Science News
-
Food, soil, water: how the extinction of insects would transform our planet
Introduction: A new report warns that two million species are at risk of extinction, twice as many as in
previous estimates by the UN. This increase is down to better data on insect populations,
which have been less understood than other groups.Often, it is animals such as insects – the species we tend to care the least about – which
provide the greatest services to human populations: pollinating crops, helping provide
healthy soils and controlling pests.Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/10/food-soil-water-how-the-extinction-of-insects-would-transform-our-planet Publication date: 10 November 2023 -
Scientists found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastics
Introduction: When scientists examined pellets from recycled plastic collected in 13 countries they found
hundreds of toxic chemicals, including pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The results are
published in a study led by scientists at the University of Gothenburg.Because of this, the scientists judge recycled plastics unfit for most purposes and a
hinder in the attempts to create a circular economy.Source study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340923008090
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1007501 Publication date: 10 November 2023 -
Public Health Experts Say Narrow Lanes Should Be the Default on City Streets
Introduction: An expansive new study from the renowned Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of
Public Health adds to the body of evidence that wide lanes on urban streets promote
more crashes, while narrow lanes—as narrow as nine feet—are safer. The jury is in.
It is long past time to make this our default approach whenever a street is restriped or
repaved.Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/11/8/public-health-experts-narrow-lanes-should-be-the-default-on-city-streets Publication date: 8 November 2023