ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

Fashion for pointy shoes unleashed plague of bunions in medieval Britain

Posted: 11 Jun 2021 05:56 AM PDT

Researchers analysing skeletal remains in the city of Cambridge find a dramatic increase in 'hallux valgus' around the time that pointed shoes became de rigueur in the 1300s. They also uncover a link between this minor deformity and increased risk of fractures.

Florida python hunters may have a new tool

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 01:24 PM PDT

Researchers have published a first- of-its-kind study that shows that near-infrared (NIR) spectrum cameras can help python hunters more effectively track down these invasive snakes, especially at night.

Butterflies and moths have difficulty adjusting to a rapidly changing climate

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 01:24 PM PDT

Climate change exerts great pressure for change on species and biodiversity. A recent study indicates that the few moth and butterfly species (Lepidoptera) capable of adjusting to a changing climate by advancing their flight period and moving further north have fared the best in Finland. In contrast, roughly 40% of Lepidoptera species have not been able to respond in either way, seeing their populations decline.

Ocean microplastics: First global view shows seasonal changes and sources

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 01:23 PM PDT

An estimated 8 million tons of plastic trash enters the ocean each year, and most of it is battered by sun and waves into microplastics -- tiny flecks that can ride currents hundreds or thousands of miles from their point of entry.

World-first discovery could fuel the new green ammonia economy

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 12:01 PM PDT

Scientists have developed a new technique using phosphonium salts that can help drive the future production of green ammonia. This process could reduce the impact of ammonia production on global carbon emissions. Each metric ton of ammonia produced today contributes to roughly 1.9 metric tons of greenhouse emissions.

How cells measure themselves

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 12:01 PM PDT

How do cells measure themselves? Now we have an answer to this long-standing biological question.

Like night and day: Animal studies may not translate to humans without time considerations

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 11:45 AM PDT

In a recent survey of published animal studies, researchers found disregarding the animals' circadian rhythms can hamper reproducibility, reliability and validity.

Bacteria: Serving tasty solution to global plastic crisis

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 10:57 AM PDT

Scientists have devised a novel way of tackling the mounting issue of plastic pollution -- by using bacteria to transform plastic waste into vanilla flavoring.

Could naked mole rats hold key to curing cancer and dementia?

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 10:57 AM PDT

Scientists say naked mole rats - a rodent native to West Africa - may hold the key to new treatments for degenerative diseases such as cancer and dementia.

Study of Hurricane Harvey flooding aids in quantifying climate change

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 10:56 AM PDT

Researchers used a hydraulic model to consider the degree to which human-caused climate change may have affected flooding in Houston in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey. Resources were used to quantify the increase in Houston flood area and depth and to host a portal where other scientists and the public can access and explore the resulting data.

Improved climate resilience through better seasonal forecasts

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 10:56 AM PDT

Lack of water, floods, or crop losses: As a result of climate change, pronounced periods of drought and rainfall are causing human suffering and major economic damage. Precise seasonal forecasts can help to mitigate these consequences. A research team has now been able to improve global forecasts using statistical methods so that they can be used on the regional level.

Model shows sharp decrease in HIV incidence in England

Posted: 10 Jun 2021 10:56 AM PDT

The annual number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men in England is likely to have fallen dramatically, from 2,770 in 2013 to 854 in 2018, showing elimination of HIV transmission by 2030 to be within reach -- suggests new work.

Researchers develop tool to aid in development, efficiency of hydrogen-powered cars

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 11:33 AM PDT

Researchers are addressing one aspect of creating fuel cells that can convert hydrogen and oxygen safely into water by developing new computational tools and models needed to better understand and manage the conversion process.

Aspirin takes the headache out of ecological restoration

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 11:33 AM PDT

New research has shown how a readily available, cheap and safe-to-use product found in the medicine cabinet of most homes could be the key to better ecological restoration practices with major benefits for the environment and agriculture. The study revealed that aspirin, which naturally occurs in the bark of the willow tree and other plants, can improve the survival of grass species important for ecological restoration and sustainable pasture when applied in a seed coating.