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Winter carbon capture beneath the ice of Qinghai lake

Researchers found that microbial carbon fixation persists beneath the ice of Qinghai Lake, the largest saline lake in China, despite low temperatures and limited light. Dark-dependent carbon fixation was significantly greater than light-dependent fixation, suggesting a major winter carbon assimilation pathway in this saline lake.

SourceCarbon Research, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2026

Research shows that wetlands in the Brazilian savanna store more carbon than Amazonian forests

Researchers found that Brazilian savanna wetlands can store significantly more carbon than previously thought, with an average storage capacity of 1,200 tons per hectare. This is due to the slow accumulation process favored by oxygen-poor water-saturated soils, with some areas storing carbon for up to 20,000 years.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJun 9, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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A greener fertilizer: Biogas slurry boosts soil health and carbon storage

Researchers found that biogas slurry enhances soil fertility and increases active carbon levels by up to 13.4% compared to conventional chemical fertilizer topdressing. The treatment also promotes cooperative microbial interactions, supporting nutrient cycling and climate change mitigation.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Researchers create index to assess soil health in mangroves

Researchers have developed an index to measure the health of mangrove soils, revealing that healthy mangroves provide ecosystem services at nearly maximum capacity. The Soil Health Index (SHI) helps managers set conservation and restoration priorities, providing a tool to monitor ecosystem restoration and recovery.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 9, 2026

Artificial metabolism turns waste CO2 into useful chemicals

Researchers at Northwestern University and Stanford University develop a new artificial metabolism that converts waste carbon dioxide into acetyl-CoA, a universal metabolite used by all living cells. The system, called Reductive Formate Pathway (ReForm), uses engineered enzymes to perform metabolic reactions never seen in nature.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers find promising adaptations to climate change in tropical forests

Researchers at Colorado State University found that some tropical forest plants are adapting to drought by growing longer root systems, potentially helping reduce vulnerability. The study's findings suggest flexibility under drying conditions may rescue the forest, but long-term implications remain uncertain.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNew Phytologist·DateDec 4, 2025

Fig trees convert atmospheric CO2 to stone

Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.

SourceEuropean Association of Geochemistry·DateJul 5, 2025

Study finds early signs of widespread coastal marsh decline

Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 2025

City microbes surviving on disinfectants, research reveals

A new study has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use limited resources in cities, including those found in Hong Kong's subways and skin. These microbes can metabolize manufactured products, posing health risks if they are pathogenic.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMicrobiome·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 17, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Carbon dioxide removal: Feasibility study evaluates possible measures for Germany

A study evaluates 14 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures in Germany, finding ecosystem-based methods like reforestation and seagrass restoration to be low-hurdle options. However, measures like bioenergy with carbon capture storage face significant economic and institutional hurdles.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalEarth's Future·TypeContent analysis·DateMay 15, 2024

Convergent evolution of algal CO2-fixing organelles

Researchers identified pyrenoid-associated proteins in a marine chlorarachniophyte alga, suggesting independent evolution of CO2-fixing organelles in each algal group. These findings have implications for genetic engineering to increase photosynthetic performance and improve crop productivity.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 29, 2024
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Life in the Earth’s interior as productive as in some ocean waters

Researchers have discovered microbes in groundwater that can produce carbon at rates similar to those found in some ocean waters. These microorganisms thrive in the absence of light and use oxidizing compounds from surrounding rocks for energy.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

How fast-growing algae could enhance growth of food crops

Researchers at Princeton and Northwestern universities developed a computational model of the pyrenoid, identifying key features needed for enhanced carbon fixation in plants. The study suggests that engineering a pyrenoid-like ability could improve crop growth rates and mitigate food insecurity.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Plants·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 19, 2022

Microbial juggling

Researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that converts CO2 into carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes during photosynthesis. The enzyme uses pairs of molecules working in sync like jugglers, with a spot of molecular glue and twisting motion facilitating the reaction.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

How a soil microbe could rev up artificial photosynthesis

A team of researchers discovered a soil microbe's enzyme that performs carbon fixation 20 times faster than plant enzymes. The enzyme consists of pairs of molecules working in sync to get the job done faster. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient artificial photosynthesis and produce fuels, fertilizers, and other products.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalACS Central Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Earth’s natural carbon sinks hold vital power in climate fight

A new study reveals that Earth's natural habitats can remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide due to previously undiscovered rock nitrogen weathering reactions. Preserving these ecosystems is vital to conserve the planet's carbon sink service and combat climate change.

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateOct 11, 2021

World’s first “green” synthesis of plastics from CO2

A team of researchers has successfully synthesized polycarbonate diols from carbon dioxide and diol at atmospheric pressure using a CeO2 catalyst. This process eliminates the need for dehydrating agents, producing only water as a by-product, making it an attractive alternative to existing methods.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

World's largest lakes reveal climate change trends

Scientists at Michigan Tech Research Institute studied 11 large freshwater lakes, revealing significant changes in primary productivity and carbon fixation rates over the past 16 years. Climate change, increasing nutrients, and invasive species contribute to these changes.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalWater·DateJan 20, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Microbes living on air a global phenomenon

Researchers have discovered a global phenomenon where microbes thrive on air, expanding the possibilities for microbial life beyond Earth. This process, known as atmospheric chemosynthesis, was previously thought to be unique to Antarctica, but is now found in soils across the Arctic and Tibetan Plateau.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 18, 2020

Belowground carbon fixation rates

Researchers estimate that 46% of total terrestrial carbon fixation occurs below ground, with a total productivity of 24.7 Petagrams of carbon per year. Belowground productivity increases with precipitation, but slows down at high levels.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2020

Coastal waters are unexpected hotspots for nitrogen fixation

Researchers found that cyanobacterial diazotrophs drive nitrogen fixation in coastal areas, fueling photosynthesis and CO2 uptake. The new technique allowed for near-continuous analysis of N2 fixation, revealing higher rates in coastal waters than previously thought.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

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A battery-inspired strategy for carbon fixation

Researchers in Japan and China create a way to isolate solid carbon dust from gaseous carbon dioxide, yielding a promising approach to fix carbon in a stable form. The method also shows potential for treating atmospheric CO2 and scrubbing other harmful gases.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateAug 9, 2017

An artificial pathway for turning carbon dioxide into useful products

Researchers developed a synthetic pathway to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds more quickly than plants. This breakthrough has potential applications in enhancing plant photosynthesis and creating new carbon-based feed for cattle or chemical products.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 17, 2016

Eating air, making fuel

Weizmann Institute researchers successfully engineer E. coli bacteria to consume carbon dioxide and produce sugars, a breakthrough that could help address global food security and climate change. By adapting the bacteria's metabolism through evolution, scientists have created a new tool for studying and improving carbon fixation.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalCell·DateJun 23, 2016

Illuminating the inner 'machines' that give bacteria an energy boost

Cyanobacteria use internal protein 'machines' to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into sugar during photosynthesis. Researchers developed a method to analyze bacterial cells and found that carboxysomes can adjust their positioning in response to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateMar 31, 2016

Microorganisms duke it out within algal blooms

A new study reveals that algal blooms like 'red tides' are home to a complex war between microscopic organisms, with the dominant species changing daily. The research sheds light on the ocean's role in carbon fixation and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Microbiology·DateFeb 29, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Deep-ocean carbon sinks

A study by Tim Mattes and colleagues found that microorganisms in the dark ocean, below 600 feet, absorb considerable amounts of carbon. The team discovered sulfur-oxidizing microbes dominating carbon fixation at hydrothermal vents, which could provide insights into global biogeochemical cycles.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateSep 5, 2013

Finding the roots and early branches of the tree of life

A study in PLOS Computational Biology reconstructs the complete early evolutionary history of biological carbon-fixation. The researchers identified an early form of carbon fixation that achieved built-in robustness, allowing early life to compensate for internal chemistry issues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 19, 2012

New images of marine microbe illuminate carbon and nitrogen fixation

A new study published in PNAS reveals that Trichodesmium separates its carbon and nitrogen fixation processes by time, with the process switching between the two every day. The stunning images obtained using advanced imaging technology show where the fixed nitrogen is stored within a cell and how it changes over time.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2009
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Increasing carbon dioxide relieves drought stress in corn, researchers say

A new study reveals that elevated carbon dioxide levels can improve corn growth during drought periods, increasing photosynthesis by up to 41% in some cases. The findings suggest that C4 plants like corn may benefit from rising CO2 levels, but other factors such as ozone levels could still impact crop yields.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateJul 25, 2003