Earth

The beauty and rarity of sapphires make them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. These blue-colored crystals are composed of chemically “contaminated” aluminum oxide, also known as corundum. While sapphires have been traditionally associated with silicon-poor volcanic rocks, the exact process of their formation has remained a mystery. Researchers at Heidelberg University

A recent study led by researchers from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and Charles University, Prague, has revealed a startling discovery – there are significantly more peatlands in the Amazon Basin than previously estimated. Peatlands, waterlogged landscapes that store vast amounts of carbon, have long been known to play a crucial role in regulating

Climate change is a topic that has been widely discussed in recent years, and new research now shows that human-induced warming has had a significant impact on rainfall variability worldwide. This increase in rainfall variability has been observed over 75% of the Earth’s land area, with particularly noticeable effects in areas such as Australia, Europe,

The recent study led by Dr. Andrew Dessler, an atmospheric scientist from Texas A&M University, sheds light on the climate impact of the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcano eruption. The research challenges existing assumptions about the effects of the eruption and reveals some surprising findings that have implications for our understanding of climate change. Unlike previous

In recent years, there has been a noticeable and concerning trend in rainfall patterns around the world. The frequency of intense downpours has increased, while dry periods have become more prolonged and severe. This erratic behavior of rainfall has led scientists to delve deeper into the relationship between climate change and these unpredictable patterns. A

The rise of e-commerce in America has brought about a surge in the warehousing industry, with products being delivered directly to consumers’ doorsteps. However, a recent study published in Nature Communications has shed light on the detrimental impact these large warehouses have on the air quality of neighboring communities. The lead author of the study,

Soil contamination is a growing concern worldwide, with synthetic chemicals posing a significant threat to both the environment and human health. In a recent breakthrough, Rice University chemist James Tour and his research team have developed a rapid electrothermal mineralization (REM) process that could revolutionize soil remediation efforts. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent

Lead is a highly toxic metal that poses a serious threat to human health, especially in children. A recent study conducted in Portland, Oregon, sheds light on the alarming levels of lead found in urban moss, particularly in older neighborhoods where lead-sheathed telecommunications cables were once prevalent. The implications of this study are far-reaching and

A recent study published in the journal Nature Geoscience has rocked the scientific world by challenging the long-held assumption that only photosynthetic organisms are responsible for generating Earth’s oxygen. An international team of researchers, led by Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science, discovered “dark oxygen” production on the deep-ocean floor, 13,000 feet

The earthquake that struck western Morocco in September 2023, with a magnitude of 6.8, brought about widespread damage and loss of life in rural communities situated in the High Atlas Mountains. This event marked a significant seismic occurrence in the region, as the previous major earthquake had taken place back in 1960. The prolonged absence

Greenhouse gases play a critical role in the heating of our planet, with varying levels of global warming potential (GWP) based on their ability to absorb thermal radiation. Methane, for example, has a GWP 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, while perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have thousands of times the GWP of CO2.

Analyzing the effectiveness of hurricane evacuation orders is crucial in increasing community resilience and reducing loss of life during natural disasters. A new database created by a team of University of Virginia researchers provides valuable insights into the impact of evacuation strategies during hurricane events. The Hurricane Evacuation Order Database (HEvOD) is the first comprehensive

The recent study conducted by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) sheds light on the impact of the collapse of a massive iceberg, A-68A, on ocean ecosystems in the sub-Antarctic. This groundbreaking research provides valuable insights into how warmer ocean temperatures around Antarctica could potentially lead to more

Nature-based solutions (NbS) have been gaining recognition as a cost-effective method to mitigate risks from various natural disasters. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst conducted a global assessment of scientific literature to understand the effectiveness of NbS in addressing hazards such as floods, hurricanes, heat waves, and landslides. The results of their study, published

In recent years, concerns about the environmental impact of the global apparel industry have been growing. A study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University has shed light on the significant amount of plastic waste being leaked into the environment each year as a result of apparel production and consumption. This overlooked pollution source