Energy

A collage of agricultural elements including a satellite, crop fields, tomatoes, and growth charts illustrating data, boosted breeding techniques, chemical formulas, and a seedling highlights efforts to combat hunger.

Boosted Breeding and beyond: 3 tech trends that could end world hunger

A world without hunger is possible, and the development and deployment of new farming technologies could be one key to manifesting it.

Kristin Houser

Aerial view of solar panels arranged in rows on green grass, partially obscured by a yellowish haze.

Clean Energy

US hits 180 GW of solar power. Here’s how we get to 1,000 by 2035.

A quick look at the history of solar power in the US and the trends that could lead us into our sun-powered future.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

Which technologies will enable a cleaner steel industry?

Technologies like hydrogen-based direct reduction of ore, electrolysis, and advanced furnace technologies could reduce steel emissions.

Daniel Boero Vargas and Mandy Chan | World Economic Forum

Climate Crisis

New findings could help wine survive climate change

Climate change is altering wine making as we know it. Researchers at UC Davis have identified what makes some grapes more resistant to water stress.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Scientists put bees in little reflective “vests” for bee tracking

Bee tracking is difficult and expensive, and smaller bees are left out. Lightweight, inexpensive tags may be a solution.

B. David Zarley

Ecosystems

Scientists are using old spy satellite photos to study ecological change

Researchers are using new image processing techniques designed for drones to study declassified, Cold War spy satellite photos for ecological change.

B. David Zarley

Aerospace

Electric planes will bring cheaper flights and less CO2

Electric aviation would mean less CO2 emissions and cheaper airfare — but batteries still aren't powerful enough to compete with fuel-filled commercial jets.

Amanda Winkler

Animals

We need a better way to track polar bears. This father and son found a way.

A father-son duo has teamed up to develop four different temporary tracking devices being tested by polar bears in the far North.

B. David Zarley

Genetics

Environmental DNA may prove the discovery of a new kind of whale

Researchers have found what they believe to be a new species of beaked whale. Environmental DNA will be used to prove it.

B. David Zarley

Sustainability

The ugly truth about toxic e-waste

6:25

It’s estimated that by 2030, the amount of e-waste discarded globally will grow to 74.7 million tons per year. But fixing the problem is going to take more than recycling.

Doug Dais

Oceans

A massive iceberg is about to crash into an island of penguins

A massive iceberg is expected to hit South Georgia Island. To assess the impact of the collision, researchers are deploying a pair of robot submarines.

Kristin Houser

Computer Science

These futuristic sensors will allow cars to see through fog

Quantum sensors will transform self-driving cars, medical imaging, and more.

Amanda Winkler

Climate Crisis

Making it rain with “cloud seeding”

China is using cloud seeding to create rain where and when it’s needed. Will it try to use geoengineering to combat climate change next?

Kristin Houser

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