Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Energy: Technology
Published

Bacteria generate electricity from wastewater      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In a breakthrough for the field of bioelectronics, researchers have enhanced the ability of E. coli bacteria to generate electricity. The innovative approach only offers a sustainable solution for organic waste processing while outperforming previous state-of-the-art technologies, opening new horizons for versatile microbial electricity production.

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

New study highlights feasibility and optimization of ammonia-based power generation for carbon neutrality      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team has evaluated the feasibility of ammonia-based power generation through techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses.

Biology: Botany Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Artificial intelligence could help build pollen jigsaw of present and ancient flora      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An emerging system which combines rapid imaging with artificial intelligence could help scientists build a comprehensive picture of present and historic environmental change -- by swiftly and accurately analyzing pollen.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Beaver activity in the Arctic increases emission of methane greenhouse gas      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The climate-driven advance of beavers into the Arctic tundra is causing the release of more methane -- a greenhouse gas -- into the atmosphere. Beavers, as everyone knows, like to make dams. Those dams cause flooding, which inundates vegetation and turns Arctic streams and creeks into a series of ponds. Those beaver ponds and surrounding inundated vegetation can be devoid of oxygen and rich with organic sediment, which releases methane as the material decays.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Mums exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, but living in a greener area may mitigate the risks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, according to new research. The research also shows that women living in greener areas give birth to bigger babies and this may help counteract the effects of pollution.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

New study reveals the power of railroads to buffer coal plants from a carbon emissions tax      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study suggests that railroads are likely to cut transportation prices to prop up coal-fired plants if U.S. climate policies further disadvantage coal in favor of less carbon-intensive energy sources.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology
Published

Scientists unlock secrets of red blood cell transporter, potentially paving the way for new drugs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have identified the structure of a special transporter found in red blood cells and how it interacts with drugs. Details on the findings could lead to the development of more targeted medicines. The research team found that this transporter facilitates the movement of a substance called bicarbonate, which certain drugs can inhibit. They discovered how these drugs block the transporter and devised novel compounds capable of achieving the same effect.

Ecology: General Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Lack of evidence hampers progress on corporate-led ecosystem restoration      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An international team of scientists analysed publicly available sustainability reports released by 100 of the world's largest companies and found that around two-thirds of these global corporations are undertaking ecosystem restoration. However, the results highlight that despite many businesses claiming to actively rebuild damaged ecosystems, we know very little about what is actually being achieved.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Nudging food delivery customers to skip the fork drastically cuts plastic waste, study shows      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study examines how a food-delivery platform in China used 'green nudges' to increase the share of no-cutlery orders by 648 percent. Extending the changes to all of China would reduce 3.26 million metric tons of plastic waste and save 5.44 million trees each year.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals
Published

Dog diversity unveiled by international DNA database      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international consortium of scientists isĀ using an unprecedentedly large database of canine DNA to take an unbiased look at how our furry friends evolved into the various breeds we know and love.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Molecular Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Researchers grow embryonic humanized kidneys inside pigs for 28 days      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have successfully created chimeric embryos containing a combination of human and pig cells. When transferred into surrogate pig mothers, the developing humanized kidneys had normal structure and tubule formation after 28 days. This is the first time that scientists have been able to grow a solid humanized organ inside another species, though previous studies have used similar methods to generate human tissues such as blood or skeletal muscle in pigs.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Blood-brain barrier governs ant behavior by altering hormone levels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In many animals, including ants, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) ensures normal brain function by controlling the movement of various substances in and out of the brain. Now, researchers have made the unexpected discovery that the BBB in carpenter ants plays an active role in controlling behavior that's essential to the function of entire ant colonies. The key is production in the BBB of a particular hormone-degrading enzyme.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

A finer picture of global migration reveals complex patterns      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research shows that socio-economic factors play a larger role in migration than climate.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Engineers design more powerful RNA vaccines      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By adding synergistic self-adjuvanting properties to COVID-19 RNA vaccines, researchers showed they could significantly boost the immune response generated in mice.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Genetic tools probe microbial dark matter      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Genetic manipulation of a puzzling, miniscule bacteria that has lived in human mouths at least since the Middle Stone Age is elucidating the genes needed for its unusual lifestyle. These Patescibacteria in the human oral microbiome reside on the surface of another, larger host microbe. Found in many water and land environments, Patescibacteria in general lack the genes required to make many molecules necessary for life, such as the amino acids that make up proteins, the fatty acids that form membranes, and the nucleotides in DNA. This has led researchers to speculate that many of them rely on other bacteria to grow. In a new study, researchers present the first glimpse into the molecular mechanisms behind their relationship with their host cells. They also share details gleaned from fluorescent, time-lapse microsopic imaging of these bacteria as they bud and send out swarms of tiny progeny, only a fraction of which are able to establish a host relationship.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Oceanography Paleontology: Climate
Published

Bursting air bubbles may play a key role in how glacier ice melts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has uncovered a possible clue as to why glaciers that terminate at the sea are retreating at unprecedented rates: the bursting of tiny, pressurized bubbles in underwater ice.

Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Cattle on low-protein rations may need amino acid supplement to boost milk yield      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When dairy cows are fed diets with reduced protein concentrations -- aimed at decreased environmental nitrogen pollution from their manure such as nitrate leaching, nutrient-laden run-off and ammonia volatilization -- their milk production can suffer. Supplementing the amino acid histidine may help in maintaining, and even increasing, milk and milk-protein yields.