Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Scientists capture X-rays from upward positive lightning      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have for the first time recorded X-rays being produced at the beginning of upward positive lightning flashes; an observation that gives important insight into the origins of this rare -- and particularly dangerous -- form of lightning.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

New offshore wind turbines can take away energy from existing ones      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Interactions between wind turbines could reduce power output by 30% in proposed offshore wind farm areas along the East Coast, new research has found. In all, the farms could still meet 60% of the electricity demand of New England.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Nanomaterial that mimics proteins could be basis for new neurodegenerative disease treatments      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly developed nanomaterial that mimics the behavior of proteins could be an effective tool for treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The nanomaterial alters the interaction between two key proteins in brain cells -- with a potentially powerful therapeutic effect.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Warming Arctic reduces dust levels in parts of the planet      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Dust can have a huge impact on local air quality, food security, energy supply and public health. Previous studies have found that dust levels are decreasing across India, particularly northern India, the Persian Gulf Coast and much of the Middle East, but the reason has remained unclear. Researchers found that the decrease in dust can be attributed to the Arctic warming much faster than the rest of the planet, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. This process destabilizes the jet stream and changes storm tracks and wind patterns over the major sources of dust in West and South Asia.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Diamond dust shines bright in Magnetic Resonance Imaging      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An unexpected discovery surprised a scientist: nanometer-sized diamond particles, which were intended for a completely different purpose, shone brightly in a magnetic resonance imaging experiment -- much brighter than the actual contrast agent, the heavy metal gadolinium. Could diamond dust -- in addition to its use in drug delivery to treat tumor cells -- one day become a novel contrast agent used for MRI?

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

'Like a nanoscopic Moon lander': Scientists unlock secret of how pyramidal molecules move across surfaces      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have watched a molecule move across a graphite surface in unprecedented detail. It turns out this particular molecule moves like a Moon lander -- and the insights hold potential for future nanotechnologies.

Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Hurricanes jeopardize carbon-storing New England forests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Many American companies are relying on carbon offsets to reduce their carbon footprint, especially those who have pledged to achieve 'net-zero emissions.' Sequestering carbon in forests is an example of a nature-based solution that is being used to address climate change, but a new study suggests that hurricanes could pose a risk. The results show that a single hurricane may wipe out 5% to 10% of total above-ground forest carbon, through tree damage, in New England.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Pattern formation in the nano-cosmos      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new model extends the theory of elastic phase separation towards nanoscopic structures. Such patterns are frequent in biological systems and also used in nano-engineering to create structural color. With their new insights, the scientists can predict the length scale of nanoscopic patterns and thus control them during production.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Shoreline model predicts long-term future of storm protection and sea-level rise      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have created a coastal evolution model to analyze how coastal management activities on barrier islands, meant to adapt to sea-level rise, can disrupt natural processes that are keeping the barrier islands above water. Replenishing beaches and clearing over-washed roads may not be the best long term strategy.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Marginalized communities developed 'disaster subculture' when living through extreme climate events      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An assistant professor conducted a study in which he lived among one of the poorest, most marginalized communities in Seoul, South Korea. In the ethnographic study, he asked residents how they dealt with extreme heat. He found they tended to accept the conditions, stating there was not much that could be done. That shows people accepted extreme climate events, despite evidence showing this should not be normal, which bodes the argument social work as a field has much to do to help address climate emergencies.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

'Sunny day flooding' increases fecal contamination of coastal waters      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study finds that 'sunny day flooding,' which occurs during high tides, increases the levels of fecal bacteria in coastal waters. While the elevated bacteria levels in the coastal waters tend to dissipate quickly, the findings suggest policymakers and public health officials should be aware of potential risks associated with tidal flooding.

Chemistry: General Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Laser-treated cork absorbs oil for carbon-neutral ocean cleanup      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers use laser treatments to transform ordinary cork into a powerful tool for treating oil spills. They tested variations of a fast-pulsing laser treatment, closely examining the nanoscopic structural changes and measuring the ratio of oxygen and carbon in the material, changes in the angles with which water and oil contact the surface, and the material's light wave absorption, reflection, and emission across the spectrum to determine its durability after multiple cycles of warming and cooling. The laser treatments not only help to better absorb oil, but also work to keep water out.

Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Everest mountaineer's letters digitized      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Letters written by the famous mountaineer George Mallory have been made available to a global audience for the first time, in the centenary year of his fatal attempt to scale Everest.

Geoscience: Severe Weather Mathematics: Modeling
Published

AI weather forecasts captured Ciaran's destructive path      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The study highlights the rapid progress and transformative potential of AI in weather prediction.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Magnetic with a pinch of hydrogen      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Magnetic two-dimensional materials consisting of one or a few atomic layers have only recently become known and promise interesting applications, for example for the electronics of the future. So far, however, it has not been possible to control the magnetic states of these materials well enough. A research team is now presenting an innovative idea that could overcome this shortcoming -- by allowing the 2D layer to react with hydrogen.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather Space: Exploration Space: General Space: The Solar System
Published

Weather prediction models can also forecast satellite displacements      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have found that modern weather models can accurately predict the energy that Earth emits and reflects into space, which directly affects the movements of low Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. By leveraging these models, the researchers gained insights into how LEO satellites respond to weather events below, such as tropical cyclones with tall and reflective clouds.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Climate change will increase value of residential rooftop solar panels across US, study shows      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Climate change will increase the future value of residential rooftop solar panels across the United States by up to 19% by the end of the century, according to a new study.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Energy scientists unravel the mystery of gold's glow      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

EPFL researchers have developed the first comprehensive model of the quantum-mechanical effects behind photoluminescence in thin gold films; a discovery that could drive the development of solar fuels and batteries.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General
Published

Atom-by-atom: Imaging structural transformations in 2D materials      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Silicon-based electronics are approaching their physical limitations and new materials are needed to keep up with current technological demands. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have a rich array of properties, including superconductivity and magnetism, and are promising candidates for use in electronic systems, such as transistors. However, precisely controlling the properties of these materials is extraordinarily difficult.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Geoscience: Severe Weather Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: General
Published

Ice age climate analysis reduces worst-case warming expected from rising CO2      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A detailed reconstruction of climate during the most recent ice age, when a large swath of North America was covered in ice, provides information on the relationship between CO2 and global temperature. Results show that while most future warming estimates remain unchanged, the absolute worst-case scenario is unlikely.