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Categories: Engineering: Nanotechnology, Environmental: General
Published Less ice in the Arctic Ocean has complex effects on marine ecosystems and ocean productivity



Most of the sunlight reaching the Arctic Ocean is reflected to space by sea ice, effectively shielding ocean ecosystems from sunlight. As the Arctic sea ice continues its downward trend, larger areas of the ocean become exposed to sunlight for longer periods, potentially allowing more primary production on the seafloor. However, according to a new study, this anticipated increase in primary production does not seem to be occurring uniformly across the Arctic Ocean.
Published Antarctica's coasts are becoming less icy



Scientists found unexpected evidence the area of polynyas around Antarctica is increasing dramatically, and it follows an intriguing cycle, growing and shrinking roughly every 16 years.
Published New research shows migrating animals learn by experience



Individual white storks incrementally straightened their migration routes to find more direct ways to move between destinations during the spring migration to summer breeding and nesting grounds, suggesting that experiential learning is an important part of successful migration.
Published Spontaneous curvature the key to shape-shifting nanomaterials



Inspired by nature, nanotechnology researchers have identified 'spontaneous curvature' as the key factor determining how ultra-thin, artificial materials can transform into useful tubes, twists and helices.
Published Humans have driven the Earth's freshwater cycle out of its stable state



New analysis shows that the global freshwater cycle has shifted far beyond pre-industrial conditions.
Published Cost of direct air carbon capture to remain higher than hoped



Researchers estimate the cost of removing 1 ton of CO2 from the air in the year 2050 to be between 230 and 540 US dollars to remove 1 ton. This is twice as high as previous estimates. The researchers compared the potential costs of three technologies that are already in use. From today's perspective, none of these technologies has clear advantages over the others in terms of potential costs. All three technologies should therefore be further developed, say the researchers.
Published Tests show high-temperature superconducting magnets are ready for fusion



A comprehensive study of high-temperature superconducting magnets confirms they meet requirements for an economic, compact fusion power plant.
Published 2020 extreme weather event that brought fires and snow to western US



The same weather system that led to the spread of the devastating Labor Day wildfires in 2020 brought record-breaking cold and early-season snowfall to parts of the Rocky Mountains. Now, new research is shedding light on the meteorology behind what happened and the impacts of such an extreme weather event.
Published Researchers create coating solution for safer food storage



Galvanized steel containers and surfaces are used for harvested produce because of their durability, strength and lower cost compared to stainless steel. However, bacteria residing in storage containers can cause corrosion. The new coating will reduce corrosion by at least 70 percent, researchers say.
Published Researchers use GPS-tracked icebergs in novel study to improve climate models



Research unearthed new information to help scientists better understand circulation patterns of ocean water around glaciers. In the summers of 2014 and 2019, a group of pioneers in glacial research attached GPS devices to 13 icebergs and tracked hourly changes in their positions as they passed through Greenland's Ilulissat Icefjord toward the ocean. Study results showed circulation in the primary fjord is greatly affected by freshwater flow from connecting tributary fjords, which is critically important to consider in circulation models.
Published Scientists make nanoparticles dance to unravel quantum limits



The question of where the boundary between classical and quantum physics lies is one of the longest-standing pursuits of modern scientific research and in new research, scientists demonstrate a novel platform that could help us find an answer.
Published Light into the darkness of photosynthesis



Researchers succeed at generating 3D visualizations of chloroplasts' copying machines.
Published Umbrella for atoms: The first protective layer for 2D quantum materials



As silicon-based computer chips approach their physical limitations in the quest for faster and smaller designs, the search for alternative materials that remain functional at atomic scales is one of science's biggest challenges. In a groundbreaking development, researchers have engineered a protective film that shields quantum semiconductor layers just one atom thick from environmental influences without compromising their revolutionary quantum properties. This puts the application of these delicate atomic layers in ultrathin electronic components within realistic reach.
Published Lithium-ion batteries from drones might find second lives in less 'stressful' devices



Taking flight can be stressful -- especially for a lithium-ion battery that powers a drone. Too much strain on these cells causes damage and shortens a device's overall lifespan. Research shows the potential to improve batteries in aerial electric vehicles that take off and land vertically. The team developed a new electrolyte to address these challenges and said the 'stressed out' batteries could also have second lives in less strenuous applications.
Published Glacier shrinkage is causing a 'green transition'



Glacier-fed streams are undergoing a process of profound change, according to scientists. This conclusion is based on the expeditions to the world's major mountain ranges by members of the Vanishing Glaciers project.
Published Hurricanes and power grids: Eliminating large-scale outages with a new approach



Large scale-power outages caused by tropical cyclones can be prevented almost entirely if a small but critical set of power lines is protected against storm damages, a new study finds. Scientists developed a new method that can be used to identify those critical lines and increase the system's resilience.
Published Tiny magnetic particles in air pollution linked to development of Alzheimer's



Magnetite, a particle found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
Published Mercury rising: Study sheds new light on ancient volcanoes' environmental impact



Massive volcanic events in Earth's history that released large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere frequently correlate with periods of severe environmental change and mass extinctions. A new method to estimate how much and how rapidly carbon was released by the volcanoes could improve our understanding of the climate response, according to an international team.
Published Climate change disrupts seasonal flow of rivers



Climate change is disrupting the seasonal flow of rivers in the far northern latitudes of America, Russia and Europe and is posing a threat to water security and ecosystems, according to new research.
Published Improving energy security with policies focused on demand-side solutions



Energy systems essential to supporting our everyday activities face increasing threats from wars, pandemics, climate change, and other unexpected events. An international team of researchers found that demand-oriented solutions have a significantly greater potential to reduce our vulnerability to energy crises compared to supply measures.