Earth Science

UV Radiation Could be the Key to Recycling Disposable Diapers Efficiently

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over 300,000 disposable diapers are incinerated, dumped in landfills or otherwise enter the environment once every minute worldwideCredit: pixaobayDisposable diapers contribute significantly to the world's waste problem, primarily due to their challenging recyclability. Nevertheless, there is a fresh method that can recover the "superabsorber" polymer used in...

West Antarctic Ice Sheet Melting is Inevitably Increasing

Credit: PixaobayNew research suggests that, regardless of our efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will persist in accelerating its melting rate throughout the century. This impending surge in ice melt is expected to lead to a rapid rise in Antarctica's contribution to sea-level elevation over the next few decades.Utilizing...

Recent Study Reveals Surprising Boreal Forest Fire Effects in North America

Credit: PixaobayA novel research endeavor, employing a unique method to examine satellite images of boreal forests spanning the past thirty years, has identified that fire might be altering the landscape of the area in an unforeseen manner, catching researchers off guard with its findings.Throughout history, fires in North American boreal forests have typically resulted...

Droughts Raise River Water Temperatures

Credit: DepositphotosA recent study unveils the impending rise in river temperatures due to reduced water flows and increasing atmospheric temperatures, posing significant challenges for aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and human society.With the ongoing global warming attributed to climate change and the projected increase in the frequency and severity of droughts, a recent study sheds light...

China’s Global Leadership Reverses Air Pollution Trends

Maps showing trends in global, population-weighted PM2.5 over (a) 1998-2011 and (b) 2011-2019Li et al./Washington University in St. LouisDespite the concerns surrounding climate change, a recent study reveals a positive trend in air pollution. Global data analysis indicates a reduction in exposure to fine particulate matter, a significant environmental health hazard.PM2.5, which stands for...

Excessive Tire Degradation Identified as a Significant Contributor to Pollution in Waterways.

A study has found that tire wear and tear contributes to urban waterway pollution. Credit: PixaobayResearchers from Australia have uncovered that tire degradation constitutes a significant source of contamination in urban waterways, generating particulate matter, including microplastics. However, they have also identified effective methods to mitigate this form of pollution, which poses risks to...

Remote Work Reduces Carbon Footprint

Credit: New perspectiveRemote work reduces carbon footprint. A recent study conducted by Cornell University and Microsoft has highlighted the potential for remote workers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, up to 54% less compared to their onsite counterparts.This substantial reduction is influenced by various factors, including lifestyle choices and the structure of...

Rising River Temperatures are Depleting Oxygen, Endangering Aquatic Ecosystems, Per a Recent Study

Credit: PixaobayA study led by Penn State reveals that rivers are experiencing more rapid warming and oxygen loss compared to oceans. The research, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, indicates that out of approximately 800 rivers studied, 87% showed warming trends, and 70% exhibited oxygen loss.According to the study, river systems, especially in...

The Impact of Trees on the Process of Cloud Formation

Credit: PixaobayWithin the scope of the CLOUD project at CERN's nuclear research center, scientists at PSI have pinpointed sesquiterpenes, which are gaseous hydrocarbons emitted by plants, as a significant contributor to cloud formation. This discovery holds the potential to minimize uncertainties in climate models and enhance the precision of climate predictions. The research findings...

Fossil Spines Reveal the Deep Sea’s Past

interestingengineering.comIn the ocean's depths, primitive life likely originated eons ago. Nowadays, the deep sea is renowned for its peculiar and unusual marine life. Researchers are actively investigating how species' diversity on the ocean floor has evolved over time. Some theories suggest that deep-sea ecosystems have repeatedly developed after multiple mass extinctions and significant shifts...