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Categories: Energy: Fossil Fuels, Environmental: Ecosystems
Published Low-cost gel film can pluck drinking water from desert air
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers developed a low-cost gel film made of abundant materials that can pull drinkable water from the air in even the driest climates.
Published Hydrogen production method opens up clean energy possibilities
(via sciencedaily.com) A new energy-efficient way to produce hydrogen gas from ethanol and water has the potential to make clean hydrogen fuel a more viable alternative for gasoline to power cars.
Published New measurements from Northern Sweden show less methane emissions than feared
(via sciencedaily.com) It is widely understood that thawing permafrost can lead to significant amounts of methane being released. However, new research shows that in some areas, this release of methane could be a tenth of the amount predicted from a thaw. A crucial, yet an open question is how much precipitation the future will bring.
Published Unlocking the secrets of killer whale diets and their role in climate change
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have discovered new clues to understand how killer whales impact their environment.
Published Satellite monitoring of biodiversity moves within reach
(via sciencedaily.com) Global biodiversity assessments require the collection of data on changes in plant biodiversity on an ongoing basis. Researchers have now shown that plant communities can be reliably monitored using imaging spectroscopy, which in the future will be possible via satellite. This paves the way for near real-time global biodiversity monitoring.
Published Study provides long-term look at ways to control wildfire in sagebrush steppe ecosystem
(via sciencedaily.com) New research provides the first long-term study of methods to control the spread of wildfire in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem that dominates parts of the western United States.
Published Scientists show how to store liquid fuels in polymeric gels to prevent explosions and fires
(via sciencedaily.com) Liquid fuels with high energy density, though used worldwide, are dangerous to transport and store owing to their volatility, which produces explosive gas mixtures. To address this problem, researchers recently investigated the possibility of storing liquid fuel within polymeric gel networks, preventing their fast evaporation, and demonstrating good combustion performance. Their work paves the way for safer transport and storage of liquid fuels.
Published New research documents domestic cattle genetics in modern bison herds
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study has revealed the strongest evidence to date that all bison in North America carry multiple small, but clearly identifiable, regions of DNA that originated from domestic cattle.
Published Are new carbon sinks appearing in the Arctic?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Global warming can result in the spread of peatland vegetation in the Arctic. An international research group has discovered signs of 'proto-peat', which may be the beginning of new peatlands.
Published Nonlethal parasites reduce how much their wild hosts eat, leading to ecosystem effects
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Pervasive parasitic infections reduce herbivory rates and can therefore trigger trophic cascades that impact plant communities, according to new research. This work helps fill a recognized knowledge gap regarding the ecological consequences of parasitic infections in natural ecosystems.
Published Confirmed: Atmospheric helium levels are rising
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists used an unprecedented technique to detect that levels of helium are rising in the atmosphere, resolving an issue that has lingered among atmospheric chemists for decades.
Published The forest as a shelter for insects in warmer climates?
(via sciencedaily.com) Insect diversity is declining in Bavaria. Land use is a major driver, but the impact of climate change is still unknown. A study has now investigated in more detail how both factors interact in driving insect diversity and what can be done to conserve it.
Published New method can predict summer rainfall in the Southwest months in advance
(via sciencedaily.com) As reservoir levels dwindle in the Southwest, scientists have developed a method to estimate summer rainfall in the region months in advance. These seasonal predictions can enable state and local officials to make key reservoir and water allocation decisions earlier in the season and support more efficient water management.
Published Lignin-based jet fuel packs more power for less pollution
(via sciencedaily.com) An experimental plant-based jet fuel could increase engine performance and efficiency, while dispensing with aromatics, the pollution-causing compounds added to conventional fuels, according to new research.
Published Cheaper hydrogen fuel cell could mean better green energy options
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed a hydrogen fuel cell that uses iron instead of rare and costly platinum, enabling greater use of the technology.
Published Extract from a common kitchen spice could be key to greener, more efficient fuel cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have discovered a novel way to combine curcumin -- the substance in turmeric -- and gold nanoparticles to create an electrode that requires 100 times less energy to efficiently convert ethanol into electricity.
Published With dwindling water supplies, the timing of rainfall matters
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study shows it's not how much extra water you give your plants, but when you give it that counts. Researchers observed that in summer, plants grow more when given extra water, in addition to any natural rainfall. However, the same is not true in winter.
Published What is causing the rise in black lung disease?
(via sciencedaily.com) Silica exposure is a driving force behind rising rates of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, according to a new study that compared the pathology and mineralogy of the disease across generations. The study offers scientific evidence explaining why progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form of black lung disease, is occurring more frequently and among younger coal workers in West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky.
Published Scavenger nanoparticles could make fuel cell-powered vehicles a reality
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers have developed a material that could give fuel cell systems a competitive edge over the battery systems that currently power most electric vehicles.
Published New method purifies hydrogen from heavy carbon monoxide mixtures
(via sciencedaily.com) Refining metals, manufacturing fertilizers and powering fuel cells for heavy vehicles are all processes that require purified hydrogen. But purifying, or separating, that hydrogen from a mix of other gases can be difficult, with several steps. Chemical engineers have now demonstrated that the process can be simplified using a pump outfitted with newly developed membrane materials.