Farmers play a big role in keeping our food supply safe. They make daily choices that affect how well crops grow. One big challenge is making sure there are enough pollinators, like bees, to help crops grow. A recent study looked at how farmers in Dengkou County manage pollination. It found that farmers with more education and larger farms tend to do a better job at ...
For many years, Dick Eastland knew the Guadalupe River could be dangerous. He saw it flood Camp Mystic many times. Once, his pregnant wife had to be flown to a hospital because of the floodwaters. Eastland worked hard to make things safer. He helped create a new flood warning system after 10 kids died at another camp in 1987. He even joined the local river authority ...
In the world of plants, tiny helpers called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are making a big difference. These fungi team up with trees, like the Casuarina equisetifolia, to help them survive tough conditions. Scientists wanted to see how these fungi help the trees when they are growing in coral sand and facing stress from too much salt or not enough water. They ...
Carbon offsets are often seen as an easy fix for companies wanting to reduce their environmental impact. The idea is simple: pay for projects that cut carbon emissions elsewhere to balance out their own pollution. But when you dig deeper, the picture isn't so bright. Many of these projects, whether they involve protecting forests, promoting renewable energy, or chan...
The massive fire in Lahaina, Maui, in August 2023 left a big mess. Untreated wastewater and harmful chemicals from the fire spread into the environment. Scientists wanted to see how this pollution moves around in the beach's groundwater, especially since the seasons change how water flows. They used special tools to watch the water and chemicals over a year. They fo...
Sea turtles in Sicily are facing a big problem: plastic. Over seven years, researchers found that nearly 30% of the sea turtles they studied had eaten plastic and other trash. This isn't just a small issue. It's a growing concern that affects turtles of all ages and sizes. The study looked at both living and dead turtles. They found that the amount and type of plast...
Driftwood is everywhere along coastlines, but its role in trapping trash is often overlooked. A recent study looked at seven beaches in the central Caribbean coast of Colombia to see how driftwood affects litter buildup. Researchers counted and sorted over 12, 000 items, including nearly 4, 000 pieces of driftwood and over 8, 000 pieces of litter. Most of the litter ...
In Texas, a recent flood has left a trail of destruction. Over 120 people have lost their lives. The disaster has raised serious questions about safety and planning. Cabins at Camp Mystic were found to be in a very dangerous flood zone. This has sparked debates about how well we prepare for such events. Floods are not new to Texas. The state has seen many over the y...
In Texas, Kerr County faced a tough choice: invest in a flood warning system or risk lives. The county knew the danger. Nearby, Wimberley County had already lost 13 people to flooding. Kerr County's officials wanted to act, but money was the problem. They looked to FEMA for help, but the state turned down their request. Then, they checked state funds, but the grants ...
Wildlife in farm areas often eat seeds from crops. These seeds might have pesticide left on them. This is important because it can affect birds and mammals. The EU has rules to check if these pesticides are safe. But the rules use old data. This data might not be accurate. A new study looked at this problem. It used recent data from farms in the EU. The study looked...