The story of a missing gray seal camera

A rare piece of research equipment was recovered on the Scotian Shelf after it spent three years lost at sea, and its contents could contain valuable information about the behavior of gray seals on Sable Island.

Unusual bandgap renormalization in 2D inorganic lead-halide perovskite nanoplatelets

Owing to high quantum yields, large absorption cross-section, excellent carrier transport performance and narrow-band emission, inorganic lead-halide perovskite semiconductors have received increasing attention for their applications in solar cells, LEDs, laser devices, etc. Understanding the physical origin of temperature dependence of bandgap in inorganic lead-halide perovskites is essential and important.

Gaps in meth lab clean-ups

An Australian study of companies which test and clean up contamination and chemicals left by illegal methamphetamine labs has raised concerns about inconsistent standards, guidelines and operating procedures when making dwellings safe for future use.

New book explores the different—and surprising—types of atheism in science

A newly published book argues that a significant part of the public wrongly sees scientists who are atheists as immoral elitists who don't care about the common good.

Canadians are having more sex during the pandemic, unless they're living with their partners

In March 2020 when the world went into lockdown due to the newly announced COVID-19 pandemic, the media quickly speculated that a baby boom would follow nine months later. After all, what else would people do with all of this extra time on their hands while isolated with a partner?

Poison ivy can work itchy evil on your skin

A patient recently came in to our dermatology clinic with a rash and a story similar to so many others. He had been out camping with friends a few days earlier and helped carry some logs to stoke the fire. Little did he know he was going to pay for lending a helping hand. A couple days later, red patches appeared on his forearms and chest, which soon began to itch miserably and form water blisters.

Cold planets exist throughout the galaxy, even in the galactic bulge

Although thousands of planets have been discovered in the Milky Way, most reside less than a few thousand light years from Earth. Yet our galaxy is more than 100,000 light years across, making it difficult to investigate the galactic distribution of planets. But now, a research team has found a way to overcome this hurdle.

Ecologists reconstruct Hong Kong's marine ecosystem over the last 100 years

The skyscrapers and urban development that have made Hong Kong the "Pearl" have also generated pollutants that affect the marine species that live in Hong Kong's coastal waters. On-going climate change and dams along the Pearl River have also altered these coastal ecosystems. However, it is largely unknown in what ways they are altered, because we lack information about baseline conditions back then. "What were marine environments and organisms like in Hong Kong, say, 50–100 years ago, when human activity was much more limited? How were they different from what we see today?" Dr. Yuanyuan Hong, a postdoctoral fellow from the School of Biological Sciences, the Research Division for Ecology & Biodiversity, and The Swire Institute of Marine Science at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) raised the question.

Fundamental mechanics help increase battery storage capacity and lifespan

Batteries are widely used in everyday applications like powering electric vehicles, electronic gadgets and are promising candidates for sustainable energy storage. However, as you've likely noticed with daily charging of batteries, their functionality drops off over time. Eventually, we need to replace these batteries, which is not only expensive but also depletes the rare earth elements used in making them.

Decontaminating industrial plastic waste to ease the planet's burden

With Europe's ambitious plastic recycling strategy and growing public awareness, a plastic pollution-free future seems more and more possible despite current obstacles. For example, the EU already recycles 32.5% of its 29.1 million tons of plastic waste. But what about plastics that aren't recyclable because of the hazardous substances in them?

Latham's snipe flies non-stop for 5 days from Japan to Australia, but now its habitat is under threat

Imagine having to fly non-stop for five days over thousands of kilometers of ocean for your survival. That's what the Latham's snipe shorebird does twice a year, for every year of its life.

How work-integrated learning helps to make billions in university funding worth it

Australian universities invest heavily in the employability of their graduates. The Australian government supports this goal with annual funding to increase to A$20 billion by 2024. This includes $900 million in grants through the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund. A key focus is on expanding work-integrated learning.

If Planet 9 is out there, here's where to look

There are eight known planets in the solar system (ever since Pluto was booted from the club), but for a while, there has been some evidence that there might be one more. A hypothetical Planet 9 lurking on the outer edge of our solar system. So far, this world has eluded discovery, but a new study has pinned down where it should be.

Want to play college sports? A wealthy family helps

It takes more than athletic talent to play varsity sports in college, at least for most young people, a new study suggests.

Space mission tests NREL perovskite solar cells

On a clear night, Kaitlyn VanSant will be able to watch her work whiz by. Knowing the success of her project, however, will have to wait until her tiny, temporary addition to the International Space Station returns to Earth.

Selfies of missing persons before they disappear used for future forensic dental identification

Selfies taken by missing persons before they disappear could prove key for future forensic dental identification, according to a researcher studying at the University of Dundee.

Effects of harvest intensity on sustainable utilization of non-timber forest products

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are very important for local forest dwellers to increase their income. The growing demand for NTFPs resources with high economic value may lead to disorderly utilization and over-exploitation.

Amazon deforestation and fires are a hazard to public health

Wildfires are increasingly common, and their smoky emissions can wreak havoc on human health. In South America, fires may cause nearly 17,000 otherwise avoidable deaths each year. Fire frequency in the Amazon basin has been linked to climate—drier conditions result in more fires—but direct human action, such as deforestation, drives up fire frequency as well.

New planting guide creates a 'buzz' in Blue Mountains orchards

Western Sydney University researchers have been working with the Wheen Bee Foundation to produce a new pollinator-friendly planting guide to support horticultural producers in the Blue Mountains region.

Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle

Would you wear clothing made of muscle fibers? Use them to tie your shoes or even wear them as a belt? It may sound a bit odd, but if those fibers could endure more energy before breaking than cotton, silk, nylon, or even Kevlar, then why not?

Hurricane Ida pummels Louisiana, knocks out power in New Orleans

Powerful Hurricane Ida battered the southern US state of Louisiana and plunged New Orleans into darkness Sunday, leaving at least one person dead 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

'Desert': drying Euphrates threatens disaster in Syria

Syria's longest river used to flow by his olive grove, but today Khaled al-Khamees says it has receded into the distance, parching his trees and leaving his family with hardly a drop to drink.

Benin's rare swamp forest 'at risk of disappearing'

In the freshwater swamp forest of Hlanzoun in southern Benin, majestic trees hum with chirping birds and playful monkeys.