A Stanford University study has found that carnivorous grasshopper mice are the primary carriers of the deadly plague disease in prairie dog towns. The research suggests that when grasshopper mouse density becomes high, it leads to an epizootic, resulting in the deaths of virtually all prairie dogs in a town.
A new solar energy conversion process called photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) has the potential to surpass existing photovoltaic and thermal conversion technologies. The process excels at higher temperatures, making it ideal for use in solar concentrators.
A new study by Mark Z. Jacobson suggests that reducing soot emissions is the best hope for saving Arctic sea ice within the next two decades. Soot contributes to global warming and kills over 1.5 million people prematurely, but eliminating it could reduce warming above parts of the Arctic Circle in just 15 years.
The new sewage treatment process uses low-oxygen conditions to encourage nitrous oxide production, which can be used as fuel. This approach could reduce costs and increase energy generation while eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
The Frankencamera platform allows users to control photographic and computational hardware on cameras, creating new imaging applications. Researchers share six sample apps, including low-light imaging and lucky imaging, that demonstrate the platform's potential.
A new study by Stanford University climate scientists predicts that exceptionally long heat waves and hot events will be frequent in the US by 2039, posing risks to agriculture and human health. The researchers used climate models to project a 1.8-degree Fahrenheit increase in global temperature, leading to more intense heat extremes.
A Stanford-led analysis of over 900 climate researchers found that those unconvinced of human-caused climate change had significantly less research publications and citations. The study also found that top climate researchers who endorsed the IPCC's assessment were 97% of the top 100 surveyed scientists.
The Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University has awarded four new Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) grants worth $787,013 over two years. The projects focus on addressing environmental challenges in East Africa and India, including the impact of wildlife loss and climate change on human health and agriculture.
High-yield agriculture has prevented massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 590 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. The research estimates that yield improvements reduced the need to convert forests to farmland, a process that generates significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers studying two isolated Pacific atolls find diverse marine life populations in response to different fishing pressures. At Palmyra, a protected US wildlife refuge, high densities of sharks and large fish are found, while Tabuaeran, inhabited by 2,500 people, hosts lower fish populations due to artisanal fishing.
A Stanford University survey reveals that three out of four Americans believe the Earth is warming due to human activity and support government regulations to address climate change. The survey also shows a small decline in skeptics, with those who distrust scientists being less aware of recent temperature fluctuations.
Groundwater experts propose using deeper aquifers for irrigation, pumping high volumes of water from wells can pull down arsenic-contaminated water. Scientists recommend retesting existing deep wells on a regular basis to ensure quality. Filtration and alternative methods are used in countries without deep aquifers.
Researchers found that global warming led to a 30% decline in biodiversity among small mammals, with populations experiencing significant losses while the deer mouse thrived due to its adaptability. This change had ripple effects on ecosystems, affecting soil aeration, seed dispersal, and predator-prey relationships.
Researchers tracked a plume of contaminated groundwater flowing from a septic system to the ocean, revealing a potential source of pollution. The study's findings could inform conservation efforts and improve wastewater management in coastal communities.
Researchers found that male African cichlid fish exhibit a fear response when fighting their own reflections, characterized by increased activity in the amygdala region of the brain. This discovery suggests that fish may have more complex cognitive abilities than previously thought.
A Stanford University study found that public opinion experts' 'most important problem' question systematically underestimates Americans' priority on global warming and the environment. When reframed, however, this question reveals a significant increase in environmental concerns.
Researchers at Stanford University and Brown University are developing new technologies to understand brain function and encourage recovery from injury. The project aims to create implantable devices that can sense brain signals and deliver optogenetic light pulses to neural tissue.
Martu hunter-gatherers' traditional practices have reshaped Australia's Western Desert habitats, creating biologically diverse areas. The use of fire in their hunting grounds encourages the growth of diverse vegetation, allowing small mammals to thrive.
Researchers found that only about 30% of the genes in the corn smut genome are always activated, while the other 70% is tissue-specific, with different parts of the maize plant activating different genes. This discovery could lead to new approaches to fighting disease in plants and humans.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully harnessed a tiny electric current from algae cells using a unique nanoelectrode. This discovery could lead to the development of high-efficiency bioelectricity with zero carbon emissions. However, further improvements are needed to scale up the process and make it economically feasible.
Scientists found that ancient rocks from Greenland show evidence of a vast global ocean keeping water wet despite low solar energy. The team proposes that oceans absorb more sunlight due to their darker color and cloud formation, eliminating the need for high greenhouse gas levels.
Researchers have created a way to implant an inorganic device into a cell wall without damaging it, allowing for up to a week of observation. The 'stealth' probe mimics natural gateways in the cell membrane and integrates smoothly into membranes, enabling electrical access to the inside of cells.
A major report by an international team of scientists and policy experts explores the social, economic, health and environmental impacts of the livestock industry. Key findings include the high greenhouse gas emissions from animal feed production and transport, which account for 18% of global emissions.
A Stanford study finds urban CO2 domes cause local temperature increases and worsen air pollution, leading to increased deaths. The research contradicts current cap-and-trade proposals that fail to account for local emissions' health impacts.
Researchers have observed dynamic behavior of allophycocyanin protein for over one second, a significant increase from previous methods, revealing new insights into its shape-changing dynamics.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new biological process in legumes that enables them to fix nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This breakthrough has the potential to make agriculture more sustainable and aid efforts to mitigate climate change.
Stanford biologist Steve Palumbi has discovered a species of coral that can survive in high water temperatures, offering hope for marine species struggling with climate change. The most effective marine protected areas balance preservation of species with human needs, presenting a challenge to designers.
Cui's team has developed lightweight paper batteries, supercapacitors, and eTextiles that can store energy while retaining mechanical properties. The technology has potential applications in homes, gadgets, sportswear, and wearable power.
A Stanford law professor is examining the role of brain scans in court trials, revealing that defense attorneys are more likely to use this type of evidence than prosecutors. The use of neuroscience evidence can be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to both empathy and convictions.
A new Stanford University study finds that global warming could lead to crop shortages, rising food prices, and increased poverty in some regions. However, others may benefit from higher crop yields and prices, particularly farmers who own their own land.
A Stanford University study found that solar-powered drip irrigation systems significantly enhance household incomes and nutritional intake of villagers in arid sub-Saharan Africa. The system provided a reliable source of water, allowing farmers to produce more food and increase their income.
Stanford researchers found that about 10% of irrigation water is lost below the vine rooting zone due to deep cracks in clay-rich soils. Lowering or burying drip lines, slowing irrigation rates, and eliminating animal burrows can help reduce water loss.
Stanford researchers recommend vertical evacuation as a safer alternative to fleeing tsunamis, but only if buildings are reinforced to withstand both earthquakes and tsunamis. The approach could save thousands of lives, especially in cities like Padang where residents live in high-risk zones.
A new study by Stanford University researchers suggests that global warming could significantly impact US wine and corn production. The study uses high-resolution computer models to project future climate change impacts on agriculture in the United States over the next three decades.
A new study led by Stanford researchers finds that ethanol-powered vehicles produce more ozone than gas-powered ones, particularly during winter months. The increase in ozone production is attributed to the generation of aldehydes, which are precursors to ozone and can be carcinogenic.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to produce ultra-lightweight, bendable batteries and supercapacitors using ordinary paper coated with carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires. The paper-based energy storage devices can store and discharge electricity rapidly and are highly durable.
A new Stanford University study suggests the early ocean was much more temperate and life likely diversified and spread across the globe sooner. The researchers analyzed isotope ratios in ancient rocks, finding that the ocean temperature could not have been more than 40C, contradicting previous estimates of at least 55 degrees Celsius.
A team of scientists used satellite and acoustic tags to study white shark migration patterns in the North Pacific, revealing a genetically distinct population that has separated from other sharks worldwide. This finding suggests the possibility of long-term population assessment and monitoring, which could help ensure their protection.
Two gamma-ray photons arrived at NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope with almost identical speeds, confirming Einstein's special theory of relativity. The high-energy photon was a million times more energetic than the lower-energy one, but its speed was not significantly different.
A Stanford University research team has been awarded $6.27 million to develop an interactive software system that encourages people to be more energy efficient at home. The system will provide consumers with information about household energy consumption, aiming to reduce energy consumption by 10-30 percent.
The center has awarded its third round of competitive research grants to six projects focused on energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and behavior. The projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption through innovative approaches such as design optimization, policy analysis, and behavioral interventions.
Stanford University researchers propose that transitioning to renewable energy could reduce global power demand by 30%, making it cheaper than fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The study finds that wind, water, and solar energy can meet the world's power demands with minimal land area required.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new magnetic-nano sensor chip that can detect cancer-associated proteins with high accuracy and search for up to 64 different proteins simultaneously. The sensor is up to 1,000 times more sensitive than current methods and can detect biomarkers in bodily fluids with low concentrations.
A new report reveals that aquaculture accounts for 50% of global fish consumption, driven by demand for omega-3 fatty acids. This strain on marine resources can be mitigated by reducing fish oil in farmed fish diets and developing alternative feedstuffs.
The Stanford camera, also known as Frankencamera, is an open-source digital camera that will give programmers the chance to create software that teaches cameras new tricks. With the camera's operating software made available publicly, users can continuously improve it, adding their own algorithms to process raw images in innovative ways.
A new earthquake-resistant structural system has been successfully tested in Japan, demonstrating its ability to make buildings far more damage resistant and easier to repair. The system dissipates energy through steel frames that rock off their foundation under large earthquakes, confining damage to replaceable parts.
Scientists from Stanford University and their international colleagues use cutting-edge technology to monitor the Gulf of Aqaba's surface currents, shedding light on its complex dynamics. The research helps environmental agencies respond to spills and minimize pollution, while also informing large-scale water projects.
Soay sheep on Scotland's Hirta island have shrunk by 5% in size and body weight due to the warmer climate. The decline is attributed to increased competition for limited resources, resulting from a longer growing season and more surviving lambs.
Scientists at Stanford University have created a new method to analyze isotopes, which are used to solve crimes, date ancient artifacts, and identify chemicals. The device uses laser-based spectroscopy to measure the ratios of isotopes in a sample, providing accurate results within one to three parts per thousand.
A Stanford University study reveals dramatic differences in fertilizer use between China and sub-Saharan Africa, with excessive use in China causing environmental harm while inadequate inputs in Africa lead to soil depletion. The report warns against a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to managing global food production.