Gene-editing could save American forests from pests and diseases
US environmental agencies are considering whether or not to use biotechnology to protect American forests which, especially due to climate change, are becoming more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Biotechnological tools such as genetic editing could help introduce trees that can survive threats Read More...
European citizens will stop using disposable plastic products by 2021
In 2021, Europeans will have to say goodbye to single-use plastics such as straws and cups. Just this week EU member states confirmed the provisional agreement reached between the presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on a new directive to introduce restrictions on disposable Read More...
Growing crops becomes more efficient when farmland is shared with solar panels
Farming and solar panels are sharing the same land in some fields of Massachusetts with the goal of helping farmers diversify their income through renewable energy generation. The dual-use solar installation, sometimes called agrivoltaics, is a photovoltaic array that’s raised far enough off the Read More...
Why taking away your child's screen time won't improve their behavior
Controlling your child’s behavior is a difficult parenting task. Although using that one thing you can give or take away as a reward and punishment technique can be effective, it can also backfire--especially when it comes to taking away screen time. If you want to improve your child's behavior, Read More...
Doctors who connect with patients can positively influence their health outcomes
If you’re like most patients, the metric you probably rely on when choosing a doctor is their credentials. Where did she go to school? How many patients has he treated with this condition? But according to research out of Stanford University, having a doctor who is warm and reassuring can greatly Read More...
Resist the temptation of junk food with this surprising trick
In a series of experiments, researchers found a surprising relationship between ambient scents and food choices. Time after time, they found that people who sniffed indulgent foods, like pizza or cookies, were actually less likely to choose or purchase unhealthy foods than those who smelled more Read More...
Could this new blood test lead to the cure to Alzheimer’s?
The inability to detect Alzheimer’s early is one main reason pharmaceutical companies have not been able to develop a drug to combat the disease, which is the most common form of dementia. That’s why it’s great news that researchers have just developed a simple blood test that shows evidence Read More...
Astronauts could soon be eating veggies in space instead of freeze-dried foods
With the International Space Station (ISS) set to retire within a decade, conversation is brewing about a possible lunar base on the moon. With much more space to work with than on board the ISS, that opens up the possibility of building pods where veggies can be grown. Currently NASA is teaming up Read More...
After near extinction, the bison is thriving on the Great Plains once more
In 1890, fewer than 1,000 bison were left in North America. Today nearly half-a-million bison have been restored in over 6,000 locations across the continent, a remarkable comeback spurred by conservation initiatives. And what makes their comeback even more beautiful is that scientists are learning Read More...
New device turns CO2 from the air into electricity and hydrogen fuel
Following the urgent environmental need to not only cut down carbon emissions but also capture existing CO2 from the atmosphere, scientists have developed a new device that absorbs the gas from the air and transforms it into electricity and usable hydrogen fuel. The device works like a big liquid Read More...