Researchers have found evidence that melanosomes, which produce melanin pigment, are preserved in the fossil record of Anchiornis huxleyi, a bird-like dinosaur. The study uses electron microscopy and chemical analysis to demonstrate that the microbodies are indeed melanosomes, not microbes.
New research has substantially reduced China's estimated carbon emissions from the past decade, suggesting that international agencies had overestimated its cumulative emissions by as much as 2.9 gigatons. The revised estimates were made possible by a more accurate understanding of fuel quality and emission factors.
A fossil monkey specimen representing the earliest baboon ever found has been discovered in South Africa, dated between 2-2.36 million years ago. The partial skull confirms earlier suggestions that the fossil baboon species is closely related to modern baboons and may be the earliest known members of the Papio hamadryas species.
Researchers used computed microtomography to investigate a well-preserved fossil arthropod from the famous Chengjiang Lagerstätte in China. The study revealed anatomical details previously hidden in the rock matrix, allowing for the identification of the species as Xandarella spectaculum.
A team of scientists has identified a novel tungsten-containing enzyme in the bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, which shows potential for converting plant biomass into useful chemicals and fuels. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of commercial renewable fuels and reduce greenhouse emissions.
A novel process configuration produces clean middle-distillate fuels from coal with minimal emissions, suitable for jet or diesel engines. The process extracts coals with light cycle oil, separates solids, hydrotreats liquids to remove sulfur and aromatic compounds.
A new study from the University of East Anglia recommends that China prioritize non-coal fuels like nuclear power and natural gas to improve electricity supply security while reducing carbon emissions. The country's largest coal importer, China needs to reduce its dependence on coal to achieve long-term energy security.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.
Leading doctors and academics call for divestment from fossil fuel companies, citing the need to prevent runaway climate change and unprecedented harm to global health. The authors argue that shareholder engagement is ineffective in switching dependence on fossil fuels with renewables.
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester has discovered a new species of 425-million-year-old fossil, which is the first parasite of its kind to be found intact with its host. The fossil species, named Invavita piratica, is a 'tongue worm' that was previously known only from isolated juvenile specimens.
Researchers have discovered a 425-million-year-old fossil of an ancient tongue worm parasite, providing significant insights into the origins of parasitism. The new species, Invavita piratica, is remarkably well-preserved and has been found attached to its host animal, an ostracod, in Herefordshire, England.
The discovery of a partial left femur from a theropod dinosaur in Washington state provides valuable insights into the region's Late Cretaceous period. The fossil is approximately 80 million years old and is believed to have belonged to a smaller than T. rex species, with characteristics unique to theropods during that time.
The discovery of a 16.7-inch-long, 8.7-inch-wide theropod dinosaur femur from the Late Cretaceous period is the first dinosaur fossil found in Washington State. The fossil is approximately 80 million years old and provides insight into the West Coast's dinosaur record.
Scientists develop a novel artificial photosynthetic system that converts light and carbon dioxide into building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and fuels without electricity. The system harnesses solar energy and bacteria to produce chemical precursors for everyday products.
Researchers found that beetles have among the lowest family-level extinction rates due to their ability to adapt to changing environments. The study suggests that beetle diversity may be due to an historically low extinction rate rather than a high rate of new species emerging.
A new study found that post-fire logging can reduce woody fuels for up to four decades following wildfire in dry coniferous forests. Harvesting fire-killed trees also helps forest managers manage fuels, with logged stands having lower fuels than unlogged stands over time.
A 150-million-year-old fossilized crab larva from southern Germany provides critical evidence for understanding the early rise of crabs. The discovery reveals a modern morphology, indicating that ancient and modern crabs share similar life habits.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a nickel oxide film that enables record-efficient and stable chemical processes in the production of fuels like hydrogen. The film works well with a membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, ensuring safety and efficiency in the system.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a new technique to make coatings that can conduct electricity or convert it into hydrogen fuels, using a consumer-grade heat lamp.
A new open-source resource helps scientists accurately date the tree of life by combining fossil data with DNA sequences, providing minimum ages for groups such as mollusks, penguins, and humans. This will aid in understanding the origin and evolution of biodiversity.
A new open-source database, Fossil Calibration Database, has been launched to help researchers accurately estimate the origins of all species. The database synthesizes data from the fossil record with molecular evidence, enabling 'molecular dating' studies.
A new open-source resource, Fossil Calibration Database, provides carefully vetted fossil data to calibrate molecular clocks and reveal the ages of plant and animal groups. The database addresses the issue of improper use of fossil record data in 'divergence dating,' a field crucial for understanding biodiversity origins.
A new framework by UW-Madison engineers helps plot the future of solar fuels by accounting for general variables and big-picture milestones. The tool is designed to remain relevant as researchers experiment with new technologies and ideas, and can be adapted for other energy-related processes.
A third of oil reserves, half of gas reserves, and over 80% of current coal reserves globally should remain in the ground if global warming is to stay below the 2°C target. The study identifies regions that stand to lose most from achieving this goal, including China, Russia, and the United States.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria play an active role in the decay and preservation of soft-bodied organisms, leading to their fossilization. The study, published in Nature Communications, sheds new light on the process of fossil formation and how it can inform our understanding of early animal evolution.
A new fossil analysis reveals that Vintana sertich was a badger-sized, herbivorous animal with keen senses of smell and vision. The study sheds light on the diversity of Mesozoic mammals and their paleoecology.
A rare 520 million-year-old fossil shaped like a 'squashed bird's nest' has been discovered in China, providing new insights into life in ancient seas. The fossil, Nidelric pugio, is a probable 'chancelloriid', a group of bizarre, balloon-shaped animals with defensive spines.
A new fossil discovery links dolphin-like ichthyosaurs to their terrestrial ancestors, revealing a previously unknown stage in their evolution. The 248-million-year-old fossil has flexible flippers and a shorter snout than its marine counterparts, suggesting it could have moved on land with ease.
Joint Bioenergy Institute researchers improve isopentenol tolerance and production in E.coli, a key step towards cost-effective microbial biofuel production. The study identifies two genes, MetR and MdlB, that improve isopentenol production by 55% and 12%, respectively.
Washington State University researchers develop a new catalyst using inexpensive iron and rare palladium to remove oxygen from plant-based materials, improving biofuel production. The combination increases activity, stability, and selectivity, reducing costs and increasing yields.
The Global Carbon Project predicts a 2.5% rise in CO2 emissions in 2014, reaching a record 40 billion tons, surpassing the 1,200 billion-ton quota for limiting global warming to 2°C. This could lead to climate change catastrophe if not addressed immediately.
A new approach estimates CO2 emissions from fossil fuels at a global scale, providing detailed information for policy-makers. The 'Fossil Fuel Data Assimilation System' (FFDAS) uses satellite feeds, national fuel accounts, and power plant data to create high-resolution planetary maps.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released an updated compendium of experimental cetane numbers, which provides vital information for the development of new, low-carbon fuels and compatible engines. The update includes additional measurements on a larger number of compounds, along with data quality assessments.
Researchers have re-examined the British fossil record over 550 million years and found that only the area of preserved rock drives biodiversity, casting doubt on previous methods used to correct for bias in the fossil record.
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology published experimental data on jet fuel combustion, defining induction periods for various temperatures, pressures, and blending ratios. The study focuses on kerosene, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, and aims to validate kinetic models for its burning.
A study from the University of Bristol and Bergen found that geological factors like rock area drive biodiversity, rather than measures like fossil collections or formations. This discovery alters our understanding of life's history through time.
A third of the world's population uses plant-based solid fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, resulting in high levels of household air pollution. The Commission concludes that an estimated 600-800 million families worldwide are at increased risk of illnesses such as respiratory tract infections and lung cancer.
Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria to generate renewable propane, providing a potential alternative to fossil fuels. The production of propane is achieved through the use of specific enzymes that convert fatty acids into hydrocarbons.
A 560-million-year-old fossil discovery in Newfoundland, Canada, has provided the oldest evidence of muscle tissue in animals. The find, named Haootia quadriformis, is a rare example of an Ediacaran animal with bundles of fibres similar to those found in modern cnidarians.
A new study from NREL demonstrates a concept for converting lignin into various renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The process uses integrated biological funneling and chemical catalysis to overcome the heterogeneity of lignin.
A new material, a microporous organic polymer, has been developed that can adsorb carbon dioxide extremely well. It's stable, cheap, and has the potential to play a role in reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, according to President Obama's plan.
A team of researchers from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center has identified genes and enzymes that produce a promising compound, the 19 carbon furan-containing fatty acid. This compound has various potential uses as a biological alternative to compounds derived from fossil fuels. The discovery was published in Proceedings of th...
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a versatile platform technology called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation (CELF) to produce biofuels from biomass more efficiently. The method uses tetrahydrofuran as a co-solvent and achieves high yields, reducing the cost of producing fuels and chemicals.
A GW researcher has discovered an antibody that recognizes ancestral fossil viruses in the human genome, providing a new target for HIV-1 immunotherapy. This breakthrough could help overcome the virus's frequent mutations and improve treatment options.
Researchers have developed a novel catalyst that efficiently catalyzes the production of clean-burning hydrogen fuel, outperforming cost-prohibitive platinum and other less-expensive alternatives. The technology, based on carbon nanotubes, could make electrolysis reactions commercially viable using renewable energy sources.
A new study estimates that low-carbon energy options require additional investments of around $800 billion a year from now to mid-century. The researchers found that much of this capital could come from shifting subsidies and investments away from fossil fuels.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed the first fuel cell capable of directly converting fuels like jet fuel and gasoline to electricity. This innovation offers a significantly more energy-efficient way to generate electric power for planes or cars.
A new species of Mediterranean worm lizard, Blanus mendezi, has been identified with the discovery of its first intact skull, providing insights into the evolution of this poorly known group of reptiles. The fossil, dated to 11.6 million years ago, features a well-preserved skull and vertebrae, shedding light on the species' history.
Scientists have developed a novel solid storage material that can efficiently store hydrogen, a clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels. The new material packs a large amount of hydrogen in a stable and safe way, overcoming one of the key technological challenges of storing hydrogen.
Researchers used fossil beetles to determine winter temperatures in 50-million-year-old uplands of British Columbia and Washington, revealing mild, frost-free winters. This discovery may help scientists understand how natural communities are impacted by climate change.
A multi-university team has developed a technology to transform lignocellulosic biomass into a jet fuel surrogate via catalytic chemistry. The proposed approach could potentially produce aviation fuels at a cost of $2.88 per gallon, making it a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-derived fuels.
A University of California, Riverside researcher has won a $500,000 grant to study a process that transforms carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals using a unique catalyst. The technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons per year or more.
Researchers have discovered a 305-million-year-old harvestman fossil with two sets of eyes, challenging previous assumptions about the evolutionary history of arachnids. The fossil's exceptional preservation allows scientists to study its anatomy in unprecedented detail.
A newly discovered 305-million-year-old fossil fills in the evolutionary tree for primitive harvestmen, providing evidence that they once had two pairs of eyes. This rare find allows scientists to study the anatomy of ancient arachnids in unprecedented detail.
A Yale University-led study finds that using more wood and less steel and concrete in building and bridge construction can reduce global carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Sustainable management of wood resources can achieve both goals while maintaining biodiversity and reducing fossil fuel burning.
Researchers exposed biochemical structure of fossil leaves to visualize the chemistry of exceptionally preserved fossil leaves. The study reveals that the distribution of copper, zinc, and nickel in fossil leaves is almost identical to modern leaves.
Scientists successfully reassemble two halves of a giant sea turtle bone, one dating back to the Cretaceous Period and the other from the 19th century. The discovery reveals that some exposed fossils can survive longer than previously thought, with calculated estimates suggesting the turtle's size was around 10 feet long.
Scientists discover fossilized eggs and embryos of tiny marine crustaceans, revealing a 450-million-year-old species that took care of its young in the same way as modern relatives. The finding provides conclusive evidence of reproductive strategy conservation across millennia.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have devised a new method to convert major components of natural gas into useable fuels and chemicals at lower temperatures. This could lead to cheaper energy and materials with lower emissions.
Researchers at JCAP have developed a new hybrid material that stores nearly 90% of the electrons generated by solar energy in hydrogen molecules. This breakthrough could address one of the major challenges in using artificial photosynthesis to produce renewable solar fuels. The material, which combines gallium phosphide and cobaloxime ...