Earth Science Archives - Page 11 of 30 - Scitke

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

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a powdery material that adsorbs carbon dioxide with remarkable efficiency. Just 200 grams (about 0.5 pounds) can capture 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of CO2, equivalent to what a tree absorbs in a year. It’s known as COF-999, short for Covalent Organic Frameworks. This term describes a […]

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

Researchers 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 that a common bioplastic, which has been in use for over a century, biodegrades quickly, and they have figured out ways to speed up this process.

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

Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science / Marcílio Santos

Following 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 consecutive

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Storm Clouds Produce Unusual Gamma Radiation

Earth Science, Environmental Science / Leandro Conceição

Thor 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 stranger. Although lightning strikes are highly energetic, they’re not the most powerful part of a storm. Gamma radiation

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As Temperatures Rise, Researchers Reveal How Plants Respond

Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science / Ana Manuel

Tiny 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 transpiration,

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Megafire Smoke Endangers Orchard Trees, Reducing Nut Yields

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Ana Manuel

Researchers 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 both agricultural

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Scientists Warn: Earth’s Oceans May Soon Become Too Acidic to Support Life

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Jorge Paka

A recent report from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) warns that the world’s oceans are nearing a level of acidity that could jeopardize marine life and climate stability. The report outlines nine key factors essential for maintaining the planet’s capacity to support life. Recent years have seen human activity push the safe

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Clay Cuts Methane Emissions From Cow Burps by 30%

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Jorge Paka

If you’re not aware, methane from cow burps significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. However, a recent study suggests a potential solution: feeding cows clay can cut their methane emissions by more than 30%. Yes, we are indeed serious about addressing cow burps. Cows emit methane as a byproduct of digesting their high-fiber diet, which

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A New Method Eliminates Over 98% of Nanoplastics from Water

Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Jorge Paka

The potential threat of plastic pollution to human health remains uncertain, but the recent discovery that we are unknowingly consuming tiny plastic fragments in our water is causing widespread concern. To prevent microplastics and nanoplastics from infiltrating our bodies and brains, researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a potentially sustainable and safe method

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Irreversible Climate Damage if Warming Exceeds 1.5°C

Climatology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Science / Ana Manuel

The world’s climate is at a critical juncture, with uncertain outcomes. A new climate model indicates that exceeding the Paris Agreement’s primary target for global warming could trigger a chain of tipping points, making recovery extremely difficult, if not impossible. On our current climate path, there’s up to a 45 percent chance of surpassing one

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