Novel metric examines the role of organic matter and microbes in ecological communities
Ecological researchers study the relationships among different organisms and between organisms and their surroundings. It is important to understand how individual features in a community, like microbes or types of chemicals, affect the overall commu.....»»
The natural environment is declining—are companies doing their part to save it?
The natural environment across the globe is deteriorating, leading to crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Companies and industries play a major role in this decline, and they are expected to take responsibility for thei.....»»
Employers hold sway in immigration bureaucracy
Prioritizing unique and more educated applicants for temporary work visas, employers play a central but understudied role in the U.S. immigration bureaucracy, with implications for careers and American innovation, new Cornell research finds......»»
Asset owners could drive investment in climate change mitigation, research suggests
Asset owners who control substantial capital in the financial system through pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individual holdings can play a crucial role in driving investments in climate change mitigation, according to a new Yale School o.....»»
Quantum vortices confirm superfluidity in supersolid
Supersolids are a new form of quantum matter that has only recently been demonstrated. The state of matter can be produced artificially in ultracold, dipolar quantum gases. A team led by Innsbruck physicist Francesca Ferlaino has now demonstrated a m.....»»
Gamma radiation converts methane into complex organic molecules and could explain the origin of life
Gamma radiation can convert methane into a wide variety of products at room temperature, including hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing molecules, and amino acids, according to a new article published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.....»»
Decades after global regulations, the Arctic Ocean"s legacy persistent organic pollutants haven"t dropped
The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in all the world's oceans but one has been in steady decline since 2001, when 152 countries agreed on a comprehensive global ban. The exception has been the Arctic Ocean, which has seen a sharp ris.....»»
Scientists find key to engineering water-responsive biopolymers
Scientists at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) have developed a novel approach to better understand and predict the behaviors of water-responsive materials—solid matter that can change shape by absorbing.....»»
Text and facial expressions drive success in charitable crowdfunding
A study conducted by researches from Ocean University of China, published in Financial Innovation, presents a novel model to investigate the role of emotions in charitable crowdfunding. Grounded in emotional contagion theory and language-mediated ass.....»»
Helping the most vulnerable stay cool in extreme heat
The health effects of heat waves hit some communities harder than others. People with preexisting health conditions, as well as those who have low income or are physically or socially isolated, very old or very young, from racial or ethnic minority g.....»»
New plant bug species discovered in French Polynesia
Seventeen new species of plant bugs—a group of insects with a strawlike mouth used to feed on plant and animal matter—have been identified on the islands of French Polynesia, and their names honor scientists, actors, and Vice President Kamala Har.....»»
5 great Netflix movies to stream this Election Day
No matter where you fall in the political spectrum, these five great Netflix movies can help take your mind off of election day......»»
Orphan 3 is happening, with lead star Isabelle Fuhrman returning as Esther
Isabelle Fuhrman will reprise her role as the sadistic Esther in Orphan 3, a third film in the Orphan horror franchise......»»
The Trek Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 may be the perfect gravel bike
Trek's updated adventure-focused gravel bike is fun no matter where you ride it. As I followed a friend down a flow-y, undulating single-track trail, I started laughing. Unlike my.....»»
Exploring how microbes in permafrost contribute to nitrous oxide emissions
Ecologist Christina Biasi is exploring the conditions under which tiny organisms contribute to permafrost soils emitting nitrous oxide. Her research could be essential for the development of future climate scenarios......»»
Research highlights biofortification"s role in tackling malnutrition
A series of research papers and a free online data dashboard seek to boost the use of biofortification—an affordable, sustainable and climate-smart way to address global malnutrition by increasing the concentrations of essential nutrients in staple.....»»
Study reveals effect of slope position on nonstructural carbohydrates in biological soil crusts
Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) provide energy for metabolic processes in plants and play a key role in plant growth, defense and osmoregulation. However, the regulation of NSC in biological soil crusts across different slope positions remains unc.....»»
Rubber plantations increase leaching of dissolved organic carbon in soil, study finds
Rubber planting brings huge economic benefits, but large-scale rubber plantations have a great impact on the ecological environment, especially in terms of the soil's physical and chemical properties......»»
Study examines effects of Atlantic circulation on the Amazon rainforest
The Amazon region is a global hotspot of biodiversity and plays a key role in the climate system because of its ability to store large amounts of carbon and its influence on the global water cycle. The rain forest is threatened, however, by climate c.....»»
New process enhances thermoplastic blends with polylactic acid
Bio-based thermoplastics are produced from renewable organic materials and can be recycled after use. Their resilience can be improved by blending bio-based thermoplastics with other thermoplastics. However, the interface between the materials in the.....»»
Only 3% of South Africans can name all five national animals and plants. Why these symbols matter
Alongside a national flag, anthem and coat of arms, most countries have one or more plant and animal species that they designate as national symbols. The national animal of China, for example, is the giant panda, a nation-wide source of pride and dip.....»»