Coral-eating fish poo may act as ‘probiotics’ for reefs
by Angharad Brewer Gillham, Frontiers science writer Image/Shutterstock.com Coral-eating fish are thought to weaken coral reefs because they consume coral tissue, whereas [...]
Environmental impact
Unusual Toxoplasma parasite strain killed sea otters and could threaten other marine life
by Angharad Brewer Gillham, Frontiers science writer Image by Mr Laird Henkel, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Four sea otters that stranded in California were [...]
Humans have totally altered small mammal communities in just a few centuries
By Suzanna Burgelman, science writer Image: Paul Abrahams/Shutterstock.com Researchers have found that small mammal communities today are fundamentally different from even a [...]
Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production
Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production, finds new study in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [...]
Toward more energy-efficient cruise ships
An EPFL researcher has developed a system based on fuel cells to reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of cruise ships, which are increasingly popular among vacation goers around the world; Frontiers in Energy Research [...]
Squid could provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastics
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’
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 [...]
It’s not trails that disturb forest birds, but the people on them
Frequently used forest trails have fewer birds and not as many species - even when the trails have been used for decades: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]
How safe is GM cotton?
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. [...]
Invaluable to the medical industry, the horseshoe crab is under threat
Horseshoe crab blood is invaluable for drug and safety testing, but this commercial demand threatens these 'living fossils': Frontiers in Marine Science [...]
Impact of fishing gear entanglement deduced from whale hormone levels
Hormone analysis provides a new way to understand the effects of fishing gear entanglement on endangered whale species: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]
Is Big Data the solution to climate challenges? Professor John Kimball provides insights
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
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 [...]
Commercial pesticides: Not as safe as they seem
Lack of testing on adjuvants in commercial pesticide formulations ignores the potential risk of these on people and the environment: Frontiers in Public Health [...]
Modern man vs. giant animals
Extinct herbivorous megafauna -- like woolly rhinos, giant sloths and mammoths -- were displaced by humans who partly took their place in the ecosystem: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]
Seabed mining could destroy deep sea ecosystems
The first global overview of seabed mining highlights potential environmental impacts, knowledge gaps and areas for future research: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]
Wild grape yeast could be more effective than pesticides in preventing grape molds
A wild yeast described in Frontiers in Microbiology could be an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. [...]
House sparrow decline linked to air pollution and poor diet
City sparrows have higher levels of free-radical damage than their country cousins, especially during breeding season, finds a study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. [...]
Does the European public understand the impacts of climate change on the ocean?
First in-depth study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, looking at public engagement with marine climate change issues across 10 European countries. [...]
Are drones disturbing marine mammals?
Is noise pollution by drones interfering with marine wildlife research?
[...]
How your diet can influence your environmental impact
By Hedwig Ens, Frontiers The impact of our dietary choices on the global phosphorus footprint shouldn’t be neglected, recent research in Frontiers in Nutrition [...]
Don’t fear GM crops, they could help solve the sustainability crisis
by Emily Barker, Frontiersin.org Modified crops are nothing to be scared of and could be essential in solving the global sustainability crisis, explained Dr. James Lloyd, [...]