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Carnegie Institution for Science


Is natural gas a 'bridge' to a hotter future?

Researchers found that natural gas power plants are more efficient than coal plants, producing less warming in the long term. However, significant methane leakage can offset this benefit, making them comparable to coal plants in terms of climate impact. To mitigate this, carbon capture and storage methods may be necessary.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 8, 2014

Biochemistry detective work: Algae at night

Scientists at Carnegie Institution for Science have discovered crucial biochemical pathways in single-cell alga Chlamydomonas that allow it to generate energy from stored sugars without taking up oxygen. This process is essential for the survival of many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, but its mechanisms are poorly understood.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateNov 10, 2014

Mysterious quasar sequence explained

New research from Carnegie Institution solves a 20-year puzzle in quasar research by demonstrating that the Eddington ratio is the driving force behind the main sequence of quasars. The study also reveals the importance of an astronomer's line-of-sight orientation in observing fast-moving gas innermost to the black hole.

Climate change and the soil

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 23, 2014

Climate: Meat turns up the heat

New research finds that beef cattle are responsible for far more greenhouse gas emissions than other types of animals, accounting for 74% of livestock-related emissions. The study estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from livestock have increased by 51% over the past nearly half a century.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalClimatic Change·DateJul 21, 2014

Two planets orbit nearby ancient star

Astronomers have discovered two new planets orbiting a nearby ancient star, Kapteyn's Star, which is just 13 light years away from Earth. One planet, Kapteyn b, is thought to be warm enough to support liquid water on its surface, while the second, Kapteyn c, is a more massive super-Earth with uncertain habitability.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 3, 2014

Lower mantle chemistry breakthrough

Scientists have discovered a significant difference in lower mantle chemistry, shifting from a single ferromagnesian silicate mineral to two distinct phases, including an iron-rich and hexagonal structure called H-phase. This finding challenges geodynamic models and may lead to new discoveries about the deep Earth.

Decoding the chemical vocabulary of plants

Researchers developed a computational pipeline system to analyze plant genomes, revealing unusual properties in genes producing specialized metabolites. These findings offer an innovative strategy for discovering novel compounds with wide-ranging implications for agriculture, biotechnology, drug discovery, and synthetic biology.

Climate change: Don't wait until you can feel it

New research from Carnegie Institution scientists highlights the need for policy decisions based on sound science, rather than anecdotal information about local weather. The study finds that even as extreme weather events influence public opinion and support for climate change mitigation, waiting for people to experience these conditio...

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 25, 2014

Drought hormones measured

Researchers at Carnegie Institution have developed a new method to measure abscisic acid levels in individual plant cells, shedding light on the hormone's role in plant stress responses. This breakthrough tool has the potential to improve crop yields and inform strategies for mitigating the impacts of drought and climate change.

Studying crops, from outer space

Researchers have developed a new approach to measuring photosynthetic activity using satellite technology, providing direct observations of photosynthesis on a large scale for the first time. The study reveals that previous model-based estimates are too low and provides a tool to assess production in various regions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2014

Amazon's canopy chemistry is a patchwork quilt

Scientists discovered that Amazonian canopy trees have evolved unique chemical portfolios to optimize growth in different soils and elevations. The study found that these communities are organized into a large mosaic controlled by geological factors, providing insights into how forests assembled over evolutionary time.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014