Cookies help us run our site more efficiently.

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information or to customize your cookie preferences.

Accept Deny

GoGreenNation news

Feathers, Fire, the Strong Force and Fairness

News Feed
Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Feathers, Fire, the Strong Force and FairnessReducing noise improves health, JWST’s galaxies change astronomy, and there’s new hope for people with prostate cancerBy Laura HelmuthScientific American, May 2024Have you ever picked up a feather and felt how smooth, sleek, firm or fluffy it is? (The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits possession of most bird feathers, but if you find a feather and stick it in your cap or pack, nobody here at Scientific American will turn you in.) Feathers are marvels of evolutionary engineering that have been studied for centuries, but in the past few years, as paleontologist Michael B. Habib details, scientists have made some big discoveries about their evolution, structure and function. We hope the story will help you appreciate the specializations of hummingbirds, hawks, penguins, owls, and more.The “strong force” that pulls together protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei is, as its name suggests, the strongest force we know of in the universe. It’s also the least understood. But recently physicists have made real progress in measuring the strong force. Among other things, they’ve discovered that it becomes constant at a certain distance between particles. Stanley J. Brodsky, Alexandre Deur and Craig D. Roberts recount how their independent lines of research merged to uncover new properties of the force that binds together most of the matter in the universe.Children want to be fair, and they acquire a sense of justice at a very young age: they quickly learn that hurting other people is wrong and that sharing is right. But this developing sense of morality can conflict with their developing sense of belonging. Children readily pick up on us-versus-them group identities based on factors such as race and gender. Psychologist Melanie Killen describes what she and her colleagues have learned about morality and prejudice in children. Based on their research, they created a training program that successfully teaches kids to be more inclusive and empathetic.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.We are living in the age of fire—the Pyrocene, a term coined by environmental historian Stephen Pyne. As he writes, humans tamed fire and changed the world. He breaks our relationship with fire into three waves and chronicles how fire has changed human bodies and civilization and is now changing all life on the planet. Enjoy the dramatic, fire-breathing photo-essay by Kevin Cooley that accompanies the article.Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of malignancies, but thanks to advances in detection, evaluation and treatment, it has become increasingly manageable. Marc B. Garnick, a leading expert on prostate cancer, explains how the disease starts and grows. He also provides an overview of the methods that can now be used to monitor and stop it, adding years to patients’ lives.Some of the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope a few years ago were shocking: they revealed overgrown galaxies in the early universe—galaxies that, according to cosmological theory, shouldn’t have existed. As science writer Jonathan O’Callaghan shows, astronomers are coming up with new theories to explain these unexpected galaxies and improve our understanding of their formation.One of the things I appreciate most about walks in nature (the kinds of walks where you might find a feather and where the loudest sound is a screaming cicada) is how peaceful they are. If you’ve ever tensed up in irritation at leaf blowers, shouty bars, obnoxious car horns, or other noise pollution, health correspondent Joanne Silberner’s story may feel like vindication. A growing body of research documents how and why noise can cause a range of health problems and how you can reduce your exposure to improve your health. And our Science of Health columnist Lydia Denworth explores the importance of nature and well-being. May you be surrounded by pleasant and welcome sounds as you delve into this month’s issue.

Reducing noise improves health, JWST’s galaxies change astronomy, and there’s new hope for people with prostate cancer

Feathers, Fire, the Strong Force and Fairness

Reducing noise improves health, JWST’s galaxies change astronomy, and there’s new hope for people with prostate cancer

By Laura Helmuth

Cover of the May 2024 issue of Scientific American

Scientific American, May 2024

Have you ever picked up a feather and felt how smooth, sleek, firm or fluffy it is? (The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits possession of most bird feathers, but if you find a feather and stick it in your cap or pack, nobody here at Scientific American will turn you in.) Feathers are marvels of evolutionary engineering that have been studied for centuries, but in the past few years, as paleontologist Michael B. Habib details, scientists have made some big discoveries about their evolution, structure and function. We hope the story will help you appreciate the specializations of hummingbirds, hawks, penguins, owls, and more.

The “strong force” that pulls together protons, neutrons and atomic nuclei is, as its name suggests, the strongest force we know of in the universe. It’s also the least understood. But recently physicists have made real progress in measuring the strong force. Among other things, they’ve discovered that it becomes constant at a certain distance between particles. Stanley J. Brodsky, Alexandre Deur and Craig D. Roberts recount how their independent lines of research merged to uncover new properties of the force that binds together most of the matter in the universe.

Children want to be fair, and they acquire a sense of justice at a very young age: they quickly learn that hurting other people is wrong and that sharing is right. But this developing sense of morality can conflict with their developing sense of belonging. Children readily pick up on us-versus-them group identities based on factors such as race and gender. Psychologist Melanie Killen describes what she and her colleagues have learned about morality and prejudice in children. Based on their research, they created a training program that successfully teaches kids to be more inclusive and empathetic.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

We are living in the age of fire—the Pyrocene, a term coined by environmental historian Stephen Pyne. As he writes, humans tamed fire and changed the world. He breaks our relationship with fire into three waves and chronicles how fire has changed human bodies and civilization and is now changing all life on the planet. Enjoy the dramatic, fire-breathing photo-essay by Kevin Cooley that accompanies the article.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of malignancies, but thanks to advances in detection, evaluation and treatment, it has become increasingly manageable. Marc B. Garnick, a leading expert on prostate cancer, explains how the disease starts and grows. He also provides an overview of the methods that can now be used to monitor and stop it, adding years to patients’ lives.

Some of the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope a few years ago were shocking: they revealed overgrown galaxies in the early universe—galaxies that, according to cosmological theory, shouldn’t have existed. As science writer Jonathan O’Callaghan shows, astronomers are coming up with new theories to explain these unexpected galaxies and improve our understanding of their formation.

One of the things I appreciate most about walks in nature (the kinds of walks where you might find a feather and where the loudest sound is a screaming cicada) is how peaceful they are. If you’ve ever tensed up in irritation at leaf blowers, shouty bars, obnoxious car horns, or other noise pollution, health correspondent Joanne Silberner’s story may feel like vindication. A growing body of research documents how and why noise can cause a range of health problems and how you can reduce your exposure to improve your health. And our Science of Health columnist Lydia Denworth explores the importance of nature and well-being. May you be surrounded by pleasant and welcome sounds as you delve into this month’s issue.

Read the full story here.
Photos courtesy of

Related News

Farm Workers At Risk For Kidney Disease

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Oct. 2, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Farm workers have a higher risk for kidney disease, mainly due to...

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Oct. 2, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Farm workers have a higher risk for kidney disease, mainly due to exposure to high heat and agricultural chemicals, a new small-scale study says.Workers on a grape farm near the Arizona-Sonora border had high levels of arsenic, cadmium and chromium in their urine, and those were linked to increased signs of kidney injury, according to findings published in the November issue of the journal Environmental Research.“We’re seeing an increase in kidney disease in young people who lack typical risk factors, especially in hotter regions,” said lead researcher Rietta Wagoner, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Arizona.“There is evidence that heat, pesticides and metal exposures each play a role, and especially that heat is making potentially toxic exposures worse,” she said in a news release. “Each individually has been studied, but little research has examined a combination of factors. This study is an attempt to answer questions." For the study, researchers followed 77 farm workers who traveled seasonally from southern Mexico to work the grape farm. The workers arrived in February and March, at the beginning of the grape season, and stayed until the end of summer.The team collected daily urine and blood samples from the workers, and measured their heat stress twice a day with inner ear temperatures and heart rates.The worker’s kidney function generally decreased during the season, based on estimates derived from blood and urine samples.This decline was linked to chemicals found in pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the excessive summer heat in the Sonoran Desert, where air temperatures ranged upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, researchers said.“When we looked at heat in combination with metals and metalloids, we found heat especially exacerbated the effects of the metals arsenic and cadmium on the kidney,” Wagoner said. “In other words, together, the effects were worse.”This kidney damage can be prevented, she said.“We recommend mandatory periodic breaks and rest built into the workday,” Wagoner said. “Provide water, electrolyte replacement and have restrooms nearby. Also, allow the workers time to get used to the conditions.”It’s also important to get to the source of workers’ exposure to these toxic metals, she said, noting that workers drink well water in places where uranium and arsenic are found in the soil.“If we can implement prevention measures early on,” Wagoner said, “we can prevent longer term issues.”SOURCES: University of Arizona, news release, Sept. 23, 2025; Environmental Research, November 2025What This Means For YouFarm workers should make sure to take frequent rest breaks during hot days and stay hydrated.Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health
Chemicals
Water

Giant Sinkhole in Chilean Mining Town Haunts Residents, Three Years On

TIERRA AMARILLA (Reuters) -Residents in the mining town of Tierra Amarilla in the Chilean desert are hopeful that a new court ruling will allay...

TIERRA AMARILLA (Reuters) -Residents in the mining town of Tierra Amarilla in the Chilean desert are hopeful that a new court ruling will allay their fears about a giant sinkhole that opened near their homes more than three years ago and remains unfilled.A Chilean environmental court this month ordered Minera Ojos del Salado, owned by Canada's Lundin Mining, to repair environmental damage related to activity at its Alcaparrosa copper mine, which is thought to have triggered the sinkhole that appeared in 2022.The ruling calls on the company to protect the region's water supply and refill the sinkhole. The cylindrical crater originally measured 64 meters (210 ft) deep and 32 meters (105 ft) wide at the surface.That has provided a small measure of relief to those in arid Tierra Amarilla in Chile's central Atacama region, who fear that without remediation the gaping hole could swallow up more land."Ever since the sinkhole occurred ... we've lived in fear," said Rudy Alfaro, whose home is 800 meters from the site. A health center and preschool are nearby too, she said."We were afraid it would get bigger, that it would expand, move toward the houses." The sinkhole expelled clouds of dust in a recent earthquake, provoking more anxiety, she said.     The court upheld a shutdown of the small Alcaparrosa mine ordered by Chile's environmental regulator in January, and confirmed "irreversible" damage to an aquifer, which drained water into the mine and weakened the surrounding rock."This is detrimental to an area that is already hydrologically stressed," said Rodrigo Saez, regional water director. Lundin said it will work with authorities to implement remediation measures.(Writing by Daina Beth Solomon, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

Health
Water

Scientists Warn: Bottled Water May Pose Serious Long-Term Health Risks

Using it regularly introduces tens of thousands of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the body each year. The tropical beauty of Thailand’s Phi Phi islands is not the kind of place where most PhD journeys begin. For Sarah Sajedi, however, it was not the beaches themselves but what lay beneath them that sparked her decision [...]

A scientist’s island epiphany uncovers how single-use bottles shed micro- and nanoplastics that infiltrate the body, with emerging evidence of chronic harm and measurement blind spots. Credit: ShutterstockUsing it regularly introduces tens of thousands of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the body each year. The tropical beauty of Thailand’s Phi Phi islands is not the kind of place where most PhD journeys begin. For Sarah Sajedi, however, it was not the beaches themselves but what lay beneath them that sparked her decision to leave a career in business and pursue academic research. “I was standing there looking out at this gorgeous view of the Andaman Sea, and then I looked down and beneath my feet were all these pieces of plastic, most of them water bottles,” she says. “I’ve always had a passion for waste reduction, but I realized that this was a problem with consumption.” Sajedi, BSc ’91, decided to return to Concordia to pursue a PhD with a focus on plastic waste. As the co-founder of ERA Environmental Management Solutions, a leading provider of environmental, health, and safety software, she brought decades of experience to compliment her studies. Her latest paper, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, looks at the science around the health risks posed by single-use plastic water bottles. They are serious, she says, and seriously understudied. Sarah Sajedi with Chunjiang An: “Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency but it is not something that should be used in daily life.” Tiny threats, little known In her analysis of more than 140 scientific papers, Sajedi reports that people ingest an estimated 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles each year. For those who rely on bottled water, that number climbs even higher—about 90,000 additional particles compared to individuals who primarily drink tap water. These particles are invisible to the eye. Microplastics range in size from one micron (a thousandth of a millimeter) to five millimeters, while nanoplastics are smaller than a single micron. They are released as plastic bottles are manufactured, stored, transported, and gradually degrade. Because many bottles are made from low-grade plastic, they shed particles whenever they are handled or exposed to sunlight and changes in temperature. Unlike plastics that move through the food chain before entering the human body, these are consumed directly from the container itself. Sarah Sajedi and Chunjiang An. Credit: Concordia UniversityAccording to Sajedi, the health risks are significant. Once inside the body, these small plastics can pass through biological barriers, enter the bloodstream, and reach major organs. Their presence may contribute to chronic inflammation, cellular oxidative stress, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, neurological damage, and some cancers. Still, their long-term impacts are not fully understood, largely because of limited testing and the absence of standardized ways to measure and track them. Sajedi also outlines the range of methods available to detect nano- and microplastics, each with benefits and limitations. Some approaches can locate particles at extremely small scales but cannot reveal their chemical makeup. Others identify the material composition but overlook the tiniest plastics. The most sophisticated and dependable tools are often prohibitively expensive and not widely accessible. Education is the best prevention Sajedi is encouraged by the legislative action that has been adopted by governments around the world aimed at limiting plastic waste. However, she notes that the most common targets are single-use plastic bags, straws, and packaging. Very few address the pressing issue of single-use water bottles. “Education is the most important action we can take,” she says. “Drinking water from plastic bottles is fine in an emergency but it is not something that should be used in daily life. People need to understand that the issue is not acute toxicity—it is chronic toxicity.” Reference: “Unveiling the hidden chronic health risks of nano- and microplastics in single-use plastic water bottles: A review” by Sarah Sajedi, Chunjiang An and Zhi Chen, 14 June 2025, Journal of Hazardous Materials.DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138948 Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Never miss a breakthrough: Join the SciTechDaily newsletter.Follow us on Google, Discover, and News.

Health
Water
Chemicals

Wildfires in Western U.S. Play a Role in Global Warming, Research Shows

By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay ReporterSATURDAY, Sept. 27, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Wildfires are an increasingly common feature of life in...

By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay ReporterSATURDAY, Sept. 27, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Wildfires are an increasingly common feature of life in American West, and researchers are working overtime to understand how the resulting smoke affects air quality, human health and climate change."Wildfires do not emit ozone directly," Jan Mandel, a professor emeritus of mathematics at University of Colorado Denver, said in a news release. "Wildfire smoke contains chemical compounds that react with sunlight to produce ozone, often far from the fire itself."In turn, that added ozone fuels global warming.Mandel developed a computer model to gauge the air quality effects of large western wildfires that ripped across the West in 2020.His work with researchers from University of Utah and San Jose State University in California is the centerpiece of a study being published in the November issue of the journal Atmospheric Environment.Focusing on August 2020 wildfires that burned more than 1 million acres in northern California and dozens of smaller fires in Utah and Oregon that affected a combined 400,000 acres, they looked at ozone levels and air quality.Hundreds of miles from the wildfires, in Colorado, residents grappled with smoke-filled skies and repeated air quality and pollution alerts. But the impact didn’t end there, the study found.Not only did these large wildfires pump a large amount of ozone into the air, affecting people’s lungs far from the fire zone, they also added to climate change.For the study, Mandel worked with Derek Mallia of the University of Utah and Adam Kochanski of San Jose State University to model the extent to which wildfire chemical emissions wound up in the atmosphere.The takeaway: On average, wildfire smoke pumps up ozone concentrations by 21 parts per billion (ppb). On top of already high ozone levels in the West, that pushes levels over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 70-ppb health standard.Exposure to high levels of ozone can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from coughing to lung and heart disease, and even premature death."Major wildfire events, such as the August 2020 episode, are likely to become more common in the coming decades due to increasing aridity driven by climate change," Mandel’s team wrote. "Thus, improving air quality across the western U.S. during the summer remains challenging," the study added. The results suggest that future reductions in pollution levels may not be enough to offset the effects of major wildfire smoke, especially in summer months. Major fires can emit as much nitric oxide as all other human-caused sources across the western U.S., the study pointed out. Wildfire smoke also contains fine particulate matter that poses significant health hazards."Given the complexity of the underlying physical and chemical processes governing smoke plume transport and chemistry, more research is needed to better understand how wildfires impact the … distribution of ozone," the study concluded.SOURCES: University of Colorado, Denver, news release, Sept. 19, 2025; Atmospheric Environment, November 2025.Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health
Chemicals
Pollution

Routine Community Screening Catches Undiagnosed Asthma

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterFRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Routine screening can help find kids who are suffering from...

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterFRIDAY, Sept. 26, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Routine screening can help find kids who are suffering from undiagnosed asthma in communities with high levels of the breathing disorder, a new study says.Asthma screening during well-child visits found that more than two-thirds (35%) of children with no previous diagnosis of asthma had at least one risk factor for the disease, researchers will report Monday at an American Academy of Pediatrics’ meeting in Denver.Further, about 24% of kids with risk factors were subsequently diagnosed with asthma, researchers said.Those diagnosed with asthma reported coughing or shortness of breath at night, previous use of an inhaler or difficulty exercising due to breathing problems, researchers said.“Asthma is often diagnosed late or not at all because parents may not think of certain symptoms such as night-time cough or needing to stop activity to catch your breath, as being related to asthma,” researcher Dr. Janine Rethy, division chief of community pediatrics at MedStar Health, a not-for-profit health care provider in the Baltimore-Washington D.C., metropolitan area, said in a news release.For the study, researchers screened 650 children ages 2 and older for asthma during well-child visits performed in a mobile medical clinic between 2021 and 2024. The mobile clinic performed these screens in urban areas with a known high prevalence of asthma.Overall, about 8% of children screened were found to have previously undiagnosed asthma, results showed. Another 18% of the kids had a previous diagnosis of asthma.The children’s home environment likely played a factor in their asthma, researchers found.About 52% of the undiagnosed kids who screened positive for asthma had poor housing conditions — mold, roaches, mice, rats, peeling paint or leaking water.About 38% of kids with a prior diagnosis of asthma also lived in such conditions, results showed.“There are also many environmental triggers in the home that may contribute to these symptoms and which a pediatrician should know about to help understand triggers and incorporate into a treatment plan,” Rethy said.The study shows that more kids with asthma can be helped if doctors and public health experts focus screening efforts on places known to have high rates of asthma, researchers said.“Asthma is highly treatable if diagnosed early and approached with a holistic lens that includes identifying and addressing environmental triggers,” researcher Dr. Karen Ganacias, a MedStar Health pediatrician, said in a news release.“In populations with high asthma prevalence, routine screening for asthma symptoms and modifiable home environmental triggers can be an important first step to improving outcomes and decreasing disparities,” Ganacias added.Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, Sept. 26, 2025Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Health
Water

Suggested Viewing

Lead in the Land

Lead in the Land is a documentary focusing on the harsh reality and far-reaching effects of lead poisoning, an invisible and insidious threat afflicting thousands of children in the United States. The film sheds light on the circumstances around lead poisoning, examining its causes, effects and potential solutions.

Chemicals
Social Justice
Health

Sprayed

An exploration of what happens when whole communities get exposed to toxins: Naled sprayed on Miami residents to fight Zika virus, Agent Orange sprayed on the Vietcong, and release of GMO mosquitoes in Brazil with pyriproxyfen added to drinking water to fight dengue. What are the results for nature and humanity? We meet Agent Orange survivors at Vietnamese detoxification and rehabilitation centers, parents of babies born with microcephaly from Zika virus, and Florida residents dealing with efforts to kill mosquitoes carrying Zika virus. Perspectives of doctors, scientists, and politicians are balanced with voices of ordinary citizens and victims to explore concerns about the potential impact on current and future generations.

Chemicals
Health
Science

STOPPING THE NEXT PANDEMIC

Stopping the next pandemic is a new challenge to the most prominent scientists. Their field studies around the world are showing that our health as humans depends on animal and environmental health. Diseases that occur in the remotest places are now our concern. We live in a connected world. We will have to preserve the environment to prevent future pandemics.

Health
Science

The Connection Between Bats and Coronavirus: Wildlife is not to blame

What exactly is the connection between bats and coronavirus? And how has sheltering-in-place disrupted field research in California and beyond? State and local governments have set restrictions on bat research and rescue in an effort to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Winifred Frick, chief scientist of Bat Conservation International, describes how the new restrictions have affected conservation efforts.

Animals
Science
Health

The Rulindo Challenge

In May 2010, Rulindo, Rwanda launched an ambitious plan to bring access to water and sanitation services to the entire district population. This film explores the story, challenges and ultimate success for reaching over 330,000 people with safe water in the rural and mountainous Rulindo District, and how this project is inspiring sustainable water (infrastructure and sanitation) models around the world.

Sustainable
Business
Health

Join us to forge
a sustainable future

Our team is always growing.
Become a partner, volunteer, sponsor, or intern today.
Let us know how you would like to get involved!

CONTACT US

sign up for our mailing list to stay informed on the latest films and environmental headlines.

Subscribers receive a free day pass for streaming Cinema Verde.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.