Have you ever wondered what material could be used to build houses on the moon or Mars? Well, a team from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry has an answer: wood! They've launched the world's first wooden satellite into space to test the idea. The tiny satellite, named LignoSat, is no bigger
Most people still use disposable batteries for devices like TV remotes and clocks. While convenient, they're not great for the environment. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been around for a while, but now there's a new option: batteries with built-in USB charging ports. This means you don't
You thought it was just water? Think again! Scientists in Miami have discovered that it’s raining something else too: chemicals that just won’t go away. They are called PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', because they stick around in the environment for a long time. These chemicals have been in use since
In the heart of Nevada, a fight is brewing over a lithium mine. The Western Shoshone tribe and conservationists are taking the U. S. government to court to protect a unique wildflower, Tiehm’s buckwheat. This plant can only be found in Nevada and is under immediate threat due to a planned deep mine.
In a surprising turn, the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso has passed a new law that chisels away at the Soy Moratorium, a deal aimed at curbing Amazon deforestation. This agreement, hatched in 2006 after a Greenpeace investigation linked soy to illegal deforestation, had big companies like Cargill, B
California is a biodiversity hotspot, home to more species than any other U. S. state. That's why the Golden State sent a big delegation to the United Nations biodiversity summit in Colombia. The goal? To protect 30% of the world's land and water by 2030. Even though the U. S. hasn't ratified the bi
An unusual fungus that's been devastating bats across North America has now been discovered in the Sacramento region. This fungus, known for causing white-nose syndrome, can lead to the death of millions of bats. Recently, a western red bat in Sutter County tested positive for the fungus. This is su
Imagine throwing away 13 billion iPhones every year. That's the scary prediction for electronic waste by 2030, thanks to the AI boom. Silicon Valley companies are pouring money into data centers for generative AI. But all this progress comes at a cost. The chips and equipment used today will soon be
Imagine having internet access anywhere in the world. That's what SpaceX promises with its Starlink project. But is it worth the risk to our environment? Over 100 researchers think it's time to find out. They've asked the U. S. government to review the environmental impact of launching thousands of
In the Panhandle Health District, kids are becoming little health heroes! Each spring, the district's Lead Health Intervention Program visits schools to teach third to fifth graders about lead exposure. This year, students from Harrison Elementary, Pinehurst Elementary, and Silver Valley Christian A
