Exploring a novel way to convert heat to electricity
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have fabricated a novel device that could dramatically boost the conversion of heat into electricity. If perfected, the technology could help recoup some of the heat energy that.....»»
Bringing electricity to the smallest villages is not likely to reduce poverty
Nearly 800 million people in the world lack access to commercial electricity. It is easy to assume that connecting them to the grid will reduce poverty and improve lives. In fact, expanding energy infrastructure to everyone on the planet by 2030 is o.....»»
Unprecedented heat wave on the Tibetan plateau: Study highlights land-atmosphere interactions
Heat waves are generally thought to occur in hot, lowland regions—but what happens when extreme heat strikes the frigid, high-altitude Tibetan Plateau? Is the definition of a heat wave the same at 5,000 meters above sea level as it is in the plains.....»»
Wildfires tear through western US during heat wave
Wildfires fueled by soaring temperatures in the western United States have scorched thousands of acres, forcing hundreds of families to flee, US officials said Monday......»»
With AI, extreme microbe reveals how life"s building blocks adapt to high pressure
An assist from a Google Artificial Intelligence tool has helped scientists discover how the proteins of a heat-loving microbe respond to the crushing conditions of the planet's deepest ocean trenches, offering new insights into how these building blo.....»»
Zeolite catalyst method uses microwaves to convert waste cooking oil into useful chemicals
Researchers from Kyushu University have revealed that a zeolite material called Na-ZSM-5 is effective in improving the chemical conversion of biomass into olefins—a precursor chemical that makes everything from plastics to pharmaceuticals—using m.....»»
Zeolite catalyst method use microwaves to convert waste cooking oil into useful chemicals
Researchers from Kyushu University have revealed that a zeolite material called Na-ZSM-5 is effective in improving the chemical conversion of biomass into olefins—a precursor chemical that makes everything from plastics to pharmaceuticals—using m.....»»
Exploring how income, race and design affect pedestrian casualties
Pedestrian fatalities in the United States have increased more than 50% over the last decade, with 1 in 6 traffic deaths involving pedestrians. Programs like Vision Zero and Safe Systems focus on making transportation safe for vulnerable users, prima.....»»
Hidden, compact galaxies in the distant universe—searching for the secrets behind the little red dots
Astronomers exploring the faraway universe with the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's most powerful telescope, have found a class of galaxies that challenges even the most skillful creatures in mimicry—like the mimic octopus. This creature can imp.....»»
Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA
Evacuations were ordered Saturday as a wildfire scorched the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a days-long heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region......»»
Q&A: What 106°F heat does to plants
With temperatures across much of Southern California crossing triple digits this week, we are relying more than ever on plants to keep us cool outside. But the plants don't get much of a break from the relentless sun......»»
Feeling the heat as Earth breaks yet another record for hottest summer
Summer 2024 sweltered to Earth's hottest on record, making it even more likely that this year will end up as the warmest humanity has measured, European climate service Copernicus reported Friday......»»
Plant thermogenesis has played key role in attracting pollinating insects for at least 200 million years, study suggests
Thermogenesis is a process by which organisms generate internal heat. Although it is usually associated with animals, some plants have also developed this ability. This metabolic process allows certain parts of the plant, such as flowers and inflores.....»»
Dangerous heat wave intensifies in US Southwest
A punishing heat wave gripping California and parts of the southwestern United States was intensifying Thursday as forecasters warned of dangerous temperatures......»»
After Starliner, NASA has another big human spaceflight decision to make
"We still have a lot of work to do to close out the heat shield investigation.” Enlarge / The Artemis II Orion spacecraft being prepared for tests at NASA’S Kennedy Space Center in Florida in June 2024. (credit: NASA / Rad S.....»»
Heat waves and droughts cause billions of dollars in global economic losses, research finds
Severe weather costs the global economy billions of dollars a year, highlighting the costs of climate change and the value of mitigating extreme weather, according to a new analysis of weather and economic data......»»
Massive underwater eruption may preview deep-sea mining destruction
Scientists are exploring the underwater aftermath of the 2022 Hunga eruption. Enlarge / Following the 2022 Hunga volcano eruption, a nearby hydrothermal vent was seen coated with a white mat of bacteria and surrounded by a thick.....»»
NASA mission gets its first snapshot of polar heat emissions
NASA's newest climate mission has started collecting data on the amount of heat in the form of far-infrared radiation that the Arctic and Antarctic environments emit to space. These measurements by the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-Infrared Experim.....»»
Apple won"t let go of the idea of a touchscreen MacBook Pro
Despite continually saying a touchscreen MacBook Pro is a bad idea, newly-revealed research shows Apple hasn't stopped exploring the idea.Detail from the patent showing a touchscreen MacBook ProDespite widespread excitement when there is even a hint.....»»
Exploring peptide clumping for improved drug and material solutions
Scientists from China have investigated how short peptide chains aggregate together in order to deepen our understanding of the process which is crucial for drug stability and material development......»»
Five lessons from ancient civilizations for keeping homes cool in hot, dry climates
Modern buildings tend to take electricity and air conditioning for granted. They often have glass facades and windows that can't be opened. And when the power goes out for days in the middle of a heat wave, as the Houston area experienced in July 202.....»»