As buildings become increasingly energy-efficient in terms of heating and operation, researchers are highlighting the importance of reducing the energy needed to construct the buildings. However, there is a lack of accurate, consistent data, or a standard methodology to properly assess energy requirements at this stage, a new study has found.

China does not export cars to Europe, yet it has adopted the Euro emissions standard for vehicles. A recent study argues this is because international standards can encourage foreign investors to share advanced technical knowledge with companies in developing and emerging economies – thus bringing a package of environmental and economic benefits. In China’s case, its car industry is now better prepared for future trade in a global market, thanks to this strategy.

Available evidence from the last decade, describing the nature, behaviour and effect of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment, has been reviewed. It identified factors that influence ENP distribution and fate and highlighted the existence of significant research gaps which, if filled, would help in understanding the impacts of long-term accumulation of nanomaterials and the changes that occur to them when they are released into the environment.

The NABH Digital Health Standards aims to consider all relevant aspects of the application of patient interfacing technologies across the continuum of care applicable for outpatient, inpatient, and remote patient monitoring.

The company has created qualification packs to define the competency standards that will provide a framework for academic institutions to design their course curriculum to better conform to industry hiring standards. These have been approved by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), and National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC).

Many species around the world are likely to become extinct as ecosystems and the diversity of life found in them are threatened by pressures, such as pollution, overexploitation, climate change, invasive species, fragmentation, degradation and loss of habitat. A recent report has examined the causes of biodiversity loss and the policies surrounding efforts to tackle this loss

Mosses are an important but sometimes overlooked group of plants, which play a significant role in cycling in carbon and nitrogen between the land and the air. A new study proposes that scientists could use mosses as a model to investigate the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity and nature.

A global team of marine biologists have recently completed a Census of Marine Life, which contributes to our basic understanding of marine ecosystems. Among its findings - marine biodiversity in the Baltic and Mediterranean are among the most threatened globally.

A new study has identified several differences between two major European databases on alien species, which could be communicating mixed messages for biodiversity policymakers. Researchers recommend creating a single pan-European database to address these differences.

Understanding the way fish use their habitat is necessary for a science- based approach to fisheries management, according to a new scientific review. The paper summarises the current state of knowledge and tools available to assess fish movement patterns in relation to freshwater fisheries, and recommends more systematic use of these tools to inform the management of fish populations.

EU pesticide regulations have encouraged farmers in developing countries to adopt alternative pest management practices and employ safer means of handling pesticides, according to a recent study which investigated green bean farming in Kenya.

Levels of aquaculture pesticides exceed UK environmental quality standards (EQSs) in samples taken from near Norwegian fish farms, a recent study has shown. The researchers examined five pesticides used to kill sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and showed that in many cases their concentrations exceeded UK EQSs. They used UK standards, they explain, because there are currently no Norwegian EQSs for these chemicals, and call for international quality standards to be drawn up.

Halogenated nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs) in water increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics, new research shows. The study found that a strain of bacteria which can cause disease in humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, increased its resistance to a range of different antibiotics by an average of 5.5 times after the bacteria were exposed to chemicals which form as by-products of common water treatment procedures. The results highlight the risks to public health which these currently unregulated by-products may cause.

More Europeans are driving diesel cars, with important implications for vehicle emissions. A new study suggests that diesel cars may emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels far higher than emissions standards, even when considering the newest generation of diesel cars. Part of the problem is that tests of vehicle emissions in the laboratory do not accurately reflect on-road emissions.

Mercury levels in bream (Abramis brama) collected from six European sampling sites from 2007 to 2013 exceeded the Water Framework Directive’s safety limit for fish in all but one site in 2012, a new study discovers. The findings suggest greater efforts need to be made to prevent mercury pollution.

A recent study develops a framework for implementing IAMs using the Lombardy region of Italy as a case study. Researchers have run an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis with an environmental model, specifically with an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) for air quality, demonstrating how model components are sources of uncertainty in the output of an integrated assessment. Policy responses should therefore consider uncertainty and sensitivity when developing measures to improve air quality.

The USDA has released its new, healthier standards for school lunches. Is everyone optomistic?

An infographic makes the argument for the USDA to get involved with setting national standards for the snacks allowed to be sold in schools.

Don’t know the difference between cage-free and free-range, natural and organic? This will help.

Video: A Florida marine ecologist narrows down the spread of the first lobster virus.

Find out what wood ducks are revealing about threats to our fine feathered friends.

It's one of many bold claims made by the late physicist Stephen Hawking in his final book, "Brief Answers to the Big Questions," published posthumously.

The organic produce company may sell nationally, but it still keeps a roadside stand in Central California where people can buy organic produce and much more.

Why people are protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Protesters celebrate in North Dakota as the Army halts the Dakota Access pipeline, but many of them still aren't leaving.

Standing all day is healthier than sitting, but adjusting can be a challenge. Some yoga moves can make the difference.

A dog guards an injured canine friend in Japan. Rescue workers managed to get one dog to a shelter and the injured animal to a veterinary clinic.

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City talks with Rachel Maddow about his new PBS documentary about Pluto and its status as a planet

Preserved human footprints in the White Sands National Monument give us insights into early humans' hunting practices of giant ground sloths.

Appalachian residents witness to the atrocities of mountaintop removal as S. 696 hits the Senate.

Finally! The EPA declares that 79 mountaintop coal mining permits may violate the Clean Water Act.

'What are we supposed to do?' one hiker whispered as a puma stared them down in Sequoia National Park.

Despite warnings to keep detergent pods away from children, poison control centers are still besieged with calls.

Through the collaborative magic of crowdfunding, the Open Source Beehives project aims to bring downloadable beehive designs to citizen scientists everywhere.

The Brock Environmental Center's 'regenerative' design is key to its AIA recognition — it generates 80 percent more energy than it uses.

Turn your world upside-down by practicing handstands, a whole-body move.

Here's why you should squat instead of sitting or standing throughout the day.

The WELL standard picks up where LEED and other standards fear to tread.

Become a fan and win these 5 environmentally-themed books.

Meanwhile, rumors of a pending iPad 3 spread around the Web, but are they to be believed?

A prototype wearable computer runs on its own OS, features 720p displays over both eyes and recognizes facial and hand movements.

Innovative technology enables electronic devices to function in contact with body tissues.

From frustrating voice recognition to built-in apps, consumers either don't know they're there or can't figure them out. But relief is in sight.

Updated standards for furnaces and furnace fans, combined, could save consumers roughly $37 billion over three decades.

The agency says its proposed rule could save tens of thousands of lives every year, but critics warn of economic burdens for some U.S. industries.

Resilient design is showcased in competing homes hailing from New York, New Jersey and Missouri.

The latest tag team effort from the EPA and Department of Transportation is an ambitious one: the 60 mile per gallon car.

Vivienne Harr ran a lemonade stand for 365 days straight to help end child slavery. And she's not done yet.

10-year-old Alyssa De La Sala set up a drink stand, and the response was overwhelming.