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News & Articles By Frances Bloomfield

04/07/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Focus on microfibers: Microscopic pollution has been found to make up a majority of shoreline debris

Microfibers may be tiny, but their impact is nothing short of massive. A number of studies over the years have produced a wide array of facts and figures that demonstrate the extent of their impact. For instance, the researchers behind a 2011 study found that microfibers account for a considerable portion of man-made debris polluting […]

03/29/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Alaska’s permafrost holds the world’s largest deposit of mercury; concern growing over potential dangers such as contamination of food supply, water

Mercury is found all over the world — in the soil, water, and air. Very rarely do we associate mercury with ice. Yet, as researchers have discovered, that’s what we have to worry about the most. After all, the world’s largest mercury deposit is present in the Northern Hemisphere’s permafrost. Between 2004 and 2012, the […]

03/27/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

We’ve already begun trashing the moon: A summary of what’s been left up there

Humanity may not be living on the moon just yet, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t left a mark on its surface. Or marks, if you will – about 400,000 pounds of it. That number is the estimated, collective weight of all the human trash that’s accumulated on the face of Earth’s satellite. Shocking as […]

03/19/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Organic fertilizer alternatives: Composted chicken litter promotes sustainable agro-ecosystems with minimal nutrient leeching

The idea of nutrient loss is a common but troublesome problem that plagues all kinds of soils. Efforts have been made by a number of institutions to combat this issue, to varying degrees of success. Yet, as a team of researchers has demonstrated, the answer could very well lie in a tool widely used by […]

03/18/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Natural, inexpensive AND more effective: Phosphate rock confirmed to be an effective fertilizer for acidic soils

In western Kenya, the main economic activity is farming. This has, however, become increasingly difficult an endeavor in recent years due to deplorable soil conditions and pricey traditional fertilizers. Triple superphosphate (TSP), one of the most popular and widely used fertilizers, has to be imported from Moroccan mines, making it far too expensive for west […]

03/17/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

The security of our food and nutrition supply is compromised by pesticide residues, new science finds

The world is getting more connected by the minute – and with that comes our dependence on specific regions for certain food items. Take Brazil, for example. Thanks to its climate and geographical diversity, the country has slowly put its place on the map: What was once a country only known for sugar has become […]

03/12/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Microplastics are leaking directly from an industry manufacturing site, spreading across a large coastal region

Microplastics have been leaking out into the environment by the millions from a manufacturing site in Stenungsund. But, far from just affecting the immediate area, these tiny plastic pellets have spread all over the coastal region. This was what a team of researchers from Gothenburg University uncovered over the course of several studies. As Martin […]

03/11/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Researchers have recycled clothing waste into an “aerogel” supermaterial that can help stop wound bleeding

Cotton-based fabric waste has a multitude of uses that range from being recycled into polishing and wiper clothes to automotive insulation. Though, as researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered and demonstrated, this type of waste could be turned into cotton aerogels that have their own practical applications. The cotton aerogels, which […]

03/05/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Sudden and rapid increases in pollution found to be as damaging to the heart as sustained levels

Elevated levels of long-term air pollution are known for increasing the risk of various health problems, heart attacks included. As researchers have discovered, however, rapid increases in air pollution can be just as deadly as sustained high levels. As part of their research, the investigative team assessed 693 patients who’d been admitted to Jena University […]

03/05/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Taiwan jumps on-board the bandwagon to ban straws and other single-use plastics

In a bid to reduce plastic waste, the Taiwanese government intends to phase out all single-use plastics by 2030. This includes takeaway beverage cups, disposable cutlery, and plastic shopping bags, though the primary focus will be on drinking straws. The blanket ban will be part of the country’s proposed 12-year plan to manage and eliminate […]

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