Mar 31, 2016
Microorganisms in the gut of the common mealworm appear to turn discarded Styrofoam and plastic into biodegraded fragments that look like rabbit droppings.
The Corexit oil dispersant used by British Petroleum to clean up the Deepwater oil spill will have long-lasting lethal effects on marine life.
Germany has followed Scotland’s lead in the European Union by blocking the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in agriculture.
Lower Austria, largely relying on hydropower from the Danube River, generates all its electricity from renewable sources.
Mark your calendar! To celebrate its 100th birthday, the National Park Service will let everyone in for free 16 days this year.
Activists are increasingly using ballot initiatives enabling voters to enact local policies created to protect clean air, clean water and clean energy.
The Deny Americans the Right to Know, or DARK Act, was defeated in the U.S. Senate, representing a major victory for consumers.
Feb 29, 2016
In laboratory experiments, honokiol, a magnolia bark extract, halted the grown of cancer cells of the mouth, larynx, tongue and pharynx.
A seven-species probiotic taken by healthy Dutch subjects for four weeks noticeably reduced attitudes of aggression, hopelessness and rumination.
People that ate an apple before grocery shopping stocked their cart with a healthier portion of fruits and vegetables.
Frequent migraine sufferers were found to have high levels of heavy metals and low levels of other vital minerals in their blood.
People that as young adults watched lots of TV and barely exercised had significantly lower cognitive skills later in life.
After gastric band surgery and adopting a healthier diet, obese patients lost weight; but they also lost 0.6 grams of pancreatic fat and began producing normal amounts of insulin.
Following widespread public protests, Guatemala repealed a law that formerly gave Monsanto the right to plant its genetically modified seeds in ancestral lands.
Students can increasingly find healthy, sustainable options and locally-sourced food in their dining halls.
Huge indoor farms relying on vertically stacked trays are producing 100 times more food per square foot than traditional methods while using 99 percent less water and 40 percent less power.
Eating insects may invoke an instinctive yuck factor, but bugs are packed with nutrients and protein.
Already, 40 percent of the energy for Unilever’s multinational operations comes from green sources, and it aims to solely use renewable sources worldwide by 2030.
As organic produce becomes more popular and available, Costco has become its number one seller in the U.S.
Citing the First Amendment, a judge has overturned an Idaho law that criminalizes surreptitious investigations into animal cruelty.
This summer New York will lease 500 solar-powered foods trucks to vendors that currently consume petrochemicals to drive, power equipment and cook food.
Kitchens can easily be energy hogs, but strategies such as using convection ovens, slow cookers and pot lids can reduce the monthly utility bill.
Jan 29, 2016
Babies up to toddler age had 46 percent fewer strep infections when their mothers regularly chewed xylitol gum.
Rutgers University researchers report that a compound in virgin olive oil killed cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
British college students given a bifidobacterium probiotic for six weeks during stressful final exams had significantly fewer and less severe cases of cold and flu.
Toddlers that were joked around with and played “pretend” activities developed better interpersonal skills later in life.
People with a history of chronic bronchitis that routinely drank five or more high-fructose corn syrup sodas a week showed an 80 percent increase in bronchitis incidents.
People over 80 that ate more fish and veggies than meat had brain sizes equal to those five years younger.
The brand-new Levi’s Stadium is built with repurposed materials, has a green roof and solar panels, and is easily reached by bicycle paths and public transportation.
The world’s largest spice company has promised to make 80 percent of its herbs and spices both organic and non-GMO by 2016.
Responding to public sentiment, the Shrine Circus CEO has announced an end to acts by elephants, tigers and lions, which he states “are deserving of our respect and awe.”
Aspen is the third municipality in the country to shift entirely away from fossil fuels, thanks partly to price drops in renewables and government disincentives for coal.
Waste and debris pulled from the ocean, including plastic, yarn, fibers, and fishing nets, will be woven into some Adidas shoes this year.
Using morphed photographs of African and Asian faces, researchers have reduced the differentiating response of toddlers to foreign racial groups.
The website WXshift.org uses weather and climate data to forecast what the weather will be like in 2050.
We can make our Joe-to-go more planet-friendly by foregoing the paper cups and plastic stirrers.
Dec 29, 2015
Increasingly, physicians are urging labeling of GMO products and voicing concerns about their carcinogenic properties.
In the last 45 years, overfishing, pollution and climate change have eliminated 75 percent of the family of fish that includes tuna and mackerel, as well as a quarter of shark and ray species.
Creators of the popular kids’ puppet show are consulting with autism groups in creating a new autistic kid-character named Julia.
Grade-school kids chow down more often on fruits and veggies for lunch if they eat after recess rather than before.
Thoughtful British universities are providing “puppy rooms” to help students make it through exam anxiety.
Citing research links to liver, nerve and heart disorders, more than 200 scientists have called for a halt to the production of the chemicals used to coat non-stick cookware.
Japanese scientists have discovered how to convert the sun’s rays via microwaves into a direct power source strong enough to wirelessly power an electric tea kettle; now they’re working to scale it up.
To boost employee productivity, morale and health, corporations as diverse as Aetna, Google and General Mills now supply courses on meditation and yoga.
In a pioneering move, Amy’s Organic restaurant in Rohnert Park, California, combines healthy no-meat dishes with speedy service.
Daycare workers and others that work with children are now required by California law to be vaccinated against measles, whooping cough and flu.
The progression of Alzheimer’s was slowed in patients taking vitamin E, and falling was reduced by half for those taking vitamin D.
A third of homes in a University of Houston random study were contaminated with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria, apparently tracked in by shoes.
People living in sunny regions have about one-sixth the rate of pancreatic cancer as those in cloudy climes.
People with autism, asked to devise fresh uses for mundane objects, came up with more original and creative ideas than those in a control group.
