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Study Reveals How Forest Canopy Gaps Affect Microclimate and Soil Activity
Forest canopy gaps, created by silvicultural interventions or the natural death of large trees, may significantly influence the microclimate and biological processes of forest soil, according to recent research from Leipzig University. In light of climate change, understanding these impacts is becoming increasingly vital. The study, led by Annalena Lenk from the Institute of Biology…
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Urban Summer Storms Grow Stronger and More Frequent, Study Finds
Summer storms are becoming more frequent, intense and concentrated over cities compared to rural areas, according to a new study that has implications for urban flood management and future city planning. The research team examined weather data from eight cities across Europe and the United States – Milan, Berlin, London, Birmingham, Phoenix, Charlotte, Atlanta and…
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Marine Organism Transforms Mediterranean Beaches, Boosting Tourism
In an unexpected twist, a species of microscopic marine organisms, foraminifera (forams), is reshaping the future of coastal tourism in the eastern Mediterranean. Amphistegina lobifera, a single-celled organism known for its calcium carbonate skeletons, is transforming rocky shorelines into sandy beaches, offering a surprising economic boost. Pamela Hallock, a distinguished university professor of geological oceanography…
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Climate Change to Intensify Extreme Weather for Billions by 2044, New Study Warns
Nearly three-quarters of the world’s population could face robust and swift changes in extreme temperatures and rainfall in the next 20 years unless greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, according to a compelling new study. Led by the CICERO Center for International Climate Research and supported by the University of Reading, this significant research shows…
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Innovative Carbon-Based Catalysts Promise Breakthrough in CO2 Conversion
In a significant advance in the battle against climate change, researchers from the China University of Petroleum (East China) have developed innovative strategies using carbon-based catalysts to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals and fuels. The breakthrough, recently published in the journal Carbon Future, explores multiple roles carbon can play in accelerating CO2 hydrogenation…
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Global Review Links Climate Change to Agriculture Feedback Loop Causing Environmental Harm
A comprehensive global review has unearthed a troubling feedback loop between climate change and agriculture that could considerably intensify environmental damage while threatening global food security and public health. The research, recently published in the journal Science, draws on insights from a diverse team of experts, including those from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public…
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Grey Reef Sharks Desert Coral Reefs Amidst Warming Oceans, New Study Reveals
Grey reef sharks, a vital component of coral reef ecosystems, are being forced to leave their homes due to increasing ocean temperatures, a new study finds. The research, conducted by marine scientists at Lancaster University and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and published in the journal Communications Biology, provides urgent insights into how climate…
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New ‘Air Quality Stripes’ Reveal Global Pollution Trends
A groundbreaking visualization tool named the “Air Quality Stripes” has been developed by an international team of scientists to illustrate global air pollution trends over the decades. This project reveals stark contrasts between significant improvements in air quality across Europe and alarming deteriorations in parts of Africa and central Asia. “Air pollution is often called…
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Stanford Innovators Develop Advanced Gel to Shield Buildings From Wildfires
In an era marked by increasingly devastating wildfires, researchers at Stanford University have introduced a groundbreaking, long-lasting gel that could become a crucial tool in protecting buildings and critical infrastructure. This innovative gel has the potential to revolutionize how we defend against the growing threat posed by wildfires, which have been exacerbated by climate change.…
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Scientists Advocate for Human Rights-Centered Environmental Decision-Making
An interdisciplinary group of researchers is urging a fundamental change in how environmental decisions impacting biodiversity are made, emphasizing the need to incorporate human rights considerations. This call comes in a commentary published in the journal npj Ocean Sustainability, which stresses that human well-being is intrinsically linked to nature for food, climate regulation and cultural…
