Well into the late 19th century, the U.S. retail sector was overwhelmingly local, consisting of small, independent merchants throughout the country. That started changing after Sears and Roebuck's famous catalog became popular, allowing the firm to grow, while a rival, Montgomery Ward, also expanded. By the 1930s, the U.S. had 130,000 chain stores, topped by Atlantic and Pacific supermarkets (the A&P), with over 15,000 stores. [...]
Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource worldwide, and the question of water management is becoming an ever more pressing issue in Sweden as well. Despite this, water is often priced in a way that can lead to overconsumption, particularly in apartment buildings where water costs are included in the rent. Without direct financial incentives to save water, consumption risks being higher than necessary. [...]
Unexpectedly strong methane emissions have been detected at several locations in Lake Siljan, Sweden, according to a new study from Chalmers University of Technology. The findings, based on a novel measurement technique developed by the researchers, reveal persistent and concentrated methane leaks never before observed in a lake environment. Scientists will now investigate whether these emissions are unique to Siljan—or part of a broader phenomenon that could occur in lakes worldwide. [...]
The Caatinga is the only biome found exclusively in Brazil and is home to the largest contiguous area of seasonally dry tropical forest in the world. However, anthropogenic activities such as cattle ranching, agriculture, and firewood exploitation have caused large-scale environmental degradation processes that, together with climate change, could even lead to desertification. [...]
The sustainable production of fuels and value-added chemicals from biomass is a cornerstone of the future bioeconomy. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a platform molecule derived from lignocellulosic biomass, holds immense promise for replacing petroleum-derived building blocks. Its selective hydrogenation to 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF), a crucial precursor for pharmaceuticals, nucleoside analogs, and specialty polymers, is of particular interest. However, conventional thermocatalytic HMF hydrogenation often necessitates harsh conditions (high temperatures and pressures), leading to substantial energy consumption and process intensification challenges. [...]
New research from the University of Michigan points to potential ways to leverage grocery delivery services to improve food access in Detroit, where 32% of residents live a mile or farther from a full-service grocery store. [...]
Researchers explored the long-term effects of preschool expansion in Japan in the 1960s, revealing significant reductions in risky behaviors among teenagers. By analyzing regional differences in the rollout of the program, the study identified links between early childhood education and lower rates of juvenile violent arrests and teenage pregnancy. Published in the Journal of Public Economics, the findings suggest that improved noncognitive skills played a key role in mitigating risky behaviors, highlighting the lasting benefits of early-education policies. [...]
Conventional food production and distribution systems degrade the environment due to several aspects, like overuse of fertilizers and high greenhouse gas emissions. This necessitates a shift toward low environmental impact, sustainable food systems like community-supported agriculture (CSA). In CSA, consumers pay producers in advance for their harvest. In this way, farmers get financial stability, and consumers get a chance to engage in farming activities, which ultimately strengthens local food systems. [...]
For some Dallas-area scientists, the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, was more than just a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic spectacle: It was a rare and invaluable research opportunity, the perfect controlled experiment. [...]
Until now, not much was known about the influence that nozzle type and application volume have on weed control efficacy with remotely piloted aerial application systems (RPAASs). However, new research shows that RPAAS applications using low-drift nozzles at low spray volumes (1.0–1.5 gallons/acre) can achieve weed control levels comparable to ground sprayer applications at 10 gallons/acre in turf. [...]
Canberra joined the global network in 1965 and operates four radio antennas. Now, preparations have begun on its fifth as NASA works to increase the network's capacity. [...]
Researchers are using AI to bridge the communication gap between horse and human. Combining 3D motion capture and machine learning, a new modeling system would equip veterinarians with a powerful visual tool for interpreting equine body language—the key to detecting physical and even behavioral problems. [...]
For over a century, the Cambrian arthropod Helmetia expansa remained a mystery. Discovered by paleontologist Charles Doolittle Walcott in 1918, it was initially classified as a crustacean. Despite frequent mentions in research papers, this species has never been formally described, and only one specimen has ever been illustrated. [...]
The hypothalamus is a small but critical region at the base of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, regulates body temperature, signals hunger and thirst, exerts hormonal control over the pituitary gland, helps set circadian rhythms, influences sexual behavior and reproduction, and plays a role in instinctive behaviors like fear, aggression, and maternal bonding. [...]
Anyone who's ever tried tiling a floor, a backsplash or even an arts-and-crafts project probably knows the emotional frustration of working with pieces whose shapes don't perfectly complement each other. It turns out, though, that some creatures may actually rely on similar mismatches to create geometric frustrations that result in complex natural structures with remarkable properties, such as protective shells and sturdy yet flexible bones. [...]
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a machine-learning algorithm that could enhance our understanding of human biology and disease. The new method, Weighted Graph Anomalous Node Detection (WGAND), takes inspiration from social network analysis and is designed to identify proteins with significant roles in various human tissues. [...]
While there is an astounding variety of physical differences in wildlife that humans can easily observe, new research from Drexel University's College of Arts and Sciences reveals that there is likely even more variation hidden from our perception. [...]
We have to stop emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) if we want to save the climate—there is no doubt about that. But that alone will not be enough. In addition, it will also be necessary to capture CO2 that is already present in the atmosphere, and store it permanently, for example, by pumping it deep into the ground. [...]
On our planet, at any one moment, billions of animals are on the move. From migratory birds, insects, marine mammals and sharks connecting distant continents and seas, to bees and other insects pollinating our crops, to grazing animals roaming across the plains, and the foxes and hedgehogs visiting urban gardens. [...]
Rhinos that flourished across much of North America 12 million years ago gathered in huge herds, according to a new study by the University of Cincinnati. [...]
Whether you are a person about town or a worm in a dish, life can throw all kinds of circumstances your way. What you need is a nervous system flexible enough to cope. In a new study, MIT neuroscientists show how even a simple animal can switch many gears in its brain to muster an adaptive response to a deadly infection. [...]
About 66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into the planet, wiping out all non-avian dinosaurs and about 70% of all marine species. [...]
China recently approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam, across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. When fully up and running, it will be the world's largest power plant—by some distance. [...]
A district council in England has passed a motion to grant its local river the rights to flow freely, to be free from pollution and to enjoy its native biodiversity. The move by Lewes District Council in East Sussex to recognize the fundamental rights of the River Ouse is the first of its kind in the U.K. [...]
If left unaddressed, many environmental changes in Aotearoa New Zealand could threaten livelihoods, health, quality of life and infrastructure for generations to come, according to the latest update on the state of the environment. [...]
The education of autistic children and young people in western societies has been heavily influenced by a medicalized understanding of autism. This means considering autism as a disorder, with a focus on correcting autistic people's perceived lacks, rather than building on their strengths. [...]
A joint study by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' (AMC) and researchers from the University of Manitoba reveals that First Nations birthing parents in Manitoba experience significantly higher rates of contact with Child and Family Services (CFS) compared to non-First Nations birthing parents. [...]
A powerful new AI tool, published today, offers a fast, low-cost way to understand public attitudes—by automatically identifying common themes in open-ended responses to surveys and policy consultations. [...]
Ancient DNA extracted from a sediment core from a high-altitude Pyrenean lake in Spain reveals that fish may have been added to the lake by humans as early as the 7th century CE. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that fish were present in Lake Redon much earlier than previously suggested by historical evidence and provide further insight into the impact of human activity on these ecosystems. [...]
Have you ever spotted a problem but assumed someone else would handle it, so you did nothing? A recent sociological study explores this common mindset in the context of how we respond—or fail to respond—to climate change. [...]
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