Turning wool into pellets could keep fibre from going to waste — and help farmers weather a changing climate

Turning wool into pellets could keep fibre from going to waste — and help farmers weather a changing climate

In a former juice processing plant in Port Williams, a cluster of machines whir and hum as they process piles of wool. For now, the wool processed in this cavernous facility — home of Taproot Fibre Lab — goes into making yarn, either from Taproot’s flock of sheep or from people who want their own wool spun. But in Nova Scotia, much … Read more

The moon has an atmosphere (sort of). Now, astronomers have nailed down why and how

The moon has an atmosphere (sort of). Now, astronomers have nailed down why and how

The moon may be our constant companion, but there’s still a lot we have yet to understand about it. For example, it was only during the Apollo missions in the 1960s and ’70s that we discovered it has an atmosphere, tenuous as it is. “People do not even know that the moon has an atmosphere,” said Nicole … Read more

Hamilton students heading to Iceland to map caves with a drone, hoping their invention will be used in space

Hamilton students heading to Iceland to map caves with a drone, hoping their invention will be used in space

A team of McMaster University students in Hamilton will soon head to Iceland, where they’ll camp out by a series of underground lava tubes they plan to map with a drone.  The drone uses hardware and software designed by the undergraduate students, who hope their tech will one day be used in space exploration to specially map underground areas in … Read more

Underwater gardeners work to restore B.C.’s crucial kelp forests

Underwater gardeners work to restore B.C.’s crucial kelp forests

In the chilly waters of Vancouver Island’s Barkley Sound, gardeners are at work on the sea floor. They are scientists from the University of Victoria (UVic) who are trying to regrow kelp forests, a crucial part of the marine habitat, amid threats from heat waves, climate change and voracious sea urchins. Julia Baum, a UVic … Read more

Research finds log booms harmful to B.C. salmon and fish habitats

Research finds log booms harmful to B.C. salmon and fish habitats

Two new studies are highlighting what researchers say is the harmful effect of log booms — floating structures that contain logs before processing — on fish habitats in B.C. rivers. A report from the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the B.C. Conservation Foundation (BCCF), led by the Cowichan Tribes, finds the presence of log booms at the mouth of the … Read more

These beginner-friendly vegetables are great to plant when starting your backyard garden

These beginner-friendly vegetables are great to plant when starting your backyard garden

Lettuce Lettuce grows quickly and easily, especially when planted in mild weather like early spring or fall. It does well in raised beds, the ground or a container.  They need an abundance of sunlight and regular watering. They can also be harvested continuously.  Radishes The root vegetable takes just weeks to grow. It’s best to … Read more

Arrests in Nijjar killing, commission report refocus India as potential source of foreign meddling

Arrests in Nijjar killing, commission report refocus India as potential source of foreign meddling

The arrest of three men in connection with the killing of a prominent Sikh activist, coming on the same day as a major report on foreign interference in Canada, has put renewed focus on India as a major player when it comes to alleged meddling in this country. The RCMP in British Columbia said Friday that they had … Read more

Even gardens have a carbon footprint. Here’s how to reduce the climate impact of urban farming

Even gardens have a carbon footprint. Here’s how to reduce the climate impact of urban farming

Urban gardening might seem fairly innocuous when it comes to its overall carbon footprint, but when compared to conventional agriculture, a study released earlier this year would suggest otherwise.  The study, published in January in the science journal Nature, found the carbon footprint of food from urban agriculture is six times greater than conventional agriculture. But there are … Read more

NASA pauses Mars sample return plan until a cheaper, faster one can be developed

NASA pauses Mars sample return plan until a cheaper, faster one can be developed

NASA’s plan to bring samples from Mars back to Earth is on hold until there’s a faster, cheaper way, space agency officials said Monday. Retrieving Mars soil and rocks has been on NASA’s to-do list for decades, but the date kept moving forward, as costs ballooned. A recent independent review put the total cost at … Read more