How to avoid a mid-afternoon caffeine crash
If you’re guilty of indulging in a cup of coffee, or three, every morning, you may find yourself experiencing fatigue and irritability mid-afternoon. Otherwise known as a caffeine crash, this slump can put a damper on your day, but understanding what causes it can help you avoid it in the Read More...
The Optimist View: Finding a fresh food solution with the help of the world’s saltiest plants
“Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” - Michael Pollan BY Amelia Buckley What do you picture when you hear the word halophyte? No, it’s not an obscure insect or the name of Elon Musk’s new futuristic car. Halophyte Read More...
How portable solar-powered batteries can help expand access to clean energy
Reliable access to electricity is a luxury in Lagos, Nigeria, where the power can go out multiple times a day, rendering many inhabitants dependent on expensive, noisy, and polluting diesel generators. A corner shop in the Nigerian city, however, offers a solution to this problem in the form of a Read More...
This technique measures drinking water quality using a smartphone camera
While the provision of safe drinking water in impoverished countries is of vital importance, people often lack the facilities necessary to test the water for pollutants. To help solve that problem, a team of scientists has developed a system that uses a smartphone camera to check up on tiny aquatic Read More...
Washington National Cathedral to retire Confederate-themed stained glass
Addressing racism in the 21st century often means confronting uncomfortable reminders of America’s history of slavery. The Washington National Cathedral is taking steps to confront its own legacy of oppression with the removal of stained glass depicting Confederate figures. The glass will be Read More...
Struggling with back-to-school season? 4 tips to get kids back on track
The school year is officially in full swing, but after months of online classes, your child may be having a hard time adjusting to the classroom. Covid-19 can certainly make the back-to-school season more difficult, but for many children, fitting in and excelling in school was tough enough even Read More...
California law strengthens protections for mega-retailer warehouse workers
Last week, California became the first state to take action on unethical productivity practices in mega-retailer warehouses. The newly-passed law, AB 701, bars large retailers like Amazon from firing warehouse workers for missing quotas. The new law aims to ensure that productivity goals do not Read More...
10 Tips to prevent food waste in your garden
Growing your own food is hard work—don’t let all that work go to waste. Here are 10 strategies to help you avoid food waste in your garden. Choose plants appropriate to place If you’re planning to harvest food in your garden, then it is of utmost importance to choose the right plants for Read More...
Bacteria can filter toxic metals out of wastewater to make it drinkable
From recycling car batteries to tackling plastic pollution, bacteria has been increasingly under the microscope of scientists working to provide solutions to some of the most challenging global issues. Most recently, researchers in India have discovered a strain of bacteria that can filter Read More...
The sushi of the future will have fish-free versions of tuna made of fungi
Although the fishing industry usually has a lower environmental impact than meat farming, overfishing is an issue, so innovators are racing to come up with more sustainable alternatives without compromising too much on flavor. Among such innovators is Aqua Cultured Foods. The startup grows Read More...