Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers create biocompatible nanoparticles to enhance systemic delivery of cancer immunotherapy      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers are enhancing immunotherapy effects against malignant tumors by developing and validating patent-ending poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), or PLGA, nanoparticles modified with adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Paleontology: Climate
Published

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica's ice sheets. An international research team has now used sediments taken from the South Pacific to reconstruct the flow speed in the last 5.3 million years. Their data show that during glacial periods, the current slowed; during interglacials, it accelerated. Consequently, if the current global warming intensifies in the future, it could mean that the Southern Ocean stores less CO2 and that more heat reaches Antarctica.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Curbside collection improves organic waste composting, reduces methane emissions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Most organic household waste ends up in landfills where it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting food and garden waste instead of sending it to landfills can significantly reduce methane emissions and help mitigate global warming. A new study explores the effects of curbside compost collection programs.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

New method to measure entropy production on the nanoscale      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Entropy, the amount of molecular disorder, is produced in several systems but cannot be measured directly. A new equation sheds new light on how entropy is produced on a very short time scale in laser excited materials.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Silicon spikes take out 96% of virus particles      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international research team has designed and manufactured a virus-killing surface that could help control disease spread in hospitals, labs and other high-risk environments.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

Micro-Lisa! Making a mark with novel nano-scale laser writing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

High-power lasers are often used to modify polymer surfaces to make high-tech biomedical products, electronics and data storage components. Now researchers have discovered a light-responsive, inexpensive sulfur-derived polymer is receptive to low power, visible light lasers -- promising a more affordable and safer production method in nanotech, chemical science and patterning surfaces in biological applications.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

New roadmap to prevent pandemics centers on protecting biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of 25 scientists has proposed a roadmap for how to prevent the next pandemic by conserving natural areas and promoting biodiversity, thereby providing animals with enough food, safe havens and distance to limit contact and the transfer of pathogens to humans.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

New maps help decision-makers factor albedo into tree-planting decisions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study provides a global analysis of where restoration of tree cover is most effective at cooling the global climate system, considering not just the cooling from carbon storage but also the warming from decreased albedo. The researchers provide a tool practitioners and land managers can use to determine just how much of a problem albedo is for any reforestation or afforestation project on the globe.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Climate change will see Australia's soil emit CO2 and add to global warming      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has shown the warming climate will turn Australia's soil into a net emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), unless action is taken. Soil helps to keep the planet cool by absorbing carbon, however as the climate gets warmer its ability to retain carbon decreases -- and in some instances can start to release some carbon back into the air. A global research team has predicted the changes in the amount of carbon in Australia's soil between now and the year 2100.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Crackdown on illicit drugs detects rise in 'designer' drug substitutes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As authorities crack down on illicit drugs, experts have issued an alert on the use of the synthetic stimulant pentylone, as new research finds a 75% increase in detections across Australia.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Research lights up process for turning CO2 into sustainable fuel      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have successfully transformed CO2 into methanol by shining sunlight on single atoms of copper deposited on a light-activated material, a discovery that paves the way for creating new green fuels.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Research identifies characteristics of cities that would support young people's mental health      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

As cities around the world continue to draw young people for work, education, and social opportunities, a new study identifies characteristics that would support young urban dwellers' mental health. The findings, based on survey responses from a global panel that included adolescents and young adults, provide a set of priorities that city planners can adopt to build urban environments that are safe, equitable, and inclusive.

Chemistry: General Computer Science: General Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Technology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Pairing crypto mining with green hydrogen offers clean energy boost      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Pairing cryptocurrency mining -- notable for its outsize consumption of carbon-based fuel -- with green hydrogen could provide the foundation for wider deployment of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, according to a new study.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Global study of coastal seas as carbon dioxide reservoirs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Coastal seas form a complex transition zone between the two largest CO2 sinks in the global carbon cycle: land and ocean. Ocean researchers have now succeeded for the first time in investigating the role of the coastal ocean in a seamless model representation.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Cool paint coatings help pedestrians feel up to 1.5 degrees Celsius cooler in urban setting      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A real-world study has shown that the use of cool paint coatings in cities can help pedestrians feel up to 1.5 degrees Celsius cooler, making the urban area more comfortable for work and play.

Chemistry: General Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Physics: Optics
Published

A self-cleaning wall paint      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Beautiful white wall paint does not stay beautiful and white forever. Often, various substances from the air accumulate on its surface. This can be a desired effect because it makes the air cleaner for a while -- but over time, the color changes and needs to be renewed. Now, special titanium oxide nanoparticles have been developed that can be added to ordinary, commercially available wall paint to establish self-cleaning power: The nanoparticles are photocatalytically active, they can use sunlight not only to bind substances from the air, but also to decompose them afterwards.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Small changes can yield big savings in agricultural water use      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While Hollywood and Silicon Valley love the limelight, California is an agricultural powerhouse, too. Agricultural products sold in the Golden State totaled $59 billion in 2022. But rising temperatures, declining precipitation and decades of over pumping may require drastic changes to farming. Legislation to address the problem could even see fields taken out of cultivation.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Better phosphorus use can ensure its stocks last more than 500 years and boost global food production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

More efficient use of phosphorus could see limited stocks of the important fertilizer last more than 500 years and boost global food production to feed growing populations. But these benefits will only happen if countries are less wasteful with how they use phosphorus, a study shows. Around 30-40 per cent of farm soils have over-applications of phosphorus, with European and North American countries over-applying the most.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Quantum interference could lead to smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient transistors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists made a single-molecule transistor using quantum interference to control electron flow. This new design offers high on/off ratio and stability, potentially leading to smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices. Quantum interference also improves the transistor's sensitivity to voltage changes, further boosting its efficiency.