Articles tagged with Biomass
Aston University is setting up the first integrated centre to explore low carbon hydrogen production from biomass conversion. The new research centre will enable the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, including gasification, membrane separation and fuel cells.
A recent study found that heatwaves decrease phytoplankton biomass in a boreal lake by reducing the depth of the mixed layer. This reduction limits light and nutrient availability for photosynthesis.
Scientists used multi-isotope imaging mass spectrometry to identify key contributors to blood vessel obstruction in PAH. The study reveals proline and glucose play a crucial role in forming excess scar tissue, which obstructs blood flow.
Scientists have revealed the regulatory mechanisms of enzyme production in a filamentous fungus that allows for efficient degradation of plant biomass. The discovery identifies Uge5 as a novel regulatory factor regulating carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes.
Scientists develop macroporous structure to increase accessibility of active sites in single-atom catalysts, achieving high activity in oxidative esterification of furfural. The composite catalyst shows high stability and potential for industrial application in biomass valorization and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A new study suggests that UK woodlands could store nearly twice as much carbon as previously thought, based on a 3D scanning technique and analysis of 815 trees in Wytham Woods. This underestimation has serious implications for climate mitigation, forest protection, and restoration targets.
The River Thames ecosystem has suffered a drastic decline in mussel numbers since the 1960s, with native species dwindling to nearly nothing. The invasive zebra mussel and Asian clam have also taken hold, further threatening biodiversity.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have identified promising new biofuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% while improving fuel efficiency or reducing tailpipe emissions. The biofuels, developed using advanced engine design, can be blended with conventional fuels to improve engine performance and meet more ...
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that plant-derived cellulose nanofibers exhibit high thermal conductivity, potentially replacing environmentally damaging synthetic polymers. The discovery was made using a novel method to align the fibers, allowing for efficient heat transfer.
A new technique combines holographic microscopy with deep learning to follow individual microscopic organisms in the ocean. The method allows for continuous measurement and quantification of micro-zooplankton and feeding events, revealing key interactions between species.
A Danish study reveals that nearly half of the population is unaware of woody biomass as an energy source, highlighting a need for public engagement on its sustainability. The study also shows strong public concerns over biodiversity and climate change, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to minimize environmental costs.
A recent study in Peru revealed a 50% decline in arthropod biomass following short periods of drought and increased precipitation. Tropical insects are sensitive to both extreme weather events, with rainfall patterns being a key factor in their decline.
A new study suggests that global fish stocks will not be able to recover to sustainable levels without strong actions to mitigate climate change and overfishing. Climate change has reduced fish stocks in 103 of 226 marine regions studied, including Canada, from their historical levels.
Researchers have linked a specific domain of proteins to a cancer trigger in humans, opening up new avenues for selective drug therapies. The discovery was made by identifying four core amino acids called cysteine residues critical to the PAN domain's function.
Scientists have developed a biomass-derived plastic similar to PET that meets the criteria for replacing several current plastics. The new plastic can be produced in one step using inexpensive chemicals and retains its sugar structure, making it easy to degrade.
A recent study published in Environment International found that young adults exposed to higher levels of ambient and household air pollution had poorer lung function. Household air pollution from unvented biomass stoves was particularly detrimental, causing a significant decrease in lung capacity.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
Research reveals that multi-species forest plantations outperform monocultures in terms of tree height, width, and biomass production. This is attributed to functional complementarity between species, which enhances resource use efficiency.
New research uses surfboard samples to analyze seasonal changes in phytoplankton, a crucial component of ocean food chains. The study finds that phytoplankton levels nearshore and offshore are similar in autumn, winter and spring, but higher nearshore during summer months.
Research from satellite data analysis suggests that three-quarters of the Amazon forest has lost its ability to recover from perturbations since the early 2000s. This loss of resilience increases the risk of dieback and contributes to global warming, highlighting the urgent need for limiting logging and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Amazon rainforest is experiencing a decline in resilience, which could trigger dieback and have severe consequences for the environment. The study found that resilience has dropped consistently since the early 2000s, with parts of the forest losing resilience faster due to deforestation and climate change.
Researchers have developed a sustainable methodology to utilize biomass waste for efficient remediation of antibiotic pollution. Fe-contaminated biomass waste ferns are used to synthesize highly active single atom catalysts, demonstrating an appealing strategy for pollutant control and other applications.
Scientists identified a new plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that enhances duckweed biomass productivity by 2.7-fold, increasing photosynthesis and wastewater treatment efficiency. The molecular mechanism suggests that organic compounds are transferred from the bacteria to duckweed, triggering an increase in photosynthetic activity.
A team of scientists at KAUST has created adjustable and biodegradable nanofiltration membranes from date seeds using an environmentally friendly process. The new membranes demonstrated excellent performance in oil and solvent filtration experiments, outperforming traditional methods.
The study found that the distinctive pattern on the underside of the leaves is crucial for their size and strength. The unique vascular structure allows the plants to occupy a large surface area while maintaining low biomass.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-pressure method to convert industrially processed biomass into high-performance plastics and valuable chemicals. The process uses glycerin as a solvent instead of methanol, reducing costs and environmental impact.
A large-scale international study found that simple health assessments can identify people with chronic lung conditions like COPD. The screening tools were effective in diverse low- and middle-income settings, highlighting a pressing need for global awareness and early diagnosis.
Researchers found that fungal communities play a key role in tree growth, with some species increasing tree growth rates up to a tree-fold. The study suggests that using specific fungal communities can help improve forestry and potentially absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a retrofitted commercial refrigeration container to keep COVID-19 vaccines at ultra-low temperatures during transport. They've also identified and improved the usability of data to accelerate innovation in the bioeconomy, and investigated piezoelectric materials for radiation-...
The study of four Baroque-era paintings reveals that flax fibres from fabrics a few hundred years old have undergone more degradation than those from thousand-year-old Egyptian mortuary linens. The researchers used various high-resolution optical analysis methods to analyse the fibre structure without degrading the samples.
A global study reveals that industrial fishing has drastically altered the size spectrum theory in oceans, leading to a drastic loss of large fish and whales. Researchers estimate that losses caused by industrial fishing and whaling over the past century are greater than potential biomass losses due to climate change scenarios.
A new study reveals human activities have drastically altered the ocean's biodiversity, with significant losses in larger species like whales and dolphins. Biomass estimates show a 60% reduction in large fish and marine mammals, outpacing even extreme climate change scenarios.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a clean and cost-effective way to upcycle used plastic into high-value products such as carbon nanotubes and clean liquid fuel. The two-step process converts organic waste into charcoal, which is then used as a catalyst to upcycle the plastic.
Researchers at Flinders University have created a cost-effective way to harvest microalgal biomass from wastewater ponds, producing a sustainable source of biofuels. The high-rate algal pond model uses algae and bacteria to treat wastewater, reducing treatment time to 5-10 days and minimizing costs.
Researchers found that wood vinegar and tar fraction in bio-oil produced from hazelnut shells pyrolysis at 400 C to 1,000 C contain high concentrations of phenolic substances, which contribute to their antioxidant activity. The study suggests using these fractions as a potential renewable energy source.
Researchers developed direct cellulose fuel cells that directly use cellulose as fuel without reforming processes. The study found that gold is highly active in the cleavage reaction at negative potential and nickel and palladium are active in decomposition reactions at positive potential.
A study re-evaluating global fish stock recovery finds that alternative methods reveal nearly half of individual stocks are still below biomass targets and 40% are being overfished. The results suggest a cautious approach may be needed to rebuild depleted fisheries.
Researchers investigated aboveground biomass and its spatial distribution pattern of herbaceous marsh vegetation in China, revealing regional variations in biomass density and total biomass. The study provides a scientific basis for carbon sequestration evaluation and adaptive management of marsh wetlands in China.
Research finds that water molecules in zeolites enhance chemical reactions for biomass conversion to biofuel. By optimizing pore sizes and water concentrations, the process can be made more efficient, saving energy.
New study confirms Russian forests have accumulated 40% more biomass than reported, with potential for 47% higher carbon sequestration. Close collaboration between science and policy is critical for adaptive forest management.
Researchers at St Petersburg University have synthesized polymers from biomass, making them recyclable and potentially replacing traditional plastics. The new polymers are based on terpenols, natural compounds found in plants like mint and white fir trees, and can be recycled at moderate temperatures.
A low-cost drone-based photogrammetry method has been developed to estimate plant biomass, explaining up to 47% of biomass variation in multispecies plots. The method uses aerial images and simple RGB cameras, making it a promising alternative to expensive LiDAR technology.
In a study published in Environmental Pollution, researchers found that strict emission controls contributed to a decline in black carbon loading in urban Beijing. The aerosols became 'slim', with smaller core sizes and less coatings, indicating reduced solar radiation absorption and improved air quality.
A German-Chinese research team has developed a new synthetic route to produce biofuel from biomass, achieving a higher yield and selectivity under milder reaction conditions. The method uses formic acid as a key catalyst, resulting in faster reaction rates and reduced unwanted side reactions.
Researchers have developed a method to utilize crayfish shells as a biological template for high-performance supercapacitors. The resulting material exhibits ultrahigh specific surface area, large total pore volume, and reasonable oxygen content, leading to improved energy density and capacitance.
Researchers discover new nocturnal process in forming oxidized aerosol from biomass burning, leading to underestimation of pollutant levels. The findings highlight the importance of considering nighttime oxidation in air quality models.
Researchers successfully identified all fish species in the ponds, demonstrating high accuracy of non-invasive eDNA approach. Strong positive correlations were found between eDNA quantity and actual fish biomass and abundance, paving the way for step change in future species monitoring programmes.
A study found that people who cook with biomass fuels like wood are at risk of suffering considerable damage to their lungs due to breathing in dangerous concentrations of pollutants and bacterial toxins. The researchers also found a smaller subset of biomass users who had very high levels of air trapping and abnormal tissue mechanics.
A new study found that burning biomass fuels like wood and crop residues contributes to 32% of premature deaths due to inhaling fine particle pollutants in China. Residential energy use, especially indoor emissions, pose significant health risks, with indoor PM2.5 concentrations being 3 times higher than outdoor air concentrations.
Researchers at JAIST and U-Tokyo successfully developed a thermodegradable aromatic polymer with the highest heat resistance of all reported plastics, using cellulosic biomass as feedstock. The plastic exhibits superior thermostability over 740°C and is lightweight, making it suitable for circular economy applications.
Research reveals that degradation of the Brazilian Amazon forest has surpassed deforestation in terms of area affected. The study found that between 1992 and 2014, degraded forest cover increased by 29,116 square kilometers compared to the 308,311 square kilometers lost to deforestation.
Researchers found a 45% decrease in fish biomass over a decade, attributed to nitrogen pollution from sewage and golf courses. Sustainable fishing practices, such as gear restrictions, can help mitigate losses and support reef resilience.
Alvin R. Womac, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been recognized as an ASABE Fellow for his contributions to equipment systems for spray application technology and biomass logistics systems. His research has led to improvements in pesticide spray application safety and environmental impact.
A Cornell-led collaboration turns organic matter DNA into biodegradable gels and plastics, reducing petrochemical consumption. The resulting materials can be used in various applications, including everyday plastic objects, adhesives and drug delivery systems.
Research finds nanoplastics can accumulate in plants, depending on surface charge, impacting ecological effects and agricultural sustainability. Plant growth is reduced, with positively charged particles causing more harm than negatively charged ones, according to a new study.
Research on the Great Barrier Reef found severe coral loss is associated with increased biomass and productivity of large, long-living herbivorous fish. However, decreased recycling of this biomass could leave the ecosystem vulnerable to crashing.
Biofuels have yet to reach cost parity with conventional petroleum fuels, but engineers can engineer plants to produce valuable chemical compounds as they grow. A new study defines the optimal amount of bioproducts plants need to produce for a cost-effective process, promising cheaper alternatives to petroleum fuels.
A new study using a neural network-driven Earth system model predicts an increase in phytoplankton biomass in low-latitude regions by 2100. The team found that the traditional assumption of declining biomass due to climate change is not supported, and instead, phytoplankton may actually thrive in warmer waters.
Wildfires in south eastern Brazil produce airborne pollution that worsens air quality in major cities such as Sao Paulo, cancelling efforts to improve the urban environment. The study found long-range transport of smoke contributes to poor air quality and smog in cities up to 2,000 km away.
A new study has found an association between exposure to air pollution and poor bone health. Fine particles in the air were linked to lower levels of bone mass, while biomass fuel use was not correlated. The study's findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the impact of particulate air pollution on bone health.