Nature"s checkup: Surveying biodiversity with environmental DNA sequencing
A thousand kilometers south of Tokyo, far into the largest ocean on Earth, lies a chain of small, volcanic islands—the Ogasawara Islands. Nature has been able to develop on its own terms here, far from both humans and the warm Kuroshio current, whi.....»»
Research demonstrates high qubit control fidelity and uniformity in single-electron control
The journal Nature has published a research paper, "Probing single electrons across 300-mm spin qubit wafers," demonstrating state-of-the-art uniformity, fidelity and measurement statistics of spin qubits. The industry-leading research opens the door.....»»
Historical data suggest hard knocks to human societies build long-term resilience
Frequent disturbances to human societies boost the ability of populations to resist and recover from subsequent downturns, a Nature paper indicates. The study, which analyzes 30,000 years of human history, has implications for future population growt.....»»
Honda plants 85,000 trees outside factories in Ohio
The initiative will increase biodiversity in the region near three of Honda's operations and will help the automaker get closer to its carbon neutrality goal......»»
EPA underestimates methane emissions from landfills and urban areas, researchers find
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is underestimating methane emissions from landfills, urban areas and U.S. states, according to a new study led by researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)......»»
Feathers, cognition and global consumerism in colonial Amazonia
Amazonia is the home of the largest variety of birds in the world. In such a unique environment, craft cultures have flourished by translating the beauty and creativity of environmental materials like feathers into stunning pieces of art......»»
New work reveals the "quantumness" of gravity
Gravity is part of our everyday life. Still, the gravitational force remains mysterious: to this day we do not understand whether its ultimate nature is geometrical, as Einstein envisaged, or governed by the laws of quantum mechanics......»»
Researchers turn to two crops to tackle environmental harm of apparel made with synthetic fibers
From risottos to sauces, mushrooms have long been a staple in the kitchen. Now fungi are showing the potential to serve up more than just flavor—as a sustainable, bendy material for the fashion industry......»»
Euclid telescope: Scientist reports on his quest to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy
On July 1, 2023, Euclid, a unique European space telescope was launched from Cape Canaveral. The launch was undoubtedly the highlight of my career as an astronomer, but witnessing the result of years of work being put on a rocket is not for the faint.....»»
Habitats much more vulnerable for nitrogen deposition than previously thought
Nitrogen deposition is one of the four main pressures on nature in Europe. Many of the Natura 2000 sites suffer from an excessive input of ammonium and nitrate from farming, industry, traffic and households, leading to the disappearance of many plant.....»»
Discovery of uranium-contaminated soil purification material without secondary environmental pollution
Nuclear energy has long been regarded as a next-generation energy source, and major countries around the world are competing to secure cutting-edge technologies by leveraging the high economic efficiency and sustainability of nuclear power. However,.....»»
Low-intensity grazing is locally better for biodiversity but challenging for land users, study shows
A team of researchers led by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University (UL), and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has investigated the motivation and potential incentives for and challenge.....»»
Abrupt permafrost thaw found to intensify warming effects on soil CO₂ emission
According to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, scientists have found that soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are more sensitive to climate warming in permafrost-collapsed areas than in non-collapsed areas......»»
Genetic adaptations have impacted the blood compositions of two populations from Papua New Guinea, finds study
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a wide range of environments, each presenting unique challenges to human survival. Highlanders and lowlanders of PNG are striking examples of populations facing distinct environmental stress. Whereas the highlanders encount.....»»
Unveiling nature"s custodians: Study highlights crucial role of scavengers in wetlands
A study by researchers from the Ecology area of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) and the Ecology department of the University of Alicante (UA) reveals the fundamental importance of scavengers and carrion in wetlands......»»
How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
As the modern Great Barrier Reef emerged after the last ice age, it had to cope with multiple environmental stresses—rising sea levels, increased sediment from a flooding coastline, ocean turbulence and likely warming oceans......»»
Mammals on "sky islands" may be threatened by climate change, human development
A new study sheds light on how climate change and human development threaten mammal species living in isolated biodiversity hotspots known as "sky islands.".....»»
Study sheds light on the diversity of carnivore skull shapes and their function
In a study published in Nature Communications, a team of international researchers led by Gabriele Sansalone and Carmelo Fruciano has made a significant discovery about the diversity of skull shapes in carnivores......»»
Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal—and why it won’t go back
The past year has seen record renewable power production nationwide. Enlarge / Jürgen Trittin, member of the German Bundestag and former environment minister, stands next to an activist during an action of the environmental orga.....»»
AI deciphers new gene regulatory code in plants and makes accurate predictions for newly sequenced genomes
Genome sequencing technology provides thousands of new plant genomes annually. In agriculture, researchers merge this genomic information with observational data (measuring various plant traits) to identify correlations between genetic variants and c.....»»
Nature conservation works, and we"re getting better at it, says new study
To work in nature conservation is to battle a headwind of bad news. When the overwhelming picture indicates the natural world is in decline, is there any room for optimism? Well, our new global study has some good news: we provide the strongest evide.....»»