HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Plastic Bottle Redemption Programs Help Reduce Plastic Waste in the Ocean, Study Says
With roughly 8 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year, researchers set out to determine the impact of plastic bottle redemption programs on plastic waste pollution.
Microplastic Levels High in Northwest Atlantic Fish
Hoping to further highlight the impact of microplastics on ocean life, researchers have published a new study revealing that microplastics were found in almost three out of every four mesopelagic fish captured in the Northwest Atlantic — considered one of the highest levels found worldwide.
Researchers Challenge Notion That Social Media Displaces Human Contact
The concern that people are alienating their real-life family and friends in favor of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (referred to as "social displacement") is unfounded, according to research from the University of Kansas.
Common Household Products are Polluting the Atmosphere
Linked to millions of premature deaths each year, vehicle emissions from automobiles have borne much of the responsibility for air pollution levels in major cities.
Decommissioned Crane Now a Luxury Amsterdam Apartment
Located at KNSM-Island, the crane is a two-bedroom, three-story luxury apartment that tourists can rent for $860 (USD) a night.
People Leave Less Food Behind on Their Plates When Dining at Home
According to the research, eating at home resulted in cleaner plates with participants leaving behind only 3 percent of their meals. When compared to participants eating from a typical boxed-lunch meal, however, the amount of food left behind jumped to 40 percent.
A Thermal Blanket That Helps to Melt Snow Quickly
Looking for alternatives to melting the snowbanks that often linger well after temperatures have risen back above freezing, scientists tested the melting power of sunlight absorbing thermal blankets and found that they are capable of melting snow three times faster than traditional snow melting methods.
Determining If Drones Offer 'Green' Delivery Option
Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Carnegie Mellon University, SRI International and the University of Colorado at Boulder set out to discover whether or not drone delivery reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in the transportation industry.
Google Testing System to Text, Chat with Your Friends for You
Finding it tiresome typing out text messages or responding to all that is unfolding on social media? If Google gets its way, your communication obligations will be put into the capable hands of an AI-based auto-reply system called Reply.
Germany Considers Offering Free Public Transportation in Bid to Banish Air Pollution
In a dual effort to reduce traffic and meet EU air pollution targets in order to avoid steep fines, Germany is proposing to offer free public transportation.
Amazon Developing AI-chips to Improve Alexa's Speed
Imagine asking Alexa a simple question that the virtual assistant can answer without delay. This is what Amazon envisions for Alexa’s future as it develops its own artificial intelligence chips to work with Echo devices and other hardware.
UK Unveils New Technology to Fight Online Extremist Content
In a bid to locate and remove extremist content from social media platforms, the British government revealed on Tuesday that it will be employing advanced machine learning technology in its efforts.
The Value of Virtual Reality Field Trips
As both the price and the content for virtual reality systems improve, more and more schools are embracing the technology that gives students a chance to take "virtual" field trips to destinations that wouldn’t otherwise be likely due to limits on time, staffing and budgets.
Struggling Science Students Can Improve Science Understanding with Web-based Teaching, Study
According to recent research, web-based learning tools may be the solution for helping students struggling with science courses.
Study Explores Patient Willingness to Receive Follow-up Instructions from Electronic Devices
Exploring whether patients would be willing to take follow-up care instructions from a device rather than from a self-care professional, researchers at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine observed how 60 patients responded to oral hygiene care instructions from a computer versus a medical professional.
Housing Developer Wants to Design a Driverless Town
As the reality of fully autonomous vehicles draws nearer, housing developer Syd Kitson is at work readying his eco-friendly smart city for driverless technology.
The Civil Engineer's Love Affair with Tire Scrap
No better example of repurposing exists than what civil engineers have done with used tires.
Pair Calls for More Research into "Indoor Chemistry"
Concerned that little is known about its impact on human health, two researchers — one from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China and the other from the University of Toronto in Canada — are calling for an examination into the chemical reactions possibly occurring in homes and buildings.
Amazon Preparing to Launch Delivery Service
According to a recent report, retail giant Amazon is throwing its hat into the delivery ring by offering a shipping service to select businesses.
Facebook Testing New Feature on Select Users
Facebook may offer users a clearer path for reporting abusive or offensive content thanks to a new “downvoting” feature that is currently being tested on only a handful of select users.