Environmental Pollutants
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Microplastics Choking Plant Life Could Put 400 Million People At Risk of Starvation In 20 Years: Study
A study finds that microplastics are damaging the photosynthesis of plants, threatening global food security and increasing the risk of starvation for millions.
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Scientists Find Wastewater Bacteria That Break Down PET Plastic, Aiding Pollution Control
Research has revealed that bacteria commonly found in wastewater can break down PET plastic, a widely used material in bottles and textiles. Scientists identified a specific enzyme responsible for degrading the plastic into smaller particles. While experts see promise in this discovery, concerns remain about its scalability for tackling large-scale...
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Scientists Detect Rising Microplastics in Human Brains, Study Raises Concerns
A study has found microplastics in human brains, with concentrations rising over recent years. Researchers suggest possible links to dementia, but some experts question the findings due to potential flaws in the analysis. While microplastics have been previously detected in human bodies, their impact on brain health remains unclear. Scientists call...
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Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels
A study has detected microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, showing a 50 percent increase in levels over recent years. The findings suggest these particles may bypass the blood-brain barrier, leading to concerns over potential health effects. Experts are now focusing on how these plastics enter the brain and their possible role in ne...
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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
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PFAS Chemicals Harm Freshwater Turtles in Australia, New Research Finds
Recent studies have highlighted the alarming effects of PFAS (forever chemicals) on freshwater turtles in Australia. The research, led by environmental biochemist David Beale and his team, discovered that PFAS exposure is causing serious health issues in both adult turtles and their hatchlings. The chemicals accumulate in key organs like the liver,...
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Pune Birthday Bash Organiser Faces Police Case For Causing Noise Pollution
A case has been registered against the organiser of a birthday event in Pimpri Chinchwad in Pune district for allegedly violating noise and environmental norms and causing a public nuisance, police said on Tuesday.
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Artificial Intelligence Boom To Trigger Thousands Of Deaths, $20 Billion In Health Costs Annually: Study
By 2030, this pollution could lead to 1,300 premature deaths annually in the US and public health costs of nearly $20 billion.
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How Beijing Reduced Air Pollution By Up To 89% In A Decade
Despite a tripling of vehicle numbers, pollution levels have decreased, making Beijing a model for other cities tackling similar problems.
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Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
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New Global Policies to Cut Plastic Waste and Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2050
A study from UC Santa Barbara and Berkeley suggests four key policies that could reduce global plastic waste mismanagement by 91 percent and cut related emissions by 30 percent by 2050. The policies include a mandate for 40 percent recycled plastic in new products, a cap on plastic production, greater investment in waste management, and a fee on pl...
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Study Finds Industrial Aerosols May Cause Local Snowfall by Freezing Clouds
A new study led by the University of Tartu has shown that industrial emissions, particularly aerosol particles, can influence local snowfall by triggering ice formation in supercooled clouds. Using satellite and ground-based radar observations, researchers found that factories, including cement plants and power stations, may cause localised snow pl...
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Haryana Doubles Fine For Stubble Burning, Rs 1.65 Lakh Collected In Fines
In a stricter move to curb air pollution, the Haryana government has doubled the fine for stubble burning, now for two acres of land the farmers will have to pay an environmental compensation fee of Rs 5,000 up from Rs 2,500
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Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite LignoSat into Space
Japan’s LignoSat, the first wooden satellite developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, was launched on a SpaceX mission to the ISS. The satellite will orbit 400 km above Earth for six months, testing honoki wood’s durability against extreme temperatures and radiation. The team, led by astronaut Takao Doi, hopes to prove that wood can...
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RMIT University Develops Satellite Technology to Identify Plastic Waste on Beaches
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a satellite tool that can detect plastic waste on beaches from over 600 km above the Earth. This innovative technology uses variations in light reflection to identify plastic debris, offering a new approach to tackle the growing issue of plastic pollution. With millions of tonnes of plastic entering oc...
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Microplastics Choking Plant Life Could Put 400 Million People At Risk of Starvation In 20 Years: Study
A study finds that microplastics are damaging the photosynthesis of plants, threatening global food security and increasing the risk of starvation for millions.
-
Scientists Find Wastewater Bacteria That Break Down PET Plastic, Aiding Pollution Control
Research has revealed that bacteria commonly found in wastewater can break down PET plastic, a widely used material in bottles and textiles. Scientists identified a specific enzyme responsible for degrading the plastic into smaller particles. While experts see promise in this discovery, concerns remain about its scalability for tackling large-scale...
-
Scientists Detect Rising Microplastics in Human Brains, Study Raises Concerns
A study has found microplastics in human brains, with concentrations rising over recent years. Researchers suggest possible links to dementia, but some experts question the findings due to potential flaws in the analysis. While microplastics have been previously detected in human bodies, their impact on brain health remains unclear. Scientists call...
-
Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels
A study has detected microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, showing a 50 percent increase in levels over recent years. The findings suggest these particles may bypass the blood-brain barrier, leading to concerns over potential health effects. Experts are now focusing on how these plastics enter the brain and their possible role in ne...
-
SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
-
PFAS Chemicals Harm Freshwater Turtles in Australia, New Research Finds
Recent studies have highlighted the alarming effects of PFAS (forever chemicals) on freshwater turtles in Australia. The research, led by environmental biochemist David Beale and his team, discovered that PFAS exposure is causing serious health issues in both adult turtles and their hatchlings. The chemicals accumulate in key organs like the liver,...
-
Pune Birthday Bash Organiser Faces Police Case For Causing Noise Pollution
A case has been registered against the organiser of a birthday event in Pimpri Chinchwad in Pune district for allegedly violating noise and environmental norms and causing a public nuisance, police said on Tuesday.
-
Artificial Intelligence Boom To Trigger Thousands Of Deaths, $20 Billion In Health Costs Annually: Study
By 2030, this pollution could lead to 1,300 premature deaths annually in the US and public health costs of nearly $20 billion.
-
How Beijing Reduced Air Pollution By Up To 89% In A Decade
Despite a tripling of vehicle numbers, pollution levels have decreased, making Beijing a model for other cities tackling similar problems.
-
Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
-
New Global Policies to Cut Plastic Waste and Reduce Carbon Emissions by 2050
A study from UC Santa Barbara and Berkeley suggests four key policies that could reduce global plastic waste mismanagement by 91 percent and cut related emissions by 30 percent by 2050. The policies include a mandate for 40 percent recycled plastic in new products, a cap on plastic production, greater investment in waste management, and a fee on pl...
-
Study Finds Industrial Aerosols May Cause Local Snowfall by Freezing Clouds
A new study led by the University of Tartu has shown that industrial emissions, particularly aerosol particles, can influence local snowfall by triggering ice formation in supercooled clouds. Using satellite and ground-based radar observations, researchers found that factories, including cement plants and power stations, may cause localised snow pl...
-
Haryana Doubles Fine For Stubble Burning, Rs 1.65 Lakh Collected In Fines
In a stricter move to curb air pollution, the Haryana government has doubled the fine for stubble burning, now for two acres of land the farmers will have to pay an environmental compensation fee of Rs 5,000 up from Rs 2,500
-
Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite LignoSat into Space
Japan’s LignoSat, the first wooden satellite developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, was launched on a SpaceX mission to the ISS. The satellite will orbit 400 km above Earth for six months, testing honoki wood’s durability against extreme temperatures and radiation. The team, led by astronaut Takao Doi, hopes to prove that wood can...
-
RMIT University Develops Satellite Technology to Identify Plastic Waste on Beaches
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a satellite tool that can detect plastic waste on beaches from over 600 km above the Earth. This innovative technology uses variations in light reflection to identify plastic debris, offering a new approach to tackle the growing issue of plastic pollution. With millions of tonnes of plastic entering oc...
