Environment

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.

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.

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.

Environment

Older diesel school buses linked to more student absences

Schools that replaced or upgraded old diesel school buses increased student attendance rates, new research shows.

Environment

Making yards more diverse can reap big environmental benefits

Replacing grass with native plants uses less water and fewer chemicals while providing additional benefits to people and wildlife.

Earth

A natural ‘cathedral’ lurks deep under Antarctic ice

By drilling into this cavern, scientists have opened a window into the mysterious world of hidden lakes, their occupants — and rivers that run uphill.

Earth

Under the ice, a hidden lake hints at its origin — and coming end

Lake Mercer may serve as a model for better understanding the birth and life of Antarctica’s hundreds of subglacial lakes.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: PFAS

Non-stick coatings, stain-resistant cloth and other common materials leach long-lived PFAS into soil and water.

Tech

Recycling rare-earth elements is hard — but worth it

As demand for these valuable metals has been skyrocketing, scientists have begun inventing new — and greener — ways to reuse what they have in hand.

Environment

Rare-earth mining is dirty but key to a climate-friendlier future

That’s spurring new research to find a steady but safer supply of these precious metals, including in the United States.

Environment

Sea life may suffer as plastic bits alter metals in water

This interplay between plastics and metals could affect how each affects the environment — and suggests opportunities for controlling their risks.

Climate

Creating less new stuff could greatly help Earth’s climate

Instead of throwing unneeded things away, scientists recommend moving to a cycle of reducing, reusing, repairing and remaking old things into new ones.