Rice plants have tiny helpers called microbiomes that live on their leaves and roots. These helpers can make rice stronger against stress from pests and weather. Most studies look at rice growing in farm or wild soils. But what about rice growing in city soils? That's a big question as cities keep g
Bacteriocins and essential oils are like a dynamic duo in the fight against harmful microbes. They have shown promise in working together to tackle tough pathogens. However, scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how they do this, especially when it comes to Gram-negative bacteria and fun
Insurance companies in California are raising rates and dropping customers because of climate-related disasters. State Farm, the state's largest insurer, has already increased rates by an average of 17% for homeowners, 15% for renters and condo owners, and 38% for apartment owners. They are also see
Reservoirs are like big bathtubs collecting water, but over time, they also collect a lot of mud. This mud can cause big problems. In China's Three Gorges Reservoir, even though less mud is coming in each year, there's still a huge amount already there. The same issue is happening in smaller reservo
In the highlands of Southern Tibet, Nepal, and the Indian Himalayas, certain plants have been cherished for centuries. These aren't just any plants; they're deeply rooted in the traditions of Tantric Buddhism. People here burn branches of Juniperus indica Bertol and Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don. W
Soil pollution is a big deal, and nickel is one of those tricky metals that can cause problems. Scientists have been looking into how to manage nickel better in the soil. One interesting solution? Bauxite residue, also known as "red mud. " This stuff is a leftover from aluminum production, and there
Oil production is getting a boost. OPEC+ has decided to increase its output faster than planned. This move comes as summer demand for oil is high. The group, led by Saudi Arabia, is looking to regain market share. Eight key members of the alliance met and agreed to raise production by 548, 000 barr
In the rocky landscapes of southwest China, water is on the move. It carries more than just moisture. It also moves harmful stuff like mercury, thallium, and arsenic. These toxic elements are found in the soil. They come from different places. Some come from rocks breaking down. Others come from the
Scientists have created a new type of membrane that can quickly and efficiently separate oil from water. This is a big deal because oily wastewater is a major problem in many industries, and current solutions often fall short due to something called membrane fouling. That's when oil sticks to the me
Scientists wanted to see how chemicals from building materials move through soil. They used both computer models and real-life experiments to figure this out. The computer models, like PELMO, are usually used for farming chemicals. But buildings are different from farms. So, the scientists had to ad
