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Better Geothermal Systems Key to Reliable Clean Energy
Traditionally, geothermal energy has been heavily dependent on favorable geographical conditions, such as hot, permeable rock formations and ample underground fluid reserves. This made geothermal exploration limited to volcanically active regions, including Japan, New Zealand and parts of the western United States. However, new advancements, originally developed for oilfields, hold the promise of unleashing geothermal…
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Breakthrough in Fog Harvesting Brings Hope to World’s Driest Regions
In a stark landscape where annual rainfall barely registers, scientists have pioneered a method that could transform water accessibility for tens of thousands living in arid regions. The study, published in Frontiers in Environmental Science, has demonstrated the effectiveness of “fog harvesting” as a viable water source in Chile’s Atacama Desert — one of the…
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New Study Warns Climate Change Impacting Global Cocoa Production
Cocoa is a critical cash crop for millions of smallholder farmers and supports a global chocolate industry worth over $100 billion annually. However, a new study led by the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Westlake University in China, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz in Brazil, and the University of Göttingen in Germany, warns that…
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Using Gene Editing to Produce CoQ10-Producing Rice
A team of Chinese scientists has broken new ground in agricultural biotechnology by developing rice that produces CoQ10, a crucial compound for human health, using targeted gene editing. The research — led by Chen Xiaoya, a professor in the the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences/Shanghai Chenshan Research Center,…
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Using AI to Improve Infrastructure for Better Sustainability and Resilience
From predicting potholes to designing more durable concrete, artificial intelligence is transforming the future of infrastructure. A new study from the University of Mississippi, published in the International Journal of Pavement Engineering, explored the capabilities of different AI algorithms to predict moisture damage in asphalt pavements with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials. “The goal of…
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Solar-Powered Device Converts C02 From Air Into Sustainable Fuel
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar-powered reactor that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air and converts it into sustainable fuel. This innovative device, detailed in an article published in Nature Energy, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach carbon capture and fuel production, marking a significant stride…
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New Food VAT Approach to Inspire Healthy and Sustainable Diets
People might be inspired to make healthier and more sustainable dietary choices if Value Added Tax (VAT) rates were adjusted based on health and environmental grounds, according to a new study led by researchers at University College London (UCL). Published in the journal Nature Food, the study examines VAT rates for foods in the UK…
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New Heat-Resistant Kelp Strain to Boost Sustainability
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a private nonprofit organization, have discovered heat-resistant strains of kelp, a breakthrough that holds promise for the survival of marine ecosystems and the bolstering of sustainable industries in the face of global warming. Like many forms of aquatic vegetation, kelp is facing severe challenges due to rising…
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How Workplaces Can Better Support Electric Vehicle Drivers
A new study from the University of California San Diego has unveiled a cutting-edge computational tool designed to help institutions create more effective electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. Published in the journal Renewable Energy, the study addresses the challenges faced by organizations looking to support the burgeoning number of employees switching to electric vehicles. “Early…
