Fireworks may dazzle crowds with brilliant colors and loud explosions, but new research suggests their effects continue long after the show ends. Three recent studies published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journals examined what fireworks leave behind, from discarded debris and airborne particles to chemical compounds released into the atmosphere. Together, the findings offer a […]
Beneath the ground, vast networks of fungi quietly support plant life and play an important role in regulating the planet’s climate by helping move carbon into soils. Now, researchers have created the first global maps showing where these underground fungal networks are found and how much of them exist worldwide. The study, published in Science, focuses […]
The El Nino weather system is forecast to intensify in the next three months, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall, the World Meteorological Organisation has warned. The WMO is stepping up its early warning support to help governments, humanitarian agencies, agriculture and health industries, and vulnerable communities […]
Decades of environmental policy seem to be paying off, as Europe sees its air quality continuing to improve. Europe’s air quality is getting better, despite “persistent pollution episodes” threatening to halt progress. The EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) says in its latest report that while some parts of the continent are still experiencing issues […]
With France experiencing record-breaking temperatures this month, I prepare for the daily onslaught of heat in Paris the way I prepare to report in war zones. Every day, I rise at 5am before the sky lightens and close the shutters and windows of my apartment, which has no air conditioning. This suffocation strategy comes from a […]
When a massive earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in late July, it unleashed a tsunami that raced across the Pacific Ocean. As the giant waves spread outward, an advanced NASA satellite happened to be in a perfect position to observe the event in unprecedented detail. The satellite, called Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT), recorded […]
Energy analysts say solar power and air conditioning are ‘complementary technologies’ – but is the race to cool Europe down backfiring? Europe’s solar boom is providing homes with hours of ‘free’ air conditioning (AC) – providing much-needed relief amid the latest heatwave. Blistering temperatures have gripped much of the continent this week, resulting in widespread disruption […]
Hawaii faces a growing plastic waste challenge. Recycling on the islands is expensive and difficult, and large amounts of marine debris continue to wash ashore or remain in surrounding waters. Now, researchers are exploring an innovative solution by turning discarded fishing nets and household plastic waste into asphalt for roads. Early results suggest the approach […]
A study published in Nature suggests that thawing permafrost may have an unexpected effect on the carbon cycle. While melting frozen ground is widely known for releasing greenhouse gases, researchers found that it can also strengthen a natural process that removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The research was conducted by scientists from Umeå University in […]
One of the biggest questions in science is how life first emerged on Earth. Researchers generally agree that the appearance of the first biopolymers and their building blocks marked a critical step in the origin of life (OoL). However, scientists still do not know exactly how a collection of prehistoric inert chemicals (gases) transformed into […]
