ENVIRONMENTAL

Feb 07 2025ENVIRONMENT

Drinking Water: Are Forever Chemicals Putting Us at Risk?

Our drinking water is facing a big problem. For years, some chemicals have been lurking in our water. These chemicals are called PFAS and they are used in many everyday items. PFAS are very tough and don’t break down easily. This makes them useful for things like non-stick pans and water-resistan

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Feb 06 2025SCIENCE

Electrons, Molecules, and Safety: A New Screening Tool

Picture this: tiny, super-selective sensors scouring through food to keep us safe. These aren’t your everyday sensors; they’re molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors (MIECSs), crafted from something called molecularly imprinted derivative materials (MIDPs). Think of them like lock and key sys

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Feb 06 2025ENVIRONMENT

Is Northwest Indiana's Environment in Danger?

More than a thousand EPA employees who happened to be one of the several changes during the Trump administration may be facing job cuts. Activists in Northwest Indiana point out that there is still a possibility for the environment and public health to take a hit if the staffing cuts go through. T

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Feb 06 2025SCIENCE

Green Dream or Tough Reality? Swapping Acid for Better Health

The process of forming and building proteins is a delicate task that could benefit from the removal of harmful substances. Scientists and researchers have been experimenting with safer alternatives to lessen the risk of contamination to humans and to the planet itself. If you break down the tw

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Feb 06 2025POLITICS

Realism over Ideals: The Path for Scientific Progress

In recent times, the federal government is expected to move towards a pragmatic approach in handling scientific matters. This shift aims to restore public confidence in government policies, which are rooted in science. The trust in government, especially science-based directives, has plummeted and h

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Feb 06 2025POLITICS

Democrats' Abortion Stance: A Divided Party?

The Democratic Party has shifted dramatically over the years, especially regarding abortion. Once, both Democrats and Republicans advocated for protections for unborn children and mothers. Now, the situation is very different. In 1976, the Hyde Amendment, which restricted federal funding for abortio

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Feb 06 2025ENVIRONMENT

Pollution's Unequal Impact on Indigenous Communities

Imagine living in a region where the air you breathe is not as clean as it should be. This is the reality for many Indigenous and rural communities in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Over the past 20 years, this area has seen a huge increase in unconventional natural gas production.

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Feb 05 2025ENVIRONMENT

Cook County Fights Environmental Injustice: A Battle for Resilience

Floodwaters are quietly creeping their way up in the basement of Tara Stamps, who just recently started her role as Cook County supervisor. That storm moved quickly through the West Side of Chicago. But its impact will continue to linger. The city is looking for their input. People Sitting next

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Feb 05 2025ENVIRONMENT

Dye Disaster: The Power of MIL-100(Fe)

Scientists have cooked up a powerful cleaning material called MIL-100(Fe). They made it from basic ingredients like ammonium iron sulfate and trimesic acid under easy conditions. This material has tiny holes and a massive surface area. This makes it super effective at sucking up nasty organ

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Feb 04 2025ENVIRONMENT

Cicada Season: A Boon for Nature

Something magical is about to happen in Pennsylvania's south-central region. While we humans start to think about warmer days ahead, it's not just us. There's something else stirring beneath the earth. Cicadas! These cicadas have been living underground for seventeen long years!

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