Researchers discover 555-million-year-old worm-like organism, Uncus dzaugisi, in Precambrian rocks of Nilpena Ediacara National Park. This tiny fossil represents the oldest confirmed member of Ecdysozoa and offers direct evidence of early ecdysozan life forms from the Precambrian.
Researchers at King's College London developed a new method to produce biofuels from fatty acids in cooking oil, making it as effective as diesel with improved efficiency. The technology uses enzymes to break down fatty acids into alkenes, reducing the need for conventional catalysts and toxic chemicals.
An investigation by The BMJ found over 180 medical articles funded by the fossil fuel industry, with ties to top journals including The BMJ and The Lancet. Experts demand stronger action against the industry's influence on research, citing similarities with tobacco companies in harm caused and tactics used.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a catalyst that can convert two polluting greenhouse gases into valuable building blocks for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The catalyst, made of zeolite material, is resistant to degradation at high temperatures and has been shown to provide outstanding performance with extremely slow deactivation.
A new study by the University of Oxford's Department of Physics shows that relying on natural carbon sinks to offset CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will not stop global warming. Governments and corporations are increasingly turning to these natural sinks to meet climate goals, but this approach is flawed.
A new study suggests that India's growing technology innovation and economic expansion will likely reduce its efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. The country's high demand for energy and reliance on non-renewable sources may outweigh the benefits of clean energy.
Researchers propose targeting high-volume, long-haul routes for green flight paths to demonstrate the economic viability of sustainable aviation fuels. The concept aims to drive decarbonisation and international cooperation for a net-zero aviation sector by 2050.
The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil CO2 emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8% from 2023, despite urgent calls to cut emissions to slow climate change. The report finds that overall emissions are roughly level over the last decade, but both fossil and land-use change CO2 emissions are set to rise in 2024.
Scientists have identified a 22-million-year-old dolphin species, Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki, that was able to hear high-frequency sounds. The fossil, found in Austria, reveals an elongated snout and uniform teeth, differing significantly from known prehistoric dolphin lineages.
The Lancet's Countdown report reveals record-breaking human costs of climate change, including heat-related deaths increasing by 167% globally in 2023. The report calls for trillions of dollars spent on fossil fuels to be redirected towards protecting people's health and lives.
The Energy Transition Vulnerability Index (ETVI) measures a nation's susceptibility to adverse effects of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Countries in the Global South face greater challenges than those in the Global North, with global vulnerability decreasing but interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study found that microbes have driven the recent surge in methane emissions between 2020 and 2022, accounting for over 90% of global emissions. This shift challenges previous research suggesting fossil fuels as the primary source of methane growth.
Building a renewable energy system for the AtLAST telescope in Chile's Atacama Desert could cover 66% of nearby San Pedro de Atacama's electricity demand. The system would reduce local reliance on fossil fuels and provide affordable renewable energy, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Researchers developed a model to project Italy's energy storage needs for a renewable energy system, accounting for daily and seasonal fluctuations. The model suggests that increasing short-term energy storage capacity is critical for decarbonizing the power sector.
Researchers have developed processable natural biopolymers that can replace synthetic polymers in various applications. The production of these biopolymers is expected to increase due to growing concerns about the environmental impact of plastic usage.
A Dartmouth-led study found that air pollution from fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic, altering its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers detected declines in methanesulfonic acid, a biomarker linked to phytoplankton productivity, which plummeted in environments high in emissions.
Researchers have discovered a remarkably preserved fossil site in Massachusetts that provides a rare glimpse into terrestrial life from over 300 million years ago. The findings reveal a diverse ecosystem of early land-dwelling animals and plants, including some of the oldest known examples of their groups.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found associations between depression and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. The review also highlighted links between these commodities and suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.
Researchers at George Washington University found that fossil hotspots in eastern Africa, such as the East African Rift System, bias our understanding of human evolution due to their limited geographic representation. The study suggests that scientists must take this bias into account when interpreting early human history and recommend...
Researchers at Stanford University have designed an electrified thermochemical reactor capable of generating immense heat using electricity, replacing fossil fuels in industrial processes. The design is smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than existing technology.
The study predicts that regions like Canada, the central US, Australia, and parts of Africa are ideal for future hydrogen production. These areas have sufficient wind resources, open spaces, and low solar radiation levels to support electrolysis-based hydrogen production.
Researchers discovered large fossil beans in Indonesian Borneo, indicating the ancestors of black bean trees migrated from Asia to Australia during tectonic plate collision. The findings provide first macrofossil evidence of a plant lineage moving from Asia into Australia.
A new species of fossil penguin discovered in New Zealand shows how penguins' wings evolved into their present form and function. The study highlights the unique combination of bones that allowed penguins to dive and swim, contributing to their ecological diversity.
A new study has uncovered a 520-million-year-old fossil that preserves the internal organs of an early ancestor of modern insects, spiders, and crabs. The fossil, named Youti yuanshi, provides key clues about the evolutionary steps required for simple worm-like creatures to transform into sophisticated arthropod body plans.
A study investigates renewable e-methanol production using bio-carbon, direct air capture, fossil fuel carbon capture, and fossil sources. Renewable e-methanol methods show negative emissions, but high production costs remain a challenge.
Researchers have created a novel process for producing acetylene from CO2, reducing reliance on petroleum feedstocks. The new method achieves high current efficiency of 92% and produces CaC2 with minimal sulfur and phosphorous content.
Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed a novel method for producing dimethoxymethane (DMM), a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The team used phosphorus-modified nanocarbon catalysts, which demonstrated high methanol conversion rates and DMM selectivity.
Researchers have identified a new genus of fossil goby, †Simpsonigobius, measuring up to 34 mm, found in 18-million-year-old rocks in Turkey. The discovery provides critical insights into the evolutionary history of these fish and highlights the importance of analyzing fossil records using modern methods.
A Europe-wide survey reveals that current crises distract from climate action and weaken public support. The study suggests emphasizing the urgency of climate change to increase support for measures like taxing fossil fuels.
The discovery of Helicolocellus fills a 160-million-year gap in the sponge fossil record and suggests non-biomineralizing sponges existed in the Precambrian. The study bridges the Ediacaran and Cambrian fossil assemblages, providing insights into animal evolution.
A team of palaeontologists has unearthed a gigantic flying reptile from the Jurassic period with an estimated wingspan of more than three metres. The fossil is one of the largest pterosaurs ever found from that era and sheds light on the potential for larger Jurassic pterosaurs.
A study from IIASA researchers highlights the potential of demand-side measures to reduce energy and resource consumption without restricting fossil fuel use. These strategies include improving resource efficiency, promoting shared mobility, reusing materials, and thermal refurbishment of buildings.
A 6-centimeter-wide fossil of a large cat species, Homotherium, was discovered on the Texas coast. The fossil provided key evidence for the cat's expansion across habitats in Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas.
Researchers at Princeton University have modeled a supply chain for second-generation biofuels, which are derived from agricultural waste or non-food crops and can produce more sustainable substitutes for fossil fuels. The study found that careful management of the supply chain could result in systems with lower costs and emissions imp...
Researchers at Griffith University propose catalysis as a transformative solution to create a circular economy in the chemical industry. By leveraging sustainable waste resources, catalysts can minimize reliance on finite fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions significantly. The study explores various lenses for catalysis, including was...
Scientists at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap that can deliver heat at temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius using solar radiation. This technology has the potential to decarbonize energy-intensive industries on a large scale, making it an important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have developed a method to trap solar energy at temperatures over 1,000°C using synthetic quartz, demonstrating its potential for clean energy in carbon-intensive industries. The technology shows promise for industrial applications and could provide an economic viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers from NUS have developed a novel technique that converts waste carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals and fuels. The method uses a nickel catalyst and acidic electrolytes, achieving an efficiency rate of over 99%. This innovation has the potential to reduce costs by up to 30% and is adaptable for different industrial needs.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new catalyst that reduces the amount of iridium required for hydrogen production, achieving 82% efficiency and sustaining production for over 4 months. The breakthrough could revolutionize ecologically friendly hydrogen production and pave the way for a carbon-neutral energy economy.
New research reveals human activities alter marine organism preservation, improving or impairing the fossil record. Human actions can prevent useful information about ongoing changes and enhance the quality of the fossil record.
Researchers from Utrecht University introduce a vision for a completely fossil-free refinery, which would convert CO2, plastic, and biomass waste into useful raw materials. The refinery would require massive amounts of renewable energy and significant investments, but could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Researchers at University College Cork discovered fossil frogs with preserved skin remnants, shedding light on their adaptation to life on land. The study found that the excellent preservation of the fossils is due to the replication of ancient skin structures in calcium phosphate.
Chalmers University researchers create a sustainable method for extracting pure gold from scrap using biodiesel and malonamide. This process replaces toxic chemicals and fossil solvents, offering benefits for the metal industry and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at KIER have developed a breakthrough technology to produce high-purity hydrogen from ammonia, completely eliminating carbon dioxide emissions. The method utilizes pressure swing adsorption technology and a ruthenium catalyst to separate hydrogen from nitrogen.
A 280-million-year-old fossil, thought to show soft tissue preservation, is found to be a forgery after new examination. The body outline was artificially created, likely to enhance the appearance of the fossil, while the bones of the hindlimbs and tiny bony scales are genuine.
A new study quantifies the impact of great fossil sites on our understanding of evolutionary relationships between fossil groups, discovering that the Gobi Desert's well-preserved lizard record shapes understanding more than any other site. The study's findings highlight the importance of exceptional fossil preservation in shaping our ...
Researchers have discovered pollutants from burning fossil fuels in Mediterranean corals, providing a potential new tool to track pollution. The study found significant increases in pollutant particles between 1969 and 1992, aligning with Europe's industrialization and coal consumption.
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have created a more efficient way to convert carbon dioxide into ethylene, producing a pivotal platform chemical globally. The process, using a modified copper catalyst, holds promise for one day producing ethylene through green energy instead of fossil fuels.
The study identifies areas with high carbon footprints, including those reliant on fossil fuels and manufacturing, highlighting the need for targeted economic assistance programs. The research provides a precise way to assess industrial composition, helping policymakers incorporate considerations into future policies.
A new process produces hydrogen and oxygen simultaneously in two separate cells, bypassing operational challenges of previous methods. This innovation enables a continuous process with reduced temperature changes and improved efficiency.
Researchers have identified the oldest thylakoid membranes, 1.2 billion years older than previously known, in 1.75 billion-year-old fossil cyanobacteria. This discovery provides a new approach to understand the early diversification of life and the role of cyanobacteria in the Great Oxygenation Event.
A new study found that fossil fuel companies rarely respond to online discussions about extreme weather, but instead engage with sustainability initiatives and corporate efforts. Climate misinformation can fuel denialism and delay action, emphasizing the need for understanding how it's designed and spread.
Recent advancements in biotechnology have led to the development of artificial biological systems that can utilize CO2 as a feedstock, producing valuable chemicals and fuels. These systems, including autotrophic organisms, tandem enzymatic systems, and chemo-bio hybrid systems, offer promising solutions for sustainable energy production.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that sodium-ion batteries have an equivalent climate impact as lithium-ion batteries without the risk of raw material depletion. They identified potential measures to further reduce climate impact, such as developing environmentally better electrolytes.
Fossil CO2 emissions from global carbon budgets have reached a record high in 2023, with global warming exceeding 1.5°C target becoming increasingly likely within seven years. The study projects that total global CO2 emissions will be 40.9 billion tonnes, far from the reductions needed to meet climate targets.
A new study estimates that air pollution from fossil fuels accounts for 61% of global ambient air pollution deaths, corresponding to 82% of preventable deaths. Phasing out fossil fuels could save up to 5.1 million extra lives annually, with the greatest impact in South and East Asia.
A new study estimates that phasing out fossil fuels could save millions of lives by reducing air pollution-related mortality burden, with cardiometabolic conditions being the leading cause of death.
A new study reveals that exposure to ultrafine particles from traffic alters the expression of many genes in human olfactory mucosa cells. The study found that different fuels and engines cause distinct effects on cell function, with renewable diesel causing less adverse effects than fossil diesel.
Researchers at the University of California - Berkeley have developed a simple and green way to convert flared natural gas into economically valuable liquids, mostly alcohols like methanol and ethanol. The process utilizes a porous metal-organic framework (MOF) that mimics the oxygenation reaction in plants and animals.