Research & science

Research & science Can public data openness mitigate the ESG discount? Evidence from Chinese A-share listed firms Whether ESG investment is fairly priced by capital markets depends on the surrounding information environment. This paper exploits the staggered rollout of public data platforms across Chinese prefecture-level cities during the sample period as a quasi-natural experiment to examine whether public data openness (PDO) can mitigate the market discount applied to firms' ESG investment. Using a pane… Frontiers in Sustainability · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Management and safe disposal of unwanted medicines in community pharmacies in Sri Lanka IntroductionPharmaceutical pollutants, such as antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have been detected in Sri Lankan waterways. These contaminants may arise from multiple sources, including community pharmacy disposal practices. This raises concerns that improper disposal of unwanted medicines poses an increasing risk to the environment and public health. Community ph… Frontiers in Sustainability · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Accelerating circular economy education: novel methods, case studies, and integrating AI forecasting and predictions IntroductionThe circular economy (CE) is increasingly recognized as a key framework for advancing sustainable development by transitioning production and consumption systems from linear “take–make–waste” models toward regenerative and resource-efficient practices. Although CE principles are gaining prominence across industry and policy sectors, education for the circular economy (ECE) remains c… Frontiers in Sustainability · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science Assessing the effects of urbanization and climate change on the stormwater quality in the Maribyrnong catchment, Australia Rapid urban development in the Maribyrnong catchment, Australia, has transformed natural landscapes, replacing wetlands and forests with built-up areas. This shift has increased impervious surfaces, leading to higher pollutant loads and degraded water quality in receiving waterways. This study evaluates the combined effects of urbanization and climate change on stormwater quality in the 1,580 k… Frontiers in Sustainability · 10 Jul 2026 Research & science A Quantitative Approach for Assessing and Monitoring the Social Licence of Forestry to Operate: A New Zealand Case Study Business Strategy and the Environment, EarlyView. Business Strategy and the Environment (Wiley) · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science The Role of Organizational Agility in ESG–Efficiency Relationships: Evidence From Taiwan's Network Communication Industry Business Strategy and the Environment, EarlyView. Business Strategy and the Environment (Wiley) · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Sir Jonathan Symonds CBE appointed new Chair of UCL Council | UCL News - UCL – University College London - UCL | University College London UCL News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Vapes to be put in plain packaging in bid to stop ‘unacceptable’ marketing to children - UCL | University College London UCL News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science High-status Iron Age burials reveal early links to Roman Empire - UCL | University College London UCL News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Best of Caltech: Tips for Caltech’s New President Ray Jayawardhana - Caltech Magazine Caltech News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Carbon–bismuth bonds reveal that relativity blurs the textbook line between sigma and pi bonds Brown University chemists have provided direct evidence that upends the textbook explanation of how triple chemical bonds work in heavy elements. In a study published in Science, the researchers show evidence that when atomic nuclei are sufficiently heavy, the principles described in Einstein's theory of relativity change the structure of triple bonds—blurring the lines between the two separate… Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science New catalyst could make mixed plastic waste recyclable in one chemical step Ever wondered where your plastics end up? A PET bottle can be washed, shredded, melted and given a second life. But most everyday items—toys, mattresses, car seats—are made from different plastics that refuse to mix when melted, producing unusable, contaminated material. Sorting is difficult and expensive, so most mixed plastic waste ends up burned or buried, and the materials are lost for good. Phys.org — recycling search feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Neutron imaging reveals how water limits CO₂ storage in recycled concrete The construction sector faces two problems at once: it emits large amounts of CO₂ and produces vast quantities of concrete waste. But what if part of that waste could be used to trap carbon instead of ending up as rubble? Phys.org — recycling search feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Certifying third-party repairs retains customers, signals utility left in goods Certifying a third-party repair service can help companies retain customers by signaling that there's value, or "unused utility," left in broken products, according to a team led by Penn State researchers. The researchers, who were raised by parents and grandparents with what they called a "fix it" mindset, said they had noticed a trend toward disposable consumption over recent decades. This tr… Phys.org — 'waste' search feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Medieval Islamic societies considered lovesickness a distinct mental illness, research shows Lovesickness was taken seriously as a distinct mental illness by physicians in the medieval Islamic... Medieval Islamic societies considered lovesickness a distinct mental illness, research shows appeared first on University of Exeter News . University of Exeter News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Iranian government failing to tackle environmental catastrophes while persecuting campaigners, new book says The Iranian government is failing to tackle devastating environmental catastrophes affecting the country, and persecuting... Iranian government failing to tackle environmental catastrophes while persecuting campaigners, new book says appeared first on University of Exeter News . University of Exeter News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Palm oil shows promise as greener processing aid for natural rubber composites Natural rubber is widely used in tires, transport, construction, health care and industrial products because of its elasticity, resilience and durability. To improve performance, rubber manufacturers often add silica fillers and processing oils. These oils help reduce viscosity, improve processing and support filler dispersion. Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science A big El Niño is likely. Australia needs to get ready now for drought, fire and the unknown Too often, Australian authorities have relied on ad hoc preparations for the droughts and bushfires made more likely by El Niño. The Conversation Australia — Environment · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science ‘Necessity can drive innovation’ - Stanford Report Stanford Report · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science More sustainable process for alcohol oxidation Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have developed a new method that makes the oxidation of alcohols easier to control and more sustainable. Alcohol oxidation is important both for synthetic chemistry and sustainable energy applications. Thermal processes are usually used for this purpose; in other words, the activation energy that must be overcome for the reaction is supplied in th… Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Meet Biomni – an AI-powered biomedical co-scientist - Stanford Report Stanford Report · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Mining Rare Earth Elements with Plants The United States is looking to boost domestic mining of rare earth elements to secure greater control over pricing and manufacturing of essential technologies we rely on. To that end, the U.S. Department of Energy is backing NC State University's interdisciplinary research for optimizing phytomining — the process of extracting valuable minerals using plants. NC State University News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Fast charging can cause irreversible lithium migration in solid-state batteries Solid-state batteries are often viewed as a promising path toward safer and more powerful energy storage. However, one key question has remained difficult to answer: How does lithium actually move inside the solid materials during charging and discharging? Unlike liquid batteries, where ions can move more freely, solid-state batteries depend on lithium passing through dense solid particles and … Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Looking beyond the dumping ground: A conversation about environmental justice in the Global South Digital technologies—from artificial intelligence to smartphones and data centers—are often described as "clean" innovations. Yet every device depends on minerals, electricity, labor and global supply chains, raising important questions about environmental justice and development. University of Michigan News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science High-throughput search tests 200 catalysts, revealing hidden routes for methane chemistry Catalysts are the hidden engines of modern manufacturing, directly involved in more than 80% of chemical processes. However, catalyst development is highly complex because performance is governed by the interplay of the catalyst, local operating conditions, reactant composition and product formation. Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Ancient 100-kilometer Himalayan glacier once reached lower than many of India's famous hill stations A new study published in Quaternary Science Reviews dates the dramatic collapse of one of the largest glaciers ever documented in the Himalayas. The findings overturn a long-held assumption about what sustains wet-climate (monsoon-dominated) glaciers. Phys.org — 'waste' search feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Making Circularity Actionable - An Interaction Design Approach to Identifying Demands and Developing a Digital Circular Business Model Tool for Furniture SMEs - Chalmers ODR Chalmers University of Technology News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science New technique takes the heat out of 3D printing process Researchers have developed a new 3D printing technique that allows the printing of whole objects while controlling the temperature of the chemical reaction to stabilize the process. Academics in the University of Nottingham's Faculty of Engineering, in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, have developed an enhancement for a type of 3D printing called Volumetric Additive Ma… Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Mild enzymatic method gently refines algae oil for nutrition products Algae oil is increasingly used as a sustainable source of important nutrients, including polyunsaturated fatty acids that support human health and development. One important example is arachidonic acid, or ARA, which is used in nutrition products such as infant formula and functional foods. Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Rice, Université PSL open new front in quantum race with ‘Frontiers of Knowledge’ - Rice University Rice University News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Caltech Hosts Workshop on Data Centers and Community Impact for Local Leaders - Caltech Caltech News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Retraction of “Nanoscale Donor–Acceptor Covalent Organic Frameworks for Mitochondria-Targeted Sonodynamic Therapy and Antitumor Immunity” - ACS Publications ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (ACS) · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Next‑generation membranes can refine crude oil using under half the energy of distillation Oil refining is necessary for transforming raw, unusable crude oil into valuable goods like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and petrochemical feedstocks. However, the usual distillation process is energy-intensive, spurring researchers to find better, more efficient ways of refining oil. A new study published in Science describes a potential solution to this problem in the form of a specialized memb… Phys.org — Materials Science tag feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science The real mystery behind Moana: after 1,700 years, why did Polynesians suddenly sail east? New evidence suggests a massive centuries-long drought may be part of the answer. University of Southampton — The Conversation institution feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science The secret life of roots: how plants fight back against salty soils As soils become saltier, roots are deploying remarkable survival strategies that could help safeguard future food supplies. Cardiff University — The Conversation institution feed · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science New plant identification app available, powered by U-M Herbarium Biologists and plant enthusiasts now have the power of Michigan's most complete plant identification guide in the palm of their hands. University of Michigan News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Engineering X Electric Formula Team Wins National Young Engineers Award The Engineering X Electric Formula team has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to engineering... Engineering X Electric Formula Team Wins National Young Engineers Award appeared first on University of Exeter News . University of Exeter News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Awareness gap: Teens underestimate fentanyl threat Most U.S. eighth graders underestimate the dangers of fentanyl use, according to a new University of Michigan study. University of Michigan News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Contact-free sensors could help track movement symptoms in Parkinson’s - Imperial College London Imperial College London News · 9 Jul 2026 Research & science Prioritizing pollinators over climate change? Facing both climate change and a crashing pollinator population, plants may be evolving to attract pollinators rather than adapting to a warming climate, and the trade-off has resulted in a steep decline in plants' rate of adaptation, according to a University of Michigan study. University of Michigan News · 9 Jul 2026