App helps quickly detect ear infections with just a phone and a paper cone
The symptoms of ear infections can be a little vague, and can be easily confused with other conditions. To help clear up such diagnoses, researchers from the University of Washington have come up with a “user-friendly” mobile app that can quickly detect the presence of fluid behind the eardrum Read More...
This program will make these five American cities bike-friendly by 2020
When it comes to quick, efficient, inexpensive, and relatively enjoyable ways for cities to lower their carbon emissions, it’s hard to beat bike lanes and good public transit. Well-designed, safe cycling infrastructure encourages more people to ride bikes that emit no carbon and take up a lot Read More...
The Guardian is officially changing the way it writes about the environment
Global warming and climate change—these are just some of the everyday terms we use to describe the environmental crisis that our planet is facing. But do these terms actually depict the reality of what is taking place? Are we not downplaying the issue with these soft-spoken terms? This is a Read More...
Taiwan just became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage
Although many countries across the world have legalized same-sex marriage over the last decade, no country in Asia has done it yet. That is, until now. Last Friday, thousands of marriage-equality advocates celebrated in the pouring rain outside Taiwan’s legislature as it voted to become the first Read More...
For the first time in years, cubs have been born in India’s “Tiger state”
The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was once known as the “Tiger state”, but sadly it has lost its reputation over the years due to dwindling numbers of the big cat. The main problem is that poaching is still rampant in the region, and Tigers haven’t been birthing new cubs. Now, for the Read More...
How to use moral clarity to counter defeatism around the climate crisis
There’s a reason why the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has successfully goaded powerful politicians into long-overdue climate action in just six months. Thunberg, who is on the autism spectrum, has become a moral authority. Again and again, she’s clearly Read More...
Pakistan is on a quest to electrify 30% of its vehicles by 2030
Most of the major cities in Pakistan are currently suffering from extreme levels of air pollution, primarily owing it to the hazardous pollutants released by industrial and automobile emissions. To curb the problem, the country’s government has decided to introduce electric cars by setting up car Read More...
Researchers have developed the first visual model of the ‘wood wide web’
The first global map of the complex web of roots, bacteria and fungi beneath the ground known as the “wood wide web” has been built by researchers amid fears it is under threat by climate change. Using data from 1.2 million forest tree plots in more than 70 countries, scientists from Read More...
No more tossing away perfectly good milk: the ‘smart’ milk carton is on its way
Although many people throw milk away once it reaches its "best before" date, the fact is that the milk will still likely be good for several days after that date. In order to stop people from tossing perfectly good milk, scientists at Cornell University are designing a milk carton of the future. Read More...
Cow-free leather typically relies on plastics. This company could change that
A brand by the name of Natural Fiber Welding has come up with technology that can make plant-based leather without the use of any plastics. That's a big deal. You see, plant-based leather typically uses plastic resin or glue to hold the material together. And while some companies work on Read More...