All articles tagged with #science and environment
Researchers using ground-based lidar detected a large lithium plume from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 upper-stage reentry ~62 miles up over Europe, marking the first observed upper-atmosphere pollution from space debris. As satellite constellations grow, such reentries could alter atmospheric composition and potentially impact the ozone layer, though the long-term climate effects remain unknown.
Tropical Cyclone Horacio became the world’s first Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026, peaking at 160 mph over warm South Indian Ocean waters; it poses no land threat and is expected to weaken as it moves into cooler waters and higher wind shear, a reminder that climate change may drive a higher share of storms to Category 4–5 strength.
Scientists have discovered a potentially massive $1.5 trillion lithium deposit beneath the dormant McDermitt caldera, which could significantly impact the global supply of critical energy materials. The deposit, formed over 16 million years ago, is of strategic interest for the U.S. amid rising demand for lithium-ion batteries, but environmental, cultural, and technical challenges remain before extraction can proceed.
The article highlights positive developments in 2025, including the large-scale production of compostable plastics made from sugar cane, innovative programs creating 'pop-up' wetlands to aid migratory birds, new methods to improve disagreement resolution, and advances in AI that are transforming healthcare diagnostics, all contributing to a more hopeful outlook for the year.
The article showcases the best nature photography of 2025, highlighting stunning images of animal behaviors and unique plant features, including a male gobbleguts fish incubating eggs in its mouth, a caterpillar with a 'mad hatter' headgear, an orb weaver spider illuminated by city lights, and a fluorescing pitcher plant, all recognized in prestigious photography competitions.
Trump officials plan to dismantle the global climate and weather forecasting system, which could impact international climate science and weather prediction efforts.
Research shows that banana peels, a common kitchen waste, can be turned into effective biofertilizers that promote healthier and taller plants, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers and reducing environmental impact.
Scientists have confirmed the world's largest lithium deposit beneath Nevada's McDermitt Caldera, potentially holding over 20 million metric tons of lithium, which could significantly impact the US's clean energy and electric vehicle industries. The deposit's unique volcanic origin presents both opportunities and challenges, with ongoing debates over environmental and cultural impacts.
Scientists are exploring the potential of fungi, particularly mycelium, to address environmental challenges such as plastic waste and pollution, with innovations like fungi-activated diapers that could decompose plastics within a year and fungi-based materials for packaging, insulation, and chemical production, highlighting fungi's versatility as nature's original engineers.
A near-perfect pyramid-shaped landform called Cerro El Cono has appeared in the Peruvian Amazon, sparking scientific debate over its origin—whether volcanic, erosional, or possibly man-made—while also highlighting ongoing conservation challenges in the region, which is culturally sacred and ecologically vital.
Researchers have developed a simple, inexpensive method using an optical sieve, a microscope, and a camera to detect nanoplastics as small as 200 nanometers in water and biological samples, potentially revolutionizing environmental monitoring and health impact assessments.
Hospital admissions for Covid in the UK have reached a 10-month high due to waning immunity and rising cases, prompting concerns about potential increases in severe cases and stressing the importance of booster vaccinations, especially as autumn approaches.
Australia has approved a chlamydia vaccine for koalas, aiming to combat a disease responsible for significant mortality and threatening the species' survival, with the vaccine shown to reduce infections and deaths in wild populations by at least 65%.
Scientists from Oxford and other universities have discovered vast natural hydrogen reserves beneath the Earth's crust, potentially capable of powering the planet for 170,000 years, offering a promising, low-carbon alternative to current hydrogen production methods, despite challenges in extraction and technological development.
Great Basin National Park in Nevada is renowned for its dark skies, making it an ideal location for astronomy and scientific research, including hosting the only research-grade observatory within a U.S. national park, which contributes to both scientific discoveries and educational efforts to preserve night sky visibility.