A 550-million-year-old fossil found in China reveals that mobile and segmented animals evolved by the terminal Ediacaran Period, providing crucial evidence for the origin of segmentation. The discovery also helps scientists understand the producers of Ediacaran trace fossils.
Researchers discovered a remarkably complete 3.8-million-year-old cranium of Australopithecus anamensis in Ethiopia, revealing new insights into human evolution. The fossil finds contradict the long-held notion of a linear transition between A. anamensis and its descendant species A. afarensis.
Scientists at ETH Zurich developed a new catalyst technology converting CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. The approach has significant potential to close the carbon cycle and produce sustainable methanol on an industrial scale.
A team of scientists has discovered the world's smallest fossil monkey, weighing less than half a pound and measuring just double the size of a pin. The 18-million-year-old Parvimico materdei helps fill a gap in the record of monkey evolution.
A new study finds that fossil fuels' ratios of extracted energy to produced energy are lower than previously thought, especially at the finished fuel stage. The study warns that declining EROI may lead to a 'net energy cliff', where available energy declines rapidly.
Researchers found that the region covered by the Belt and Road Initiative has significant solar energy potential, capable of meeting up to 41 times current electricity demand. The study suggests a possible solution to reduce BRI countries' need for fossil fuels, achieving emission reduction goals set by the Paris Agreement.
Researchers have discovered a universal pattern in the fossil record, showing that extreme events of diversification and extinction occur more frequently than expected. The study used superstatistics to describe fluctuations within clades, finding effective adaptive strategies and valleys of uninhabited space.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a high-efficiency catalyst converting CO2 into carbon monoxide, paving the way for recycling fossil fuels' carbon dioxide to preserve resources and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have discovered a new avenue for understanding and controlling combustion processes, which will ultimately lead to cleaner engines. By analyzing a massive dataset of flames and fuels, the team identified correlations among chemical intermediates that play a role in pollutant formation.
Scientists at DGIST have created a new photocatalyst that can convert sunlight into hydrocarbon fuels with improved efficiency. The addition of copper and platinum nanoparticles enhances the catalyst's ability to recycle atmospheric carbon dioxide., Researchers aim to further improve the technology to make it commercially viable.
Researchers at U of T Engineering have developed an electrochemical path to transform CO2 into valuable products, increasing energy efficiency by avoiding some energy-intensive losses. The technology achieves 100% carbon utilization and generates syngas as a single product.
Museum volunteers have discovered a new species of extinct heron, Taphophoyx hodgei, at the Montbrook fossil site in North Florida. The bird is believed to be most closely related to tiger-herons and was named after landowner Eddie Hodge, who has allowed researchers to excavate the site on his property.
A team of scientists has created a bowl-shaped electrode that efficiently converts CO2 from gas into carbon-based fuels and chemicals. The innovative design addresses two major obstacles in the conversion process, achieving higher conversion efficiency and sensitive detection of molecules.
Researchers at the University of Bath have successfully waterproofed perovskite solar cells using a graphite coating, enabling the direct generation of clean hydrogen fuels from sunlight. This breakthrough could lead to more affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that the South African fossil Australopithecus sediba is unlikely to be the direct ancestor of humans. Instead, researchers believe that Australopithecus afarensis, known for the 'Lucy' skeleton, is a stronger candidate.
Scientists at KIT and UoT have proposed a method to produce synthetic fuels from CO2 and water using compact plants in buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 'crowd oil' concept could replace significant fossil fuel usage for mobility, with potential CO2 savings of up to 30% of Germany's kerosene demand.
A new analysis suggests that eliminating emissions from dirty household fuels like wood, dung, coal, and kerosene could bring India's outdoor air pollution levels below the country's standard. This could reduce air pollution-related deaths by approximately 13% and save around 270,000 lives annually.
The Versatile Test Reactor will allow scientists to test various fuels, coolants and reactor components to evaluate new technologies for future generations of advanced nuclear reactors. The reactor's experimental configurations will provide key information to scientists as they work to develop innovative reactor designs.
A new research paper proposes an alternative technology - renewable electrosynthesis - to replace fossil fuels in the production of chemicals, plastics, clothing, and fertilizers. The process uses CO2 from the air, renewable electricity, and innovative catalysts to create carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative products.
A new fossil crab species, Callichimaera perplexa, has been discovered, challenging our understanding of evolution and revealing a unique body form. The species has characteristics similar to crab larvae, with adults exhibiting disproportionately large eyes and oar-like legs that are the oldest record of adaptations for swimming.
A new species of extinct sea cucumber named Sollasina cthulhu has been discovered, revealing a monstrous relative of modern sea cucumbers with long tentacles and an inner ring-like form. The fossil, 430 million years old, provides crucial information on the evolution of soft-bodied creatures.
Researchers at McGill University have created a new class of hypergolic fuels that are significantly cleaner and safer than current options. These fuels use metal-organic frameworks to unlock energy, offering a promising solution for the aerospace industry.
A Jurassic fossil find reveals that insects began serving as pollinators before the emergence of flowering plants. The ancient fly's proboscis was used to access sugary secretions in ancient gymnosperms, laying the foundation for pollination mutualism.
Scientists discover that comb jellies evolved from ancestors with polyp-like tentacles on the sea floor, which later developed into balloon-like spheres and comb-like structures. The discovery repositions comb jellies alongside corals and jellyfish in the evolutionary tree of life.
A 125 million-year-old fossil of a bird hatchling has revealed feathers, confirming it was 'precocial' and 'out of the egg running'. The discovery uses laser imaging technology to uncover previously unknown feathering in the fossil specimen.
Researchers have unearthed a treasure trove of Cambrian secrets along the Danshui River in China, containing over 50 previously undescribed animal species. The Qingjiang biota fossil assemblage rivals that of the Burgess Shale and Chengjiang localities in terms of quality and taxonomic diversity.
A team of scientists discovered a new Cretaceous fossil with an egg preserved inside its body, revealing unusual reproductive system abnormalities. The fossil, representing a new species Avimaia schweitzerae, shows an eggshell consisting of two layers instead of one, indicating the egg was retained too long inside the abdomen.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute demonstrate that sustainable plant-based bio-jet fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be economically viable. The study found that optimizing the production process can lower the cost of biofuels to $2.50 per gallon, making them a viable alternative to conventional jet fuels.
The discovery of fossilized monkey teeth in West Turkana, Kenya, fills a 6-million-year gap in Old World monkey evolution. The newly found teeth, belonging to the species Alophia metios, have primitive dentition, lacking 'lophs,' and are believed to be adapted to a diet of hard fruits, seeds, and nuts.
Scientists have discovered a 25-million-year-old palm fossil in central Tibet, pushing back the formation of the Tibetan Plateau by millions of years. The discovery suggests that the region was once much flatter than previously thought, with lakes and subtropical vegetation, before becoming a plateau around 2-3 million years ago.
A study by Stockholm University reveals that biomass burning from neighboring regions exceeds fossil fuel emissions in New Delhi during the fall and winter. The researchers found high levels of black carbon aerosols in the city, posing a significant threat to human health.
Researchers at UTSA are working on new accident tolerant fuels (ATFs) that will limit overheating and reduce the risk of radioactive leaks. The goal is to replace conventional fuel with a more durable material, enabling nuclear plants to better withstand accidents.
Researchers at Oregon State University are studying the burning behavior of live fuels to better predict wildfire spread. The team aims to identify key factors driving differences in burning behavior, enabling more accurate fire models for Department of Defense managers.
The COMET Project aims to create a low-carbon special powertrain research center at TU Graz, focusing on CO2-neutral fuels, hybrid drive technology, and electric powertrain components. The four-year project is funded by six million euros and strengthens Austria's research and production location.
Researchers revised the megalodon shark's extinction timeline, finding evidence of genuine fossil occurrences until 3.6 million years ago. The team proposes that competition with great white sharks led to megalodon's demise, rather than a supernova or marine mass extinction.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a chemical conversion process that can transform polyolefin waste into valuable products, including polymers, naphtha, and clean fuels. The technology has the potential to boost recycling profits and reduce global plastic waste stock.
A 150-year-old fossil feather has been re-examined using Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence (LSF) technology, resolving the debate over its origin. The study reveals that the feather did not belong to Archaeopteryx but instead came from an unknown feathered dinosaur.
The AFLEET Tool and its online version enable fleet managers to compare the costs and benefits of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies, optimizing their purchasing decisions. With over 8,000 users, the tool is based on Argonne's GREET model and provides a comprehensive and easier way to make informed decisions.
A study by Otago researcher Dr Carolina Loch and colleagues has shed new light on the evolution of modern baleen whales' ancestors, revealing complex enamel structures in their teeth. The research suggests that these ancestral whales had a mix of mammalian and whale-like characteristics.
A new fossil discovery reveals defining characteristics of hagfish appeared before the Cretaceous period, resolving a longstanding debate on their evolutionary position. The study suggests that hagfish and lampreys form a distinct clade, implying that living jawless vertebrates may not be as primitive as initially thought.
A 100-million-year-old hagfish fossil provides critical evidence of the evolutionary history of these enigmatic creatures. The discovery helps place hagfish in a more accurate position within the vertebrate family tree, suggesting a closer relationship with lampreys than previously thought.
Scientists at the University of Waterloo have created a powder that can capture CO2 from factories and power plants, offering a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The powder is twice as efficient as conventional methods and has potential applications in water filtration and energy storage.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a copper catalyst that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels without wasteful byproducts. This breakthrough could enable the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
A UMass Lowell team is working on developing renewable fuel additives from sawdust to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The project aims to create a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.
Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach a record high of over 37 billion tons in 2018, driven by growing energy demand and non-fossil source emissions. Renewables have largely come online as add-ons to fossil fuels, but more needs to be done for them to displace fossil fuels.
A team of scientists combined fossil and genetic data to infer that ancient animals with complex eyes were likely colour-vision capable, providing insights into the evolution of vision.
Researchers at the University of Illinois successfully converted wet biowaste into a diesel-compatible fuel using hydrothermal liquification. The new process meets current standards for diesel fuel and produces similar pollutant emissions to regular diesel.
MIT engineers have built and flown the first-ever plane with no moving parts, powered by an 'ionic wind' that generates enough thrust to propel the aircraft over a sustained flight. The lightweight aircraft is silent, doesn't depend on fossil fuels, and produces zero combustion emissions.
The nationwide average exposure to PM2.5 in China decreased significantly between 2005 and 2015, mainly attributed to declining household solid fuel use. Researchers estimate that replacing all remaining household solid fuels with clean energy sources could prevent an additional half-million premature deaths per year.
A newly discovered fossil from a 75-million-year-old bird reveals that enantiornithines were as advanced as modern birds in terms of flight. The fossil's unique features, including a deeper keeled breast bone and V-shaped wishbone, suggest a stronger and more agile wing structure.
Researchers at MIT and partners have created detailed 3D images of kerogen's internal structure, improving predictions of oil and gas recovery. The study reveals that mature kerogen has smaller pores connected by a network allowing for easier extraction.
Renewable energy cooperatives are a viable option for energy production and marketing, offering a democratic alternative to fossil fuels. Despite regulatory hurdles, the number of contracts exceeding 70,000 demonstrates their potential in Spain.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a groundbreaking process that converts biogas from landfills into liquid diesel fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This innovative method has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence.
Climate scientists predict that extreme summers, like 2018, will continue if countries don't phase out fossil fuels; however, switching to cleaner coal-burning technology can mitigate this effect. Aerosols play a crucial role in regulating temperatures and cooling the planet.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide modelled the transition to a sustainable energy future, examining the relative productivity of fossil fuels and renewables. The study shows that fuel productivity determines the viability of renewable energy and how economies will transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have cracked the chemical mechanism to produce hydrogen fuel from water using solar power, enabling a more efficient and environmentally friendly process. This breakthrough could significantly impact efforts to replace carbon-based fuels with hydrogen fuels.
Researchers have developed a stable and pure form of epsilon iron carbide that generates almost no CO2 during the Fischer-Tropsch process. This breakthrough could reduce operating costs by up to 25 million euros per year and facilitate more efficient carbon capture and utilization.
A 11.6-million-year-old fossil discovered in Can Mata landfill, Spain, has provided new insights into the origin and evolution of flying squirrels. The fossil, identified as Miopetaurista neogrivensis, suggests that giant flying squirrels existed even earlier than previously thought.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new MOF that can selectively react with hydrogen molecules over carbon dioxide, allowing for efficient removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. This breakthrough technology has the potential to reduce net CO2 emissions and create valuable chemicals and fuels.
Researchers discovered a new fossil that shows large angiosperm trees grew in North America by the Turonian age, dating back nearly 15 million years earlier than previously thought. This find provides more detail to our understanding of the landscape during this period and sheds light on the evolution of flowering plants.