Environment – Science & research news

Ancient gene family protects algae from salt and cold in an Antarctic lake

August 20, 2020

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer Two species of Chlamydomonas algae from the ice-covered, hypersaline Lake Bonney in Antarctica use variants of an ancient gene [...]

Plastic debris releases potentially harmful chemicals into seabird stomach fluid

August 19, 2020

By Conn Hastings, science writer A recent study has found that plastic ingested by northern fulmars, a common seabird, could release potentially toxic chemicals in their [...]

Effects of nutrient pollution in marine ecosystems are compounded by human activity

August 17, 2020

By Conn Hastings, science writer Nutrient pollution in the oceans caused by human activity can significantly impact marine life. The process results in an explosion of plant [...]

Tracking humanity’s latest toxins in stranded whales and dolphins

August 5, 2020

By K.E.D. Coan, science writer As humanity develops new types of plastics and chemicals, researchers are constantly trying to keep up with understanding how these [...]

Bird nests attract flying insects and parasites due to higher levels of carbon dioxide

August 5, 2020

By Nora Belblidia, science writer Researchers in Spain have examined bird nests in order to understand how flying insects and parasites detect gases as a way to locate their [...]

Satellite image data reveals rapid decline of China’s intertidal wetlands

February 14, 2020

Study shows a loss of nearly 40% of wetlands since the 1970s and calls for new legislation for their protection: Frontiers in Earth Science [...]

eDNA expands species surveys to capture a more complete picture

January 14, 2020

Casting a genetic net identifies more marine vertebrates than traditional surveys but has limits: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

NASA space data can cut disaster response times, costs

December 10, 2019

Using near-real-time satellite data could improve emergency management: Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

Gulf Coast corals face catastrophe

December 9, 2019

Only rapid reduction of greenhouse gases will save Gulf of Mexico corals: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Palm oil: Less fertilizer and no herbicide but same yield?

November 27, 2019

International team investigates environmentally sustainable palm oil production: Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Face palm: are palm oil boycotters hypocrites?

October 15, 2019

Oil palm is alternatively seen as a gift from god or a crime against humanity - according to science, it is neither; Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Study documents impacts of selective logging on Congo’s intact forest landscapes

August 27, 2019

Logging in the timber-rich forests of northern Congo is a major driver of the region's economic development -- and its ecological impoverishment; Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Growing existing forests essential in mitigating global crises

August 13, 2019

“Proforestation” has significant potential in the United States; Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Young frogs that were stressed as tadpoles move less on land, putting their survival at risk

July 1, 2019

New Oregon State University research shows that juvenile northern red-legged frogs that have experienced climate-related stress as tadpoles are less likely to move on land, putting their survival at risk; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Research shows cattle ranching could help conserve rare African antelope, lions

June 19, 2019

Endangered African antelope and the lions that prey on them may benefit from certain cattle ranching practices in Kenya; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

How light from street lamps and trees influences the activity of urban bats

May 23, 2019

The team found that the response of bats to artificial light was intensified in areas with high tree cover. Credit: Christian Giese. A German study sheds new light on how [...]

Scientists propose rethinking ‘endangered species’ definition to save slow-breeding giants

May 17, 2019

Researchers at the Smithsonian Institute have proposed a ‘demographic safe space’ for Asian elephants, to improve conservation of these and other large, slow-breeding animals; Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Floodplain forests under threat

April 8, 2019

A floodplain forest dominated by oaks. Credit: Albert Reif. — by University of Freiberg, Germany A team from the Institute of Forest Sciences at the University of [...]

Want to save the planet? Stop trying to be its friend

March 5, 2019

People tend to judge their environmental impact using moral intuition that evolved to handle social exchange -- but these tree huggers may be doing more harm than good, say researchers; Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Squid could provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastics

February 22, 2019

Self-healing fabric, abrasion-resistant coatings, precision drug delivery and smart textiles are among the potential applications of squid 'ring tooth' protein; Frontiers in Chemistry [...]

Warning over deep-sea ‘gold rush’

February 15, 2019

Harmful deep sea mining could be avoided altogether if humanity moves towards a "circular economy" that focuses on reuse and recycling of metals, reduces overconsumption and limits built-in obsolescence of technology; Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Comparing the world’s mega-canals

February 1, 2019

Researchers have compiled a database of all the water transfer megaprojects currently existing and planned by 2050; Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

Which animals will win and lose in a warming Antarctic?

January 29, 2019

Seafloor predators and open-water feeding animals will benefit from climate change, while those associated with sea ice for food or breeding are most at risk; Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Boston Harbor cleanup was economically justifiable, finds new study

January 25, 2019

The cleanup of America's filthiest harbor is now worth between $30 and $100 billion in ecosystem services; Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Farmers will benefit from a new method of monitoring pasture nutrients

December 21, 2018

Image of a cow in a field. A fast new way of checking nutrient levels in grasslands allows farmers to quickly monitor changes in pasture nutrients and adapt their animals' grazing methods accordingly: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

By quickly monitoring changes in pasture nutrients, farmers can adapt their animals' grazing methods accordingly: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [...]

How safe is GM cotton?

September 28, 2018

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology: GM cotton in Mexico is delivering monster crops, without the Frankenstein – thanks to traditional farming practices and use of non-GM crop ‘refuges’.

GM cotton in Mexico is delivering monster crops, without the Frankenstein – thanks to traditional farming practices and use of non-GM ‘refuges’; Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. [...]

Vessel tracking exposes the dark side of trading at sea

August 8, 2018

Frontiers in Marine Science: Exchanging catches at sea, in unregulated waters, provides opportunities for illegal activities like drug smuggling and human trafficking

Exchanging catches at sea, in unregulated waters, enables illegal activities like drug smuggling and human trafficking: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Is Big Data the solution to climate challenges? Professor John Kimball provides insights

May 16, 2018

John Kimball, Chief Editor Data Driven Climate Sciences, Frontiers in Big Data

The Chief Editor of the Data-Driven Climate Sciences section of Frontiers in Big Data talks about what Big Data means for the environment and sustainability. [...]

High levels of hazardous chemicals found in plastics collected from Lake Geneva

April 18, 2018

The first analysis of plastic from the lake's beaches finds cadmium, mercury and lead, sometimes at levels exceeding those permitted under EU law: Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

New low-cost, sustainable material for reducing air and water pollution

April 13, 2018

A new 'green' material made from solid wastes and natural polymers promises better results than activated carbon in adsorbing pollution: Frontiers in Chemistry [...]

Organic food provides significant environmental benefits to plant-rich diets

February 15, 2018

Environmental impact of organic vegetarian food

The study of more than 34,000 people is the first to investigate the environmental impacts of both food choices and farm production systems: Frontiers in Nutrition [...]

No more deer in the headlight

November 27, 2017

Deer shown to use wildlife road crossing underpasses

Large mammals do use road crossing structures, finds a study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Habitat restoration can maximize the benefits of marine protected areas

October 30, 2017

marine-protected-areas-habitat-restoration-oyster

Spillover of oyster larvae from marine protected areas is only beneficial if harvested areas contain suitable oyster habitat, finds research in Frontiers in Marine Science. [...]

DNA in albatross feces reveals diet of fishery discards

October 9, 2017

Marine-fisheries-conservation-albatross-diet

A new, non-intrusive way to assess seabird diet described in Frontiers in Marine Science could help improve fisheries management and monitor marine biodiversity. [...]

Horizon Scan 2018: Emerging Issues in Marine Science

August 9, 2017

Frontiers in Marine Science is proud to launch the second edition of our annual Research Topic: Horizon Scan 2018: Emerging Issues in Marine Science. [...]

Current threats to our oceans are revealed

August 8, 2017

Scientific evidence now shows that our use and abuse of this environment is having a detrimental effect on marine habitats across the globe.

Recent study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, highlights emerging issues faced by the marine environment. [...]

Combining genomics with farmers’ traditional knowledge to improve wheat production

July 26, 2017

Scientists demonstrate that the indigenous knowledge of smallholder farming communities may yield genomic targets useful for wheat breeding. [...]

Strong policy supported by science to protect our oceans

May 8, 2017

New research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, bridges the gap between policy makers and scientists to ensure sustainable use of our oceans. [...]

Open Science can save the planet

April 19, 2017

Open Access publisher Frontiers’ CEO, Kamila Markram, makes a case for why open science is the key to innovation, economic growth and solutions to a sustainable future. [...]

Open Science for the Oceans of Tomorrow

March 24, 2017

Oceans are the engines of our planet and open-science is improving communication between scientists and policy makers for their sustainable future use. [...]

Water for People or Nature: Do we Really Need to Choose?

March 22, 2017

New research published in Frontiers in Environmental Science discusses, for the first time, how to improve ecosystem conditions for societal use. [...]

Did Humans Create the Sahara Desert?

March 14, 2017

New research challenges the idea that changes in the Earth’s orbit triggered Sahara desertification. [...]

We need Open Science for Sustainability

September 30, 2016

Frontiers scientists from around the world talk about current global issues and how industry and research need to work together to build a sustainable future - through Open Science. [...]

Restoring the world’s oceans and seas

September 30, 2016

by Emily Barker, Frontiersin.org In the Bay of Biscay, the anchovy catches went from 90,000 tons to less than 10,000 tons in the early 2000s. After intervention from [...]

To survive climate change, plants must adapt – and fast

August 23, 2016

Researchers read into the biological history of plants to reveal how plants will survive when birds and bees fly away. [...]

Under-reporting of fisheries catches threatens Caribbean marine life

August 5, 2016

by Brittany Alexander, Frontiersin.org Marine fisheries catches have been drastically under-reported in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, threatening the marine [...]

Horizon Scan 2017: Emerging Issues in Marine Science – call for submissions

July 11, 2016

by Nina Hall, Journal Development Manager Frontiers in Marine Science is proud to launch the first edition of our annual Research Topic Horizon Scan 2017: Emerging Issues in [...]

Alternative livelihoods for fin fishers needed to save sharks

April 11, 2016

By Nina Hall, Frontiersin.org The world’s largest shark fin industry lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle, a region of the Indian and Pacific Oceans home to the [...]

Environmental Sciences in the 21st Century

March 16, 2016

We asked Martin Siegert what prompted the “Environmental Sciences in the 21st Century?” challenge to learn more about his goals for the field and his mission for the journal. [...]