There are over 5 billion tons of plastic waste accumulated across the planet, much of which are microplastics that may harm human health and pose a long-term threat to agricultural productivity and food security. The gargantuan task of cleaning up this pollution could be aided by a tiny protein: a specialized enzyme designed to break…
Starship, SpaceX’s massive prototype rocket that may one day send humans to Mars, is poised for its next flight on Thursday. Starship, SpaceX’s massive prototype rocket that may one day send humans to Mars, is poised for its next flight on Thursday. Space Exploration Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories
Month after month, global temperatures are setting new records. Meanwhile, scientists and climate policymakers warn of the growing likelihood that the planet will soon exceed the warming target set at the landmark Paris 2015 climate talks. Month after month, global temperatures are setting new records. Meanwhile, scientists and climate policymakers warn of the growing likelihood that…
Indonesia’s Mount Ibu erupted three times on Thursday, spewing red lava and clouds of gray ash. No injuries were reported. Indonesia’s Mount Ibu erupted three times on Thursday, spewing red lava and clouds of gray ash. No injuries were reported. Environment Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories
On the Caribbean seafloor, an unusual sculpture gallery is taking shape with an equally unusual purpose: to provide homes for corals under threat from tourism and climate change. On the Caribbean seafloor, an unusual sculpture gallery is taking shape with an equally unusual purpose: to provide homes for corals under threat from tourism and climate change. Ecology Phys.org…
A tiger shark has surprised Australian scientists on an ocean research trip by regurgitating a spiky land-loving echidna in front of them. A tiger shark has surprised Australian scientists on an ocean research trip by regurgitating a spiky land-loving echidna in front of them. Plants & Animals Ecology Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories
In the first flush of an Arctic spring, the boreal forest begins to stir, emerging from a silvered quiet. Icicles shatter like glass. Meltwater babbles, braiding in puddles and then in deltas. Snow drops in clumps from the branches of black spruce. Saplings remain crooked from a long wait, as if Dr. Seuss had drawn…
Officials in Oregon say they need to cut trees, including some healthy ones. The reaction shows how complex land management has become as forest health declines. Officials in Oregon say they need to cut trees, including some healthy ones. The reaction shows how complex land management has become as forest health declines. Forests and Forestry, Oregon, Logging…
New research led by Lia Siegelman, a physical oceanographer at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, shows that the roiling storms at the planet Jupiter’s polar regions are powered by processes known to physicists studying Earth’s oceans and atmosphere. The geophysical commonalities spanning the 452 million miles between the two planets could even help…
After torrential rains that sparked historic flooding in southern Brazil, the country expects a swing to severe drought in parts, the environment minister said Wednesday. After torrential rains that sparked historic flooding in southern Brazil, the country expects a swing to severe drought in parts, the environment minister said Wednesday. Environment Phys.org – latest science and technology news…