Category: Solutions
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Ventura County study: wild birds protect flood structures better than poison
A new study, which was conducted at two site along a levee at the Revolon Slough, shows that predator birds are an efficient weapon for protecting flood levees. Yazmin Cruz (Photo: Contributed photo) Armed with a study showing that predatory birds protect flood control structures, managers plan to substantially reduce their use of poisonous bait…
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Scientists accidentally create mutant enzyme that eats plastic bottles
Scientists have created a mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic drinks bottles – by accident. The breakthrough could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis by enabling for the first time the full recycling of bottles. The new research was spurred by the discovery in 2016 of the first bacterium that had naturally evolved to…
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Algae from wastewater solves two problems: biofuel and cleanup
In one of the first studies to examine the potential for using municipal wastewater as a feedstock for algae-based biofuels, Rice University scientists found they could easily grow high-value strains of oil-rich algae while simultaneously removing more than 90 percent of nitrates and more than 50 percent of phosphorus from wastewater. The findings, which are…
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UN promotes nature-based solutions to growing water shortages
Photo Credit: Kelly Fike/USFWS The UN’s annual World Water Development Report 2018 has highlighted the need to use nature to combat the challenges of a growing population and climate change. In its detailed analysis, the report demonstrates that demand for water is increasing in developing countries, while simultaneously access is being put at risk by…
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Prairie STRIPS program expands with new grant
Narrow strips of native prairie planted on cropland, like the one shown above, can yield immense environmental benefits. The STRIPS program at Iowa State recently received a USDA grant to expand its work. Photo courtesy of Lisa Schulte Moore. AMES, Iowa – A recently awarded federal grant will help an innovative Iowa State University program…
