, is linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver and thyroid problems, reproductive problems and increased risk of birth defects.

 

U.S. Life Expectancy Fell to Lowest Level Since 1996

Life expectancy in the U.S. fell again last year to the lowest level since 1996, federal data showed, after Covid-19 and opioid overdoses drove up the number of deaths.

 

High number of mosquitoes found with mutation that resists insecticides

The insecticides that target disease-spreading mosquitoes are running into nature’s ultimate defense mechanism: evolution. Scientists reported Wednesday that mosquitoes in Cambodia and Vietnam increasingly carry a mutation that makes them resistant to a commonly deployed insecticide.

 

A Visual Crash Course on Geothermal Energy

Geothermal is a lesser-known type of renewable energy that uses heat from the Earth’s molten core to produce electricity. While this unique feature gives it key benefits over solar and wind, it also suffers from high costs and geographic restrictions. Because of this, few countries have managed to produce geothermal energy at scale.

 

Restoring Biodiversity in Deforested Ranches “One Tree at a Time.”

By carefully planning patches of diverse vegetation, scientists say it is possible to increase biodiversity and increase yields for farmers.

 

Florida's Citrus Crop In Danger As "Arctic Front Screams" Across Deep South

Widespread cold air is already pouring into the Plains and Deep South. This cold will last through Christmas weekend into early next week and could threaten citrus groves across Florida. America's top orange juice maker is already battling a record decline in crop this season because of citrus greening, a devastating crop disease, and damage sustained by Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole earlier this year. Now a cold blast could damage crops even more.

 

Study: Goji berries boost eye health, help prevent vision problems, study concludes

A study has found that a small serving of dried goji berries (Lycium barbarum) a day may prevent or delay age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

 

‘It was a set-up, we were fooled’: the coal mine that ate an Indian village

In a pristine forest in central India, the multibillion-dollar mining giant Adani has razed trees – and homes – to dig more coal. How does this kind of destruction get the go-ahead?

 

Salmon People: A Native Fishing Family’s Fight to Preserve a Way of Life

This documentary film features the plight of the salmon of the Columbia River and the Native people whose lives revolve around them.

 

When fishing boats go dark at sea, they’re often committing crimes – we mapped where it happens

Illegal fishing causes economic losses estimated at $US10 billion to $25 billion annually. It also has been linked to human rights violations, such as forced labor and human trafficking. Better information about how often boats go dark at sea can help governments figure out where and when these activities may be taking place.

 

FDA releases tutorial on how to spot if your kid's a vaper: Look out for a new cough, memory loss or aggressive behavior

Health officials are urging parents to look out for signs their children are vaping — amid a teen e-cigarette epidemic.

 

Court faults EPA for approving bee-killing pesticide

In a decision issued Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asserted that regulators should have considered the impacts of the bee-killing insecticide sulfoxaflor when it expanded that product’s use for long-term approval.

 

Survey Technique Increases Agricultural Resiliency and Protects Pollinators; Higher Species Diversity in Organic

Imagine plucking a flower and being able to find out every insect that recently visited that plant. Utilizing cutting-edge metabarcoding techniques, a team of Danish researchers has made that possibility a reality. By evaluating the environmental DNA (eDNA) left behind by insect pollinators alongside visual assessment surveys, a new study is providing an innovative way for farmers to improve pollination and protect on-farm biodiversity.

 

These 11 Natural Compounds Help Build New Brain Cells

Your brain is capable of making new cells, but this capability declines with age. That is, unless you take action to combat it using lifestyle strategies and neuroprotective compounds found in nature

 

Greenland's Glaciers Seem to Be Melting Much, Much Faster Than We Thought

Current predictions of ice melt in the Arctic are probably way off. According to an updated model, glaciers in the icy north could be slipping into the sea up to 100 times faster than previously forecasted. ​

 

Groundwater replenishes much faster than scientists previously thought

A large part of the world's liquid freshwater supply comes from groundwater. These underground reservoirs of water—which are stored in soil and aquifers—feed streams, sustain agricultural lands, and provide drinking water to hundreds of millions of people.

 

Wildfire threats not commonly disclosed by U.S. firms despite risk to economy

Wildfires in the United States, especially in western states, increasingly pose a significant risk to entire communities, often destroying homes, businesses and lives. When wildfires sweep through a region, they also affect the economy as a whole, decreasing U.S. firms' values to stockholders when businesses incur physical damage, cause or experience supply chain issues, or lose employees.

 

Study shows cannabis use in adolescents linked with anxiety, memory loss

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry researchers have shown that chronic exposure during adolescence to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, may induce long-lasting memory impairments and increased anxiety levels.

 

Sustainable Hygiene Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is here and Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use, shares tips for how retailers can operate their facility restrooms sustainably and hygienically. For nearly three-quarters of consumers, a dirty restroom would cause them to have a negative perception of a business.

 

‘Man-made line’ cuts off VA toxic exposure coverage for frustrated veterans

The $283 billion measure made veterans who served in Guam eligible for Agent Orange claims, included burn pit exposure benefits and added several health conditions to the list presumed to be caused by toxins. Navy and Marine veterans who served beyond the Bluewater law line were not included.

 

Susan Estrich: Big cannabis and the research agenda

They are funding research into the dangers of all of us, ex-smokers included, smoking and vaping the beautifully packaged products that are now legally available in some 21 states and have turned smoking pot into a huge growth industry?

 

Former fentanyl addict discusses addiction, recovery: 'These drugs will sink their claws into you'

"Once you take the drugs, you don't get to choose what happens next. You think you have it under control. You're young, you feel invincible. You feel like it's your choice. But these drugs will sink their claws into you. And very quickly, before you realize it, it'll change into something that is completely out of control."

 

We can now 3D print as much wood as we want without cutting a single tree

Stop cutting trees! Will this slogan remain a slogan forever? We have been slaughtering trees as if they grow in a day and as if they are unlimited in number.

 

Diversified Pastured Poultry Models Can Reduce Risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

According to experts at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future shifting away from industrial models can help to prevent the spread of HPAI. And farmers are seeing that pasture-raised poultry models can help to keep their livestock healthy.

 

Radiation damage to paternal DNA is passed on to offspring

Damage to the paternal genome of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans cannot be repaired and is instead passed on to its offspring, while the female egg repairs or limits the damage.

 

Lifestyle factors may help prevent many inflammatory bowel disease cases

A​ study published in the BMJ journal Gut found that adherence to certain lifestyle factors may effectively prevent many inflammatory bowel disease cases.

 

A Water War Is Brewing Over the Dwindling Colorado River

Diminished by climate change and overuse, the river can no longer provide the water states try to take from it.

 

Here comes the snowpocalypse: US braces for 'once-in-a-generation' weather front, with the worst crippling storms hitting TODAY

A winter weather system and cold blast are set to impact nearly every state and bring what the National Weather Service is calling a 'once-in-a-generation event' to the United States - crippling travel just days before the holidays.

 

Widespread 'Winter Kill' Risks In US Wheat Soar Amid Imminent Cold Blast

Lack of snow cover on fields and a cold blast down through the Great Plains and into Texas and the South could result in damage and even death of winter wheat crops.

 

CVS, Walgreens Limit Sales Of Children's Pain Meds Amid Shortage

As the country slogs through a “tripledemic” wave of COVID-19, influenza and RSV infections, CVS and Walgreens confirmed Monday that they are limiting purchases of children’s pain and fever medication. A Walgreens spokesperson told Nexstar that the decision was due to “increased demand and various supplier challenges,” and that pediatric fever reducing products are “seeing constraint across the country.”​

 

The U.S. Has Spawned An Entire Generation Of “Kidults” That Simply Refuse To Grow Up

In July 2022, half of adults ages 18 to 29 were living with one or both of their parents. This was down from a recent peak of 52% in June 2020 but still significantly higher than the share who were living with their parents in 2010 (44% on average that year) or 2000 (38% on average). So what do parents think about all of this?

 

Beware: The Technology Industry’s Push to ‘Solve’ Climate Change May Make Things Worse

Humanity has pushed Earth beyond multiple boundary limits and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is merely one indicator of the many excesses of human activity. But technology solutions that generate handsome profits for tech companies rarely lead to real solutions or progress.

 

Heat and cold as health haz­ards

Both hot and cold environments trigger a stress response in the human body and can lead to cardiovascular problems. Physiologist Justin Lawley from the Department of Sport Science and colleagues have recently investigated both factors in scientific studies.

 

Cold Exposure May Inhibit Cancer Growth By 'Hijacking' Glucose Storage

Ice baths and cold plunges have been brought into the limelight following Joe Rogan and Dr. Andrew Huberman's Podcast earlier this year about the health benefits of cold exposure therapy. A study published last year by Dr. Susanna Soeberg, an expert in cold and heat treatment, was cited in the Podcast.

 

“Living Solar Cell” Could Pave The Way For Future Sustainable Energy Tech

Scientists at Technion in Israel figured out how to harvest the electrons plants produce and extract the current. By collecting electrons naturally transported within plant cells, the scientists can generate electricity as part of a ‘green,’ biological solar cell. Now the research team has used a succulent plant to create a living ‘bio-solar cell’ that runs on the solar powered photosynthesis.

 

Nigerian artist Konboye uses old flip-flops to create colourful mosaic portraits

Nigerian artist Konboye Ebipade Eugene has become a warrior in the fight against plastic pollution in his city of Abeokuta in Nigeria’s Ogun state, by creating mosaic portraits out of old flip-flops. Only a tiny fraction of waste is recycled in Nigeria, a country of some 210 million consumers. Each year, Nigeria throws 200,000 tonnes of plastic into the Atlantic Ocean, the UN Industrial Development Organisation reported last year.

 

Why EPA’s long-awaited proposal on two ‘forever chemicals’ is bound to be controversial

By the end of this year, the Environmental Protection Agency has promised to propose new national drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most studied pollutants among the thousands of compounds known as PFAS, or, more colloquially, “forever chemicals.”

 

The deep roots of Mexico’s trade dispute with U.S. over GMO corn

The history of the current dispute between Mexico and the U.S. over genetically modified corn has roots much deeper than the presidential decree that set it off. Opposition to GMO crops in Mexico has simmered for 20 years, born of worries that ancient landrace varieties of corn that are central to the country’s social, cultural and economic well-being would be lost.

 

Plastic pellet pollution can end through coordinated efforts, report shows

Tiny plastic pellets called nurdles are a major source of global pollution, littering waterways, harming ecosystems and threatening marine life.

 

Aston University to help power Indonesia with affordable energy made from rice straw

Scientists at the Energy and Bioproducts Institute at Aston University are to start a project to convert Indonesia’s unwanted rice straw into low-cost energy on a commercial scale.

 

HOMICIDE now the leading cause of death in children amid firearm epidemic — after surpassing road collisions in 2020

Homicides of children soared during the first year of the pandemic, becoming the leading cause of death among under-18s.

 

Pioneering the technology that could lead us to a waste-free world

Over 90% of all the waste in most cities in developing countries is dumped or burned, causing all kinds of pollution.

 

Coffee capsules: Brewing up an (in)convenient storm of waste

As the global market for coffee capsules grows, so does the waste associated with it: The global footprint of annual coffee capsule waste is about 576,000 metric tons — the combined weight of about 4,400 school buses.

 

Worn tires are MORE dangerous than drunk driving, study warns

Worn tires are more dangerous than drunk driving, a new study has warned amid fears that 'millions of motorists' are at risk this winter.

 

Probiotic bacteria found in fermented foods might help dispel bad breath

Probiotic bacteria usually found in fermented foods, such as yogurt, sourdough bread, and miso soup, might help dispel the embarrassment of persistent bad breath (halitosis), finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

 

Creation of the ‘CRISPR babies’

The revelation of the births of the first gene-edited babies in November 2018 resulted in an international uproar.

 

Gene-edited farm animals - just because we can do it – should we?

We selectively breed dairy cows for more milk and pigs with extra ribs, and genetically engineer salmon to make them grow faster. Could genetic engineering make meat, milk and dairy more sustainable? And just because we can do it – should we?

 

Red food dye found in Doritos, Skittles and Pepsi can trigger inflammatory bowel disease, study warns

A food dye found in dozens of family favorite snacks may trigger severe bowel diseases, scientists warn.

 

New Method Can Break Down 95% of Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in Water in Just 45 Minutes

Scientists have discovered a new way to break apart 'forever chemicals', the notoriously stubborn pollutants that contaminate our waterways and threaten public health, contributing to a growing list of potential methods of dealing with the long-lived compounds.

 

Bottle with a message: Story writing connects children to the environment

Researchers used story-writing to explore schoolchildren's perceptions of marine plastic litter and the effects on their behaviors to the problem.

 

Europe gripped by worst ever bird flu outbreak

Europe has been gripped by its "most devastating" ever outbreak of bird flu in the past year, European health authorities said on Tuesday as experts study the feasibility of vaccinations.

 

Anti-inflammatory drugs commonly taken by children can cause alterations to dental enamel, study shows

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil and described in an article published in the journal Scientific Reports shows that anti-inflammatory drugs commonly taken by children may be associated with dental enamel defects (DEDs) currently seen in about 20% of children worldwide.​

 

Antidepressant use, infection during pregnancy linked to neurodevelopmental changes in babies, study suggests

Antidepressant use during pregnancy may combine with inflammation to heighten the risk of lifelong neurodevelopmental changes in babies' brains, such as those linked to autism, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests.

 

A protective probiotic for ALS found

A probiotic bacterium called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 prevents neurodegeneration in the C. elegans worm, an animal model used to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

 

5 ways to a sustainable Christmas

The festive season is a time of goodwill, food, gifts — and a lot of waste. So, here's a short guide to having yourself a sustainable little Christmas.

 

Biodegradable medical gowns produce harmful emissions

Biodegradable medical gowns, designed to be greener than conventional counterparts, actually produce harmful greenhouse gases, according to new research published Dec. 20 in the Journal of Cleaner Production.​

 

GM recalls 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs over fire risks

General Motors Co (GM.N) said Tuesday it is recalling 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs in North America because the carpet could catch fire after a crash where a front seat belt pretensioner deploys.

 

Green energy nightmare before Christmas: Coal is now world's top energy source

"In 2022, high natural gas prices led to significant fuel switching to coal in electricity generation in Europe, although both gas and coal generation increased as the growth of wind and solar was insufficient to fully offset lower hydro and nuclear power output."

 

EPA finalizes tougher pollution standards for large vehicles like trucks and buses

The Biden administration on Tuesday finalized tougher pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles like large trucks, delivery vans and buses starting with model year 2027.

 

Strong metaphorical messages can help tackle toxic e-waste

Consumers told that not recycling their batteries "risked polluting the equivalent of 140 Olympic swimming pools every year" were more likely to participate in an electronic waste recycling scheme, a new study has found.

 

This Electric Car Is Proof That Batteries Are Old Technology

The electric car revolution is underway and as the trend evolves, it is demonstrating that batteries are no longer the primary source of power for EVs. The fact that there are now more reliable and efficient ways to power an EV is demonstrated by the nanoFlowcell QUANTiNO twentyfive. This vehicle serves as a constant reminder that there are alternatives to battery-powered vehicles.

 

New Mexico would like to make it just a little bit harder for the federal government to keep dumping radioactive waste there

State officials on Tuesday released a draft permit that includes tougher provisions for the U.S. government to meet if it wants to continue dumping radioactive waste from decades of nuclear research and bomb-making in the New Mexico desert.

 

Enough fentanyl to kill every single American seized in 2022

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says they intercepted 379m potentially deadly fentanyl doses, which is just two milligrams. The DEA described the highly addictive substance, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, as the deadliest drug threat facing the US.

 

Food Barons: How Big Food and Big Ag Are Still Cashing in on the Pandemic

In the midst of a global pandemic, Big Food and Big Ag made the most of the converging crises in order to tighten their grip on every link in the industrial food chain, according to a report by ETC Group.​

 

5 Reasons Plastic Recycling Is Nearly Impossible — and Getting Worse

According to the 2022 Greenpeace report, the amount of plastic recycled dropped to a new low of between 5-6%, as recycling companies greenwash consumers, promising to recycle plastics because it's politically correct.

 

More Than the Sum of Its Parts

The number of simultaneously acting global change factors has a negative impact on the diversity of plant communities – regardless of the nature of the factors. This is one of the findings of a recent study by ecologists from the University of Konstanz.

 

COVID Lockdowns Altered Kids’ Gut Microbiomes — Here’s Why That’s a Problem

Children who aren’t exposed to germs on a regular basis have different microbiomes than those who are. Exposure to nonpathogenic microorganisms train the immune system to function normally and not react excessively or unnecessarily.

 

The plastic road to hell is paved with good intentions

Adding plastics to roads, even with the best of intentions, is guaranteed to create a massive source of nano- and microplastics, which leach into every nook and cranny of the environment, and all parts of human and wildlife bodies.

 

Is There A Practical Way To Utilize Mixed “Plastic Waste?

Most of the “recyclable” plastic we all use ends up in the landfill. Its a logistics and economics problem. There needs to be a better way to handle this massive waste stream. A company called CRDC Global may have a viable solution.

 

Ernie Garza knows how to help Keyes residents save money on water. They aren’t listening

Federal and state agencies have devoted $20 million to improve Keyes’ drinking water in the past decade and have lauded the town’s water treatment as a model for others. But many locals continue to buy bottled water unabated, exasperating Ernie Garza, general manager of the Keyes Community Services District.​

 

Water managers across drought-stricken West agree on one thing: ‘This is going to be painful’

If western states do not agree on a plan to safeguard the Colorado River — the source of the region’s vitality — there won’t be enough water for anyone.

 

Insect Farms are Scaling Up—and Crossing the Atlantic

Black soldier flies convert food waste into feed for pets, aquaculture, and livestock. But as agribusiness giants partner with European companies, concerns about high energy use hover over the fast-developing insect production industry.

 

VILLAGERS OF WADI TALAVALIM IN INDIA CONDEMN CELL TOWER ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

The Villagers of Wadi Talavalim have strongly condemn the plan of erecting a mobile tower at the Government Primary School Premises at Bhedshem Talavalim using Police force. Locals said that despite them suggesting an alternative site for the mobile tower the Contractor and officials were not ready to listen to them.

 

Swedish Firm to Unlock the Electricity of the Sea With Largest Wave Power Station in the World

Turkey will soon host the world’s largest tidal power station—a 77 megawatt system of large pier-like machines that generate clean energy from the sea’s endless rhythm. Swedish firm Eco Wave Power (EWP) entered into the agreement for the potential construction in Ordu, Turkey, starting with a small pilot project.

 

Phosphorus supply is increasingly disrupted—we are sleepwalking into a global food crisis

Without phosphorus food cannot be produced, since all plants and animals need it to grow. Put simply: if there is no phosphorus, there is no life. As such, phosphorus-based fertilisers—it is the "P" in "NPK" fertiliser—have become critical to the global food system.

 

Sinking Houston suburbs: How groundwater extraction is causing neighborhoods to sink

"Baytown experienced a population boom, and until 1976, the City of Baytown got its water from the ground," Butcher explained. "When you're pumping out groundwater, and you have a population boom, that caused the land to subside."

 

Hydrogen and UV breaks down toxic PFAS "forever" chemicals in water

PFAS are among the most insidious pollutants, thanks to their ubiquity, their long life and their growing list of linked health concerns. But now researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new method to break them down more effectively, using hydrogen and UV light.

 

The toxic chemicals all around us

As part of the MIT Superfund Research Program, Nicolette Bugher is working to expose the poisons lurking in our environment and discover what they mean for human health.

 

Did the Army's Secret Radiation Experiments Sabotage a Housing Project?

The true story of the Pruitt-Igoe Housing Complex may never be fully declassified. But what we do know is this: it involves the unlucky architect of the World Trade Center, a lost stockpile of a hundred thousand baby teeth, and mountains of recently disclosed U.S. Army records that describe secret radiological experiments conducted on unsuspecting citizens in St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Winnipeg.

 

With legalized marijuana now available in many states, pets are showing up at vet clinics intoxicated

“We are seeing a higher amount of marijuana/THC toxicities in dogs since legalization,” said Nastassia Germain, medical director of the Veterinary Emergency Group in D.C. “I am also seeing more severe cases due to access to medical grade THC/marijuana.”

 

Geo-Engineer Most Of The Earth’s Surface? May Not Be A Great Idea!

As climate change shifts from a “far-off problem” to “eminent threat” in public perception, governments and billionaire philanthropists scramble to mitigate the impacts of global warming. Geoengineering, the radical transformation of the environment and ecosystem, has been an object of considerable interest.​

 

A Sustainable Take on Ranching and the Beef Industry

Fire and Salt is a husband and wife team who runs a regenerative ranching operation in Deep East Texas. The founder was raised on and around ranches in the Texas Panhandle, where his family has five generations of ranching heritage.

 

3M to stop making 'forever chemicals', to take up to $2.3 billion charge

U.S. industrial conglomerate 3M Co on Tuesday set a 2025 deadline to stop producing PFAS, the "forever chemicals" used in everything from cell phones to semiconductors which have been linked to cancers, heart problems and low birth weights.

 

Bee-killing pesticides are just a click away — but Amazon can change that

A commonly used class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, or neonics for short, inflict lasting harm on our country’s bees. They impact bees’ motor function, harm baby bees and impact bee colonies throughout multiple generations.

 

Here’s Why 32,000+ Abandoned & Orphaned Offshore Wells Litter the Outer Continental Shelf

According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, however, more than 32,000 of the 55,000 offshore wells across the 10.9-million-acre Outer Continental Shelf are abandoned or orphaned. But why? How can tens of thousands of oil wells sit out in the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans without demanding further attention or accountability?

 

Dolphins may suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, say researchers in Scotland

Three species of cetacean stranded off the coast of Scotland, including a bottlenose dolphin and a long-finned pilot whale, have been found to have the classic markers of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study.

 

Christmas-themed exercises can help prevent holiday inactivity and weight gain

Can Christmas carols and working out go hand-in-hand? An exercise “Advent calendar” could help get people off the sofa and shed a few pounds during the holidays, a new study finds.

 

What are mud volcanoes?

For mud volcanoes, in many cases the mud bubbles up to the surface rather quietly. But sometimes the eruptions are quite violent. Furthermore, most of the gas coming out of a mud volcano is methane, which is highly flammable. This gas can ignite, creating spectacular fiery eruptions.

 

New California Project Uses Solar Panels to Restore Native Prairie, Pollinator Habitat

Non-profit the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) announced Thursday that they would restore native prairie and habitat for pollinators beneath and around 160 megawatts (MW) of solar panels.

 

The lenses of fishes’ eyes record their lifetime exposure to toxic mercury, new research finds

Mercury pollution is a global threat to human health, especially to unborn babies and young children. Exposure to methylmercury, a type that forms when mercury washes into lakes and streams, can harm children’s brain development and cause symptoms including speech impairment and muscle weakness in adults who consume seafood as their main food source.

 

Plastic pollution kills sea urchin larvae

Scientists put fertilised urchin eggs in seawater with varying levels of plastic, and compared the effects of newly made PVC pellets (called nurdles) with fragments collected on beaches. In all three concentrations tested (1%, 5% and 10% of plastic in seawater), PVC led to significant abnormalities and all urchin larvae died.

 

Mother and Child Health: Learning Disorders and Prenatal Pesticide Exposure Study Results Released

A meta-analysis published in Chemosphere finds prenatal pesticide exposure, or pesticide exposure during pregnancy has a positive association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Particularly, exposure to chemical classes organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides, in addition to the mother’s age during pregnancy (≥30 years old), increased the risk factor of ASD.

 

Massive 6.4 earthquake rocks California leaving tens of thousands without power

A massive 6.4 earthquake rocked northern California early Tuesday morning, leaving tens of thousands of people without power. Its epicenter was around 200 miles north of San Francisco, three days after a 3.6 quake shook the Bay Area.

 

Mysterious shock wave CRACKS Earth's magnetosphere that protects our planet from dangerous space radiation

A shock wave barreled toward Earth last night that cracked its magnetosphere, the region that shields our planet from harmful radiation.

 

Sweet discovery: Research reveals wild honeybees still exist in Galicia, Spain

Experts have considered it unlikely for honeybees to survive as a wild animal in Europe. But research has found that wild honeybees still exist in Galicia, an area located in the northwest of Spain.

 

Chemicals Found in Commonly Used Household Products Can Lead to Weight Gain

Obesogens, a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical found in a host of household products, make it easier to unintentionally gain weight and may even make it more difficult to lose it.

 

Eating this blue-green algae instead of beef will turbo charge your health

If you want a delicious and sustainable dinner, consider swapping your red meat with Spirulina. New research from Israel suggests a daily diet that includes the blue-green algae can boost your health and slow down climate change.

 

Holiday foods can be toxic to pets – a veterinarian explains which

As a veterinarian and clinical veterinary researcher, however, I also know that some very common foods – including many popular holiday staples – are dangerous to pets. Here are some of the most common food-related crises we veterinarians encounter in the animal ER during the holidays, and what to do if they happen.

 

Exercise Is An Anti-Cancer Drug — Even For Late-Stage Patients

It’s no secret that exercise is good for the body, but new findings from a team at Edith Cowan University suggest breaking a sweat regularly is like medicine for cancer patients — and every dose counts. Researchers report that just a single exercise session elevated anti-cancer proteins called myokines among a group of late-stage prostate cancer patients. The myokine levels observed post-exercise, study authors say, are enough to significantly suppress tumor growth.

 

A years-long delay in testing for a hazardous chemical leaves federal regulators unsure of health impacts on Jacksonville residents

More than a decade after tightening exposure standards for dioxin, federal regulators have yet to reassess the potential health risks posed by the hazardous industrial byproduct to Jacksonville residents living near what was once among the worst Superfund sites in the nation.

 

Manitoba knew chronic wasting disease was coming for its deer. After 20 years of waiting, its arrival was still a shock

A year after first detecting so-called ‘zombie deer’ disease, Manitoba’s attempts to control it have meant marksmen in helicopters, a pileup of frozen corpses and plenty of hard decisions

 

Study Outlines Benefits of Sustainability Reporting

Deloitte, which provides auditing, counseling, and financial and risk advisory services for companies worldwide, has just released a sustainability study entitled Sustainability Action Report: Survey Findings on ESG Disclosure and Preparedness.

 

Microbiome: Scientists highlight role of harmful gut bacteria in fever afflicting cancer patients

An altered gut microbiome is an unexpected cause of fever afflicting many patients undergoing chemotherapy, according to scientists who've also discovered that poor appetite during cancer treatment may trigger the biological forces that can likewise adversely raise body temperature.

 

Fostering policy dialogue and knowledge exchange for pollinator protection

Safeguard's policy brief was distributed at a side event of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) and was showcased at the EU commission's stand.

 

Is Lab-Grown Meat Greener Than Raising Livestock?

Many of the issues with lab-grown meat directly contradict what makes enthusiasts excited in the first place.

 

Already Spread to Every Continent: Unusual Fungus Has the Potential To Become a Global Health Problem

Have you ever heard of the yeast Candida auris? If not, you are most likely not the only one since it hasn’t garnered much attention. Yet. That could change.

 

Study examines bacteria living in and on mosquitoes

Avoiding mosquitoes to protect against bites is always a good idea. But a new study shows that the bacteria-ridden exteriors of mosquitoes may be another reason to arm yourself with a swatter.

 

Earth could face a mass EXTINCTION by 2100: Supercomputer predicts more than a quarter of species will die by the end of the century

Earth faces a mass extinction by 2100 that could wipe out more than a quarter of world biodiversity, a new study warns.

 

Finnish Government Just Developed a Sustainable, Scalable, Vegan Solution to Animal Meat

Finland’s state research center has developed a breakthrough technology that provides a sustainable, scalable solution to the problem of animal meat.

 

Idaho cobalt mine could help transition U.S. to green energy, but at what cost?

Rising over the River of No Return that winds through Central Idaho’s city of Challis, the dry landscape wrinkles with beige hills, beyond which the Salmon River Mountains mark entry into one of the largest wild areas in the contiguous U.S. Under its surface lies value attracting international interests.​

 

'Plastic roads' are paved with good intention

Transportation officials in multiple states are testing whether roads made from grocery bags, juice cartons, printer ink cartridges or other discarded plastic can make pavement last longer, save money and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

 

‘We are all exposed to it’: the human face of India’s asbestos timebomb

Experts say country’s vulnerability to asbestos-related diseases is putting the health of millions of people at risk

 

Ginkgo Biloba: 8 Impressive Health Benefits

Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement possibly best known for enhancing cognitive performance. However, its benefits and uses are wide-ranging. For example, ginkgo can be taken as an aphrodisiac, as well as a remedy for PMS, headaches, migraines, and even anxiety. It also provides overall protective benefits for your health through a variety of antioxidants.

 

What If We Are Wrong About EVs? Part Six - Scorched-Land Scenario May Follow

When I started covering electric cars, I was sure it would be the future. We would all be driving computers on wheels that would be safe, convenient, efficient, environmentally neutral, and economically feasible. But that was not what I found out after years of investigating new companies, wondering about their shortcomings, and realizing we may be betting on a solution like lemmings theoretically bet on cliffs. What if we are wrong about EVs? Well, it will be a scorched earth scenario.

 

What If We Are Wrong About Electric Cars? Part 5 – An Efficiency Discussion

Current battery electric cars have either massive battery packs or ridiculously low ranges. Despite the obvious issues with the mass increase in vehicles, EV advocates always claim that there is nothing more efficient than batteries to store energy. While that is true, this should not be a valid argument to defend EVs. What if we are wrong about them?

 

What If We Are Wrong About Electric Cars? Part 4 – A Convenience Discussion

The idea of permanently avoiding gas stations seems attractive to most people wondering about EVs, especially those who can charge these cars at home. However, that may suddenly change if these folks ever plan to make a road trip. Will they have where to charge their vehicles? What if we are wrong about electric cars?

 

What If We Are Wrong About Electric Cars? Part 3 – A Safety Discussion

Driving a car is the most dangerous thing most people do every day. That said, it is commendable that carmakers are trying to make their vehicles as safe as possible. How do electric cars fare in that regard? Although most of these vehicles are getting pretty high scores in independent crash tests, it is worth asking once again: what if we are wrong about electric cars?

 

What If We Are Wrong About Electric Cars? Part 2 – An Environmental Discussion

Every day, we get news of climate-change activists throwing flour, paint, or gluing themselves to museums and car dealers to demand the end of fossil fuels. They act as if passenger vehicles were the only evil to fight, the common enemy, the main source of carbon emissions. As if only cars needed oil. Most EV advocates claim that everything is solved if you put a massive battery on them. However, what if we are wrong about that? What if we are wrong about electric cars?

 

What If We Are Wrong About Electric Cars? Part 1 – An Economic Discussion

It is only natural that several carmakers decided to follow Tesla’s steps and started committing to becoming fully electric soon. However, all that rush demands a simple but crucial question: what if we are wrong about electric cars?

 

US could face coldest Christmas in YEARS as temperatures drop 'much below normal' and arctic air mass blitzes southern states

Much of the United States will either get a White Christmas or a bitterly cold one, as the forecasts for the country see snowstorms and temperatures in the deep south as low as the 20s.

 

Two New Sustainable Jet Fuels Might Be the Future of Flight

As the race to develop a permanent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that will eventually replace kerosene continues, two new developments shed light on how quickly the technology is advancing.

 

CDC investigating multistate outbreak of norovirus stemming from raw Texas oysters

The CDC said the norovirus outbreak connected to raw oysters from Texas have sickened at least 211 people​

 

USGS reported a 3.2 magnitude earthquake southeast of Midland

According to the USGS, there was a 3.2 magnitude earthquake this morning southeast of Midland.

 

Magnitude-5.4 earthquake latest in a series of seismic events to shake Texas

Nearly a month after a magnitude-5.4 earthquake rocked parts of the Lone Star State, residents were again caught off guard Friday evening by another magnitude-5.5 quake centered near the town of Midland. ​

 

Fracking Waste Gets a Second Look to Ease Looming West Texas Water Shortage

Aquifers beneath the Permian Basin are slowly running out. Recycling “produced water” should help to slow the decline.

 

Trash Troubles: The Pandemic Started It; Inflation Keeps It Going

Municipalities around the nation have been plagued by inflation, hiring difficulties and trash loads that are rising in part because of the lingering work-at-home trend.

 

A Gary, Indiana Plant Would Make Jet Fuel From Trash and Plastic. Residents Are Pushing Back

Fulcrum BioEnergy says its “sustainable aviation fuel” will divert waste from Chicago-area landfills and reduce airline carbon emissions. But critics say there’s nothing sustainable about it—and even question its viability.

 

Built to disappear: World Cup Stadium 974

Qatar’s Stadium 974 was partially built from recycled shipping containers. The idea was to dismantle it after the tournament and ship it to another country that needs the infrastructure. But it would only be sustainable if that actually happens.

 

Earth saw its 9th-warmest November in 143 years

Last month was another unusually warm month, as the planet saw its ninth-warmest November on record. Looking at the Arctic and Antarctic, both poles had their top-10 lowest November sea ice coverage on record.

 

Holiday weather, anyone? Geoengineered winter at its finest.

A geoengineered record deep freeze is scheduled to hammer the Eastern US, just in time for the holidays. Increasing warmth and drought through the first of the year is what the weather makers have planned for the US West.

 

Christmas trees aren't the only things to recycle after the holiday

When she started working for the city nine years ago, Krug said 600 tons of waste was brought in daily. Lately, an average day at the landfill sees from 1,000 to 1,500 tons of waste. Come Christmas-time, that number nearly doubles, Krug said.

 

London Underground Polluted With Metallic Particles Small Enough to Enter Human Bloodstream

The London Underground is polluted with ultrafine metallic particles small enough to end up in the human bloodstream, according to University of Cambridge researchers.

 

Rat and mouse pesticides killing birds of prey in CT, advocates say

A Connecticut state senator and wildlife advocates are pushing for a ban on rat and mouse pesticides that have poisoned birds of prey and other animals.

 

Top 4 shocking ingredients in CIGARETTES dissected and explained – no wonder 35 million Americans can’t figure out why they’re so addicted

Sure, everybody has at least heard that there are all kinds of “chemicals” in commercial cigarettes, and that cancer sticks got that nickname for a reason, but even a non-smoker would be shocked to find out what is really driving the addiction, besides just nicotine.

 

8 Natural Remedies for Eczema

As the negative impacts and harmful side effects of conventional treatments of eczema with steroids and calcineurin inhibitors are realized, why not turn to the many natural options for highly effective and safe support for eczema?

 

EMF Pollution and Chronic Disease — What’s the Connection?

You can’t see, hear or smell electromagnetic fields and most people don’t feel them — but they’re associated with systemic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction thought to be a root cause for many of today's chronic diseases.

 

Mapped: The Most Innovative Countries in the World in 2022

Since 2000, global investment in research and development (R&D) has tripled to $2.4 trillion. R&D spend is also casting a wider global net. In 1960, the U.S. made up nearly 70% of global R&D spending, and by 2020 this had fallen to 30%.

 

Reproductive epidemiology expert: Half of all men will have a sperm count of ZERO by 2050

One of the world’s leading experts on environmental and reproductive epidemiology has predicted that, by 2050, most men around the world will have substantially no viable sperm for reproduction.

 

Arctic Blast To Freeze Texas Next Week Will Bring Fresh Test To Power Grid

Texas appears to be in the crosshairs of a massive Arctic blast scheduled for next week. Meteorologists warn that temperatures could dive to extremes, while energy traders are concerned about a potential wave of freeze-offs across the state that could affect the flow of natural gas.

 

“Recycled Food”: Black Market in Broad Daylight

Operating in the shadows is easy in the United States secondary food market, as few question what happens to food that exceeds its expiration date in leading supermarket chains across the nation. Well, truth be told, expired food gets reprocessed, repackaged, relabeled, and resold to institutions, discount retailers and restaurants.

 

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked To Massive Drop In Muscle Strength

Vitamin D is essential for building and protecting the bones and muscles in your body. While you don’t have to chug a gallon of milk every day, researchers say getting the nutrient into your diet is vital. A recent study by Brazilian scientists found that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to a massive 78 percent drop in muscle strength.

 

Promote gut health with these 4 powerful spices

A healthy gut is key to your well-being. According to ancient medical systems, all health outcomes begin in the gut.

 

Biodiversity: A green town of the future

The Oosterwold project in the Netherlands is a neighborhood where you can build a home for yourself and for your family, sustainably and completely green. The residents decide together what their town should look like.

 

Bio-Based Plastics Aim to Capture Carbon. But at What Cost?

Growing crops to make plastic could theoretically reduce reliance on fossil fuels and even pull carbon out of the atmosphere, but at an enormous environmental cost.

 

How can nature-killing agriculture be more sustainable?

The farming system that feeds the world is the biggest killer of biodiversity. It does so by destroying habitats, overusing fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and creating vast monocultures. But there are solutions.

 

Watered down: why negotiators at Cop15 are barely mentioning the ocean

With only two mentions of the word ‘ocean’ in the latest 5,000-word working agreement, delegates fear marine biodiversity is being sacrificed

 

This holiday treat can harm your health

Shiny, red-and-white-striped peppermint candy is usually associated with brisk winter days, snow and Christmas – not harm to your DNA. But that’s exactly what can result from exposure to titanium dioxide, a food chemical commonly used in these sweet treats.

 

Plastic ‘nurdles’ stop sea urchins developing properly, study finds

Sea urchins raised in sea water with high levels of plastic pollution, including fragments collected from a Cornish surfing beach, die from developmental abnormalities, research shows.

 

‘It made my heart sing’: finding herbs and medicine in the Bronx food forest

The Bronx River Foodway, the only legal place to forage in New York, celebrates the end of a season

 

Denying Science, Manufacturing Doubt: Monsanto/Bayer’s Promotion and Defense of Glyphosate/Roundup

A report released last week — Merchants of Poison: How Monsanto Sold the World on a Toxic Pesticide — exposes not only Bayer/Monsanto malfeasance in its “promotion” of its glyphosate-based herbicide products, including the notorious Roundup®, but also, the broader landscape of corporate efforts to white- or green-wash products that companies know are harmful to people and the environment.

 

WATCH: Pete Myers addresses US Senate committee on the dangers of plastic

Environmental Health Science founder and chief scientist was one of four witnesses testifying for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works.

 

Amazon’s plastic packaging could circle the planet 800 times. Can it be stopped?

Billions of packages are delivered every year by the world’s largest retailer and a wave of environmental pollution has followed

 

Drug overdoses among teens DOUBLED in past two years - fueled by fentanyl epidemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today that teenage overdoses increased 109 percent over the two years. Deaths caused by fentanyl alone increased 182 percent.

 

Mom warns parents as baby is left with brain injury after swallowing water bead

WATER BEAD WARNING - Folicia Mitchell, a mom from Maine, is warning others about a popular toy for kids after her infant nearly died from accidentally swallowing a piece of the product. A pediatrician and others weigh in as well.

 

DEA declares war on social media fentanyl dealers

America's leading drug officials are turning their attention towards social media platforms - as they warn fentanyl dealers are now in every teenagers' pockets.

 

Risk of Population Disruption as a Result of Decarbonisation

Research led by University of Queensland (UQ) and including the University of Göttingen analysed the effects of decarbonisation strategies by linking global resource inventories with demographic systems to generate a matrix showing the risks and benefits.

 

How a policy to address a groundwater shortage inadvertently increase air pollution in northern India

New research from Harvard University finds that a government policy that delayed rice planting in northwest India may have had an unintended consequence for air quality in the region.

 

'Great concern': Invasive group A strep cases spiking in parts of US — CDC is investigating

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a possible spike in cases of invasive infections among children in the United States caused by the bacteria that is known to lead to strep throat, called group A Streptococcus — or group A strep.

 

Greenland's glaciers might be melting 100 times as fast as previously thought

A computer model has been created by researchers at the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin that determines the rate at which Greenland's glacier fronts are melting.

 

Air purifiers: Indoor pollution kills but many devices are ineffective and some may even cause harm

Air pollution kills around 7 million people each year. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries, where solid fuel is often burned in poorly ventilated spaces. However, between 26,000 and 38,000 of those deaths occur in the U.K.

 

Poor gut health may drive multiple sclerosis—better diet may ease it

Researchers from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's Department of Neurology have traced a previously observed link between microscopic organisms in the digestive tract—collectively known as the gut microbiome—and multiple sclerosis (MS).

 

Drinking coffee regularly after pregnancy may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes for women who had diabetes during pregnancy

Drinking coffee regularly may keep type 2 diabetes away from women who had diabetes during pregnancy. Replacing artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened beverages with caffeinated coffee also reduces the risk, by 10% for a cup of artificially sweetened beverage, and 17% for a cup of sugar-sweetened one.

 

Stressed about college finals? Eat a handful of walnuts!

Being a university student can sometimes feel like your stress level will never go down and the workload will never end. However, new research finds that eating just two ounces of walnuts per day may be able to help counteract the harmful effects of academic stress.

 

The World’s Biggest Cultured Meat Factory Is Under Construction in the US

Despite the fact that consumers have never tasted it and it’s only legal in Singapore, cultured meat is on a roll. Its production cost is dropping, multiple companies have entered the space, and the FDA recently granted its first approval to one of them. Last week the industry hit another milestone as an Israeli company broke ground on what it says will be the biggest cultured meat plant in the world.​

 

Harmful fungal toxins in wheat: a growing threat

Wheat -- the most widely cultivated crop in the world -- is under growing attack from harmful toxins. Across Europe, almost half of wheat crops are impacted by the fungal infection that gives rise to these toxins, according to a new study.

 

Three ways to combat antimicrobial resistance

With a dearth of new antibiotics coming to market, researchers are finding creative ways to keep bacteria at bay.

 

CDC forced to extend childhood BMI scale and create super obese category because so many minors were 'off the charts' fat

US health officials have had to create a new body mass index (BMI) category for the most obese children because so many were 'off the charts fat'.

 

Toxic spinach causes hallucinations and delirium in Australia

Toxic spinach has sparked an urgent health alert in Australia after people who consumed it suffered severe sickness and hallucinations.

 

Toxic PFAS Chemicals Detected in 22 Sanitary and Incontinence Pads

Twenty-two sanitary pads, panty liners and incontinence pads have detectable levels of fluorine, an indicator of the group of chemicals known as PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, according to a new report from Mamavation.

 

Pesticides from illegal cannabis are contaminating California waterways, survey says

A newly published study confirms for the first time that heavy pesticide use on illegal cannabis grows in Northern California is contaminating local waterways.

 

‘We Got Played’: Pennsylvania Allows Controversial Fracking Company to Keep Drilling in Community It Polluted

Coterra Energy, the gas-drilling company that last month pled “no contest” to multiple criminal environmental charges, will be permitted to resume horizontal fracking in Dimock, Pennsylvania, under the plea deal that also required the company to pay $16.29 million to connect residents’ homes to a clean water source.

 

Yes, Gene-Edited Plants and Animals Do Contain Foreign Genes, DNA

Despite industry and government claims to the contrary, gene-edited plants and animals can and do contain foreign genetic material in their genomes, either by intention or inadvertently due to the imprecision and limitations of the gene editing process.

 

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BOARD 8 VOTES FOR A MORATORIUM ON 5G: REPRESENTS UPPER EAST SIDE OF MANHATTAN AND ROOSEVELT ISLAND.

The New York Community Board 8 unanimously passed a Resolution to halt 5G in their New York neighborhood!​

 

Lead Toxicity Linked to 1 in 5 Deaths

Lead is one of three toxins shown to have the greatest negative impact on the human lifespan and is linked to cardiovascular problems, reproductive problems, miscarriage, low birth weight, headaches, seizures, hearing and vision impairment, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, brain damage and reduced IQ.

 

‘Reckless’: McDonald’s, Walmart, Taco Bell Fueling Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Data released Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveal an increase in the sales of medically important antibiotics for use in the production of chicken, beef and pork. An investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Guardian names retailers and restaurant chains sourcing beef containing harmful antibiotics.

 

UK Court Action Against 5G Postponed

The UK Court Action Against 5G originally scheduled for Dec. 13 was graciously postponed by the court until Feb, 6,7, 2023, after the beloved Barrister Michael Mansfield was injured in a fall.

 

The Future Value of Disruptive Materials

A select number of materials have a critical role to play in the expansion of next generation technologies. This could lead to a surge in demand and a potential soaring of market values for each material as a result.

 

Small Morocco punches above its weight on renewables

In Ouarzazate, Morocco's gateway to the Sahara Desert, more than half a million curved mirrors form gigantic circles. Every few minutes, the mirrors rotate to better direct sunlight towards tubes full of synthetic oil, making it so hot, it turns into vapor. A turbine uses the vapor to produce enough power for 1.3 million people.

 

‘Firmageddon’: Oregon conifers suffer record die-off as climate crisis hits hard

Scientists have discovered a record number of dead fir trees in Oregon, in a foreboding sign of how drought and the climate crisis are ravaging the American west.

 

Arctic Report Card 2022: The Arctic is getting rainier and seasons are shifting, with broad disturbances for people, ecosystems and wildlife

In the Arctic, the freedom to travel, hunt and make day-to-day decisions is profoundly tied to cold and frozen conditions for much of the year. These conditions are rapidly changing as the Arctic warms.​

 

Wildfires are climbing up the snowiest mountains of the western U.S.

In the western United States, natural periods of fire and snow are cyclical. The summer brings wildfire season, and the winter brings ski season. But as the globe warms, these cycles have become erratic and less reliable, with dramatic impacts on the region’s vital water supply.

 

Study explains surprise surge in methane during pandemic lockdown

A mysterious surge in planet-heating atmospheric methane in 2020 despite COVID lockdowns that reduced many human-caused sources can be explained by a greater release from nature and, surprisingly, reduced air pollution, scientists said Wednesday.

 

Need exercise motivation? A healthy balance of gut microbes could be the answer

Need exercise motivation? It turns out keeping fit really is a gut instinct, according to a new study.​

 

Waterhemp: Herbicide Resistant Plant Created by Chemical-Intensive Farming Competes with Crops

Industrial agriculture has both created and amplified the spread of the now highly problematic waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) plant, according to research published this month in the journal Science. Over the last 80 years, the push to increase monoculture plantings, expand cropland, and utilize chemical fertilizers and pesticides has changed waterhemp from a tame riparian wild plant into an aggressive, weedy intruder able to compete with row crops like corn and soybean.

 

Salt Lake City Faces Toxic Dust Storms Amid Declining Water Levels

Salt Lake City, Utah, was already in trouble. Between vast open-pit mining operations in the surrounding areas, oil refineries, and a unique mountain range that traps pollution in a winter 'inversion layer,' the cities surrounding the Great Salt Lake have grappled with air quality issues for years.

 

Ultraviolet Light Researched as a Pest Control Technique

Ultraviolet (UV-C) light has the potential to successfully manage mite (Tetranychus urticae) populations without reducing yields or resorting to toxic pesticides, according to research published by scientists at University of Florida.

 

Five ways a hidden Pentagon health study undercounts ‘forever chemicals’ risks

The Defense Department may be underestimating by hundreds of thousands the number of people at military installations drinking water contaminated with the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. The DOD’s analysis also downplays the health hazards of these dangerous chemicals.

 

The Grim Origins of an Ominous Methane Surge

During the coronavirus lockdowns, emissions of the potent greenhouse gas somehow soared. The culprit wasn't humans—but the Earth itself.

 

Pete Myers to address US Senate committee on the dangers of plastic

Environmental Health Science founder and chief scientist was one of four witnesses testifying for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works.

 

Sun unleashes at least EIGHT solar flares towards Earth after a crackling sunspot emerges on the solar surface

At least eight solar flares have been unleashed towards Earth – and more could follow – after a crackling sunspot emerged on the solar surface this week.

 

Why scientists are worried about the number of insects splattered on car number plates

Numbers of insects splattered on car number plates collapsing faster than ever, survey finds

 

When Plankton Gobble Plastic

Bits of human infrastructure are hurting the tiniest sea organisms.

 

Testing for 'forever chemicals' lacking for tribal water systems

Tribal water systems are sampled for "forever chemicals" at a much lower rate than other water systems, according to a new study from the PFAS Project Lab at Northeastern University.

 

More than 600,000 service members given ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

More than 600,000 service members at 116 military installations were annually served water with potentially unsafe levels of the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis.

 

Heavy metals make ‘healthy’ dark chocolate more problematic than thought

A study by Consumer Reports has found dangerously high levels of heavy metals in chocolate from well-known brands including Hershey’s, Theo, and Trader Joe’s.

 

Reservation Dogs

Strange diseases are spreading in Blackfeet Country. Can canines track down the culprits?

 

Some snow globes contain a toxic chemical used in antifreeze, which can be deadly to pets

Two dogs died after ingesting antifreeze from a broken snow globe.

 

Forest Service idea of preventing wildfires is poisoning the air.

Everyone in Summit County has taken up smoking — Mormons, non-Mormons, infants, adults, pregnant mothers, athletes, the elderly, everyone. Not tobacco, wood smoke. And that’s worse.

 

There must be something in the water

3M dumped chemical waste in Washington County for decades. A lot of young people got cancer. Some of them made it, some didn’t.

 

Huge magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes offshore near Alaska's Amchitka Island as officials warn aftershocks are likely

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck offshore near Alaska's Amchitka Island and officials have warned aftershocks are likely.

 

New Tool Offers Hope in the Fight Against Plant Extinction

In a powerful speech to open CoP15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, in Montreal, UN Secretary General António Guterres said that “We are waging a war on nature” and called for “a peace pact with nature”.​

 

How To Sleep Better Without Meds: Soak In More Daylight Outdoors, Even If It’s Cloudy

It’s a popular question among tired Americans: How can I sleep better without turning to medicine? The answer could be on the other side of your front door. Getting outside for at least a little while and soaking in some daytime light, even when it’s cloudy, can help us sleep soundly at night, new research from the University of Washington suggests.

 

Why your salad costs 40% MORE: Vegetable prices in the US are increasing due to farming states like Arizona being plagued by drought

Americans are paying nearly 40 percent more for vegetables this year than in 2021 - and experts blame climate change and the nation's ongoing inflation.

 

Almost a Third of Species at Risk of Extinction

An update released today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that 28% of plants and animals around the globe are threatened with extinction. The new IUCN Red List identifies 42,108 species as threatened out of 150,388 species for which there is enough information to determine a conservation status.

 

Reindeer Population Wins Endangered Species Protection in Time for Holidays

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protected the Dolphin and Union caribou today as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This specific population of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) — also known as reindeer — inhabits the Arctic regions of Canada’s northern territories. The endangered listing restricts trade in Dolphin and Union caribou in the United States.

 

The Dutch Government Is About To Steal Farms Across The Netherlands

In late November, the Dutch government set aside approximately $25 billion to begin buying farmland, whether the owners want to sell or not. “There is no better offer coming,” Dutch Nitrogen Minister Christianne van der Waal told farmers. The government expects to purchase between 2000 and 3000 farms.​

 

Touch scream! Giving children cell phones to calm them down during tantrums leads to behavioral issues, study warns

Giving your child a phone to calm them down during a tantrum could lead to behaviour issues, a study suggests.

 

Baby formula firm recalls two days' worth of products after they tested positive for deadly bacteria that can cause sepsis and meningitis

A baby formula brand launched with hopes of filling America's shortage has issued a recall after a dangerous bacteria was found in its products.

 

Superfood recipes: Boost your fiber intake with this apple pie smoothie

Juicing is big among health enthusiasts, but others prefer smoothies. fter all, smoothies are more filling. And unlike juicing, making a healthy smoothie at home means you get to enjoy the benefits of nutritious ingredients that are full of dietary fiber, like apples.

 

Every hour a child spends playing video games or watching YouTube videos each day raises their risk of OCD by up to 13%, study claims

Every hour a child spends playing video games per day raises their risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by 13 percent, a study suggests.

 

Eating Dates Produces Powerful Health Benefits, Religion and Science Agree

Since biblical times, dates were to believed to possess profound healing properties, but only now is science catching up to confirm our distant ancestors knew exactly what they were talking about.

 

Disruptive Materials: Visualizing America’s Import Dependency

The U.S. is expected to see surging demand for disruptive materials, which are those deemed to have high level importance for their role in next generation technologies. But many of these disruptive materials like manganese, cobalt, and lithium are primarily imported from foreign countries.

 

Sugar Activates The Same Neuropathways As Nicotine, Study Finds

Scientists researching alcohol and nicotine addictions found that eating or drinking too much sugar activated the same pathways as nicotine. This Australian study also found that over 70% of toddler foods tested exceeded the World Health Organizations guidelines for total sugar.

 

Our entire Solar System is changing rapidly, but nobody is really talking about it

All the major bodies of our Solar System are changing rapidly, but nobody is talking about it. We are in the upswing of Solar Cycle 25. Could it be related?

 

Is the US about to be hit by a wave of Strep A?

A deadly outbreak of Strep A in the UK has fueled fears that a similar rise could hit the US - as both countries grapple with a post-lockdown boom in seasonal infections.

 

Warming seas’ negative impact on giant kelp starts in early life – Otago study

Rising ocean temperatures are driving deterioration of kelp forests worldwide, but a University of Otago study hopes to help turn the tide and restore the valuable habitats.

 

Massive gas leak in Cambria County sets off alarm over storage wells across Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania regulators have been concerned that if something like the massive gas leak that raged in Cambria County last month occurred in a more urban area, the consequences would be devastating.

 

About one-third of the food Americans buy is wasted

U.S. consumers waste a lot of food year-round – about one-third of all purchased food. That’s equivalent to 1,250 calories per person per day, or US$1,500 worth of groceries for a four-person household each year, an estimate that doesn’t include recent food price inflation. And when food goes bad, the land, labor, water, chemicals and energy that went into producing, processing, transporting, storing and preparing it are wasted too.

 

Adding quinoa can create a healthier cookie that tastes just as good

Quinoa checks off all the boxes if you’re looking for a fiber-rich whole grain that doubles as a complete protein. Now, it turns out that it also may serve as the key ingredient in making healthier cookies. Researchers from Washington State University have demonstrated that two types of quinoa, bred specifically to grow locally, has great potential as a high-fiber, high-protein additive in flour for cookies — while maintaining the treat’s popular texture.

 

Fossil-Sorting Robots Will Help Researchers Study Oceans

Researchers have developed and demonstrated a robot capable of sorting, manipulating, and identifying microscopic marine fossils. The new technology automates a tedious process that plays a key role in advancing our understanding of the world’s oceans and climate – both today and in the prehistoric past.​

 

Estrogen-Mediated Cancers in Humans Has Links to Endocrine Disrupting Pesticides

Pesticides have a long history associated with hormone (endocrine)-disrupting properties that induce various molecular changes, prompting disease development. Adding to the science, a review published in Environmental Exposure, Biomonitoring and Exposure Assessment highlights how specific estrogen-mimicking pesticides increase the risk of disease, particularly hormone-related cancers among women (i.e., breast, ovarian, endometrial cancer) and men (i.e., testicular, prostate cancer). Like pesticides, endocrine disruptors are xenobiotic (i.e., chemical substances foreign to an organism or ecosystem).

 

Threatened cloud forests key to billions of dollars worth of hydropower: Report

Cloud forests are threatened by climate change, agricultural expansion, logging and charcoal production, and studies have shown that the quality and quantity of water that these forests generate is tied to keeping them healthy.

 

What are keystone species and why do we need them?

From wolves to elephants to green moss, keystone animal and plant species are vital facilitators of healthy and biodiverse ecosystems.

 

Invasive Iguana Causes ‘Large Scale’ Power Outage in Florida City

The city of Lake Worth Beach (LWB) blamed a loss of power on one of the state’s infamous invasive green iguanas.

 

Bolivia looks to opaque methods, firms to build lithium powerhouse

The Bolivian government is set this month to choose companies that would turn the lithium in reservoirs below its salt flats into economic resources exported to the world market.

 

JetBlue Says It Will Reduce Pollution Instead of Buying Carbon Offsets

JetBlue is taking back its 2020 promise to offset greenhouse gas pollution from its domestic U.S. flights and will instead focus on cutting its per-seat pollution in half by using “sustainable aviation fuels” generated from waste or plants.

 

The Myth of Plastic Recycling

For many, recycling feels like a tangible way to personally combat climate change and to positively affect the environment. That's partially because of decades of public environmental campaigns, advertisements and even school education aimed at increasing recycling.

 

Starving bees are robbing hives as their keepers try everything to save them

“Our entire ecosystem is flipped upside down and twisted up like a blender,” Keith Councell told CNN as he picked through piles of shattered and sodden hives on his farm near Arcadia, a little north and inland from Fort Myers.

 

Hidden Fentanyl Is Driving a Fatal New Phase in US Opioid Epidemic

The rise of fentanyl has brought on the most dangerous phase yet in the US’s decades-long opioid epidemic, causing a surge in overdose deaths and crippling efforts to end a devastating addiction crisis.​

 

Case Study: School Cleaning Key To Student Infection Control

The importance of professional cleaning has never been more clear than it is today. Creating and maintaining proper cleaning protocols will keep schools, offices and other facilities hygienically clean and will stop the spread of disease.

 

Fentanyl and a stronger form of meth now driving American homeless crisis

A stronger and more dangerous version of methamphetamine and fentanyl are helping drive America's homeless crisis, with users quickly slipping into debilitating addiction and mental illness that makes it impossible for them to function in society.

 

The Aztecs Harnessed The Sun And a Mountain to Feed Millions, Scientists Say

A new study has shown how ancient civilizations in central Mexico might have once used specific features of their rugged landscape to mark key points in the seasons, allowing them to plan the planting of crops needed to keep a thriving population of millions alive and well.

 

Study: Microplastics in Auckland's air equal to 3 million plastic bottles a year

Researchers from the University of Auckland calculated that 74 metric tons of microplastics are dropping out of the atmosphere onto the city annually, the equivalent of more than 3 million plastic bottles falling from the sky.

 

Eco-friendly paint most effective against fouling on ships and boats

Emissions from copper-based antifouling paints are a well-known environmental problem. As much as 40% of copper inputs to the Baltic Sea come from antifouling paints on ships and leisure boats.

 

The more TV you watch, the more bodily pain you have over time: Study

Data from 4,099 participants of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) has revealed that an increase in daily TV-watching time is significantly associated with an increase in bodily pain severity over time, according to a new study from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.​

 

‘Gas Station Heroin’ Is Causing Intense Withdrawals. It’s Legal in Most States.

Tianeptine is an antidepressant. But it’s being sold in the U.S., especially at gas stations, as a dietary supplement and functions like an opioid.

 

US Soil Could Be Eroding Up to 1,000 Times Faster Than It Should

The United States is building its future on an eroding foundation. In the Midwest, one of the world's most productive farming regions, researchers have calculated that current soil erosion is up to a thousand times greater than before modern agriculture's rise.

 

The nanomaterial graphene oxide influences gut microbiome and immune system interactions

The nanomaterial graphene oxide -- which is used in everything from electronics to sensors for biomolecules -- can indirectly affect the immune system via the gut microbiome, as shown in a new study on zebrafish.

 

Food Allergy Issue Now an ‘Epidemic’ in America

One in three people has a food sensitivity, and one in 13 children have a life-threatening food allergy.​

 

How Do Pesticides Affect the Environment?

They encompass a wide variety of chemical products, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, among many others. But while the ability of pesticides to boost crop yields has made them instrumental in producing enough food to satisfy the global population, a surprising percentage (98% of insecticides and 95% of herbicides) do not actually reach their intended their target. Instead, they infiltrate the wider environment, representing just one of many sources and types of agricultural pollution, each of which can have devastating impacts on the world.

 

These 3 symptoms could mean your baby has a severe case of RSV

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, may be fairly harmless to healthy adults — but it can be extremely dangerous to young children and the elderly. In fact, infants younger than 12 months face a high risk of ending up in the hospital due to the illness. Knowing the signs of an RSV infection could mean the difference between life and death for some babies — with three subtle symptoms being the only red flags parents have to work with.

 

Tell Amazon: Don’t sell products with bee-killing pesticides

Amazon, the world’s No. 1 online marketplace, has a chance to make a major difference in protecting our best pollinators by removing bee-killing pesticides from its site. Tell Amazon CEO Andy Jassy: Help save the bees by banning products with neonicotinoids.

 

Navy detected ‘forever chemicals’ at least twice in drinking water at Pearl Harbor base

Honolulu Board of Water Supply officials want answers about toxic chemicals detected in groundwater at Red Hill a year before last month’s spill of firefighting foam.

 

Risk of the hydrogen economy for atmospheric methane

Hydrogen (H2) is expected to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, hydrogen losses to the atmosphere impact atmospheric chemistry, including positive feedback on methane (CH4), the second most important greenhouse gas.

 

Is The Era Of Ever-Cheaper Lithium Batteries Over?

The rise in lithium-ion battery packs could be the first red flags in the energy transition that prices to decarbonize economies will be costly.

 

Truck Driver Demolishes Tesla Semi, Feels It's a Completely Stupid Vehicle

A while ago, we wrote about Elon Musk's claims that a Semi went from Fremont to San Diego with an 81,000 gross vehicle weight. Either it is much heavier than the EV maker wants to admit, or that 500-mile trip with that GVW is not true.

 

Meet the Two Biggest Enemies of Indoor Farming

As 2022 comes to a close, the vertical farming industry has been hit with a series of high-profile closures. This news came as a shock to many given that, just last year, investments into the industry reached US$ 3.66 billion. While there continued to be an influx of investment in 2022, the challenges to indoor farming rose faster.

 

Telecom Giant Offers Girl Scouts New Patch in Exchange for Promoting ‘Wonders of 5G’

Courtesy of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson, Girl Scouts across America this year were offered a new way to earn a special uniform patch: learning about the wonders of 5G cellphone technology and, in some cases, promoting it.

 

Food Allergens Can Affect Your Brain — Even if You Don’t Have Typical Food Allergy Symptoms

People with asymptomatic sensitization may not be aware they are hypersensitive to a certain food — but they may still experience changes to the brain, including changes that affect mood and behavior.​

 

‘It’s Killing Our Babies’: 12-Year-Old Boy Dies Attempting TikTok Challenge, Family Says

The Defender’s Big Brother NewsWatch brings you the latest headlines related to governments’ abuse of power, including attacks on democracy, civil liberties and use of mass surveillance. The views expressed in the excerpts from other news sources do not necessarily reflect the views of The Defender.​

 

Take Action: Virginia Families Forced to Choose Between Smart Meters or No Power At All

Despite freezing temperatures and with little to no warning, Dominion Energy Virginia showed up at the homes of more than half a dozen families in Virginia and shut off their power because they refused to have “smart” meters installed in their homes.

 

People can have food sensitivities without noticeable symptoms – long-term consumption of food allergens may lead to behavior and mood changes

The prevalence of food allergies is increasing worldwide, approaching an epidemic level in some regions. In the U.S. alone, approximately 10% of children and adults suffer from food allergies, with allergies to cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts being the most common. Some patients have mild symptoms that might not need medical attention, leaving these cases unreported.

 

Weill Cornell Medicine Receives Grant to Study Effects of Radiation on Immunity

While studies have examined the impact of radiation and immunotherapy on cancer biology, this grant will fund a global research project that takes a deep dive into the field of radiation and immunity, to address a knowledge gap on how standard radiation affects a patient’s immune system.

 

LETTER TO GIRL SCOUTS ON 5G PATCH

Prominent medical doctors and scientists have sent a letter to the CEO of Girls Scouts of the USA requesting they stop issuing the 5G Patch that was developed by a telecommunications company Ericsson stating that is sends a “dangerous message” to girls because of te inaccurate safety claims regarding 5G technology.

 

Lithium-Ion Battery Prices Rise For First Time

Lithium, a mineral used in batteries to power electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, and all sorts of gadgets, has surged to a record high this year as the world pushes forward with a 'green' future. But in the process of decarbonizing the global economy, battery prices, for the first time since BloombergNEF began tracking the market in 2010, have risen on an annual basis.

 

‘Electric Ain’t Gonna Work’: Long-Haul Truckers In Wyoming Not Fans Of Tesla Semi

The trucking industry already struggles to find enough qualified truckers to fill its routes. If the reaction to electric semi specs from truckers Cowboy State Daily talked to is any indication, a ban on diesel trucks is likely to make the problem worse.

 

Five pressing questions for the future of lithium mining in Bolivia

Lithium extraction, often used for lithium-ion batteries, has been known to deplete and contaminate freshwater, impacting wildlife populations and the livelihoods of residents who rely on tourism and salt mining.

 

Visualizing The Smoking Population of Countries

According to Our World in Data, about one-in-four adults around the world smoke tobacco—at least on an occasional basis. And in many countries, a majority of these smokers are men. But just how big is the smoking gender gap, and which places have the biggest divide between men and women when it comes to smoking?

 

Not So Sweet: Artificial Sweetener Aspartame Linked To Anxiety

Aspartame is used as an ingredient in over 5,000 diet foods and beverages. Now, new research from Florida State University reports the artificial sweetener may be linked to a greater anxiety risk, an animal study concludes.

 

Top 10 addictions and the ALARMING STATISTICS for the USA

Immediate gratification, over-indulgence, and just plain lack of consumer knowledge has the majority of Americans addicted to and enslaved by health-damaging, mind-numbing compulsions. Are all of these folks brainwashed by Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Tech and Hollywood?

 

Smoke From California Wildfires Dimmed Solar Energy in 2020

In September of 2020, the smoke from major wildfires in California made the skies so dark that the state’s solar power production was reduced by 10 to 30 percent during peak hours, according to a National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) study.

 

Introducing the 2022 Sustainable Trade Index

History has proven that trade can be a powerful engine for economic growth. It’s for this reason that participation in the international trading system has become a priority for national governments. In many cases, however, economic growth has superseded any concerns about the environment or society. It is therefore important to measure whether an economy is trading in a sustainable manner, and whether it can continue doing so.

 

Football players age faster, develop dementia sooner, Harvard research shows

The focus on CTE and how the condition has destroyed former players’ lives is leading more parents to keep their kids off the gridiron, and even pushing some players themselves to quit entirely. Now, new research from Harvard reports that former professional players, specifically linemen, are more likely to develop diseases generally developed by those of older age, even though they’re still young.​

 

US scientists make major breakthrough in ‘limitless, zero-carbon’ fusion energy: report

U.S. government scientists at a California laboratory have reportedly made a monumental breakthrough in harnessing the power of fusion energy.

 

Mouth bacteria linked to development of life-threatening brain abscesses

Poor dental hygiene could lead to a potentially fatal problem in the brain, a new study warns. Scientists have found a link between mouth bacteria and the development of brain abscesses.

 

Should a "winter storm" have a "warm side"?

Should a "winter storm" have a "warm side"? This is completely absurd from a historical perspective, but now it seems it is the norm. The Weather Channel has announced the coming of "Winter Storm Diaz" complete with flash floods, blizzards, tornadoes, thundersnow, extreme hail and more.

 

New York's newest green oasis

New York's newest green space, Freshkills Park, is being built on Staten Island. It's three times the size of Central Park — and used to be the world's largest garbage dump. Now plants and animals are to live there again.

 

Plant-Based Meat Substitutes Lack Nutritional Quality Of The Real Thing, Study Reveals

Meat alternatives like “impossible” burgers and other plant-based substitutes lack the nutritional value of the foods they’re replacing, according to researchers in Sweden. Their study found that meat substitutes contain proteins and nutrients which the human body can’t absorb — leaving customers with an iron deficiency.

 

Marine life hit by ‘perfect storm’ as red list reveals species close to extinction

Illegal and unsustainable fishing, fossil fuel exploration, the climate crisis and disease are pushing marine species to the brink of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with populations of dugongs, abalone shellfish and pillar coral at risk of disappearing for ever.

 

Save whales or eat lobster? The battle reaches the White House

Fishing gear used by Maine lobstermen is killing right whales. Will boosting a $1bn industry trump protecting an endangered species?

 

Scientists Found BPA in Sports Bras and Shirts. Should You Be Worried?

New testing by a consumer advocacy group warns that a number of sports bras and athletic shirts on the market contain high levels of bisphenol A, or BPA, an industrial chemical that has been linked to cancer and other health concerns when exposed to the human body.

 

Advocates urge Congress to update black lung program

Once upon a time, it was thought that a coal miner might at least be able to work a few decades before struggling for breath. But as miners begin to drop out of the workforce due to the deadly and incurable black lung disease, they are losing out on the prime of their lives and a lifetime of wages.

 

GenX study finds Chemours-specific chemicals in residents

A recent GenX exposure study found high levels of four highly fluorinated compounds in volunteers living in the Cape Fear River basin.

 

New York City’s Popular Online Tree Map Gets a Big Update

The database, which has delighted New Yorkers since 2016, has been expanded to include 150,000 park trees.​

 

As waste-to-energy incinerators spread in Southeast Asia, so do concerns

Thailand plans to build 79 waste-to-energy plants in upcoming years, and there are at least 17 proposed for Indonesia. Concerns about environmental and public health impacts have already led to protests and project delays.

 

Op-ed: What the pesticide industry doesn’t want you to know

In a new report, Merchants of Poison, we document a case study of just such pesticide industry disinformation, revealing a PR playbook similar in strategy, institutions — and at times the very same individual players — as that of the fossil fuel industry. As nearly all agricultural chemicals are derived from fossil fuels, this interconnection should come as no surprise.

 

USDA Urged to Evaluate Undisclosed Inert Ingredients in Organic, as Required by Law

It is time for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to follow through on its duty to assess individual “inert” ingredients used in organic production. In creating the original regulations for the National Organic Program (NOP), USDA—based on the recommendation of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)—decided to postpone the evaluation of so-called “inert” ingredients until active materials had been reviewed for the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. In this context, “inert” is a misleading legal term since the ingredient may be chemically or biologically active, but not included for purposes of attacking a target organism.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Was it worth it? State-by-state interactive map shows how children's hospitals are being overwhelmed by RSV and flu — after lockdowns robbed them of vital immunity

DailyMail.com analysis has revealed the busiest children's hospitals in the US. They are facing a surge in admissions in the wake of lockdown policies. These robbed children of the chance to build immunity against common viruses

 

Daycares in Finland Built a 'Forest', And It Changed Kids' Immune Systems

Playing through the greenery and litter of a mini forest's undergrowth for just one month may be enough to change a child's immune system, according to an experiment in Finland.

 

Today's adolescents' substances of choice may be harder for adults to detect

Despite advances in technology and availability, one of the best ways for parents and health care providers to prevent or help stop adolescent substance use is still an old-fashioned conversation, according to a new Viewpoint published in the November issue of The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

 

About 1 in 100 heart disease deaths linked to extreme hot and cold weather days

Exposure to extremely hot or cold temperatures increases a heart disease patient's risk of dying, according to a new study published today in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation. The global analysis of more than 32 million cardiovascular deaths over 40 years measured more deaths on days when temperatures were at their highest or lowest compared to more moderate climate days.

 

All types of plastics now recyclable thanks to two companies

Two companies, Plastonix and Elemental Recycling have done what others could not: they have found technologies that recycle all types of plastic.

 

This massive robot is designed to harvest EV metals from the ocean. But can it be done sustainably?

Impossible Metals has a more sustainable way to harvest nickel and cobalt, but experts worry it could still disrupt vital ecosystems.

 

6 Best Antidepressive Agents for Natural Mood Support

If your mood could use a boost, these six natural antidepressant agents could help enhance your well-being​

 

Kids Exposed to Higher Levels of Pesticides More Likely to Experience Early Onset of Puberty

Children with higher levels of certain pesticide metabolites are more likely to go through early puberty, according to research published recently in Environmental Pollution.

 

Why Are So Many Major Volcanoes Suddenly Exploding All Over The World?

Should we be concerned by all of the volcanic activity that we are witnessing all over the planet right now? According to Volcano Discovery, 27 different volcanoes are erupting at this moment and many others are showing signs of waking up. Of course this comes at a time when we are also seeing lots of unusual earthquakes around the globe.

 

A New Drug Called "Tranq" Is Worsening Philadelphia's Already Out-Of-Control Drug Problem

As if Philadelphia didn't have a big enough problem on its hands with its "zombie streets" in the Northeast lined with drug users...

 

Merchants of Poison. How Monsanto Sold the World on a Toxic Pesticide

Ten years ago, pesticide and processed food companies spent $45 million — roughly $1 million a day — to defeat a ballot initiative to label genetically modified foods (GMOs) in California. The anti-transparency campaign led by Monsanto, one of the largest producers of GMOs, blitzed the state with misleading messages amplified by a wide range of seemingly independent third parties: from universities, professors, and scientists to many groups that claimed expertise on matters of food, health, nutrition, and science. But investigations would eventually reveal close ties between these so-called neutral groups and the companies fighting transparency.

 

Foraging With “Wildman” Steve Brill In Central Park

Foraging With “Wildman” Steve Brill and Violet reported on my foraging trip in Prospect Park in December 2021 with “Wildman” Steve Brill and his daughter Violet. Before going foraging again this year, I watched Steve’s informative DVD Foraging With The Wildman and again read through his book Foraging New York: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods which I had bought last year.

 

Sunshine, a natural dementia drug?

Spending more time in the sunshine could protect you against dementia, a study suggests.

 

In the tropics, nitrogen-fixing trees take a hit from herbivores

The ability of tropical forests to grow and store carbon is limited, in part, by herbivory. Insects and other animals prefer to feed on nitrogen-fixing trees, reducing the success of fixers and the nitrogen they provide.

 

Is this why childhood allergies are on the rise?

Additives in junk food can seep into babies in the womb and trigger changes linked to the development of allergies, a study claims.

 

Oil reservoirs under pressure

Computer simulations show how nitrogen injections can help flush oil from underground storage.

 

A New Push Is on in Chicago to Connect Urban Farmers With Institutional Buyers Like Schools and Hospitals

Researchers and local farmers see an opportunity to create resilient supply chains, bring healthy produce to food deserts, reduce harmful environmental impacts and create economic opportunity—all at once.​

 

SOIL IN MIDWESTERN US IS ERODING 10 TO 1,000 TIMES FASTER THAN IT FORMS, STUDY FINDS

In a discovery that has repercussions for everything from domestic agricultural policy to global food security and the plans to mitigate climate change, researchers at the University of Massachusetts recently announced that the rate of soil erosion in the Midwestern US is 10 to 1,000 times greater than pre-agricultural erosion rates. These newly discovered pre-agricultural rates, which reflect the rate at which soils form, are orders of magnitude lower than the upper allowable limit of erosion set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

Why you should ALWAYS close the lid before you flush

If your parents always told you to close the toilet lid before you flush, gruesome new video shows that they really were right.

 

What is biodiversity and why is it so important?

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are in Montreal to find a way to protect the world's nature. But what's at risk when ecosystems are lost, and animals and plants go extinct?

 

Drought conditions contributed to high levels of mycotoxins in grains

Widespread drought throughout Europe during the 2022 growing season has directly impacted the presence of moulds and mycotoxins in new crop grains and forages.

 

EWG applauds Congress for tackling ‘forever chemicals’ in National Defense Authorization Act

The Environmental Working Group applauds Congress for including several provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2023 to tackle the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.

 

Wind power faces resistance

The demand for energy is enormous, so why is wind power having such a hard time taking hold in Germany? Getting permits for wind turbines can take years, and production is expensive. Has Germany lost its footing in this industry of the future?

 

FEDERAL JUDGE RULING SAYS THE FDA CANNOT ENFORCE RULE TO LABEL CIGARETTE PACKS WITH WARNINGS

A Texas federal judge ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cannot enforce a rule requiring tobacco companies to add graphic warning labels to cigarette packs saying the rule grates against tobacco companies’ First Amendment rights. Shortly after the FDA published its new graphic warning label rule, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and several other manufacturers, distributers, and retailers filed suit against the FDA in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

 

Childhood Pesticide Exposure Associated with Early Onset of Puberty

Children with higher levels of certain pesticide metabolites are more likely to go through early puberty, according to research published recently in Environmental Pollution. The findings by a team of Spanish researchers speak to a need for greater protections for children from toxic pesticide exposure.

 

Expressive upcycling: Portraits in trash

Turkish artist Deniz Sağdıç transforms waste materials from junked electronics and scraps of fabric into mosaic-style portraits. She intends her works to raise awareness of the environment and use of resources.​

 

Hurricane’s effects killed sturgeon in Apalachicola River

As hurricane Michael churned through the Gulf of Mexico to make landfall near Florida’s Apalachicola River in 2018, it left a sea of destruction in its wake. The path was easy to follow on land, but debris and infrastructure failures also diminished the river’s water quality and led to the death of roughly half the gulf sturgeon population there.

 

Guiding conservation with innovations and a local touch

As nature reels towards a hotter, drier, harsher future, new conservation tools – seed banks and frozen zoos, gene editing and assisted gene flow – hold promise to help struggling animal and plant populations. The catch: New approaches need to incorporate the strengths the species have evolved for their local environments.

 

Madagascar: Cooking over grass pellets

Less than ten percent of Madagascar's original forests still stand. To get people to stop cutting down trees for firewood, a local organization uses a common grass to produce pellets that can be used as cooking fuel.

 

Melting ice created the perfect storm for a rapidly acidifying Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean has grown more acidic at a surprising rate in recent years, three times faster than the rest of the global ocean.

 

People in Greener Neighborhoods Have Significantly Better Mental Health, Study Finds

Research led by ISGlobal, the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, found that residents of the city had better markers for mental wellbeing when their living situations met certain criteria for access to greenery, yet fewer than 5 percent of city residents actually enjoyed that access.

 

Renewable Energy, Grid Investments Help Protect Utility Customers in New Mexico From Fossil Fuel Price Spikes

Fossil fuel prices have risen worldwide since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, but investments in renewable energy are helping the Public Service Company of New Mexico keep customers’ costs down.​

 

Harnessing the brain’s immune cells to stave off Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases

Many neurodegenerative diseases, or conditions that result from the loss of function or death of brain cells, remain largely untreatable. Most available treatments target just one of the multiple processes that can lead to neurodegeneration, which may not be effective in completely addressing disease symptoms or progress, if at all.

 

Our plastic ocean: infinite waste in boundless seas – in pictures

For more than a decade UK-based photographer Mandy Barker has been travelling the world and creating stark images of marine debris in a black ocean that aim to raise awareness of pollution of our seas. A touring gallery of her work will be on show at Gallery Oldham, Greater Manchester, from 10 December to 11 March 2023

 

Flocking to fire: Wildfires don't deter Americans from moving to at-risk regions

Americans are leaving many of the U.S. counties hit hardest by hurricanes and heatwaves—and moving towards dangerous wildfires and warmer temperatures, finds one of the largest studies of U.S. migration and natural disasters.

 

New branch on tree of life includes 'lions of the microbial world'

There's a new branch on the tree of life and it's made up of predators that nibble their prey to death.​

 

Household water wells are drying up in record numbers as California drought worsens

“I call it a silent disaster because it's not like hurricanes where everything is getting blown over," Fred Imfeld, 70, said of the well failures. "It's just like, one after another of these wells just keep popping dry, and if we have another hot summer like this year and last year, or [another year with little] rainfall, it's going to double.”

 

Flameproofing lithium-ion batteries with salt

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power phones, laptops, other personal electronics and electric cars, and are even used to store energy generated by solar panels. But if the temperature of these batteries rises too high, they stop working and can catch fire.

 

Futuristic fields: Europe's farm industry on cusp of robot revolution

From oxen to horses to tractors to robots: the European farm industry is poised to undergo another innovative disruption—this time brought about by artificial intelligence.

 

Germicidal UV lamps: A trade-off between disinfection and air quality

When winter chill strikes, people stay indoors more often, giving airborne pathogens—such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza—prime opportunities to spread. Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) lamps can help disinfect circulating air, but their UVC wavelengths could also transform airborne compounds into potentially harmful substances.

 

Study shows substantial rise in type 2 diabetes among young people over the past 30 years

Rates of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults globally rose substantially from 1990 to 2019, finds an analysis of the latest data from over 200 countries and regions in The BMJ today.

 

Rising temperatures causing distress to fetuses, study reveals

Rising temperatures driven by climate breakdown are causing distress to the foetuses of pregnant farmers, who are among the worst affected by global heating.

 

Rust-coated irrigation pipes hint at lack of nitrate in groundwater

Researchers have found that rust-coated irrigation pivots could signal an absence of nitrate in nearby groundwater -- and position them as a guidepost when monitoring for the contaminant, which has been linked with birth defects and cancers.

 

U.S. gun deaths and suicides reaching ‘unprecedented levels’ over last 20 years

Firearm-related violence and suicides have increased notably since the COVID-19 pandemic, but new research by a team at Emory University documents just how bad gun violence has become in America.

 

Anti-Tumor Effects Without Toxicities: Researchers Use a Spice To Treat Cancer

In cancer clinical studies, curcumin, a natural molecule related to turmeric, has been used to treat cancer patients. Despite its known antitumor effects, drug development has lagged due to challenges involving its chemistry. Now, a team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed a prodrug form of curcumin, TBP1901, that has shown anti-tumor effects without toxicities.

 

EPA begins monitoring Brooklyn's newest Superfund site for potentially toxic fumes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun monitoring the soil and air around New York City’s most recent Superfund site – the Meeker Avenue Plume in northern Brooklyn – for chemical levels that could pose a risk to human health.

 

Scientists Discover a New Ecosystem – “The Trapping Zone” – That Is Creating an Oasis of Life

Researchers from the University of Oxford and the Nekton Maldives Mission have discovered evidence of an ecosystem known as “The Trapping Zone” that is creating an oasis of life 500 meters (1640 feet) under the surface of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives Government has hailed the finding as highly significant.​

 

Schools stockpile medication to combat rise in fentanyl overdoses

Overdose deaths caused by fentanyl are on the rise across the country. It’s especially grim for young people, with more than 75 percent of adolescent overdose deaths in 2021 involving the powerful synthetic opioid. In response, many schools have stocked up on Narcan, a medication used to reverse overdoses.

 

Salt Lake City’s efforts to fight pollution face a new challenge: Toxic dust

Declining water levels exposed much of the Great Salt Lake's bed and created conditions for storms of dust laden with toxic metals that now threaten 2 million people.

 

4000 Tons Released Annually: Hazardous Herbicide Chemical Goes Airborne

“Dicamba drift,” or the movement of the herbicide dicamba through the atmosphere, can cause unintentional damage to surrounding plants. Other chemicals, usually amines, are added with dicamba to “lock” it in place and prevent it from volatilizing, or turning into a vapor that flows more readily in the atmosphere.

 

‘Eco’ wood burners produce 450 times more pollution than gas heating – report

“Ecodesign” wood burning stoves produce 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating, according to new data published in a report from Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England.​

 

Children being overmedicated — and school may be to blame: ADHD diagnoses, meds twice as likely in youngest students

A child’s birthday may reveal how likely they are to take ADHD medication. A new study finds the youngest children in school — meaning that they’re born later in the calendar year — are significantly more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis and start taking prescription drugs.

 

Yellowstone mysteries: Brain-altering parasite affecting wolves, ancient supervolcano closer to eruption?

What’s going on at Yellowstone National Park? Researchers have discovered that local wolves are carrying strange parasites which make the predators more likely to take risks. At the same time, a separate study has found that there’s even more liquid magma hidden under the Wyoming park’s ancient supervolcano — sparking renewed fears of a future eruption.

 

Why Pomegranate Juice is 'Roto-Rooter' for the Arteries

Millions take toxic cholesterol and blood pressure lowering drugs that may do nothing to reduce heart disease specific mortality. Pomegranate juice, on the other hand, actually reverses underlying pathologies of the cardiovascular system that lead to bypass surgeries and heart attacks.

 

Organic Farming Produces Better Yields During Droughts, Higher Profits for Farmers, 40-Year Report Shows

Organic systems achieve 3-6 times the profit of conventional production and 40% higher yields during stressful drought periods, according to the longest-running investigation comparing organic and conventional grain-cropping approaches in North America.

 

Men are slowly losing their Y chromosome

The sex of human and other mammal babies is decided by a male-determining gene on the Y chromosome. But the human Y chromosome is degenerating and may disappear in a few million years, leading to our extinction unless we evolve a new sex gene.

 

More than 100 scientists accuse WHO of ignoring risks of “forever chemicals” on human health

A group of more than 100 scientists has accused the World Health Organization (WHO) of turning a blind eye on the risks of forever chemicals on human health.

 

Sustainable silk fashion

Farmers in Switzerland have revived an old local tradition of silk production. First, they had to get reacquainted with breeding silkworms and growing mulberry trees for them to feed on.

 

Nanoparticles From Food Additives Can Reach Babies In The Womb, Cause Food Allergies

Nanotechnology has rapidly transformed food production, manufacturing, and processing in recent years, with the goal of enhancing food safety and health. However, new research suggests that their use in making foods safer could have unexpected health consequences for babies. An international team has found evidence that nanoparticles can cross the placenta during pregnancy and reach the fetus, putting infants at higher risk of developing potentially life-threatening food allergies after birth.

 

Boost Your Cardiometabolic Health With 5 Delicious Treats

Choosing foods that are good for you doesn't have to be a chore. These five foods are as tasty as they are beneficial for improving your cardiometabolic health

 

The Rampaging Avian Influenza Is Entering Unknown Territory

Highly lethal and spreading widely, the avian flu outbreak has scientists wondering what it will do next.​

 

Deal at N.J. Superfund site draws fire

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced Monday that the German chemical manufacturer BASF would settle claims for damages done to natural resources at its former Ciba-Geigy Corp. plant in Toms River. But while the state hailed the deal as a “turnaround story,” critics are already concerned that community members will have limited involvement in the process.

 

Weasels, not pandas, should be the poster animal for biodiversity loss

At the United Nations biodiversity conference that opens in Montreal on Dec. 7, 2022, nations aim to create a new global framework for transforming humanity’s relationship with nature. The conference logo features a human reaching to embrace a panda – but from an ecological perspective, a weasel or badger would be a more appropriate choice.

 

Former Superfund Site Becomes Largest Landfill Solar Farm in North America

Twenty years ago, the Combe Fill North Landfill in Mount Olive Township, New Jersey, was a Superfund site. Now, it’s the largest landfill solar project in North America.

 

‘Forever chemicals’ polluters could soon face new limits

The Environmental Protection Agency today released guidance identifying ways states can curb industrial polluters’ release of PFAS into water, including through Clean Water Act permit limits.

 

Israel's Dead Sea filled with microplastics, garbage - study

Huge amounts of plastic waste have been discovered at the mouth of the Kidron Stream that abuts the Dead Sea’s waterline according to researchers from the University of Haifa’s Charney School of Marine Sciences who studied impurities in the salty lake.

 

Developed Countries with 18% of World Population Responsible for 49% of Pesticide Hazard Footprint

A recent study from Australian researchers has investigated pesticide use through an unusual lens — by quantifying the environmental footprints of pesticide use in 82 countries and territories (and eight regions), and then concluding that international trade drives significant pesticide use.

 

Singapore Scientists Develop Technique To Turn Trash Into Battery Parts

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, scientists have developed a technique to convert waste paper, from single-use packaging and bags, and cardboard boxes, into a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries.

 

Visualized: The Many Shapes of Bacteria

They were the first form of life to appear on Earth almost 3.8 billion years ago. They make up the second most abundant lifeform, only outweighed by plants. And most interesting of all: they exist in practically every environment on our planet, including areas where no other lifeforms can survive.

 

From flickering fireflies to lowly dung beetles, insects are vanishing

As human activities rapidly transform the planet, the global insect population is declining at an unprecedented rate of up to 2% per year. Amid deforestation, pesticide use, artificial light pollution and climate change, these critters are struggling — along with the crops, flowers and other animals that rely on them to survive.

 

Should we protect nature for its own sake? For its economic value? Because it makes us happy? Yes

Extinction is part of life on Earth. Through much of our planet’s history, species have been forming, evolving and eventually disappearing. Today, however, human activities have dramatically sped up the process. The Earth is losing animals, birds, reptiles and other living things so fast that some scientists believe the planet is entering the sixth mass extinction in its history.

 

There’s No Sound More Annoying Than Noisy Neighbors, According To Science, And It Could Kill You!

Noisy and inconsiderate neighbors aren’t just a problem for someone’s ears and quality of life — a new study finds their constant annoying sounds may even cause heart disease!

 

Could POTATOES hold the cure for cancer?

Polish researchers say studies have suggested glycoalkaloids, naturally occurring chemicals also found in peppers, goji berries and huckleberries, posses some cancer-fighting properties.

 

A New Alternative To Single Use Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic waste is a huge environmental issue and also a potential health concern because of related pollution with microplastics and nano-plastics. Around 90% of the plastic that is theoretically recyclable isn’t actually handled that way because of a lack of sorting options, contamination issues, and economics that favor the use of virgin plastic.

 

A Superfund Christmas in Picher: A parade in a ghost town

Picher is the center of Tar Creek Superfund site, an area of 40 square miles of lead- and zinc-contaminated land, in northern Ottawa County. For years, the area was at the top of the EPA’s Superfund list after mining companies departed and left countless environmental and medical problems.

 

Drug overdoses among pregnant women have spiked 180 PERCENT in five years with 427 deaths in 2020, data shows

Drug overdose deaths among pregnant women have nearly tripled in five years, a study suggests.

 

DuPont loses challenge over cancer victim's $40 mln verdict in PFAS case

A federal appeals court has upheld a $40 million verdict for a cancer survivor who sued E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co after years of exposure to a toxic chemical that it manufactured.

 

Spicing Up Your Meals Could Be One Simple Way to Build a Healthier Gut

A handful of peanuts and a few pinches of herbs and spices could possibly give your gut a healthy boost, according to two separate studies from Penn State University in the US.

 

Plan to clean up toxic hot spots in DC’s Anacostia River faces upstream threats

Fishing can be a solitary sport, but not so much when it’s done for science.

 

Following insect 'footprints' to improve crop resilience and monitor pollinator biodiversity

Bees and other insects leave behind tiny "footprints" of environmental DNA on plants each time they visit, giving researchers a way of tracking where insects have been, and offering clues on how to help them flourish.

 

Covid restrictions messed up children's balance because they spent so much time on screens, study warns

School closures threw young people's lives into chaos and were linked to a rise in social problems, mental health issues, and stunted development. Now, a study has found that closures also affected children's ability to balance because they spent more time engrossed in technology and not enough time playing outside with peers.

 

EPA Issues Guidance to States to Reduce Harmful PFAS Pollution

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a memorandum to states that provides direction on how to use the nation’s bedrock clean water permitting program to protect against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The guidance released today, which outlines how states can monitor for PFAS discharges and take steps to reduce them where they are detected, is part of the Agency’s holistic approach to addressing these harmful forever chemicals under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

 

Harvesting light to grow food and clean energy together

People are increasingly trying to grow both food and clean energy on the same land to help meet the challenges of climate change, drought and a growing global population that just topped 8 billion. This effort includes agrivoltaics, in which crops are grown under the shade of solar panels, ideally with less water.

 

What would a green World Cup look like?

What would it take to really make the World Cup, and other sports mega-events, a genuine part of a low-carbon world?

 

Brunswick takes Honeywell to court over decades of pollution

The City of Brunswick is suing Honeywell and Georgia Power over pollutants on city property that allegedly came from the companies’ nearby industrial activity beginning in the 1950s. A federal Superfund site established in 1996 to clean up the pollutants does not include city property.

 

Ex-colleague: Brian Simmons you knew — mentally ill after workplace radiation exposure — not real Brian Simmons

This is an open letter to the people of Maricopa who knew Brian Simmons or who followed his story. I am Ralph Stanton. I was Brian’s friend and coworker. We worked at the Zero Power Physics Reactor Facility as Nuclear Facility Operators at the Idaho National Laboratory.

 

Feds said salmon is safe to eat — but didn't consider Native diets

Due to chemical pollution, the treaty-protected fish in the Columbia River Basin pose health risks for Indigenous tribes.

 

Hartford has gone from 1st in lead poisoning in CT to 4th with help of an annual federal grant

Hartford has gone from the worst city in the state for the number of lead poisoning cases to the fourth worst, and that progress has been fueled in part by the help of federal grants over the last 20 years, Liany Arroyo, Hartford director of health and human services told a Hartford City Council committee Monday night.

 

Brain cancer after radiation exposure from CT examinations of children and young adults: results from the EPI-CT cohort study

The European EPI-CT study aims to quantify cancer risks from CT examinations of children and young adults. Here, we assess the risk of brain cancer.

 

How a dangerous stew of air pollution is choking the United States

Fires and droughts in the western states are getting worse — and they’re combining with industrial sources to threaten air quality and people’s health.

 

Warming climate prompts harmful oxygen loss in lakes

Rondaxe Lake in Herkimer County, New York, represents classic Adirondack Park waters. But over the last quarter-century, Rondaxe – like thousands of lakes in temperate zones around the world – has been losing a global-warming battle to maintain oxygen in its waters.

 

VA offers toxic exposure screenings to enrolled veterans

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and clinics across the country are now offering enrolled veterans toxic exposure screenings.

 

E-cigarette maker Juul reaches settlement with 10,000 plaintiffs

US e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs said on Tuesday it had reached a settlement with about 10,000 plaintiffs in California after the company was accused of marketing its products to teenagers.

 

Military refuses to release video of toxic spill at Red Hill, sowing new suspicion and concern

The state Health Department is demanding that the military release video of the latest spill at the Red Hill fuel facility. Last week, military leaders said there was no video of the toxic spill of firefighting foam concentrate.

 

Geoengineering the ocean to fight climate change raises serious environmental justice questions

Heat waves, droughts and extreme weather are endangering people and ecosystems somewhere in the world almost every day. These extremes are exacerbated by climate change, driven primarily by increasing emissions of greenhouse gases that build up in the atmosphere and trap heat at the Earth’s surface.​

 

How safe is the tap water on Long Island? New map shows amount of toxic chemicals

How safe is your tap water? It's easier now for Long Island residents to find out. An environmental group has launched an interactive map that shows the amount of some toxic chemicals in the public water supply.

 

Revealed: Nearly 100 potential PFAS-polluted sites in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia from fracking waste

Waste from fracking wells that used PFAS – commonly known as “forever chemicals”– has been dumped at dozens of sites across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia — all of which could face contamination of soil, groundwater and drinking water as a result.

 

Researchers find that brains with more vitamin D function better

An estimated 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, a number that's expected to rise as the global population ages. To find treatments that can slow or stop the disease, scientists need to better understand the factors that can cause dementia.

 

Forest Resilience Linked with Higher Mortality Risk in Western U.S., Study Finds

A forest’s resilience, or ability to absorb environmental disturbances, has long been thought to be a boost for its odds of survival against the looming threat of climate change. But a new study suggests that for some Western U.S. forests, it’s quite the opposite.

 

Monsanto’s Poison Playbook: How the Chemical Giant Sold the World on a Toxic Pesticide

A new report, “Merchants of Poison: How Monsanto Sold the World on a Toxic Pesticide,” illuminates the disinformation, science denial and manufactured doubt at the core of the pesticide industry’s public relations playbook.

 

Chile on alert as active volcano rumbles, spits fire

Chile's snow-capped Villarrica volcano has been shaken by earthquakes and is belching fire, placing authorities on alert for a possible eruption in a picturesque area beloved by tourists.

 

Mapped: Global Energy Prices, by Country in 2022

For some countries, energy prices hit historic levels in 2022. Gasoline, electricity, and natural gas prices skyrocketed as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ruptured global energy supply chains. Households and businesses are facing higher energy bills amid extreme price volatility. Uncertainty surrounding the war looms large, and winter heating costs are projected to soar.

 

How To Grow Tomatoes Indoors

It’s pretty standard wisdom that there are few things better tasting than homegrown tomatoes! Granted, some people don’t like tomatoes, but for those of us who do, the taste of a fresh tomato from the garden simply cannot compare to store-bought. But what do we do once the garden is done? Perhaps you’ve begun to question how to grow tomatoes indoors?

 

Turmeric: One of the world’s most powerful superfoods

Dubbed the golden spice of life, turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of the world’s most powerful superfoods. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and contains more than 300 naturally occurring plant nutrients. Curcuminoids, phytonutrients naturally found in turmeric, are five to eight times more potent than vitamins C and E.

 

Post-lockdown auto emissions can’t hide in the grass

University of California scientists have a new way to demonstrate which neighborhoods returned to pre-pandemic levels of air pollution after COVID restrictions ended.

 

Plants can adapt their lignin using “chemically encoding” enzymes to face climate change

A new study shows how plants “encode” specific chemistries of their lignin to grow tall and sustain climate changes: each plant cell uses different combinations of the enzymes LACCASEs to create specific lignin chemistries. These results can be used both in agriculture and in forestry for selecting plants with the best chemistry to resist climate challenges.

 

Old-Growth Trees Show Higher Drought Resistance Than Younger Trees Study Highlights Importance of Conserving Old-Growth Forests

Reforestation has been identified as a potential nature-based solution to mitigate climate change in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report.

 

Want to Help Reduce PFC Emissions? Recycle Those Cans

Aluminum, unlike plastic, is infinitely recyclable. An aluminum can you drink from today may have been a different aluminum can just months ago and, if continually recycled, could be used to make a can 20 years from now.

 

10 Years Later, a Return Trip to ‘Walkable City’

In an excerpt from the book’s new 10th anniversary edition, author and urban planner Jeff Speck looks at how the streets of US cities have changed.

 

Urban trees can end up in landfills. These companies are trying to change that

If a tree has to be cut down, it often becomes waste. Some people are now using that urban wood as a resource, turning those trees into furniture, bridges, and even guitars.

 

Making Nature Less Predictable

In their fight against the homogenization of nature, scientists and farmers are walking well-worn paths and using innovative approaches to help bring native pollinators back to California.

 

NC says utilities must buy power fueled by poultry waste. Here’s the problem.

Roughly 250,000 North Carolinians now live within a half mile of a poultry farm. If your family has lived on the same land for generations and one day a neighbor starts building big poultry barns, there is practically nothing you can do to protect yourself from the stink, buzzards and other nuisances that may soon float your way.

 

The Earth Has a Microbiome — And It Needs Help

Soil’s microbial communities keep it healthy, just like the one in our guts. But new research finds we’re not doing a good enough job of protecting it.

 

Why Etna went green

“Etna, like many river towns, faces flooding challenges as a full third of the borough lies in a flood plain, making Etna, as the running joke goes, Wetna,” Fitzgerald wrote in a proclamation. “Mary Ellen moved her entire community to a conversation on sustainability, addressing stormwater and flooding along the way.”

 

‘We are at war with nature’: UN environment chief warns of biodiversity apocalypse

The UN’s environment chief has warned that “we are at war with nature” and must “make peace”, as countries gather at Cop15 in Montreal to agree a deal to protect the planet’s biodiversity.

 

Why American Aluminum Plants Emit Far More Pollution Than Some of Their Counterparts Abroad

Century Aluminum Sebree, a series of long, metal buildings built along the Green River nearly half a century ago, is the largest emitter of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) from aluminum production in the United States.

 

Plastic microfibers in the Mediterranean Sea are keeping bacteria afloat

Nearly 200 species of bacteria, including ones that can poison humans, were identified on microfiber pollution.

 

This new magnetic powder can capture microplastics in water

When plastic waste breaks down into tiny fragments, it can’t be detected at wastewater treatment plants. This new material can help.

 

Is jute the new plastic?

With single-use plastics banned in many countries, there is a growing demand for jute bags, an environmentally friendly alternative. Jute is also an eco-friendly crop to grow. India is one of the world's largest producers of jute, but the industry is beset by challenges.

 

Ranchers, greens on edge as BLM rewrites grazing rule

For the first time in almost three decades, the Bureau of Land Management is preparing a new rule to guide its management of cows and other livestock grazing on federal lands, a long divisive issue that has only grown more contentious in the West after two decades of drought.

 

Most and Least Energy Efficient States: Where Does Your State Rank?

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit research organization, has measured and ranked energy efficiency in each state. The ranking is based on a selection of holistic factors that consider the policies, initiatives and advancements toward energy conservation in each state. How does your state stack up?

 

Ocean Health: Environmental Pollutants Threaten Humpback Whale Reproduction and Offspring

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)—including banned pesticides—present a health risk to humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), according to a study published in Environmental Pollution. Regarding female humpback whales, levels of POPs in blubber are higher in juveniles and subadults than in adults, primarily from the transference of contaminants from the mother to her calf.

 

How to Host a Sustainable Holiday Party

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and your calendar is probably filling up with holiday parties and festive gatherings. While a time for enjoying food and sharing gifts with loved ones, the holidays are also a disproportionately wasteful time; between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s estimated that Americans produce 25% more waste than any other time of the year.

 

Los Angeles Bans New Oil Drilling, Will Phase Out Current Wells

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Friday to ban new oil and methane gas drilling, and phase out existing wells within 20 years.

 

Whistleblower: Largest maker of wood pellets claim of ‘being good for the planet… all nonsense’

Enviva is the largest maker of wood pellets burned for energy in the world. The company has, from its inception, touted its green credentials.

 

The biodiversity crisis in numbers - a visual guide

Despite humanity’s many technological advances, we can only manage a well-informed guess at the true extent of life on Earth: 8.7 million species, according to the most commonly cited figure, with other estimates ranging between 5.3 million and one trillion.

 

Stop burning trees to make energy, say 650 scientists before Cop15 biodiversity summit

More than 650 scientists are urging world leaders to stop burning trees to make energy because it destroys valuable habitats for wildlife.

 

Shorter days affect the mood of millions of Americans – a nutritional neuroscientist offers tips on how to avoid the winter blues

The annual pattern of winter depression and melancholy – better known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD – suggests a strong link between your mood and the amount of light you get during the day.

 

Neuralink faces federal inquiry after killing 1,500 animals in testing

Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a medical device company, is under federal investigation for potential animal-welfare violations amid internal staff complaints that its animal testing is being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and sources familiar with the investigation and company operations.

 

The Brains of Teenagers Look Disturbingly Different After Lockdown

The stress of living through pandemic lockdowns has accelerated aging in the brains of teenagers. The effects are similar to those previously observed as a result of violence, neglect, and family dysfunction.​

 

Spectacular flower with unique color-changing abilities may hold the key to feeding the world

A spectacular flower that changes colors during its life cycle — and can change back again! — may hold the key to feeding the world, according to new research.

 

Pandoravirus: The melting Arctic is releasing ancient germs—how worried should we be?

Scientists have recently revived several large viruses that had been buried in the frozen Siberian ground (permafrost) for tens of thousands of years.

 

Organic aerosols in remote regions are forming clouds and may have an underestimated effect on climate change

A research group from Nagoya University in Japan has developed a model to clarify the importance of analyzing the formation of clouds from human and natural particles. Since many climate models simplify the formation of atmospheric particles from organic vapors, these findings could lead to more accurate predictions of climate change and global warming.

 

Alternatives to menthol cigarettes pose significant addiction and health risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should extend the ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars to include potential substitutes like menthol pipe tobacco and cigarette tubes, say researchers at Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies and The Ohio State University.

 

4 Hygiene Tips to Kick Off National Handwashing Awareness Week

To kick off National Handwashing Awareness Week which takes place Dec. 4-10, Cintas Corporation sat down with hand hygiene expert and founder of Henry the Hand Foundation, Dr. William Sawyer, to discuss the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness.

 

There's a lithium mining boom, but it's not a jobs bonanza

The town of Tonopah, Nev., was born out of a silver rush. A frantic race to extract a natural resource created a town of more than 10,000 people — for a while.

 

North Carolina, other states aiming to stop plastic pollution at the source

As landfills across America reach capacity, a growing number of states are passing extended producer responsibility laws to curb waste at the source. Meanwhile, Orange County aims to reach zero waste by 2045.

 

Small Lakes Keep Growing Across The Planet, And It's a Serious Problem

A new study has revealed that small lakes on Earth have expanded considerably over the last four decades – a worrying development, considering the amount of greenhouse gases freshwater reservoirs emit.​

 

New study finds that 70% of Florida's coral reefs are eroding

A new study has found that 70% of Florida's reefs are eroding and experiencing net loss of reef habitat.​

 

Researchers propose new structures to harvest untapped source of freshwater

An almost limitless supply of fresh water exists in the form of water vapor above Earth's oceans, yet remains untapped, researchers said. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the first to suggest an investment in new infrastructure capable of harvesting oceanic water vapor as a solution to limited supplies of fresh water in various locations around the world.

 

One solution to the Salton Sea crisis: Build an underground tunnel to the Pacific Ocean

Due to the western U.S. drought and increased water use, there is a declining amount of water available in the Colorado River to maintain agriculture, enable the lithium recovery industry, or to restore the Salton Sea. The Coachella Valley Water District’s board of directors has recently voted to cut back on groundwater replenishment, the sole source of city water, according to a recent Desert Sun story.

 

More magma found below Yellowstone Caldera than expected

A team of researchers with members affiliated with multiple institutions in the U.S. and one in Australia reports evidence that there is much more magma below the Yellowstone Caldera than previously thought.​

 

X-rays reveal elusive chemistry for better electric vehicle batteries

Researchers around the world are on a mission to relieve a bottleneck in the clean energy revolution: batteries. From electric vehicles to renewable grid-scale energy storage, batteries are at the heart of society's most crucial green innovations—but they need to pack more energy to make these technologies widespread and practical.

 

Household air purifiers improve heart health among individuals with COPD, researchers find

A six-month study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers concludes that the use of portable home air purifiers can improve some markers of cardiovascular health in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. People suffering from COPD often experience shortness of breath, chest tightness and chronic cough.

 

Teen Marijuana Poisonings Have Skyrocketed. How to Keep Your Child Safe

Cannabis might still be banned federally, but most U.S. adults (88%) say it should be legal, according to a Nov. 22 Pew Research Center poll—and in nearly half of states, it is. Like any psychoactive substance, however, cannabis comes with some health risks, especially for children and adolescents.

 

December serving up baked Alaska and warming most of Arctic

Much of the Arctic is in a burst of freak December warming. In Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northernmost community formerly known as Barrow, it hit 40 degrees (4.4 degrees Celsius) Monday morning. That’s not only a record by six degrees (3.3 degrees Celsius) but it’s the warmest that region has seen on record from late October to late April, according to Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

 

A dangerous pesticide isn't being monitored in key bird of prey populations. We're shedding light on that gap

It was once regarded as a miracle chemical to protect against disease and improve global food production. The man who discovered its properties even won a Nobel Prize for medicine. But today, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is best known for its devastating effects on the environment, as well as on animal and human health.

 

Study finds both habitat quality and biodiversity can impact bee health

Efforts to promote the future health of both wild bees and managed honeybee colonies need to consider specific habitat needs, such as the density of wildflowers.

 

A zoologist explains why the project to resurrect the wooly mammoth should go extinct

Over the past couple of decades, a handful of de-extinction projects have explored the potential of "resurrecting" the wooly mammoth. The term is a bit misleading: Rather than resurrecting an extinct species, the process would essentially modify the genome of an existing species in order to give it traits an extinct species once possessed. The British zoologist Matthew Cobb argues that the primary focus of conservation efforts needs to be on the prevention of species loss, not on de-extinction.​

 

Eating Just Over 2 Cups Of Grapes May Help Prevent Sunburns And Skin Cancer

Eating grapes can help stop people from getting sunburn, according to a new study.

 

Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Your Blood? New Research Could Identify the Source.

New research could help pinpoint how people are exposed to “forever chemicals,” giving communities a roadmap for cleanup and individuals direction on how to avoid the chemicals, which are linked to a host of health issues.

 

Biodiversity unbalanced as ice-free Antarctic areas grow

A study into the impact of global warming on the biodiversity of the Antarctic has identified how predicted expansion of ice-free areas will impact native animals and plants, paving the way for the invasion of non-native species in Antarctica.

 

Major fires an increasing risk as the air gets thirstier, research shows

Greater atmospheric demand for water means a dramatic increase in the risk of major fires in global forests unless we take urgent and effective climate action, new research finds.

 

World Soil Day: U of G Testing Technique Promises Healthier Soil, Food

Dec. 5 is World Soil Day, and University of Guelph researchers are working hard to give soil the recognition it deserves.

 

Who Needs or Wants GMOs? Not the Public, Not India’s Farmers

Many scientists lobbying for the deregulation of agricultural biotechnology ‘new genomic techniques’ (NGTs) in the European Union have either direct or indirect interests in commercialising and marketing new genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They have patents or patent applications or other connections to the seed industry.

 

What happened to autumn?

What happened to autumn? From hot to flash freeze, welcome to weather warfare. "Officials fear complete doomsday scenario for drought stricken Colorado River", the same is happening all over the world and this is just the beginning.

 

The Cold War Legacy Lurking in U.S. Groundwater

In America’s rush to build the nuclear arsenal that won the Cold War, safety was sacrificed for speed.​

 

EPA delays cleanup of Brooklyn’s toxic Newtown Creek Superfund site until 2032

The Newtown Creek is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the nation, fouled by more than a century of sewage overflows, oil spills and industrial waste. The coastline of this 3.8-mile waterway, located along the border of Brooklyn and Queens, is lined with wastewater facilities, factories, warehouses and oil storage tanks. Coming up with a plan to clean this toxic estuary may now take five years longer than expected.

 

Clamshells Face the Acid Test

As acidification threatens shellfish along North America’s Pacific Coast, Indigenous sea gardens offer solutions.

 

The world’s insurance bill from natural disasters this year: $115 billion

Extreme weather events have caused an estimated $115 billion in insured financial losses around the world this year according to Swiss Re, the Zurich-based reinsurance giant. That’s 42 percent higher than the 10-year average of $81 billion.

 

A tiny Wisconsin town tried to stop pollution from factory farms. Then it got sued.

The small community of Laketown, Wisconsin, home to just over 1,000 people and 18 lakes, is again at the center of a battle over how communities can regulate large, industrial farming operations in their backyards.

 

Vermont’s dairy farms recede, giving way to shrimp, saffron and new ideas

As climate and other factors make milk and maple syrup harder to produce, a raft of new crops and farm businesses see an opportunity

 

'Agrovoltacis' in Israel's desert used to fight hunger

A unique project on a small piece of land in the desert of Israel could be a game-changer in the fight against world hunger and the consequences of climate change.

 

Europe's biggest floating solar park

In its effort to go green, Portugal has built Europe's largest floating solar park. The buoyant platforms are constructed in Spain out of recycled polythene plastic and cork.

 

Photos: Newcomer farmers in Brazil embrace bees, agroforestry and find success

New female farmers that are part of Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) are embracing beekeeping and agroforestry on land that was previously unproductive and worn out by pesticides and fertilizers. ​

 

Agroforestry 101: Everything You Need to Know

The practice of agroforestry, from a broad perspective, is farming with trees, but looking at it more closely, it’s a land management system that capitalizes on the biological interconnectedness of trees, crops and livestock to create thriving ecosystems.

 

Telling Americans to ‘eat better’ doesn’t work. We must make healthier food

For decades public health authorities have encouraged us to choose healthier foods – yet most choices available to Americans are bad ones

 

Addressing Climate Change Will Not “Save the Planet”

The dismal reality is that green energy will save not the complex web of life on Earth but the particular way of life of one domineering species.

 

An Indigenous reservation has a novel way to grow food – below the earth’s surface

Underground greenhouses are helping people to take back control of their nutrition and ease farming amid the climate crisis

 

Suffer from IBS? Blame gravity, scientists say

The only way some people may be able to prevent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is to literally change the laws of physics! Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say the hidden cause of IBS could be gravity itself.

 

National Handwashing Awareness Week Promotes Proper Hand Hygiene

National Handwashing Awareness Week kicked off on December 4 this year and will continue through December 10. The week, which helps promote proper hand hygiene through education within schools, was established by Dr. William Sawyer, a hand hygiene expert and the founder of Henry the Hand Foundation.​

 

Green Seal Releases Standard for Reducing Virgin Plastic in Trash Bags

Green Seal released for public comment a draft certification standard to recognize trash bags and can liners that use less virgin plastic while maintaining top performance. This standard introduces the new concept of plastic efficiency, which prioritizes the result – curbing virgin plastic use – over the method used to achieve it.

 

EPA proposal will expand polluter reporting of ‘forever chemical’ discharges

Today the Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed rule removing a loophole that has allowed companies to shirk their obligation to report the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS under the Toxics Release Inventory.