Articles on or after 4/24/2024: |
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| Climate Crocks,Huffington Post,DeSmogBlog,Skeptical Science,VOX -Environment,PHYS.ORG - Earth,PHYS.ORG - Technology |
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'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Extreme heat scorched the Philippines on Wednesday, forcing schools in some areas to suspend in-person classes and prompting warnings for people to limit the amount of time spent outdoors.
The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the archipelago nation, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
"It's so hot you can't breathe," said Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, where the heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.
"It's surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, ... Read more ...
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A better way to predict Arctic riverbank erosion - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · But there's a caveat to this concern: Existing models have predicted a more dramatic rate of Arctic riverbank erosion than has actually been observed. In a new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, Madison Douglas and Michael Lamb set out to determine why.
To do this, the team created a model that couples the movement of sediment, such as sand and mud, with permafrost thaw to determine riverbank erosion. The model better reproduces erosion observations on parts of the Yukon River in Alaska. This is because in real-world scenarios, the rate of erosion is slowed by an insulating layer of thawed sediment. Rather than the warmer river water ... Read more ...
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A shade closer to more efficient organic photovoltaics - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Semitransparent photovoltaics are able to convert sunlight into electricity without blocking visible light. This makes them attractive for building integrated applications, such as windows, facades and greenhouses.
Unlike traditional silicon-based cells, organic photovoltaics can be flexible and can also be tailored to be transparent. Yet the more transparent the solar cell, the less light it captures for producing electricity.
Organic solar cells typically rely on an active layer called a bulk heterojunction—comprised of electron donor and acceptor materials—to capture and convert sunlight. Upon contact, sunlight can excite electrons to higher energy states ... Read more ...
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Africa's megacities threatened by heat, floods, disease - action needed to start greening, adapt to climate change - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · African megacities like Lagos, Nigeria (with 21 million residents) and Cairo, Egypt (with 10 million residents) are experiencing significant temperature increases due to the urban heat island effect and climate change.
Meelan Thondoo is a medical anthropologist and environmental epidemiologist who researches the health impacts of climate change in cities of fast-developing countries. She explains what cities in Africa are doing to mitigate climate change, and what further steps they need to take to protect their populations.
What health effects of climate change do African cities experience?
Currently, 3.3 billion to 3.6 billion people globally live in cities that ... Read more ...
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Airborne observations of Asian monsoon sees ozone-depleting substances lofting into the stratosphere - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · The study, led by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) and NASA, found that the East Asian Monsoon delivers more than twice the concentration of very short-lived ozone-depleting substances into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere than previously reported.
"It was a real surprise to fly through a plume with all those very short-lived ozone-depleting substances," said NSF NCAR scientist Laura Pan, the lead author of the study. "These chemicals may have a significant impact on what will happen with the ozone layer, and it's critical to quantify them."
The study was published in the Proceedings of the National ... Read more ...
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Airborne single-photon lidar system achieves high-resolution 3D imaging - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Single-photon lidar uses single-photon detection techniques to measure the time it takes laser pulses to travel to objects and back. It is particularly useful for airborne applications because it enables highly accurate 3D mapping of terrain and objects even in challenging environments such as dense vegetation or urban areas.
"Using single-photon lidar technology on resource-limited drones or satellites requires shrinking the entire system and reducing its energy consumption," said research team member Feihu Xu from University of Science and Technology of China.
"We were able to incorporate recent technology developments into a system that, in comparison to other ... Read more ...
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Artificial intelligence helps scientists engineer plants to fight climate change - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · To design these climate-saving plants, scientists in Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative are using a sophisticated new research tool called SLEAP—an easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) software that tracks multiple features of root growth. Created by Salk Fellow Talmo Pereira, SLEAP was initially designed to track animal movement in the lab. Now, Pereira has teamed up with plant scientist and Salk colleague Professor Wolfgang Busch to apply SLEAP to plants.
In a study published in Plant Phenomics, Busch and Pereira debut a new protocol for using SLEAP to analyze plant root phenotypes—how deep and wide they grow, how massive their root systems become, and other ... Read more ...
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Balancing AI and physics: Toward a learnable climate model - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Previous studies have demonstrated that Pangu-Weather can accurately replicate certain climate patterns like tropical Gill responses and extra-tropical teleconnections through qualitative analysis. However, quantitative investigations have revealed significant differences in wind components, such as divergent winds and ageostrophic winds, within current AI weather models. Despite these findings, there are still concerns that the importance of physics in climate science is sometimes overlooked.
"The qualitative assessment finds AI models could understand and learn spatial patterns in weather and climate data. On the other hand, the quantitative approach highlights a limitation: ... Read more ...
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Biden Finalizes Plan To Overhaul Dirty Power Grid And Reduce Blackouts - Huffington Post (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · The Biden administration rolled out its plan Thursday to overhaul the United States’ aging patchwork of fossil-fueled electrical grids, finishing work on a suite of regulations designed to rein in rising utility bills and stem worsening blackouts while cutting planet-heating pollution from power plants.
The regulatory package includes the nation’s first-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, tighter restrictions on mercury gas and coal ash, and a new way to speed up construction of badly needed transmission lines.
Paired with the billions of dollars in carrots for manufacturing, building and buying modern energy equipment that came with President Joe ... Read more ...
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Biden targets fossil fuel power sector with tough new carbon rules - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · The United States on Thursday announced sweeping new rules requiring coal-fired plants to eliminate nearly all their carbon emissions or commit to shutting down altogether, a keystone of President Joe Biden's agenda to confront the climate crisis.
Hailed by environmental groups as a "gamechanger," the regulations take effect from 2032 and will also mandate that new, high capacity gas-fired plants slash their carbon dioxide output by the same amount - 90 percent - a target that would require the use of carbon capture technology.
It comes as Democratic incumbent Biden faces a tough election rematch against Republican Donald Trump in November, with climate action seen as ... Read more ...
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Can climate change accelerate transmission of malaria? New research sheds light on impacts of temperature - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · In tropical and subtropical regions where malaria is prevalent, scientists are concerned that climate warming might increase the risk of malaria transmission in certain areas and contribute to further spread. However, there is still much to learn about the relationship between temperature and the mosquito and parasite traits that influence malaria transmission.
In "Estimating the effects of temperature on transmission of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum," a study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers at the University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University and Imperial College, combined novel experimental data within an innovative ... Read more ...
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Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Chinese car giants locked in a cut-throat price war descended on the capital for the start of the Auto China show Thursday, vying to draw consumers and headlines in the world's biggest electric vehicle market and abroad.
China's EV sector has exploded in recent years, and firms are now engaged in a no-holds-barred battle to offer customers the coolest accessories at the lowest prices.
EV makers from China have made inroads into markets from Europe to Southeast Asia and Tesla's Elon Musk described them in January as "the most competitive car companies in the world".
Beijing's Auto China show, which lasts until May 4, sees dozens of firms square off in a bid to draw ... Read more ...
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Chinese automakers redefine the car as a living space at Beijing Auto Show - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · How about turning a car's front bucket seats 180 degrees so they face the rear seats and extending out a table so the occupants can play cards or eat a meal? Or a 43-inch (109 centimeter) screen for the passengers in the back seat?
The seemingly never-ending efforts of China's electric car makers to redefine the automobile went on display Thursday at the opening of the nation's largest annual auto show. They are forcing established makers such as Volkswagen and Nissan to change the way they develop cars to remain players in what is the world's largest auto market.
Nissan joined Toyota in announcing a tie-up at the Beijing Auto Show with a major Chinese technology company ... Read more ...
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Climate change could become the main driver of biodiversity decline by mid-century, analysis suggests - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Global biodiversity has declined between 2% and 11% during the 20th century due to land-use change alone, according to a large multi-model study published in Science. Projections show climate change could become the main driver of biodiversity decline by the mid-21st century.
The analysis was led by the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and is the largest modeling study of its kind to date. The researchers compared thirteen models for assessing the impact of land-use change and climate change on four distinct biodiversity metrics, as well as on nine ecosystem services.
Land-use change is ... Read more ...
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Climate change supercharged a heat dome, intensifying 2021 fire season, study finds - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · A new study has revealed the extent to which human-caused climate change intensified the extraordinary event, with researchers theorizing the heat dome was 34% larger and lasted nearly 60% longer than it would have in the absence of global warming. The heat dome, in turn, was associated with up to a third of the area burned in North America that year, according to the study, published in Communications Earth & Environment.
"What happens is you get a stagnated weather pattern—it's very hot and very dry," said study author Piyush Jain, research scientist with Natural Resources Canada. "And it dries out all the vegetation and makes whatever is on the ground extremely ... Read more ...
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Deer are expanding north, and that's not good for caribou: Scientists evaluate the reasons why - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Over the past century, white-tailed deer have greatly expanded their range in North America, explains Melanie Dickie, a doctoral student with UBC Okanagan's Wildlife Restoration Ecology Lab.
In the boreal forest of Western Canada, researchers have considered that both changing climate and increased habitat alteration have enabled deer to push farther north. Climate change can create milder winters, while habitat alteration from forestry and energy exploration creates new food sources for deer.
As they conclude their study, researchers caution that what is good for the deer isn't necessarily suitable for other species, such as the threatened woodland ... Read more ...
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Did climate chaos cultivate or constrain 2023's greenery? - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · In a recent publication in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, a research team led by Academician Piao Shilong from the College of Urban and Environmental Sciences at Peking University delved into the topic. The paper, titled "Vegetation Greenness in 2023," offers a detailed analysis of the interplay between vegetation greening and climate change.
The greening of vegetation is one of the most significant features of changes in the Earth's biosphere during the modern period of climate warming. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, warming climate, and land use changes are the main drivers affecting global vegetation greening.
Under the long-term warming ... Read more ...
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Diversity and productivity go branch-in-branch: Scientists share which forests can adapt to climate change - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Now, a study by an international group, including Kyoto University, found that forests with higher trait diversity not only adapt better to climate change but may also thrive. The work is published in the journal Science Advances.
The study, conducted by researchers from Lakehead University, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, and Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, unveiled how tree functional trait diversity—a key aspect of biodiversity—plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate warming.
"In the face of environmental stress, these diverse trees have been shown to maintain higher productivity levels, in contrast to monoculture ... Read more ...
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Electric cars and digital connectivity dominate at Beijing auto show - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Global automakers and EV startups unveiled new models and concept cars at China's largest auto show on Thursday, with a focus on the nation's transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles.
Toyota and Nissan both announced tie-ups with major Chinese technology companies as they strive to meet customer demand for AI-enabled online connectivity in cars, from social media apps to autonomous driving features.
Electric vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all auto sales in China last year. Hybrids, which have trailed EVs, are expected to be a growing segment going forward.
China's largest EV maker, BYD, showed ... Read more ...
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Emperor penguins perish as ice melts to new lows: Study - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Colonies of emperor penguin chicks were wiped out last year as global warming eroded their icy homes, a study published Thursday found, despite the birds' attempts to adapt to the shrinking landscape.
The study by the British Antarctic Survey found that record-low sea ice levels in 2023 contributed to the second-worst year for emperor penguin chick mortality since observations began in 2018.
It follows a "catastrophic breeding failure" in 2022, signaling long-term implications for the population, the study's author Peter Fretwell told AFP.
Emperor penguins breed on sea-ice platforms, with chicks hatching in the winter between late July and mid-August.
The ... Read more ...
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Engineers uncover key to efficient and stable organic solar cells - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Organic photovoltaics (OPV), which employs cost-effective, printable, and environmentally friendly polymer semiconductors, holds tremendous potential for generating sustainable and renewable energy. However, due to the soft nature of polymers, achieving OPV devices with both high efficiency and long operation stability has been a long-standing research challenge.
By investigating the ultrafast charge dynamics using femtosecond laser pulses, the researchers first discovered that controlling the degree of aggregation of the polymerized Y6 acceptors (Y6-PAs) plays a crucial role in promoting electricity generation.
This nanoscale percolation not only enhances charge ... Read more ...
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EU lawmakers agree to exit energy treaty over climate fears - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · The European Parliament on Wednesday backed the EU's withdrawal from an international energy treaty over concerns it offers too much protection to fossil fuel companies.
The Energy Charter Treaty was signed in 1994, after the end of the Cold War, to offer guarantees to investors in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
But the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said in July it was necessary to withdraw from the treaty in a coordinated manner since it is "no longer compatible" with the bloc's "enhanced climate ambition".
During a parliament vote in Strasbourg, 560 lawmakers gave the green light for a withdrawal, while 43 voted against and 27 ... Read more ...
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Extreme heat scorches Southeast Asia, bringing school closures and warnings - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Extreme heat scorched parts of South and Southeast Asia Wednesday, prompting schools across the Philippines to suspend classes, heat warnings in the Thai capital and worshippers in Bangladesh to pray for rain.
The high temperatures were recorded just a day after the United Nations said Asia was the region that suffered the most disasters from climate and weather hazards in 2023, with floods and storms the chief causes of casualties and economic losses.
Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.
"It's so hot you can't breathe," said Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a Philippine ... Read more ...
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Five things we learned at the China Auto Show - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · One of China's largest auto shows kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, with electric vehicle makers keen to show off their latest designs and high-tech accessories to consumers in the fiercely competitive market.
Here are the key developments from Auto China's first day of action:
The consumer tech giant is the latest entrant to China's cut-throat EV market, with its new SU7 model the star of the show.
Less than one month after its launch, almost 76,000 pre-orders have been placed, Xiaomi said, an accumulation of orders that will take months to deliver given its current production capacity.
Xiaomi boss Lei Jun was swarmed at Auto China on Thursday by legions of ... Read more ...
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Future hurricanes could compromise New England forests' ability to store and sequester carbon - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Nature-based climate solutions can help mitigate climate change, especially in forested regions capable of storing and sequestering vast amounts of carbon. New research published in Global Change Biology indicates that a single hurricane in New England, one of the most heavily forested regions in the United States, can down 4.6–9.4% of the total above-ground forest carbon, an amount much greater than the carbon sequestered annually by New England's forests.
The work revealed that emissions from hurricanes are not instantaneous - it takes approximately 19 years for downed carbon to become a net emission, and 100 years for 90% of the downed carbon to be emitted.
Models ... Read more ...
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Going with the flow: Research dives into electrodes on energy storage batteries - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have emerged as promising solutions for stationary grid energy storage due to their high efficiency, scalability, safety, near-room-temperature operation conditions, and the ability to size power and energy capacities independently. The redox reactions in a redox flow battery occur at the surfaces of the electrodes in contact with the electrolyte. Any modifications to the electrode surface can affect the electrochemical activity and affect the overall battery performance.
In an effort to extend the lifespans of VRFBs, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists and collaborators from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ... Read more ...
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Heatstroke kills 30 in Thailand this year as kingdom bakes - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Thailand issued fresh warnings about scorching hot weather on Thursday as the government said heatstroke has already killed at least 30 people this year.
City authorities in Bangkok gave an extreme heat warning as the heat index was expected to rise above 52 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).
Temperatures in the concrete sprawl of the Thai capital hit 40.1 C on Wednesday and similar levels were forecast for Thursday.
A wave of exceptionally hot weather has blasted parts of South and Southeast Asia this week, prompting schools across the Philippines to suspend classes and worshippers in Bangladesh to pray for rain.
The heat index - a measure of what the ... Read more ...
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High-energy-density capacitors with 2D nanomaterials could significantly enhance energy storage - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Though the prototype device is just 1-inch by 1-inch, scaled-up versions of this innovation could potentially revolutionize energy storage systems across various industries, including medical, aviation, auto (EV), consumer electronics and defense.
Dielectric capacitors, critical components of electronic devices and energy storage systems, are known for their ability to discharge high amounts of energy quickly, making them crucial for high-power applications.
"High-energy and high-power capacitors are essential for a reliable power supply, especially as we shift to using more renewable energy sources. However, current dielectric capacitors don't store as much energy as ... Read more ...
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Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Japanese auto giant Honda announced Thursday the largest automotive investment in Canada's history, worth Can$15 billion (US$11 billion), for a massive new EV battery and vehicle assembly plant.
Honda chief executive Toshihiro Mibe told a joint news conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other officials that electric vehicles (EVs) will start rolling off the new assembly line in 2028.
Once fully operational, the factory will have a production capacity of 240,000 vehicles per year, and a batteries output of 36 GWh per year.
"The world is changing rapidly, and we must work toward realizing carbon neutrality to sustain the global environment," Mibe ... Read more ...
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How electric vehicle drivers can escape range anxiety - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Two of the biggest challenges faced by new and potential electric vehicle (EV) drivers are range anxiety and speed of charging, but these shouldn't have to be challenges at all. That is according to a study by Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Delaware, U.S. Researchers discovered that a change in refueling mindset, rather than improving the size or performance of the battery, could be the answer to these concerns.
The transition from filling up at a petrol station to recharging your electric vehicle in the most convenient location for you, requires a whole new way of thinking about refueling a car. However, new EV drivers often remain in their ... Read more ...
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How marketing classes can rescue 'ugly produce' from becoming food waste - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Indeed, some estimates suggest that approximately 40 percent of fruits and vegetables never even leave farms. Much of it gets rejected by wholesalers and retailers based on irregularities in weight, size or shape.
This desire for cosmetically appealing food also extends to consumers, as we often prefer picture-perfect produce. Unsurprisingly, this wanton waste takes a significant environmental toll, with an estimated eight to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions tied to unconsumed food.
Showing ugly produce some love
Some companies have taken strides to counter food waste. A prominent example in the United States is Misfits Market, which launched in ... Read more ...
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In south China, silkworm farmers reel from deadly floods - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Hose in hand, 40-year-old Zhu Huangyi cleans a small concrete room once home to his silkworms, two thirds of which were lost in deadly floods hitting southern China this week.
Just two hours from the economic powerhouse and megacity of Guangzhou, surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation, lies the village of Sancun, one of the worst hit by the recent bad weather.
Around a quarter of households in the village make their living from raising silkworms, insects that secrete precious fibers essential to the textile industry.
Although the water levels had dropped by the time AFP arrived, it reached two meters in some areas - with devastating consequences for residents ... Read more ...
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Indian nuclear facilities found to have radioactive influence on Southern Tibetan Plateau - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters has shed light on the long-range transboundary transport of radioactive iodine-129 (129I) from the Indian nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (NFRPs) to the Southern Tibetan Plateau (STP).
This study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Earth Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), provides a new understanding of the transport of airborne radioactive pollutants from low to high altitudes, and may have implications for environmental protection on the Tibetan Plateau.
The Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Third Pole of the Earth" and the "Roof of the World," is a remote, isolated, and ... Read more ...
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Italy fines Amazon over 'recurring' purchase option - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Italy's competition authority said Wednesday it had fined two Amazon companies 10 million euros ($10.6 million) for unfair commercial practices, for pushing customers into agreeing to "recurring" rather than "one-time" purchases online.
In a statement, the AGCM said the option to set up regular purchases was "pre-selected by default" on a wide selection of products listed on Amazon's Italian website.
"The graphic layout of the pre-selected recurring purchase option may lead consumers to buy products periodically - even when there is no actual need - thereby limiting their ability to choose freely," the AGCM said in a statement.
"Moreover, the conduct implemented by ... Read more ...
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Japan's moon lander wasn't built to survive a weekslong lunar night. It's still going after 3 - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Japan's first moon lander has survived a third freezing lunar night, Japan's space agency said Wednesday after receiving an image from the device three months after it landed on the moon.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the lunar probe responded to a signal from the earth Tuesday night, confirming it has survived another weekslong lunar night.
Temperatures can fall to minus 170 degrees Celsius (minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit) during a lunar night, and rise to around 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) during a lunar day.
The probe, Smart Lander for Investing Moon, or SLIM, reached the lunar surface on Jan. 20, making Japan the fifth country to successfully place ... Read more ...
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Long-term research shows herring arrive earlier in the Wadden Sea due to climate change - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 26) |
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Apr 26 · Due to the changing climate, young herring arrive in the Wadden Sea earlier and earlier in spring. That is shown in a new publication by NIOZ ecologists Mark Rademaker, Myron Peck, and Anieke van Leeuwen in Global Change Biology.
"The fact that we were able to demonstrate this was only due to very consistently - for more than 60 years - and continuously sampling the fish every spring and every fall with exactly the same fyke [net] every time," Rademaker says. "Recognizing this kind of change requires extreme precision and endurance."
Since 1960, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, has been measuring the number and species of fish that swim in the ... Read more ...
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Microsoft and Amazon face scrutiny from UK competition watchdog over recent AI deals - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · British competition regulators said Wednesday they'll scrutinize recent artificial intelligence deals by Microsoft and Amazon over concerns that the moves could thwart competition in the AI industry.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it's looking into Microsoft's partnership with France's Mistral AI and the company's hiring of key staff from another startup, Inflection AI. The watchdog also separately announced that it's investigating Amazon's $4 billion investment in San Francisco-based Anthropic.
Big Tech companies have been pouring money into generative AI startups amid growing public and business interest in the technology, but the investments have also ... Read more ...
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Modeling broader effects of wildfires in Siberia - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · The global effects of increasing wildfires in Siberia have been modeled by researchers at Hokkaido University and colleagues at the University of Tokyo and Kyushu University. The results, published in the journal Earth's Future, suggest significant and widespread effects on air quality, climate, health, and economics under the most extreme wildfire scenarios.
The authors performed global numerical simulation experiments to evaluate how the increased intensity of wildfires in Siberia would affect air quality, premature mortality, and economy through increased atmospheric aerosols (air pollution particles) under the present climate and near-future global warming ... Read more ...
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New dataset sheds light on relationship of far-red sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence to canopy-level photosynthesis - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · One promising method for assessing photosynthetic activity is through the measurement of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence, a byproduct of photosynthesis that can be detected from ground-based sensors as well as from satellites in space.
A study led by Genghong Wu, a Ph.D. student advised by Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) director Kaiyu Guan, and colleagues has utilized ground-based instruments to measure far-red sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and various vegetation indices (VIs) that reflect plant health and activity. It compiled 15 site-years of SIF and VIs data from various crops (corn, soybean, and miscanthus) over a span of six years (2016-2021) ... Read more ...
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New insights lead to better next-gen solar cells - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Saliba and Malekshahi reached out to researchers at the Molecular Foundry, a Department of Energy Office of Science user facility located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Fast forward several months, and the Berkeley Lab team has applied a set of techniques to reveal changes in the crystalline structures of perovskite solar cell materials in real-time as they were being fabricated with Saliba's process. The results, published in a recent Advanced Materials paper, provide researchers with a deeper understanding of how to make better perovskite solar cells.
"Material fabrication is often a black box," said Carolin Sutter-Fella, a Molecular Foundry ... Read more ...
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New Research for Week #17 2024 - Skeptical Science (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:
In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products hampers the detection of inland changes. In-situ measurements using stake surveys or GPS have lower uncertainties. To detect inland changes, we repeated in-situ measurements of ice-sheet surface velocities at 11 historical locations first measured in 1959, located upstream of Jakobshavn Isbræ, west Greenland. Here, we show ice velocities have ... Read more ...
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New research predicts peak groundwater extraction for key basins around the globe - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Scientists at Pacific Northwest and Oak Ridge national laboratories examined water, energy and food systems for 235 basins under 900 scenarios to analyze patterns in nonrenewable groundwater usage over the 21st century, as detailed in an article published in Nature Sustainability.
"The world's not running out of water, but how and where we source it looks likely to shift in the coming decades as major groundwater sources become unviable," said Sean Turner, a water resources analyst at ORNL.
Regions with the greatest current rates of depletion, including some in the United States, are more likely to face higher groundwater and food production costs by mid-century. The ... Read more ...
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New survey finds positive perceptions of solar projects - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Among these respondents, 42% support additional development in their community, compared to 18% who would oppose further projects. At the same time, more than 80% of the respondents were unaware of the project prior to construction and a third did not know until completing the survey.
Doug Bessette, associate professor for energy systems in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was one of the leads on the project.
"The responses from residents were generally positive, which is good to see considering the amount of solar that is likely to be developed in the coming years," Bessette said. "At ... Read more ...
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Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 26) |
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Apr 26 · A centuries-old settlement submerged by the construction of a dam in the northern Philippines in the 1970s has reappeared as water levels drop due to a drought affecting swathes of the country.
The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat.
Parts of a church, municipal hall marker and tombstones began to resurface in March after several months of "almost no rain", said Marlon Paladin, a supervising engineer for the National Irrigation Administration.
It is the sixth time the nearly 300-year-old settlement has resurfaced since the reservoir was created to provide irrigation water ... Read more ...
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Researchers find oldest undisputed evidence of Earth's magnetic field - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · A new study, led by the University of Oxford and MIT, has recovered a 3.7-billion-year-old record of Earth's magnetic field, and found that it appears remarkably similar to the field surrounding Earth today. The findings have been published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
Without its magnetic field, life on Earth would not be possible since this shields us from harmful cosmic radiation and charged particles emitted by the sun (the 'solar wind'). But up to now, there has been no reliable date for when the modern magnetic field was first established.
In the study, the researchers examined an ancient sequence of iron-containing rocks from Isua, Greenland. Iron ... Read more ...
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Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · The advent of wearable technology has brought with it a pressing need for energy storage solutions that can keep pace with the flexibility and stretchability of soft electronic devices. Micro supercapacitors (MSCs) have emerged as a promising candidate for deformable energy storage, due to high-power density, rapid charging, and long cycle life.
However, the fabrication of interdigitated electrode patterns capable of maintaining the energy storage performance under repeated stretching and twisting has remained a great challenge, because brittle materials like gold (Au) have been commonly used as an electrode. Meanwhile, though eutectic gallium-indium liquid metal (EGaIn) has ... Read more ...
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Salt battery harvests osmotic energy where the river meets the sea - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Estuaries - where freshwater rivers meet the salty sea - are great locations for birdwatching and kayaking. In these areas, waters containing different salt concentrations mix and may be sources of sustainable, "blue" osmotic energy.
Osmotic energy can be generated anywhere salt gradients are found, but the available technologies to capture this renewable energy have room for improvement. One method uses an array of reverse electrodialysis (RED) membranes that act as a sort of "salt battery," generating electricity from pressure differences caused by the salt gradient.
To even out that gradient, positively charged ions from seawater, such as sodium, flow through the ... Read more ...
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Scientists combine a spatially distributed sediment delivery model and biogeochemical model to estimate fluxes by water - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · However, due to an insufficient transfer of knowledge regarding soil erosion and carbon dynamics from smaller to larger scales, existing models at a large temporal and spatial scale present conflicting views on whether the net impact of erosion on carbon cycling acts as a carbon source or sink.
In a study published in Science China Earth Sciences, researchers led by Prof. Li Zhongwu from the School of Geographic Science, Hunan Normal University, together with collaborators, have introduced an approach that combined a spatially distributed sediment delivery model and biogeochemical model to simulate erosion-induced soil organic carbon dynamic, confirming water erosion acts as a ... Read more ...
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Scientists demonstrate high-resolution lidar sees birth zone of cloud droplets, a first-ever remote observation - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · "We are interested in this 'droplet activation zone,' where most cloud droplets are initially formed at the cloud base, because the number of droplets formed there will affect the later stages and properties of the cloud—including how much sunlight a cloud reflects and the likelihood of precipitation," said Brookhaven atmospheric scientist Fan Yang, the first author on the paper.
"If there are more aerosols in the atmosphere, clouds tend to have more droplets, but the droplets will each be smaller, which means they can reflect more sunlight," Yang said. "This might help to cool our warming Earth," he noted.
But to accurately predict the impacts of these ... Read more ...
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Scientists discover method to prevent coalescence in immiscible liquids - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes how experiments they conducted led to the discovery of a way to get some fluids such as water and oil, to remain as an emulsion for long periods of time without the use of surfactants.
It is widely known that when two immiscible liquids, such as water and oil are mixed, they do not remain so for very long—they slowly separate into two layers. This is because they never really mix to begin with; instead, they coexist as droplets that coalesce when they come into contact with one another.
Because of this, chemists have developed various surfactants that force such liquids to remain "mixed" for some ... Read more ...
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Scientists map soil RNA to fungal genomes to understand forest ecosystems - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · This way, the fungi of forest soils hold keys to tree health and carbon storage—skills that matter increasingly as the climate warms. However, these are complicated interactions to untangle. Fungi work in cooperation to support a forest, and species vary across Earth's ecosystems.
Recently, in work published in New Phytologist, researchers have pioneered new understanding of which fungi take on certain functions at the forest floor. For the first time, they compared three different fungal guilds in a range of different locations. They sampled soils in four forest ecosystems, extracted RNA to understand gene expression, and developed new tools to map that soil RNA to ... Read more ...
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Scientists say voluntary corporate emissions targets not enough to create real climate action - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Relying on emissions can favor more established companies and hinder innovation, say the authors, who suggest updating regulations to improve corporate climate action.
The paper, published today in Science, is by an international team led by Utrecht University, which includes Imperial College London researchers.
Lead author of the study Dr. Yann Robiou Du Pont, from the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, said, "Assessing the climate ambition of companies based only on their emissions reductions may not be meaningful for emerging companies working on green innovation."
Companies can set individual climate goals, typically ... Read more ...
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Securing competitiveness of energy-intensive industries through relocation: The pulling power of renewables - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · This 'renewables pull' would create strong incentives for businesses to invest in low-emission production facilities in these renewable-rich countries. Renewable-scarce countries could put all focus on down-stream production and refinement as the smart way to secure industrial competitiveness.
"Our new study shows that renewable-scarce countries like parts of the EU, Japan and South Korea could save between 18 to 38 percent in production costs," explains Philipp Verpoort, scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and lead author of the study published in Nature Energy.
"They could do so by relocating their production of industrial basic ... Read more ...
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Shoreline model predicts long-term future of storm protection and sea-level rise - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · "Coastal management strategies intended to protect people, property and infrastructure from storm impacts can, over decades, increase vulnerability, even leading to the loss of barrier islands, especially as sea-level rise rates increase," said A. Brad Murray, professor of geomorphology and coastal processes at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment.
He and other researchers in North Carolina created a computer model that simulates dynamics of barrier island systems over the next two centuries, showing how natural processes that create and maintain these systems affect communities and infrastructure, and how human efforts to protect communities and ... Read more ...
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Single-walled carbon nanotubes doped with 'nitrogen' enhance the performance of secondary battery anode - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Silicon, despite offering significantly higher energy density compared to graphite (a common anode material), suffers from a major drawback: it expands 3-4 times during charging and discharging, leading to performance degradation. To address this issue, researchers are blending silicon with graphite to balance their strengths and weaknesses.
To maximize silicon content and overcome its limitations, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has utilized nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene. Single-walled carbon nanotubes, being thinner and more conductive than multi-walled ones, present challenges in dispersion due to their small diameter. ... Read more ...
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Solar geoengineering to cool the planet: Is it worth the risks? - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Most of the current attention is focused on solar geoengineering, a strategy that involves reflecting sunlight away from Earth to cool the Earth. How much do we know about it and its risks? And where should we take it from here?
Why the growing support for solar geoengineering research?
For many years, all geoengineering research was discouraged by many scientists and experts for fear it would provide an excuse not to cut emissions. Some right-wing politicians such as Newt Gingrich promoted it as a way to reduce global warming without having to cut emissions. Geoengineering research is also controversial because there were and still are many uncertainties about its ... Read more ...
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Spring snow, sparkling in the sun, can reveal more than just good skiing conditions - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · A lot, according to Mathieu Nguyen. He has just defended his doctoral thesis on the optical properties of snow at NTNU in Gjøvik.
"Snow reflects all wavelengths of light and can have very different colors depending on the conditions and the angle at which light hits it. The age and density of the snow and air pollution also affect what it looks like. Snow's appearance is a very complicated matter," Nguyen says.
He has analyzed over a thousand images of snow. The findings are published in the journal Geosciences.
"This type of method can be used in a number of sensor technologies that include everything from giving us a better decision-making basis for when ... Read more ...
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Storing and utilizing energy with innovative sulfur-based cathodes - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Sulfur is a sustainable alternative to the materials commonly used in lithium-ion batteries because it is less toxic and—unlike cobalt—is abundant. However, the storage capacity of batteries in which sulfur is used as a cathode material has so far declined rapidly.
"Our development paves the way for sulfur electrodes as a viable alternative to conventional metal-based cathodes. It could fundamentally change the way we store and use energy and represents an important step towards a more sustainable future," explains Prof Bojdys.
Solving the sulfur-shuttle problem using polymer chemistry
With sulfur-based cathodes, the mobility of the sulfur has so far ... Read more ...
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Study says it's likely a warmer world made deadly Dubai downpours heavier - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Between 10% and 40% more rain fell in just one day last week—killing at least two dozen people in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and parts of Saudi Arabia—than it would have in a world without the 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) warming that has come from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas since the mid-19th century, scientists at World Weather Attribution said Thursday in a flash study that is too new to be peer-reviewed.
In at least one spot, a record 11 inches (28.6 centimeters) of rain fell in just 24 hours, more than twice the yearly average, paralyzing the usually bustling city of skyscrapers in a desert.
One of the key tools in WWA's ... Read more ...
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Study shows potential of super grids when hurricanes overshadow solar panels - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Caribbean islands are starting to shift away from importing expensive fossil fuels, using instead their own abundant sun and wind to make electricity. However, their frequent hurricanes can put a damper on solar energy generation. Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a comprehensive modeling method to predict the drop in electricity generation better when these storm clouds overshadow solar panels.
The team explored ways to compensate for these energy losses with super grids, a collection of grids connected so electricity can flow across island chains or between continents.
The historically underserved island residents can't ... Read more ...
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Study shows the longer spilled oil lingers in freshwater, the more persistent compounds it produces - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · And, according to research published in Energy & Fuels, the longer that oil remains in freshwater, the more chemical changes it undergoes, creating products that can persist in the environment.
Approximately 600,000 gallons of oil were accidentally spilled into the environment in 2023, according to the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, a group that monitors oil spills. This figure represents ocean spills as well as freshwater spills in rivers and lakes. Over time, this oil weathers and undergoes a variety of chemical transformations, which could make compounds that are more soluble in water and stick around longer.
Weathering in salt water is reasonably ... Read more ...
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Synthesis of two new carbides provides perspective on how complex carbon structures could exist on other planets - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Carbides are compounds of carbon and another chemical element. The newly synthesized carbides resemble metal-organic-like compounds and can offer new insight into the behavior of complex carbon structures under extremely high pressures and high temperatures.
The possible existence or formation of such compounds at conditions of planets' interiors may have important implications for geosciences and astrobiology, as they could be the origin of hydrocarbons and could play a role in the origin of life.
Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Leonid Dubrovinsky from the Bavarian Geoinstitute and Prof. Dr. Natalia Dubrovinskaia from the Laboratory of Crystallography at the ... Read more ...
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Targeted culling of starfish found to help Great Barrier Reef maintain or increase cover - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · In their paper published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, the group describes how they conducted culling operations on several parts of the Great Barrier Reef and then studied the results to learn about how such activity can benefit coral reefs in general.
Another factor in their reduction is the growing population of starfish, such as the crown-of-thorns. Just one of them, a meter in diameter, can eat 10 square meters of coral every year. In this new effort, the research team focused on helping coral survive in the Great Barrier Reef by reducing the number of starfish in the area.
To reduce the number of starfish, the research team engaged in a culling effort, which ... Read more ...
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Team develops new testing system for carbon capture in fight against global warming - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 26) |
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Apr 26 · Now, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) aims to facilitate the development of this rapidly emerging technology that the International Energy Agency (IEA) says will be a "key technology" for combating global warming.
NIST scientists have developed a high-precision testing apparatus for benchmarking the performance of the materials, called sorbents, used in DAC plants to trap and remove carbon from the air.
The apparatus will enable the agency to develop research-grade test material (RGTM) sorbents for the DAC industry. These reference materials will be tested in the apparatus and validated to remove a certain amount of CO2 from a given amount of ... Read more ...
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Tesla 1Q profit falls 55%, but stock jumps as company moves to speed production of cheaper vehicles - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Tesla's first-quarter net income plummeted 55%, but its stock price surged in after-hours trading Tuesday as the company said it would move up production of new, more affordable vehicles.
The Austin, Texas, company said it made $1.13 billion from January through March compared with $2.51 billion in the same period a year ago.
Investors and analysts were looking to the earnings release for some sign that Tesla will move to end a stock slide this year and reverse the sales decline. The company did that in a letter to investors Tuesday, saying that production of smaller, more affordable models will start in the second half next year, ahead of previous guidance.
The ... Read more ...
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Tesla driver in Seattle-area crash that killed motorcyclist told police he was using Autopilot - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · A Tesla that may have been operating on the company's Autopilot driving system hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle, raising questions about whether a recent recall went far enough to ensure Tesla drivers using Autopilot pay attention to the road.
After the crash Friday in a suburban area about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of the city, the driver of a 2022 Tesla Model S told a Washington State Patrol trooper that he was using Autopilot and looked at his cellphone while the Tesla was moving.
"The next thing he knew there was a bang and the vehicle lurched forward as it accelerated and collided with the motorcycle in front of him," the trooper wrote in a ... Read more ...
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The Indian villagers who lost their homes to the sea - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 26) |
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Apr 26 · The gentle roar of the ocean lulled Indian mother-of-two Banita Behra to sleep each night, until one day the encroaching tide reached her doorstep.
Behra is among hundreds of people from the disappearing and largely abandoned coastal village of Satabhaya, whose displaced former residents have been officially recognized by the government as climate migrants.
She grew up watching helplessly with her neighbors as rising seas, driven by climate change and upriver dams, slowly claimed the land around them.
"We were doing well there. We used to catch fish," the 34-year-old told AFP. "But the sea came nearer and took away our homes."
Satabhaya is the hardest-hit of ... Read more ...
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The rise of microbial cheaters in iron-limited environments: Study reveals their evolutionary history - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Among microbial communities, chemicals that are secreted into the environment provide opportunities for both cooperation and exploitation, giving rise in some cases to microbial "cheaters." These cheaters exploit the cooperative behaviors of their counterparts, benefitting from the secreted compounds without paying the metabolic costs of production.
In a new article published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Vanderbilt University reveal the evolutionary history of secreted iron uptake molecules in yeasts, shedding new light on the cooperative and competitive dynamics that shape iron-limited microbial ... Read more ...
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The UK's Climate Change Act, once the envy of the world, faces a stress test - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Does that mean that targets for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas driving climate change are worthless? Not necessarily. There are two types of climate target: the empty promise and the calculated ambition. Only one of these works.
Empty promises abound in climate policy. Such targets deflect criticism—look, they say, we take climate change seriously, we have a strong target. But a closer look reveals, at best, loopholes and at worst, no plan at all.
For example, despite numerous oil and gas companies pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, an extensive analysis revealed that emissions from the sector aren't falling and most companies with targets ... Read more ...
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This Is One Of The Biggest Threats To Democracy - And It’s 'Underappreciated’ - Huffington Post (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · In May 2019, I flew to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to attend a conference on the future of carbon capture, the technology the oil industry was betting on to slash the climate impact of burning fossil fuels. Just six months after the release of a dire report giving humanity roughly a decade to halve emissions that were then still growing year over year, I braced myself for what I expected to be a roomful of unreformed climate deniers.
Instead, I spent most of two days listening to conversations detailing the surprisingly complex reality: technologies to keep carbon from leaving smokestacks and entering the atmosphere could actually work.
In particular, I heard Akshat Rathi, an ... Read more ...
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Thousands in heatwave-hit Bangladesh pray for rain - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered to pray for rain on Wednesday in the middle of an extreme heat wave that prompted authorities to shut down schools around the country.
Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.
Bangladesh's weather bureau says that average maximum temperatures in the capital Dhaka over the past week have been 4-5 degrees Celsius (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the 30-year average for the same period.
Muslim worshippers gathered in city mosques and rural fields to pray for relief from the scorching heat, which forecasters expect to continue for at least ... Read more ...
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Ultra-thin, flexible solar cells demonstrate their promise in a commercial quadcopter drone - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Conventional energy solutions—including fossil fuels, batteries and other alternative energy generation methods—have their challenges. For example, they are either often too large, require cables or stationary charging, negatively impact on the environment, or their power density is too low.
Ultra-thin and flexible solar cells made from a new material called "perovskite" are proving to be an efficient and lightweight solution to facilitate self-sufficient energy generation over extended periods of time.
As part of a groundbreaking development, researchers at the JKU have now succeeded in developing ultra-lightweight quasi-2D perovskite solar cells with an ... Read more ...
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UN launches fund to shield displaced people from climate shocks - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · The United Nations said Wednesday it was launching a new Climate Resilience Fund aimed at boosting protections for "refugees and displaced communities" threatened by climate change.
The UN refugee agency said it aimed to raise $100 million for the new fund by the end of next year to support refugees, their host communities and countries of origin hardest hit by climate emergencies.
The agency highlighted in a statement that climate risks were "strongly correlated with conflict and poverty", experienced by many refugees.
In 2022, more than 70 percent of refugees and asylum seekers fled from highly climate-vulnerable countries, it pointed out.
"The impacts of ... Read more ...
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Understanding the impact of environmental factors on molded fiber products - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · In a study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, a group of researchers from China has outlined some mathematical models of the mechanical parameters of MFP they constructed. The change of mechanical parameters of MFP with moisture content (MC) was described, and the change of MC with temperature and humidity was described by the moisture sorption isotherm.
"The preparation of MFP often requires the first preparation of the mold, but the time and labor cost of repeatedly preparing the mold verification are too high. These costs can be greatly reduced by the method of numerical simulation, and the mechanical parameters of the material are essential in the ... Read more ...
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Underwater robot pioneers new energy-efficient buoyancy control - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · A remotely operated underwater robot built by a team of Rice University engineering students pioneers a new way to control buoyancy via water-splitting fuel cells. The device, designed and constructed at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen over the course of a year-long senior design capstone class, offers a more power-efficient method of maintaining neutral buoyancy—a critical component in underwater operations.
The robot serves as proof-of-concept for the potential of fuel cell-based buoyancy control devices (BCDs) to reduce operating costs for remotely operated or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with potential applications ranging from environmental monitoring ... Read more ...
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Using liquid metal to develop energy storage systems with 100 times better heat transfer - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · From April 22 to 26, 2024, the researchers will present a model of their energy storage system at the KIT stand at the Energy Solutions (Hall 13, Stand C76) of the Hannover Messe.
Worldwide, high-temperature heat storage systems are being developed to supply resource-intensive production companies with heat independently of fluctuating renewable energy production. These storage systems convert electrical power into heat, which is then stored.
The heat is used if needed, for instance when electricity is expensive and production processes cannot be stopped. The higher the temperature stored, the better. This reduces the amount of additional energy that would be needed to ... Read more ...
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Using sodium to develop rechargeable batteries may bolster the EU's green ambitions - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · The idea behind sodium-ion batteries is to reduce Europe's reliance on the lithium-ion ones that power everything from toothbrushes and mobile phones to mopeds and cars.
Today's batteries include materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are both scarce and toxic, whereas sodium is one of the most plentiful elements on Earth.
"Sodium-ion batteries are based on more abundant and safer materials than lithium-ion batteries," said Abou-Rjeily. "There's not enough lithium ions and cobalt and nickel to meet everyone's needs."
He is a research and development engineer at Tiamat, which designs and manufactures sodium-ion batteries.
Abou-Rjeily led a research ... Read more ...
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Victims of China floods race to salvage property - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · Victims of severe floods in southern China raced on Wednesday to salvage property from the muddy waters as authorities warned of more heavy rains to come.
Massive downpours have struck Guangdong province in recent days, triggering deluges that have claimed the lives of four people and forced the evacuation of more than 100,000.
The severe floods are virtually unheard of so early in the year even in lush, subtropical Guangdong, with one senior official linking them to worsening climate change.
AFP reporters in Shatang village on Wednesday saw staff and officials at a tourist resort taking advantage of a break in the rain to clear mud from the streets.
"The ... Read more ...
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Volkswagen revamps its approach in China in bid to overtake upstart EV makers - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · As auto giant Volkswagen AG races to catch up with upstart Chinese competitors, it has drivers like 26-year-old Ren Yiling in mind.
She is young and wants to play video games in her car. The digital features of her Zeekr 001, a European-designed electric car from China's Geely Holding Group, appeal to her. She uses her smartphone to help her parents adjust their seats and tells an animated voice assistant to open the window or play music.
"I once sung karaoke in the car when travelling a long way with my family," she said. "To me, the car is more like an entertainment place. I am a singer."
Foreign automakers have been caught flat-footed in China by an electric ... Read more ...
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Warming Arctic reduces dust levels in parts of the planet, study finds - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Previous studies have found that dust levels are actually decreasing across India, particularly northern India, the Persian Gulf Coast and much of the Middle East, but the reason has remained unclear. Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are working to understand how global climate change is impacting dust levels in the region.
In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team of researchers led by Michael B. McElroy, the Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies at SEAS, found that the decrease in dust can be attributed to the Arctic warming much faster than the rest of the ... Read more ...
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Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin - Skeptical Science (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough food has become a worrying dilemma.
“Last year, our horticultural production plummeted due to water scarcity,” said Chantal Agbangla, a farmer residing in Soclogbo, a town located about 30 minutes by car from the capital of Dassa-Zoumé. “We had to travel nine kilometers to find water, mainly for our agricultural and domestic needs.”
Family farming, a pillar of the economy in Dassa-Zoumè, is more threatened than ever by climate change. Small-scale farms cover only about 2% of cultivable land in the ... Read more ...
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We might be closer to changing course on climate change than we realized - VOX -Environment (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Greenhouse gas emissions might have already peaked. Now they need to fall - fast.
Earth is coming out of the hottest year on record, amplifying the destruction from hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, and drought. The oceans remain alarmingly warm, triggering the fourth global coral bleaching event in history. Concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere have reached levels not seen on this planet for millions of years, while humanity’s demand for the fossil fuels that produce this pollution is the highest it has ever been.
Yet at the same time, the world may be closer than ever to turning a corner in the effort to corral climate change.
Last year, more ... Read more ...
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Why Germany ditched nuclear before coal - and why it won't go back - PHYS.ORG - Technology (Apr 24) |
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Apr 24 · In the face of climate change, calls to expedite the transition away from fossil fuels, and an energy crisis precipitated by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Berlin's move to quit nuclear before carbon-intensive energy sources like coal has attracted significant criticism. (Greta Thunberg prominently labeled it "a mistake.")
This decision can only be understood in the context of post-war socio-political developments in Germany, where anti-nuclearism predated the public climate discourse.
From a 1971 West German bestseller evocatively titled Peaceably into Catastrophe: A Documentation of Nuclear Power Plants, to huge protests of hundreds of thousands—including the ... Read more ...
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Yeast study offers possible answer to why some species are generalists and others specialists - PHYS.ORG - Earth (Apr 25) |
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Apr 25 · Under the guidance of UW–Madison professor of genetics Chris Todd Hittinger and Antonis Rokas, a professor of biology at Vanderbilt, researchers mapped the genetic blueprints, appetites, and environments of more than 1,000 species of yeasts, building a family tree that illuminates how these single-celled fungi evolved over the past 400 million years.
The results, published in the journal Science, suggest that internal—not external—factors are the primary drivers of variation in the types of carbon yeasts can eat, and the researchers found no evidence that metabolic versatility, or the ability to eat different foods, comes with any trade-offs. In other words, ... Read more ...
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