The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), China’s experimental nuclear fusion reactor, has reportedly sustained a fusion reaction for over 1,000 seconds for the first time—specifically, 1,066 seconds (nearly 18 minutes). Despite this significant breakthrough, the news received little attention in Western media.
The fact that climate damage also impacts the economy has long been evident, with numerous studies addressing this issue. However, the findings often lack clarity, as they involve significant sums spread over long time horizons. A new report adds to this discourse, concluding that in fifty years, half of economic value could be consumed by climate-related costs. Yet, these studies share a critical flaw: they focus on averages, which fail to reflect the urgency and severity of the real-world situation. The reality is far graver and more immediate than these models suggest.
Black plastic is a common material in most kitchens and is used in utensils like spoons, spatulas, and containers. However, a growing body of research suggests that it poses health risks because it can be made from recycled electronic waste. This process may introduce toxic flame retardants, such as brominated and organophosphate compounds, into the material and into your food when exposed to heat. These chemicals are associated with serious health issues, including cancer and hormone disruption.
According to the latest report of Project Breakthrough: Collision Course, an accelerated rate of warming is likely to continue until mid-century, given the failure so far to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
Discoveries and developments during 2024, like SAF, EGS might have set the course for more sustainability and effective climate mitigation efforts over the coming years.
Scientists are sounding the alarm about the risks of creating mirror bacteria, hypothetical organisms made entirely from mirror-image biological molecules.
Google has introduced Willow, its latest quantum chip, representing a major breakthrough in quantum computing. This chip tackles two key challenges that have long hindered the field.
Coal ash—the toxic byproduct from coal combustion—may turn out to be a significant domestic source of rare earth elements essential to clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels.
The bacterium ‘Klebsiella pneumoniae’, which is resistant to all antibiotics, is also particularly aggressive and dangerous.
Countries are losing US$492 billion in tax a year to multinational corporations and wealthy individuals using tax havens to underpay tax, the Tax Justice Network’s annual State of Tax Justice shows. Nearly half the losses (43%) are enabled by the eight countries that remain opposed to a UN tax convention: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the US.