Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Machine learning enables viability of vertical-axis wind turbines      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have used a genetic learning algorithm to identify optimal pitch profiles for the blades of vertical-axis wind turbines, which despite their high energy potential, have until now been vulnerable to strong gusts of wind.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Invasive Species
Published

AI helps to detect invasive Asian hornets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Artificial Intelligence can be used to detect invasive Asian hornets and raise the alarm, new research shows.

Chemistry: General Energy: Batteries Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Unleashing disordered rocksalt oxides as cathodes for rechargeable magnesium batteries      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have made a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology, developing a novel cathode material for rechargeable magnesium batteries that enables efficient charging and discharging even at low temperatures.

Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

California leads U.S. emissions of little-known greenhouse gas      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

California, a state known for its aggressive greenhouse gas reduction policies, is ironically the nation's greatest emitter of one: sulfuryl fluoride. As much as 17% of global emissions of this gas, a common pesticide for treating termites and other wood-infesting insects, stem from the United States. The majority of those emissions trace back to just a few counties in California, finds a new study.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species
Published

Discovery could end global amphibian pandemic      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A fungus devastating frogs and toads on nearly every continent may have an Achilles heel. Scientists have discovered a virus that infects the fungus, and that could be engineered to save the amphibians.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals
Published

More social birds are more adventurous feeders      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has found that birds that are more social are more likely to use novel sources of food.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Magnetic fields boost clean energy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers show that using magnetic fields can boost electrocatalysis for sustainable fuel production by enhancing the movement of the reactants, which improves the efficiency of energy-related reactions.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

New discovery unravels malaria invasion mechanism      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent breakthrough sheds light on how the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, invades human red blood cells. The study reveals the role of a sugar called sialic acid in this invasion process. The findings have major implications for malaria vaccine and drug development.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Testing environmental water to monitor COVID-19 spread in unsheltered encampments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

To better understand COVID-19's spread during the pandemic, public health officials expanded wastewater surveillance. These efforts track SARS-CoV-2 levels and health risks among most people, but they miss people who live without shelter, a population particularly vulnerable to severe infection. To fill this information gap, researchers tested flood-control waterways near unsheltered encampments, finding similar transmission patterns as in the broader community and identifying previously unseen viral mutations.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Water-based paints: Less stinky, but some still contain potentially hazardous chemicals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Choosing paint for your home brings a lot of options: What kind of paint, what type of finish and what color? Water-based paints have emerged as 'greener' and less smelly than solvent-based options. And they are often advertised as containing little-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). But, according to new research, some of these paints do contain compounds that are considered VOCs, along with other chemicals of emerging concern.

Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Groundbreaking research in groundwater's role in ecosystem sustainability      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Until now, groundwater -- a critical water resource around the globe, especially in dry regions -- has been largely unstudied in its importance and role in sustaining ecosystems. New groundbreaking research examines the relationship between groundwater and ecosystems across California.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Are universities connected to local sustainability? A new study suggests yes...and no.      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study finds that universities scoring strongly on measures of sustainability are associated with innovation and economic growth in their surrounding communities. However, the study did not find similar connections between university sustainability performance and environmental sustainability in their home communities.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

First view of centromere variation and evolution      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A genomic study of human and selected nonhuman primate centromeres has revealed their unimaginable diversity and speed of evolutionary change. Although centromeres are vital to proper cell replication by assuring faithful transmision of genetic materials when cells divide, the complexity of their genomic organization had been almost impossible to study. The lack of centromere sequences hindered exploration of how these regions help maintain genetic integrity. Now, advanced technologies have shown scientists how greatly centromeres differ in size and structure.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General
Published

Chicks show vision and touch linked at birth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Study reveals that newly hatched chicks can instantly recognize objects with their vision, even if they've only ever experienced them by touch.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Elastocaloric cooling: Refrigerator cools by flexing artificial muscles      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

There is room for just one small bottle in the world's first refrigerator that is cooled with artificial muscles made of nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy. But the mini-prototype is groundbreaking: it shows that elastocalorics is becoming a viable solution for practical applications. This climate-friendly cooling and heating technology is far more energy-efficient and sustainable than current methods.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Sunrise to sunset, new window coating blocks heat -- not view      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Windows welcome light into interior spaces, but they also bring in unwanted heat. A new window coating blocks heat-generating ultraviolet and infrared light and lets through visible light, regardless of the sun's angle. The coating can be incorporated onto existing windows or automobiles and can reduce air-conditioning cooling costs by more than one-third in hot climates.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

A new estimate of U.S. soil organic carbon to improve Earth system models      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Emory environmentals scientist combined field-level data with machine-learning techniques to estimate soil organic carbon at the U.S. scale, another step toward providing more accurate baseline data to improve Earth system models for climate change.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Scientists' urgent call: End destruction and forge a just, sustainable future      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of scientists published a study emphasizing the urgent need to align political will, economic resources, and societal values to ensure a more sustainable and equitable world. The review summarizes the grave threats facing the planet but rejects a 'doom and gloom' philosophy. They advocate a global cultural shift that elevates kinship with nature and communal well-being, underpinned by the recognition of Earth's finite resources and the interconnectedness of its inhabitants.