Arctic could become 'ice-free' within a decade

While summer sea ice loss in the Arctic is inevitable, it can be reversed if the planet cools down, researchers say.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240305134203.htm

Researchers invent new triple-junction tandem solar cells with world-record efficiency

Scientists have developed a novel triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell that can achieve a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 27.1 per cent across a solar energy absorption area of 1 sq cm, representing the best-performing triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell thus far. To achieve this, the team engineered a new cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cell that is stable and energy efficient.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240304221140.htm

An evolutionary mystery 125 million years in the making

Plant biologists have uncovered an evolutionary mystery over 100 million years in the making. It turns out that sometime during the last 125 million years, tomatoes and Arabidopsis thaliana plants experienced an extreme genetic makeover. Just what happened remains unclear. But the mystery surrounds CLV3, a gene key to healthy plant growth and development.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240304143643.htm

Webb unlocks secrets of one of the most distant galaxies ever seen

Looking deeply into space and time, astronomers have studied the exceptionally luminous galaxy GN-z11, which existed when our 13.8 billion-year-old universe was only about 430 million years old.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240304135917.htm

It's not just you: Young people look, feel older when they're stressed

A new study finds younger adults look and feel older on stressful days -- but only on days when they also feel they have relatively less control over their own lives.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240304135816.htm

Beyond the ink: Painting with physics

Falling from the tip of a brush suspended in mid-air, an ink droplet touches a painted surface and blossoms into a masterpiece of ever-changing beauty. It weaves a tapestry of intricate, evolving patterns. Some of them resemble branching snowflakes, thunderbolts or neurons, whispering the unique expression of the artist's vision.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240303125412.htm

Orcas demonstrating they no longer need to hunt in packs to take down the great white shark

An orca (killer whale) has been observed, for the first-ever time, individually consuming a great white shark -- and within just two minutes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240302171519.htm

Researchers create coating solution for safer food storage

Galvanized steel containers and surfaces are used for harvested produce because of their durability, strength and lower cost compared to stainless steel. However, bacteria residing in storage containers can cause corrosion. The new coating will reduce corrosion by at least 70 percent, researchers say.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240301160123.htm

New insights on how galaxies are formed

Astronomers can use supercomputers to simulate the formation of galaxies from the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago to the present day. But there are a number of sources of error. An international research team has spent a hundred million computer hours over eight years trying to correct these.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240301134700.htm

Ice shell thickness reveals water temperature on ocean worlds

Astrobiologists have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures of distant worlds based on the thickness of their ice shells, effectively conducting oceanography from space.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240229182929.htm

Poor spatial navigation could predict Alzheimer's disease years before the onset of symptoms

People at risk of Alzheimer's disease have impaired spatial navigation prior to problems with other cognitive functions, including memory, finds a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240229124559.htm

Surprising methane discovery in Yukon glaciers: 'Much more widespread than we thought'

Global melting is prying the lid off methane stocks, the extent of which we do not know. A researcher has now discovered high concentrations of the powerful greenhouse gas in meltwater from three Canadian mountain glaciers, where it was not thought to exist -- adding new unknowns to the understanding of methane emissions from Earth's glaciated regions.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240229124522.htm

Lockdowns had an impact on gut microbes and allergies in newborns, new research reveals

Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods according to new research. Our gut microbiome, an ecosystem of microbes that live in our digestive tract, plays an essential role in human health. The study reveals significant differences in the microbiome development of babies born during lockdown periods when compared to pre-pandemic babies.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240229124144.htm

Continued cocaine use disrupts communication between major brain networks

New research provides new insights into the brain processes underlying cocaine addiction. The findings are crucial for developing new therapeutics and identifying an imaging marker for cocaine use disorders.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240228154723.htm

Change in gene code may explain how human ancestors lost tails

A genetic change in our ancient ancestors may partly explain why humans don't have tails like monkeys.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240228114226.htm

Teens benefit from 'forest bathing' -- even in cities

Youth mental health in urban environments is significantly better when more nature is incorporated into city design. A new study suggests that forest bathing, the simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply, can help youth de-stress and boost health and well-being.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240227172155.htm

You may be breathing in more tiny nanoparticles from your gas stove than from car exhaust

Cooking on your gas stove can emit more nano-sized particles into the air than vehicles that run on gas or diesel, possibly increasing your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory illnesses, a new study has found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240227130804.htm

Significant glacial retreat in West Antarctica began in 1940s

Among the vast expanse of Antarctica lies the Thwaites Glacier, the world's widest glacier measuring about 80 miles on the western edge of the continent. Despite its size, the massive landform is losing about 50 billion tons of ice more than it is receiving in snowfall, which places it in a precarious position in respect to its stability. Accelerating ice loss has been observed since the 1970s, but it is unclear when this significant melting initiated -- until now. A new study suggests that the significant glacial retreat of two glaciers on the west coast of Antarctica began in the 1940's, likely spurred by climate change.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240226204614.htm

First-in-humans discovery reveals brain chemicals at work influencing social behavior

The idea that people make decisions based on social context is not a new one in neural economic games. But now, for the first time, researchers show the impact of the social context may spring from the dynamic interactions of dopamine and serotonin. Researchers built carbon-fiber electrodes that were implanted in patients receiving Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. The method allows researchers to measure more than one neurotransmitter at a time, revealing a dance that has never been seen before.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240226114627.htm

New world record for CIGS solar cells

A new record for electrical energy generation from CIGS solar cells has been reached. Scientists have achieved a 23.64 percent efficiency.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240226114616.htm