Silver nanoparticles are used in a range of household products. This study investigated the risk to plants of these nanoparticles in soil, showing that risk was overall low but increased when soils contained high levels of chlorine. The researchers, therefore, suggest that the risk of silver nanoparticles to plants may increase in salty soils or those irrigated with poor-quality water. These findings could be important for future risk assessments.

Sulphur and nitrogen emissions have been significantly reduced across Europe in recent decades, but a recent study from Sweden finds that some forest soils are still struggling to recover from the acidifying effects of the pollutants. Some areas are also at risk of nitrogen leaching from soils into surface waters.

There is a growing body of scientific research into the health benefits of urban forests, such as improving air quality and providing recreational space. However, new research challenges the assumption that their overall impact on quality of life is always positive and land planners need to take into account ecosystem disservices as well as services, say the researchers.

The Earth is now absorbing more energy from the Sun than it is radiating into space. A recent analysis indicates that most models of this energy imbalance underestimate the impacts of human-made aerosols and overestimate time lags in response to the climate. As such, the energy imbalance and future impacts on climate may be greater than predicted.

Emissions of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) tetrafluoromethane (TFM) and hexafluoroethane (HFE) reported by industry accounted for only around half actual levels measured in the atmosphere between 2002 and 2010, new research reveals. The semiconductor and aluminium production industries, the two main sources of these gases, have reported success in their voluntary efforts to control these emissions. However, this does not match ‘top-down’ atmospheric monitoring, the researchers say.

Hydrocarbons are precursors to hazardous air pollutants including ozone and particulate matter. Hydrocarbons from diesel make up over 50% of all hydrocarbons in the air in London, a new study has found. The authors also estimate that they contribute up to half of total ozone production potential in London, and say future air quality control strategies must focus more on these pollutants.

It is important to understand the extent to which atmospheric (air) pollution damages plants (i.e. its phytotoxicity) as well as the wider ecosystem (i.e. its ecotoxicity). For this reason, researchers have adapted the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Vegetative Vigour Test1 for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of samples of aerosol (suspensions of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air). Typically, the test involves spraying the trial liquid on above-ground portions of the plant, such as the leaves. The adapted protocol involves extracting water-soluble aerosol compounds from aerosol samples to spray on the plant. The new protocol is sensitive enough to determine phytotoxicity and establish a clear cause–effect relationship, and as such has the potential to serve as a useful tool for the assessment of the effects of air pollution on environmental and human health.

Researchers have identified plant fungi in the Ecuadorian rainforest that can digest plastic. The discovery hints that there may be a wide range of effective waste-consuming microbes in existence, according to the study, which found that several different fungi, including one called Pestalotiopsis microspora, can break down the widely used plastic, polyurethane.

Pests that cause millions of euros in damage to Europe’s forests every year could be controlled using fungi. A new study finds that certain strains and formulations of fungi are extremely effective in killing large pine weevils. Control of the weevils using fungi may provide forest managers with an alternative to chemical pesticides.

Differences in the way wetland plants accumulate pollutants are helping researchers understand how vegetation can be used to help restore contaminated marshes. In a study by Belgian researchers, certain plants, including bulrushes, were identified as being potentially useful for locking away metal contaminants below the surface, thereby helping to reduce spread of these pollutants through food chains and to the wider environment.

Three men have been arrested as a result of coordinated operations conducted across NSW in two days, targeting purchasers of child-like sex dolls.

70 percent of Americans surveyed by Zillow Mortgages said they would not abandon their home buying plans should interest rates rise to 4.5%

Despite increased concerns over rising rates, most Americans will move forward with a home purchase should rising rates increase their monthly payment by $100

An author from Harpenden has been longlisted for a prestigious award.

An author from St Albans has been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s prestigious 2020 Romantic Novel Awards.

THE hospitality industry has reacted with both optimism and trepidation to the news that venues will soon be able to serve a small number of in-house diners.

Driving up the long curved path up to The Grove always feels like a treat, and none more so than on last Friday evening when I was invited to try the hotel’s newly refurbished restaurant.

Watford town centre's fantastic range of restaurants, pubs, and bars have teamed up for the third consecutive year to celebrate Watford Food & Drink Week. From Monday, June 17, to Sunday, June 23, you can enjoy special drinks offers, free samples and discounted set menus throughout the town centre.

If The Florist is cool and charming, its new downstairs neighbour, Las Iguanas, is all about fun and colour.

DEPARTMENT store Debenhams is on the brink of administration for the second time in a year, the company confirmed today.

Club doctors are reported to have expressed concerns about the Premier League's Project Restart proposals, which aim to have clubs back training in small groups within the next two weeks.

Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber insists it is not just clubs fighting for Premier League survival who oppose the completion of the season at neutral venues.

Watford chairman and chief executive Scott Duxbury has labelled the Premier League's Project Restart plans as "unfair" and claims they are "lacking sporting integrity".

Its net debt has improved by about $500 million from start to finish.

...

Prof Subra Suresh, a Distinguished University Professor and President of NTU Singapore, was honoured by his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, which launched the Prof Subra Suresh Institute Lecture Series....

The group is carving out ways to secure, strengthen, and stimulate North Dakota's energy future.

000
WTNT25 KNHC 250231
TCMAT5

POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE SEBASTIEN FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 23
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL202019
0300 UTC MON NOV 25 2019

THERE ARE NO COASTAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

INTERESTS IN THE AZORES SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF
POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE SEBASTIEN.

POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE CENTER LOCATED NEAR 41.0N 28.9W AT 25/0300Z
POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN 60 NM

PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE NORTHEAST OR 55 DEGREES AT 35 KT

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 993 MB
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 50 KT WITH GUSTS TO 60 KT.
50 KT....... 0NE 50SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT....... 90NE 170SE 190SW 90NW.
12 FT SEAS.. 90NE 240SE 420SW 150NW.
WINDS AND SEAS VARY GREATLY IN EACH QUADRANT. RADII IN NAUTICAL
MILES ARE THE LARGEST RADII EXPECTED ANYWHERE IN THAT QUADRANT.

REPEAT...CENTER LOCATED NEAR 41.0N 28.9W AT 25/0300Z
AT 25/0000Z CENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR 40.0N 30.8W

FORECAST VALID 25/1200Z 43.6N 22.7W...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
MAX WIND 50 KT...GUSTS 60 KT.
50 KT... 0NE 50SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT... 90NE 170SE 190SW 90NW.

FORECAST VALID 26/0000Z 48.1N 14.2W...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
MAX WIND 50 KT...GUSTS 60 KT.
50 KT... 0NE 50SE 0SW 0NW.
34 KT...110NE 190SE 190SW 70NW.

FORECAST VALID 26/1200Z...MERGED WITH ANOTHER LOW

REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 41.0N 28.9W

THIS IS THE LAST FORECAST/ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER ON SEBASTIEN. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM CAN BE
FOUND IN HIGH SEAS FORECASTS ISSUED BY METEO FRANCE UNDER WMO HEADER
FQNT50 LFPW.

$$
FORECASTER LATTO

Artist Hunter Franks' idea to transform a defunct Akron highway into a leafy urban retreat is a winner in the 2017 Knight Cities Challenge.

A giant, constantly evolving cyclone that has ravaged Venus' south pole for years has recently come under the telescope.

Research contradicts age-old advice about rest and recovery after a concussion.

Looks like the USDA forgot its 'A' stands for all agriculture and not just beef this week, and Monsanto might have more power than the federal court system. It'

From N.H. to Nova Scotia, Ancient forests emerge only during rare periods of extreme low tide.

She was expecting a nasty comment for breastfeeding her baby in public. What she got was a free dinner.

Eco-architect-turned-full-time vintage aluminum trailer renovator Matthew Hofmann reveals an Airstream hotel in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara.

A Barcelona design duo work impressive DIY restoration magic on a long-abandoned comital residence-turned-storehouse-turned-apartment.

The Kennedy Space Center hideaway sustained significant damage from Hurricane Matthew.

The world's forests support the planet's diverse creatures, and keeping forests robust also could help humanity achieve some of its biggest goals.

Non-native earthworms are damaging hardwood forests; one University of Minnesota group is working to clear up the misconception that they're always harmless.

A team of researchers restored "lost memories" in the brains of mice.

What’s been called the largest wetlands restoration in the Western U.S. was halted in December. California is projecting up to a $42 billion budget shortfall

Climate scientist James Hansen was arrested on Feb. 13 outside the White House while protesting the Keystone Pipeline.

Deforestation’s impact on climate change has piqued NASA’s interest in documenting its progress across the globe. Here are seven examples of deforestation f

Kazakhstan's Altyn Emel, a newly named UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to deserts, forests and floodplains — and a giant sand dune that sings.

Ancient tree stumps set the tone at Neskowin Ghost Forest in Oregon.