Every year, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide. A significant portion of that—about five percent—finds its way into rivers and oceans, either from general waste or directly through the fishing industry. Regardless of whether it breaks down into microplastics or remains intact, plastic pollution continues to pose a serious environmental and health threat to ecosystems and communities around the world.

In response to this growing problem, researchers have introduced a promising new material called transparent paperboard, or tPB. Designed to look and function like plastic, tPB offers the added benefits of being biodegradable, recyclable, and made entirely from cellulose—the same plant-based material found in traditional paper. It provides a sustainable alternative to plastic without compromising performance.

In the race toward carbon neutrality, innovation is everything—and a research team in Japan may have just taken a major leap forward. Scientists from Tohoku University, Hokkaido University, and AZUL Energy have developed a rapid, cost-effective method to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO)—a crucial building block for synthetic fuels.

This method dramatically reduces processing time from 24 hours to just 15 minutes, signaling a potential game-changer for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in the U.S. have identified a previously unknown group of microbes thriving deep underground—up to 70 feet beneath the surface. This newly classified microbial phylum, named CSP1-3, not only survives in these harsh subterranean conditions but also plays a significant role in purifying groundwater, with exciting implications for future water filtration technologies.

The study, led by Dr. James Tiedje, university distinguished professor emeritus and director of the Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University (MSU), uncovered CSP1-3 in soil samples collected from Iowa in the U.S. and China. Both sites belong to Earth’s Critical Zone, a vast region that stretches from the tree canopy down through soil layers to bedrock, sometimes extending as deep as 700 feet.

Humans have exceptional eyesight—better than most creatures in terms of color range, detail, and distance. But eyes evolved to handle life in jungles and prairies, not a world shaped by urban warfare, global tensions, and climate change. Today’s complex challenges demand the ability to see more, see faster, and see better. That’s why the United States is leaning into a new era of remote sensing—one driven by powerful commercial space imagery.

This revolution is fueled by advances in satellite technology and the plummeting costs of space launches. Companies are racing to equip spacecraft with next-generation sensors that can capture high-resolution images of Earth more frequently, affordably, and with greater clarity. At the forefront of this movement is Maxar’s WorldView Legion satellite platform, featuring cutting-edge imaging instruments designed by Raytheon.