Feature Channels: Environmental Health

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Leaders from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory celebrated the construction of the foundations for the lab’s newest facility on August 21, 2024. The Seismic Safety and Modernization (SSM) project is replacing the previous cafeteria building, which served the lab for 70 years. (The previous facility could not meet today’s standards for resilience in case of an earthquake, among other issues.) In contrast, the new facility has a 47,000-square-foot state-of-the-art design. It will encompass food service and conference facilities. The building will also be a home for operations services such as security, human resources, and the Health Services Clinic.

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The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has established the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well (ENgAGE) to take the lead in enhancing living environments that foster the physical, psychological and social well-being of individuals across all age groups, particularly in response to the challenges brought about by demographic shifts and climate change.

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Three years ago, Jessica Sheth Bhutada, MD, was researching rates of metastatic cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) when she noticed a disturbing trend.

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A study out of Michigan State University found that nondeceptive placebos, or placebos given with people fully knowing they are placebos, effectively manage stress — even when the placebos are administered remotely.

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What populates Alabama's William Bankhead National Forest? Trees might be the first thing that come to mind -- or maybe deer. But a lot of sophisticated scientific instruments are joining the natural forest occupants thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research facility being set up there to study connections between the forest and atmosphere.

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A study led by the University of Minnesota and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory sheds light on the origins and ultimate fate of organic carbon by resolving distinct components that cycle at different rates.

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Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, signed an MOU with Yunus Centre, the world’s leading organization in social development. This MOU aims to pave the way for further collaboration and foster the “power of change” to drive Thai society toward a sustainable future. This collaboration will focus on combining the knowledge, experience, and resources of both organizations in projects and activities.

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A crucial study reveals significant alterations in growth, photosynthetic activity, and gene expression of freshwater algae due to cerium oxide nanoparticles. This research highlights the complex interactions between these microscopic pollutants and key aquatic producers, providing essential insights into the ecological impacts of nanomaterial pollution.

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Researchers from Empa, the University of Bristol and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) have investigated the emissions of the potent greenhouse gas HFC-23 from the production of Teflon and coolants. Their study shows: Abatement measures work – but are not being implemented everywhere.

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A new University of Delaware study addresses the lack of data on how much human-generated carbon dioxide is present in coastal oceans – the saltwater ecosystems that link the land and sea. Capturing this data is crucial to calculating how much emissions must be cut in the future.

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New research has revealed factories globally are not properly destroying one of the most potent greenhouse gases emitted from the production of fluoropolymers like Teflon, and refrigerants.

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A groundbreaking study conducted across 30 field sites in the southwest UK has revealed the importance of incorporating varied habitats into the landscape at large.

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A powerhouse collaboration of universities and industry, led by Washington University in St. Louis, is embarking on a bold plan to transform manufacturing toward zero or negative emissions by converting carbon dioxide ultimately into environmentally friendly chemicals and products that create a circular economy.

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Wildfires are emerging as a critical global issue, intensified by climate change and increasingly threatening both the environment and public health. A recent study reveals that these fires are not only becoming more frequent but also more severe, particularly in high-latitude regions such as Asia and North America.

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Pioneering research forecasts worldwide flooding is likely to be significantly worse in future decades if countries fail to meet official pledges to cut carbon emissions.

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Watching your children frolic through a playground is one of the many joys of being a parent or grandparent, but new research has found that engaging in play with kids could help improve mental health.

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Corporate Cup, lunchtime yoga, or even ‘walk and talks’, organisations come up with all sorts of wellness initiatives to encourage people to be more active in the workplace. But before you duck and hide, new research shows that all it takes is 15 minutes and a touch of gamification to put you on the path to success.

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The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is investing in University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research that could expedite the development of climate-resilient corn.