In America’s biggest cities, cemeteries have become havens for animal life
Don’t be mistaken: while the cemetery may not be sprawling with human life, it’s most certainly a hotspot for plant and animal life—especially in urban areas. Perhaps the best example of this comes from the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, one of the most densely populated places Read More...
This prototype lets us harness renewable power from the ocean
Anyone who has come face to face with a large ocean swell can vouch for the immense power of our ocean systems. Capturing the power of our seas offers huge potential for renewable energy creation, but scientists have struggled to make it feasible. That, however, is about to change thanks to a new Read More...
Owning a dog may help heart attack and stroke patients live longer
A dog may be man’s best friend, but new research shows that beloved pets may offer much more than companionship. According to two new studies conducted by the American Heart Association (AHA), dog ownership may be associated with longer life and better cardiovascular health, especially for heart Read More...
Transitioning to cooperatives could be key for baby boomer business owners
The “silver tsunami” of baby boomers getting ready for retirement will alter the face of workforce composition, but what will happen to the 50% of all businesses that are owned by this aging population? The non-profit, Project Equity, is hoping to help these businesses convert to cooperatives Read More...
“Molecular Clock” could revolutionize how we study child development
Diet, stress, and home life are all factors that affect gene expression. Epigenetics, the study of how gene expression affects our cells and tissues, has been used to study early signs of diseases such as breast and cervical cancer, but now researchers at the University of British Columbia have Read More...
Lyft is helping low-income people commute to job interviews and training
Lengthy and costly commutes have long been a scourge for low-income workers. A 2015 study even found a link between longer commutes and smaller chances of upward mobility for low-income families. Seeking to ease this struggle, ride-hailing service Lyft has recently partnered with non-profits to Read More...
How mindfulness can help us get better at processing fear
For years, psychologists have used something called exposure therapy to help people overcome their biggest fears. This type of therapy involves that particular thing you fear most while in a safe environment. But according to a brand new study, there is an alternative way to overcome fears that Read More...
These California trees hold the key to climate resilience
When California's historic five-year drought finally relented a few years ago, the tally of dead trees in the Sierra Nevada was higher than almost anyone expected: 129 million. Most are still standing, the dry patches dotting the mountainsides. But some trees did survive the test of heat and Read More...
A human burn has just been successfully treated using live-cell pig skin tissue
When someone has a severe burn, a protective covering needs to be temporarily grafted onto the wound site – and as soon as possible. Although that covering typically consists of skin from a human cadaver, genetically-engineered live-cell pigskin has now been used on a patient for the first time. Read More...
Southwest Atlantic humpback whales have returned from the brink of extinction
In the late 1920s, humpback whales in the southwest Atlantic became so rare that whaling ships could only find and catch a few dozen individuals per year. It was estimated that some 27,000 humpbacks frequented the southwest Atlantic at the start of the 20th century, but due to intensive commercial Read More...