A team of scientists has designed a system that uses water, CO2, and sunlight to produce synthetic kerosene, which can power long-haul commercial flights. The design has been implemented in the field, and its efficiency is around 4%, with plans to improve it to over 15%.
A rare fossil flower of the Euphorbiaceae family has been discovered in 30-million-year-old amber, along with a parasitic wasp. The flower, named Plukenetia minima, is notable for its small size and lengthy stalk. The wasp, Hambletonia dominicana, was found to have an egg that hatches into a fly larva within the flower's seed pods.
An international team of researchers has successfully classified fossil gobies into a family tree for the first time. The study used an integrative phylogenetic approach to inferring relationships between fossil gobioids and their modern descendants.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a chemical method to access renewable energy from plant matter, which could lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. The 'electrocatalytic' process enables electricity and water to break strong chemical bonds in biomass, potentially destroying environmental pollutants.
Fossil frogs died during mating due to drowning as they were submerged by one or more males. The study suggests that the mating behaviours of modern frogs are ancient and have been in place for at least 45 million years.
A team of researchers has developed a process that can recycle carbon dioxide into fuels and useful chemicals using only solar energy. The new technology uses semiconductor nanowires to split carbon dioxide molecules, producing syngas, a precursor for various fuels and chemicals.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a new type of fuel that has higher energy density than traditional heavy-duty fuels. The biofuel, called POP-FAMEs, is produced by bacteria fed with plant matter and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions when burned.
Researchers developed a novel photocatalyst structure using isolated single atoms of copper in a polymer framework, significantly enhancing catalyst performance for converting CO2 into methane fuel. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for addressing climate change by providing a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels.
A new study suggests China's ability to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 is tied to the country's economic growth rate. To achieve this goal, China must develop non-fossil energy sources rapidly.
A 390-million-year-old fossil vertebrate has been classified as a member of Sarcopterygii, a group of lobe-finned fishes. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary history of four-limbed animals and their early ancestors.
Research published in Science of the Total Environment found that adopting low-carbon fuels could reduce racial disparities in exposure to fine and ultrafine particle pollution by 20-40% in California by 2050. This would lead to improved air quality, reduced deaths, and estimated annual public health benefits of $20 billion.
Researchers have successfully stored liquid fuels like ethanol in polymeric gels, drastically reducing evaporation rates and flammable gas mixtures. The development of this method aims to create safer work environments in industries that use liquid fuels.
A specialized limb in a mature male trilobite species sheds light on trilobite mating behaviors for the first time. The discovery, published in Geology, reveals that complex mating behaviors originated during the Cambrian Explosion over 500 million years ago.
Scientists have detected an increase in atmospheric helium levels, which is attributed to the release of helium as a by-product of fossil fuel combustion and extraction. This finding has significant implications for understanding industrial activity and the potential uses of rare helium isotopes.
A 60-million-year-old fossil of a coconut reveals insect tunneling signs, pinpointing the culprit as palm bruchines beetles. This finding sheds new light on Neotropical rainforests and their interactions with insects, highlighting the importance of specialized plant-insect relationships in maintaining plant diversity.
A team of scientists from the University of East Anglia has developed a new method to estimate regional fossil fuel CO2 emissions more accurately and in near real-time. Using atmospheric measurements of O2 and CO2, they can detect changes in emissions with higher frequency and provide valuable insights for climate change policies.
A new study from St John's College, University of Cambridge suggests that robots can help produce solar fuels, accelerating the world's transition to green renewables. The 'cyber-leaf' concept uses AI and robots to create sustainable syngas, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a novel catalytic technology that converts non-edible plants into renewable fuels, chemicals and plastics. By pulsing hydrogen gas on and off, they increase the population of active sites on catalysts, allowing reactions to occur up to 10 times faster.
A new species of vampyropod cephalopod has been discovered in a 328-million-year-old fossil, providing evidence that the common ancestor of octopuses and vampire squids had 10 arms. The find pushes back the age of Vampyropoda by nearly 82 million years.
Argonne scientists are developing new materials for batteries, researching sustainable fuels, and expanding carbon-free energy sources like nuclear power. They're also exploring ways to capture and utilize CO2, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing global warming.
A new study finds that top 10 banks have limited commitments to reduce financing of fossil fuels, despite increasing focus on climate change. Experts recommend policy changes to address the banking industry's responsibility in financing climate change.
A Kyoto University study reveals that four major oil corporations make unsubstantial commitments to cleaner energy. Despite increased public relations efforts, these companies persistently rely on fossil fuels and show no strong evidence of a shift towards non-fossil fuel energy.
A new study analyzed the clean energy discourse of four large oil and gas companies, finding that their business actions and investments do not align with their climate change pledges. Despite increased use of keywords like 'climate' and 'transition', the companies have made limited progress towards decarbonization.
A new method to produce hydrogen from water has been discovered, using cobalt and manganese as catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to a cleaner and more sustainable hydrogen economy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at Niigata University have successfully observed the formation of an oxygen-oxygen bond in a low-valent Ru(III) complex. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient water oxidation catalysts, crucial for artificial photosynthesis and sustainable energy systems.
A new fossil discovery at the Chengjiang Fossil Site has provided a crucial link in understanding how arthropods evolved specialized limbs for breathing. The 520-million-year-old Erratus sperare organism has revealed the origins of biramous limbs, found in modern water-dwelling arthropods.
Achieving China's carbon neutral goal requires a rapid transition to renewable energy, nuclear generation, and a decrease in fossil fuel use. Implementing non-fossil fuel energy sources is crucial, with solar energy playing a critical role due to its decreasing costs and technology advancements.
Researchers from the University of Arkansas have discovered a new species of pangolin in Europe, confirming its existence during the early Pleistocene. The fossil, dated between 1.9-2.2 million years old, is the youngest and best-documented pangolin fossil found in Europe.
A study by Yale University found that electric vehicles provide lower carbon emissions due to indirect emissions from the supply chain of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The study suggests that pricing indirect emissions can accelerate the low-carbon transition of the US light vehicle sector.
A massive fossil of the giant millipede Arthropleura has been discovered in Northumberland, England, revealing it was up to 2.7 meters long and weighed 50 kilograms. The find sheds new light on the animal's habitat and evolution, suggesting it preferred open woodland habitats near the coast.
The University of Central Florida researchers have developed an alcohol-based power source for cars and other technology that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. The ethanol fuel cell has achieved a maximum power density and operation time of over 5,900 hours, making it a promising alternat...
Access to modern cooking fuels like gas and electricity improves health and frees up time for women to seek information and education, ultimately leading to reproductive rights. The study found a significant connection between modern energy access and lower fertility rates in countries with high initial fertility rates.
A University of Otago study finds caries in wild primates occur at low frequencies but vary among groups, with distinct tooth patterns compared to fossil humans. The research provides a new perspective on human evolution and living primate behaviour.
Researchers develop novel CO2 capture method utilizing sunlight and modified sawdust, offering a low-energy solution for carbon sequestration. The process involves heating the sawdust to regenerate the CO2 absorbent, minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Researchers at Tianjin University have designed a novel carbon-coated Ni-Co alloy catalyst that improves the stability and efficiency of in-situ aqueous phase hydrodeoxygenation. The catalyst achieved a hydrocarbon yield of 92.6%, making it a promising alternative to traditional methods.
By 2050, renewable electricity is expected to become the cheapest form of energy globally, accounting for up to three-quarters of all demand. This shift can be achieved through accelerated electrification of industries, such as steel production and transportation, which can reduce energy consumption and lower carbon intensity.
A fossil previously believed to be a four-legged snake is actually a long-bodied marine lizard, according to a new study. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that a 'snake with four legs' exists in the evolutionary chain.
Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) propose a radical approach to accelerate the energy transition. By using fossil power plants at full capacity and building solar infrastructure, they aim to minimize cumulative CO2 emissions and complete the energy transition within five years.
Researchers from Australian National University warn that Australia's hydrogen strategy lacks distinction between green and blue hydrogen, which could increase emissions. Large-scale investment in fossil fuel-based hydrogen with carbon capture technology may be risky due to substantial fugitive emissions.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new approach to modify the surface of copper catalysts, improving the conversion of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The technique involves coating the copper with thin films of ionomers, which steer the reaction towards generating carbon-rich products.
A team of Chinese researchers has developed an electrocatalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into liquid fuels with multiple carbon atoms. The primary products are ethanol, acetone, and n-butanol, which have high energy density and are safe to store and transport.
Expanding the EU's Emissions Trading System to cover road transport and heating fuels could be a cost-effective way to reduce emissions, but may affect consumers. Thoughtful policy design is crucial to relieve burdens and ensure equitable distribution of costs.
The green transition is already underway, with countries facing unique risks and opportunities based on their degree of competitiveness in fossil fuel markets. Diversifying economies towards low-carbon exports can mitigate negative impacts, while supporting innovation and job creation are key to maintaining long-term competitiveness.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a plant that can produce carbon-neutral liquid fuels from sunlight and air. The technology has been tested successfully and is now mature enough for industrial applications.
The study finds that universal access to clean cooking services might not be achieved by 2050, despite progress on other SDGs. Low-income households in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia are most at risk of not being able to afford clean cooking.
The University of Leeds research highlights the need for industry to adopt new technologies that can manufacture materials using renewable electricity. This is crucial to achieving net zero emissions targets by 2050, as current steel and aluminium manufacturing capacities pose a significant barrier to this goal.
A new study by University of Oxford and Edinburgh suggests that imposing a carbon takeback obligation on the fossil fuel industry could provide an affordable route to net zero emissions. The policy requires extractors and importers to dispose safely and permanently of CO2, with the fraction rising to 100% by 2050.
Historical analysis found no precedent for the rate of coal and gas power decline required to limit climate change to 1.5°C. Rapid declines in fossil fuel use occurred in response to energy security threats, but such cases are less relevant to climate scenarios where continental-size regions are involved.
A newly discovered ancient crab fossil, Cretapsara athanata, has shed new light on the evolution of crabs. The 100 million-year-old fossil, found in amber, provides evidence that crabs transitioned to land around 100 million years ago, bridging a previously unknown gap in their evolutionary history.
A 100-million-year-old crab fossil discovered in amber is helping scientists understand the evolution of non-marine crabs. The fossil, named Cretapsara athanata, provides crucial evidence that these crustaceans colonized land around 125 million years ago, bridging a long-standing gap in the fossil record.
Researchers describe a new modern-looking tardigrade fossil, Paradoryphoribius chronocaribbeus, found in Miocene Dominican amber. The study reveals unique foregut organization and contributes to the scant tardigrade fossil record, providing insight into the ancient superfamily Isohypsibioidea.
Researchers have discovered a new genus and species of tardigrade fossil, Paradoryphoribius chronocaribbeus, preserved in 16-million-year-old Dominican amber. The specimen is the first tardigrade fossil recovered from the Cenozoic era and offers insights into the evolution of this ancient lineage.
A new study estimates that over 3 billion people worldwide will still mainly use polluting fuels like wood and charcoal by 2030. This disproportionately affects Sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people using these fuels is growing rapidly.
A team of researchers has discovered a new species of giant penguin, named Kairuku waewaeroa, in the North Island of New Zealand. The fossil, estimated to be between 27.3 and 34.6 million years old, was found by school children on a fossil hunting field trip in 2006.
Clean geothermal power could become as important as fossil fuels, with new technologies and repurposed oil and gas expertise crucial to its development. Industry leaders emphasize the need for collaboration between geothermal and oil and gas professionals.
Researchers uncover a 500-million-year-old 'worm-like' fossil, expanding the number of worm-like species known from this time period in North America. The discovery provides new clues about prehistoric environments and ecologies, helping scientists better understand the diversity of ancient animals during the Cambrian explosion.
Researchers develop a novel method to convert nitrate in wastewater into ammonia with nearly 100% efficiency and zero greenhouse gas emissions. The system utilizes cobalt catalysts and solar power to achieve unprecedented solar-to-fuel efficiency, outperforming existing technologies.
Researchers develop efficient Ni-Co alloy nanoparticle catalysts for HDO reactions, achieving 100% selectivity and conversion efficiency. The synergistic effect of alloyed nanoparticles enhances deoxygenation activity and selectivity.
A well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil provides the first complete look at the entire body of Tupandactylus navigans, a flying reptile with a mix of terrestrial and aerial adaptations. The fossil's exceptional preservation reveals new details about its anatomy and potential flight capabilities.
Researchers reconstructed the oldest known form of roots in a 407-million-year-old plant fossil, revealing a complex branching system that differed from modern plants. This discovery provides insight into the evolution of early land plants and their impact on the environment.