Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: General
Published

Scottish and Irish rocks confirmed as rare record of 'snowball Earth'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The study found that the Port Askaig Formation, composed of layers of rock up to 1.1 km thick, was likely laid down between 662 to 720 million years ago during the Sturtian glaciation -- the first of two global freezes thought to have triggered the development of complex, multicellular life.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Engineers design tiny batteries for powering cell-sized robots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A zinc-air microbattery could enable the deployment of cell-sized, autonomous robots for drug delivery within in the human body, as well as other applications such as locating leaks in gas pipelines.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robot planning tool accounts for human carelessness      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new algorithm may make robots safer by making them more aware of human inattentiveness. In computerized simulations of packaging and assembly lines where humans and robots work together, the algorithm developed to account for human carelessness improved safety by about a maximum of 80% and efficiency by about a maximum of 38% compared to existing methods.

Ecology: Nature Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Climate change raised the odds of unprecedented wildfires in 2023-24      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Unprecedented wildfires in Canada and parts of Amazonia last year were at least three times more likely due to climate change and contributed to high levels of CO2 emissions from burning globally, according to the a new systematic review. The State of Wildfires report takes stock of extreme wildfires of the 2023-2024 fire season (March 2023-February 2024), explains their causes, and assesses whether events could have been predicted. It also evaluates how the risk of similar events will change in future under different climate change scenarios.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Changing food consumers' choices may help cut greenhouse gases      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions associated with the global food supply chains induced by diets could fall by 17% if people change their food choices towards more plant-based diets.

Chemistry: General Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Delivery robots' green credentials make them more attractive to consumers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The smaller carbon footprint, or wheel print, of automatic delivery robots can encourage consumers to use them when ordering food, according to a new study. The suitcase-sized, self-driving electric vehicles are much greener than many traditional food delivery methods because they have low, or even zero, carbon emissions. In this study, participants who had more environmental awareness and knowledge about carbon emissions were more likely to choose the robots as a delivery method. The green influence went away though when people perceived the robots as a high-risk choice -- meaning they worried that their food would be late, cold or otherwise spoiled before it arrived.

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

Expansion of agricultural land threatens climate and biodiversity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Food, feed, fiber, and bioenergy: The demand for agricultural raw materials is rising. How can additional cultivation areas be reconciled with nature conservation? Researchers have developed a land-use model that provides answers.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Geography Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

The mother of all motion sensors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have used silicon photonic microchip components to perform a quantum sensing technique called atom interferometry, an ultra-precise way of measuring acceleration. It is the latest milestone toward developing a kind of quantum compass for navigation when GPS signals are unavailable.

Chemistry: General Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

Ships now spew less sulfur, but warming has sped up      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New findings document fewer ship tracks, reduced cloud cover, and boosted warming after ship emissions regulations took effect in 2020.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New method for orchestrating successful collaboration among robots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Offbeat: Space Space: Exploration Space: General
Published

Engineers make tunable, shape-changing metamaterial inspired by vintage toys      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Common push puppet toys in the shapes of animals and popular figures can move or collapse with the push of a button at the bottom of the toys' base. Now, a team of engineers has created a new class of tunable dynamic material that mimics the inner workings of push puppets, with applications for soft robotics, reconfigurable architectures and space engineering.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Balancing technology and governance are key to achieving climate goals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Despite advancements in clean energy, global CO2 emissions continue to rise. IIASA researchers contributed to a new international study that underscores the importance of integrating technological advancements with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Just say 'climate change' -- not 'climate emergency'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The familiar terms 'climate change' and 'global warming' are more likely to resonate with people than other commonly used phrases.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General
Published

Redefining the computer whiz: Research shows diverse skills valued by youth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have uncovered a more nuanced view of what makes an 'ideal' computer science student, challenging long-held stereotypes of geeky, clever, detail-oriented men, who lack social skills.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Geography
Published

Long-distance relationship revealed in the seemingly random behavior of bowhead whales      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Applying chaos theory to the movement of iconic arctic whales uncovered a 24-hour diving cycle and a long-range (~100 km) synchronization.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General
Published

Researchers find unexpectedly large methane source in overlooked landscape      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers reported that upland landscapes were releasing some of the highest methane emissions yet documented among northern terrestrial ecosystems. The research was sparked when a potent greenhouse gas began ballooning under lawns in Fairbanks.