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USTC finds γ rays drive the conversion of aqueous-phase methane to complex organic molecules including glycine

A research group at USTC found that γ rays can facilitate the conversion of aqueous-phase methane to diverse products, including hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds, and amino acids like glycine. The reaction rate is contingent on free radical concentrations and does not significantly influence temperature.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 26, 2024

A study by the LARS-IIAMA UPV group detects methane emissions in the palm oil industry in Indonesia, Malaysia and Colombia

A team of researchers from the LARS-IIAMA group used satellite technology to detect methane emissions in the palm oil industry in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Colombia. The study confirms that palm oil processing is a significant source of methane emissions, mainly due to anaerobic ponds.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 25, 2024

Turning carbon emissions into methane fuel

Chemists at Ohio State University have developed a novel way to capture and convert carbon dioxide into methane, utilizing nickel-based catalysts and reducing the need for massive amounts of energy. This breakthrough could pave the way for more efficient climate mitigation technologies and help close the carbon cycle.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Ytterbium thin-disk lasers pave the way for sensitive detection of atmospheric pollutants

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light create a novel laser system that can detect a wide variety of atmospheric compounds with minimal interference. The system's ability to target the short-wave infrared range and generate high-power, stable pulses enables unprecedented detection sensitivity and accuracy.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalAPL Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2024

Fewer leaking wells in the North Sea than expected

Researchers found that less than two percent of Dutch North Sea abandoned wells leak methane from shallow gas accumulations. The study alleviates concerns from earlier German research that suggested one-third of all wells would leak methane.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalMarine and Petroleum Geology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2024

Interstellar methane as progenitor of amino acids?

Research finds that gamma radiation can convert methane into glycine and other complex molecules, potentially playing a role in the origin of life. The study also reveals new strategies for industrial conversion of methane under mild conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2024

Data-driven, cost-effective roadmap for cutting US methane emissions 30% by 2030 published in a new peer-reviewed paper

A new paper assesses current and potential measures to cut US methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, proposing a complimentary, cost-effective strategy using anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste. Building ADs could reduce emissions by 31.5%, exceeding the 30x30 goal.

SourceEnergy Vision·JournalBiofuels Bioproducts and Biorefining·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 30, 2024
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.

NASA helps find thawing permafrost adds to near-term global warming

A new NASA-led study finds that the Earth's far northern permafrost region has become a net contributor to global warming due to methane emissions. The thawing permafrost is releasing stored carbon as greenhouse gases, shifting the region from being a sink to a source of warming.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateOct 29, 2024

Microbes feed on iron: New study reveals how they do it

A new study by University of Southern Denmark researchers reveals that microbes cling to iron surfaces using sticky enzymes, extracting nutrients without wasting energy. This efficient corrosion method poses environmental concerns due to methane production and potential climate change implications.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·Journalnpj Biofilms and Microbiomes·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Climate change can alter methane emission and uptake in the Amazon

Researchers found that extreme temperatures and humidity projected for the Amazon under climate change may increase methane-producing microorganisms in flooded areas and reduce methane uptake in upland forests by 70%. This could lead to a shift in the balance of greenhouse gas emissions, with significant global impacts.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEnvironmental Microbiome·DateOct 10, 2024

Innovative catalyst produces methane using electricity

Researchers at the University of Bonn and Montreal developed a new catalyst that produces methane out of carbon dioxide and water in a highly efficient way using electricity. The process has an efficiency of over 80 percent and produces few side products.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2024

Liquefied natural gas carbon footprint is worse than coal

A new study by Cornell University finds that liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from the US has a one-third larger carbon footprint than coal when considering processing and shipping. LNG's extraction, processing, transportation, and storage account for approximately half of its total greenhouse gas footprint.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnergy Science & Engineering·DateOct 3, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Mars’ missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight

Researchers propose that Mars' early thick atmosphere could have been locked up in the planet's clay surface due to slow chain reactions between rocks and gases. The clay is estimated to hold up to 80% of the initial, early atmosphere, potentially recovered and converted into propellant for future missions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 25, 2024

Juan Jimenez named Blavatnik Regional Awards finalist

Juan Jimenez, a Goldhaber postdoctoral fellow at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has been recognized as a Blavatnik Awards Finalist for his work on developing new catalysts to convert greenhouse gases into industrially useful materials. His research focuses on minimizing hazardous byproducts and using solvent-free processes.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateSep 17, 2024

Using sunlight to turn two greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals

The McGill team's light-driven chemical process transforms methane and carbon dioxide into green methanol and carbon monoxide, producing highly valued products. The discovery offers a promising path towards Canada's net-zero emissions target by 2050 and provides a sustainable way to produce industrial products.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New photocatalyst achieves superior oxidative methane coupling

A novel catalyst Au/BiOx-TiO2 enhances oxidative methane coupling by activating C-H bonds and preventing overoxidation, yielding 97% selectivity for C2+ products. The photocatalyst demonstrates stable performance up to 50 hours and outperforms previous catalysts.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 13, 2024

UTA harvests first climate-smart soybean crop

Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateSep 12, 2024

Methane emissions are rising faster than ever

Global methane emissions have risen by 61 million tons over the past two decades, primarily from coal mining, oil and gas production, and cattle ranching. Human activities are increasingly linked to wetland and freshwater methane emissions, posing a significant threat to climate change.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 10, 2024

Catalyst for 'one-step' conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have engineered a catalyst that converts methane into methanol in a single step, reducing the need for multiple reactions and increasing efficiency. The new process has potential applications for local deployment of stranded natural gas reserves.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 22, 2024
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.

A taste for carbon dioxide

Researchers discovered that the iron nitrogenase can convert CO2 into methane and formic acid, making it a promising starting point for developing novel CO2 reductases. The enzyme's low selectivity for CO2 also suggests its potential for widespread use in nature.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2024

Trees reveal climate surprise – bark removes methane from the atmosphere

A new study found that tree bark surfaces absorb methane gas from the atmosphere, making trees 10% more beneficial for climate than previously thought. This discovery adds a new layer of importance to tree planting and reducing deforestation as part of efforts to cut methane emissions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

A study led by the Universitat Politècnica de València detects the largest methane leak ever recorded in an oil well

An international team of scientists led by Dr Luis Guanter has documented the largest methane leak ever recorded in an oil well. The study reveals that this massive emission outperformed previous events such as Aliso Canyon, Ohio and Louisiana, releasing approximately 131 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2024
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

High and low tide cause low and high methane fluxes

Research shows that methane fluxes in the North Sea vary with tidal pressure, with emissions potentially three times higher or lower depending on the tide. This affects climate science's understanding of methane emission from the seafloor.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJul 12, 2024

Much of the Nord Stream gas remained in the sea

A scientific study published in Scientific Reports found that much of the methane released from the Nord Stream gas pipeline leaked into the Baltic Sea and remained dissolved in the water. The researchers estimated between 10,000 to 50,000 tonnes of methane were left in the sea after the leak.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2024

Transition-metal-free zeolite catalyst for direct conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 3, 2024

Improving air quality increases forest fires

A new UC Riverside study found that boreal forests in the northern hemisphere are particularly vulnerable to negative effects of cleaning up aerosol pollution. Reducing levels of human-made aerosols causes an increase in wildfires, especially in northern hemisphere forests.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 29, 2024
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.

Unlocking the secrets of supercritical fluids

A team of international researchers has measured the molecular diffusion coefficient of a supercritical fluid, revealing a gradual transition from gas-like to liquid-like behavior across the Widom line. This study contributes to our understanding of supercritical fluid dynamics and holds implications for planetary science.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

Webb Telescope offers first glimpse of an exoplanet’s interior

The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first measurements of an exoplanet's core mass, with WASP-107 b showing a thousand times less methane than expected. The planet's super-sized core and turbulent atmosphere are being studied to better understand how planetary atmospheres behave in extreme conditions.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature·DateMay 20, 2024

A novel multifunctional catalyst turns methane into valuable hydrocarbons

A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Check and checkmethane

A research team at Kyoto University has developed an AI method to automatically detect methane emissions globally, resolving trade-offs with existing detection methods. The system can identify small methane plumes, paving the way for systematic quantification of global warming.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 14, 2024

Webb telescope probably didn’t find life on an exoplanet — yet

A new study challenges the initial detection of a biosignature gas on K2-18b, suggesting that the data may be inconclusive. However, researchers believe it's possible for life to produce detectable levels of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the planet's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 2, 2024
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.

EPA underestimates methane emissions from landfills, urban areas

A new study led by Harvard researchers found that the EPA underestimates methane emissions from landfills and urban areas, with emissions being on median 77% higher than estimated. The team's high-resolution map of methane emissions highlights the importance of pinpointing sources of these emissions.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateMay 1, 2024

Methane emissions from landfill could be turned into sustainable jet fuel in plasma chemistry leap

University of Sydney researchers have developed a chemical process using plasma that could create sustainable jet fuel from methane gas emitted from landfills. This process has the potential to eliminate the need for traditional and sustainable jet fuels, which add further emissions into the atmosphere. By capturing almost the exact co...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

No bull: How creating less-gassy cows could help fight climate change

A Curtin University study found that breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural land can significantly reduce methane emissions from Australia's beef and dairy sectors. Researchers identified several strategies to lower emissions, including altering breeding objectives and improving wastewater management.

SourceCurtin University·JournalClimate·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 22, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers modulate electronic state of single-atom catalysts by CO molecular decoration for efficient methane conversion

Scientists develop strategy to regulate electronic structure of single-atom catalysts, enhancing direct methane conversion efficiency. CO molecular decoration reduces C-H bond dissociation barrier, increasing catalyst activity and selectivity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 26, 2024

New research finds boreal arctic wetlands are producing more methane over time

Scientists have developed a new model to accurately understand methane emissions in the region, finding that wetlands are producing more methane over time. This is due to the warming of these biomes, causing the stored carbon to be released into the atmosphere as methane, contributing to global warming.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

AI analysis of historical satellite images show USSR collapse in 1990s increased methane emissions, despite lower oil and gas production

Research using historical satellite images shows that methane emissions in Turkmenistan increased following the Soviet Union's collapse, contradicting previous theories. This finding suggests that economic decline led to reduced oversight and more deliberate off-gassing of methane from oil and gas wells.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2024

Young researcher makes surprising methane discovery in Yukon glaciers: "Much more widespread than we thought"

A young researcher from the University of Copenhagen has made a surprising discovery of high concentrations of methane in meltwater from three Canadian mountain glaciers. The findings challenge previous assumptions that methane in meltwater could only be found in oxygen-free environments under large ice masses.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalArctic Antarctic and Alpine Research·DateFeb 29, 2024
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.

Microbial viruses act as secret drivers of climate change

Researchers found that microbial viruses carry special genetic elements for controlling methane processes, called auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs). The study suggests that viral contributions to methane cycling are underestimated and deserve more attention.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 29, 2024

SwRI scientists find evidence of geothermal activity within icy dwarf planets

Researchers found evidence of hydrothermal or metamorphic activity within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, which have methane deposits with geochemical origins. The discovery suggests elevated temperatures in their rocky cores, potentially leading to liquid water and habitability.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalIcarus·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024

New study reports that Greenland is a methane sink rather than a source

A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Greenland consumes more methane than it releases, with dry landscapes absorbing over 65,000 tons annually. The study's findings contribute significantly to climate models and provide insights into the optimal soil conditions for methane uptake in the Arctic.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 31, 2024

Researchers spying for signs of life among exoplanet atmospheres

Researchers from Ohio State University tested upcoming telescopes' ability to detect chemical traces of oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane and water on 10 rocky exoplanets. The study found that two nearby worlds, Proxima Centauri b and GJ 887 b, are highly adept at detecting biosignatures with advanced telescopes.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateJan 29, 2024

Rising sea levels could lead to more methane emitted from wetlands

Researchers found that tidal wetlands are not always less hospitable to methane-producing microbes as sea levels rise, with some sites emitting high levels of methane despite moderate saltwater influx. The study's results suggest complex factors governing methane emissions in natural landscapes, complicating predictions and models.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalmSystems·DateJan 29, 2024
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.

Atmospheric pressure changes could be driving Mars’ elusive methane pulses

Researchers simulated how methane travels through underground fractures and is released into the atmosphere, predicting pulses just before Martian sunrise in the northern summer season. This corroborates previous rover data suggesting daily methane level fluctuations. The study informs the Curiosity rover's ongoing sampling campaign.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2024

Study predicts best times for ‘Curiosity’ to sample Mars’ methane

Researchers found 'puffs' of methane before Martian sunrise, suggesting optimal timing for Curiosity to collect data and gain insights into methane circulation and transport processes. The study uses computer models to simulate how methane moves beneath the Martian surface and mixes within the atmosphere.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Planets·DateJan 23, 2024

Core-shell ‘chemical looping’ boosts efficiency of greener approach to ethylene production

Researchers have developed a new catalyst that exceeds 30% yield for the production of ethylene through oxidative coupling of methane, a more sustainable and economically viable method. The core-shell Li2CO3-coated mixed rare earth oxides catalyst enables sequential oxygen switching, replenishing its ability to provide oxygen for the r...

SourceLehigh University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2024
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Climate change shown to cause methane to be released from the deep ocean

Researchers at Newcastle University found that climate change can cause frozen methane to melt and release methane into the sea. This process, known as hydrate dissociation, has significant implications for predicting and addressing the impact of methane on our changing climate.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 6, 2023
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.