It is no strange sight to see icebergs break off of the Antarctic ice cap and drift away, like the gigantic sheet of ice that is currently heading for the island of South Georgia. But climate change is making it happen more frequently, with ever-larger icebergs in the waters around...
Unexpected discoveries in study of giraffe gut flora
The gut bacteria of giraffes are not primarily determined by what they eat, but by the species they belong to. This is shown in a new study in which researchers have analyzed the link between diet and gut flora in three giraffe species in Kenya. The study also provides new...
Research provides new detail on the impact of volcanic activity on early marine life
New analysis of ancient fossilized rocks known as stromatolites, preserved in southern Zimbabwe, suggests strong links to hydrothermal nutrient recycling, 'meaning that early life may in part have been fueled by volcanic activity'.
Glass fertilizer beads could be a sustained nutrient delivery system
Agricultural fertilizers are critical for feeding the world's population, restoring soil fertility and sustaining crops. Excessive and inefficient use of those resources can present an environmental threat, contaminating waterways and generating greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide. Now, researchers have addressed those challenges with glass fertilizer beads. The beads control...
New microscope can image, at once, the full 3D orientation and position of molecules in cells
A hybrid microscope allows scientists to simultaneously image the full 3D orientation and position of an ensemble of molecules, such as labeled proteins inside cells. The microscope combines polarized fluorescence technology, a valuable tool for measuring the orientation of molecules, with a dual-view light sheet microscope (diSPIM), which excels at...
Rooftop Panels, EV Chargers, and Smart Thermostats Could Chip in to Boost Power Grid Resilience
There’s a lot of untapped potential in our homes and vehicles that could be harnessed to reinforce local power grids and make them more resilient to unforeseen outages, a new study shows.
Butterfly wings inspire new imaging technique for cancer diagnosis
Using the microscopic structures found on the wings of the Morpho butterfly, researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to analyze cancer biopsy samples that could make cancer diagnosis faster, more accurate and more accessible worldwide.
Biobased lignin gels offer sustainable alternative for hair conditioning
Researchers have developed a fully biobased hair conditioner using lignin gel emulsions, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional haircare products.
The Rising Tide of Sand Mining: A Growing Threat to Marine Life
In the delicate balancing act between human development and protecting the fragile natural world, sand is weighing down the scales on the human side.
UK Peatland Fires are Supercharging Carbon Emissions as Climate Change Causes Hotter, Drier Summers
More fires, taking hold over more months of the year, are causing more carbon to be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.