What would happen if a nuclear war triggered a climate-altering catastrophe? Researchers have modeled how such a scenario could devastate global corn crops cutting production by as much as 87% due to blocked sunlight and increased UV-B radiation. Using advanced climate-agriculture simulations, they propose a survival strategy: emergency resilience kits...
The oceans are overheating—and scientists say a climate tipping point may be here
In 2023, the world’s oceans experienced the most intense and widespread marine heatwaves ever recorded, with some events persisting for over 500 days and covering nearly the entire globe. These searing ocean temperatures are causing mass coral bleaching and threatening fisheries, while also signaling deeper, system-wide climate changes.
This plastic disappears in the deep sea—and microbes make it happen
A new eco-friendly plastic called LAHB has shown it can biodegrade even in the extreme environment of the deep ocean, unlike conventional plastics that persist for decades. In real-world underwater testing nearly a kilometer below the surface, LAHB lost more than 80% of its mass after 13 months, while traditional...
Magnetic Wave Mapping Breakthrough Could Speed up Your Phone
An international team of researchers including physicists here in Durham have made a breakthrough that could help make our phones and computers faster and more energy efficient.
High-elevation Tropical Forest Soils in Colombian Andes Are Rich in Carbon from Past Fires
The soil in high-elevation, cooler, drier tropical forests in the Colombian Andes stores more carbon from fires than lower, warmer regions, new research shows.
The COVID-19 Pandemic May Have Aged Our Brains, According to a New Study
A new study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that the Covid-19 pandemic may have accelerated people’s brain health, even if they were never infected with the virus.
Millipedes make ants dizzy — and might soon treat human pain
Millipedes, often dismissed as creepy crawlies, may hold the secret to future painkillers and neurological drugs. Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered unique alkaloid compounds in the defensive secretions of a native millipede species. These complex molecules, which cause disorientation in ants, interact with human neuroreceptors linked to pain and cognition....
Ice Recovered from European Alps Holds 12,000-Year Record of History
Glacial ice offers a detailed record of the atmosphere, preserved in discrete layers, providing researchers with a valuable tool for studying planetary history.
Clearcutting Can Lead to Severe Floods, But It Doesn’t Have To
It has long been understood that clearcutting forests leads to more runoff, worsening flooding.
In a First, Solar Was Europe’s Biggest Source of Power Last Month
For the first time, solar was the largest source of electricity in the EU last month, supplying a record 22 percent of the bloc’s power.