Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants. Exploring sugarcane's genetic code could help researchers develop more resilient and productive crops, with implications for both sugar production and biofuels.
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NASA Analysis Sees Spike in 2023 Global Sea Level Due to El Niño
A long-term sea level dataset shows ocean surface heights continuing to rise at faster and faster rates over decades of observations.
Study Explores Severe Hurricanes and Coral Reef Sponge Recolonization
Named for its ropy-looking long branches, Aplysina cauliformis, a coral reef sponge, provides a critical 3D habitat for marine organisms and helps to stabilize the foundation of coral reefs.
Silicon Spikes Take out 96% of Virus Particles
An international research team led by RMIT University has designed and manufactured a virus-killing surface that could help control disease spread in hospitals, labs and other high-risk environments.
The behavior of ant queens is shaped by their social environment
The queens in colonies of social insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, are considered the veritable embodiment of specialization in the animal kingdom. The common perception is that the queen's only task is to lay eggs -- and that this attribute is an inherent trait, not influenced by external...
New testing approach improves detection of rare but emerging Powassan virus spread by deer ticks
Researchers have come up with a new, more accurate method for detecting in ticks the emerging Powassan virus, which can cause life-threatening neuroinvasive disease, including encephalitis and meningitis.
Curbside collection improves organic waste composting, reduces methane emissions
Most organic household waste ends up in landfills where it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting food and garden waste instead of sending it to landfills can significantly reduce methane emissions and help mitigate global warming. A new study explores the effects of curbside compost collection programs.
Severe hurricanes boost influx of juveniles and gene flow in a coral reef sponge
A study is the first to evaluate substrate recolonization by sponges in the U.S. Virgin Islands after two catastrophic storms using genetic analyses to understand how much clonality verses sexual recruitment occurs on coral reefs post-storms. Results show that populations of clonal marine species with low pelagic dispersion, such as...
Bigger and Better Solar Panel Recycling Centres Needed to Deal with PV Waste, Says Report
The Australian Centre of Advanced Photovoltaics has called for large waste facilities in major cities as photovoltaic waste is predicted to reach 100,000 tonnes annually by 2030.
MIT-Derived Algorithm Helps Forecast the Frequency of Extreme Weather
To assess a community’s risk of extreme weather, policymakers rely first on global climate models that can be run decades, and even centuries, forward in time, but only at a coarse resolution.