Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Researchers discover faster, more energy-efficient way to manufacture an industrially important chemical      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The reactivity of zirconium on silicon nitride enhances the conversion of propane into propylene, a key commodity chemical needed to make polypropylene. This finding hints at the reactivity researchers might achieve with other nontraditional catalysts.

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

Researchers develop innovative battery recycling method      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research team is tackling the environmental issue of efficiently recycling lithium ion batteries amid their increasing use.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Mixed approach to reforestation better than planting or regeneration alone      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Reforestation in low- and middle-income countries can remove up to 10 times more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at lower cost than previously estimated, making it a potentially more effective option to fight climate change. Most current reforestation programs focus on tree planting alone, but the study estimates that nearly half of all suitable reforestation locations would be more effective at sequestering carbon if forests were allowed to grow back naturally.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

How well does tree planting work in climate change fight? It depends      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Using trees as a cost-effective tool against climate change is more complicated than simply planting large numbers of them, an international collaboration has shown.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Nuclear Offbeat: General Physics: General
Published

A new way to make element 116 opens the door to heavier atoms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have successfully made super-heavy element 116 using a beam of titanium-50. That milestone sets the team up to attempt making the heaviest element yet: 120.

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

Researchers develop more environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for soil remediation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Chemists have developed a rapid electrothermal mineralization (REM) process, which in seconds can remediate the accumulation of synthetic chemicals that can contaminate soil and the environment.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

A window of opportunity for climate change and biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

World leaders must take advantage of a pivotal window of opportunity for forging a much-needed joined-up approach to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, say scientists. Without this, work on tackling either crisis could inadvertently harm progress on the other.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Heat-sensitive trees move uphill seeking climate change respite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are migrating in search of more favourable temperatures with species in mountain forests moving uphill to escape rising heat caused by climate change.

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

A promising new method uses light to clean up forever chemicals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A room-temperature method to decompose perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) using visible LED light offers a promising solution for sustainable fluorine recycling and PFAS treatment.

Ecology: Nature Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Using forest resources strengthens food security      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Forests can reduce hunger in rural households while also capturing carbon and advancing sustainability goals for low- and middle-income countries, according to new research.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science
Published

Tropical plant species are as threatened by climate change as widely feared, study confirms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Biologists who set out to better understand the effects of climate change on plant species in tropical mountain regions found that even small variations in temperature and moisture can have massive impacts, threatening not only plants that live there, but also the ecosystems they support. A study based on labor-intensive fieldwork and analysis in tropical mountain regions shows that a warmer and drier climate will lead to massive losses of plant species.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Researchers enhance tool to better predict where and when wildfires will occur      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly enhanced database is expected to help wildfire managers and scientists better predict where and when wildfires may occur by incorporating hundreds of additional factors that impact the ignition and spread of fire.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Batteries
Published

Team develops safe and long-cyclable lithium metal battery for high temperatures      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In recent years, batteries have become ubiquitous in consumers' daily lives. However, existing commercial battery technologies, which use liquid electrolytes and carbonaceous anodes, have certain drawbacks such as safety concerns, limited lifespan, and inadequate power density particularly at high temperatures.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers develop new method for achieving controllable tuning and assessing instability in 2D materials for engineering applications      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have atomic-level thickness and excellent mechanical and physical properties, with broad application prospects in fields such as semiconductors, flexible devices, and composite materials.

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

Agriculture: Less productive yet more stable pastures      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Climate change will have a considerable influence on the biodiversity and productivity of meadows and pastures. However, according to the results of the large-scale climate and land use experiment the extent of these changes depends on the land use. Grassland optimized for high yield responds much more sensitively to periods of drought than less intensively used meadows and pastures.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Organs on demand? Scientists print voxel building blocks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are bioprinting 3D structures with a material that is a close match for human tissue, paving the way for true biomanufacturing.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Waste Styrofoam can now be converted into polymers for electronics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study describes a chemical reaction that can convert Styrofoam into a high-value conducting polymer known as PEDOT:PSS. Researchers also noted that the upgraded plastic waste can be successfully incorporated into functional electronic devices, including silicon-based hybrid solar cells and organic electrochemical transistors.

Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Marine Protected Areas producing more 'trophy-size' fish, research finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Marine Protected Areas are having a positive spillover effect, producing more 'trophy-size' fish just outside of the fully protected areas, and the effect is growing stronger over time, according to new research.