Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Environmental Science

Environmental ScienceHuman Exposure and Public Health
Munim Deen

It’s Not Over Even When It’s Over: Ebola Outbreaks’ Lasting Impact on Food and Nutrition

Ebola has transcended science and medicine to become a modern day term of panic. Though its effects on the body are well known, its effects on personal, familial, and societal activities like food are less clear. Emerging research shows the long-term and even permanent effects of this deadly disease on food and nutrition in Sierra Leone, one of the worst-hit areas during the 2013-2016 Ebola oubreak.

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CitiesEcosystemsEnvironmental ScienceScience through time
Anita Masse

A lifetime of noise: what are the costs?

The visible cringe. The reflex to cover your ears. A constant piercing noise can be a horrific experience for a person. Research has shown that noise pollution can negatively impact the health of humans, animals and possibly entire ecosystems. What are the consequences of a lifetime surrounded by noise? Two scientists aim to characterize the costs of chronic noise pollution on the survival, growth and reproductive success of animals over their entire lifetime.

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Environmental Science
Jeannie Wilkening

Poison Paradise: Is climate change making toxic algal blooms worse?

Algal blooms aren’t a new environmental problem, but is climate change making them worse? In this study scientists use a new method to see how the occurrence and severity of algal blooms has changed in lakes around the world as the climate has been getting warmer.

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Environmental Science
Riley Lovejoy

Sunblock for Plankton

Chances are that you take steps to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, but have you ever wondered if other animals have to do this as well? What about the ones that live underwater? Read on to learn how plankton are affected by UVR, and the adaptation that helps to protect them.

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ClimateEnvironmental Science
Alina Spera

The Noble Sea Sponge and its Role in Global Carbon Cycling

Global cycling of chemicals and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon (Si) drive one of the most important biological processes on our planet, primary production and the removal of carbon from our atmosphere. What happens when the largest carbon and silicon sink isn’t actually as big as scientists originally thought? Chemical oceanographers Manuel Maldonado and his colleagues have come up with a new way to study the oceans most important chemical cycles and the surprisingly important role of the simple sea sponge.

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Environmental Science
Maddie Halloran

Hide and Go Seek: “Bodysnatching” Fungus Uses Other Species as Shelter During Fire Events

If you’ve ever been for a hike in the woods after it rains, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a mushroom in the wild. But did you know that what we think of as “mushrooms” are really the fruiting body of a fungus? Some species of fungus use a spooky strategy to survive wildfires – hiding in the bodies of their neighbors!

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EcosystemsEnvironmental Science
Abigail Bezrutczyk

Microbes for Disappearing Dunes

A major challenge our coastal ecosystems face is rapid loss of sand dunes due to coastal erosion. Plants play an important role in sand dune restoration. However, without the right microbes these plants may not be able to establish themselves in the dunes.

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CitiesEcosystemsEnvironmental Science
Sarah Shainker

Microhabitat temperature makes a mega impact on urban coastal biodiversity

Anywhere people live, we build things! Along the coast, our construction projects are especially important for protecting us from strong wind and waves, and for providing opportunities for recreation in and along the water. This development is important, but how is it impacting the animals and algae that make their homes on the coast?

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ClimateEnvironmental ScienceHuman Exposure and Public Health
Mary Davis

It Makes “Cents”: Generating Renewable Electricity Benefits Health and Climate

Replacing fossil fuel electricity generation with renewable technologies has measurable benefits to human health and the climate. Researchers recently developed a simulation tool that reveals benefits are higher in certain regions of the US than others. Read more to see where deploying renewables would have the biggest impact!

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CitiesEcosystemsEnvironmental ScienceToxicology
Lauren Bonatakis

It’s all in the genes: how water pollution keeps silver carp at bay.

Silver carp are a notorious invasive fish that are spreading throughout the Mississippi River Basin. Despite their rapid-fire range expansion, silver carp have yet to make it to the Great Lakes. A recent study explores the possibility that polluted Chicago-area waters may be preventing the spread of silver carp into Lake Michigan and beyond.

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