ScienceDaily: Sustainability News

Pinpointing how nature's benefits link to human well-being

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

What people take from nature -- water, food, timber, inspiration, relaxation -- are so abundant, it seems self-evident. Until you try to quantitatively understand how and to what extent they contribute to humans.

Top 10 new species of 2012

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:39:39 EDT

An amazing glow-in-the-dark cockroach, a harp-shaped carnivorous sponge and the smallest vertebrate on Earth are just three of the newly discovered top 10 species selected by a global committee of taxonomists.

Engineers devise new way to produce clean hydrogen

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:39:39 EDT

Engineers have developed a novel method for producing clean hydrogen, which could prove essential to weaning society off of fossil fuels and their environmental implications.

Changing Arctic: What should be done?

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:57:57 EDT

In two critical reports released at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Kiruna, Sweden on May 15th, scientists helped inform an international body of senior government officials about changing conditions in the Arctic, and potential responses to those changes.

Cotton offers a new ecologically friendly way to clean up oil spills

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:38:38 EDT

With the Deepwater Horizon disaster emphasizing the need for better ways of cleaning up oil spills, scientists are reporting that unprocessed, raw cotton may be an ideal, ecologically friendly answer, with an amazing ability to sop up oil.

Learning to recycle: Does political ideology matter?

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:27:27 EDT

Some targeted messages based on political orientation are more effective at persuading consumers to recycle according to a new study.

Land management options outlined to address cheatgrass invasion

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:33:33 EDT

A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe, one of North America's most endangered ecosystems. Researchers said one of the most effective restoration approaches would be to minimize the cumulative impact of grazing, by better managing the timing, frequency of grazing and number of animals.

As Canada takes Arctic Council helm, experts stress north's vulnerability to spills, emergencies

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:33:33 EDT

It is crucial that northern nations strengthen response capabilities to shipping-related accidents foreseen in newly-opened northern waters, as well as to more-common local emergencies such as floods, forest fires and rescue situations, experts say.

New Red List developed for threatened ecosystems

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:21:21 EDT

Scientists have developed a new Red List system for identifying ecosystems at high risk of degradation, similar to the influential Red List for the world's threatened species.

Setting the standard for sustainable bioenergy crops

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:19:19 EDT

Bioenergy crops, such as Miscanthus and switchgrass, appear to be promising resources for renewable energy, but these new crops did not come with a manual on how to measure details on their sustainability impacts.

Value in concentrating solar power to add to electric grid calculated

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:58:58 EDT

Researchers have quantified the significant value that concentrating solar power plants can add to an electric grid.

Some 'green' hot water systems fail to deliver on promises, study shows

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:29:29 EDT

A new research paper reports that hot water recirculating systems touted as "green" actually use both more energy and water than their standard counterparts.

New plant protein discoveries could ease global food and fuel demands

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:19:19 EDT

New discoveries of the way plants transport important substances across their biological membranes to resist toxic metals and pests, increase salt and drought tolerance, control water loss and store sugar can have profound implications for increasing the supply of food and energy for our rapidly growing global population.

Better wheat varieties in the future? Wheat genome shows resistance genes easy to access

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:35:35 EDT

Scientists have developed a physical map of wheat's wild ancestor, Aegilops tauschii, commonly called goatgrass. It's the first huge step toward sequencing the wheat genome -- a complete look at wheat's genetic matter. The work showed among other things, that most resistance genes seem to lie at the ends of chromosomes and can be easily accessed. The findings can lead to breeding of more productive and sustainable wheat varieties.

Ecological knowledge offers perspectives for sustainable agriculture

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:24:24 EDT

A smart combination of different crops, such as beans and maize, can significantly cut the use of crop protection agents and at the same time reduce the need for fertilizers. Integrating ecological knowledge from nature with knowledge of crops opens up the prospect of a sustainable strategy that will increase yield per hectare at reduced environmental costs.

Europe needs genetically engineered crops, scientists say

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

The European Union cannot meet its goals in agricultural policy without embracing genetically engineered crops. That's the conclusion of scientists based on case studies showing that the EU is undermining its own competitiveness in the agricultural sector to its own detriment and that of its humanitarian activities in the developing world.

A simple solution to air pollution from wood-burning cookstoves

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:26:26 EDT

Wood-burning cookstoves, used by millions of people worldwide, cause air pollution, disease and death. A team of university students studied the problem and came up with a simple, low-cost solution: better ventilation.

Humans passing drug resistance to wildlife in protected areas in Africa

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:55:55 EDT

Researchers have discovered that humans are passing antibiotic resistance to wildlife, especially in protected areas where numbers of humans are limited. In the case of banded mongoose in a Botswana study, multidrug resistance among study social groups, or troops, was higher in the protected area than in troops living in village areas. The study also reveals that humans and mongoose appear to be readily exchanging fecal microorganisms, increasing the potential for disease transmission.

Strengthening legumes to tackle fertilizer pollution

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:19:19 EDT

Scientists create the first model of legume iron transportation aimed at maximizing nitrogen fixation, even in poor soil.

New material approach should increase solar cell efficiency

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:58:58 EDT

A new research group brought together aspects of condensed matter physics, semiconductor device engineering, and photochemistry to develop a new form of high-performance solar photocatalyst based on the combination of the TiO2 (titanium dioxide) and other "metallic" oxides that greatly enhance the visible light absorption and promote more efficient utilization of the solar spectrum for energy applications.

Is pet ownership sustainable?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:11:11 EDT

There has been much talk about sustainability, but little attention has been paid to its nutritional aspects. Scientists have raised a number of important questions on the sustainability of pet ownership.

Turning algae into clean energy and fish food; helping Africans to irrigate crops

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:17:17 EDT

Two student teams working hard to move their “green” ideas off the drawing board and into the real world will showcase their progress.

Surprising findings on hydrogen production in green algae

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:24:24 EDT

New research fuels hope of efficient hydrogen production with green algae may be possible in the future, despite the prevailing scepticism based on previous research.

The future of our energy

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:48:48 EDT

When it comes to sustainable energy supplies hydroelectric plants are usually the best solution, according to researchers who have reviewed the economic, social and environmental impact of fuel provision.

Chickens with bigger gizzards are more efficient

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:02:02 EDT

According to animal scientists, farmers could further protect the environment by breeding chickens with larger digestive organs. This research could solve a major problem in poultry production.

'Sustainable fishing' certification too lenient and discretionary

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:49:49 EDT

The certification of seafood as “sustainable” by the nonprofit Marine Stewardship Council is too lenient and discretionary, a study by a consortium of researchers has found.

Spring rains bring life to Midwest granaries but foster Gulf of Mexico 'Dead Zone'

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:56:56 EDT

The most serious ongoing water pollution problem in the Gulf of Mexico originates not from oil rigs, as many people believe, but rainstorms and fields of corn and soybeans a thousand miles away in the Midwest. An expert on that problem -- the infamous Gulf of Mexico "Dead Zone" -- today called for greater awareness of the connections between rainfall and agriculture in the Midwest and the increasingly severe water quality problems in the gulf.

Population boom poses interconnected challenges of energy, food, water

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:26:26 EDT

Mention great challenges in feeding a soaring world population, and thoughts turn to providing a bare subsistence diet for poverty-stricken people in developing countries. But an expert described a parallel and often-overlooked challenge of feeding a larger middle class.

High salt levels in Saharan groundwater endanger oases farming

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:38:38 EDT

For more than 40 years, snowmelt and runoff from Morocco's High Atlas Mountains has been dammed and redirected hundreds of kilometers to the south to irrigate oases farms in the arid, sub-Saharan Draa Basin. But a new study finds that far from alleviating water woes for the six farm oases in the basin, the inflow of imported water has exacerbated problems by dramatically increasing the natural saltiness of their groundwater.

Engineering algae to make the 'wonder material' nanocellulose for biofuels and more

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:29:29 EDT

Genes from the family of bacteria that produce vinegar, Kombucha tea and nata de coco have become stars in a project -- which scientists today said has reached an advanced stage -- that would turn algae into solar-powered factories for producing the "wonder material" nanocellulose. They have now reported on advances in getting those genes to produce fully functional nanocellulose.

Turning tires into gas for energy and new, valuable materials

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:15:15 EDT

Tire recycling represents an untapped opportunity, that may prove a success if processing costs do not become prohibitive.

Breakthrough in hydrogen fuel production could revolutionize alternative energy market

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:41:41 EDT

Researchers have discovered a way to extract large quantities of hydrogen from any plant, a breakthrough that has the potential to bring a low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel source to the world.

Research examines ancient Puebloans and the myth of maize

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:24:24 EDT

New research shows that perhaps the ancient Puebloans weren't as into the maize craze as once thought. Nikki Berkebile has been studying the subsistence habits of Puebloans, or Anasazi, who lived on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon in the late 11th century. Traditional ethnographic literature indicates these ancient American Indians were heavily dependent on maize as a food source, but Berkebile isn't so sure about that.

Solar village to house microgrid project

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:45:45 EDT

Four solar homes built by students will soon become home to an experimental microgrid to manage and store renewable energy.

Multi-toxin biotech crops not silver bullets, scientists warn

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:08:08 EDT

The widely used strategy of endowing crops with redundant toxins to fend off pests rests on flawed assumptions, researchers have discovered. Their study helps explain why pests are evolving resistance much faster than predicted and offers solutions for better agricultural management.

Gene responsible for short stature of dwarf pearl millet identified

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:12:12 EDT

Recently, plant geneticists have successfully isolated the gene that creates dwarfed varieties of pearl millet. It is the first time a gene controlling an important agronomic trait has been isolated in the pearl millet genome.

Cold cities less sustainable than warm cities, research suggests

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:57:57 EDT

Living in colder climates in the US is more energy demanding than living in warmer climates. Scientists have calculated that climate control in the coldest large metropolitan area in the country – Minneapolis – is about three-and-a-half times more energy demanding than in the warmest large metropolitan area – Miami.

Trees used to create recyclable, efficient solar cell

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:19:19 EDT

Researchers have developed efficient solar cells using natural substrates derived from plants such as trees. Just as importantly, by fabricating them on cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) substrates, the solar cells can be quickly recycled in water at the end of their lifecycle.

Risk to endangered whales from ships in southern California analyzed in new study

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:39:39 EDT

Researchers have identified areas off southern California with high numbers of whales and assessed their risk from potentially deadly collisions with commercial ship traffic.

Predictions of climate impacts on fisheries can be a mirage

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:05:05 EDT

In the early 1940s, California fishermen hauled in a historic bounty of sardine that set the backdrop for John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row" novel. But by the end of the decade the nets came up empty and the fishery collapsed. Where did they all go? According to a new study, the forces behind the sardine mystery are a dynamic and interconnected moving target.

Losing wetlands to grow crops

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:18:18 EDT

Getting enough to eat is a basic human need – but at what cost to the environment? New research demonstrates that as their crops on higher ground fail due to unreliable rainfall, people in countries like Uganda are increasingly relocating to wetland areas. Unless the needs of these people are addressed in a more sustainable way, overuse of wetland resources through farming, fishing, and hunting will continue.

Breakthrough could lead to cheaper, more sustainable chemical production

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:19:19 EDT

A new advance could enable the production of an important commodity chemical using carbon dioxide as a carbon source instead of petroleum. Carbon dioxide is basically free, and something the planet currently has in excess. Activating carbon dioxide for the production of commodity chemicals could be a way make them more cheaply and sustainably.

Natural climate swings contribute more to increased monsoon rainfall than global warming

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:52 EDT

Natural swings in the climate have significantly intensified Northern Hemisphere monsoon rainfall, showing that these swings must be taken into account for climate predictions in the coming decades.

Sustainable Development Goals must sustain people and planet, experts say

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:52 EDT

Scientists are arguing for a set of six Sustainable Development Goals that link poverty eradication to protection of Earth's life support. The researchers argue that in the face of increasing pressure on the planet's ability to support life, adherence to out-dated definitions of sustainable development threaten to reverse progress made in developing countries over past decades.

Restoration and recommendations for flood-damaged bottomlands

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:27:27 EDT

Although the 2012 drought in the Midwest may have dimmed the memories for some of the 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River flood, engineers, landowners, conservationists, crop scientists and soil scientists haven't forgotten. They are working hard to repair levees and restore the flood damaged Birds Point-New Madrid floodway in preparation for the next big flood which will eventually happen.

Hydrogen fuel? Thin films of nickel and iron oxides yield efficient solar water-splitting catalyst

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:52:52 EDT

Chemists say that ultra-thin films of nickel and iron oxides made through a solution synthesis process are promising catalysts to combine with semiconductors to make devices that capture sunlight and convert water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Suggestions for a middle ground between unlogged forest and intensively managed lands

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:28:28 EDT

In the world's forested regions, two management systems -- retention forestry and agroforestry -- are being used to alleviate conflicts between preserving biodiversity and addressing human needs in production landscapes. A new article draws a parallel between the ecological effects of the two systems.

CITES makes historic decision to protect sharks and rays

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:02:02 EDT

CITES plenary today accepted Committee recommendations to list five species of highly traded sharks under the CITES Appendices, along with those for the listing of both manta rays and one species of sawfish.

Monarch butterflies numbers down again

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:24:24 EDT

Bad news again for the Monarch butterfly: Drought conditions and historic wildfires the past few years continue to decrease their numbers as they wing across Texas this spring. Worse news: milkweed plants – the only kind they need to survive – are also not in plentiful supply.

Paraffin encapsulated in beach sand material as a new way to store heat from the sun

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:24:24 EDT

The search for sustainable new materials to store heat captured from the sun for release during the night has led scientists to a high-tech combination of paraffin wax and sand. They have now reported on the heat-storing capability of this microencapsulated sand.

Researchers map out an alternative energy future for New York

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:26:26 EDT

A new study outlines a path to statewide renewable energy conversion, and away from natural gas and imported fuel.

Protected areas successfully prevent deforestation in Amazon rainforest

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:37:37 EST

Strictly protected areas such as national parks and biological reserves have been more effective at reducing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest than so-called sustainable-use areas that allow for controlled resource extraction, researchers have found.

Farmers who commit totally to sell locally can make a profit

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:31:31 EST

Farmers can make a profit selling their produce directly to local businesses, but they must not let possible new costs weaken their commitment to the new venture, according to an international team of researchers.

School-based kitchen gardens are getting an A+: New study highlights benefits of for both children and parents

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:25:25 EST

Grow it, try it, and you just might like it is a motto many schools are embracing to encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables. Through community-based kitchen garden programs, particularly those with dedicated cooking components, schools are successfully introducing students to healthier foods. In a new study, researchers found that growing and then cooking the foods that kids grew increased their willingness to try new foods.

Conservation development has some developers thinking -- and seeing -- green

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:04:04 EST

Homes in neighborhoods that incorporate protected open space command prices 20 to 29 percent higher than those without open space, according to a new study.

Synthetic fuels from natural gas and biomass? New Fischer-Tropsch catalyst invented

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:07:07 EST

Inspired by patents from the 1960s audio cassette recording industry, chemists now developed a new Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. It can be used for the making of synthetic fuels from natural gas and biomass.

Shark fisheries globally unsustainable: 100 million sharks die every year

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:32:32 EST

The world’s shark populations are experiencing significant declines with perhaps 100 million – or more - sharks being lost every year, according to a new study.

Improving climate protection in the agricultural sector

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:41:41 EST

Agriculture is responsible for around 10 to 12 percent of all greenhouse gases attributable to human activities. This raises the question of how these emissions could be reduced. A recent study has investigated -- for the first time -- the full range of factors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, namely soil and climate conditions, the agricultural model and the farming intensity on both organic and conventional holdings.

A new look at urbanization's environmental impact

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:56:56 EST

A research team from Sweden has developed a technique for quick, simple and cost-effective mapping of worldwide urban growth and its environmental impact.

A game plan for climate change

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:09:09 EST

Researchers have successfully piloted a process that enables natural resource managers to take action to conserve particular wildlife, plants and ecosystems as climate changes.