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In a new study, University of Missouri researcher Jeffrey Wood introduces the “ecosystem wilting point” concept, which explains how whole forests respond to drought. Wood and his research team found that when forests reach their ecosystem wilting point, they are less able to function properly, which includes their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. To learn …

Researcher discovers threshold that triggers drought response in forests Read More »

Now, a study published in the journal Trends in Plant Science presents a set of techniques that enable researchers to detect and monitor drought stress in plants in a cheap, easy and quick way. The authors of the study are the experts Sergi Munné-Bosch and Sabina Villadangos, from the Faculty of Biology and the Institute …

Detecting the impact of drought on plants with user-friendly and inexpensive techniques Read More »

The technology transforms sunlight into thermal energy, but it’s challenging to suppress energy dissipation while maintaining high absorption. Existing solar energy harvesters that rely on micro- or nanoengineering don’t have sufficient scalability and flexibility, and will require a novel strategy for high-performance solar light capture while simultaneously simplifying fabrication and reducing costs. In APL Photonics, …

Nanoparticles self-assemble to harvest solar energy Read More »

In a paper published today in the journal Ethics, Policy and Environment, academics argue that rationing could help states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and fairly. Policymakers have considered other schemes to reduce emissions, including carbon taxes and personal carbon trading schemes, but the researchers say these favour the wealthy, who could buy the …

Rationing: A fairer way to fight climate change? Read More »

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have found a way to use small shocks of electricity to disinfect water, reducing energy consumption, cost, and environmental impact. The technology could be integrated into the electric grid or even powered by batteries. “This is a pretty new disinfection technology, and we want to demonstrate in the small scale …

New ultrafast water disinfection method is more environmentally friendly Read More »

Perovskites — a family of materials nicknamed for their crystalline structure — have shown extraordinary promise in recent years as a far less expensive, equally efficient replacement for silicon in solar cells and detectors. Now, a study led by Chunlei Guo, a professor of optics at the University of Rochester, suggests perovskites may become far …

Perovskites, a ‘dirt cheap’ alternative to silicon, just got a lot more efficient Read More »

The amount of plastic waste produced globally has doubled over the past two decades — and plastic production is expected to triple by 2050 — with most of it ending up in landfills, incinerated or otherwise mismanaged, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Some estimates suggest only 5% is actually being recycled. …

From plastic waste to valuable nanomaterials Read More »

They note that the findings, published today in the journal One Earth, add urgency to the need to respond to the climate crisis and provide a roadmap for policymakers aiming to avert the most severe consequences of a warming planet. In climate science, amplifying feedback loops are situations where a climate-caused alteration can trigger a …

Feedback loops make climate action even more urgent, scientists say Read More »

The study found that even animals that use both forest and savanna habitats, such as pumas and giant armadillos, are vulnerable to such changes. It also illustrates how species and lands protected through local conservation efforts are not immune to global climate change. “We’re losing Amazon forest as we speak,” said lead author Daniel Rocha, …

Amazon mammals threatened by climate change Read More »