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What’s Driving Americans to Embrace Solar Power?
Financial savings are the primary motivator for U.S. adults considering solar power adoption, according to new research from The Ohio State University. The study, published in the journal Energy Research & Social Science, indicates that saving on utility bills and avoiding electricity rate hikes are key drivers behind the willingness to install rooftop solar panels…
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New Coastal Management Model to Protect Against Sea Level Rise
Coastal cities have long struggled to defend against the advancing threats of rising sea levels and climate change, often betting on costly infrastructure like seawalls. However, a new study by researchers from Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh offers a dynamic and adaptive strategy to coastal management that could revolutionize the way cities…
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New Way to Make Prescribed Burns Safer and Cleaner
Prescribed burns have long been a vital tool in forest management, but the smoke they generate poses significant health risks. Now, researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new way to make these burns cleaner and safer, significantly reducing harmful emissions. This advancement could lead to a notable decrease in respiratory issues and cancer risks…
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Modifying Trees’ Internal Clock to Beat Climate Change
Researchers led by Umeå University have made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly enhance tree growth and adaptability in the face of climate change. By manipulating the circadian clocks of trees, the scientists found they could better synchronize tree growth with changing environmental conditions, opening up new frontiers for forestry. Trees, like humans, have circadian…
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Colombia’s Peatlands Could Be Crucial in the Fight Against Climate Change
Hidden among Colombia’s eastern lowlands lie vast swathes of peatlands, recently revealed through research led by Scott Winton, an assistant professor of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz. This discovery, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, highlights the immense potential of these ecosystems to fight climate change by storing significant amounts of carbon. Peatlands…
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Wildfires Pose Growing Threat to Drinking Water Safety
The impact of wildfires extends well beyond the destruction of buildings and ecosystems. According to recent research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), these natural disasters pose a significant risk to the safety of drinking water, something that has critical implications for public health. In a compelling research letter published in Science, scientists from…
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New Study Reveals Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Climate Trauma
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego offers insights into the long-term cognitive impacts suffered by individuals exposed to climate-related disasters. The research, centered on survivors of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, identified significant difficulties in decision-making among those directly affected. This new understanding underscores the broad-reaching…
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New Study Links Wildfire Smoke to Rising Mental Health Issues
Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke is associated with a surge in emergency department visits for mental health conditions, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Wildfire smoke isn’t just a respiratory issue — it affects mental health, too,” corresponding author Kari Nadeau, the…
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Tropical Rainforests Failing to Adapt to Climate Change
A newly published study by an international team of over 100 scientists and local partners has revealed that tropical forests across the Americas are not adapting rapidly enough to the accelerating pace of climate change. This major finding raises substantial concerns about the long-term resilience and adaptability of these vital ecosystems. The comprehensive study, led…
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Glitter Microplastics Harm Marine Ecosystems: New Study
A team of researchers from Trinity College Dublin has uncovered alarming evidence on how glitter microplastics are disrupting marine biomineralisation processes, raising serious concerns about their long-term impact on ocean ecosystems. The study, published in Environmental Sciences Europe, reveals that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glitter microplastics can accelerate the crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in seawater,…
