Ecology: General Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Bat activity lower at solar farm sites      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The activity level of six bat species was significantly reduced at solar farm sites, researchers have observed.

Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Study reveals successful strategies for removing invasive caimans from Florida Everglades      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study reveals how a succession of strategies can take control of an invasive species population.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Kordofan giraffes face local extinction if poaching continues      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Poaching of two Critically Endangered Kordofan giraffes per year could result in extinction in just 15 years within Cameroon's Bénoué National Park without intervention.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Single drop of ethanol to revolutionize nanosensor manufacture      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have developed a breakthrough technique to make the processing of nanosensors cheaper, greener and more effective by using a single drop of ethanol to replace heat processing of nanoparticle networks, allowing a wider range of materials to be used to make these sensors.

Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Tropical trees use social distancing to maintain biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Tropical forests can harbor hundreds of species of trees in one square mile. Researchers reveal key factors in the spatial distribution of adult trees.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Unleashing a new era of color tunable nano-devices -- smallest ever light source with switchable colors formed      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has achieved a significant breakthrough in color switching for nanocrystals, unlocking exciting possibilities for a simple, energy efficient display design and for tunable light sources needed in numerous technologies. The discovery also has potential applications in sensitive sensors for various substances, including biological and neuroscience uses, as well as advancements in quantum communication technologies. This nanomaterial breakthrough holds the promise of inspiring exciting innovations in the future.

Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Nanorings: New building blocks for chemistry      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Sandwich compounds are special chemical compounds used as basic building blocks in organometallic chemistry. So far, their structure has always been linear. Recently, researchers made stacked sandwich complexes form a nano-sized ring. Physical and other properties of these cyclocene structures will now be further investigated.

Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Scientists dig into wildfire predictions, long-term impacts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Wildfires are an ancient force shaping the environment, but they have grown in frequency, range and intensity in response to a changing climate. Scientists are working on several fronts to better understand and predict these events and what they mean for the carbon cycle and biodiversity.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Cracking in lithium-ion batteries speeds up electric vehicle charging      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it decreases battery longevity.

Ecology: Invasive Species Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Nuisance vegetation removal in Senegalese waterways reduces the overall prevalence of parasitic infections and increases local food production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

It's an elegant solution: Remove the habitat of a parasite-carrying aquatic snail and reduce the level of infection in the local community; all while generating more feed and compost for local farmers.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Materials science: How molecular entanglements determine the structure of polymers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The structure of semi-crystalline polymers largely depends on how strongly their molecular chains are entangled. Following numerous experiments, researchers developed a new model to predict the microscopic structure of the materials as well as their properties. Polymers are long-chain molecules. Semi-crystalline polymers are a mixture of solid and liquid elements. They are often used in plastics and packaging materials.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Scientists vacuum animal DNA from air in a Danish forest      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Over 60 animal species in three days. That is how many mammals, birds and amphibians researchers found DNA traces from in the air in a Danish forest. The results can pave the way for a new and innovative way of mapping biodiversity.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards silver cluster-assembled materials for environmental monitoring      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) are emerging light-emitting materials with molecular designability and unique properties. However, due to their dissimilar structural architecture in different solvents, their widespread application remains limited. Now, researchers have developed two new SCAMs that exhibit excellent fluorescence and high sensitivity to Fe3+ ions in aqueous solutions, indicating their potential for environmental monitoring and assessment.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

New technology promises rapid and reliable development of new diagnostic tests      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins which can be used in a multitude of biotechnological, biomedical and bioengineering applications.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

A novel approach for balancing properties in composite materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists are developing an approach to enhance multifunctionality and structural properties simultaneously by embedding patterned nanostructures in composite materials, which could result in more efficient energy systems enhancing everyday life.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards artificial photosynthesis with engineering of protein crystals in bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In-cell engineering can be a powerful tool for synthesizing functional protein crystals with promising catalytic properties. Using genetically modified bacteria as an environmentally friendly synthesis platform, the researchers produced hybrid solid catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. These catalysts exhibit high activity, stability, and durability, highlighting the potential of the proposed innovative approach.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Washable, transparent, and flexible OLED with MXene nanotechnology?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Transparent and flexible displays, which have received a lot of attention in various fields including automobile displays, bio-healthcare, military, and fashion, are in fact known to break easily when experiencing small deformations. To solve this problem, active research is being conducted on many transparent and flexible conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, silver nanowires, and conductive polymers.

Biology: Microbiology Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Detection of bacteria and viruses with fluorescent nanotubes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The new carbon nanotube sensor design resembles a molecular toolbox that can be used to quickly assemble sensors for a variety of purposes -- for instance for detecting bacteria and viruses.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers put a new twist on graphite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers report that it is possible to imbue graphite -- the bulk, 3D material found in No. 2 pencils -- with physical properties similar to graphite's 2D counterpart, graphene. Not only was this breakthrough unexpected, the team also believes its approach could be used to test whether similar types of bulk materials can also take on 2D-like properties. If so, 2D sheets won't be the only source for scientists to fuel technological revolutions. Bulk, 3D materials could be just as useful.