How simulations could help get PFAS out of soil
Michigan State University chemists are discovering new information to help remediate "forever chemicals" by showing for the first time how they interact with soil at the molecular level......»»
Study shows effects of vegetation composition, warming and nitrogen deposition on peatland carbon sink function
Peatlands, which contain about one-third of the global soil carbon stock, are important carbon sinks. Their net carbon uptake is equivalent to ~1% of human fossil fuel emissions or 3%–10% of the current net sink of natural terrestrial ecosystems. H.....»»
PFAS flow equally between Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, study finds
The frigid Arctic Ocean is far removed from the places most people live, but even so, "forever chemicals" reach this remote landscape. Now, research in Environmental Science & Technology Letters suggests that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS.....»»
Multi-point temperature measurements in packed beds using phosphor thermometry and ray tracing simulations
A team of researchers has proposed an indirect optical method for determining internal temperatures of opaque packed beds based on phosphor thermometry. This method enables simultaneous multi-point measurements using an image-based separation of the.....»»
Bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of previously uncounted tiny plastic bits, study finds
In recent years, there has been rising concern that tiny particles known as microplastics are showing up basically everywhere on Earth, from polar ice to soil, drinking water and food. Formed when plastics break down into progressively smaller bits,.....»»
Soil fungi may help explain the global gradient in forest diversity
A paper published in Nature Communications Biology contributes to the growing appreciation for the outsize role that microbes play in everything from human digestion to crop yields: Microbes in the soil—fungi in this case—appear to be influencing.....»»
Research finds climate-dependent dispersal limitation plays an important role in mountain soil microbiome
Microbial communities are highly diverse, yet the mechanisms underlying microbial community assembly are not well understood. In 1967, Daniel Janzen hypothesized that low climatic variability along elevational gradients results in greater constraints.....»»
A commander’s lament on the loss of a historic SpaceX rocket
This rocket restored NASA crew launches to US soil, then launched 18 more times. Enlarge / One of the most historic rockets in SpaceX's fleet toppled over Christmas Day on the return tip to Cape Canaveral, Florida, following its.....»»
Uncovering how tiny plastics threaten our soil and health
In a study published online in Eco-Environment & Health, researchers from Zhejiang Shuren University and China Agricultural University have delved into the interaction of tiny plastics and soil, aiming to provide insights into the mechanisms and impl.....»»
AI predicts the influence of microplastics on soil properties
Plastic waste and its buildup in nature has become a major environmental concern in recent times. While plastic pollution in the oceans is undoubtedly a problem, the presence of plastics in soils around the world is also known to cause severe environ.....»»
Researchers develop "electronic soil" that enhances crop growth
Barley seedlings grow on average 50% more when their root system is stimulated electrically through a new cultivation substrate. In a study published in the journal PNAS, researchers from Linköping University have developed an electrically conductiv.....»»
Research offers a reason why diversity in plant species causes higher farming yield, solving "a bit of a mystery"
A study appearing in Nature Communications based on field and greenhouse experiments at the University of Kansas shows how a boost in agricultural yield comes from planting diverse crops rather than just one plant species: Soil pathogens harmful to p.....»»
Combining atomistic simulations and machine learning to predict grain boundary segregation in magnesium alloys
Magnesium alloys hold promise as a lightweight material to reduce weight in automobiles and transportation systems, offering potential to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions, but low formability and strength prevent widespread adoption......»»
New nuclear deflection simulations advance planetary defense against asteroid threats
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a modeling tool for assessing the potential use of a nuclear device to defend the planet against catastrophic asteroid impacts......»»
Microwaves heat the soil to eliminate pests and help farmers manage soil diseases
A research team led by Dr. Sunshin Jung at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has developed a breakthrough technology that effectively eliminates pests without the use of pesticides and protects farms from soil diseases by using mi.....»»
Research finds Caribbean islands are uniquely susceptible to flash droughts
The word "drought" typically conjures images of parched soil, dust-swept prairies, depleted reservoirs, and dry creek beds, all the result of weeks or seasons of persistently dry atmospheric conditions......»»
Simulations of craters reveal characteristics of impactors such as spin speed, bond strength
A team of engineers at the University of Campinas, in Brazil has found that the unique characteristics of craters, both on Earth and on other bodies in space, are due to the unique features of both the impactor and the site where it strikes. In their.....»»
How to assess the carbon footprint of a war
We know that war is bad for the environment, with toxic chemicals left polluting the soil and water for decades after fighting ceases. Much less obvious are the carbon emissions from armed conflicts and their long-term impacts on the climate......»»
Long-term green manuring strengthens core microbiomes in driving multiple functions across vertical soil profiles: Study
A study published in the journal Science China Life Sciences was led by Prof. Weidong Cao (Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) and Prof. Zongxian Che (Institute of Soil and Fertilizer a.....»»
New comprehensive genome data on soil invertebrates provide insights into their biodiversity
With the "MetaInvert" project, scientists are providing extensive genomic data on 232 species of previously little-studied organisms. They are tiny, enormously diverse, and widespread in the soil: soil invertebrates such as springtails, horn mites, m.....»»
Dryland biocrusts enhance soil carbon release in response to climate warming: Study
Biocrusts, comprised of diverse organisms such as mosses, lichens, and cyanobacteria, have an enormous influence on soil carbon dynamics. Therefore, understanding the function and response of biocrusts to environmental stressors is essential for ecos.....»»