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

Agriculture

Nematode worm could liquify slugs for US farmers

A parasitic nematode used in Europe to kill slugs was just discovered in Oregon, supporting calls to have its use for pest-control approved Stateside.

Kristin Houser

Urban Living

Google’s Tree Canopy Lab is helping LA cool down

Google’s new Tree Canopy Lab uses AI and aerial photography to combat the urban heat island effect by showing a city exactly where it could use more trees.

Kristin Houser

CRISPR

CRISPR could help save coral reefs from bleaching

Using CRISPR, scientists have identified a gene that could determine whether coral reefs are highly susceptible to bleaching or not.

Kristin Houser

Engineering

Scientists want to use a laser beam to control lightning

A new laser beam may allow scientists to control lightning, allowing them to divert a bolt to strike where it’s less likely to cause a wildfire.

Kristin Houser

Oceans

Scientists found a coral reef bigger than a skyscraper, hidden in plain sight

Researchers used an underwater robot to explore a new coral reef near Australia. The coral reef is the first reef discovery in 120 years.

Teresa Carey

Animals

We finally have footage of remoras, the ocean's hitchhikers, in action

Using never-before-seen footage, researchers are learning more about how the remora moves around its hosts.

B. David Zarley

Oceans

Mapping the ocean floor with an underwater "GPS"

MIT researchers have developed an underwater, sound-based navigation system that could make it possible to map the entire ocean floor.

Kristin Houser

Food

A French company is building the world’s biggest insect factory farm

Ÿnsect is building the world’s largest insect farming facility in Amiens, France. The mealworms grown there may end up feeding your pets and the salmon on your plate.

B. David Zarley

Oceans

Researchers have never seen the deep sea like this before

Researchers are putting lowlight 4k cameras on remotely operated vehicles to capture videos of deep sea bioluminescence.

Teresa Carey

Climate Crisis

“Digital Earth” can simulate climate change down to the kilometer

Europe’s ambitious Destination Earth project aims to simulate climate systems — and human impact — to the kilometer.

B. David Zarley

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