Can South Africa embrace renewable energy from the sun?
South Africa's main electricity company Eskom plans to switch from using coal to renewable energy......»»
Advanced materials could provide more durable metals for fusion power reactors
For many decades, nuclear fusion power has been viewed as the ultimate energy source. A fusion power plant could generate carbon-free energy at a scale needed to address climate change. And it could be fueled by deuterium recovered from an essentiall.....»»
Mosquitoes use gut bacteria to fight the malaria they transmit—scientists are exploring how to use this
The months of September to May are an unfortunate season in South Africa: malaria season. The mosquito-borne disease is found in the north-eastern districts of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces......»»
Novel ratchet mechanism uses a geometrically symmetric gear driven by asymmetric surface wettability
The ratchet mechanism is a fascinating energy-conversion system that converts disorderly or random motion into orderly, directed movement through a process known as spontaneous rectification. It is a critical component of mechanical systems, typicall.....»»
Pioneering research discovers PFOS chemical pollution in platypuses
Research from Western Sydney University has discovered PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) chemical contamination in the livers of deceased platypuses across eastern New South Wales......»»
Fossil hotspots in Africa obscure a more complete picture of human evolution, study says
Much of the early human fossil record originates from just a few places in Africa, where favorable geological conditions have preserved a trove of fossils used by scientists to reconstruct the story of human evolution......»»
Karma Ivara crossover to launch as plug-in hybrid, not EV
Karma Automotive sees promise with plug-in hybrid powertrains, or what it refers to as energy range-extended vehicles, but still plans to offer an EV......»»
Achieving enhanced energy storage performance and ultra-fast discharge time in tungsten-bronze ceramic
It is widely recognized that achieving high energy storage density and efficiency in ferroelectric ceramics relies on their ability to exhibit high saturation polarization and low residual polarization, which are essential for excellent energy storag.....»»
Scientists propose gliding arc discharge plasma seawater sterilization technology for mariculture
Atmospheric pressure plasma technology has demonstrated vast potential in microbial inactivation due to its unique advantages, including no chemical residue, environmental friendliness, high treatment efficiency, low energy consumption and ease of us.....»»
Project Helianthus—a solar-sail-driven geomagnetic storm tracker
Solar storms captured the imagination of much of the American public earlier this year when auroras were visible well south of their typical northern areas. As the sun ramps into another solar cycle, those storms will become more and more common, and.....»»
How a mix of old and new techniques produced a superior maize harvest in a dry part of South Africa
New research into rural small-scale farms in South Africa's North West province has found that climate-smart farming techniques lead to a better maize yield, a more regular supply of food for the farmers, and a wider variety of crops......»»
Scientists uncover exciton behavior in van der Waals magnets
A research group led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has uncovered details about the formation and behavior of mobile, microscopic, particle-like objects called "excitons" in a class of materials.....»»
Energy companies pressure landowners into fracking, study shows
Energy companies use persistent and personalized pressure to get landowners to give permission for hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and even when landowners decline, companies use legalized compulsion to conduct fracking anyway, according to a new st.....»»
Learning a language? Four ways to smash through the dreaded "intermediate plateau"
How can I improve my English? This was a question frequently posed by my students in South Korea. My initial advice was straightforward—dedicate time and effort......»»
Scientists discover phenomenon impacting Earth"s radiation belts
Two University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists have discovered a new type of "whistler," an electromagnetic wave that carries a substantial amount of lightning energy to the Earth's magnetosphere......»»
Red colobus are Africa"s most endangered monkeys—protecting them will also safeguard forests
Many people have never heard of a red colobus, yet they are Africa's most imperiled group of monkeys......»»
Seoul residents sweating with record "tropical nights" weather
Residents of South Korea's capital are resorting to novel ways to beat the heat as a century-old weather record fell Friday following a 26th "tropical night" in a row—when the temperature stays above 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit)......»»
GM signs 15-year solar energy deal that will power 3 U.S. plants
GM's Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly plants in Michigan and Wentzville Assembly in Missouri will benefit from the Aug. 15 solar power deal in Arkansas......»»
Dark Energy Camera probes the Coma Cluster, an inspiration for the theory of dark matter
The Dark Energy Camera has captured an image of the dazzling Coma Cluster, named after the hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt. Not only significant in Greek mythology, this collection of galaxies was also fundamental to the discovery of the existence.....»»
Tiny South American deer debuts at New York City zoo
A tiny South American deer that will weigh only as much as a watermelon when fully grown is making its debut at the Queens Zoo in New York City......»»
Renewable energy policies provide benefits across state lines, study shows
While the U.S. federal government has clean energy targets, they are not binding. Most economically developed countries have mandatory policies designed to bolster renewable electricity production. Because the U.S. lacks an enforceable federal mandat.....»»