Sturgeon Return to Spawn in Detroit River Thanks to Artificial Reef

For the first time in almost 40 years lake sturgeon have spawned in the Detroit River, thanks to an international reef construction effort completed last fall. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge announced Tuesday that the joint project between Canadians and Americans had succeeded in providing the perfect place for the threatened fish to lay eggs.

By Jeanne Goddard

28 May 64 Views

Fungi Discovered In The Amazon Can Devour Plastic in Landfills

The Amazon is home to more species than almost anywhere else on earth. One fungus, carried home recently by a group from Yale University, appears to be quite happy eating plastic in airless landfills.

By Jeanne Goddard

07 February 77 Views

Glimpse of God? The Hubble Telescope's 12 Best Photos on the 30th Anniversary of its Launch into Orbit

On the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble space telescope, enjoy our favorite 12 remarkable photos of nebulae and the Universe.

By Jeanne Goddard

23 April 67 Views

City Gives Trees Email Addresses So Folks Can Report Problems, But They Send Love Letters Instead

When Melbourne, Australia gave its trees email addresses so residents could report problems with them, people started writing notes to the trees instead.

By Jeanne Goddard

21 June 67 Views

Stressed? This Study Says You Simply Need a 20-Minute 'Nature Pill'

This first-of-its-kind study zeroed in on the optimal amount of time the average person could spend in contact with nature in order to enjoy its benefits.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 April 73 Views

Bill Gates Funds Futuristic Toilets: No Piped Water, Sewer or Electricity Needed

Poop in, clean water out. Bill Gates has invested more than three million dollars on behalf of the 2.6 billion people around the world who don't have access to modern toilets. Yesterday, the three winners of his "next-generation toilet prize were announced, showcasing innovative designs that capture and process human waste without piped water, sewer or electrical connections. Even more impressive, the toilet prize-winners all transformed human waste into useful resources, such as energy and water.

By Jeanne Goddard

15 August 77 Views

Device Removes Trash Floating Near The Shore Before it Reaches Sea

Seabin is an industrial scale pool skimmer that can sweep pollution from harbors and marinas before it can reach rivers or oceans.

By Jim Stout

20 January 79 Views

After Two Centuries, Atlantic Salmon Return to the Connecticut River

For the first time since the American Revolution, Atlantic Salmon have spawned in the Connecticut River.

By Jim Stout

25 February 74 Views

Cuba's Agricultural Revolution an Example to the World

An organic, green revolution, largely unnoticed, is well under way in Cuba -- essentially unprecedented both within the developed and undeveloped world -- establishing a self-sustaining system of agriculture that by necessity is essentially organic.

By Jeanne Goddard

18 August 67 Views

Minnesota Will Soon Pay for Your Landscaping Costs If You Plant Bee-Friendly Greenery

If you're a gardener living in Minnesota, the state may soon reimburse you for planting bee-friendly plants on your property.

By Tiffani Spengler

03 June 66 Views

13-Year-old Recycles Cooking Grease into Heating Oil for Needy Families

After reading an article in the local newspaper, Cassandra Lin discovered that many residents could not afford to heat their homes. Inspired to do something, she formed a team of seventh graders to recycle waste cooking oil and turn it into biofuel for distribution to needy families. They collected 36,000 gallons in one year.

By Jeanne Goddard

15 July 73 Views

Designer's Air Purifier Converts Smog Into Jewelry As it Cleans

A Dutch artist has built the world's largest portable air purifier that turns smog into jewelry while giving people a breath of fresh air.

By Jim Stout

16 September 64 Views

Self-Repairing Paint for Cars

Car lovers will clamor for this new innovation by Dutch scientists at TNO Research: a polymer finish that, to the car, is like the human skin, a protective layer with the capability to ‘repair' itself after a cut or a bruise. Through the application of hot air to the spot where the car has been scratched, the finish liquefies and spreads itself out like new again. The re-mendable polymer finish is expected to be introduced onto the market in the near future.

By Jeanne Goddard

25 January 70 Views

Watching Birds Near Your Home is Good For Your Mental Health

If you're a fan of bird watching, then you are apparently less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or stress.

By Jeanne Goddard

11 January 65 Views

Fight to Save Frogs Energized by New Research

Led by the Smithsonian Institution, zoos in the US, Panama and Mexico are reenergizing the effort to save frogs from a new fungus blamed for the death of dozens of species.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 May 73 Views