Environment

Animals

The U.S.’s first open-air genetically modified mosquitoes have taken flight

After a decade of argument, Oxitec pits genetically modified mosquitoes against Florida’s spreaders of dengue and Zika.

Chemistry

A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Embedding enzymes inside biodegradable plastics makes them truly compostable, which could mitigate the plastic waste problem.

Ecosystems

Wildfires launch microbes into the air. How big of a health risk is that?

How does wildfire smoke move bacteria and fungi — and what harm might they do to people when they get there?

Animals

Discarded COVID-19 PPE such as masks can be deadly to wildlife

From entanglements to ingestion, two biologists are documenting the impact of single-use masks and gloves on animals around the world.

Ecosystems

Simple hand-built structures can help streams survive wildfires and drought

Building simple structures with sticks and stones — and inviting in dam-building beavers — can keep water where it’s needed to fight drought and wildfires.

Archaeology

A tour of ‘Four Lost Cities’ reveals modern ties to ancient people

In the book 'Four Lost Cities,' author Annalee Newitz uses cities of the past to show what might happen to cities in the future.

Environment

The world wasted nearly 1 billion metric tons of food in 2019

A new United Nations global food waste report shows where waste can be reduced, which would decrease hunger and greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment

‘Green’ burials are slowly gaining ground among environmentalists

Researchers asked older environmental activists what they planned to do with their bodies after death. Many were unaware of “green” burial options.

Earth

Plastic drinking water pipes exposed to high heat can leak hazardous chemicals

Lab tests exposing commonly used water pipes to wildfire-like heat show damaged pipes can leach the carcinogen benzene and other chemicals.

Animals

Plastic waste forms huge, deadly masses in camel guts

Eating plastic isn’t just a sea animal problem. Researchers found suitcase-sized masses of plastic in dromedaries’ guts in the United Arab Emirates.

Environment

Plastics are showing up in the world’s most remote places, including Mount Everest

From the snow on Mount Everest to the guts of critters in the Mariana Trench, tiny fragments called microplastics are almost everywhere.

Animals

How frigid lizards falling from trees revealed the reptiles’ growing cold tolerance

Some Florida lizards’ ability to handle temperatures down to 5.5° C may provide clues to how they might deal with the extremes of climate change.