Uncovering the dominant contribution of intermediate volatility compounds to biomass-burning organic aerosols
Biomass burning, including wildfires and residential heating, emits a variety of air pollutants and has a series of negative impacts on the environment......»»
For some reason, NASA is treating Orion’s heat shield problems as a secret
“I’m not going to share right now. When it comes out, it’ll all come out together.” For those who follow NASA's human spaceflight program, a burning question for the last.....»»
Is it true that trees pollute the air?
Methane is the most famous volatile organic compound (VOC) in our atmosphere. This week, our host George Zaidan follows up on a Reactions subscriber's question about the 600 teragrams of a less famous VOC released every year: isoprene......»»
Cultural burning isn"t just important to Indigenous culture—it"s essential to Australia"s disaster management
Last month, Australia's newly appointed minister for emergency management, Senator Jenny McAllister, and Senator Tony Sheldon, special envoy for disaster recovery, took part in a cultural burn outside Lismore in New South Wales, as part of the Nation.....»»
Molecular insights into the dynamic dance of nanoplastics and natural organic matter
Nanoplastics, emerging as persistent environmental pollutants, pose significant threats due to their durability and wide distribution in water bodies. Their interactions with natural organic matter are critical, influencing pollutant retention, micro.....»»
Insect and spider biodiversity increases organic nutrient availability across ecosystems, large-scale study shows
Insects and spiders are important elements in the food webs of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. With declines in their biodiversity, the food supply for birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals is not only becoming scarcer, but also poo.....»»
Newly developed methodology breaks molecular symmetry to back one theory about life"s origin
The vast majority of organic molecules (based on a carbon structure) are not flat, but have a three-dimensional geometry. Various results can be obtained depending on the way the atoms are arranged inside each molecule. In some cases, a molecule and.....»»
Compost produced from organic solid waste could replace 21% of industrial fertilizers in urban agriculture
The organic solid waste that citizens deposit in brown recycling bins could currently produce the amount of compost needed to satisfy 8% of the nutrients demanded by urban and peri-urban agriculture, reducing environmental impacts such as soil eutrop.....»»
Indian capital chokes as "hazardous" air pollution returns
Acrid clouds engulfed India's capital on Wednesday as air pollution fueled by fireworks and farm stubble burning was ranked "hazardous" by monitors for the first time this winter......»»
Biodegradable microplastics study helps quantify their climate change and ecotoxicity impacts
Over 20 million tons of plastic are estimated to end up in the environment every year, with much of it breaking down into microplastics that are harmful to the health of humans and wildlife. Biodegradable and bio-based plastics made from organic mate.....»»
Promising triazole molecular catalyst enables efficient electroreduction of carbon dioxide to methane
The efficient conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2)—one of the main compounds contributing to climate change—into useful fuels and chemicals is a long sought-after research goal. Recent studies have introduced various catalysts that could be used to.....»»
Leveraging skyscraper architecture: New design enhances porosity and structural stability for metal-organic frameworks
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, employs advanced construction techniques designed to withstand wind, seismic activity, and its own massive weight. Among these techniques is the "Meta Column System," which plays a pivotal role by.....»»
Materials of the future can be extracted from wastewater
A group of researchers is on the way to revolutionizing what biomass from wastewater treatment plants can be used for. Biopolymers from bacteria can be a sustainable alternative to oil-based products, and phosphorus and other minerals can also be har.....»»
Uncovering new regulatory mechanisms in embryo implantation
Implantation is the initial step in pregnancy, where the embryo attaches to and enters the endometrium, the inner tissue layer of the uterus. During this process, the cells of the endometrium change to build the right conditions for the fertilized eg.....»»
MAX phases boost electrocatalytic biomass upgrading
Biomass is among the most abundant renewable resources on Earth. Through catalytic conversion, biomass can upgrade into a series of fuels and chemicals which can substitute traditional fossil resources, thus playing a crucial role in achieving the "c.....»»
Plant fungus provides new drug target for colorectal cancer therapy
Novel chemical compounds from a fungus could provide new perspectives for treating colorectal cancer, one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide......»»
Abiotic organic synthesis research proposes new mechanism for organic condensation
A Chinese research team has reported the discovery of abiotic organic compounds in the oceanic crust of the Southwest Indian Ridge and proposed a molecular mechanism for organic condensation......»»
Volunteering to help strangers seen as greater contribution than caring for friends and family
Americans believe volunteering to help strangers contributes more to society than providing care for family or friends, even though they contribute billions of dollars' worth of labor in unpaid caregiving every year, according to research published i.....»»
EarthCARE synergy reveals power of clouds and aerosols
With the initial images from each of the instruments aboard ESA's EarthCARE satellite now in hand, it's time to reveal how these four advanced sensors work in synergy to measure exactly how clouds and aerosols influence the heating and cooling of our.....»»
Each glacier has a unique organic matter composition, study reveals
Melting glaciers release more than just water. Organic matter once trapped in ice can run into streams and rivers, where it becomes food for microbes. These organisms respire the organic matter back to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide, wi.....»»
Novel photocatalyst achieves 98% degradation efficiency of BPA under visible light
Photocatalysts can effectively utilize solar energy to degrade organic pollutants, presenting significant application potential in water treatment. However, the ultrafast recombination of photogenerated carriers has severely limited the performance o.....»»