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Science News Archive June 2023 - Page 40


Page 40 of 40

UMD-led study finds forest protection successfully leads to reduced emissions at global scale

Researchers found worldwide protected forests have an additional 9.65 billion metric tons of carbon stored in their aboveground biomass compared to ecologically similar unprotected areas. Protected areas' efficacy in avoiding emissions was found to be significantly higher than non-protected areas.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2023

Autonomous realignment and self-healing in multilayer soft electronic devices

Researchers have developed a new method for achieving autonomous realignment and self-healing in multilayered soft electronic devices. The approach enables functional recovery of damaged devices to 96% of their initial capacitance after mechanical damage, with potential applications in soft robots and underwater circuits.

Below the surface: Researchers uncover reasons to rethink how mountains are built

Researchers at Colorado State University have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding how mountains form, revealing that deep Earth processes are the primary drivers of mountain building in subduction zones. By combining novel data sets and techniques with traditional geomorphology measurements, the team generated a long-term ...

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2023

Ticks prove resilient to extreme temperatures

Researchers found that blacklegged tick larvae are vulnerable to heat and dry conditions, while nymph and adult ticks can survive extreme temperatures with little effect. The study's findings suggest targeting interventions during the larval stage to reduce tick populations and mitigate disease transmission.

SourceWashington State University·JournalEcological Monographs·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Little-known microbes could help predict climate tipping points

Researchers at Duke University have identified a climate feedback loop that could accelerate climate change. Monitoring mixotrophs, tiny organisms with dual metabolism modes, may allow us to anticipate the tipping point before it gets there. However, nutrient pollution poses a challenge to detecting early warning signals.

SourceDuke University·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2023

Salton Sea environment detrimental to respiratory health of local children

A UC Riverside-led study reveals the Salton Sea environment is toxic, causing sulfuric smells, dust storms, chemicals, and fires that contribute to chronic health conditions like asthma and respiratory illnesses. The study's findings have important public health implications for vulnerable child populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateJun 1, 2023

CHOP researchers use “deep sequencing” to identify several previously undescribed genetic variants in vascular anomalies

CHOP researchers used deep sequencing to discover several previously undescribed genetic variants in vascular anomalies, capturing low-frequency mutations that were missed by conventional methods. The study found significant improvements in symptoms for over 63% of patients, enabling targeted therapies and improved quality of life.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Cutting boards can produce microparticles when chopping veggies, study shows

A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that cutting boards made of plastic and wood can release tens of millions of microparticles when chopped, which may have negative health impacts if ingested. The researchers estimated that polyethylene microplastics could produce 14 to 71 million particles per year.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 1, 2023

Forest birds with short, round wings more sensitive to habitat fragmentation, OSU study shows

A study by OSU researchers found that tropical forest birds with shorter, round wings are more susceptible to habitat fragmentation due to their limited dispersal abilities. This is in contrast to temperate forest birds with longer, narrower wings, which are better equipped for long-distance flight.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2023