Researchers developed a tool using AI and text mining to analyze inspection reports, identifying urgent roof repairs and prioritizing spending. The 'Moneyball' approach uses data on buildings instead of subjective opinions to make informed decisions with limited budgets.
Assistant Professor Aaron Maxwell uses big data analytics and deep learning to map West Virginia's surface over the last 60 years. The research aims to understand natural landscapes and predict future changes such as landslides and river erosion.
Scientists have developed a new method to extract metals like copper from their parent ore body using an electric field. This non-invasive technique has the potential to transform the mining industry by dissolving metals from previously inaccessible deposits.
Cleanup efforts can restore affected streams to near natural conditions within 10-15 years, with common responses seen despite differing aquatic life and toxic metals. Shared feeding habits and behavioral characteristics unified how stream invertebrates responded to alleviation of metal pollutants.
Researchers will study the ethics of mining, bringing together geohumanities and geology with communities impacted by mining. The project aims to create an interdisciplinary understanding of mining's social, political, and environmental implications.
Researchers have discovered a new method for converting toxic copper ions into stable single-atom copper using bacteria found in copper mines. This process is safer and more efficient than current methods, which often require harsh chemicals and labor-intensive processes.
Researchers discovered bacteria and archaea involved in nutrient cycle and biomineralization, suggesting microorganisms contribute to metal formation and ecosystem support. The study's findings have implications for understanding the impact of mining on ecosystems.
Researchers created a satellite-based map of human pressure on lands around the world using machine learning. The map reveals abrupt changes in landscapes due to deforestation, mining, and urbanization, providing insights into biodiversity conservation and sustainability.
A new study from the Journal of Near Eastern Studies presents evidence of Roman-era emerald mining in Wadi Sikait, Egyptian Eastern Desert. The excavation revealed religious artifacts and structures, highlighting the importance of cult spaces in mining settlements.
Researchers discovered a total of 23 new compounds in the endophytic fungus P. dangeardii, including azaphilone monomers, dimers, and trimers with unique structures. The compounds showed significant cytotoxicities, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant activities.
The 'MiningImpact' project monitors the first in-situ test of a prototype collector vehicle, assessing environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ecosystems. The study aims to inform improved standards for mining codes, focusing on ecosystem health and biodiversity loss.
Researchers found that European listed companies in the energy and mining sector provide sparse information on future environmental costs. Only 60% of companies disclosed discount rates and 65% provided time horizons for payments. Media exposure increased environmental disclosure, but not always with specific details.
Cereal plant remains from Prigglitz-Gasteil show signs of processing off-site, suggesting specialized communities relied on external food sources. This discovery adds to the discussion on Bronze Age mining sites' dietary patterns and highlights the importance of processed foods in sustaining these communities.
A new algorithm developed by USC engineers can think and learn like a doctor, suggesting the best diagnostic strategies by mining electronic healthcare records. This could lead to faster, better, and more efficient diagnoses and treatments, complementing human doctors' judgment.
A study found a significant increase in boys born with undescended testicles in France between 2002 and 2014. The researchers identified clusters of cases in areas with high levels of environmental pollution from industries such as coal mining and metal works.
The study uses natural language processing to extract adverse effects from Spanish health records, highlighting a major health problem and improving clinical decision making. The system learns more effectively with larger corpora, contributing to closing the gap in clinical text mining across languages.
Isabel Barton is developing a more proactive approach to extraction by applying detailed characterization methods to quantify relevant ore properties. Her research aims to link these properties to leaching results, leading to more efficient mining operations worldwide.
A new study estimates that methane emissions from coal mines are approximately 50 percent higher than previously calculated. Methane is about 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when it comes to warming the planet over a long period.
Researchers propose a Food Safety Monitoring System that uses text mining to analyze consumer comments on websites, flagging products associated with food-related illnesses. The system was tested on Amazon reviews and IWasPoisoned.com data, identifying specific brands of protein bars and herbal teas as high-risk products.
The new search engine enables researchers to compare different samples with the same function in various microbiomes, aiding disease diagnosis and treatment. MSE 2 includes an extended database of over 260,000 samples, providing a bird's eye view of the microbiome data space
The new journal, Biological Imaging, provides an interdisciplinary forum for quantitative and computational imaging in life sciences, covering topics like microscopy, image acquisition, and machine learning. The journal aims to drive cross-fertilization across research applications and inspire innovative work.
A new study by the University of Nottingham and Durham University found that advanced InSAR techniques could have foreseen the catastrophic tailings dam collapse in Brazil, which killed over 200 people. The research reveals that different areas of the dam were moving at different rates, indicating that failure was foreseeable.
A new blockchain technology enables optimal matching of buy and sell orders in peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing for more efficient use of surplus electricity from renewable energy sources. The system allows consumers to engage in direct trading at optimal prices, maximizing the amount of surplus electricity available in the market.
Researchers describe a critically endangered bat species, Myotis nimbaensis, with bright-orange fur, found in the Nimba Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery highlights the importance of sub-Saharan sky islands to bat diversity and conservation efforts.
Researchers developed a method to identify soil color and structure using ground-penetrating radar, allowing for classification of soils for construction, agriculture, or mining. The technique was tested in Kamennaya Steppe, where it matched actual soil colors 80% of the time.
A new study finds that mine ponds created by artisanal gold miners have increased the risk of mercury poisoning in Peru's Amazon. The proliferation of these ponds has amplified the environmental and human health risks associated with mercury exposure.
A new study finds that infrastructure and mining projects in tropical forests will destroy forests and increase development, harming wildlife and people. The report highlights the urgent need to factor in forest value and protect critical habitats.
A remote monitoring tool has been developed to predict geological movement and groundwater flow in old coalfields. The tool uses satellite radar imagery to capture millimetre-scale measurements of changes in terrain height, allowing for the monitoring and forecasting of groundwater levels and changes in geological conditions.
A recent study suggests that bacteria can extract useful materials from rocks on Mars and the Moon, paving the way for new technologies to support human exploration and settlement. The findings also highlight the potential of microorganisms to enhance the removal of rare earth elements from lunar and Martian landscapes.
A study by the University of York reveals that metal pollution from historic mining is weakening scallop shells, threatening marine ecosystems. The research found that contaminated seabed sediments with zinc, lead, and copper are causing brittle shell thinning, affecting the species' survival.
The study uses Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) to investigate lignite regions in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It finds significant land subsidence in open-cast mining areas, with rates of up to 50 centimeters per year.
Residents of Kabwe Town, Zambia, exhibit high blood levels of lead and cadmium, leading to clinical symptoms of toxicity. The study found significant correlations between metal exposure and health effects, particularly in adults.
The Membrane Solvent Extraction (MSX) process developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows for the recovery of highly pure cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese from spent lithium-ion batteries. This technology contributes to a circular economy by recycling end-of-life products without generating hazardous waste.
The deep-sea food web is significantly disrupted by deep-seabed mining, especially the microbial part of the carbon cycle. Microbes are found to be more than one-third less active in cycling carbon.
Sustainable space management is at risk under US-centric policies that prioritize national regulation over international cooperation. The Artemis Accords could lead to a 'race to the bottom' in space mining regulations, threatening lunar stability and increasing asteroid mining risks.
Researchers at West Virginia University are improving methane monitoring networks to prevent explosions in underground mines. The new system will enable proactive responses to rising trends, increasing safety and reducing production delays.
Scientists study tree rings to reveal how Arctic dimming kills trees and limits growth due to reduced sunlight from industrial pollution. The research found massive tree mortality associated with the Norilsk mining complex in northern Siberia.
A study of tree rings from Norilsk, Russia has shown that industrial pollution in the Arctic region has a far greater impact than previously thought. The research reveals widespread damage to the boreal forest, with declining tree growth affecting carbon sequestration and global climate.
A recent study by Curtin University reveals that approximately a quarter of the world's carnivorous plant species are at risk of extinction. The biggest threats to these unique plants are human activities such as agriculture, mining, and climate change, which can lead to habitat loss and hydrological changes.
A proposed mining policy in Brazil's Amazon rainforest could lead to significant economic losses due to impacts on rubber, timber, and greenhouse gas mitigation ecosystem services. The policy threatens to destroy valuable ecosystems that provide an estimated $7 billion AUD annually, making it financially unsustainable.
A nationwide survey of land use impacts on water quality in Brazil reveals that agriculture and urbanization are the main culprits behind river pollution. The study found that degradation varies according to scale or dimension used to evaluate it, and that catchment analysis appears to best reflect overall water quality.
KDD 2020 features four keynote talks on meta-provenance, AI for intelligent financial services, state-space multi-taper time-frequency analysis, and computational epidemiology. The conference will also include 18 applied data science invited talks and 217 accepted research papers.
A new AI system has been developed to detect cryptocurrency miners hijacking supercomputers for illicit mining. The system compares programs based on graphs, identifying malicious codes and preventing computing power theft.
A team of scientists, led by RMIT University, has developed a new class of quantum sensors using high-performance diamond particles embedded in conventional glass fibers. This breakthrough enables the creation of cheap quantum sensor networks for applications such as underwater monitoring and mining.
A new study warns of the potential harm of deep-seabed mining on seabed ecosystems, highlighting a need for better understanding of their sensitivity and biodiversity. The researchers emphasize that many deep-sea ecosystems will be highly sensitive to seafloor mining and are likely to be impacted over larger scales than predicted.
Chinese scientists introduce FlowRACS, a flow-mode Raman-activated cell sorter, to support high-throughput discovery of enzymes and their cell factories at the precision of just one microbial cell. The instrument can screen yeast for its TAG content and profile in real-time.
The new global standard on tailings management establishes comprehensive best practices for planning, design, operation, and closure of mine tailings facilities. This system-wide change is expected to dramatically improve safety and prevent catastrophic failures.
A new treatment process recovers higher concentrations of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage (AMD), a significant environmental concern. The two-stage method uses carbon dioxide to extract valuable minerals at lower costs and environmental impact.
A Simon Fraser University professor's research analyzes CSR impact in forestry, mining, and textiles industries, finding few initiatives translate to improvements for local communities. He advocates for global pressure, transparent reporting, and harmonized labels to promote sustainable production and reduce conflicts.
European manufacturers are emerging as sustainable successors to combustion engines, with the European Commission investing heavily in initiatives to establish new factories and mining operations across the region. The goal is to create hundreds of thousands of jobs while reducing the carbon footprint of production.
Methane levels have surged globally, primarily driven by coal mining, oil and gas production, and cattle farming. The potent greenhouse gas poses a significant threat, with potential consequences including wildfires, droughts, and social disruptions.
A new study highlights the need for further assessment of ecological impacts from deep-sea mining, which could harm vast midwater ecosystems and affect fisheries, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. The International Seabed Authority must consider midwater research efforts to minimize environmental harm.
A new study reveals that gold mining significantly restricts Amazon forest regeneration, leading to substantial losses in carbon sink capacity. The research highlights the urgent need for active land management and restoration to recover tropical forests on previously mined lands.
Scientists have discovered four new genera and four new species of giant single-celled xenophyophores in the Pacific Ocean. The newly described species provide insights into the ecology and importance of these organisms in deep-sea ecosystems, which could be impacted by seafloor mining.
A study by University of Seville experts found an important decrease in total metal concentrations and a shift towards less toxic forms in the River Guadiamar sediment. The research suggests that measures taken after the disaster have improved water quality, but ongoing monitoring is necessary to maintain this progress.
A study analyzing 2,743 global environmental conflicts found that activists are often victims of criminalization, physical violence, and murder, with indigenous peoples disproportionately affected. Successful mobilizations can halt environmentally destructive projects, with a success rate of up to 27% when combining strategies.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have created an Ice Favorability Index to aid in the detection of water ice deposits on the moon. The study provides valuable insights into the geological processes that form these deposits, enabling companies to better understand the risks and rewards of lunar mining.
A study by Duke University scientists found that native communities hundreds of kilometers away from gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon have high levels of mercury exposure, leading to intellectual deficits and IQ losses. Children with higher mercury levels in their hair showed cognitive effects, even at lower exposure levels.
Researchers at the University of Vaasa have developed a model that can explain 87 percent of cryptocurrency bankruptcies after only one month of trading. The study identifies four key factors that contribute to a coin's success or failure, including first-day performance and developer anonymity.
Scientists use artificial intelligence to analyze millions of medical journal articles for COVID-19 connections, while researchers also explore Arctic plant growth rules and develop a new solid-state electrolyte for lithium metal batteries.