Redefining net zero will not stop global warming, scientists say
In a study, led by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics and published 18 November in Nature, an international group of authors who developed the science behind net zero demonstrate that relying on 'natural carbon sinks' like forests and o.....»»
Massive volcanic eruptions did not cause the extinction of dinosaurs, say climate scientists
Massive volcanic eruptions on the Indian peninsula have long been proposed as an alternative cause for the demise of the dinosaurs. This phase of active volcanism took place in a period just before Earth was struck by a meteorite, 66 million years ag.....»»
Advance in photochemical water oxidation enhances sustainable energy potential
With the global shift towards sustainable and renewable energy, the urgency to develop efficient methods for producing clean energy has never been greater. Imagine a future where the energy that powers our homes and cities comes from one of the plane.....»»
Clouds obscure link between extreme rainfall and rising temperatures
Extreme rainfall is usually defined as the heaviest 5% of rain events in a specific area. As global air temperatures rise, scientists expect extreme rainfall to increase. This is because warmer air can hold more moisture. Recent examples of more extr.....»»
UN experts urge three "transformations" for nature
Human societies need a radical overhaul to stop the destruction of the planet, according to the UN biodiversity expert panel's "transformative change" report released Wednesday......»»
Where"s my qubit? Scientists develop technique to detect atom loss
Quiet quitting isn't just for burned out employees. Atoms carrying information inside quantum computers, known as qubits, sometimes vanish silently from their posts. This problematic phenomenon, called atom loss, corrupts data and spoils calculations.....»»
Uncovering a centaur"s tracks: Scientists examine unique asteroid-comet hybrid
Although our solar system is billions of years old, we've only recently become better acquainted with one of its more dynamic and captivating inhabitants known as (2060) Chiron......»»
Scientists provide insights into photosystem II under low-light conditions
In higher plants and green algae, photosystem II (PSII) usually combines with light harvesting complex II (LHCII) to form the PSII-LHCII supercomplex. Under low-light conditions, the PSII-LHCII supercomplexes are organized laterally into higher-order.....»»
Melting sea ice in Antarctica causes ocean storms, scientists say
The record-breaking retreat of Antarctic sea ice in 2023 has led to more frequent storms over newly exposed parts of the Southern Ocean, according to a study published Wednesday......»»
How bad will it get? Political scientists have a pessimism bias, study finds
The past decade has seen historic challenges for U.S. democracy and an intense focus by scholars on events that seem to signal democratic decline. But new research released Dec. 17 finds that a bias toward pessimism among U.S. political scientists of.....»»
Swedish oak forests study reveals unexpected patterns in biodiversity, poses challenge for conservation
A new study from Linnaeus University reports that plant and insect diversity in Swedish oak forests increases toward the north. This finding contrasts with established global biodiversity patterns and poses a challenge for the development of climate-.....»»
Ice is melting, seas are rising—how scientists are tracking the changes
Will the sea rise by 20 cm or 3 meters by 2100? This is obviously an interesting question to answer. Predicting the sea level in 75 years requires precise calculations and correct models of the melting of the ice from, e.g., Greenland. To do so, rese.....»»
Scientists witness evolution in action when two lizard species meet for the first time
In South Florida, two Caribbean lizard species met for the first time. What followed provided some of the clearest evidence to date of evolution in action......»»
Ancient clay remedy may have potential to boost modern gut health
A team of scientists has discovered that an ancient medicinal clay known as Lemnian earth (LE) could inspire new understanding of how to support present-day gut health......»»
Animal welfare group says bacterial infection killed Sonia the elephant in Pakistan
Pakistani veterinary surgeons found that a bacterial infection killed an elephant at a safari park in the city of Karachi earlier this month, a veterinarian with a global animal welfare organization said Wednesday......»»
Climate change made Cyclone Chido stronger: Scientists
Climate change intensified Cyclone Chido as it barreled toward the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte, said a preliminary study by scientists studying the link between global warming and tropical storms......»»
Building a backbone: Scientists recreate the body"s "GPS system" in the lab
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have generated human stem cell models which, for the first time, contain notochord—a tissue in the developing embryo that acts like a navigation system, directing cells where to build the spine and nervous.....»»
Dormant massive black hole in the early universe challenges existing models
Scientists have spotted a massive black hole in the early universe that is "napping" after stuffing itself with too much food. Like a bear gorging itself on salmon before hibernating for the winter, or a much-needed nap after Christmas dinner, this b.....»»
Small habitats, big consequences: Connectivity loss in pond networks threatens microbial biodiversity
In the midst of the ongoing global biodiversity crisis, even the smallest habitats like ponds demand our attention. Fragmentation of these habitats—driven by human activities like urbanization, agriculture, and land-use changes—poses a significan.....»»
Thin-film tech makes nuclear clocks a 1,000 times less radioactive and more affordable
In the quest for ultra-precise timekeeping, scientists have turned to nuclear clocks. Unlike optical atomic clocks—which rely on electronic transitions—nuclear clocks utilize the energy transitions in the atom's nucleus, which are less affected b.....»»
Young exoplanet"s atmosphere unexpectedly differs from its birthplace
Just as some children physically resemble their parents, many scientists have long thought that developing planets should resemble the swirling disk of gas and dust that births them......»»