A recent study published in Nature has shown that microorganisms are instrumental in soil carbon storage, revealing that microbial carbon use efficiency is at least four times more influential than other biological or environmental factors when it comes to global soil carbon storage and distribution. The study, conducted by an international team of scientists including
A group of researchers from the University College London and the University of Hong Kong have developed a highly efficient and selective catalytic material that converts methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into formaldehyde, a valuable chemical. The tungsten trioxide (WO3 catalyst) derived material features a dual active site comprising copper and tungsten atomic species that
New York City has yet another problem to worry about, in addition to rising oceans, as it is slowly sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers, homes, asphalt, and humanity. New research has found that the city’s landmass is sinking at an average rate of 1 to 2 millimeters per year, which is referred to
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a significant portion of the population. Although estimates vary from 10-60 percent, it is clear that insomnia is linked to several long-term health issues such as depression and cardiovascular disease. A recent study has found that insomniacs may inadvertently worsen their condition by engaging in clock-watching or time-monitoring
The UK is now facing the same public health disaster that has affected the US and Canada, with the spread of the flesh-rotting “zombie drug” xylazine in drug overdoses. A toxicology report showed that a man from Solihull, England, died from the effects of xylazine, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Xylazine is a veterinary drug used
Torpor is a state in which some mammals and birds reduce their body temperature and metabolic rate to safely sleep through tough times. Although humans do not naturally enter torpor, scientists have been intrigued by the idea of inducing torpor in humans to help some of them with life-threatening diseases or long space missions. A
Researchers in the field of neuroscience and psychology have been studying ways to improve cognitive function for several decades. The ability to enhance attention, memory, and other mental capabilities can have significant implications in high-stakes environments, such as air traffic control, or for individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions, like dementia. One emerging technology that has recently
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a non-invasive treatment for depression, but scientists have never been sure how it works. A new study has revealed that TMS can reverse brain signals that are going in the wrong direction. The research team behind the study has claimed that these neural streams of activity, going in
A team of researchers from the Brera Astronomical Observatory in Italy and the University of Oxford in the UK have found a dead star moving away from its birth supernova, leaving a comet-like trail of radio emission. The star, named PSR J1914+1054g, is only the fourth known of its kind: a radio pulsar kicked at
Adenomyosis is a chronic condition that affects the uterus and causes symptoms such as irregular and heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. Despite affecting as many as one in five women, it is still relatively unheard of. This article aims to shed light on the condition and provide information on its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Jupiter’s alternating bands of dark and light clouds have mystified scientists for years. However, a team of scientists from Japan, Spain, and the UK now think they have figured out the reason for the cyclic variations in Jupiter’s stripes. After studying data on Jupiter’s magnetic field collected by the Juno probe, the team suggests that
Green shipping corridors are being developed along major shipping routes to reduce planet-warming carbon emissions from the shipping industry. Shipping is responsible for almost 3% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and this figure is rising. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by mid-century and may seek
Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, takes 84 years to orbit it. Due to this extended orbit, the last time Uranus’s north polar region was visible from Earth, radio telescope technology was in its early stages. However, the past few years have seen scientists using radio telescopes like the Very Large Array (VLA) to
A new study has revealed that glaciers and ice caps in Greenland have experienced widespread mass loss since the beginning of the 20th century. The research provides critical insights into long-term changes to the glaciers and ice caps as a result of climate change, which has contributed to about one fifth of global sea-level rise
Neuralink is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016. The company’s goal is to create direct communication channels between the human brain and computers. The technology would mainly work through an implant called the “Link,” which is about the size of five stacked coins. The hardware would contain electrodes capable of both recording
