Local
University of Minnesota gets $20 million for more research on 'green' plastics
The five-year grant, announced Tuesday, will fund basic research on the polymers, or molecules, used to make plastic plus community outreach.
Duluth
Great Lakes' latest pollution threat is 'microplastics'
Researchers suspect a key source of the microplastics might be clothing fibers washed into the water from household laundry. They are testing other Minnesota lakes to gauge the impact on wildlife.
East Metro
![Paul Gardner stands near his native rain garden. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Shoreview resident Paul](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K5ULKQEQIA6PSTPUMZOP6ZIOGQ.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Shoreview's push to conserve water shows what Minn. towns can do
Residents have conserved 10 million gallons of water in three years, part of a growing group of cities that have adopted an environmental ethos.
Variety
Scientists distill vodka using grains, water from Chernobyl
They set out to show that safe agriculture is feasible in some of the abandoned areas.
Science
New signs of how the drug industry fueled the opioid crisis for profit
And it appears that failures mark every point along the supply chain.
Science
Deadly fungal disease may be linked to climate change
Early studies estimate it's fatal in 30 to 60% of cases.
Science
Johns Hopkins adds Minnesota researchers on American Indian health issues
UMD health researchers join prestigious university — without leaving home.
Science
Science
India's drought forcing doctors to buy water for surgery
Doctors in India face medical crisis: How long will they have enough water to treat patients?
Duluth
Zebra mussel mystery: How did they get into a northern Minnesota mine pit?
The Rouchleau Mine Pit in Virginia, Minn., is closed to the public and its waters have seen little, if any, activity, officials say.
Duluth
![The PolyMet mine in Hoyt Lakes, Minn. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Saturday, October 6, 2018 EDS, FOR ANY APPROPRIATE USE](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/WGNLSQHGEPTZXK4UXSQALA4PPQ.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Broad group of Minnesota lawmakers voices support for PolyMet
In a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, the bipartisan group says opponents are making a last-ditch effort to block the copper-nickel mine.
UN climate report: Change land use to avoid a hungry future
Human-caused climate change is dramatically degrading the Earth's land and the way people use the land is making global warming worse, a new United Nations scientific report says. That creates a vicious cycle which is already making food more expensive, scarcer and less nutritious.
Outdoors
Record catch: At 112 years, Minnesota fish is the oldest freshwater fish ever verified
A graduate student took the fish in Crystal Lake in Otter Tail County. Radiocarbon dating verified the fish's age, making it the oldest age-validated freshwater fish ever taken.
St. Paul
Project Scientist camp in St. Paul lets girls fly
Girls see new horizons in engineering and aviation at STEM camp
Duluth
Minn. judge sets rules for inquiry on disputed PolyMet permit
Mine opponents have alleged irregularities in the way Minnesota approved the mine's water quality permit.
Duluth
Minn. Court of Appeals stays a crucial PolyMet water permit
Minnesota judge cites possible irregularities by state and federal regulators.
Most Read
- Happy Earth Day! Here are some big and small ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Three-quarters of Americans feel lonely, study finds
- Health briefs: Pollution may harm fetus by accumulating on placenta
- In fast-thawing Siberia, radical climate change is warping the Earth beneath the feet of millions
- Math genius models how to be more human in the age of exploding AI
Science and Technology
News coverage and feature stories on the latest in the world of science and tech.
