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Categories: Geoscience: Environmental Issues, Geoscience: Landslides
Published SMART warnings could protect communities at risk from flooding


Engaging communities in developing a real-time early warning system could help to reduce the often-devastating impact of flooding on people and property -- particularly in mountainous regions where extreme water events are a 'wicked' problem, a new study reveals.
Published Even Sonoran Desert plants aren't immune to climate change


In North America's hottest, driest desert, climate change is causing the decline of plants once thought nearly immortal and replacing them with shorter shrubs that can take advantage of sporadic rainfall and warmer temperatures.
Published Turtles and crocodiles with unique characteristics are more likely to go extinct


New study demonstrates that the most endangered turtles and crocodile species are those that have evolved unique life strategies. Many of the most threatened species carry out important ecosystem functions that other species depend on. Habitat loss was identified as the key overall threat to turtles and crocodiles, followed by climate change and global trade. Unique species faced additional pressure from local consumption, diseases, and pollution.
Published Social comparisons better than knowledge in climate change mitigation interventions


In interventions designed to encourage more sustainable and climate-smart behavior, examples of what other people are doing and financial 'carrots' are more important than providing knowledge and facts. This has been shown in an international second-order meta-analysis of more than four hundred primary studies. However, all types of climate mitigation interventions have a relatively small effect on how people behave.
Published How to prepare for ocean acidification, a framework


An international research team develops a rubric for governments and policymaking bodies to evaluate preparedness for ocean acidification.
Published Eco-efficient cement could pave the way to a greener future


Scientists develop process to remove toxic heavy metals from coal fly ash, making for greener, stronger concrete.
Published Team uses natural catalysts to develop low-cost way of producing green hydrogen


Researchers have developed a practical way to produce green hydrogen using sustainable catalysts and say their work is a major step towards production simpler, more affordable and more scalable.
Published Could changes in Fed's interest rates affect pollution and the environment?


Can monetary policy such as the U.S. Federal Reserve raising interest rates affect the environment? According to a new study, it can. Results suggest that the impact of monetary policy on pollution is basically domestic: a monetary contraction or reduction in a region reduces its own emissions, but this does not seem to spread out to other economies. However, the findings do not imply that the international economy is irrelevant to determining one region's emissions level. The actions of a country, like the U.S., are not restricted to its borders. For example, a positive shock in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy may cause adjustments in the whole system, including the carbon emissions of the other regions.
Published Tiny yet hazardous: New study shows aerosols produced by contaminated bubble bursting are far smaller than predicted


New research has shown that bursting bubbles coated by a thin oil layer produce drops with smaller sizes, greater overall number of drops, and are ejected at a higher velocity, compared to bubbles generated in clean water.
Published Some coastal salt marshes are keeping up with sea level rise -- for now


The world's salty, tidal marshes are hotspots of carbon storage and productivity, building up sediments and plant material to stay above sea level. However, as sea level rises at an increasing rate, scientists debate whether it's possible for wetlands to win the race. New research reveals how salt marshes along the U.S. East Coast have responded to accelerating sea level rise by building elevation more quickly to keep pace with the sea over the last century.
Published The Greenland Ice Sheet is close to a melting point of no return


A new study using simulations identified two tipping points for the Greenland Ice Sheet: releasing 1000 gigatons of carbon into the atmosphere will cause the southern portion of the ice sheet to melt; about 2500 gigatons of carbon means permanent loss of nearly the entire ice sheet. Having emitted about 500 gigatons of carbon, we're about halfway to the first tipping point.
Published Colorful films could help buildings, cars keep their cool


The cold blast of an air conditioner can be a relief as temperatures soar, but 'A/C' units require large amounts of energy and can leak greenhouse gases. Today, scientists report an eco-friendly alternative -- a plant-based film that cools when exposed to sunlight and comes in many textures and bright, iridescent colors. The material could someday keep buildings, cars and other structures cool without requiring power.
Published Human cells help researchers understand squid camouflage


Squids and octopuses are masters of camouflage. But some aspects of how they become reversibly transparent are still 'unclear,' because researchers can't culture cephalopod skin cells in the lab. Now, researchers have replicated the tunable transparency of squid skin in mammalian cells, which are more easily cultured.
Published Surprise effect: Methane cools even as it heats


Most climate models do not yet account for a recent discovery: methane traps a great deal of heat in Earth's atmosphere, but also creates cooling clouds that offset 30% of the heat.
Published Vehicle exhaust filters do not remove ultrafine pollution


Filters fitted to vehicle exhaust systems to remove particulate matter pollution have limited impact on ultrafine particles, new research shows.
Published Global natural history initiative builds groundbreaking database to address 21st century challenges


A group of natural history museums has mapped the total collections from 73 of the world's largest natural history museums in 28 countries. This is the first step of an ambitious effort to inventory global holdings that can help scientists and decision makers find solutions to urgent, wide-ranging issues such as climate change, food insecurity, human health, pandemic preparedness, and wildlife conservation.
Published The global economics of climate action


Climate change has serious consequences for the environment and people and is a major threat to economic stability. A new assessment reviews innovative, integrated research that underpins the economic case for strong near-term climate action.
Published Ancient genomes reveal immunity adaptation in early farmers


Research has revealed that diversity in genes coding for immunity may have facilitated adaptation to farming lifestyles in prehistoric periods.
Published Microplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species


Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows.
Published Improved wastewater treatment could lead to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions


New research has shown that methane emissions from urban areas are underestimated by a factor of three to four and that untreated wastewater may be a contributing factor.