In the Maine woods, a towering giant could help save chesnuts
Thanks to Nat King Cole, it's hard not think of chestnuts without conjuring an image of them "roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose." But these days, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone roasting American chestnuts over an open fire. The trees and the nuts have all but Read More...
Speeding up the hydrogen highway
Drivers are seeing more hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on the road, but refueling stations for those vehicles are still few and far between. This is about to change, and one reason is a new testing device being validated at California refueling stations that will greatly accelerate Read More...
8 reasons why you need to get out of your comfort zone
If you're happily all wrapped up in your plushy, 1000-thread-count comfort zone, good for you. This message isn't for you. This message is for the person who isn't content with mediocracy. This message is for the person who wants bigger things, better things, and knows deep down inside that they Read More...
Obama just released the biggest energy efficiency rule in U.S. history
They dribble out regularly — Energy Department rules or “standards” that require ever improving levels of energy efficiency for dishwashers, refrigerators, and much more. On Thursday, though, the Department dumped what it is describing as the “largest energy-saving standard Read More...
San Diego vows to move entirely to renewable energy in 20 years
Following the landmark climate deal reached in Paris this past week, San Diego, the eighth-largest city in the U.S, has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy. The legally binding pledge commits the city to complete its transition and cut its greenhouse gas emission in half by 2035. Read More...
These resilience factors protect teen children of parents with a depression
Teen children of parents with depression often suffer from mental health problems. But some teens remain remarkably resilient, and researchers are now trying to find out how they do that. It seems there are some factors they all have in common: warmth from the parent with mental health problems, Read More...
High-altitude balloons with solar panels could produce power on cloudy days
Solar panels will be vital to powering the world in the future, but what will we do on days when the clouds block the sun’s rays? Energy scientists from France’s CNRS and the University of Tokyo are looking towards balloons for the answer. The scientists are developing solar panels attached to Read More...
Cancer often caused by environmental factors and modern lifestyle, not just 'bad luck'
Earlier this year, scientists caused a debate by reporting that two-thirds of cancer types were down to luck rather than factors such as smoking. But in a new study published in the scientific journal Nature, another team of researchers concludes just the opposite: 70-90% of the cancer risk is Read More...
11 steps to creating better habits
Most of us will make a New Year’s Resolution to eat healthier, or to floss our teeth, or to workout more. Often times however, we don’t pull through with our commitments to these better habits. Building great habits takes time and patience, and sometimes, a little guidance too. Here are 11 Read More...
Revolutionary rear-access 'shell' design could make motorcycles far safer
Motorcycle helmets have been around for almost a century, yet their design never deviated from the pull on-pull off type with a chinstrap to secure in place. Australian Vozz Helmets introduces a revolutionary design that renders straps obsolete – and has a few more tricks up its sleeve as Read More...