Earth Science

Scientists Alarmed by Unprecedented Coral Death in the Great Barrier Reef

Credit: PixabayAustralian research revealed on Tuesday that certain areas of the Great Barrier Reef have experienced the highest recorded coral mortality, with scientists concerned that other parts of the reef may have been affected in the same way.Coral Mortality and Environmental Stressors on the Great Barrier ReefHowever, the Australian Institute of Marine Science reported...

Solar Still Made of Old Tires Purifies Water at Less Than 1c/Liter

The new solar still has been tested in real world settingsCanadian scientists have developed an innovative device that can purify a gallon of water per day for just a few cents. Even better, this sustainable purifier is made from recycled tires and can also generate small amounts of electricity.Innovative Solar Still Turns Undrinkable Water...

Dark Oxygen Discovered in the Ocean: What Does It Mean?

Credit: PixabayPlants, whether in the ocean or on land, largely produce the oxygen essential for intelligent life as we know it through photosynthesis of carbon dioxide. However, new research suggests that depths with no light might generate oxygen without relying on living organisms.The authors of the study, published in Nature Geoscience, collected samples of...

Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Reach Record Levels as Scientists Raise Concerns

Credit: PixabayIn 2023, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere hit new record highs, ensuring future temperature rises for years ahead, the United Nations cautioned on Monday.The levels of the three primary greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which contribute to climate warming—have all risen once more over the past year, according to the...

Miracle Powder Removes CO2 from the Air More Effectively than Any Other Solution

COF-999, shown here in its form of a yellow powder, adsorbs a huge quantity of CO2 at room temperature, and can be reused at least 100 timesZihui Zhou / UC BerkeleyResearchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a powdery material that adsorbs carbon dioxide with remarkable efficiency. Just 200 grams (about 0.5...

A New Type of Plastic Breaks Down in the Ocean More Quickly than Paper

A prototype straw (who would ever have thought those two words would be used together?) developed by Eastman made of foam CDA for testing its biodegradability WHOIResearchers have spent recent years investigating which type of plastic biodegrades most rapidly in marine environments, as millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. They discovered...

Hurricane Milton is Set to Hit Florida, with More Storms Predicted

Credit: PixabayFollowing an unusually calm August, the Atlantic hurricane season is intensifying. Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, while the state is still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene just under two weeks ago.According to experts speaking to Business Insider, these...

Storm Clouds Produce Unusual Gamma Radiation

An artist's impression of the NASA research plane flying over thunderstorm systems to detect gamma ray emissionsNASA/ALOFT teamThor and the Hulk might share more in common than previously believed. While it's known that thunderstorms generate gamma rays in the atmosphere, a new study reveals they occur far more frequently than expected and are even...

As Temperatures Rise, Researchers Reveal How Plants Respond

Credit: PixabayTiny openings on the surface of leaves, known as stomata, allow plants to "breathe" by regulating water loss through evaporation. These pores also manage the intake of carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis and growth.Since the 19th century, scientists have known that plants widen their stomatal pores to release water vapor, or "sweat," through...

Megafire Smoke Endangers Orchard Trees, Reducing Nut Yields

Credit: PixabayResearchers at the University of California, Davis, discovered that prolonged smoke exposure from large wildfires depletes orchard trees' energy reserves and can slash nut production by 50%. The smoke impacts trees for months following a megafire, reducing their bloom and next season's yield. This highlights a new wildfire-related threat to plant health in...