Month: January 2023

Our future climate depends partly on soil microbes — but how are they affected by climate change? In a surprising twist, food, not temperature, is the most important factor driving microbial release of CO2 — ScienceDaily

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Our future climate depends partly on soil microbes — but how are they affected by climate change? In a surprising twist, food, not temperature, is the most important factor driving microbial release of CO2 — ScienceDaily

The largest terrestrial carbon sink on Earth is the planet’s soil. One of the big fears is that a warming planet will liberate significant portions of the soil’s carbon, turning it into carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, and so further accelerate the pace of planetary warming. A key player in this story is the microbe, the … Read more

Taylor Fritz explains ‘NSFW’ drawing at Australian Open

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Taylor Fritz explains ‘NSFW’ drawing at Australian Open

US tennis star Taylor Fritz had fans both laughing and scratching their heads with his on-camera drawing after winning his round-one match at the Australian Open. Fritz defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili from Georgia 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-5 at John Cain Arena on Tuesday. It is tradition for winning players to write a message on the camera at … Read more

A new study connecting extreme thunderstorms and tree deaths suggests the tropics will see more major blowdown events in a warming world — ScienceDaily

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A new study connecting extreme thunderstorms and tree deaths suggests the tropics will see more major blowdown events in a warming world — ScienceDaily

Tropical forests are crucial for sucking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But they’re also subject to intense storms that can cause “windthrow” — the uprooting or breaking of trees. These downed trees decompose, potentially turning a forest from a carbon sink into a carbon source. A new study finds that more extreme thunderstorms from … Read more

Study finds ants aren’t altering behavior in rising temperatures — ScienceDaily

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Study finds ants aren’t altering behavior in rising temperatures — ScienceDaily

Researchers at North Carolina State University found in a recent study that ants did not adjust their behavior in response to warming temperatures and persisted in sub-optimal microhabitats even when optimal ones were present. The finding suggests ants may not be able to adjust their behavior in response to warming ecosystems. Ants are ectotherms — … Read more

20,000 premature US deaths caused by human-ignited fires each year — ScienceDaily

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20,000 premature US deaths caused by human-ignited fires each year — ScienceDaily

Over 80% of premature deaths caused by small smoke particles in the United States result directly from human-ignited fires. This is the outcome of a study published today in IOP Publishing’s journal Environmental Research Letters. The new study, led by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, analyses the impact of smoke particles on air … Read more

Researchers create smaller, cheaper flow batteries for clean energy — ScienceDaily

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Researchers create smaller, cheaper flow batteries for clean energy — ScienceDaily

Clean energy is the leading solution for climate change. But solar and wind power are inconsistent at producing enough energy for a reliable power grid. Alternatively, lithium-ion batteries can store energy but are a limited resource. “The advantage of a coal power plant is it’s very steady,” said Nian Liu, an assistant professor at the … Read more

AI improves detail, estimate of urban air pollution — ScienceDaily

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AI improves detail, estimate of urban air pollution — ScienceDaily

Using artificial intelligence, Cornell University engineers have simplified and reinforced models that accurately calculate the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — the soot, dust and exhaust emitted by trucks and cars that get into human lungs — contained in urban air pollution. Now, city planners and government health officials can obtain a more precise accounting about … Read more

The Biden administration is showing ‘electric-only’ is the only Democrat goal

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The Biden administration is showing ‘electric-only’ is the only Democrat goal

It may seem like the Biden administration’s Consumer Product Safety Commission suddenly decided to come out and float the idea of a national gas-stove ban, igniting a firestorm of backlash and making it the hot topic of the week. But this has been a cause of the far-left Green New Deal and simmering on the back … Read more

Hand washing fabrics reduces microplastic release compared with machine washing — ScienceDaily

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Hand washing fabrics reduces microplastic release compared with machine washing — ScienceDaily

From tiny plankton to massive whales, microplastics have been found throughout the ocean food chain. One major source of this pollution are fibers shed while laundering synthetic fabrics. Although many studies show microfibers are released during machine washing, it’s been less clear how hand washing contributes. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Environmental Science & Technology … Read more