Salty foods are making people sick − in part by poisoning their microbiomes

Salt is an essential nutrient that has helped civilizations flavor and preserve their foods for millennia. Too much dietary salt, however, is linked to a host of health problems.

Christopher Damman, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~10 min

Reducing pesticide use while increasing effectiveness

In field tests, MIT spinoff AgZen demonstrated that its feedback-optimized spraying system could halve the pesticide needs of farms and improve crop yields.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
March 12, 2024 ~10 min


The Anthropocene is not an epoch − but the age of humans is most definitely underway

Scientists have been debating the start of the Anthropocene Epoch for 15 years. I was part of those discussions, and I agree with the vote rejecting it.

Erle C. Ellis, Professor of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 5, 2024 ~7 min

Demand for computer chips fuelled by AI could reshape global politics and security

The effects of AI’s growth on global security could be difficult to predict.

Alina Vaduva, Director of the Business Advice Centre for Post Graduate Students at UEL, Ambassador of the Centre for Innovation, Management and Enterprise, University of East London • conversation
March 4, 2024 ~8 min

Tests show high-temperature superconducting magnets are ready for fusion

Detailed study of magnets built by MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems confirms they meet requirements for an economic, compact fusion power plant.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
March 4, 2024 ~13 min

Remembering the 1932 Ford Hunger March: Detroit park honors labor and environmental history

On March 7, workers at the Ford Rouge River plant marched for better working conditions, sparking America’s labor movement. Almost a century later, a quiet park honors their memory.

Paul Draus, Professor of Sociology; Director, Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Michigan-Dearborn • conversation
March 1, 2024 ~8 min

Oil and gas lobbyists have deep pockets and access to politicians, but an EU ban could be in the pipeline

Tobacco lobbyists are strongly regulated – could a ‘tobacco-style’ ban work for fossil fuel interests?

Will Dinan, Senior Lecturer, Communications, Media and Culture, University of Stirling • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~7 min

Struggling seabirds thrown a lifeline by new commercial fishing ban in the North Sea – but it may not be enough

Many seabird colonies around UK coastlines struggle to breed because the sandeels they feed on have been overfished. The upcoming closure of sandeel fisheries will be good news for marine wildlife.

Ruth Dunn, Senior Research Associate in Marine Ecology, Lancaster University • conversation
Feb. 13, 2024 ~8 min


MIT, Applied Materials, and the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub to bring 200mm advanced research capabilities to MIT.nano

State-of-the-art toolset will bridge academic innovations and industry pathways to scale for semiconductors, microelectronics, and other critical technologies.

MIT.nano • mit
Jan. 30, 2024 ~7 min

What a fair deal for ex-steelworkers would look like as the industry decarbonises

Tata Steel layoffs in Port Talbot reveal the tension between saving jobs and saving the environment.

Chris McLachlan, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
Jan. 24, 2024 ~7 min

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