Engineers built a solar-powered desalination system that produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day. Because it requires no extra batteries, it offers a much more affordable way to produce drinking water, compared to other solar-driven designs.
Dogs contaminate ponds with parasite medications
Most dog owners didn't know that flea and tick treatments are dangerous to aquatic life, suggesting more awareness could ease the problem.
How cells recognize and repair DNA damage
Genome instability can cause numerous diseases. Cells have effective DNA repair mechanisms at their disposal. A research team has now gained new insights into the DNA damage response.
Drier winter habitat impacts songbirds’ ability to survive migration
A new study shows environmental conditions in migratory birds' winter homes carry over to affect their ability to survive spring migration and the breeding season.
Scientists uncover auditory ‘sixth sense’ in geckos
Researchers discover that geckos use a mechanism usually associated with balance to sense vibrations, leading to new insights about how animals hear and feel their surroundings.
Pterosaurs needed feet on the ground to become giants
A study determines when and how pterosaurs went from tiny tree-climbers to towering terrestrial titans Flying reptiles first came down from the trees in the mid-Jurassic Period, paving the way for giants with 10-meter wingspans. Fingers and toes point to secrets of flying reptile success.
Liquefied natural gas carbon footprint is worse than coal
Liquefied natural gas leaves a greenhouse gas footprint that is 33% worse than coal, when processing and shipping are taken into account, according to a new study.
Improved water quality offsets in growing cities could protect Reef
New research shows how growing Queensland regions can learn from biodiversity and carbon offsetting efforts to better meet water quality targets.
Ant agriculture began 66 million years ago in the aftermath of the asteroid that doomed the dinosaurs
According to a new study, colonies of ants began farming fungi when an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago. This asteroid impact caused a global mass extinction but also created ideal conditions for fungi to thrive. Innovative ants began cultivating the fungi, creating an evolutionary partnership that became even...
How doxycycline for STI prevention affects the gut microbiome
Taking a dose of the oral antibiotic doxycycline after a high-risk sexual encounter has dramatically reduced the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in places where the strategy is being tried.