Gold rush, mercury legacy: Small-scale mining for gold has produced long-lasting toxic pollution, from 1860s California to modern Peru
Small-scale gold mining operations in developing countries are major sources of toxic mercury pollution, using techniques that haven't changed much since the California Gold Rush 150 years ago.
May 28, 2020 • ~10 min
Crucible: the science behind why watching others playing video games has become so popular
Surely, it can't be fun to watch others play games you can play yourself? The hundreds of hour people spend on live-streaming platform Twitch would suggest otherwise.
May 26, 2020 • ~5 min
We found 2˚C of warming will push most tropical rainforests above their safe 'heat threshold'
Massive study looked at more than half a million trees in 813 forests across the tropics.
May 22, 2020 • ~7 min
Dung beetles help rainforests regrow – but extreme drought and wildfires in the Amazon are killing them off
A new study finds 70% of Amazonian dung beetles were killed by the severe fire and droughts of 2015 to 2016. By spreading seeds and poop, dung beetles fertilize forests and aid regrowth of vegetation.
March 9, 2020 • ~6 min
Indigenous people may be the Amazon's last hope
Native Brazilians are among the Amazon's most effective defenders against logging and mining, because they're fighting not just for the environment but for their people's very survival.
Feb. 27, 2020 • ~9 min
Drone-based monitoring system reveals important information on the health of the Amazon
A group of researchers are using a drone-based chemical monitoring system to track the health of the Amazon in the face of global climate change and human-caused deforestation and burning.
Sept. 12, 2019 • ~5 min
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