Investors are leaving fossil fuels in the dust in favor of greener funds
Just because Donald Trump is putting his money on fossil fuels doesn’t mean the investment community is doing the same. In fact, a new reports shows investors controlling more than $5 trillion in assets have committed to dropping some or all fossil fuel stocks from their portfolios. On top of Read More...
Researchers successfully produce large quantities of synthetic spider silk
Spider silk is the holy grail of biomaterials. It’s amazingly tough and lightweight, and can be used in everything from violin strings to electronics. Unfortunately, spiders cannot produce enough of it for it to be commercially viable, which is why researchers have created a prototype process Read More...
Researchers look to bypass the grid to power trains in the U.K
Conventional wisdom tells us we need power plants to operate things like factories and railways, but the Imperial College London begs the differ. Along with climate charity 10:10, they plan to investigate the use of track-side solar panels to power trains to connect solar panels directly to the Read More...
5 ways to stop checking your email so often
Like many things, email is an addiction. We constantly check it to make sure we’re on top of everything, and its detrimental to productivity. The funny thing is, however, that we are the ones who control how much email we get. Here are five tips for getting control of your email habit and cutting Read More...
The Internet enables a slum in Mumbai to market to the world
Dharavi, in the heart of Mumbai, is a slum with more than 1 million people. It’s one of Asia’s largest slums and its impressive manufacturing and retail ecosystem is worth more than $1 billion. The—mostly—handicrafts find their way to the market through traders and shopkeepers who know how Read More...
Mediterranean plants hold key to delaying aging disease, study claims
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are classic age-related disorders characterized by the accumulation of sticky protein clumps that over time damage the nervous system to erode mobility or memory. Scientists have found that chemicals extracted from the prickly pear and brown seaweed, two Read More...
Barack Obama: The irreversible momentum of clean energy
In the final days of his presidency, Barack Obama is using all the tools he can to leave a lasting impression. He wrote a commentary for the prestigious scientific journal Science arguing that the push toward renewable energy is unstoppable and that it’s a valid strategy for economic growth. Read More...
Forget fillings, teeth can be encouraged to repair themselves
Scientists have found a way to encourage teeth to repair themselves in a way that could see an end to fillings. The research team showed that a chemical can encourage cells in the dental pulp to heal small holes in mice teeth. This way they were able to repair 0.13mm holes in the teeth of the mice. Read More...
Want to increase your empathy? Visit a museum
The growing divisiveness in society is hurting many people. Here’s an innovative way to find healing: Visit a museum. Most people visit a museum for the arts or for history, but a new book argues that museums offer other inspiration as well. Fostering Empathy Through Museums showcases a variety Read More...
Volkswagen taps hippie heritage with an electric microbus
Volkswagen unveiled a battery-powered version of its iconic hippie-era Microbus as the carmaker overhauls its North American lineup to move beyond its emissions-cheating scandal. The latest iteration of the van, a concept dubbed the I.D. Buzz, is part of the VW brand’s strategy to deliver one Read More...