John R. Platt is a freelance journalist specializing in environmental issues, cutting-edge technology, and entrepreneurship. He writes about endangered species for Scientific American and green technology for several publishers. John lives on the coast of Maine where he spends his spare time drawing cartoons. Visit him online at www.johnrplatt.com.
Should texting while walking be banned?
February 4, 2020, 3:42 p.m. by John Platt
More places want to fine people who cross the street with their eyes glued to their phones.
What about renting a Christmas tree this year?
December 6, 2019, 3:49 p.m. by John Platt
Rather than cutting down or buying a live tree, you can rent one that can be reused for several holidays in a row.
Can bananas fend off fatal fungus?
August 26, 2019, 11:55 a.m. by John Platt
Devastating banana fungus continues to spread to new parts of the globe.
Does Amazon Prime have to be so wasteful?
June 24, 2019, 12:34 p.m. by John Platt
Does the ease of free, one-click shipping outweigh the potential environmental costs?
What is Valley fever?
June 17, 2019, 12:16 p.m. by John Platt
This potentially deadly fungal infection has been called California's 'silent epidemic.'
Chagas disease more deadly than we thought
April 25, 2019, 10:17 a.m. by John Platt
Transmitted by the kissing bug, this parasite can damage the heart.
U.S. seafood is widely mislabeled, report finds
March 8, 2019, 1:57 p.m. by John Platt
Seafood fraud remains rampant in the U.S., according to a new report, with one in five samples mislabeled.
Starfish make remarkable comeback in California years after deadly disease outbreak
January 31, 2019, 10:20 a.m. by John Platt
The disease caused starfish to lose their limbs, dissolve and die.
Scientists discover 60% wild coffee species are under threat of extinction
January 17, 2019, 12:14 p.m. by John Platt
The world's most popular type, Arabica, is now listed as endangered.
Is beach restoration a forever task?
September 28, 2018, 11:18 a.m. by John Platt
Beaches change — whether from natural erosion or from storms such as Hurricane Florence. That's where human intervention can play a role.
You can thank 1940s sex symbol Hedy Lamarr for today's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices
August 7, 2018, 10:57 a.m. by John Platt
The actress helped invent spread-spectrum radio technology, the precursor of modern wireless communications.
Fabled 'Gate to Hell' really did kill people — and now we know why
July 30, 2018, 10:19 a.m. by John Platt
The ancient Romans saw 'Pluto's Gate' as the entrance to the underworld.
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10 eye-opening benefits of walking
From your heart to your head, here's why you should lace up your sneakers.
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Self-care matters more in stressful times
From sleeping and eating well to taking deep breaths, self-care is important when times are tough.
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A guide to killing germs the right way
The pros and cons of a variety of germ-busting agents.
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How often do you really need to shower?
Most people think showering once a day is the norm, but there are plenty of people who don't.
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Everything you know about hand-washing is probably wrong
Forget the 'Happy Birthday' song. Get ready to spend way more time washing your hands.
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What is mindfulness?
Defining it can be tricky, but once you have grasped the concept, we've got 5 ways to practice it.
