Earthworms build topsoil from scratch and increase food production up to 75 percent, meta-analysis finds

In order to “meet the challenge of feeding a growing world population,” soil scientists from the Netherlands have published a report on what they believe is one the most important factors effecting crop production — earthworms.

An international team of opthalmologists, neurologists and biologists warn that the blue light in LED bulbs and screens presents an untold risk to human health… LEDs are far more disruptive to circadian rhythms than incandescent, halogen, and even fluorescent lights, study finds

The invention of the incandescent light bulb in the late 19th century, followed by halogen and fluorescent lamps in the 20th century, changed the human lifestyle, the authors of a recent study write. Easy access to light, even at nighttime, made us more productive, educated and industrious.

After thousands of years of turning the soil upside-down, farmers are finally realizing they’re killing the microorganisms that keep soil alive… Faced with losing the farm, more and more are converting to the ancient “n0-till” methods of permaculture

In the no-till gardening method seedlings are planted into tiny holes drilled with as little disturbance to the soil as possible. Credit: www.charlesdowding.co.uk

To “till” soil means to dig it up, stir it, or turn it over. Whether it’s done with a shovel, a hoe, a pick or a plow, the goal is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds.

Tilling has been the hallmark of agriculture, since its inception, with the plow being the most intensive tool to this end.

But 10,000 years after we started doing it, humans are finally starting to question whether digging up the Earth is the smartest way to make her produce for us.

As frozen soil thaws, prehistoric bacteria are coming back to life and converting woolly mammoth remains into greenhouse gases, which could cause global warming to spiral out of control

The Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility, dug in the mid-1960s, allows scientists a three-dimensional look at frozen ground. Credit: Kate Ramsayer/NASA

Scientists have been warning us about the potential catastrophe of melting Arctic ice for decades. Now they’ve discovered a new threat underneath the ice – thawing soil.

80 years after its last sighting, officials say the iconic cougar of the Eastern United States is gone forever

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the eastern cougar from the endangered species list this week, because it is no longer endangered. It’s extinct.

Farmers are using human urine as a safer, cheaper and more effective alternative to fossil-fuel-based fertilizers

Horse drawn urine applicator at Fairwinds hay farm in Vermont.

“Bring us your liquid gold,” the founders of Rich Earth Institute beckon their neighbors on their website.

For the last half-century many of us have been conditioned to believe a dishwasher is a convenience we can’t live without. In recent years, we’ve even been led to believe the machine is more environmentally responsible than washing dishes by hand.

Below are several reasons that’s not true, plus some surprising benefits of washing dishes by hand:

Teachers were able to teach twice as long without interruption after a lesson taught outdoors

A growing body of research indicates there are numerous benefits to increasing the amount of time school children spend outdoors. It improves their academic scores, mental health and physical health.

Following Europe’s lead, American schools are considering giving students more recess time, and now researchers from the University of Illinois are looking into the benefits of teaching class outdoors too.

Biodegradable, egg-shaped “burial pods” allow you to almost literally “turn yourself into a tree” when you die

Every year Americans cut down 4 million acres of hardwood forest to bury our dead.