ScienceDaily: Top Environment News


Tug of sun, moon could be driving plate motions on ‘imbalanced’ Earth

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

A study proposes that imbalanced forces and torques in the Earth-moon-sun system drive circulation of the whole mantle. The new analysis provides an alternative to the hypothesis that the movement of tectonic plates is related to convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

River flows linked to the ups and downs of imperiled Chinook salmon population

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 11:54 AM PST

A study has discovered that sufficient water flows during summer can be critical to a Chinook salmon population in the interior of British Columbia.

Mange outbreak decimated a wild vicuna population in Argentina

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 11:54 AM PST

Mange has decimated the population of wild vicunas and guanacos in an Argentinian national park that was created to conserve them, according to a new study. The findings suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have been the source of the outbreak. Cascading consequences for local predator and scavenger species are expected.

Changing the genetic 'recipe' for protovertebrates

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:49 AM PST

Researchers conducted single-cell gene expression analysis to uncover the effects of manipulation of the sensory cell regulator POU IV in the protovertebrate Ciona intestinalis. Alteration of POU IV expression led to the induction of cells with characteristics of multiple sensory cell types and cells that express a gene expression profile that has not been previously observed in Ciona intestinalis. The activation of upstream POU IV regulators Foxg and Neurogenin was identified as a possible mechanism underlying the unusual sensory cell development.

New efficiency record for solar cell technology

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

A research team has set a new record in the power conversion efficiency of solar cells made using perovskite and organic materials. Their latest work demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 23.6%, approaching that of conventional silicon solar cells. This technological breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, low cost and ultra-thin photovoltaic cells for wide-ranging applications.

Lighted nets dramatically reduce bycatch of sharks and other wildlife while making fishing more efficient

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

In a win-win for commercial fisheries and marine wildlife, researchers have found that using lighted nets greatly reduced accidental bycatch of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and unwanted finfish.

Late-life exercise shows rejuvenating effects on cellular level

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

When 2-year old mice were studied after two months of progressive weighted wheel running, despite having no prior training, it was determined that they were the epigenetic age of mice eight weeks younger than sedentary mice of the same age.

Pristine groundwater seeps support native algae on Hawai‘i’s coasts

Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:51 PM PST

Native marine macroalgae, also known as limu, or as seaweed, thrive in environments created by natural groundwater seeps, specifically benefiting from the combined effects of enhanced nutrients despite lowered salinity levels, according to a new review.

Quantum dots boost perovskite solar cell efficiency and scalability

Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST

Scientists have boosted the efficiency and scalability of perovskite solar cells by replacing their electron-transport layers with a thin layer of quantum dots.

Novel nanoantibiotics kill bacteria without harming healthy cells

Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:12 AM PST

The CDC estimates more than 2.8 million Americans experience antibiotic-resistant infections each year. To address this critical issue, researchers recently investigated whether a series of novel nanoparticles can kill some pathogens that lead to infection without affecting healthy cells.