Source: Science Daily A new study has evaluated the contribution of various emission sectors and fuels to PM2.5 mass for 29 states in India and six surrounding countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711194437.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily In 2020, Tufts Wildlife Clinic Director Maureen Murray, V03, published a study that showed 100% of red-tailed hawks tested at the clinic were positive for exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs). Such exposure occurs when these chemicals are used to kill mice or rats, which eat the poison, and the birds eat the poisoned prey. Now, another type of rodenticide — a neurotoxicant called bromethalin — also can bioaccumulate in birds of prey. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133304.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily Algorithms can predict what movies or songs you might like, but they can also predict which species a predator would most likely eat. Researchers have been using machine learning to identify species interactions, and can predict which species are most likely to go extinct, so that intervention can be planned before this happens. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133240.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily Researchers have studied the global trade in highly hazardous chemicals subject to a global treaty — the Rotterdam Convention. The results are sobering: Nearly half of the total trade volume of these chemicals crosses national borders illegally, calling for strong international and national action. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133230.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily According to a new study, internet searches indicate a growing prevalence of various biophobias across the world. Countries with larger urban populations show interest in a broader range of nature-related phobias, supporting the idea that urban living may be linked with fear and disgust towards nature. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133203.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily New research has found that the design of biodegradable fishing gear needs to improve if it is to help address the environmental and economic impacts of ‘ghost fishing’. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133150.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily Not all carbon emissions are made for the same reason — they range from more essential purposes like heating a home to nonessential ‘luxury’ activities like leisure travel. However, proposals for the implementations of carbon taxes tend to apply to all emissions at an equal rate. This can give rise to and exacerbate inequalities. A new analysis suggests taxing luxury carbon emissions at a higher rate instead; if all 88 countries analyzed in this study adopted the luxury-focused policy, this would achieve 75% of the emissions reduction needed to reach the Paris Agreem ..read more

Source: Science Daily When an electric vehicle is parked outside, its temperature can swing wildly from day to night and season to season, which can lead to deterioration of the battery. To dampen these fluctuations and extend the battery’s lifespan, researchers have designed an all-season thermal cloak that can cool an electric vehicle by 8°C on a hot day and warm it by 6.8°C at night. The cloak, made predominantly of silica and aluminum, can do so passively without outside energy input and operates without any modification between hot or cold weather. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releas ..read more

Source: Science Daily A new study has linked underground climate change to the shifting ground beneath urban areas. The phenomenon is affecting all major urban areas around the globe, causing civil structures and infrastructures to crack. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711131050.htm ..read more

Source: Science Daily A team has identified a protein that modifies the cellular machinery responsible for producing cellulose, which could inform the design of more stable, cellulose-enriched materials for biofuels and other functions. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711130631.htm ..read more