A gold rush for ‘green finance’ risks changing our relationship to nature

We are turning ever more nature into a product we buy and sell.

Ruth Bookbinder, Research fellow, University of Leeds • conversation
Dec. 23, 2024 ~7 min

Ferns’ ability to evolve ‘backward’ offers insights into the meandering path of evolution

Evolution is often depicted as a steady forward march from simple to complex forms. But new research shows that certain ferns can evolve ‘backward.’

Jacob S. Suissa, Assistant Professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Dec. 13, 2024 ~9 min


Teaching a robot its limits, to complete open-ended tasks safely

The “PRoC3S” method helps an LLM create a viable action plan by testing each step in a simulation. This strategy could eventually aid in-home robots to complete more ambiguous chore requests.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
Dec. 12, 2024 ~6 min

15% of global population lives within a few miles of a coast − and the number is growing rapidly

Nearly 10% of the planet’s human inhabitants live within 3.1 miles of the coast − where the risk of climate disasters is often highest.

Viswadeep Lebakula, Research Scientist in Human Geography, Oak Ridge National Laboratory • conversation
Dec. 12, 2024 ~6 min

The hidden benefits of birdsong

Research shows that vineyards with higher bird species richness had louder and more complex soundscapes. Here’s why that matters.

Simon Butler, Professor of Applied Ecology, University of East Anglia • conversation
Dec. 11, 2024 ~6 min

Extraterrestrial life may look nothing like life on Earth − so astrobiologists are coming up with a framework to study how complex systems evolve

A specific set of chemical conditions led to the emergence of life on Earth. But can life emerge from other chemistries?

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 6, 2024 ~10 min

Study: Browsing negative content online makes mental health struggles worse

Researchers have developed a web plug-in to help those looking to protect their mental health make more informed decisions.

Jarret Bencks | Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences • mit
Dec. 5, 2024 ~5 min

Peatlands urgently need to be restored for UK to meet emissions targets

Peat restoration is an important nature-based solution that can mitigate climate change and will be an essential part of reaching the UK’s legally binding emissions targets.

Casey Bryce, Senior Lecturer, School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol • conversation
Dec. 2, 2024 ~8 min


Corals can adapt to warming oceans, but not fast enough – new research

Natural selection won’t keep pace with global warming if the Paris climate agreement isn’t realised.

Peter J Mumby, Chair Professor, Coral Reef Ecology, The University of Queensland • conversation
Nov. 29, 2024 ~8 min

Companies won’t survive in a nature-depleted world – I’ve met the business owners who are taking action

Small business owners with a passion for nature are bringing this to their company values.

Francesca Boyd, Business Research & Impact Fellow, University of Exeter • conversation
Nov. 21, 2024 ~7 min

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