A team at KAIST developed an E. coli strain that can grow up to 11-fold higher cell density using CO2 and formic acid as sole carbon sources. The engineered strain shows promise for producing chemicals from these carbon sources, a crucial step forward in biorefinery production.
Researchers explore ascorbic acid's role in organic synthesis, revealing its potential as a catalyst for diverse reactions and its unique mechanistic pathways. This study contributes to green chemistry by demonstrating the versatility of ascorbic acid in environmentally benign processes.
Researchers detected nitrous acid levels two to four times higher than expected in wildfire plumes globally, driving increased ozone pollution and air quality harm. The chemical accelerates the formation of lung-damaging ozone pollution downwind of fires, with significant variations depending on ecosystem type.
Scientists from the University of Edinburgh developed a sustainable method to produce adipic acid, a key component of nylon, using genetically modified bacteria grown in liquid solutions containing guaiacol. This approach produces adipic acid without emitting nitrous oxide greenhouse gases.
A clinical trial by Oregon State University found that lipoic acid supplements caused significant weight loss and fat reduction in overweight but otherwise healthy participants. The study also showed improvements in inflammation markers and oxidative stress, with notable benefits for women and heaviest participants.
A new study reveals that fertilizer and pesticide applications on croplands are now the primary source of sulfur emissions, outpacing fossil fuel emissions. This increase in sulfur use has detrimental effects on agricultural soils and downstream waters, similar to acid rain.
Research suggests that fertilizer and pesticide applications on croplands are the largest source of sulfur in the environment, exceeding peak levels seen during acid rain days. This increase poses risks to mercury levels, soil degradation, and asthma rates in agricultural areas.
Tropical Storm Isaias is causing flooding in South and North Carolina due to heavy rain. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash flooding along the I-95 corridor and a risk of tornadoes from southeast Virginia to New Jersey.
A recent study reveals that Hurricane Lane's extreme weather conditions, combining heavy rainfall and fire hazards, exacerbated the storm's impact on the Hawaiian Islands. The research highlights the importance of considering both environmental and socioeconomic factors in assessing population vulnerability to natural hazards.
A study found that heavy rainfall can lead to massive fish kills in lakes suffering from oxygen depletion, triggered by labile organic matter. Researchers released breeding stock to help recover lake Filsø's pike population, which has never fully recovered after the event.
Post-tropical cyclone Cristobal is soaking the Great Lakes, triggering watches and warnings for heavy rain, gusty winds, and tornadoes. Rainfall rates reached 1 inch per hour in some areas, with minor to moderate river flooding expected.
Heavy rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour were observed north of Tropical Storm Cristobal, leading to large amounts of rain on the ground. The National Hurricane Center predicts storm total rainfall accumulations of 5-10 inches across portions of the Gulf Coast.
A new study found that high uric acid levels protect female lung function from decline with age or disease. Women with lower female hormone levels are more likely to benefit from this antioxidant effect.
Scientists at Bielefeld University have created a method to produce a biologically significant precursor of jasmonic acid, a hormone that helps plants defend against predators. The new approach mimics how plants naturally produce the hormone, using enzymes as plant catalysts in a synthetic process.
Researchers found that tree pollen fragments remain airborne for up to 11 hours after spring rains, posing a risk to allergy sufferers. The study advises people to stay indoors during and after rain events, especially thunderstorms, to minimize respiratory impacts.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a new marker for allergic diseases, sialic acid on IgE antibodies, which may improve diagnoses. The team also found that removing sialic acid from IgE enhances allergic reactions in animal models, paving the way for novel treatment strategies.
A research team has developed a microbial strain capable of producing succinic acid with the highest production efficiency to date. The strain, isolated from a Korean cow's rumen, was engineered through systems metabolic engineering and enzyme engineering to produce 134 g per liter of succinic acid.
A study published in Ethology has captured koalas drinking behaviour in the wild for the first time, showing they access water by licking smooth tree trunks. The research highlights the importance of retaining trees for the conservation of the species.
A study estimates the cloud water path of mature tropical cyclones by analyzing the correlation between cloud microphysical properties and precipitation intensity. The results show that a notable sigmoid function can be used to fit the cloud water path and near-surface rain rate, providing a new way to estimate cloud water path in models.
Researchers identified the origin source of lactic acid bacteria responsible for kimchi fermentation, revealing that ingredients such as ginger and red pepper do not contribute to fermentation. The study found three unique fermentative microbes specific to each ingredient, resulting in distinct flavor profiles.
Tropical Cyclone Harold generated heavy rain due to cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms. NASA's IMERG algorithm provided near-real-time precipitation estimates, helping gain a greater understanding of major storms.
A research team discovered a novel acid tolerance system in E. coli, enabling growth at pH 4.2 and existing in various pathogenic bacteria. This system confers survival in gastric acid and may be a new target for antimicrobial development.
Researchers discovered a protein called gamma subunit that controls fatty acid synthase function in mycobacteria, allowing for the inhibition of pathogen proliferation without affecting human cells. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches against tuberculosis and provide insights into cancer treatment.
A new study finds that hurricanes Irma and Maria combined to knock down a quarter of Puerto Rico's tree biomass, with rain dominating the damage caused by wind. The research suggests that future hurricanes stoked by warming climates may be even more destructive to forests than previously thought.
Researchers found that consumers mentally visualize using products associated with sunny and snowy conditions, leading to higher product valuation. This effect only works for products related to being outside, such as beach towels or winter gear.
Ethan Yang, a Lehigh University professor, receives a NSF CAREER award to study the effectiveness of rain gardens and rain barrels in reducing urban flooding. He plans to use smart sensors and AI-powered modeling to monitor and analyze the impact of green infrastructure on flood mitigation.
A new study suggests that a common blood-clotting agent may be effective in treating bleeding stroke, with researchers noting a trend towards reduced hemorrhage expansion in patients treated promptly. Further trials are underway to confirm these findings and explore the potential for this treatment to enter routine clinical practice.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi continues to generate moderate rainfall in its southern quadrant, with the heaviest rates found south of the center. The system is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to the west and south of the South Island on Sunday and early Monday.
Soil researchers found significant movement of sulfate into subsoils and improved water quality after implementing the Clean Air Act Amendment in 1990. However, soils still exhibit chemical imbalances, indicating a long-term recovery process.
New Stanford research finds that winter floods driven by rainfall can be 2.5 times larger than those driven by snowmelt. As global warming increases precipitation falling as rain, flood sizes increase exponentially, posing a significant threat to infrastructure in Western US.
Researchers have discovered that the nanotexture of rattlesnake scales allows water to be absorbed through beads that coalesce and stick to the surface. This adaptation enables the snakes to harvest rainwater, which is essential for their survival in desert environments with infrequent rainfall.
NASA analyzed Tropical Storm Sarai's cloud top temperatures to determine its strength and identify areas of heavy rain potential. The analysis showed coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as -81 degrees Celsius, indicating strong storms capable of creating heavy rain.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected light rain falling at a rate of 0.4 inches per hour from Tropical Depression Fengshen on November 18. The storm is expected to become a remnant low-pressure system later that day.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission found light rain falling at a rate of 0.4 inches per hour in Tropical Depression 21E. The depression, which never matured into a tropical storm, is expected to dissipate by Nov 21.
The University of Adelaide team identified an enzyme that helps produce natural tartaric acid in grapes, enabling winemakers to balance sweetness and acidity. This discovery has the potential to save the Australian wine industry significant sums of money by reducing reliance on expensive additives.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a unique bacterial regulatory mechanism called T-boxes, which facilitate basic functioning in bacteria. Understanding the structure of these elements could lead to designing targeted antibiotics, offering hope against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission found a small area of heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Kyarr, with rainfall rates reaching 1.6 inches per hour around the storm's center. The weakening storm is expected to dissipate before reaching Socotra Island.
NASA provided forecasters with an analysis of rainfall rates in Tropical Cyclone Kyarr, measuring rainfall at over 40 mm per hour. The storm's cloud top temperatures were as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, producing heavy rain.
Typhoon Bualoi is expected to intensify through Thursday and then begin weakening as it moves in a northerly track. The storm's strong winds and heavy rain are a concern for the affected islands.
Tropical Storm Mitag was dropping heavy rainfall along South Korea's coastal areas, with light rain falling over the rest of the country. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found heaviest rain in scattered areas over eastern and southern coasts.
Rice University chemist Han Xiao is developing a custom-designed 21st amino acid to make life-saving substances and produce novel proteins for therapies. The goal is to create 'unnatural organisms' that can produce multiple designer amino acids, leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy and cancer treatment.
Tropical Storm Karen has brought heavy rain to Puerto Rico, with the GPM core satellite detecting rainfall rates exceeding 1.6 inches per hour in the Atlantic Ocean and central Puerto Rico. Forecasters predict additional rainfall accumulations of 1-2 inches across the territory.
Researchers analyzed six different bird species and found no uric acid in their excretions. Instead, they identified ammonium urate, struvite, and two unknown compounds, suggesting that bacteria break down uric acid before excretion.
A new study reveals that coastal proximity, rain and prevailing wind direction influence the distribution of marine sulfur on land. Plants in coastal settings utilize marine-derived sulfur, which is affected by human activities such as oil refineries and vehicles.
NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) estimated heavy rainfall totals of 16-24 inches between Freeport and Beaumont, Texas, and 6 inches in southwestern Louisiana. The IMERG product provides near-real-time rain estimates every 30 minutes, combining satellite observations with other data sources.
A new study reveals that the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) significantly impacts daily rainfall patterns in Sumatra. The MJO brings cloudy, rain periods and sunny, drier periods, with greater potential for significant rain events when active near the Maritime Continent.
Tropical Depression Imelda brought heavy rainfall to northeastern Texas, with NASA estimating over 10 inches of rain fell between Houston and Beaumont. The storm's rainfall totals are expected to produce significant flash floods, prompting flash flood watches for parts of eastern Texas and western Louisiana.
Hurricane Dorian generated heavy rainfall, with areas receiving over 36 inches of rain accumulation. NASA's satellite data showed the strongest storms were located in cloud tops as cold as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Dorian has left over three feet of rain in the Bahamas and is now affecting South Carolina, with accumulation totals exceeding 10 inches off-shore. NASA's IMERG product provides near-realtime rain estimates using satellite observations, helping to track the storm's movement and intensity.
NASA estimated hurricane rainfall totals for the Bahamas, with excessive rain accumulation reported on Grand Bahama Island and Abaco Island. The storm's center was north of the Bahamas, moving further north parallel to Florida's east coast.
A new PSU study estimates that snowfall frequency will decline across the Pacific Northwest by 2100, with low- and mid-elevation sites like the Cascades experiencing the largest declines. Global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions can slow this rate of decline.
The NASA IMERG algorithm provides near-realtime precipitation estimates for Hurricane Dorian, showing storm-total rain accumulation exceeding 24 inches over the Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands. The hurricane's trajectory is expected to bring it dangerously close to the Florida east coast late today through Wednesday evening.
Researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation found that biochar combined with fertilizer significantly improved height and diameter growth of tree seedlings. The treatment also increased the number of leaves developed by the seedlings.
Researchers developed a method to track the activity of phosphatidic acid spatially and temporally using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensor. The study found that phosphatidic acid plays a key role in plant stress tolerance, particularly under salt stress conditions.
Researchers discovered that Toxoplasma gondii requires linoleic acid to complete its sexual phase of life, a nutrient found at high levels in feline intestines. The finding may lead to the development of treatments to reduce the spread of toxoplasmosis from cats to humans.
The UTIA senior design team developed a pilot technology to enhance stormwater infiltration in rain gardens by inducing fractures in compacted soil layers. This technique could save homeowners and property owners time and money by unclogging failed rain gardens.
Prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications are effective in reducing high triglyceride levels by 20-30% among most people. The American Heart Association advises using these medications safely in conjunction with statin medicines that lower cholesterol.
Research in flies reveals potential drug targets for gout, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and kidney stones by manipulating insulin-like signaling pathway. Elevated uric acid levels increase risk of these diseases, emphasizing the importance of routine screenings in humans.
Researchers developed a fruit fly strain that builds up uric acid when triggered by high-purine diet, revealing the insulin-like signaling pathway's role in regulating uric acid levels. This model could help identify new drugs for diseases linked to uric acid accumulation.
An international research team led by the University of Göttingen has unraveled the mechanism for the biosynthesis of salicylic acid in plants. The study reveals that isochorismate-derived compounds accumulate when a specific gene is removed, leading to the formation of salicylic acid.