A new study analyzes radioactivity from the Fukushima nuclear power plants, revealing high levels of cesium-137 and iodine-131. While the releases are not a direct threat to humans or marine life, they raise concerns about radiation accumulation in marine sediments.
Astronomers have found two massive black holes, each with a mass of 10 billion suns, in nearby galaxies. These 'sleeping giants' are thought to be remnants of quasars that powered matter into black holes in the early universe.
Researchers analyzed rock cores from the FAR DEEP project in Northwest Russia, finding that oxygen levels gradually increased over hundreds of millions of years. The appearance of free oxygen in the atmosphere likely occurred as a series of starts and stops, rather than a single event.
Researchers tracked wolf characteristics in Yellowstone National Park from 1998 to 2009, finding that some traits are related to population ecology, while others are genetically determined. The study developed a new model to predict wolf responses to environmental conditions, which suggests that mean environmental changes impact wolf p...
A study of Yellowstone wolves has improved predictions of how these animals will respond to environmental changes. The research used a new model to compare data on wolf characteristics to environmental conditions, revealing that changes in mean environment conditions impact wolf population size more than variability.
A new study reveals that ancient global carbon, sulfur cycles, and sea-level changes drove the evolution of marine life over 500 million years. The research found a strong connection between these factors and marine biodiversity.
A new projection shows global food demand doubling by 2050, which could lead to significant environmental issues if not addressed. Increasing yield in poorer countries through adapted high-yielding technologies and efficient nitrogen fertilizers usage can help mitigate these effects.
Researchers have found that the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains were formed by multiple tectonic events over a billion years, rather than a single event. The mountains' youthful appearance is thought to be due to the preservation of ancient crustal roots and uplift caused by rifting.
A new study reveals that air pollution can exacerbate severe storms while suppressing gentle rains, according to the researchers. The findings have significant implications for water resource management in regions across the US and globally.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a late Pleistocene landslide-dammed lake along California's Eel River, which formed around 22,500 years ago. The lake's existence explains the genetic similarity between two types of ocean-going steelhead trout found in the river today.
A new study finds that air pollution increases precipitation in wet regions while decreasing it in dry regions, exacerbating severe storms. The research provides clear evidence of aerosols' impact on weather and climate, with significant implications for water resource management.
Preschoolers who hear and use spatial language do better on tests of spatial skills, which are important in mathematics, science, and technology. The study found a 23% increase in spatial scores for children who produced 45 additional spatial words.
A study published in Science reveals that animal and plant populations need to move at similar rates to keep up with climate change effects in the ocean and on land. The analysis shows that marine life would need to relocate fast, even in biodiversity hot spots like the coral triangle region.
Air pollution linked to stronger cyclones in Arabian Sea, with research suggesting aerosol buildup over India deflects sunlight, creating dimming that enables stronger storms. Scientists note a trend of increasingly strong cyclones in months preceding monsoon season.
Researchers found that certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have genetic variants that enable them to form biofilms on cardiac devices. This discovery offers clues for preventing infections in patients with implanted devices, which currently cost thousands of dollars and millions of dollars in healthcare costs each year.
A study by researchers at the University of Chicago found that moving to lower-poverty neighborhoods decreases the risk of obesity and diabetes. The study collected data from 4,498 women and children who participated in a residential mobility program called Moving to Opportunity.
Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley developed a technique to direct benign viruses to self-assemble into thin-film structures with complex properties. By controlling the physical environment, they created films with specific bending properties and guided cell growth, shedding light on biological tissue assembly in na...
Research reveals that West Nile virus transmission is highest in urbanized and agricultural areas, with the American robin playing a key role as a 'super-spreader'. Mosquito species that feed on robins are more important in transmission than other birds.
Researchers propose a novel mechanism for bioluminescence in dinoflagellates, involving voltage-gated proton channels and luciferase activation. This discovery enhances our understanding of these organisms, some of which produce toxins harmful to the environment.
Engineers and scientists at UC Berkeley developed a simple, single-step process to direct M13 phages to serve as structural building blocks. The resulting thin-film structures exhibit complex properties, such as bending light and guiding cell growth. The technique sheds light on the self-assembly of biological tissues in nature.
Researchers found significant amounts of carbon in US streams and rivers, releasing into atmosphere before reaching coastal waters. This discovery could change how scientists model carbon movement among land, water, and atmosphere.
A recent study reveals a diverse range of microscopic animals in soils from tropical forests to tundra and boreal forests. The research found that each ecosystem has its unique set of soil animals, contradicting the long-held assumption that diversity decreases at higher latitudes.
Researchers develop scalable diamond-based devices with silver coating, enabling efficient photon emission and control. The technology supports the creation of robust quantum computers and sensitive magnetometers, opening new avenues for applications in quantum information processing and nanoscale measurements.
Researchers discovered that a small number of genes control adaptability to different climates in the mustard plant Arabidopsis. By combining various sets of climate genes, scientists may be able to create strains that can thrive in multiple types of climates, helping plants accommodate climate change.
Astrophysicists with VERITAS detect pulsed gamma rays above one hundred thousand million electron volts, defying current pulsar models. The finding is causing researchers to consider new theories about gamma-ray production.
Researchers used DNA to identify microbes consuming methane, ethane, and propane after the oil spill. Temperature played a crucial role in bacterial growth and response to the spill.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center announces the deployment of Stampede, a world-class supercomputer with comprehensive computing and visualization capabilities, made possible by a $27.5 million NSF grant. The system will support over 1,000 projects in computational and data-driven science, enabling researchers to explore complex phen...
A global sampling of 48 sites on five continents yields unprecedented data set, finding no clear relationship between productivity and plant species in small study plots. This challenges the 'hump-shaped' model developed by British ecologist J. Philip Grime, which has remained a textbook standard for nearly four decades.
A new study reveals that wild animals like zebras can sometimes enhance cattle growth and production, especially during times of plenty. Grazing by zebras reduced weight gain for cattle in the dry season but increased it in the wet season due to improved grass quality.
Researchers challenged online gamers to predict the structure of a protein-cutting enzyme from an AIDS-like virus using the game Foldit. The players successfully generated accurate models, which were refined and determined to be correct within days.
A new analysis suggests that Earth's deep oceans can absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of up to a decade. The study used computer simulations and found that ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet are the main location of the 'missing heat' during these periods.
A new framework for evaluating human influences on wildfires is developed to inform sustainable fire management practices. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding relative influences of climate, human ignition sources, and cultural practices in particular environments.
Scientists sequenced genomes of 17 common lab mouse strains to advance genetic studies of human diseases. The study revealed striking variations in strain relationships across the genome, highlighting the importance of genomic information for comparing species.
Researchers successfully synthesized a large DNA molecule and applied a method to scramble its genetic code, yielding insights into DNA structure and trait expression. The achievement represents a significant step towards synthesizing entire eukaryote genomes.
Researchers aim to combat diseases like zoonoses, transmitted from animals to humans, using models to predict and control outbreaks. Projects funded by $17M in US-UK collaboration will draw on biological and social sciences expertise.
Geoscientists Kyle Nichols and Paul Bierman observed vast flooding in Namibia's western mountains and coastal plain. The rivers flowed for weeks, carrying sediment and leaving behind a landscape transformed by heavy rainfall. The researchers are studying the effects of mega-floods on erosion rates and sediment sources.
Researchers studied the genetic basis of species formation in the Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly, a rare hybrid of Eastern and Canadian tiger swallowtails. The study reveals that hybrid speciation can create new combinations of life history and morphological traits, allowing colonization of novel environments.
Researchers identify cause of hummingbird courtship sounds: fluttering tail feathers generate louder sound when neighboring feathers flutter at the same frequency. The unique sound is thought to be a form of aerodynamic signaling during courtship.
Researchers discovered genetic material from extinct archaic humans, including Denisovans, contributing to present-day African populations. The study suggests that contemporary Africans contain about 2 percent of archaic DNA, which may hold beneficial genes for human physiology and disease resistance.
The Asian longhorned beetle has already spread to nearby forests in Worcester, Mass., posing a threat to the region's forests. The beetle disproportionately attacks large maple trees, including red and sugar maples, which are vital to New England's iconic landscape.
A recent study highlights the importance of considering water usage in bioenergy crop production, particularly with large grasses like miscanthus or switchgrass. The research found that these crops can increase net water use due to higher transpiration rates and land conversion's impact on hydrology.
A well-preserved fossil of a shrew-like mammal discovered in northeast China provides new information about the earliest ancestors of placental mammals. The discovery, dated to 160 million years ago, fills an important gap in the fossil record and helps to calibrate modern DNA-based methods of dating evolution.
A 10-year study of people living around Kibale National Park in Uganda found that most households became better off, with improved access to clean drinking water, livestock, and shelter. However, 10% sold or lost their land, highlighting the importance of land as a productive asset for poor communities.
A new study found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetric, suggesting they may have used directional hearing to navigate in water before the development of echolocation. This finding contradicts previous theories and sheds light on the evolution of whales.
Scientists have confirmed the presence of the North Icelandic Jet (NIJ), a deep-ocean circulation system off Iceland that contributes to key components of ocean circulation. The NIJ is a major contributor to the Denmark Strait Overflow Water, critically important for regulating Earth's climate.
The research found that elongated particles behave differently due to surface tension, leading to a uniform coating. The discovery could translate into new formulations for product coatings or better inks and paints.
A new study finds that Arctic sea ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to about a decade. Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the behavior of the ice and found that it may temporarily stabilize or slightly increase in extent over the next few decades. However, lon...
The study found that changing particle shape can eliminate the coffee ring effect, resulting in a uniform coating. This discovery has potential commercial applications, enabling new techniques for product coatings and inks.
Research in Greenland and Antarctica shows that fossil-fuel related emissions of methane and ethane declined at the end of the twentieth century. The study, led by Murat Aydin, found a common cause for the decline in both gases, linked to changes in energy use.
Engineers create epidermal electronic systems (EES) with miniature sensors, light-emitting diodes, tiny transmitters and receivers to measure human physiological data. The devices are seamlessly integrated onto the skin, providing opportunities for non-invasive medical monitoring.