Environment

Researchers at National Taiwan University reveal that combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and the preservative butylparaben, at a level considered safe on their own, can cause heritable harm, disrupting reproduction across generations through epigenetic changes.

A new species of pitcher plant found only on Palawan Island is already at risk of extinction due to frequent severe weather conditions and human encroachment.

Reagent-free (photo)electrochemical systems effectively breakdown cobalt–organic complexes while simultaneously recovering cobalt, presenting a promising strategy for advanced wastewater treatment and resource recovery.

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown marine fungus that kills toxic algae known to pose a health risk to humans

A new regional assessment shows that Southeast Asia is a major net source of greenhouse gases, with land-use change and rising fossil fuel use overwhelming natural carbon sinks, reservoirs that store carbon-containing chemical compounds for a long period.

Using mobile phone traces, transit data, and spatial modelling, SUTD researchers produced one of Singapore’s most detailed district-level maps of transport emissions that offers new insights into how urban form shapes daily mobility.

A Filipino-led team of international researchers has developed a physics-based algorithm that could train AI to greatly improve weather forecasts.

Brain atlas, From perfume to plastic, Stable solar power, Plant aging switch, Anti-cancer droplets, Greener gold, Extreme star factory and How research shapes sustainability policy. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Sonochemical degradation of carbon tetrachloride was found to increase in the presence of alcohols

Sea salt aerosols are an important, chemically-reactive contributor to air quality when their components interact with the already polluted city air, particularly in Metro Manila.

A commoning approach for democratic, community-centric weather modification

A first of its kind, the report from Springer Nature, in partnership with Overton, draws on more than 12 million policy documents to uncover how academic research is influencing real-world policy tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Philippines remains mired in import dependence despite years of government support.

Untangling cosmic knots, Samurai jellyfish, Controlling rogue antibodies, Search for anti-ulcer vaccine & Metal-recovering yeast. Plus next SciCom coffee talk on experiences in science journalism in the AI era and WHO guide to reporting on non communicable diseases. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), known for their high efficiency and low manufacturing costs, are considered a revolutionary photovoltaic (PV) technology that can further reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), thus promoting the development of green and renewable energy technology in order to reach our carbon reduction goals. However, state-of-the-art PSCs still face serious stability problems, especially during long-term continuous operation at high temperatures, which seriously hinder commercialisation.

To protect the diverse marine ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region, we need to understand the full picture via collaborative data integration efforts across institutes and different disciplines.

More than 40% of existing and planned offshore wind farm sites in Europe and Asia are exposed to wind speeds above the maximum capacity of some turbines, highlighting the need for these energy infrastructures to adapt to extreme wind events associated with climate change.

Recent discoveries have shown that MFC systems can be combined with soil to form soil microbial fuel cells (SMFCs), or further combined with plants to form plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs). Researchers at National Taiwan University investigated the effects of SMFCs and PMFCs on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from soil.

A new species of jellyfish has been discovered! Researchers at Tohoku University named this venomous creature Physalia mikazuki, after the crescent moon helmet worn by Sendai’s feudal lord Date Masamune.

Scientists shine a light on the properties of the gemstone ammolite -- a rare type of brightly coloured fossilised ammonite shell.

Three‑Layer Trap: Congener‑Specific PCBs Accumulation Driven by the Biological Pump in the Sea of Japan

$5.5 Million partnership with WCS and WorldFish will expand Bangladesh’s Marine Protected Area network and strengthen community-led ocean stewardship

DeePFAS, a novel deep-learning model, streamlines large-scale non-targeted screening of "forever chemicals" (PFAS) by projecting raw MS2 spectra into a latent space of chemical features, offering a rapid, AI-driven solution to replace complex traditional analysis.

A research team led by Associate Professor Tomoya Kataoka at Ehime University, in collaboration with Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd., Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., and Wageningen University’s Associate Professor Tim van Emmerik, has developed AI software using deep learning to detect, classify, and track plastics flowing in rivers. The system automatically estimates transport volumes from video data, supporting continuous monitoring and advancing understanding of land-to-sea plastic transport. The findings appear in Water Research.

A common soil fungus (Purpureocillium lilacinum BA1S), when combined with calcium and mild alkalinity, speeds up the breakdown of biodegradable plastic (PBAT), offering a greener path for managing agricultural and packaging waste.

Researchers found overlooked sources of greenhouse gas emissions in urban Osaka using mobile measurements

Tohoku University researchers dispel the “plasma effect” myth in spark plasma sintering, showing that both SPS and hot pressing achieve equally effective, rapid densification of LLZO solid electrolytes.

Researchers have developed a method to produce strong, biodegradable plastic from bamboo.

Ancient black holes, How good cholesterol is made, Self-healing plastic, Dengue’s genetic imprint, Korean mussel power & Space clean-up. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

With so many environmental issues arising, how can we even begin trying to solve them all? Perhaps, we can start by asking AI. This study highlights how AI can pinpoint viable action plans for these issues.