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.

Throughout history people have turned to nature for relief from illnesses and this remains true today. With new technologies, researchers have an even greater ability to identify natural products that may lead to treatment or prevention of a wide range of health problems.

Conventional municipal waste-water treatment processes are based on aeration, which is energy intensive. Now, researchers have developed an alternative waste-water treatment process. In addition to avoiding the use of aeration in favour of filtration/biofiltration and encapsulated denitrification (the application of capsules containing nitrifiers, which convert ammonium into nitrate), the process also uses waste biosolids to generate electrical energy. The process has been tested in a pilot facility and found to require just 15% of the energy required for conventional approaches. Moreover, the process is energy positive, as the biosolids are able to generate more than enough energy to power the treatment plant. If this technology could be scaled up to the municipal level, it could significantly reduce the energy use and environmental impacts of waste-water treatment.

Biogas production from waste and manure has the potential to make a contribution to environmental, energy and climate policy objectives. However, farmer engagement has remained persistently low. A new study, involving 461 Danish farmers, has investigated their willingness to participate in collective biogas investment (where two or more farmers collectively own a biogas plant). The study suggests that the majority of farmers are willing to participate in partnership-based biogas investment (PBI) and identifies the main factors driving willingness to participate and the intensity of participation. These findings are relevant to policymaking aimed at increasing biogas production and stakeholder engagement.

More on email! Grey talks about some big changes in his personal email system, and Myke shares his top-tips for avoiding the email you don't want to deal with. Finally, Grey talks about his impressions of using the iOS 9 public beta.

A Christmas Island man has been sentenced to four years and four months jail today (Friday, 8 May) in the Western Australia District Court for six child abuse-related offences involving a young girl.

The post Flying car race series attracts investment appeared first on The Lead SA.

Here in St Albans Thai Square can be found in the historical quarter of the city on the corner of George Street. The entrance of Thai Square is flanked by two stone elephants with their trunks fortuitously elevated. We open the door to a richly decorated lobby.

Media Release

Singapore's expertise in fighting the coronavirus is the fruit of the continuing investment in the health and biomedical sciences that the country started decades ago. One scientist featured in the article is microbiologist Julien Lescar from NTU’s School of Biological Sciences....

Many companies are using Twitter to send out an invitation to Yahoo employees affected by Marissa Mayer's decision to take away remote-working privileges.

Amid an uproar from some conservatives, the Obama administration will delay an industry-funded effort to promote real Christmas trees over plastic replicas.

Actress and animal advocate Natalie Portman adjusts her vegetarian diet due to 'dairy cravings.' Portman, who recently won a Best Actress Oscar for 'Black Swan,

Silverstone hopes to connect vegan moms who have extra breastmilk to share with others in need.

Nursing mom becomes breastfeeding hero by pumping during a half marathon.

Following a gut rehab, an L.A. homeowner is selling the place where Freddy Krueger met his match for the first, but certainly not the last, time.

Visit Steve Sauer's Seattle apartment, a 182-square-foot storage unit transformed into a cozy dwelling.

The developers of an office tower-turned-apartment complex in L.A. don't think you really need to own a car to live there. But if you do, it helps to own an EV.

Indie retail and urban downsizing collide at this smart example of adaptive reuse that breathes new life into a historic shopping center.

Is oatmeal truly beneficial for reducing cholesterol and keeping our hearts healthy? Let's review some oatmeal nutrition facts to get the real scoop.

Starbucks will be selling its Christmas Tree Frappuccino only until Dec. 11.

The small Maine-based co-op, which has struggled to gain a hold in the marketplace, received $3 million in much-need investment.

To mark the release of “The Chernobyl Diaries,” we’ve rounded up nine notable nuclear horror films that span over 50 years of murder, mayhem and reactor m

For when the Sheraton just isn't terrifying enough ...

The traditional Italian holiday bread is used to make a warm, slightly sweet dessert.

New research suggests that a gram of cinnamon a day can help reduce blood sugar and may boost metabolism.

Jonathan Globerson's Greenerator concept allows apartment dwellers to harvest their own wind and solar energy from the comfort of their own balconies. But would

The various feathered gifts from the popular Christmas song deserve a closer look (and listen).

The quirky cover of Christmas tunes was designed to to highlight the importance of goats in poverty-stricken societies.

'Love's Not Just For Christmas' has all the elements of a great holiday tune — except for Michael Bublé.

You're not officially supposed to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but Pentatonix's a cappella cover is worth breaking the rules for.

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

Blu Homes arrives on the L.A. market with a Breezehouse model home boasting SoCal specific features including bigger walk-in closets and more windows.

Check out this video of NYC's first prefab residential building coming to life over a 4-week span in Manhattan's Inwood section.

If you are looking for ways to make your holiday meal a lot more interesting, look no further. These vegetarian and vegan recipes are not only gourmet but most

To help erase unsightly yellowing brought on by air pollution, India's crown jewel is looking for new beauty miracles.

Fun holiday question: What foods on your holiday menu will eventually rot?

IKEA gusts into the U.S. wind energy sector with an investment in an Illinois farm capable of generating enough annual energy to power 70 stores.

Nothing gets the holidays off to a bad start like broken ornaments and tangled lights. Avoid the hassle and store them right.

Scenes of devastation along the state's Indian River Lagoon show hundreds of thousands of dead fish.

Flahavan's Irish Oats courts millennials with stories and unconventional recipes.

Loopholes in the Montreal Protocol may need to be tightened, researchers say.

When your head hits the pillow at night, do creatures lurk? See how much your know about terrifying dreams.

Ubiquitous Mardi Gras beads can be made of other things: Biodegradable seed bombs, anyone?

A singular place to say 'I do' in the Seattle area, Brightwater Treatment Plant can process 36 million gallons of wastewater daily.

Brown bears visit Brooks River every summer to enjoy some delicious salmon, and humans can come along for the ride via webcams.

The chlorine originates in sea salt and may have a role in climate change.

Rescinding a 2014 ban, the planting of genetically-modified crops and the use of neonicotinoid pesticides are allowed in U.S. national wildlife refuges again.

As Obama plans for an energy makeover, his Department of Energy is still focused on nuclear weapons.