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Categories: Environmental: Water, Paleontology: General
Published Plant-inspired polymers for water purification
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have synthesized a bio-inspired polymer for water purification. The polymer was designed to mimic phytochelatin, a plant protein that selectively captures and neutralizes harmful heavy metal ions. The hyperconfinement of the polymer enabled a flow-through system and effectively removed cadmium ions from contaminated water, making it safe to drink. The system was selective for heavy metals and provides a new way to remove specific contaminants from water.
Published New study disputes Hunga Tonga volcano's role in 2023-24 global warm-up
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research is exploring the climate impact of the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano eruption and challenging existing assumptions about its effects in the process.
Published Thousands of birds and fish threatened by mining for clean energy transition, study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Our increasing demand for metals and minerals is putting over four thousand vertebrate species at risk, with the raw materials needed for clean energy infrastructure often located in global biodiversity hotspots, a study has found.
Published The ancestor of all modern birds probably had iridescent feathers
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Birds tend to be more colorful in the tropics, and scientists wanted to find out how they got there: if colorful feathers evolved in the tropics, or if tropical birds have brightly-colored ancestors that came to the region from somwhere else. Scientists built a database of 9,409 birds to explore the spread of color across the globe. They found that iridescent, colorful feathers originated 415 times across the bird tree of life, and in most cases, arose outside of the tropics -- and that the ancestor of all modern birds likely had iridescent feathers, too.
Published Nitrogen emissions have a net cooling effect: But researchers warn against a climate solution
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An international team of researchers has found that nitrogen emissions from fertilizers and fossil fuels have a net cooling effect on the climate. But they warn increasing atmospheric nitrogen has further damaging effects on the environment, calling for an urgent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to halt global warming.
Published Great Salt Lake a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Newly announced research examining greenhouse gas emissions from the drying lake bed of Great Salt Lake, Utah, calculates that 4.1 million tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases were released in 2020. This research suggests that drying lake beds are an overlooked but potentially significant source of greenhouse gases, which may further increase due to climate change.
Published A recipe for zero-emissions fuel: Soda cans, seawater, and caffeine
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Engineers discovered that when the aluminum in soda cans is purified and mixed with seawater, the solution produces hydrogen -- which can power an engine or fuel cell without generating carbon emissions. The reaction can be sped up by adding caffeine.
Published Scientists study how to bring you 'climate-smart coffee'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Coffee beans consumed across the globe come from two species: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. By 2050, about 80% of Arabica production is predicted to decrease because of climate change. Researchers are investigating to see if they can find alternative coffee cultivars.
Published Better way to produce green hydrogen
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a material that shows a remarkable ability to convert sunlight and water into clean energy.
Published Raindrops grow with turbulence in clouds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Tackling a long-time mystery, scientists have found that the turbulent movements of air in clouds play a key role in the growth of water droplets and the initiation of rain. The research can improve computer model simulations of weather and climate and ultimately lead to better forecasts.
Published Parched Central Valley farms depend on Sierras for groundwater
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research shows California's Central Valley, known as America's breadbasket, gets as much as half of its groundwater from the Sierra Nevadas. This is significant for a farming region that, in some parts, relies almost entirely on groundwater for irrigation.
Published Seven steps to achieving the right to clean indoor air post-pandemic
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Seven lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about ventilation's crucial role in preventing the spread of airborne pathogens has been set out in a new article.
Published Waters along Bar Harbor, Acadia home to billions of microplastics
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers reveal there are an estimated 400 billion microplastic fibers on the surface of Frenchman Bay, which borders Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine, and several connected rivers and estuaries where freshwater from rivers meet salty seawater. The watershed contains an average of 1.8 fibers per liter of water. The team also investigated how microplastics traveled throughout the watershed by sampling water from nine sites on Mount Desert Island, particularly within Bar Harbor.
Published How Saharan dust regulates hurricane rainfall
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research underscores the close relationship between dust plumes transported from the Sahara Desert in Africa, and rainfall from tropical cyclones along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida.
Published Researchers record images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have captured what they believe is the first ever video of a shark or any large marine animal being struck by a boat.
Published Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth to rip apart their prey
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have discovered that the serrated edges of Komodo dragons' teeth are tipped with iron. The study gives new insight into how Komodo dragons keep their teeth razor-sharp and may provide clues to how dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex killed and ate their prey.
Published Scientists assess how large dinosaurs could really get
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A study looks at the maximum possible sizes of dinosaurs, using the carnivore, Tyrannosaurus rex, as an example. Using computer modelling, experts produced estimates that T. Rex might have been 70% heavier than what the fossil evidence suggests.
Published Taco-shaped arthropod fossils gives new insights into the history of the first mandibulates
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Palaeontologists are helping resolve the evolution and ecology of Odaraia, a taco-shaped marine animal that lived during the Cambrian period. Fossils reveal Odaraia had mandibles. Palaeontologists are finally able to place it as belonging to the mandibulates, ending its long enigmatic classification among the arthropods since it was first discovered in the Burgess Shale over 100 years ago and revealing more about early evolution and diversification.
Published Drawing water from dry air
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A prototype device harvests drinking water from the atmosphere, even in arid places.
Published Better carbon storage with stacked geology
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source According to new research subsurface reservoirs that are covered by a collection of hundreds of smaller lids -- collectively called a 'composite confining system' -- may be the better option for keeping carbon trapped for the long term. That's good news for the carbon storage industry. This type of distributed system is common in a range of geological environments.