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Quiet road surfaces may have financial as well as acoustic benefits

A recent report has reviewed research on the effectiveness of low-noise road surfaces, taking into account acoustic performance, safety, skidding resistance and cost. It concludes they could have substantial acoustic and financial benefits, but their durability and safety must be taken into account.




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Earthquakes as well as climate change responsible for sea-level rise

Satellite data from the Torres Islands in the southwest Pacific suggest that rising sea-levels in the region widely attributed to climate change is also partly caused by sinking of the islands following earthquakes in the 1990s, according to recent research.




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Air pollution from unconventional gas wells may affect human health

Residents living within half a mile of unconventional natural gas wells may have an increased risk of illness from exposure to air pollution from the wells, according to a recent study. The peer-reviewed study recommends that risk prevention efforts to minimise impacts on human health should concentrate on communities living and working close to wells during well completions and that further studies on health effects of exposures to air emissions from such projects should be carried out.




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Higher rates of damage reported in US shale gas and oil wells than in conventional wells

Over 75 000 regulatory inspection reports for over 32 000 oil and gas production wells drilled in Pennsylvania, US between 2000 and 2012, have been analysed in a recent study. In these reports, the inspectors logged six times as many incidents of damage to the walls of shale gas and oil wells than in wells for conventional oil and gas.




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Bee pollination improves crop quality as well as quantity

Bee pollination improves the shape, weight and shelf-life of strawberries, contributing a staggering €1.05 billion to the European strawberry market per year, new research suggests. By blocking bees from a set of plants, the researchers demonstrated the substantial effects of bee pollination on the quality of the fruit.




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Being the primary breadwinner is bad for men's psychological well-being and health

Gendered expectations in marriage are not just bad for women, they are also bad for men, according to a new study by University of Connecticut (UConn) sociologists.

read more



  • Psychology & Sociology

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How does living with aircraft noise affect wellbeing? A study of UK airports

Airports are associated with air and noise pollution and may, therefore, reduce the quality of life of local people. This study assessed the link between aircraft noise and subjective wellbeing, using data from 17 English airports. The authors conclude that living under flight paths has a negative effect on people’s overall wellbeing, equivalent to around half of the effect of being a smoker for some indicators.




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The lost planets : Peter van de Kamp and the vanishing exoplanets around Barnard's Star / John Wenz ; foreword by Corey S. Powell

Wenz, John, author




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Global human well-being possible at low levels of energy and carbon

High levels of energy consumption and carbon emissions are not necessary for high standards of living, according to a new study. In recent decades, the same human needs have been met with ever decreasing energy and carbon levels, achieving a steady decoupling of human development from energy use and carbon emissions.




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Policy transfer must occur within, as well as between, countries

New research has investigated the possibility of transferring policy between EU Member States. It studied the outcomes of an EU-funded project that aimed to integrate land use planning and transport management across Europe, and identified barriers to transfer, which included language, differing planning traditions and difficulties in systematically adopting a policy across a nation. The study also highlights a role for EU projects in beginning the process of policy transfer.




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Fracking: leaking wells cause gas-contaminated groundwater

Contamination of drinking water in areas close to several fracking sites in the Marcellus and Barnett Shales, USA, is caused by structural problems leading to wells leaking natural gas into aquifers, a new study suggests. The researchers measured trace amounts of chemicals, called noble gases, which formed signatures of the sources of gas contamination in over 130 samples. These findings suggest that, rather than coming from natural sources, such contamination in the area of the investigation is an engineering problem to do with the wells themselves, the researchers say. They stress the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of the wells, which can be done in an affordable manner.




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Fracking: a serious concern for surface water as well as groundwater

While the ecological impact of shale gas exploration and extraction on groundwater has received considerable attention, the implications for surface water and terrestrial ecosystems is often overlooked, according to a new US study. Although more data are needed, preliminary results suggest that regulations based on proximity to surface water could be necessary to protect valuable ecosystems.




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Natura 2000 sites well connected across borders in Germany, Italy and Spain

Connectivity between protected areas is vital for safeguarding many animals and plants. New research has shown that Natura 2000 sites are well connected across provincial borders in Germany, Italy and Spain. This is the result of strong coordination from central governments combined with good regional cooperation, the study???s authors conclude.




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Biodiversity scenarios should focus on land use as well as climate change

Biodiversity scenarios are a useful tool to help policymakers predict how flora and fauna will likely respond to future environmental conditions. Although changes to land use are a major driver of biodiversity loss, scenarios focus overwhelmingly on climate change, a new study shows. The researchers say this imbalance makes scenarios less credible, and make recommendations for developing more plausible projections.




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BirdLife International’s ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ well covered by Natura 2000 in Europe but potential to extend network

The coverage of ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ (IBAs) in relation to Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds in the EU has been assessed in a new study. Overall, 66% of the IBA network is covered by SPAs. SPAs were found to cover 23% of the distributions of 435 EU bird species as well as 25% of the distributions of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.




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How well do wastewater treatment plants remove pharmaceuticals?

A comprehensive analysis of pharmaceuticals in Spanish wastewater has indicated that they are widespread pollutants. The majority of pharmaceuticals present in incoming wastewater were still present in both treated water and in the river waters receiving the treated water.




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Herbicide reduction can preserve crop yields as well as biodiversity benefits of weeds

Pesticide-sparing approaches to farming do not have to compromise on crop yields, new research suggests. A study that explored the impact of reduced herbicide use across a variety of different farming contexts found that herbicide-efficient systems could be just as productive as conventional systems — and more so than organic systems — whilst having other important environmental benefits.




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Air pollution from unconventional gas wells may affect human health

Residents living within half a mile of unconventional natural gas wells may have an increased risk of illness from exposure to air pollution from the wells, according to a recent study. The peer-reviewed study recommends that risk prevention efforts to minimise impacts on human health should concentrate on communities living and working close to wells during well completions and that further studies on health effects of exposures to air emissions from such projects should be carried out.




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Greater risk of heart defects for babies born near unconventional gas wells in Colorado

Pregnant women living within 16 km of unconventional gas wells in Colorado, US, are up to 30% more likely to give birth to a baby with a heart defect, new research has found. These findings suggest that more research is needed to understand the potential health impact of natural gas developments, say the researchers.




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Show as well as tell

Desktop sharing features put everyone in the picture





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Our verdict on Sopwell House's new £14million spa in St Albans

The moment you step through the door, Cottonmill Spa sprawls before you like the promise of paradise. Not for nothing are guests given maps to help them find their way around. You could easily get lost here, but oh what a place to get lost in.




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CEDAR LEVEL ROAD PROJECT BEGINS IN HOPEWELL - Project will widen road and improve safety

South Chesterfield, Va. — A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project began this week to widen Cedar Level Road between Cobblestone...




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Eni's Latest Mexico Well Disappoints

Operations have been completed on the Ehecatl-1 exploration well on Block 7, located in the Sureste Basin Offshore Mexico.




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Amid Oil Rout, Challenge Is Picking Which Wells Close

Figuring out which wells to shut, and for how long, is the hard part.




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Dwell on wheels: Vintage trailer reborn as low-impact mobile abode

Squeeze on in for a tour of the COMET, a 1960s Avalon camper transformed into a solar-powered mobile abode by Mariah Coz.



  • Remodeling & Design

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Boat-dwelling couple swaps rent for slip fees, finds a new kind of freedom [Video]

After exhausting other price-sensible real estate options, a watercraft-loving Portland family settles on a 43-foot boat found on Craigslist for $14,000.



  • Remodeling & Design

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Food pyramids change with time and place, but the goal is the same: Eat well

Colorful diagrams help us understand how much of which foods we should be eating.




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Belfry-dwelling bats are causing an unholy mess in English churches

The Bats and Churches Partnership aims to ease the sometimes fraught relationship between bats and the houses of worship they roost in.




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EPA probes water well pollution in Pa. gas field

Residents of Pennsylvania's top natural gas-producing town will soon know what may be lurking in their drinking water wells. Federal environmental regulators ar



  • Wilderness & Resources

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Are abandoned oil and gas wells dumping methane into the atmosphere?

Researchers at Princeton recently studied the question of whether abandoned gas & oil well are leaking methane into the atmosphere.




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Room and billboard: Prefab dwelling attached to massive blank canvas

Perched above Mexico City's trendiest shopping district, the Billboard House is obscured by a mural created by the dwelling's artist-in-residence.



  • Remodeling & Design

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N.Y. wells contain alarming amounts of methane

A new study shows that some wells in N.Y. contain large amounts of explosive methane and need to be monitored to prevent any detonation.



  • Wilderness & Resources

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'One Big Home' profiles America's obsession with supersized dwellings

In the documentary "One Big Home," carpenter Thomas Bena goes behind the scenes to explores the trophy homes and "starter castles" of Martha's Vineyard.



  • Remodeling & Design

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Company suspends fracking operations in Penn. after well explosion

Chesapeake Energy, which has one of the largest natural gas recovery operations in the country, halts all fracking in the state after a spill on the eve of the




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If your workouts cause extreme soreness and swelling, read this

Rhabdomyolysis is rare, but if your workouts cause extreme soreness or swelling, check with your doctor.



  • Fitness & Well-Being

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Mercury's water ice bodes well for alien life search

The discovery of huge amounts of water ice and possible organic compounds on the heat-blasted planet Mercury suggests that the raw materials necessary for life




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How well do you know American cars?

This devilishly difficult quiz will separate the auto experts from the pretenders.




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How well do you know birds?

Whether you watch them at your backyard bird feeder or just see them when you're hiking, how much do you really know about our feathered friends?




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Well, here's a good reason to go to bed earlier

People who stay up late and sleep in late have a greater risk of early death, U.K. researchers find.



  • Fitness & Well-Being

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American love affair with a well-hydrated lawn is stronger than ever

Despite the 'D' word, a new survey finds that Americans are still smitten with lush residential landscapes.



  • Organic Farming & Gardening

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Explore India's elaborate stepwell architecture

Humans have spent countless centuries perfecting the science (and art!) of collecting, storing and transporting water. Here's how ancient India did it.



  • Arts & Culture

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900-year-old 'holy well' discovered that still has clean, drinkable water

The well was uncovered in the basement of an old London building that was also used as a 'Harry Potter' set.




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Honeywell launches Lyric, a thermostat that keeps tabs on your comings and goings

HVAC heavyweight Honeywell unveils Lyric, an attractive and eager-to-adapt household thermostat with GPS-based functionality.




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Consumer Reports: Low-VOC paints perform just as well

Popular magazine and testing facility finds that nontoxic paints have improved in recent years, performing just as well as conventional paints.



  • Remodeling & Design

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Jonas Falk earns a healthy profit helping school kids eat well

Entrepreneur Jonas Falk, 28, has grown a $20 million company, Organic Life, by serving great-tasting organic food at schools.




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Quagga mussels invade Utah's Lake Powell reservoir

The invasive species has already wreaked havoc in the Great Lakes and other regions.




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These 3-D printed Martian dwellings are assembled with robot labor

Having conquered both the moon and Cupertino, Sir Norman Foster eyes the Red Planet.




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Are abandoned gas stations the wellness hubs of the future?

Reebook partners with architecture firm Gensler for 'Get Pumped,' a conceptual scheme in which health-conscious drivers rule the roads.



  • Fitness & Well-Being

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Dainty prefab dwelling from Down Under produces more energy than it consumes

With its edible veggie walls and lack of traditional HVAC systems, Carbon Positive House aims to "free us of modern day lifelines."



  • Remodeling & Design