Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Scientists unravel drivers of the global zinc cycle in our oceans, with implications for a changing climate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The understanding of the global zinc cycle in our oceans has important implications in the context of warming oceans. A warmer climate increases erosion, leading to more dust in the atmosphere and consequently more dust being deposited into the oceans. More dust means more scavenging of zinc particles, leading to less zinc being available to sustain phytoplankton and other marine life, thereby diminishing the oceans' ability to absorb carbon.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather Geoscience: Volcanoes
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Video analysis of Iceland 2010 eruption could improve volcanic ash forecasts for aviation safety      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Video footage of Iceland's 2010 Eyjafjallaj kull eruption is providing researchers with rare, up-close observations of volcanic ash clouds -- information that could help better forecast how far explosive eruptions disperse their hazardous ash particles.

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

Public more confident connecting increasing heat, wildfires with climate change than other extreme weather events, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers found that U.S. adults are fairly confident in linking wildfires and heat to climate change, but less confident when it comes to other extreme weather events like hurricanes, flooding or tornadoes.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Marine heatwaves devastate red gorgonians in the Medes Islands      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves in recent decades is one of the effects of global climate change. A study shows that the extreme heatwave of 2022 caused an 'unprecedented' increase in mortality of the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata, affecting 70% of the colonies located in the Montgr Natural Park, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter. According to the researchers, these results are 'alarming and threaten the viability' of this species of great value for the biodiversity of benthic ecosystems, since it is considered to be an inhabitant-forming species.

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Ancient ocean slowdown warns of future climate chaos      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When it comes to the ocean's response to global warming, we're not in entirely uncharted waters. A new study shows that episodes of extreme heat in Earth's past caused the exchange of waters from the surface to the deep ocean to decline.

Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Dolphins with elevated mercury levels in Florida and Georgia      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists found elevated mercury levels in dolphins in the U.S. Southeast. The highest levels were found in dolphins in Florida's St. Joseph and Choctawhatchee Bays. Researchers study dolphins because they are considered a sentinel species for oceans and human health. Like us, they are high up in the food chain, live long lives, and share certain physiological traits. Some of their diet is most vulnerable to mercury pollution and is also eaten by people.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Swimming microrobots deliver cancer-fighting drugs to metastatic lung tumors in mice      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have developed microscopic robots, known as microrobots, capable of swimming through the lungs to deliver cancer-fighting medication directly to metastatic tumors. This approach has shown promise in mice, where it inhibited the growth and spread of tumors that had metastasized to the lungs, thereby boosting survival rates compared to control treatments.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Engineering: Robotics Research Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
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Mobile monitoring for an airborne carcinogen in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Louisiana's southeastern corridor is sometimes known colloquially as 'Cancer Alley' for its high cancer incidence rates connected to industrial air pollution. Most of the region's air pollution-related health risks are attributed to ethylene oxide, a volatile compound used to make plastics and sterilize medical equipment. Researchers measured concerning levels of ethylene oxide in this area with mobile optical instruments, a technique they say could improve health risk assessments.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
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'Synthetic' cell shown to follow chemical directions and change shape, a vital biological function      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a feat aimed at understanding how cells move and creating new ways to shuttle drugs through the body, scientists say they have built a minimal synthetic cell that follows an external chemical cue and demonstrates a governing principle of biology called 'symmetry breaking.'

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Batteries Energy: Fossil Fuels Energy: Technology
Published

A 'liquid battery' advance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team aims to improve options for renewable energy storage through work on an emerging technology -- liquids for hydrogen storage.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robot radiotherapy could improve treatments for eye disease      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have successfully used a new robot system to improve treatment for debilitating eye disease.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Geoscience: Oceanography Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

A mountainous mystery uncovered in Australia's pink sands      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Deposits of deep-pink sand washing up on South Australian shores shed new light on when the Australian tectonic plate began to subduct beneath the Pacific plate, as well as the presence of previously unknown ancient Antarctic mountains.

Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
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Site new care homes near trees and away from busy roads to protect residents' lungs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

To shield older residents from dangerous air pollution, new care homes should be built as far from heavy traffic as possible, according to a new study.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Cocaine trafficking threatens critical bird habitats      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In addition to its human consequences, cocaine trafficking harms the environment and threatens habitats important to dozens of species of migratory birds, according to a new study.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Humans are the elephant in the room where conservation is debated      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Studies working to map conservation historically have left humans out of the equation. This study proposes ways to build in the outsized footprint created by people in wild places.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: General
Published

An AI-powered wearable system tracks the 3D movement of smart pills in the gut      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system to track tiny devices that monitor markers of disease in the gut. Devices using the novel system may help at-risk individuals monitor their gastrointestinal (GI) tract health at home, without the need for invasive tests in hospital settings.

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

Significant increase in nitrous-oxide emissions from human activities, jeopardizing climate goals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Emissions of nitrous-oxide (N2O) -- a potent greenhouse gas -- have continued to rise unabated over the past four decades, according to an international team of scientists.

Biology: Biochemistry Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

From seashells to cement, nature inspires tougher building material      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Inspired by the material that makes up oyster and abalone shells, engineers have created a new cement composite that is 17 times more crack-resistant than standard cement and 19 times more able to stretch and deform without breaking. The findings could eventually help increase the crack resistance of a wide range of brittle ceramic materials from concrete to porcelain.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Specialist and migratory birds at greater risk under climate change      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Following decades of decline, even fewer birds will darken North American skies by the end of the century, according to a new analysis. The study examines the long-term effects of climate change on the abundance and diversity of bird groups across the continent as a whole while accounting for additional factors that put birds at risk.