Showing 20 articles starting at article 1
Categories: Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Ecology: Endangered Species
Published A leaky sink: Carbon emissions from forest soil will likely grow with rising temperatures
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The soils of northern forests are key reservoirs that help keep the carbon dioxide that trees inhale and use for photosynthesis from making it back into the atmosphere.
Published Innovative field experiments shed light on biological clocks in nature
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study has used a series of innovative field experiments to show how plants combine circadian clock signals with environmental cues under naturally fluctuating conditions.
Published DNA tech offers both data storage and computing functions
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have demonstrated a technology capable of a suite of data storage and computing functions -- repeatedly storing, retrieving, computing, erasing or rewriting data -- that uses DNA rather than conventional electronics. Previous DNA data storage and computing technologies could complete some but not all of these tasks.
Published Catalyst for 'one-step' conversion of methane to methanol
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have engineered a highly selective catalyst that can convert methane, a major component of natural gas, into methanol, an easily transportable liquid fuel, in a single, one-step reaction. This direct process for methane-to-methanol conversion runs at a temperature lower than required to make tea and exclusively produces methanol without additional byproducts.
Published Extraterrestrial chemistry with earthbound possibilities
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Who are we? Why are we here? We are stardust, the result of chemistry occurring throughout vast clouds of interstellar gas and dust. To better understand how that chemistry could create prebiotic molecules, researchers investigated the role of low-energy electrons created as cosmic radiation traverses through ice particles. Their findings may also inform medical and environmental applications on our home planet.
Published Human-wildlife overlap expected to increase across more than half of land on Earth by 2070
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Human-wildlife overlap could increase across about 57% of the global lands by 2070 and could lead to more conflict between people and animals. Understanding where the overlap is likely to occur -- and which animals are likely to interact with humans in specific areas -- will be crucial information for urban planners, conservationists and countries that have pledged international conservation commitments.
Published Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Tortilla chips and fresh salsa are tasty, but they could be even more appealing if you grow the ingredients yourself. Now, researchers report that some salsa ingredients -- cilantro, bell pepper and jalapeno -- can be more sustainably cultivated with recycled glass. Their pilot study found that partially substituting soil in a planter with recycled glass fragments speeds up plant development and reduces unwanted fungal growth.
Published First visualization of valence electrons reveals fundamental nature of chemical bonding
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The distribution of outermost shell electrons, known as valence electrons, of organic molecules was observed for the first time. As the interactions between atoms are governed by the valence electrons, the findings shine light on the fundamental nature of chemical bonds, with implications for pharmacy and chemical engineering.
Published Quality control: Neatly arranging crystal growth to make fine thin films
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have succeeded in forming metal-organic framework thin films on a substrate while controlling the growth direction of crystals so that they are arranged neatly without gaps. The resulting thin films of unprecedented high quality can be expected for use as optical sensors, optical elements, and transparent gas adsorption sheets.
Published Molecular wires with a twist
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed molecular wires with periodic twists. By controlling the lengths of regions between twists, the electrical conductivity of individual polymer chains can be enhanced. This work may lead to novel organic electronics or single-molecule wires.
Published 'Molecular compass' points way to reduction of animal testing
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Machine learning models have become increasingly popular for risk assessment of chemical compounds. However, they are often considered 'black boxes' due to their lack of transparency. To increase confidence in these models, researchers proposed carefully identifying the areas of chemical space where these models are weak. They developed an innovative software tool for this purpose, and the results of this research approach have just been published.
Published A new reaction to enhance aromatic ketone use in chemical synthesis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers develop a one pot process to transform aromatic ketones to esters, offering advancements in pharmaceutical synthesis and materials science.
Published Investigating the interplay of folding and aggregation in supramolecular polymer systems
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have developed photoresponsive supramolecular polymers that can undergo both intrachain folding and interchain aggregation.
Published Researchers uncover the secrets of 'plant puberty'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have identified the genetic changes linked to why plants go through a developmental change similar to 'puberty' at different rates, a discovery which could lead to better crop nutrition.
Published Will climate change lead to the extinction of a newly discovered tarantula species?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Biologists have discovered a new species of tarantula from the Madrean Sky Island biodiversity hotspot in southeastern Arizona. This remarkable new species is endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains and is predominately distributed in mid- to high-elevation forests, which are increasingly threatened due to climate change.
Published Research provides a roadmap for improving electrochemical performance
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A study expands understanding on how electrons move through the conductive parts of complex fluids found in electrochemical devices such as batteries. This work can help overcome existing knowledge gaps for engineers seeking to improve the performance of these devices.
Published As human activities expand in Antarctica, scientists identify crucial conservation sites
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Establishing Key Biodiversity Areas in the Southern Ocean will be vital for safeguarding the ecosystem from the impact of human activities, researchers say.
Published Enhancing electron transfer for highly efficient upconversion OLEDs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Electron transfer is enhanced by minimal energetic driving force at the organic-semiconductor interface in upconversion (UC) organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), resulting in efficient blue UC-OLEDs with low extremely turn-on voltage, scientists show. Their findings deepen the understanding of electron transfer mechanisms in organic optoelectronic devices and can lead to the development of efficient new optoelectronics without energy loss.
Published Why do plants wiggle? New study provides answers
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Decades after his voyage on the HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin became fascinated by why plants move as they grow -- spinning and twisting into corkscrews. Now, more than 150 years later, a new study may have solved the riddle.
Published Ecologists put an insect group on century-old map of biodiversity
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The distribution of species around the globe is not a random process but an outcome resulting from several evolutionary mechanisms as well as past and current environmental limitations. As a result, since the mid-19th century, biologists have identified several main regions, called biogeographic realms, that depict these large ensembles of species around the world. These biogeographic realms represent one of the most fundamental descriptions of biodiversity on Earth and are commonly used in various fields of biology.