New research suggests that viruses are using information from their environment to 'decide' when to sit tight inside their hosts and when to multiply and burst out, killing the host cell. Right now, viruses are exploiting the ability to monitor their environment to their benefit. But in the future, 'we...
Air pollution can amplify negative effects of climate change, new study finds
The impacts of air pollution on human health, economies, and agriculture differ drastically depending on where on the planet the pollutants are emitted, according to a new study that found that In some cases, pollution co-emitted with CO2 can increase the social cost of carbon by as much as 66%.
Climate Models Unreliable in Predicting Damage to Coral Reefs
Climate models are unreliable when it comes to predicting the damage that tropical cyclones will do to sensitive coral reefs, according to a new study published in the journal Earth’s Future.
Loss of Arctic Sea Ice to Give Rise to More Strong El Niños, Study Finds
The loss of Arctic sea ice could yield more strong El Niños, in which unusually warm ocean waters fuel drought in the western Pacific and heavy rainfall in the eastern Pacific, new research finds.
How Global Warming Affects Astronomical Observations
Astronomical observations from ground-based telescopes are sensitive to local atmospheric conditions.
Study findings suggest association between exposure to air pollution — particularly in the first 5 years of life — and alterations in brain structure
A study has found an association, in children aged 9-12, between exposure to air pollutants in the womb and during the first 8.5 years of life and alterations in white matter structural connectivity in the brain. The greater the child's exposure before age 5, the greater the brain structure alteration...
An AI message decoder based on bacterial growth patterns
Depending on the initial conditions used, such as nutrient levels and space constraints, bacteria tend to grow in specific ways. Researchers have created a new type of encryption scheme based on how a virtual bacterial colony grows with specific initial conditions.
How Tiny Seeds Might Reduce Our Huge Dependence on Fossil Fuels
As countries try to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and slow climate change, scientists see biofuels as a partial answer.
Termites May Have a Larger Role in Future Ecosystems
Most people think termites are a nuisance that consume wood in homes and businesses.
Marine Protected Areas Can Help Safeguard Ocean Biodiversity
If the nation is to achieve its goal of safeguarding critical marine ecosystems and other ocean resources from detrimental human activity, it must not only establish more marine protected areas (MPAs) but also ensure they are strictly managed to accomplish desired results, a University of Miami environmental scientist and others...