With another record broken, the world’s spaceports are busier than ever
No turning back? We can expect even more launches worldwide next year. Enlarge / A solid-fueled Ceres 1 rocket, developed by the Chinese company Galactic Energy, fires away from an ocean-going launch platform in the Yellow Sea on.....»»
Atmospheric methane increase during pandemic due primarily to wetland flooding, satellite data analysis finds
A new analysis of satellite data finds that the record surge in atmospheric methane emissions from 2020 to 2022 was driven by increased inundation and water storage in wetlands, combined with a slight decrease in atmospheric hydroxide (OH). The resul.....»»
Researchers explore environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
Genetically modified (GM) crops are widely used around the world, but their effects on the environment need to be better understood......»»
Amazon forest loses area the size of Germany and France, fueling fires
The Amazon rainforest has lost an area about the size of Germany and France combined to deforestation in four decades, fueling drought and record wildfires across South America, experts said Monday......»»
Scientists explore how indoor vertical farming could help future-proof food demand
To make sure everyone eats well in our crowded world, we need to innovate. Vertical farming systems, which grow plants intensively in an indoor setting, could be part of the answer—but to use them on a large scale we need to overcome key problems,.....»»
Graphene at 20: Still no sign of the promised space elevator, but the material is quietly changing the world
Twenty years ago this October, two physicists at the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, published a groundbreaking paper on the "electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films." Their work described the extraordinar.....»»
Global crises are multiplying: Here"s how science can help our public decision-makers
Housing, climate, cost of living, health—the multitude of interconnected crises the world is facing has spawned a new term: "polycrisis.".....»»
Businesses trying to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal
Humans have overfished the ocean, cleared forests, polluted water and created a climate crisis by burning fossil fuels. These actions are affecting biodiversity around the world, from remote islands to our own backyards......»»
Transforming agriculture from carbon source to sink: Study shows potential of carbon sequestration options
The food system is one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet, making the reduction of emissions in this sector a priority for policymakers around the world. IIASA researchers explored the potential of carbon seques.....»»
A Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians and 1 American from the International Space Station returns to Earth
A Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American from the International Space Station landed Monday in Kazakhstan, ending a record-breaking stay for the Russian pair......»»
New physics needed? Experts suggest possibility of updating fundamental physics concepts
An unexpected finding about how our universe formed is again raising the question: do we need new physics? The answer could fundamentally change what physics students are taught in classes around the world......»»
From pollution to power: Merging wastewater treatment and energy generation with capacitive MFC innovations
Imagine standing on the edge of a new frontier, where waste—something we often view as a problem—becomes the solution. We live in a world that needs innovation, where environmental challenges demand a sustainable approach, and where we need techn.....»»
"Doomsday" glacier set to melt faster and swell seas as world heats up, say scientists
Tidal action on the underside of the Thwaites Glacier in the Antarctic will "inexorably" accelerate melting this century, according to new research by British and American scientists. The researchers warn the faster melting could destabilize the enti.....»»
Scientists become a source of hope and information on TikTok, Instagram
Peter Neff understands the allure of the world's fifth-largest continent......»»
"Convergence" growing on global plastics treaty: UN environment chief
The UN environment chief said Sunday she was beginning to see convergence on the world's first binding treaty on plastic pollution despite differences on production caps and a tax-like plastic fee......»»
2 Russians set record for longest single stay on the International Space Station
2 Russians set record for longest single stay on the International Space Station.....»»
Can AI help save our planet?
Last year was the hottest on record. Around the world, we are witnessing more extreme events—from massive forest fires to floods to "hot tub'" ocean temperatures—with devastating consequences for human life and our planet's biodiversity......»»
Indie App Spotlight: ‘Pyxis’ is a location-based note taking app
Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact. Pyxis is an interesting and new location base.....»»
Many people in the Pacific lack access to adequate toilets—and climate change makes things worse
The Pacific Islands may evoke images of sprawling coastlines and picturesque scenery. But while this part of the world might look like paradise, many local residents are grappling with a serious public health issue......»»
Vaporizing plastics recycles them into nothing but gas
Polypropylene and polyethylene can be broken down simultaneously. Enlarge (credit: Derek Berwin) Our planet is choking on plastics. Some of the worst offenders, which can take decades to degrade in landfills, are polypro.....»»
Saturday Citations: Football metaphors in physics; vets treat adorable baby rhino"s broken leg
This week, researchers reported an effective way to protect working dogs from heat stress: training them to dunk their heads in cool water. A new computational technique provided a breakthrough in understanding the so-called "pseudogap" in quantum ph.....»»