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Categories: Biology: Biochemistry, Environmental: General
Published Breakthrough: Highly efficient electrocatalyst for clean energy
(via sciencedaily.com) A research team has achieved a groundbreaking advancement in nanomaterials by successfully developing a highly efficient electrocatalyst which can enhance the generation of hydrogen significantly through electrochemical water splitting. This major breakthrough has great application potential for the clean energy industry.
Published Earth's stability and ability to support civilization at risk: Six of nine planetary boundaries exceeded
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study updates the planetary boundary framework and shows human activities are increasingly impacting the planet and, thereby, increasing the risk of triggering dramatic changes in overall Earth conditions.
Published Electrifying vehicles in Chicago would save lives, reduce pollution inequities
(via sciencedaily.com) If the Chicago region replaced 30% of all on-road combustion-engine vehicles -- including motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks, buses, refuse trucks and short- and long-haul trucks -- with electric versions, it would annually save more than 1,000 lives and over $10 billion, according to a new study.
Published Scientists invent a bright way to upcycle plastics into liquids that can store hydrogen energy
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have created a process that can upcycle most plastics into chemicals useful for energy storage, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a commercially available catalyst, all at room temperature. The new process is very energy-efficient and can be easily powered by renewable energy in the future, unlike other heat-driven recycling processes like pyrolysis. Currently, only nine per cent of plastics globally are recycled and the rest are typically discarded in landfills or incinerated.
Published Some spiders can transfer mercury contamination to land animals
(via sciencedaily.com) Sitting calmly in their webs, many spiders wait for prey to come to them. Arachnids along lakes and rivers eat aquatic insects, such as dragonflies. But, when these insects live in mercury-contaminated waterways, they can pass the metal along to the spiders that feed on them. Now, researchers have demonstrated how some shoreline spiders can move mercury contamination from riverbeds up the food chain to land animals.
Published New research reveals why and when the Sahara Desert was green
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A pioneering study has shed new light on North African humid periods that have occurred over the past 800,000 years and explains why the Sahara Desert was periodically green.
Published Roadside hedges can reduce harmful ultrafine particle pollution around schools
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study confirms that planting hedges between roadsides and school playgrounds can dramatically reduce children's exposure to traffic-related particle pollution.
Published Pixel-by-pixel analysis yields insights into lithium-ion batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) By mining X-ray images, researchers have made significant new discoveries about the reactivity of lithium iron phosphate, a material used in batteries for electric cars and in other rechargeable batteries.
Published New rivers in the North? Scientists identify how the dissection of Arctic landscapes is changing with accelerating climate change
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research shows that amplified global warming in the Canadian High Arctic drove a profound shift in the structure of a river network carved into a permafrost landscape in only 60 years.
Published Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability
(via sciencedaily.com) Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land, according to new research.
Published Exposure to air pollution while in the womb is linked to adverse changes in cell processes in new-born babies
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Exposure to air pollution while in the womb is linked to alterations in proteins that can be detected after a baby is born, and which affect cell processes such as autophagy, the 'self-eating' of damaged cells that occurs in response to stress.
Published Surfactants can cause toxic chemicals in aerosols to last longer in the air
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Research has found that hazardous chemicals commonly encountered in aerosols, such as those produced by cooking and cleaning, can be 'protected' in 3D structures formed by surfactants, causing them to last longer in the air.
Published Atmospheric scientists reveal much of Houston's ozone exceedance due to air flows from the north
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Atmospheric science researchers published findings on Houston's ozone. They found that while local emissions play a role in the rise of Houston's ozone levels, most of the pollutants are carried in from other parts of the country.
Published Urban parks built on former waste incineration sites could be lead hotspots
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study finds that surface soil in parks and playgrounds built on former waste incineration and ash disposal sites may contain levels of lead exceeding EPA safety standards for areas where children play. The contamination, which can persist long after an incinerator is closed, stems from burning paint, pipes and other products that contained lead. Sites in hundreds of U.S. and Canadian cities could be contaminated. Increased monitoring is needed to pinpoint hotspots.
Published High levels of particulate air pollution associated with increased breast cancer incidence
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers found that living in an area with high levels of particulate air pollution was associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer. The study is one of the largest studies to date looking at the relationship between outdoor air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter, and breast cancer incidence.
Published New methodology reveals health, climate impacts of reducing buildings' energy use
(via sciencedaily.com) Increasing energy efficiency in buildings can save money -- and it can also decrease the carbon emissions and air pollution that lead to climate change and health harms. But the climate and health benefits of reducing buildings' energy consumption are rarely quantified. Now, researchers have developed a new method for calculating the health and climate impacts of these energy savings.
Published Studies highlight new approaches to addressing climate change
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Failing to achieve climate mitigation goals puts increasing pressure on climate adaptation strategies. In two new studies, researchers address novel approaches to these issues.
Published Researchers charting a sustainable course in oceanic carbon capture
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source As researchers around the world race against time to develop new strategies and technologies to fight climate change, a team of scientists is exploring one possible way to directly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment: Negative emissions technologies (NETs).
Published Floating sea farms: A solution to feed the world and ensure fresh water by 2050
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The sun and the sea -- both abundant and free -- are being harnessed in a unique project to create vertical sea farms floating on the ocean that can produce fresh water for drinking and agriculture.
Published Scientists find evidence of sea star species hybridization
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study presents genomic evidence of hybridization between two closely related species of sea stars -- Asterias rubens, the common starfish, and Asterias forbesi, known as Forbes' sea star.