![Women play a central role in agriculture, where pesticide exposure is common. Even without direct occupational contact, proximity to croplands and related activities can increase exposure, with emerging evidence suggesting these chemicals may disrupt hormonal pathways and influence reproductive development in girls. [[File:Role of women in agriculture in Punjab (5712932498).jpg|Role_of_women_in_agriculture_in_Punjab_(5712932498)]]. Source: Public domain via Wikimedia commons](https://i0.wp.com/envirobites.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Role_of_women_in_agriculture_in_Punjab_5712932498.jpg?resize=800%2C445&ssl=1 "Environmental Pesticide Exposure and Reproductive Development: Recent Evidence on Menstruation and Breast Development in Girls")
As we approach the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in 2021, it is time we face our unseen but ubiquitous problem: microplastics. What do we know about them, where can we find them, and what does the science say on its impacts on our hydrosphere and biosphere?
Read MoreCitation: Ebenezer Satyaraj, Harold James Wedner, Jean Bousquet. Keep the cat, change the care pathway: A transformational approach to managing
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 pandemic scourges the planet, research and other efforts have focused on the human toll of the virus. Recent research has begun shedding light on the effects of COVID-19 on the environment. At first glance, these effects seem beneficial. However, many negative consequences also loom, particularly in the long-term.
Read MoreThe grass species known as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) – contrary to its name – is not native to Kentucky nor is it blue (spoiler: it’s green). It is originally from Europe and northern Asia and is the most popular lawn grass in the Unites States. Unfortunately, it has also become a huge invasive problem in natural grassland environments.
Read MorePlastics impart a lot of useful properties during a global health pandemic. They’re cheap, disposable, and easy to clean. However, they still present an environmental challenge… read more to find out how green chemistry can help!
Read MoreIceland is a beautiful country and my vacation there was one of my favorites! However, there is some tension in the country balancing clean energy development and maintaining the pristine natural areas that draw tourists annually. Authors of this paper explore how these two conflicting interests can work together and help to promote renewable energy production.
Read MoreLearning about lichens, and their contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Read MoreKeystone species have ripple effects on the other organisms in their environments, but do any species have similar effects on the environment itself? The idea of a biogeomorphic keystone species captures this idea and, like that of keystone species, requires piecing together a complex web of interactions to understand the big picture. Two researchers in Kentucky present how two tree species have strong effects on their local stream environments, qualifying them as potential biogeomorphic keystone species.
Read MoreOne up and coming target for bee conservation has been the urban landscape, as some recent findings have indicated that cities can maintain diverse bee communities. Though on the surface these findings seem promising for bee conservation, many of these studies do not actually address whether this is a positive thing for native bees. One group of scientists decided to delve further into this topic by looking at the effects of urbanization on bee species. Specifically, they wanted to find out whether exotic bees, including the European honeybee, were found more abundantly in cities and other urban areas than in rural communities and how their presence affected native bees.
Read MoreHow connected are our farms to our cities? If you are a flying fungus, they may be very connected! In a new study, researchers from De Paul University found fungi from the soil on the rooftops of Chicago and wondered why. It turns out, small fungal spores can travel from agricultural fields through the air into the cities and form friendships with the city-dwelling plants. Understanding how these spores move from agriculture to cities could help researchers develop new insight of the urban ecosystem.
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