Novel carbon nanotube yarns can generate electricity from waste heat
In line with global efforts towards sustainability, the development of energy harvesting technologies has become a top research priority. Although renewable energy sources like wind and solar power have recently taken the spotlight, waste heat also s.....»»
Cyanobacteria research unlocks potential for renewable plastics from carbon dioxide
Scientists at The University of Manchester have achieved a significant breakthrough in using cyanobacteria—commonly known as "blue-green algae"—to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable bio-based materials......»»
Digital labels can help grocers waste less food
In 2022, U.S. grocers wasted 5 million tons of food, with 35% of it going to landfills, according to the food waste nonprofit ReFed. More than half of that waste—2.7 million tons—was past the labels' expiration dates......»»
Intense ribbons of rain also bring the heat, scientists say
The environmental threat posed by atmospheric rivers—long, narrow ribbons of water vapor in the sky—doesn't come only in the form of concentrated, torrential downpours and severe flooding characteristic of these natural phenomena. According to a.....»»
Global study reveals phenological divergence between plants and animals under climate change
A collaborative study reveals the distinct mechanisms by which plants and animals respond to climate change in their life-cycle phenology. This research, led by Piao Shilong's team and Zhang Yao's team from the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at Pekin.....»»
The technosphere: A hidden long-term carbon sink in everyday items
We know a lot about how much fossil-derived carbon is emitted to the atmosphere but less about how much is stored in human-made products......»»
How to use AirTag sharing when travelling with family and friends
I didn’t waste any time when AirTags first came out, immediately buying eight of them: for five bags, keys, a videography rig, and a bicycle. But I’ve also repurposed some of them during trips for some AirTag sharingwith friends, and iOS 18.2 mak.....»»
Growing safer spuds: Removing toxins from potatoes
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in space and other extreme environments......»»
New synthesis technique cuts drug development time and cost
A team of chemists from Scripps Research and Rice University has unveiled a novel method to simplify the synthesis of piperidines, a key structural component in many pharmaceuticals. The study, published in Science, combines biocatalytic carbon-hydro.....»»
Environmental groups challenge update to California"s low-carbon transportation rules
A coalition of environmental groups challenged California's leading climate regulator on Wednesday, alleging that a recent update to a leading climate program will create additional pollution in the state's San Joaquin Valley......»»
Biotic factors contribute more to aboveground biomass across scales
The aboveground biomass of vegetation is significant to the global carbon cycle and climate change mitigation. Both biotic factors, such as forest structure attributes, community-weighted mean of traits, and functional diversity, and abiotic factors,.....»»
More than 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died this year when humidity and heat pushed past survivable limits—it"s just the start
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Muslims undertake the Hajj—the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. In 2024, the pilgrimage took place in mid-June, the start of the Saudi summer......»»
Prototype sunscreen uses TiO₂ nanoparticles to cool skin while blocking UV rays
Wearing sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation but doesn't cool people off. However, a new formula, described in Nano Letters, protects against both UV light and heat from the sun using radiative cooling......»»
NASA payload aims to probe moon"s depths to study heat flow
Earth's nearest neighboring body in the solar system is its moon, yet to date, humans have physically explored just 5% of its surface. It wasn't until 2023—building on Apollo-era data and more detailed studies made in 2011–2012 by NASA's automate.....»»
San Diego is relaxing its no-gas rule for new city buildings: To environmentalists, it"s "a giant loophole"
Local environmentalists are criticizing San Diego for retreating on a two-year-old policy that requires all new and significantly renovated city buildings to rely entirely on electricity instead of gas......»»
Researchers develop edible biofilm for extending fruit shelf life
With significant improvements in transportation technology, the accessibility of fresh food has considerably increased. However, this progress has been accompanied by escalating concerns about food waste during transportation and storage. Globally, a.....»»
Rocket-inspired reaction yields carbon with record surface area
Using a chemical reaction inspired by rocket fuel ignition, Cornell researchers have engineered a nanoporous carbon with the highest surface area ever reported, a breakthrough that is already proving beneficial for carbon-dioxide capture and energy s.....»»
Play for the planet: Five climate change games for the festive season
Although most people in the UK are worried about climate change, disagreement about what to do can be polarizing, especially at Christmas when norms around travel, presents and waste are at the forefront of people's attention. People who are concerne.....»»
Aerosols could be weakening summertime circulation in the Northern Hemisphere
Over the past several decades, summer jet streams (or west to east wind flow) and weather systems in the Northern Hemisphere have weakened. Projections suggest the trend will continue, which could make extreme heat events more likely and affect air q.....»»
Astonishing 32TB hard drive uses lasers to heat and cool platters within a nanosecond
Seagate is finally offering its largest-ever hard drive – a staggering 32TB in a single drive, made possible by tech which uses lasers to heat and cool tiny sections of a platter in a nanosecond … more….....»»
Huge growth in AI usage could cause electricity blackouts in US from next year
Electricity regulators are concerned that the huge growth in AI usage could lead to power blackouts in the US and Canada as early as next year. The prediction was published shortly after the public release of iOS 18.2 brought many more Apple Intellig.....»»