Inner London residents told me their food waste problems—composting definitely isn’t the answer

Inner London residents told me their food waste problems—composting definitely isn’t the answer

“It’s always frustrated me that we can’t compost here—even though I get why. Tower blocks just aren’t built for it,” said Alexandra, a 42-year-old Tower Hamlets resident, living on the ninth floor. She gestures toward the tall buildings in her neighborhood. Her frustration is shared by many, where food waste collection from blocks of flats…

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Newborn warty birch caterpillars defend the world’s smallest territory

Newborn warty birch caterpillars defend the world’s smallest territory

Some creatures defend territories extending over several kilometers, but when Jayne Yack (Carleton University, Canada) encountered miniature newborn warty birch caterpillars (Falcaria bilineata), she wondered if she might have discovered one of the world’s smallest, and youngest, territorial critters. Some creatures defend territories extending over several kilometers, but when Jayne Yack (Carleton University, Canada) encountered miniature…

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Microplastics pollution from glitter can disrupt marine biomineralization

Microplastics pollution from glitter can disrupt marine biomineralization

New research reveals that PET-based glitter microplastics can actively influence biomineralization processes in marine environments, raising fresh concerns about the long-term environmental impact of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems. New research reveals that PET-based glitter microplastics can actively influence biomineralization processes in marine environments, raising fresh concerns about the long-term environmental impact of microplastic pollution on…

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A step towards life on Mars? Lichens survive Martian simulation in new study

A step towards life on Mars? Lichens survive Martian simulation in new study

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that certain lichen species can survive Mars-like conditions, including exposure to ionizing radiation, while maintaining a metabolically active state. For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that certain lichen species can survive Mars-like conditions, including exposure to ionizing radiation, while maintaining a metabolically active state. Astrobiology Planetary Sciences Phys.org – latest…

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Food and fuel that farms itself: Genome sequences of five duckweed species reveal basis for unique plant traits

Food and fuel that farms itself: Genome sequences of five duckweed species reveal basis for unique plant traits

Under the right conditions, duckweed essentially farms itself. Wastewater, ponds, puddles, swamps—you name it. If there’s enough sunlight and carbon dioxide, the aquatic plant can grow freely. But that’s not all that makes it intriguing. Packed inside duckweed’s tiny fronds is enormous potential as a soil enricher, a fuel source, protein-rich foods, and more. New…

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Torrential rains created devastating inland seas in outback Queensland. Soon, they will fill Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre

Torrential rains created devastating inland seas in outback Queensland. Soon, they will fill Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre

The small Queensland town of Eromanga bills itself as Australia’s town furthest from the sea. But this week, an ocean of freshwater arrived. The small Queensland town of Eromanga bills itself as Australia’s town furthest from the sea. But this week, an ocean of freshwater arrived. Environment Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories

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Using tranquilizers on racehorses is ethically questionable and puts horses and riders at risk

Using tranquilizers on racehorses is ethically questionable and puts horses and riders at risk

Australia’s horse racing industry is in the spotlight after recent allegations of tranquilizer use on horses so they can be “worked” (exercised) between race days. Australia’s horse racing industry is in the spotlight after recent allegations of tranquilizer use on horses so they can be “worked” (exercised) between race days. Veterinary medicine Phys.org – latest science and technology…

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Controlling quantum light at room temperature with tunable nanostructures and low voltage

Controlling quantum light at room temperature with tunable nanostructures and low voltage

The ability to control the color, or emission wavelength, of light from quantum sources is central to the development of secure quantum communication networks and photonic-based computing. However, most systems capable of tuning quantum light require extreme conditions, for example, high voltages, strong magnetic fields, and even cryogenic environments. The ability to control the color, or…

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