Engineering: Robotics Research Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

New framework for oceanographic research provides potential for broader access to deep sea scientific exploration      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientific exploration of the deep ocean has largely remained inaccessible to most people because of barriers to access due to infrastructure, training, and physical ability requirements for at-sea oceanographic research.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

Math enables blending hydrogen in natural gas pipelines      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Mathematical modeling can show how to safely blend hydrogen with natural gas for transport in existing pipeline systems. A secure and reliable transition to hydrogen is one of the proposed solutions for the shift to a net-zero-carbon economy.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Light regulates structural conversion of chiral molecules      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of chemists have developed a novel concept in which a mixture of molecules that behave like mirror images is converted to a single form. To this end, they use light as external energy source. The conversion is relevant e.g. for the preparation of drugs.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

DNA chips as storage media of the future: What challenges need to be overcome      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In the form of DNA, nature shows how data can be stored in a space-saving and long-term manner. Bioinformatics specialists are developing DNA chips for computer technology. Researchers show how a combination of molecular biology, nanotechnology, novel polymers, electronics and automation, coupled with systematic development, could make DNA data storage useful for everyday use possible in a few years.

Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Loss of Antarctic sea ice causes catastrophic breeding failure for emperor penguins      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Emperor penguin colonies experienced unprecedented breeding failure in a region of Antarctica where there was total sea ice loss in 2022. The discovery supports predictions that over 90% of emperor penguin colonies will be quasi-extinct by the end of the century, based on current global warming trends.

Biology: Marine Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Oceanography Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Scientists solve mystery of why thousands of octopus migrate to deep-sea thermal springs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers used advanced technology to study a massive aggregation of deep-sea octopus gathered at thermal springs near an extinct underwater volcano off the coast of Central California. Warm water from hydrothermal springs accelerates development of octopus embryos, giving young octopus a better chance of survival. The Octopus Garden is the largest known aggregation of octopus on the planet -- the size of this nursery, and the abundance of other marine life that thrives in this rich community, highlight the need to understand and protect the hotspots of life on the deep seafloor from threats like climate change and seabed mining.

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

New approach to nongenetic T-cell-based immunotherapy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Immunotherapies for cancer aim to induce the immune system to combat cancer cells more effectively. A research team has now described a new, modular strategy for T-cell-based immunotherapy that manages to work without complex genetic modifications. Modulation of cell-cell communications through an ingenious regulatory circuit using various small, specially folded DNA molecules (aptamers) causes cancer cells to directly activate their mortal enemies, T cells.

Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Oceanography Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Barnacles may help reveal location of lost Malaysia Airlines flight MH370      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Geoscientists have created a new method that can reconstruct the drift path and origin of debris from flight MH370, an aircraft that went missing over the Indian Ocean in 2014 with 239 passengers and crew. 

Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Graphene discovery could help generate hydrogen cheaply and sustainably      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have finally solved the long-standing puzzle of why graphene is so much more permeable to protons than expected by theory.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General
Published

Deciphering the molecular dynamics of complex proteins      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Which structures do complex proteins adopt in solution? Biophysicists answer this question using the example of ubiquitin dimers as well as a new combination of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and sophisticated computer simulations.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

'Coastal squeeze:' Massive loss of U.S. coastline tidal flats over 31 years      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The entire contiguous U.S. has experienced massive urban expansions and the Atlantic Coast shows outstandingly high rates. Urban expansion has substantially squeezed the space of tidal flats and affected surrounding environments. In new urban areas, tidal flats have undergone considerable degeneration with more significant patterns as they get closer to new urban locations. Tidal flats protect against the ocean's destructive powers such as hurricanes. Without some inland spaces to move around, they will likely disappear, which will have dire consequences for beachfront communities.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

New approach shows hydrogen can be combined with electricity to make pharmaceutical drugs      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The world needs greener ways to make chemicals. In a new study, researchers demonstrate one potential path toward this goal by adapting hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Thinning ice sheets may drive sharp rise in subglacial waters      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study shows that water underneath glaciers may surge due to thinning ice sheets -- a dangerous feedback cycle that could increase glacial melt, sea level rise, and biological disturbances.

Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Research team developing a nano-sized force sensor and improving high-precision microscopy technology      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Recent research in cell biology highlights groundbreaking results. An international team of researchers have recently established a tool they developed to study the mechanics of the cell. The tool can be used to study the inner forces of the cell, for example, the stretching of the nuclear membrane. The microscopic force sensor, only about 0.00002 mm long, is constructed of exotic ingredients such as spider web protein parts, fluorescent proteins from jellyfish, and antibodies from alpaca. In addition, the multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed further the sensitivity of super-resolution microscopy technique.

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

Groundbreaking green propane production method      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research reveals a promising breakthrough in green energy: an electrolyzer device capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane in a manner that is both scalable and economically viable.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Unprecedented look at what influences sea ice motion in the Arctic      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The in-depth analysis reveals how local tidal currents strongly affect the movement of sea ice in the Arctic ocean and provides an unprecedented look at how the makeup of the seafloor is causing some of the most abrupt changes.

Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Scientists reveal how sensory protein changes shape with nanometer resolution      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The sensory receptor PIEZO1 changes shape in response to mechanical stimuli. The super high-resolution microscopy technology used in this discovery is a breakthrough in enabling protein structures to be studied within the cellular environment.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Oceans release microplastics into the atmosphere      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Tiny plastic particles can be found in the air over the oceans even far away from the coast. According to a new study, microplastics are not only carried by the wind, but also escape into the atmosphere from seawater. Researchers present data on the composition and sources of different types of plastic in the air over the North Atlantic and the origin of the particles.