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New material could improve safety for first responders to chemical hazards

Researchers have developed a new material sensor that can detect when carbon filters in respirators become saturated with toxic vapors, providing a more accurate warning for emergency workers. The sensor uses photonic crystals made of carbon nanofibers, which change color as the filter absorbs chemicals.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 1, 2011

Formaldehyde: Poison could have set the stage for the origins of life

Research suggests formaldehyde was likely source of solar system's organic carbon solids, abundant in comets and asteroids. The complex organic solids were formed from formaldehyde through polymerization under primitive solar system conditions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2011

Analyzing long-term impacts of biofuel on the land

A study analyzed five long-term experiments to predict effects of no tillage management on soil organic carbon. Harvesting substantial crop residues without added carbon would deplete soil organic carbon and increase pollution risks.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateFeb 3, 2011
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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January 2011 Geology and GSA Today highlights

Researchers studied ancient rain, microbial life, and ocean islands to understand uplift and climate change. They found that the North American Cordillera was uplifted by ancient rain, while microbial life existed inside fluid inclusions in modern and ancient salt crystals.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJan 3, 2011

Life thrives in porous rock deep beneath the seafloor, scientists say

Researchers have found a vast microbial ecosystem in the porous basalt rock of the upper oceanic crust, producing organic matter and exporting carbon to other systems. The discovery may influence astrobiological thinking about life on Europa and expand our understanding of the oceanic carbon cycle.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 7, 2010

Global glaciation snowballed into giant change in carbon cycle

Researchers found a large shift in the carbon cycle during the Cryogenian period, which may have been triggered by the Sturtian glaciation. The disturbance could have led to the accumulation of organic carbon in the ocean and had far-reaching effects on Earth's climate.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateApr 30, 2010

Orchids and fungi -- partners for life

Researchers have discovered that three Thai orchids use a wide range of fungi to absorb carbon from the soil instead of producing their own organic carbon. The study highlights the complex relationships between plants and fungi in tropical forests, emphasizing the need for further research on these interactions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateAug 13, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Miami scientist uncovers miscalculation in geological undersea record

A new study by Peter K. Swart suggests that carbonate platform records are not reliable for tracking the global carbon cycle over the past 10 million years. This finding challenges widely-held ideas about CO2 levels during specific periods of Earth's geological history.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2008

Can biofuels be sustainable?

Researchers found that a portion of corn stover can be harvested for biofuel production without reducing soil organic carbon levels in high-yielding systems. This study suggests that corn stover could supply up to 25% of the biofuel crop needed by 2030.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateAug 19, 2008

Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere linked to decreased soil organic matter

A recent study at the University of Illinois found that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to decreased soil organic matter, contradicting expectations. The researchers attribute this finding to increased moisture in the soil, which accelerates decomposition and reduces soil productivity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPlant and Soil·DateMar 11, 2008
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.

2 oxygenation events in ancient oceans sparked spread of complex life

Two oxygenation events in ancient oceans between 635 and 551 million years ago led to the increase and spread of complex life, including animals. This finding supports the growing view that life and environment co-evolved during this tumultuous period of Earth history.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2008

Studying rivers for clues to global carbon cycle

A Northwestern University professor is studying rivers to understand how organic carbon is processed and consumed by microorganisms, revealing that it's a bigger component of global carbon cycling than thought. The study provides a framework for assessing these processes and sheds light on the internal cycling of carbon in rivers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 8, 2008

Building blocks of life formed on Mars

A Carnegie Institution-led team finds organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen in Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, suggesting that building blocks of life formed on Mars early in its history. The discovery was made by analyzing the rock's association with iron oxide mineral magnetite.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalMeteoritics and Planetary Science·DateDec 11, 2007

Study reveals that nitrogen fertilizers deplete soil organic carbon

Research by University of Illinois soil scientists found that nitrogen fertilizers lead to a decline in soil organic carbon, even after decades of use. The study's findings have troubling implications for corn production and highlight the need for site-specific soil testing to optimize fertilizer rates.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateOct 29, 2007
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The inside dope

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully implemented doping in molecular electronics, enabling the control of electronic properties in organic molecules. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of environmentally friendly and versatile electronic components.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 26, 2007

Before selling carbon credits, read this

Researchers found that a soil model can accurately estimate carbon levels in soil, enabling farmers to verify soil carbon change and sell carbon credits. The Century model's accuracy depends on accurate soil texture data, highlighting the need for benchmark monitoring sites.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateMay 18, 2007

Early Earth haze may have spurred life, says University of Colorado study

A new study suggests that early Earth haze could have provided a substantial source of organic material useful for emerging life on the planet. The researchers found that hazy conditions could have produced a similar organic haze over a wide range of methane and carbon dioxide concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2006

Where climate is made in a greenhouse world

Researchers identify a previously unrecognized link between mid-latitude climate dynamics and tropical African climate, leading to exceptionally high organic carbon burial. The study suggests that changes in atmospheric pressure systems and surface winds drive variations in precipitation and runoff patterns.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalPaleoceanography·DateJun 1, 2006
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.

Relic of life in that Martian meteorite? A fresh look

Scientists have found that macromolecular carbon in Martian meteorites is always associated with magnetite, a mineral catalyst for its formation. This association raises hopes that the meteorite's carbon complexes could be evidence of non-biological synthesis of organic molecules on Mars.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateMar 22, 2006

Breakthrough in climate research

A team of researchers has solved a puzzle in climate research by explaining why micro-organisms break down carbon in soils at varying rates. The new theory predicts that an increase in climate temperatures will lead to more rapid carbon dioxide release and accelerated climate change.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2005

AGU Journal highlights - 10 August 2004

Researchers analyze daily temperature ranges to explain global warming trends. A new seismic model reveals the cause of New Zealand's volcanism by tracking magma movement. Small robotic aircraft can now patrol the ocean, providing high-resolution oceanographic observations.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 10, 2004
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.

One type of carbon so resilient it skews carbon cycle calculations

Researchers found that graphitic black carbon resists conversion to other forms, such as combining with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. This resistance affects carbon cycle calculations, leading to significant overestimates of burial of combustion-derived black carbon in marine sediments.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature·DateJan 22, 2004

Are fish made of maple leaves?

A new study reveals that a significant part of the aquatic food chain is supported by terrestrial organic matter originating on the shoreline. Aquatic plants produce organic carbon through photosynthesis, which supports fish and invertebrate populations.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalNature·DateJan 14, 2004

If we are what we eat, some lake fish are made of maple leaves

A study by Pace and colleagues found that 40-55% of lake plant production supports resident aquatic life, while 2250% of zooplankton is derived from terrestrial sources. The results suggest that aquatic food chains are supported not only by in-water production but also by organic matter from surrounding watersheds.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 14, 2004

American Thoracic Society journal news tips for October 2003 (first issue)

Researchers found that children with mild asthma already show pathologic features of adult disease, including basement membrane thickening and airway eosinophilia. New AAT deficiency guidelines also aim to improve diagnosis and management by identifying specific risk factors for this hereditary disorder.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 3, 2003
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Designing a better catalyst for 'artificial photosynthesis'

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered an important intermediate step in the artificial photosynthesis process using robust transition metal complexes like rhenium. By studying these reactions over short and long timescales, they found that two energetic metal complexes are involved in activating one CO2 molecule.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateSep 9, 2003

Too much sun can harm ocean life

Researchers found that excessive ultraviolet radiation can harm plankton, which removes organic carbon from the ocean and contributes to the greenhouse effect. The study's findings have important implications for understanding the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateMar 18, 2002
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.

Adsorption on clay accounts for organic-rich rocks

The study found a clear relationship between organic carbon and smectite clay minerals, suggesting that dissolved organic molecules are drawn into the crystal lattice where they are protected from oxidation. This process, known as adsorption, plays a crucial role in maintaining habitable conditions in the biosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2002

Well preserved meteorite yields clues to carbon evolution in space

A team of researchers analyzed a rare, well-preserved meteorite found in Canada, revealing organic compounds with similarities to other known carbonaceous chondrites. The study suggests that the Tagish Lake Meteorite may represent an early stage in the evolution of complex carbon compounds in space.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateAug 23, 2001