Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Sensing and controlling microscopic spin density in materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers found a way to tune the spin density in diamond by applying an external laser or microwave beam. The finding could open new possibilities for advanced quantum devices.

Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Research Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Scientists dig into wildfire predictions, long-term impacts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Wildfires are an ancient force shaping the environment, but they have grown in frequency, range and intensity in response to a changing climate. Scientists are working on several fronts to better understand and predict these events and what they mean for the carbon cycle and biodiversity.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Quantum discovery: Materials can host D-wave effects with F-wave behaviors      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In a potential boon for quantum computing, physicists have shown that topologically protected quantum states can be entangled with other, highly manipulable quantum states in some electronic materials.

Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Clearcut logging leads to more frequent flooding, including extreme floods      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Loss of forest cover is associated with more frequent extreme flooding, as well as more frequent floods of any size, according to new research. While it's widely thought that loss of forest cover is strongly linked to increased flooding, most studies have suggested that the impact is limited to smaller floods. But the study, focused on two snow-dominated regions in British Columbia, the Deadman River and Joe Ross Creek watersheds, argues otherwise.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Geology Space: Exploration Space: The Solar System
Published

Dune patterns reveal environmental change on Earth and other planets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have analyzed the shifting patterns of entire dune fields on Earth and Mars, as seen from orbit, and found they are a direct signature of recent environmental change. This new tool can be applied anywhere with dunes, such as Mars, Titan, and Venus.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Technology Offbeat: Computers and Math Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Scientists create novel approach to control energy waves in 4D      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Everyday life involves the three dimensions or 3D -- along an X, Y and Z axis, or up and down, left and right, and forward and back. But, in recent years scientists have explored a 'fourth dimension' (4D), or synthetic dimension, as an extension of our current physical reality.

Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Plans to plant billions of trees threatened by massive undersupply of seedlings      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Major government and private funding is being invested in planting trees as a powerful tool to fight climate change. But new research shows a troubling bottleneck that could threaten these efforts: U.S. tree nurseries don't grow close to enough trees--nor have the species diversity needed--to meet ambitious planting and restoration goals.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

When electrons slowly vanish during cooling      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Many substances change their properties when they are cooled below a certain critical temperature. Such a phase transition occurs, for example, when water freezes. However, in certain metals there are phase transitions that do not exist in the macrocosm. They arise because of the special laws of quantum mechanics that apply in the realm of nature's smallest building blocks. It is thought that the concept of electrons as carriers of quantized electric charge no longer applies near these exotic phase transitions. Researchers have now found a way to prove this directly. Their findings allow new insights into the exotic world of quantum physics.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Secondary forests more sensitive to drought than primary forests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The dry summer of 2018 hit Swedish forests hard -- and hardest affected were the managed secondary forests.

Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Paleontology: Climate
Published

Insolation affected ice age climate dynamics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In past ice ages, the intensity of summer insolation affected the emergence of warm and cold periods and played an important role in triggering abrupt climate changes, a study by climate researchers, geoscientists, and environmental physicists suggests. Using stalagmites in the European Alps, they were able to demonstrate that warm phases appeared primarily when the summer insolation reached maxima in the Northern Hemisphere.

Biology: Marine Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

New research highlights risks of selective adaptation in extreme coral habitats      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Resilient corals, often referred to as 'super corals', have recently been seen as potential saviours in the face of climate change and its detrimental effects on coral reefs. Now, a team of scientists is working to better understand these corals in order to develop strategies to protect fragile ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Scientists vacuum animal DNA from air in a Danish forest      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Over 60 animal species in three days. That is how many mammals, birds and amphibians researchers found DNA traces from in the air in a Danish forest. The results can pave the way for a new and innovative way of mapping biodiversity.

Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Research Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

New study reveals that tree species diversity increases spider density      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The link between tree diversity and spider populations can help homeowners and other land managers better plan tree plantings to naturally mitigate the effects of climate change.

Environmental: Ecosystems Paleontology: General
Published

Genome analysis of 46,000-year-old roundworm from Siberian permafrost reveals novel species      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Some organisms, such as tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes, can survive harsh conditions by entering a dormant state known as 'cryptobiosis.' In 2018, researchers found two roundworms (nematode) species in the Siberian Permafrost. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the nematode individuals have remained in cryptobiosis since the late Pleistocene, about 46,000 years ago. Researchers have now used genome sequencing, assembly, and phylogenetic analysis and found that the permafrost nematode belongs to a previously undescribed species, Panagrolaimus kolymaensis.

Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: General Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Global wildlife trade risks altering evolutionary history and ecosystem function, study suggests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Some of the world's most distinct and ancient animal species, which play crucial roles in our planet's ecosystems, are exploited for the wildlife trade across large parts of the world, according to new research.

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

Earlier and earlier high-Arctic spring replaced by 'extreme year-to-year variation'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

About 15 years ago, researchers reported that the timing of spring in high-Arctic Greenland had advanced at some of the fastest rates of change ever seen anywhere in the world. But, according to new evidence, that earlier pattern has since been completely erased. Instead of coming earlier and earlier, it seems the timing of Arctic spring is now driven by tremendous climate variability with drastic differences from one year to the next.

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

Arctic terns may navigate climate dangers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Arctic terns -- which fly on the longest migrations of any animal on Earth -- may be able to navigate the dangers posed by climate change, new research suggests.

Ecology: General Ecology: Research Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: Wildfires
Published

Research supports use of managed and prescribed fires to reduce fire severity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists found that fires in America's dry conifer forests are burning hotter and killing more trees today than in previous centuries. The main culprit? Paradoxically, a lack of fires.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

A new type of quantum bit in semiconductor nanostructures      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have created a quantum superposition state in a semiconductor nanostructure that might serve as a basis for quantum computing. The trick: two optical laser pulses that act as a single terahertz laser pulse.

Ecology: Invasive Species Environmental: Ecosystems
Published

Brown widow spiders: Invasive species prosper in favorable habitats and from a lack of local predators      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Lower parasitism and predation in urban habitats may contribute to the invasion success of brown widow spiders, according to new research.