What to do with the non-biodegradable plastics used in food packaging and agriculture? Researchers are turning their attention to microorganisms, enzymes, earthworms and insects to break down plastics.

Everybody loves to visit the seaside, whether to enjoy the physical benefits of an exhilarating swim or simply to relax on the beach and catch some sun. But these simple life-affirming pleasures are easily ruined by the presence of litter, which if persistent can have a serious negative impact on both the local environment and economy. However, help is at hand to ensure the pristine nature of our coastlines.

Researchers have found minuscule shreds of plastic everywhere – in rivers and lakes, at the bottom of the sea, on the tallest mountain on earth, blowing in the wind and moving through our food chain. Now they’re trying to find out how all this plastic is affecting human health. 

Tobin Consulting Engineers has recently delivered the world’s largest sports air dome for Connacht GAA in Bekan, Co Mayo, and Chartered Engineer Brendan Heaney tells the story of how the smart air dome was built. 

Researchers have created a method to help workers collaborate with artificial intelligence systems. 

My new research reveals that even the best aspects of the UK’s current building plans don’t go nearly far enough, writes Ljubomir Jankovic. We have found that due to embodied carbon emissions – the emissions that derive from making building materials and constructing houses, rather than heating and powering them – only building all new housing using naturally grown materials with negative embodied carbon will allow the UK housing industry to be net zero by 2050.