Environment

  1. Tech

    Bionic plants and electric algae may usher in a greener future

    Some can aid the climate by removing pollutants. Others would just avoid dirtying the environment in the first place.

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  2. Climate

    Some tree leaves are finding it too hot for photosynthesis

    Earth’s ongoing fever threatens to push entire forests toward this heat limit — and possible death.

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  3. Environment

    This ecologist is looking at the Amazon’s past to save its future

    Carolina Levis researches how local communities influence the Amazon. She’s interested in how Indigenous knowledge can help protect the rainforest.

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  4. Oceans

    Explainer: Why are so many hurricanes strengthening really fast?

    This dangerous trend appears relatively new — and growing. Studies also have begun linking it to our warming world.

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  5. Environment

    Ultrasound waves can help remove polluting microplastics in water

    The innovative process concentrates microplastics within a flowing liquid. A two-step process then removes the potentially toxic bits.

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  6. Earth

    The sun shines brightest in South America’s Atacama Desert

    Solar rays in this high-altitude desert at times rival the light intensity on Venus.

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  7. Earth

    Canada’s Crawford Lake seems to mark when the Anthropocene began

    Mud at the bottom of this lake holds a record showing how humanity has been changing our planet. But the Anthropocene isn’t an official new epoch yet.

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  8. Tech

    New thermal ‘cloak’ keeps spaces from getting too hot or too cold

     A prototype fabric could help keep cars, buildings and other spaces cooler during heat waves while also reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

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  9. Materials Science

    This house is partly made of recycled diapers

    After being washed, dried, sanitized and shredded, used diapers were mixed with other materials to make a strong concrete.

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  10. Climate

    For greener toilets and air conditioning, consider saltwater

    Using saltwater would allow coastal cities to save their freshwater for drinking and to reduce their carbon footprints. Some could save money, too.

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  11. Environment

    Fungi help rescue crops being harmed by microplastics

    Microplastics in the soil hinder plant growth. But two finalists at Regeneron ISEF found that fungi and farm waste can reduce the harm.

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  12. Tech

    Nanocrystal ‘painted’ films may someday help relieve summer heat

    The rainbow palette and cooling powers of new plant-based films comes from their microscopic surface patterns of tiny crystals.

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