The last step in figuring out how much damage the former Columbia Falls smelter has caused to nature is now ready. A plan written by state and federal agencies, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and other partners will examine the site again and decide how to repair or pay for long‑term h
Plastic waste is a big problem. It's everywhere, and it's not going away anytime soon. But here's a bit of good news. Scientists have found a bacteria that can break down certain types of plastic. This bacteria, named JJY06, was found in rice field soil in Korea. It's part of the Aeromicrobium famil
Ever wonder how plants can save our environment from harmful pollutants? Well, they do! By absorbing and getting rid of harmful substances, plants act as nature's cleanup crew. This is called phytoremediation—a cool, eco-friendly way to clean up soil, water, and air. Some amazing plants can even gob
Imagine a world where your car's exhaust doesn't harm the environment. That's what scientists are working towards with a material called Cu-SAPO-34. This clever substance turns nasty nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. But how did they create such a wonder material? They started
Imagine the 1960s and '70s, when cars filled up with gas that seemed ordinary but hid a serious threat: lead. This harmful substance, invisible to the eye, damaged the brains and nervous systems of children born between 1966 and 1970. Fast forward to today, and we're still grappling with the fallout
Imagine tiny, super-strong silicon cages growing on sheets of graphene, creating a surface that water hates but oil loves. This is the idea behind a new material that can soak up oil spills like a sponge. Scientists grew these silicon cages, called octa-phenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (O
Electronics are piling up, and so is the waste they create. This waste, known as e-waste, contains precious metals like gold that are often lost. Scientists have come up with a clever solution: a light, spongy material called aerogel. This material is made by combining two types of compounds and has
