Researchers at The Rockefeller University shed new light on 'Moore's Law,' revealing a more nuanced historical wave pattern to the rise of transistor density in silicon chips. The study predicts that the end of the silicon chip era is near, with only one or two silicon pulses left before further advances become exponentially difficult.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has released a detailed draft agreement for managing nature, proposing 21 action targets to reduce threats to biodiversity and preserve ecosystems. The framework aims to enhance ecosystem integrity, value nature's contributions to people, and share genetic resources fairly.
A decade-long investigation reveals the continuous male line of the Da Vinci family, tracing 21 generations and five family branches. The study also provides new discoveries and family tree updates, deepening previous findings and offering a strong basis for advancing DNA research.
A global assessment report by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission found that reported Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) events have increased in some regions, while decreasing or holding steady in others. The study highlights the need for more research on the linkages between HABs and growth of the aquaculture industry.
The world's plant and animal diversity is declining, but the direction and pace of change in microbial life, including viruses, remain unknown. Microbial evolution can lead to greater or fewer species, with potential implications for the biosphere.
A new study reveals that floating DNA bits in seawater can reveal the relative abundance of fish species, allowing for an inexpensive and harmless way to monitor fisheries and track shifting marine life. The technique, known as eDNA, has vast applications in ocean conservation and research.
The study synthesizes three decades of data on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) globally, examining their impact on human health, ecosystems, and economies. The report provides a baseline for tracking changes in HAB problems.
The Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report highlights six of the world's 20 biodiversity targets as partially achieved by 2020 deadline. The UN warns that eight transformative changes are urgently needed to ensure human wellbeing and save the planet, citing encouraging progress in some areas but degrading ecosystems and accelerating loss.
A new study charts a potential path for preserving and restoring historic works by identifying microbial communities on art. Researchers found that microbes on wood and canvas surfaces can produce chemicals influencing decay rates.
DNA scientists have found genetic traces of species like the Brazilian cownose ray and Gulf kingfish in New Jersey's Barnegat Inlet, defying predicted migration patterns. The study used a harmless and economical method to monitor marine life movements, diversity, distribution, and abundance.
A new study reveals that municipal wastewater could provide up to 158 million households with electricity, irrigate 31 million hectares of farmland, and offset 13.4% of global fertilizer demand. Wastewater production is projected to increase by 24% by 2030 and 51% by 2050.
Scientists discovered significant amounts of water trapped inside diamonds, which formed hundreds of kilometers deep in the planet. The findings suggest that this subterranean water may have originated from surface oceans and played a crucial role in the Earth's natural carbon balance and life emergence.
The Deep Carbon Observatory team estimates that only 0.02% of Earth's total carbon is above surface, while the rest is subsurface. Volcanic CO2 emissions are estimated to be 280-360 million tonnes per year, dwarfed by human-induced emissions.
The IPBES Global Assessment Report reveals an alarming rate of species extinction, with 1 million threatened, and ecosystem degradation worsening. Human activities, including land use changes, climate change, pollution, and invasive species, are driving these declines.
The Cool Coalition aims to inspire ambition and accelerate action on the transition to clean and efficient cooling. By addressing the growing demand for cooling, the coalition seeks to cut global warming, improve people's lives and make huge financial savings.
Researchers deploy underwater receivers to detect tagged bluefin tuna, providing insights into their behavior, migration patterns, and natural mortality rates. The technology sheds light on the species' survival, informing sustainable management of their populations.
Desalination plants worldwide discharge 142 million cubic meters of hypersaline brine daily, threatening ocean life and ecosystems. The UN calls for improved brine management strategies to meet growing water needs.
The Deep Carbon Observatory has revealed that the deep biosphere, a subsurface ecosystem, hosts an immense amount of life with 15-23 billion tons of carbon, far exceeding human carbon mass. This discovery expands our understanding of the tree of life and the potential for life in extreme environments.
A new 'Go Fish' tool confirms marine species presence in water samples within three days, complementing traditional monitoring systems. Experts at the first US National Conference on Marine Environmental DNA discuss the potential of emerging eDNA science to enhance ocean management and inform policy decisions.
Demand for bioenergy to reduce CO2 emissions could lead to a 10-30 fold increase in green energy-related land use, putting pressure on habitats and species diversity. Safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity is key to mitigating climate change, with reforestation being four times more effective than bioenergy crops.
A study finds no correlation between atmospheric CO2 levels and forest expansion/decline, with nations' forest resources mirroring the UN Human Development Index. Forest growth is attributed to factors such as urbanization, market-oriented agriculture, and improved agricultural technologies.
The IPBES report warns that land degradation is pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction, with negative impacts on at least 3.2 billion people. Avoiding further agricultural expansion into native habitats can be achieved through yield increases and reductions in food loss and waste.
750 world experts will finalize landmark reports on biodiversity, nature's contributions, and land degradation, providing unprecedented insights into the status of global biodiversity and land quality. The reports will inform better decisions about nature and set biodiversity targets for the period after 2020.
Global experts recommend a broader appreciation of nature's contributions beyond ecosystem services, recognizing cultural significance and local knowledge. The new approach aims to increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies by incorporating a richer information base.
Experts at the Global Innovation Summit propose 10 guiding principles for sustainable economies, emphasizing research, education, and responsible resource development. The summit highlights innovative technologies like AI, sensors, and additive manufacturing to drive efficient production and mitigate environmental challenges.
A groundbreaking study applies big data analysis to mineralogy, predicting the existence of 1,500 missing minerals and new deposits. The technique enables scientists to represent data from multiple variables on thousands of minerals in a single graph, revealing patterns of occurrence and distribution.
A 10-year, $2.7 million project in Ontario reduced turtle deaths on a causeway by 89%, offering global lessons for protecting endangered species. The initiative included fencing, culverts, and public awareness campaigns to reduce roadkill, with significant success.
Researchers have recorded spring fish migrations by analyzing DNA in water samples, providing a harmless and economical alternative to traditional methods. The study's findings suggest that environmental DNA can be used to monitor fish populations, estimate abundance, and track distribution.
Researchers identify 208 minerals formed due to human activities, bolstering the argument for a new geological time interval. The vast majority of these minerals originated through mining and human industry since the mid-1700s, underscoring the immense impact of human activities on Earth's mineral diversity.
To address the world's increasingly complex problems, a broad, trans-disciplinary scientific approach is needed. UNESCO recommends fostering collaborative research and education worldwide to develop sustainable solutions for interconnected issues like energy, water, food security, and urban planning.
Over 300 participants from 80 nations share expertise on torture rehabilitation, addressing issues like Syria's refugee crisis and Guantanamo Bay survivors' denied rehabilitation. The symposium aims to deliver on the right to rehabilitation, a UN-recognized right for victims of torture.
The need for innovation is driving a surge in global research funding, with governments investing heavily to secure economic growth and sustainability. Nations are racing to keep up, with Asia experiencing significant growth in research spending.
The discovery of 500 bubbling methane vents off the US West Coast has revealed a giant methane seep along the entire coast of Washington, Oregon, and California. This finding has doubled the number of known methane-seeping vents in US waters, highlighting the need for further research to understand their impact on the environment.
The global seaweed industry is driving growth with valuable uses in food, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products. However, rapid expansion poses ecological and societal risks, including disease outbreaks and environmental degradation.
The study reveals significant productivity losses due to heat stress, with potential GDP losses of up to $2 trillion by 2030. Climate change exacerbates health risks from disasters like floods, cyclones, and landslides, affecting millions in the Asia Pacific region.
New studies find exclusive breastfeeding for six months reduces conduct disorders in children, while enriched play/stimulation by age two boosts cognitive development. Additionally, 'responsive stimulation' improves emotional-behavioral problems in impoverished rural children.
A new Canadian Government-funded study found that 80.8 million preschool-aged children worldwide lack basic skills, impacting future development, mental and physical health, and education. The study estimates 17% of children are physically stunted, highlighting the importance of investing in early childhood development.
A Canadian government-funded study found that sending short, informative text messages to young Kenyan women's phones can significantly reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The study showed a 67% increase in HIV testing among participants who received weekly texts compared to those in a control group.
Grand Challenges Canada funds nine creative ways to protect and nurture cognitive development of children in developing countries. Kangaroo Mother Care is expanded to improve lives of low birth weight infants in West Africa, while eight new innovations pursue approaches to help children reach their full potential.
A team of specialists is working on a project to create new insight into Leonardo da Vinci's life using DNA science. They aim to compare DNA from his relatives past and present with physical remnants associated with the Renaissance figure.
A low-cost, eco-friendly trap lures female mosquitoes to lay eggs in a specially designed 'ovillanta' made from recycled tires. The system has been shown to reduce virus-carrying mosquito populations by capturing and destroying their eggs.
The world water cycle is becoming increasingly unstable, posing significant risks to political stability and economic growth. Long-term water cycle stability will not return in the lifetime of anyone alive today, warns UN water expert Robert Sandford.
Scientists have inventoried and categorized all of Earth's rare mineral species, revealing clues about the planet's sub-surface conditions and past biological upheavals. The rarest minerals are found at five or fewer locations worldwide and offer insights into what an inter-planetary probe might find.
The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership report outlines innovative means to help realize national CO2 pledges and reduce electricity use. The group urges policymakers to adopt secure, stable, clear, consistent, and long-term policies to foster industry innovation and investment.
A recent report estimates that the world loses $6.3 trillion to $10.6 trillion in ecosystem services each year due to land degradation, equivalent to 10-17% of global GDP. This loss could lead to the migration of millions of people within a decade, posing a significant humanitarian crisis.
A European Union-funded project estimates that 4.7 million tonnes of discarded electronics were wrongfully mismanaged or illegally traded in Europe, valued at €800-1.7 billion annually. The study calls for better guidelines and harmonized penalties to combat e-waste crime.
Investing up to 3.5% of a nation's GDP in science, technology, and innovation can help close the gap between developed and developing countries. The UN Scientific Advisory Board recommends increasing investments in areas such as alternative energy, water filtration, and basic science education to promote sustainable development.
In 2014, renewables made up 59% of net additions to global power capacity, reaching 27.7% of the world's power generating capacity. This milestone marked the first time in four decades that the world economy grew without a parallel rise in CO2 emissions.
The Government of Canada has renewed funding for Grand Challenges Canada, investing $161 million (2015-2025) in initiatives supporting maternal, newborn and child health. This support will help enable the renewal of flagship programs Saving Lives at Birth and Saving Brains.
A $2.4 million investment from the Canadian government will scale up menstrual hygiene management and free health education in Africa, focusing on rural and urban low-income women and girls. ZanaAfrica Group will increase access to safe, affordable sanitary pads and related health education through a tiered distribution model.