"Nature markets" may help preserve biodiversity—but they risk repeating colonial patterns of Indigenous exploitation
As the latest global biodiversity summit gets underway in Colombia, finance for the conservation and restoration of nature is one of the key themes of negotiations......»»
Exploring new liquid organic hydrogen carrier materials for a safer, more transportable energy source
To reduce CO2 emissions, the energy transition from a carbon-based energy system to a more sustainable system based on hydrogen energy is urgently needed. However, the nature of hydrogen (such as low volumetric density, flammability, and embrittlemen.....»»
Characterizing shifts in Sicily"s seasonal rainfall
Around the world, man-made climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Seasonal patterns in rainfall are an especially important indicator of these changes: While a lack of rain can lead to more severe drou.....»»
Peaches spread across North America through Indigenous networks, radiocarbon dating and document analysis show
Spanish explorers may have brought the first peach pits to North America, but Indigenous communities helped the ubiquitous summer fruit really take root, according to a study led by a researcher at Penn State......»»
Next-generation, nature-inspired sunscreens have a new molecular scaffold
A team of researchers led by professors Wybren Jan Buma at the University of Amsterdam and Vasilios Stavros at the University of Warwick (U.K.) have laid the groundwork for using urocanic acid and its derivatives as a novel class of sunscreen filters.....»»
Companies won"t survive in a nature-depleted world—some business owners are taking action
After the conclusion of UN biodiversity conference Cop16, it was easy to feel disappointed. In Cali, Colombia, discussions fell short on how to monitor targets and progress remains slow. Despite agreements, Cop16 lacked urgency from governments and t.....»»
More than 40% of coral species face extinction, according to new research
Following a global assessment, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has revealed that 44% of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction. The announcement was made at the ongoing COP29 UN climate conference......»»
Apple"s browser rules deemed anticompetitive, says UK competition body
Apple's rules about what developers can do within browsers is limiting innovation, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority has determined, as part of its provisional findings from its browser investigation.Safari, Apple's browserIn 2021, the CMA l.....»»
A nearby supernova could end the search for dark matter
The search for the universe's dark matter could end tomorrow—given a nearby supernova and a little luck. The nature of dark matter has eluded astronomers for 90 years, since the realization that 85% of the matter in the universe is not visible thro.....»»
AI tool can engineer "better, faster, stronger" proteins
Nature is adept at designing proteins. Scientists are even better. But artificial intelligence holds the promise of improving proteins many times over. Medical applications for such "designer proteins" range from creating more precise antibodies for.....»»
Plastics contribute to "triple planetary crisis" impacts
The fact that plastics pollute the environment and generate problems has been well-researched in many areas. However, there is little information on the impacts of plastics on climate and biodiversity......»»
Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities—fixing this benefits everyone
An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities......»»
Nature-based solutions are cheap and effective, and governments have the tools to make them a reality
As the world gathers in Azerbaijan for this year's annual UN climate conference (COP29), the urgency to act on climate change has never been greater......»»
Quack-like underwater sounds off the coast of New Zealand in the "80s may have been a conversation, researcher says
Mysterious, repeating sounds from the depths of the ocean can be terrifying to some, but in the 1980s, they presented a unique look at an underwater soundscape......»»
Engineering nature"s blueprint: Dendron-based assemblies for chlorophyll"s materials
Researchers often look to photosynthesis—a process that turns sunlight into chemical energy in plants and bacteria—as a model for innovation. Photosynthesis is in turn linked to chlorophyll pigments, tiny green molecules that play a key role in h.....»»
Engraved trees map the way to preserving Sámi culture
Archaeologists analyzed trees engraved by the Indigenous Sámi of Arctic Europe, revealing the significance of these rare remnants of Sámi culture and the importance of preserving them from ongoing deforestation......»»
Mixed forests can reduce the risk of forest damage in a warmer climate
Forests with few tree species pose a considerably higher risk of being damaged, and the introduced lodgepole pine is especially vulnerable. This is the finding of a new study published in Ecosphere by researchers from Umeå University and the Swedish.....»»
Climate change and air pollution could risk 30 million lives annually by 2100
Mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures is a major concern, and it is expected to heighten in the future. In a new study led by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, an international research team found that, under the most.....»»
New tool to map protease specificity may pave the way for improved treatments
FMI researchers have developed a new tool that maps how proteases—enzymes that process proteins—cut their targets. This innovation offers new insight into the highly selective nature of proteases, which were previously seen as indiscriminate degr.....»»
Curiosity, images, and scientific exploration: New book by physicist explores remarkable phenomena
When we gaze at nature's remarkable phenomena, we might feel a mix of awe, curiosity, and determination to understand what we are looking at. That is certainly a common response for MIT's Alan Lightman, a trained physicist and prolific author of book.....»»
Researchers develop pioneering monitoring technique to help build mangrove resilience
Mangroves are remarkable ecosystems home to amazing biodiversity, dense vegetation, and conditions that capture large quantities of carbon. Since they occur in warm, tropical, and subtropical coastal regions, they also take the brunt of the impact fr.....»»