Science that matters

A global shift to agriculture with no or fewer pesticides would have long-term ecological and economic benefits, according to a new study.

Eawag researchers are using machine learning to map nitrate pollution in Swiss groundwater. This allows gaps in the measurement network to be filled and the causes of excessive values to be identified. The study is part of a larger project analysing the nitrogen cycle in Switzerland.

James Runnalls, software engineer at the aquatic research institute Eawag, receives the National Prize for Open Research Data (ORD) for developing the interactive online platform alplakes for monitoring and forecasting alpine lakes.

A new combination of data and statistical algorithms makes it possible for the first time to precisely track the movements of animals deep underwater. An initial study of flapper skate on the seabed around Scotland will help to develop targeted measures to conserve these Critically Endangered animals and designate suitable protected areas. The results have now been published in Science Advances.