Researchers have used mercury (Hg) stable isotopes to verify the Hg sources in the sediment and fish along the west coast of Korea.
New insight into the possible origins of life
Researchers have for the first time been able to create an RNA molecule that replicates, diversifies and develops complexity, following Darwinian evolution. This has provided empirical evidence that simple biological molecules can lead to the emergence of complex lifelike systems.
Higher exposure to bisphenol A in the womb associated with increased risk for asthma and wheezing in school-age girls
An analysis of data from more than 3,000 mother-child pairs from six European countries indicates that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A may have negative effects on respiratory health in school-age girls.
Massive study shows urbanization drives adaptive evolution
A massive study on a tiny roadside weed shows urbanization is leading to adaptive evolution at a global scale. Scientists from 160 cities across six continents collected more than 110,000 samples of white clover plants in urban, suburban, and rural areas to study urbanization's effects on the plants.
How cattle ranchers in Brazil could help reduce carbon emissions
Providing customized training to Brazilian ranchers can not only help keep carbon in the ground, but improve their livelihoods and mitigate climate change, according to new research.
New computer predictive model useful in identifying ancient hunter-gatherer sites
Researchers looking to identify some of the most difficult 'finds' in archaeology --including sites used by nomadic hunter-gatherer communities--are tapping technology to help in the search.
Engineering an ‘invisible cloak’ for bacteria to deliver drugs to tumors
Researchers have genetically engineered a microbial encapsulation system for therapeutic bacteria that can hide them from immune systems, enabling them to reach tumors more effectively and kill cancer cells in mice.
The oxidation of volcanoes — a magma opus
A new study unlocks the science behind a key ingredient -- namely oxygen -- in some of the world's most violent volcanoes. The research offers a new model for understanding the oxidation state of arc magmas, the lavas that form some volcanoes, such as the one that erupted dramatically in...
Aspects of Asian elephants’ social life are related to their amount of stress hormones
An international team of scientists found that sociality is linked to stress in Asian elephants. For example, loneliness increased male elephants' level of stress, whereas having babies present reduced the stress level in female elephants.
Black swifts descended rapidly during lunar eclipse
An international research team has studied the flight behavior of the mysterious black swift. They found, among other things, that the black swift rises to extreme heights during a full moon, seemingly catching insects in the moonlight. And, during a lunar eclipse, the birds simultaneously lost altitude.