Thermal decomposition is helping to green two major EU manufacturing industries. By Michael Allen For thousands of years, humans have converted wood into charcoal through a technique called pyrolysis. Now, Jean-Michel Douarre wants to use this age-old method for a modern purpose: turning old car tyres into new ones. Douarre, the head of research into … Read more
As the environmental and economic costs of industrial farming grow, so do opportunities to spur an ecological change. By Jessica Berthereau For avocado farmers in Peru, it appears to be a boom time. Their production has increased sixfold over the past decade to meet growing demand abroad. But appearances can deceive. Farm foundations These and … Read more
Researchers are going beyond conventional solar panels in a bid to generate heat and electricity from the other external surfaces of buildings. By Jack McGovan In social housing on the outskirts of the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven, Renske Crone was delighted with an experiment in 2022 involving her apartment: it was outfitted with panels … Read more
Researchers are exploring links between microorganisms in the human gut and neurodevelopmental disorders in the hope of accelerating diagnosis and treatment. By Vittoria D’Alessio Professor Alessio Fasano is keenly aware of the challenges faced by families that have children with autism. Fasano, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US, has several relatives and … Read more
It’s not just trees that help tackle global warming but also the ground in which they grow. By Jessica Berthereau In an old-growth forest in Slovakia, dozens of sensors are placed in the soil, tree trunks and air. The devices are tracking how soil hydrology and tree growth affect carbon stored in the ground. This … Read more
Consumer demand in the EU is growing for more sustainable food production. By Horizon Staff Europeans are increasingly keen to eat food that is both healthy for them and gentle on the environment. Retail sales of organic food in the EU jumped 80% between 2015 and 2020. But accelerating the switch away from industrialised farming … Read more