Computer Science: General Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

'Garbatrage' spins e-waste into prototyping gold      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Building on work in human-computer interaction that aims to incorporate sustainability and reuse into the field, researchers introduce 'garbatrage,' a framework for prototype builders centered around repurposing underused devices.

Anthropology: Cultures Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Ancient Amazonians intentionally created fertile 'dark earth'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study suggests patches of fertile soil in the Amazon, known as dark earth, were intentionally produced by ancient Amazonians as a way to improve the soil and sustain large and complex societies.

Environmental: General Environmental: Wildfires Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Alarming results from world first study of two decades of global smoke pollution      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The world's first study of the increase in pollution from landscape fires across the globe over the past two decades reveals that over 2 billion people are exposed to at least one day of potentially health-impacting environmental hazard annually -- a figure that has increased by 6.8 per cent in the last ten years.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Urban light pollution linked to smaller eyes in birds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The bright lights of big cities could be causing an evolutionary adaptation for smaller eyes in some birds, a new study indicates. Researchers found that two common songbirds, the Northern Cardinal and Carolina Wren, that live year-round in the urban core of San Antonio, Texas, had eyes about 5% smaller than members of the same species from the less bright outskirts. Researchers found no eye-size difference for two species of migratory birds, the Painted Bunting and White-eyed Vireo, no matter which part of the city they lived in for most of the year. The findings have implications for conservation efforts amid the rapid decline of bird populations across the U.S.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Effective visual communication of climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The consequences of a warming climate frequently dominated the news this summer, from devastating wildfires and floods to deadly heat waves across the globe. Reducing harm from climate change is a challenging endeavor, and it requires comprehensive public education. Thus, the question arises: How can climate change science be made most accessible to the general population, as well as decision-makers and educators?

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

New research brings greater understanding of Asian winter monsoon      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered a new technique which will shed light on the phenomena of winter monsoons -- the heavy autumn and winter rainfalls which can cause floods and landslides across southeast Asia.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Fast-track strain engineering for speedy biomanufacturing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using engineered microbes as microscopic factories has given the world steady sources of life-saving drugs, revolutionized the food industry, and allowed us to make sustainable versions of valuable chemicals previously made from petroleum. But behind each biomanufactured product on the market today is the investment of years of work and many millions of dollars in research and development funding. Scientists want to help the burgeoning industry reach new heights by accelerating and streamlining the process of engineering microbes to produce important compounds with commercial-ready efficiency.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Physics: Optics
Published

Laser-based ice-core sampling for studying climate change      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new laser-based sampling system for studying the composition of ice cores taken from glaciers. The new system has a 3-mm depth-resolution and is expected to help reconstruct continuous annual temperature changes that occurred thousands to hundreds of thousands of years ago, which will help scientists understand climate change in the past and present.

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

Glacier Loss Day indiĀ­cates record breakĀ­ing glacier melt      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the summer of 2022, one of Tyrol's largest glaciers experienced its most significant loss of mass on record. Last year, the Hintereisferner in Tyrol, Austria, reached its Glacier Loss Day (GLD) earlier than ever before. The GLD serves as an indicator of a glacier's health throughout the year, similar to how the Earth Overshoot Day measures Earth's resource consumption.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Volcanoes
Published

Crucial third clue to finding new diamond deposits      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers studying diamond-rich rocks from Western Australia's Argyle volcano have identified the missing third key ingredient needed to bring valuable pink diamonds to the Earth's surface where they can be mined, which could greatly help in the global hunt for new deposits.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Why do some environmental shocks lead to disaster while others don't?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

It's no longer just about stopping, but how we can live with climate change. To figure this out, we must delve into our cultures. A new study points out how our history could help guide the way.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

What is the carbon footprint of a hospital bed?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers completed an assessment of a hospital to reveal its total environmental footprint and specific carbon emission hotspots.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Pearl Harbor: Bombed battleships' boost for climate science      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new research paper tells the story of the recovery of World War II weather data from 19 US Navy ships thanks to the hard work of over 4,000 volunteers.

Ecology: General Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Polar experiments reveal seasonal cycle in Antarctic sea ice algae      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Results provide the first measurements of how sea-ice algae and other single-celled life adjust to the dramatic seasonal rhythms in the Southern Ocean. The results provide clues to what might happen as this ecosystem shifts under climate change.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Marine Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Genetically modified bacteria break down plastics in saltwater      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in salt water. Specifically, the modified organism can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic used in everything from water bottles to clothing that is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution in oceans.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Researchers call for major reforms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG Summit a decisive moment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

With research showing that the SDGs have had little political impact, the September 18-19 UN SDG Summit must pave the way for four major changes in how the SDGs are implemented and governed globally, argues an international group of sustainability experts.

Biology: Marine Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Rivers are rapidly warming, losing oxygen; aquatic life at risk      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Rivers are warming and losing oxygen faster than oceans, according to a new article. The study shows that of nearly 800 rivers, warming occurred in 87% and oxygen loss occurred in 70%.