The Erie Canal is a peaceful spot today, with people enjoying nature along its path. But back in 1825, when it first opened, it was a big deal for trade and travel. The canal cut through forests and fields, making way for mules to pull barges at 4 miles per hour. This was much faster than wagons on rough roads. Goods and people could move between the Great Lakes and ...
On October 29, a discussion about the body's natural defenses and the role of lifestyle choices in health took center stage. The focus was on challenging the belief that genes alone determine health outcomes. Instead, it highlighted how chronic illnesses develop when nurtured by poor nutrition and other underlying factors. Everyone has malignant cells, but it's the i...
The Trump administration has thrown its support behind a controversial mining road in Alaska's Ambler region, but is this really a good idea? The federal government has pledged $35. 6 million to Trilogy Metals, a Canadian company exploring the area. This investment is quite small for a mining company, but it certainly benefited at least one non-Alaskan: billionaire J...
Scientists have found a way to make better filters for cleaning water. They used a common chemical found in oil called thiophene. This chemical was used to make a special kind of membrane. This membrane is like a super-fine sieve that can filter out tiny bits of dye from water. The best part? They made it without using any extra solvents, which is good for the enviro...
When the weather gets cooler, many people start cleaning up their yards. They cut back plants and remove leaves. They think they are doing the right thing. But is this really good for nature? Leaving plants and leaves alone can help insects and small animals survive the winter. These creatures need shelter and food. They find both in leaf piles and plant stems. Bird...
Predicting when wheat will flower is a big deal. It helps farmers and scientists grow crops that can handle climate changes. But current methods aren't great. They either miss important environmental clues or don't fully understand how cold, light, and temperature work together. This leads to wrong predictions and wasted time. A new model called CAMP is changing the...
Colon cancer is a big deal. It's a complex disease. Many things can cause it. Food, surroundings, and genes all play a role. They can lead to long-term inflammation. This inflammation can start with bowel disease. It can end with cancer. But how do these factors work together? And what's next in research? First, let's talk about food. What we eat matters. Some foods...
Mylar balloons, those shiny and colorful party favorites, come with a dark side. They might seem harmless, but they can cause big problems for both wildlife and power systems. These balloons can trigger fires and lead to massive power outages. Imagine a citywide blackout affecting hundreds of thousands of people, all because of a few balloons. It's not just a minor ...
Michigan is stepping up its fight against microplastics, those tiny plastic bits that are everywhere. The state is launching a week-long campaign to educate people about this growing problem. From October 19 to 26, Michigan will host a series of events, including a cleanup in Lansing and a virtual summit for experts and curious minds alike. Microplastics are a big d...
People across the country, from different backgrounds and political views, agree on one thing: our public lands are precious and need protection. This was clear when millions of acres of public lands were almost sold off in a recent budget proposal. The public spoke up, and the sale was stopped. But the threat to these lands is not over. Right now, the current admin...