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Environment - 27.09.2023
Astronomy / Space Science - Environment - 27.09.2023
Environment - 25.09.2023 
Birds that have evolved greater complexity are less biodiverse
Research from the Milner Centre for Evolution shows that birds with more complex skeletons are more specialised and so are less species rich. Published on Monday 25 September 2023 Last updated on Monday 25 September 2023 A new study of the evolution of birds shows that as their skeletons become more complex, they also decrease in diversity, with fewer species as they become more specialised in their niches.
Environment - Chemistry - 22.09.2023
Environment - Health - 20.09.2023 
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on London’s waterways
The most detailed study of a city's waterways anywhere in the world has revealed how chemical pollutants in London's rivers changed over the pandemic. In a study led by researchers at Imperial College London, scientists have shown how pollutants entering the capital's river systems - including traces of prescription medications such as antibiotics and antidepressants - changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environment - Earth Sciences - 18.09.2023
Environment - Life Sciences - 18.09.2023
Environment - Health - 13.09.2023 
Roadside hedges can reduce harmful ultrafine particle pollution around schools
A new study led by Cambridge University confirms that planting hedges between roadsides and school playgrounds can dramatically reduce children's exposure to traffic-related particle pollution. Our findings show that hedges can provide a simple, cheap and effective way to help reduce exposure to local sources of pollution Hassan Sheikh The , a collaboration with Lancaster University, found that hedges can act as protective barriers against air pollution from major city roads by soaking up significant quantities of harmful particles emitted by traffic.
Environment - Economics - 08.09.2023 
Lack of evidence hampers progress on corporate-led ecosystem restoration
A near total lack of transparency is making it impossible to assess the quality of corporate-led ecosystem restoration projects, a new study finds. The world's largest corporations have the potential to lift ecosystem restoration efforts to an unprecedented scale. But their involvement has to be managed with proper evidence and accountability, to make sure the outcomes are beneficial and fair for everyone.
Environment - Innovation - 07.09.2023 
Hybrid solar energy systems could reduce global emissions
Imperial engineers and a team of global experts have reviewed technological options, innovation and opportunities in the hybrid solar energy industry. They anticipate that hybrid PV-thermal technologies could produce a further drop in global emissions of about three per cent (around 600 Mega-tonnes of CO2) by 2030 if the systems mentioned in this study are installed as proposed.
Environment - Life Sciences - 07.09.2023 
Bees struggle to find flowers because of air pollution
A new study has found that air pollution is preventing pollinators finding flowers because it degrades the scent. A research team comprising the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the Universities of Birmingham, Reading, Surrey and Southern Queensland, found that ozone substantially changes the size and scent of floral odour plumes given off by flowers, and that it reduced honeybees' ability to recognise odours by up to 90% from just a few metres away.
Environment - 06.09.2023 
Where’s the trust? US climate deniers have no faith in universities
U.S. voters who don't trust universities are also more likely to believe that human activity doesn't cause climate change, a new collaborative study from researchers at the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) revealed in PLOS Climate this week.
History / Archeology - Environment - 06.09.2023 
Complete Neolithic cursus on the Isle of Arran
Researchers discover complete Neolithic cursus on the Isle of Arran A leading team of researchers have discovered what is believed to be a complete Neolithic cursus set within a rich prehistoric landscape on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. A leading team of researchers have discovered what is believed to be a complete Neolithic cursus set within a rich prehistoric landscape on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
Environment - Social Sciences - 04.09.2023 
Imperial experts to study air pollution exposure inside 100 London homes
A groundbreaking Imperial-led study is looking at indoor exposure to air pollution in more than 100 homes in West London. The WellHome study, led by Imperial College London's world-leading Environmental Research Group , is a first-of-its-kind community-based study focusing on assessing air quality inside and outside of homes, as well as identifying various contaminants such as chemicals, biological agents, and microplastics that are present within the home environment.
Environment - Health - 31.08.2023 
Clean Air Zone reduces air pollution levels in Birmingham - study
Scientists use innovative techniques to map the environmental impact of Birmingham's Clean Air Zone Birmingham's clean air zone (CAZ) has reduced the levels of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) - an air pollutant which adversely affects people's health, a new study reveals. University of Birmingham scientists used an innovative technique to discover that during the CAZ's first seven months of operation, after correction for weather and seasonal effects, it resulted in 'modest, but significant' reductions in NO2 of up to 7.
Environment - 29.08.2023 
AI-enhanced audio monitoring shows where monkeys won’t go
By monitoring the calls of spider monkeys, researchers have shown what level of human activity they will tolerate, helping guide conservation. The study, led by Imperial College London researchers, showed that Geoffroy's spider monkeys in Costa Rica are not found in areas with less than 80% forest cover and within one kilometre of a paved main road.
Environment - Health - 24.08.2023 
Climate distress related to anxiety and action in young people
Researchers have carried out a study to understand the psycho-social impacts of climate crisis on young people in the UK. The study found that distress over climate change is related to many difficult emotions in young people - even in the absence of direct climate-related experience. It can, though, also motivate them to take positive climate actions.
Environment - Life Sciences - 23.08.2023 
Vegetarian diet of corals explains age-old mystery dating back to Darwin
A new study led by the University of Southampton has revealed why coral reefs can thrive in seemingly nutrient poor water, a phenomenon that has fascinated scientists since Charles Darwin. The research shows that corals farm and feed on their photosynthetic symbionts - microscopic algae that live inside their cells.
Environment - Life Sciences - 21.08.2023
Environment - Earth Sciences - 21.08.2023
Environment
Results 1 - 20 of 115.
Government policies work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been effective, however more stringent regulations are needed to limit global warming to the Paris temperature goals, finds a new analysis by UCL researchers of international efforts to fight climate change. The research, published in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources , tracked the rate of greenhouse gas emissions over the last two decades against global efforts to reduce them.
Policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been effective, however more stringent regulations are needed to limit global warming to the Paris temperature goals, finds a new analysis by UCL researchers of international efforts to fight climate change. The research, published in Annual Reviews of Environment and Resources , tracked the rate of greenhouse gas emissions over the last two decades against global efforts to reduce them.
New simulations shed light on origins of Saturn’s rings and icy Moons
A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the origins of Saturn's rings - one that involves a massive collision in the recent history of the 4.5 billion-year-old Solar System. A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the origins of Saturn's rings - one that involves a massive collision in the recent history of the 4.5 billion-year-old Solar System.
A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the origins of Saturn's rings - one that involves a massive collision in the recent history of the 4.5 billion-year-old Solar System. A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the origins of Saturn's rings - one that involves a massive collision in the recent history of the 4.5 billion-year-old Solar System.
Research from the Milner Centre for Evolution shows that birds with more complex skeletons are more specialised and so are less species rich. Published on Monday 25 September 2023 Last updated on Monday 25 September 2023 A new study of the evolution of birds shows that as their skeletons become more complex, they also decrease in diversity, with fewer species as they become more specialised in their niches.
Waterfleas hold key to cleaner environment and better human health
A novel way of removing chemical pollutants from wastewater could see the humble waterflea helping to create cleaner rivers and waterways. Tiny waterfleas could play a pivotal role in removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater - making it safe to use in factories, farms and homes, a new study reveals.
A novel way of removing chemical pollutants from wastewater could see the humble waterflea helping to create cleaner rivers and waterways. Tiny waterfleas could play a pivotal role in removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater - making it safe to use in factories, farms and homes, a new study reveals.
The most detailed study of a city's waterways anywhere in the world has revealed how chemical pollutants in London's rivers changed over the pandemic. In a study led by researchers at Imperial College London, scientists have shown how pollutants entering the capital's river systems - including traces of prescription medications such as antibiotics and antidepressants - changed over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New approach to critical zone science could help secure Earth’s life support systems
Future plans to tackle the climate change's impacts on food security must integrate local knowledge to help preserve the Earth's critical zone, experts have warned. Future plans to tackle the climate change's impacts on food security must integrate local knowledge to help preserve the Earth's critical zone, experts have warned.
Future plans to tackle the climate change's impacts on food security must integrate local knowledge to help preserve the Earth's critical zone, experts have warned. Future plans to tackle the climate change's impacts on food security must integrate local knowledge to help preserve the Earth's critical zone, experts have warned.
Replanting logged forests with diverse seedlings accelerates restoration, says Oxford study
One of the world's biggest ecological experiments, co-led by the University of Oxford on the island of Borneo, has revealed that replanting logged tropical forests with diverse mixtures of seedlings can significantly accelerate their recovery. The findings , published today in the journal Science Advances, emphasise the importance of preserving biodiversity in pristine forests and restoring it in recovering logged forest.
One of the world's biggest ecological experiments, co-led by the University of Oxford on the island of Borneo, has revealed that replanting logged tropical forests with diverse mixtures of seedlings can significantly accelerate their recovery. The findings , published today in the journal Science Advances, emphasise the importance of preserving biodiversity in pristine forests and restoring it in recovering logged forest.
A new study led by Cambridge University confirms that planting hedges between roadsides and school playgrounds can dramatically reduce children's exposure to traffic-related particle pollution. Our findings show that hedges can provide a simple, cheap and effective way to help reduce exposure to local sources of pollution Hassan Sheikh The , a collaboration with Lancaster University, found that hedges can act as protective barriers against air pollution from major city roads by soaking up significant quantities of harmful particles emitted by traffic.
A near total lack of transparency is making it impossible to assess the quality of corporate-led ecosystem restoration projects, a new study finds. The world's largest corporations have the potential to lift ecosystem restoration efforts to an unprecedented scale. But their involvement has to be managed with proper evidence and accountability, to make sure the outcomes are beneficial and fair for everyone.
Imperial engineers and a team of global experts have reviewed technological options, innovation and opportunities in the hybrid solar energy industry. They anticipate that hybrid PV-thermal technologies could produce a further drop in global emissions of about three per cent (around 600 Mega-tonnes of CO2) by 2030 if the systems mentioned in this study are installed as proposed.
A new study has found that air pollution is preventing pollinators finding flowers because it degrades the scent. A research team comprising the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and the Universities of Birmingham, Reading, Surrey and Southern Queensland, found that ozone substantially changes the size and scent of floral odour plumes given off by flowers, and that it reduced honeybees' ability to recognise odours by up to 90% from just a few metres away.
U.S. voters who don't trust universities are also more likely to believe that human activity doesn't cause climate change, a new collaborative study from researchers at the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) revealed in PLOS Climate this week.
Researchers discover complete Neolithic cursus on the Isle of Arran A leading team of researchers have discovered what is believed to be a complete Neolithic cursus set within a rich prehistoric landscape on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. A leading team of researchers have discovered what is believed to be a complete Neolithic cursus set within a rich prehistoric landscape on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
A groundbreaking Imperial-led study is looking at indoor exposure to air pollution in more than 100 homes in West London. The WellHome study, led by Imperial College London's world-leading Environmental Research Group , is a first-of-its-kind community-based study focusing on assessing air quality inside and outside of homes, as well as identifying various contaminants such as chemicals, biological agents, and microplastics that are present within the home environment.
Scientists use innovative techniques to map the environmental impact of Birmingham's Clean Air Zone Birmingham's clean air zone (CAZ) has reduced the levels of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO2) - an air pollutant which adversely affects people's health, a new study reveals. University of Birmingham scientists used an innovative technique to discover that during the CAZ's first seven months of operation, after correction for weather and seasonal effects, it resulted in 'modest, but significant' reductions in NO2 of up to 7.
By monitoring the calls of spider monkeys, researchers have shown what level of human activity they will tolerate, helping guide conservation. The study, led by Imperial College London researchers, showed that Geoffroy's spider monkeys in Costa Rica are not found in areas with less than 80% forest cover and within one kilometre of a paved main road.
Researchers have carried out a study to understand the psycho-social impacts of climate crisis on young people in the UK. The study found that distress over climate change is related to many difficult emotions in young people - even in the absence of direct climate-related experience. It can, though, also motivate them to take positive climate actions.
A new study led by the University of Southampton has revealed why coral reefs can thrive in seemingly nutrient poor water, a phenomenon that has fascinated scientists since Charles Darwin. The research shows that corals farm and feed on their photosynthetic symbionts - microscopic algae that live inside their cells.
Ant invasions cause species loss
New research by Cardiff University has measured the impact of ant invasions on native species at a global scale for the first time - finding that the introduction of invasive ants into new environments can reduce species numbers by 53% through competition and predation. Ants play an important role in helping to maintain stable ecosystems, despite this some species of ants have been transported by humans globally and can cause major problems, even contributing to the extinction of some animal species.
New research by Cardiff University has measured the impact of ant invasions on native species at a global scale for the first time - finding that the introduction of invasive ants into new environments can reduce species numbers by 53% through competition and predation. Ants play an important role in helping to maintain stable ecosystems, despite this some species of ants have been transported by humans globally and can cause major problems, even contributing to the extinction of some animal species.
Mississippi mud reveals secrets of Antarctica’s ancient expansion
Study of microscopic fossils taken from Mississippi sediment cores reveals climate feedback that acted as temporary brake on an ancient cooling event Clues about the formation of major ice sheets on Antarctica have been found in mud cores drilled in Mississippi, providing an important lesson about a major climate cooling event, sometimes known as the Grande Coupure or great cut.
Study of microscopic fossils taken from Mississippi sediment cores reveals climate feedback that acted as temporary brake on an ancient cooling event Clues about the formation of major ice sheets on Antarctica have been found in mud cores drilled in Mississippi, providing an important lesson about a major climate cooling event, sometimes known as the Grande Coupure or great cut.
