ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

A new perspective on the genomes of archaic humans

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 12:48 PM PDT

Researchers examined 14,000 genetic differences between modern humans and our most recent ancestors at a new level of detail. They found that differences in gene activation - not just genetic code - could underlie evolution of the brain and vocal tract.

Cleaner water through corn

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 12:47 PM PDT

Corn is America's top agricultural crop, and also one of its most wasteful. About half the harvest -- stalks, leaves, husks, and cobs -- remains as waste after the kernels have been stripped from the cobs. These leftovers, known as corn stover, have few commercial or industrial uses aside from burning. A new article describes an energy-efficient way to put corn stover back into the economy by transforming it into activated carbon for use in water treatment.

Life science research result reporting set for boost under new system

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:09 AM PDT

A new guideline for reporting research results has been developed to improve reproducibility, replication, and transparency in life sciences.

Airports could generate enough solar energy to power a city

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:08 AM PDT

New research shows placing solar panels on the roofs of Australian airport buildings could be an efficient step towards net zero emissions.

Sponges leave trails on the ocean floor

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:07 AM PDT

A team around deep-sea scientist has now discovered that sponges leave trails on the sea floor in the Arctic deep sea.

A new way of rapidly counting and identifying viruses

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:07 AM PDT

A professor has introduced a new concept for rapidly analyzing for the presence of a virus from colds to coronaviruses. However, although the concept can identify that someone has a type of coronavirus for example, it would not be able to determine the type of coronavirus, or variants. Additional tests would still be required to find out the specific virus someone was infected with.

Microbes trap massive amounts of carbon

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:07 AM PDT

A new study finds a new microbial ecosystem thriving in violent conditions.

Researchers reveal that homes in floodplains are overvalued by nearly $44 billion

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:07 AM PDT

Analysis of sales data and flood risk data over two decades indicates that housing markets fail to fully account for information about flood risk. The findings suggest that policies to improve risk communication could influence market outcomes.

Hydrocracking our way to recycling plastic waste

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 11:07 AM PDT

Researchers have done developed a new method to convert single-use plastic waste into ready-to-use molecules for jet fuels, diesel and lubricants. It requires 50% less energy than other technologies and doesn't add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And their process can treat a variety of plastics, even when they are mixed together.

Implications are global in new study predicting Human exodus in Bangladesh

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 08:15 AM PDT

Researchers apply data science to predict how the cascading effects of the migration in Bangladesh will ultimately affect 1.3 million people across the country by 2050.

New research uncovers continental crust emerged 500 million years earlier than thought

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 05:59 AM PDT

Researchers using a new method involving the mineral barite have dated the first emergence of continental crust to 500 million years earlier than previously thought.

Mapping the path to rewilding: The importance of landscape

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 05:59 AM PDT

New research suggests efforts to rewild a landscape must take geography and geology into account -- an approach that could be applied globally to help conservation biologists save wild ecosystems.

Stable coral cell lines cultured

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 05:59 AM PDT

Researchers in Japan have established sustainable cell lines in a coral - a success which could prove to be a pivotal moment for gaining a deeper understanding of the biology of these vital marine creatures. Seven out of eight cell cultures, seeded from the stony coral, Acropora tenuis, have continuously proliferated for over 10 months.

Genome sequencing delivers hope and warning for the survival of the Sumatran rhinoceros

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 05:59 AM PDT

A study shows that the last remaining populations of the Sumatran rhinoceros display surprisingly low levels of inbreeding. The genomes from 21 modern and historical rhinoceros' specimens were sequenced to investigate the genetic health in rhinos living today and ones that recently became extinct. With less than 100 individuals remaining, the Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most endangered mammal species in the world.

Discovery of an elusive cell type in fish sensory organs

Posted: 26 Apr 2021 05:59 AM PDT

Scientists have reported newly identified invasive ionocytes in the sensory organs of larval and adult zebrafish fish that may provide clues to how sensory organs continue to function in changing environments.

Research shows pain relieving effects of CBD

Posted: 23 Apr 2021 10:02 AM PDT

In an experimental pain study of CBD in humans, researchers conclude that CBD pain relief is driven by both pharmacological action and psychological placebo effects.

Seismicity on Mars full of surprises, in first continuous year of data

Posted: 23 Apr 2021 10:00 AM PDT

The SEIS seismometer package from the Mars InSight lander has collected its first continuous Martian year of data, revealing some surprises among the more than 500 marsquakes detected so far.