Latest news with #Phys.org
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Revolutionary farming technique may have solved one of agriculture's toughest challenges: 'A historic step towards the future'
A pioneering farming experiment in drought-stricken Chile may have just cracked one of agriculture's biggest challenges: growing rice with less water. In a first-of-its-kind trial, researchers at Chile's Austral University and local farmers have successfully cultivated rice using a technique called "Jaspe" straining, without flooding the fields. The Jaspe strain consists of "spacing the seedlings further apart in enriched soil, and watering only sporadically to build a more resilient root system," according to an article by Typically, rice requires an enormous amount of water to grow, which becomes a major problem in places like Chile, where a megadrought has persisted for over a decade. By shifting away from traditional methods of growth, which require an enormous amount of water, the Jaspe strain could offer a lifeline to farmers in regions where every drop counts. "Irrigating rather than flooding rice fields is a historic step towards the future," said Javier Munoz, an early user of the Jaspe strain. The results were a surprisingly healthy crop, produced with a fraction of the usual water. "Using Jaspe in combination with a growing method that requires only intermittent watering cut the Munoz family's water consumption in half in a country that has for generations cultivated rice in flooded fields, or paddies," according to the article. "Rice cultivation in flooded paddies crawling with microorganisms is responsible for about 10% of human-caused methane emissions," according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. For everyday people, this type of innovation could mean more stable food prices, better access to nutritious staples like rice, and cleaner air and water, especially in communities hit hardest by pollution and climate stress. Do you take steps to conserve water at home? All the time Usually Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Reducing methane and water waste in farming helps lower the environmental impact of our food, creating ripple effects that benefit everyone. It's a step toward cleaning up the agriculture industry. In a world where climate pressures are mounting and freshwater is running low, Jaspe offers something we can all root for: a more sustainable future, one resilient rice plant at a time. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover disturbing factor linked to increase in dead dolphins off UK coast — here's what you need to know
Scientists have found that rising ocean temperatures and industrial chemicals are causing the deaths of short-beaked common dolphins in the United Kingdom. According to a report relayed by researchers from the Zoological Society of London discovered a link between warming temperatures and the spread of infectious disease in the dolphins. Results showed that these pressures have been building for decades, and it's finally catching up with the marine animals. Waters near coasts with many industries have higher levels of toxic chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls. These chemicals build up in the fatty tissues of dolphins and impair their immune systems and reproduction. While PCBs have been banned in Europe for around 40 years, the leftover chemicals continue to spill into marine environments from runoff and other sources. Higher sea surface temperatures have disrupted biodiversity and changed species distributions, altering how infectious microorganisms move through the environment. Warmer waters have been linked with higher disease rates in several marine species. Rising ocean temperatures have also led to changes in habitat use and prey availability for the short-beaked dolphins. Short-beaked dolphins are crucial for healthy marine ecosystems, as they maintain the balance of marine food webs and form "super pods" with other dolphins that can influence prey availability and distribution. Deaths among these gentle creatures are concerning, as they may upset the balance of ecosystems and marine habitats. Dolphins have been known to help people in numerous ways, including rescuing people from sharks, guiding boats, and helping with fishing. It's important that we protect them both for their survival and human benefits. Global heating isn't only impacting dolphins — it's harming other animals across the world, including lambs in Spain, monkeys in Mexico, and elephants in Africa. Scientists said they will continue to monitor marine environments for industrial pollutants. However, they noted that without taking steps to reduce environmental contaminants and reduce warming, risks to dolphins will likely increase in the future. The authors noted there's an urgent need to deploy conservation efforts that mitigate warming ocean temperatures and industrial chemicals in waterways. On a positive note, endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, which are native to Southeast Asia, are seeing a population boost thanks to conservation efforts. If we make similar strides with the short-beaked dolphins, it will ensure their population remains stable. By getting involved in your local community with wildlife groups, you can make a positive impact that can last for generations. Also, if you see anyone dumping chemicals into waterways, notify the proper authorities — this will keep dolphins and humans safe. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers sound alarm as concerning phenomenon threatens water supply for more than 90 million people: 'The situation is serious'
The glaciers of the Andes Mountains are melting at alarming rates, which could lead to permanent water loss, threatening the water supply of over 90 million people, Cosmos magazine reported. Scientists at the University of Sheffield, England, who have been studying the reduction of Andes glaciers, found that the glaciers have been receding at a rate of 0.7 meters (about 2.3 feet) per year, as relayed by That is 35% quicker than the global average. Burning dirty energy sources releases harmful heat-trapping gases, such as carbon and methane, that contribute to rising global temperatures and melting glaciers. Warmer temperatures also mean that during the region's wet season (typically around December to April), the precipitation that falls is rain and less snowfall, resulting in less snowpack on the glaciers. The Andes mountain communities depend on snowmelt runoff during the dry season (around May to October) for freshwater supply, which is threatened by rising global temperatures and the subsequent lack of snow. This loss is compounded by the shrinking glaciers, which lead to permanent water losses in the region. While the immediate, short-term effect of melting glaciers is an increase in water flow from the mountains to the rivers, that water supply runs off freely to the lower areas of the mountains. Unusually fast-melting snow could become dangerous for nearby mountain communities, which may experience destructive flooding downstream, per the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Without water catchment systems to catch and store the melting snow runoff, mountain communities may see their fresh water supply decrease and permanently disappear from the region. Communities with fewer resources to build these water catchment systems have no agency in securing their water supply. As the glaciers melt, too, the darker rock face on the mountains becomes exposed, absorbing more of the sun's heat, which becomes a hopeless cycle for rapid glacier melting. Scientists have also studied the harmful effects of glacier melting on the environment. For example, melting glaciers release the ancient methane gas trapped in underground reservoirs in the Arctic, which were capped by permafrost glaciers. As the glaciers melt, the trapped gas gets released back into the atmosphere, acting as a bubble, trapping heat on the planet. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Morocco recently celebrated a remarkable recovery from significant water supply loss in the nation. Taking advantage of the increased rainfall in the region, Morocco built 130 dams to increase the nation's water storage capacity — which has since increased by 700%. Communities living by the ocean may soon be able to take advantage of the water supply near them. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed a new electrode for battery-based water desalination, which may make water desalination more efficient and viable for coastal communities. "The situation is serious, and it will take global cooperation to tackle climate change and make a meaningful difference for the communities around the world most vulnerable from the effects of climate change," said Dr. Jeremy Ely, senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield's School of Geography and Planning, per Cosmos magazine. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists develop mind-blowing fix for critical flaw in farm tech: 'We urgently need to find a way'
Scientists have developed compostable crop sensors that they believe could help tackle the e-waste problem while also helping farmers improve yields. Conventional sensors — which can monitor things such as soil pH, an important factor in plant health — are generally made from nonrecyclable materials. This contributes to the e-waste problem, the University of Glasgow explains via To solve this problem, scientists from the University of Glasgow and Łukasiewicz Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics teamed up to create biodegradable front-end sensors that pair with removable conventional electronics — a model they say significantly reduces electronic waste. The sensors, designed to be composted at the end of their life cycles, can be plowed back into fields to feed crops, as they leave behind nutrients that act as fertilizer. Meanwhile, the electronic modules can be reused for several years. Lab tests showed that these devices can detect soil pH and the presence of ethephon, a plant growth regulator that can be toxic to humans and wildlife when present in groundwater. The research is part of a larger international initiative called Transient Electronics for Sustainable ICT in Digital Agriculture, which seeks to develop a complete system wherein biodegradable sensors are fueled by solar cells and supercapacitors made from sustainable materials. The project looks to support global efforts to make food production more efficient and sustainable in the face of rising global temperatures and population growth, which both pose challenges to large-scale agriculture. For example, extreme heat paired with drought is devastating Bangladeshi mango farmers. "Reliable food production is one of the world's most pressing problems, with more than 800 million people around the world suffering from malnutrition today," study co-author Joseph Cameron said. "Digital agriculture could be the key to maximizing our ability to produce enough food for a growing population." The new sensor model is just one of several ways scientists are trying to ensure a stable food supply in the face of more volatile weather. For instance, one team in Spain developed a product that makes broccoli and lettuce more drought resistant, and scientists in Japan have discovered that soaking plants in ethanol can help them survive intense droughts. Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to recycle old clothes and electronics? Giving me money back Letting me trade for new stuff Making it as easy as possible Keeping my stuff out of landfills Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Meanwhile, a number of people and companies are taking on e-waste, which threatens human health and the environment, as the improper disposal of electronic devices can lead to exposure to toxic chemicals. You can help by recycling your old devices — Apple, Best Buy, and Walmart all offer store credits or gift cards in exchange for used electronics. "We urgently need to find a way to make digital agriculture more sustainable in the years to come," lead researcher Jeff Kettle said. "Currently, around 80% of the world's electronics head straight to landfill once they've reached the end of their useful life, which creates massive environmental and public health challenges from the toxic materials which many of them contain," he added. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials issue warning after worker's jaw-dropping sighting at local nature park: 'Please use caution when exploring our natural areas'
The last thing you'd expect to see in a state like Texas is a mountain lion, likely due to the Lone Star State's general lack of mountains or hilly regions. A worker for the San Marcos city trail crew at the Purgatory Creek Natural Area in Hays County, Texas, was out on the trail on a regular Thursday morning when they happened to catch a glimpse of a mountain lion climbing down from a tree and scurrying off when it noticed them, per A completely normal sight, indeed. According to city officials, the timing of the sighting coincides with reports of dead animals, such as deer, suggesting the two events "may be related." Mountain lions (also known as cougars) were once native to much of Texas but were largely eradicated through hunting and human development. However, they've been spotted most commonly in West Texas, specifically the Trans-Pecos region. This marked the first time a mountain lion had been confirmed in Hays County, which is closer to the central part of the state. "As always, please use caution when exploring our natural areas. These greenspaces are home to many types of wildlife," San Marcos officials said in a statement. "If you encounter a mountain lion: Do not approach it. Give it space and a way to escape — most will avoid confrontation," they added — an important warning when encountering any animal in the wild. This could be a sign that cougars are starting to return to the state, which is a big win for animal conservation efforts. This isn't the first time we've seen a species once native to a particular region start to bounce back recently. One example is gray wolves being spotted in California early last year. A rare wild cat was also spotted in the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, India, indicating that conservation efforts are not just finding success in the U.S. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
