ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

Capturing the impact of human sewage on Earth's coastal ecosystems

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 11:54 AM PST

A new mapping analysis estimates the amounts of nitrogen and pathogens released into coastal ecosystems from human wastewater sources around the world.

Student’s research upends understanding of upper atmospheric wind

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

A doctoral student has confirmed that the cross-polar jet, a well-known wind in the upper atmosphere, sometimes inexplicably stops or is deflected or reversed when it reaches the region above Alaska. The finding upends previous understanding.

Female bushbabies more stressed, may be more vulnerable to changing environment

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

Life isn't always easy for small primates in the Soutpansberg Mountains of South Africa -- foraging for food, contending with cold temperatures and fighting off rivals. A new study explores how they may weather the environmental changes ahead.

Zika virus-specific therapy protects the fetal mouse brain

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

A gene-silencing therapy protected against Zika virus transmission from pregnant mice to the mouse fetuses, finds a new study. The treatment, which harnesses nanoparticles called small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) for drug delivery, crossed the placenta and blood-brain barrier to greatly reduce fetal neurological damage, including virus-induced brain shrinkage.

Spread of Transeurasian languages was due to agriculture

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

By triangulating data from linguistics, archaeology and genetics, a new study by an international team of researchers proposes a 'Farming Hypothesis' for the spread of Transeurasian languages, tracing the origins of Japonic, Koreanic, Tungusic, Mongolic and Turkic to the movements of Neolithic millet farmers from the region of the West Liao River.

Global temperatures over last 24,000 years show today's warming 'unprecedented'

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

An effort to reconstruct Earth's climate since the last ice age, about 24,000 years ago, highlights the main drivers of climate change and how far out of bounds human activity has pushed the climate system.

Striking difference between neurons of humans and other mammals

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:16 AM PST

Human neurons have a lower density of ion channels than expected, compared to neurons of other mammals, according to a new study. The researchers hypothesize that a lower channel density may have helped the human brain evolve to operate more efficiently.

Back-to-back hurricanes expected to increase in the Gulf Coast

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:15 AM PST

By the end of the century, Louisiana and Florida could be twice as likely to experience two tropical storms that make landfall within nine days of each other, according to new model estimates. Being hit by two storms in quick succession gives communities and infrastructure less time to recover between disasters.

Apple chips moisture analysis made easy with near-infrared spectroscopy

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:15 AM PST

Dried snack foods such as apple chips are a convenient alternative to fresh fruit, providing longer shelf life and easier storage. Consumers increasingly demand product variety, so companies coat such snack foods with fruit and vegetable powders to enhance taste and sensory appeal. A new study explores the drying process of coated and uncoated apple chips using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure moisture content in real time. NIR technology greatly enhances the speed and accuracy of measurements, the researchers say.

Major cities could be close to self-sustaining through fully integrated solar

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:46 AM PST

Net zero carbon is within reach for a major Australian city through comprehensive adoption of photovoltaics in built environment, new modelling has shown.

Plant-based gummy candy helps vegans and vegetarians get their vitamins

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:46 AM PST

Worldwide, millions of people follow vegan and vegetarian diets for religious, ethical, environmental or economic reasons. While these diets have purported health benefits, they can also lack essential nutrients, such as vitamins B12 and D3, if not well-planned or supplemented correctly. Now, researchers have packed a strawberry-flavored gummy with these vitamins, formulating it without any animal products so vegans and vegetarians can reach their recommended daily allowances (RDA).

Mapping eukaryotic plankton globally in all their diversity

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:46 AM PST

Eukaryotic plankton are an essential and highly diverse component of marine ecosystems. A research team has established their global geographic distribution using DNA data and a probabilistic model. The study highlights large variations in geographic structure between plankton groups depending on their diversity, body size, and ecology, which can be linked to variations in sensitivity to local environmental conditions.

Rapidly evolving species more likely to go extinct, study suggests

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:46 AM PST

Researchers have found that fast evolution can lead to nowhere.

Identifying individual proteins using nanopores and supercomputers

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:45 AM PST

The amount and types of proteins our cells produce tell us important details about our health. Researchers have shown that it is possible to identify individual proteins with single-amino acid resolution and nearly 100% accuracy. Their method uses nanopores -- engineered openings that generate an electrical signal when molecules are pulled through by a specific enzyme.

Underbite regained: Species feared extinct is the only frog with true teeth on its lower jaw

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:45 AM PST

In a new study, biologists laid to rest a century-old debate by confirming that a single species of frog, out of the more than 7,000 living today, has true teeth on its lower jaw.

Common household noises may be stressing your dog

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:45 AM PST

Researchers have found that common household noises may be making dogs anxious. Owners may be underestimating their dog's stress.

Domestic cats drive spread of Toxoplasma parasite to wildlife

Posted: 10 Nov 2021 07:43 AM PST

New research suggests free-roaming cats are likely to blame in the spread of the potentially deadly Toxoplasma gondii parasite to wildlife in densely populated urban areas.

Sounding the alarm: How honey bees alert their hive to attacks by giant 'murder' hornets

Posted: 09 Nov 2021 04:32 PM PST

For the first time, the unique sounds honey bees (Apis cerana) use to alert members of their hive when giant 'murder' hornets attack have been documented.