Effects of litter quality, fauna and environments on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems
Litter decomposition is a key process that controls carbon and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems. In litter decomposition at local or broad special scales, the three factors including litter quality, fauna, and environments (decomposition site) th.....»»
Study finds that even positive third-party ratings can have negative effects
There's history, glitz, and glamor surrounding the awarding of Michelin stars to restaurants, but new research shows there can be a downside to achieving even the highest industry rankings. In a study published in Strategic Management Journal, Daniel.....»»
Wildlife loss is taking ecosystems nearer to collapse, new report suggests
Even for a conservation biologist numbed to bad news about nature, the biennial Living Planet report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a stark reminder of our failure to arrest the loss of biodiversity—the variety of living things and the ecosy.....»»
DORA regulation’s nuts and bolts
The frequency, sophistication, and impact of cyber-attacks on financial institutions have been rising. Given the economic system’s interconnected nature, disruptions in one institution can have cascading effects on the broader financial market,.....»»
Biased metrics threaten climate investment where it"s needed most, researchers warn
In a new article published by Nature, experts from the Sustainable Finance Hub say that, although low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face the most threat from climate change, their ability to respond and adapt to its effects is threatened by a.....»»
Study of young African American men in US cities finds negative perspectives of community, few opportunities
Research has documented the many ways individuals' environments (e.g., community, neighborhood) affect their health. In a new study on gun ownership, researchers surveyed young African American men who lived in high-crime, high-violence cities to bet.....»»
Landscape effects of hunter-gatherer practices reshape idea of agriculture
Some of the wild plants that grow across the Australian landscape may not be so wild, according to new research led by Penn State scientists......»»
How personal care products affect indoor air quality
The personal care products we use on a daily basis significantly affect indoor air quality, according to new research by a team at EPFL. When used indoors, these products release a cocktail of more than 200 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the.....»»
European forest plants are migrating westwards: Research suggests nitrogen is the main cause
New research reveals nitrogen pollution, and to a lesser extent climate change, unexpectedly as the key driver behind surprising westward shifts in the distribution of plants......»»
Study shows neonicotinoids are harmful to birds on all fronts
Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides in agriculture and horticulture. However, neonicotinoids usage is highly contentious because of their unintended harmful effects on various types of organisms......»»
Fall is here: Why do some trees lose their leaves while others stay green?
The autumn has arrived and northeastern North America's forests will soon grace us with a breathtaking palette of reds, yellows and golds. These vivid colors will then fade, giving way to bare branches, as the fallen leaves blanket the forest floor,.....»»
Theoretical study demonstrates existence of giant photocaloric effects in ferroelectric perovskites
Solid-state cooling is a promising alternative cooling technique that does not rely on the use of gases or liquids, like conventional refrigeration systems, but instead utilizes the properties of solid materials to refrigerate. This alternative cooli.....»»
Cosmic-ray neutron rover assists in estimating mesoscale soil moisture on eastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau
Soil water resources are crucial for hydrological processes and ecosystem functions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. However, accurately measuring soil moisture distribution in this region is challenging due to diverse ecosystems, complex terrain, and.....»»
Study shows early human species benefited from food diversity in steep mountainous terrain
A study published in the journal Science Advances by researchers at the IBS Center for Climate Physics (ICCP) at Pusan National University in South Korea shows that the patchwork of different ecosystems found in mountainous regions played a key role.....»»
Octopus-inspired adhesive works well in wet conditions
In research published in Advanced Science, investigators drew inspiration from the octopus to develop an adhesive that achieves strong attachment and controlled release on varied substrates in wet and underwater environments. The feat could have nume.....»»
Study reveals how parasites thrive by balancing specialization with exploiting diverse species communities
A single shift of a parasite from one host species to another can trigger catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks. Despite this, scientists continue to debate the role of species diversity in natural environments on the spread of these parasites......»»
Increase access to nature in all daily environments and in education, say environmental scientists
Although access to nature is a basic human right, people's actual use of green spaces is subject to inequalities. A Kobe University-led research team analyzed what conditions make it more likely that people are exposed to nature across generations: t.....»»
Study reveals relationship between nitrogen-cycling microbial communities and nitrogen removal
Excess nitrogen (N) input to the inland water bodies and marine ecosystem has contributed to a cascade of environmental issues, so N removal pathways are critical in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems for maintaining homeostasis. Associated functiona.....»»
Nanopore technique shows transport mechanism of chaperone proteins at the single-molecule level
Proteins control most of the body's functions, and their malfunction can have severe consequences, such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. Therefore, cells have mechanisms in place to control protein quality......»»
Comprehensive efforts needed to develop health-promoting learning environments, review finds
Mental ill-health among students in higher education is a growing problem globally. Most efforts implemented to address ill-health involve individual treatment and adjustments to pedagogy. But more can and needs to be done at a structural or environm.....»»
Documenting the impact of a fungal outbreak on a forest over half a century
An entomologist and his ecologist daughter have outlined the dramatic changes that have occurred over the past half-century in the forests of White Oak Canyon in the Shenandoah National Park due to a canker fungus......»»