Environment

In the World: New water-filter factory in GhanaAfter years of development, production of ceramic-pot water filters should soar with opening of new facility.

Hood appointed first Taylor FellowVisiting professor is an award-winning landscape architect and urban designer

A life filled with firstsEllen Swallow Richards, MIT’s first female graduate and faculty member, opened the door for women in science, and founded ecology and home economics along the way.

What's the price of environmental policies?Joint Program report examines discrepancies in climate-change cost estimates

Food and WaterResearchers model the effects of competition for global water resources on agriculture.

A greener way to grow carbon nanotubesStudy suggests new way for manufacturers to minimize environmental impact of carbon nanotube production

The 6-percent solutionHow corporations can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions through better planning.

Tracing Earth’s historyGeologists aim to improve the accuracy of their process for dating ancient rocks.

Laws of attractionOcean micro-organisms are shown to behave like larger animals in the presence of sulfur. Might this offer clues about the roles they play in regulating Earth’s climate?

Dr. Andrew Cook: The Engineer as Executive

Holdren sees opportunities in energy challengesPresidential science adviser calls for increased energy R&D to create jobs and boost business; supports conclusions of MIT nuclear study.

Study sees changing intensity of storms from warmingHemispheres will respond to climate change differently, with weaker summer storms in the North, study suggests.

In the World: Drinking water, from sunshineMIT team designs solar-powered portable desalination system to use in disaster zones and remote regions.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory named a bicycle-friendly businessDesignation recognizes commitment to employees, environment

In Profile: James WescoatFrom India to California, an MIT landscape architect and geographer has charted a new course in the study of water.

MIT’s SAP Enterprise Learning Environment will improve access to training opportunitiesNew training site provides a clearer view into the catalog of MIT courses offered by central offices.

Stefan Helmreich wins Gregory Bateson Book Prize for Alien OceanResearch examines the world of deep sea marine microbiologists

MIT-led team’s eco-aircraft receives Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Innovator AwardUnique plane offers significant reduction in emissions, noise and fuel use.

A link between air travel and deaths on the groundStudy suggests pollution from airplanes flying at ‘cruise’ altitudes contributes to 8,000 deaths per year globally.

The energy challenge calls on humanities and social-science researchCourses on energy include economics, political science, history, literature and more.

More hurricanes in greener seas?Research suggests ocean color is linked to formation, movement of tropical cyclones

Financial impacts of ‘cap and trade’Analysis shows that, contrary to some claims, proposed legislation to limit carbon emissions would not disadvantage those with lower incomes.

CEHS calls for pilot project proposalsDeadline for submissions is Monday, Aug. 2.

The aerosols conundrumResearch shows that aerosols not only cool, but also heat the planet — a finding that may cloud the validity of climate-change models.

Lunch with a Laureate: Eric ChivianPresented by the MIT Museum and the Cambridge Science Festival

Moavenzadeh named president of Masdar InstituteLongtime MIT engineering professor takes on role in Abu Dhabi, effective July 1.

Thin films show surprising reactivityMIT findings of high oxygen activity in thin-film materials might someday lead to greatly increased power production from future fuel cells