The goals of providing sufficient quantities of food to support the world's growing population, whilst simultaneously protecting its biodiversity, may seem incompatible. However, a recent review of the literature has highlighted how 'alternative' agricultural practices can offer a realistic solution to the problems of achieving both food security and biodiversity conservation.

Hedgerows are vital habitats in intensively managed landscapes, providing food and shelter for wildlife. How hedgerows are managed affects their structure, with dense, woody hedges being the most valuable for conservation. A recent study has found an alternative method of hedging that is cheaper than traditional hedge laying but offers the same benefits of dense new growth and berry provision for wildlife. Use of this method could double the length of hedgerows being rejuvenated in England, the authors estimate.

Scientists recommend policies that alternate between mowing and grazing to manage Europe’s high-nature-value grasslands. This comes after a new seven-year study found that a high plant-species diversity helps grasslands to maintain productivity and to resist depletion of phosphorus caused by livestock grazing and depletion of potassium caused by mowing.

The coverage of ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ (IBAs) in relation to Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds in the EU has been assessed in a new study. Overall, 66% of the IBA network is covered by SPAs. SPAs were found to cover 23% of the distributions of 435 EU bird species as well as 25% of the distributions of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Almost a quarter of the world’s non-polar land surface experiences light pollution, and there is concern that this adversely affects illuminated ecosystems. Currently there is a global move from yellow sodium lighting to white LED lighting, which emits different wavelengths of light. A recent study found that LED artificial light at night (ALAN) reduced the biomass of periphyton by 62% in a freshwater drainage ditch in Westhavelland Nature Park, Brandenburg, Germany.

Chemical risk assessment and governance can be integrated and harmonised, but only up to a limit, albeit a variable limit, finds new research. The study’s authors examined the socio-political processes and factors surrounding integrated risk assessment and governance associated with chemicals in the EU. The research suggests there are opportunities for improvement if different views and implications of risk integration are considered through open communication and negotiations.

Judging whether to replace a hazardous conventional chemical in a product with a nanomaterial — i.e. to assess which is the safer alternative — is challenging for many reasons. A new study suggests that chemical-alternative assessment frameworks could be adapted to better assess engineered nanomaterials with the help of new tools which provide data on hazards of, and exposure to, nanomaterials.

A new study shows that run-off from de-icing road salts can affect freshwater aquatic ecosystems by increasing certain types of plankton. The study is the first to compare effects of the most popular road salt, sodium chloride, with the effects of alternative salts and additives used to increase de-icing efficiency. Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that magnesium chloride and salt additives are used cautiously near water bodies.

PFASs — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a family of chemicals used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Due to concerns about their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, long-chain PFASs are increasingly being phased out, creating a growing market for alternatives. Researchers have developed a novel method, based on molecular simulation techniques, to estimate the rate at which novel PFASs interact and bind with particular proteins (‘binding affinity’) — an important factor in determining a substance’s bioaccumulation potential in organisms. The method indicates that replacement PFASs may be just as bioaccumulative as original (legacy) PFASs and are, therefore, not necessarily safer. If correct, this finding has significant policy implications.

A new study has raised safety concerns over PFO4DA, a substance increasingly used as a substitute for PFOA, a harmful persistent organic pollutant (POP), in plastic production. PFO4DA was found to cause liver damage to mice in lab tests, and is also an environmental pollutant. The researchers caution that it may not be a suitable alternative to PFOA.

Conventional municipal waste-water treatment processes are based on aeration, which is energy intensive. Now, researchers have developed an alternative waste-water treatment process. In addition to avoiding the use of aeration in favour of filtration/biofiltration and encapsulated denitrification (the application of capsules containing nitrifiers, which convert ammonium into nitrate), the process also uses waste biosolids to generate electrical energy. The process has been tested in a pilot facility and found to require just 15% of the energy required for conventional approaches. Moreover, the process is energy positive, as the biosolids are able to generate more than enough energy to power the treatment plant. If this technology could be scaled up to the municipal level, it could significantly reduce the energy use and environmental impacts of waste-water treatment.

Myke discovered his ranking, Grey will not switch, and they both answer #askcortex questions before the Cortexmas season begins.

Grey turns to pen and paper, Myke switches to Todoist, and they both share what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Grey got Maps, Myke got an operating system, and they both created a journal.

Kia adds another option to the Ceed range with this trendy XCeed SUV. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

UPDATE 2: Crews need a few additional days to complete the bridge project on Route 657 (Apple Grove Road) in Louisa County due to the recent snow...

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Former professional ghost hunter Darren Lee Willbourne now turns ‘ghost guru’ in his newly published book, The Ghost Guru Volume 1: Steampunking the Supernatural.

Join Copper House on Saturday, November 2, for a colourful celebration at their Day of the Dead Party.

SALEM – A crash involving a tractor-trailer has closed exit 143 on I-81 this morning. Access to I-81 from I-581 and access to I-581 from I-81 has been impacted and drivers will need to seek alternate routes during the morning commute. I-81 southbound to exit 143 with access to I-581 southbound is closed. Travelers on southbound I-81 requiring access to I-581 will need to use Route 11 to Peters Creek Road or use Route 460 at exit 150 to return to I-581 or to access the downtown Roanoke area. I-581 northbound to I-81 southbound is closed. Travelers on I-581 from Roanoke heading to Salem using I-81 will need to use Peters Creek Road or other side roads for access back to I-81 at exit 141. In addition, drivers traveling on I-81 northbound and from I-581 to access northbound I-81 should expect delays and heavy congestion. The right lane of I-81 northbound at exit 143 is also closed. Drivers should expect delays in this area through at least 8 a.m. and further delays are possible through the morning.

SierraConstellation Partners' Basil Karampelas says oil and gas firms need to focus on three themes.

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With its fresh and bold design, engaging content, and the creative use of augmented reality (AR) in its bimonthly magazine for students, NTU has earned approval from new and old readers alike, and now the evaluators at the prestigious International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards this year....

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Why are government officials still blocking journalists from documenting the Gulf oil spill? What are they hiding, and why is Obama letting it happen?

From Texas and Colorado through the Midwest, South and East Coast, tornadoes are tearing through the U.S.

Quinoa is one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, cooked like rice, gluten-free, and loaded with vitamins and minerals.

While traveling through Antarctica, journalist Charlie Bird had an up-close encounter with some adorable seals that left him giggling.

The U.S.-backed proposal was opposed by Canada, which is home to two-thirds of the world's polar bears.

Christina Broom is widely heralded as the most important women in early press photography.

If you’re concerned about the health effects of regular deodorants, here are some natural homemade deodorant options.

The gradual recovery of the building and remodeling industries is being slowed by high prices for lumber. However, there is a plentiful, sustainable alternative

Alternative energy sources that are cost-competitive with fossil fuels may be closer to fruition than previously thought. Recent studies from global leaders in

NYC announces a scheme in which organic food waste will help to boost production of methane-rich biogas at the city's largest wastewater treatment plant.

Watch the fire spin and swirl as its driven up towards the heavens by an array of well-placed box fans to the soothing tune of 'Moonlight Sonata.'

The basic organizing concept is flexible and creative yet specific enough to work for most people.

Food, supplies, gear — and possibly Easter treats — successfully made their way to the space station.

Journalist Kate Sheppard covers the world of climate change, politics and energy for Mother Jones magazine.

From increasing flexibility to easing stress, yoga has so many health benefits.

If you’re gluten-free or just avoiding the dreaded beer belly, consider trying these lighter, lesser-known alternatives to beer instead.

When the going gets tough, some animals get going — to bed. Take our hibernation quiz to see how much you know.

A storm chaser captured stunning clear video of a perfect tornado in Wyoming.

From organic peanut butter sandwiches to lattes made with hormone-free milk, a soup diva dishes on using organic and locally grown fare.

For International Women's Day, check out 10-year-old blogger Hannah who writes about the environment and social issues.

Warming temperatures have had an impact on brown bear hibernation in Ukraine.

Updated standards for furnaces and furnace fans, combined, could save consumers roughly $37 billion over three decades.