Tag Archives: environment
Sustainable solutions: Tamarind Seed Kernel powder (TKP) adhesive as a green alternative for lignocellulosic composites
The majority of petroleum-based adhesives applied in the wood industry today, particularly formaldehyde-based adhesives. Their application trend is increasing due to their wide availability, superior bonding, durability, and resistance to heat and moisture. However, formaldehyde-based adhesives continuously
Cs adsorption by Mn‒Fe-based Prussian blue analogs formed in agarose gel
The Fukushima nuclear accident triggered a massive release of radioactive cesium (Cs) isotopes into the environment and generated a large amount of contaminated water. Because Cs isotopes pose serious threats to the environment (particularly the aquatic environment),
Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects ~2% of children in the United States. The etiology of autism spectrum disorder likely involves environmental factors triggering physiological abnormalities in genetically sensitive individuals. One of these major physiological abnormalities in children
Trace gas emissions from husbandry by combining satellite airborne and surface observations
Animal husbandry produces the potent greenhouse gas, methane, which traps heat in the atmosphere (like carbon dioxide). This industry also produces ammonia, which leads to particle (smog) formation that’s dangerous when breathed and affects sunlight and thus
Environmental commitment of small and medium enterprises
In recent years, industrial units have been considered as one major source of environmental degradation. Therefore, environmental preservation by firms has gained the scholars’ increasing attention in different fields in recent years. Earlier research in this area
Rethinking how we pay for conserving global biodiversity
In our article in Science, “How to pay for saving biodiversity”, my co-authors and I argue that it is time to rethink the global approach to saving the world’s remaining biodiversity and habitats. Twenty-five years after establishing
What else can a robot do? Reducing the use of hormone in the dairy industry!
Contrary to an increase in milk yield, dairy cows exhibit weaker and shorter heat signs than ever before. It causes a stockman hard to observe the estrus signs. Thus, efforts to promote reproduction efficiency have focused on
Fracking is fracturing the total environment of the Earth
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is often called high-volume (i.e., up to 5 million gallons of water) high pressure (i.e., 10,000 – 20, 000 psi) horizontal hydraulic fracturing, in which horizontal drilling technique is used to recover natural gas
Limiting environment speeds up the opening of serotinous cones and decreases aerial cone banks
Serotiny, the maintenance of closed cones after maturation (Fig. 1), is a key adaptive trait of plants in fire-prone environments. However, in moderately serotinous species, cones may open in the absence of fire under hot and dry
Active ingredients in personal care products detected throughout the environment
On a daily basis, we use a variety of personal care products, including soaps, detergents, sunscreens, fragrances, insect repellents, cosmetics, and shampoos. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the average household spends over
Designing physical activity environments to include nature enhances positive physical and psychological benefits
Physical inactivity has been identified as a pressing health issue across the globe because has been directly related to mental and physical ill health. Insufficient physical activity (PA) is now the fourth leading underlying cause of premature
Autonomy, reciprocity and respect: cultural values and their impact on indigenous children’s development
Child development is currently a topic of concern for scientists, teachers and governments. Ethnography, Cultural Psychology and Human Ecology have contributed to criticize the idea of universal pathways of human development, stressing the intimate relationships between children’s
Perfluorinated compounds in the atmosphere of Shenzhen, China
High volume air samples taken to 13 sampling sites that were chosen in 6 districts of Shenzhen, China from September to November, 2011 were analyzed for 11 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). A set of ionic nonvolatile PFCs including
Climate change may add significantly to the impacts of pollution and habitat loss on fish populations
Climate change is seen globally as a major environmental risk, along with pollution and the loss of natural habitats. Many regions of the world are predicted to experience increasing climatic fluctuations and extremes, including either drought or
Salt marsh restoration reduces mercury methylation
In this paper we describe analysis of mercury in sediment cores collected from an area of land behind a dyke one year before, and one year after, it was intentionally breached as part of a managed retreat
Africa’s roads to ruin?
Africa’s natural environments and spectacular wildlife are about to face their biggest challenge ever. In a recent paper, my colleagues and I assessed an infrastructure-expansion scheme for Africa so sweeping in scope, it is dwarfing anything the
The behaviors of microplastics in the marine environment
Due to their inexpensive, lightweight and durable properties, plastics hold a highly prevalent place in contemporary society, with extensive commercial, industrial, medicinal and municipal applications. Most of plastics are used in single-use applications, or other short-lived products.
Hormesis: umbrella mechanism only for agents present in the environment
Hormesis is a concept of biphasic dose-response to toxicological and pharmacological stimuli. According to this concept, a harmful factor at a small dose can exert a beneficial action. Among the known hormetic agents are numerous chemical substances
Development of cheap, eco-friendly and sustainable amendments to improve plant growth
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of plants. Its limited availability due to the low solubility, often limits crop production. Therefore, soluble phosphate fertilizers are commonly applied to achieve maximum crop productivity.
Observing the SAfETy of our schools
Last year, the Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gave schools a D. The reasons for this near failing grade centered on the lack of investment in either maintaining older buildings or building new schools to accommodate increasing
