Ecosystem responses of grassland to drought

Grassland, as one of the important ecosystems and an ecological barrier in China, is the green production base of animal husbandry. It plays a vital role in maintaining national ecological security, food security and even global ecological balance. However, climate change is expected to lead to more frequent extreme droughts in grassland regions. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of ecosystem responses to drought are not well understood.

Cities are making mammals bigger

A new study shows urbanization is causing many mammal species to grow bigger, possibly because of readily available food in places packed with people.

Plant diversity in grasslands: Multi-species swards outperform even in drought conditions

Six-species swards outperformed perennial ryegrass monocultures and were considerably more resistant to drought, research has found.

Cracking a mystery of massive black holes and quasars with supercomputer simulations

At the center of galaxies, like our own Milky Way, lie massive black holes surrounded by spinning gas. Some shine brightly, with a continuous supply of fuel, while others go dormant for millions of years, only to reawaken with a serendipitous influx of gas. It remains largely a mystery how gas flows across the universe to feed these massive black holes.

Number of unemployed people across the EU during pandemic remained 'remarkably' stable

Labor markets in Southern Europe and the Baltic States were among those hit hardest last year by the pandemic, according to an Open Access study published in the peer-reviewed journal Applied Economics Letters.

Boron quantum dots surpassing graphene with excellent thermal properties

In a new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances, researchers led by Professor Han Zhang from Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China, consider whether boron quantum dots surpass the graphene in thermal properties.

Global trio of orbiters shows small dust storms help dry out Mars

By combining observations from three international spacecraft at Mars, scientists were able to show that regional dust storms play a huge role in drying out the Red Planet.

How background music in ads affects consumers

Including music in the background of a television commercial may make for a more effective sports product advertisement, according to the results of a Texas A&M University study.

Strong magnetic fields change how friction works in plasma

Friction in plasma gets weird in the presence of very strong magnetic fields, a team of plasma researchers at the University of Michigan has shown. The findings could affect fusion energy strategies and the development of radiation sources.

The damage humans can wreak on the climate, and how bad it's likely to get

A major new report published last week by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) contained grave warnings on where Earth's climate is headed. So what happens if humanity doesn't get its act together? How bad could climate change actually get?

New pima cotton cultivars show improved resistance to Fusarium wilt disease

Pima cotton is the predominant variety of cotton grown in California. It's ideal for making premium fabrics for clothing and bed sheets. But Fusarium wilt disease, caused by a soil-borne fungus, can devastate a cotton crop. It's responsible for crop losses in several production regions in the U.S. and worldwide.

'Hybrid learning'—teaching kids in-person and online at the same time—robs children of quality education

With an eye on back-to-school during the COVID-19 pandemic, some education advocates in the Greater Toronto Area's York and Peel regions have been calling for school boards to say no to hybrid learning. The hybrid model forces educators to teach online and in-person at the same time.

Large numbers of giant jellyfish found off the UK coast: What to do if you are stung

The UK has seen some exciting marine visitors recently, such as walruses, humpback whales and bluefin tuna, but a current group of arrivals has been much more of a cause of concern. Large numbers of huge stinging jellyfish have been appearing off the west coast of Scotland.

A new liquid crystal ink for 3D printing

Cholesteric liquid crystals, a man-made material with properties between liquids and solid crystals, can mimic the colors of butterfly wings. Liquid crystals are used in televisions and smartphones, but future applications for healthcare sensors or decorative lighting are difficult as the materials can't be used in advanced, rapid production methods like 3D printing. The materials are not viscous enough to make stable, solid structures, and it's difficult to align the molecules to produce specific colors. TU/e researchers have solved these issues by developing a new light-reflective liquid crystal ink that can be used with existing 3D printing techniques. The new research has been published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Nanocluster discovery will protect precious metals

Scientists have created a new type of catalyst that will lead to new, sustainable ways of making and using molecules and protect the supply of precious metals.

Swiss researchers declare new record for exact pi figure

Swiss researchers said Monday they had calculated the mathematical constant pi to a new world-record level of exactitude, hitting 62.8 trillion figures using a supercomputer.

Three in four say climate 'tipping points' close

Some 73 percent of people now believe that Earth's climate is approaching abrupt and irreversible "tipping points" due to human activity, according to a global opinion poll released Tuesday.

Colorado basin drought sparks water limits at huge US reservoir

A huge reservoir that supplies water to tens of millions of people in the Western United States is at such low levels that populations it feeds must reduce their useage next year, the government said Monday.

UN hot on the trail of temperature records

During last week's heatwaves in Italy and Spain, meteorologists in both countries announced provisional data suggesting temperature records had been set there.

Blue Origin sues NASA over SpaceX Moon contract

Blue Origin, the space company owned by Jeff Bezos, is suing the US government over its decision to award a massive Moon exploration contract to its competitor SpaceX, it said in a statement Monday.

Europe's Vega rocket blasts off with Airbus observation satellite

A European Vega rocket lifted off Monday night from French Guiana carrying an Earth observation satellite and four miniature "cubesats".

Lava streams from Indonesia's Mount Merapi in new eruption

Indonesia's most active volcano erupted Monday with its biggest lava flow in months, sending a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing 3.5 kilometers (more than 2 miles) down its slopes on the densely populated island of Java.

Europe-wide political divide emerging between cities and countryside: study

A new study reveals the extent of the political divide opening up between city and countryside right across Europe, with research suggesting that political polarisation in the 21st century may have a lot to do with place and location.