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Massive amounts of charcoal enter the worlds' oceans

Researchers found that 10% of dissolved organic carbon in rivers comes from charcoal, highlighting the need for greater consideration of carbon sequestration techniques. The study's findings have implications for mitigating climate change by improving our understanding of the environmental fate of charcoal.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateApr 19, 2013

4,000-year-old shaman's stones discovered near Boquete, Panama

A cluster of 12 unusual stones was discovered in a prehistoric rock-shelter near Boquete, Panama, dating back to 4,000 years ago. The cache is believed to have been used by a shaman or healer for ritual practices.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateJan 14, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Climate and drought lessons from ancient Egypt

Scientists used fossil pollen to augment historical records of ancient Egyptian droughts and fires, including a massive 4,200-year-old drought that contributed to the demise of Egypt's Old Kingdom. The study provides insights into the evolution of societies tied to climate variability.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalGeology·DateAug 16, 2012

Marine research in the Brazilian rainforest

A study by Thorsten Dittmar and colleagues reveals that the Atlantic Ocean is receiving a significant amount of stable carbon compounds from the Brazilian rainforest, which was heavily deforested in the 1970s. The compounds, originating from charcoal left in the soil, are affecting biogeochemical cycles for centuries and millennia.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 14, 2012

When the world burned less

A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Holocene·DateJul 29, 2012

When dinosaurs roamed a fiery landscape

Researchers have found that fire was more widespread than previously thought during the Cretaceous period, potentially altering dinosaur communities. Charcoal deposits in fossil records indicate frequent wildfires, which could have exacerbated erosion and flooding.

SourceField Museum·JournalCretaceous Research·DateMar 29, 2012
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Cooking better biochar: Study improves recipe for soil additive

A new study by Rice University scientists reveals that cooking temperature determines the effectiveness of 'biochar' as a soil additive. Biochar can improve hydrology and make more nutrients available to plants when produced at high temperatures.

SourceRice University·JournalAmerican Journal of Biomass and Bioenergy·DateMar 22, 2012

Archaeologists uncover oldest mine in the Americas

Researchers discovered a 40-meter trench containing iron oxide extracted by the Huentelauquen people 12,000 years ago. The site indicates complex cultural practices and transmission of knowledge through generations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateMay 19, 2011
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Oxygen fuels the fires of time

Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 2, 2010

Giant sequoias yield longest fire history from tree rings

Scientists reconstructed a 3,000-year fire history in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park using giant sequoia tree rings. The research found that the years from 800 to 1300 had the most frequent fires during this period, and that climate change may subject the trees to similar conditions again.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalFire Ecology·DateMar 18, 2010

Charcoal evidence tracks climate changes in Younger Dryas

A new study finds clear links between abrupt climate changes and fire activity during the transition between the last Ice Age and the warm interglacial period. Biomass burning tracked general climate changes closely, increasing as conditions warmed and decreasing during the cool interval.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2009
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Climate change, human activity and wildfires

A new study by the University of Oregon suggests that climate change has been the main driver of global biomass burning for the past two millennia. Human activities such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era also contributed to a significant decline in wildfires worldwide between 1870 and 1970.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 21, 2008

Limitations of charcoal as an effective carbon sink

A new study by Swedish researchers suggests that charcoal may not be as effective at sequestering carbon in soils as previously thought. The study found that adding charcoal to forest soil increased the growth of microorganisms, leading to significant losses of native soil organic matter and carbon.

SourceSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences·JournalScience·DateMay 1, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Use of activated charcoal does not affect mortality in self-poisoned patients

A randomized controlled trial found that multiple-dose activated charcoal has no effect on mortality in patients who have poisoned themselves with toxic pesticides or plants. The study involved over 4600 patients and showed no differences in mortality rates between those who received activated charcoal and those who did not.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 14, 2008

Treasure trove of fossils found in Kendall County cave

A fossil trove discovered in a Kendall County cave may rewrite the region's geological history. The site preserves nearly-pristine plant spores, leaves, and scorpion parts, including needles from conifers dated to be the oldest ever found in North America.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateApr 12, 2007
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

July 4 fireworks: Why they're brighter than ever

The evolution of fireworks is attributed to advancements in metal fuels, which produce hotter flames and more photons, resulting in brighter colors. Fine-tuning of ingredient percentages has also contributed to the improved display.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 19, 2003

Charcoal-a low-cost option to treat oleander poisoning

Researchers found that multiple-dose activated charcoal significantly reduced deaths in patients with oleander poisoning compared to placebo. The treatment also decreased the need for cardiac pacing and intensive care. Charcoal may be useful in treating other cardiac glycoside poisonings as well.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 5, 2003
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.