Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Earth & Environment
Using Nonthermal Plasma to Clean Diesel Exhaust for Ultra-clean Marine Power
Nonthermal plasma offers a promising route to cleaner diesel exhaust without additives such as urea. In this study, we show how surface discharge plasma can remove NOx and hydrocarbons from low-emission diesel engine exhaust, supporting ultra-clean marine power and practical emission control.
Lightweight vision transformer and ResNet-9 models for real-time plant disease detection and pest classification with SHAP explainability
This study develops a ViT–CNN model for real-time plant disease detection, achieving 97.4% accuracy. Using SHAP for interpretability, it balances accuracy and speed, supporting sustainable farming, early diagnosis, reduced chemical use, and improved food security.
The greenery beyond cities quietly shapes their rainfall
Cities are often studied as local systems, yet rainfall is shaped by processes that extend beyond them. As peri-urban vegetation changes, it may influence atmospheric moisture and, in turn, precipitation within cities.
“We Went Through It Together”: Reflections on Community Strength in Green Social Prescribing
Our study explored how Green Social Prescribing (GSP) supports wellbeing among ethnically diverse communities. What emerged highlighted the essential role of trusted community organisations in creating safe, culturally attuned spaces for connection and support.
Phosphorus: the forgotten element that quietly runs the world
Phosphorus is finite, earthbound, and irreplaceable — yet it remains the most overlooked element in sustainability debates. Here I reflect on a decade of research across Chinese farmlands and European ecosystems, and what this review taught me about a quiet crisis unfolding beneath our feet.
