Feature Channels: Environmental Science

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Midwestern soils are among the most productive in the world, thanks in part to extensive tile drainage systems that remove excess water from crop fields. But water isn’t the only thing flowing through tile drains. Nitrogen moves along with soil water into drainage ditches, streams, and ultimately into the Mississippi River Basin, where the nutrient contributes to massive algal blooms and hypoxic conditions that impact aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Gazing out on a freshwater pond, you may see tiny green plants with oval shaped leaves floating in clusters. In overgrown ponds, these plants coat the water’s surface. These plants – called duckweed or water lentils – can grow so fast that they can double their numbers in just one to two days.

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A pivotal study has revealed the genetic drivers of red pigmentation in apple flesh, highlighting the critical role of anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. By mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) across diverse apple families, researchers identified key genetic regions linked to this vibrant coloration, setting the stage for developing apples with deeper hues and enhanced health benefits.

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A recent study has identified CaSLR1, a gene in pepper plants, as a key regulator of stem strength by controlling cell wall development. This discovery offers significant potential for agriculture, paving the way for breeding crops with enhanced resistance to lodging. Such improvements can lead to increased yield stability and reduced production costs, providing substantial benefits for farmers.

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Scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism in pak choi that boosts drought tolerance by regulating ascorbic acid levels. By silencing the BcSRC2 gene, researchers found that the plant’s ascorbic acid content decreased, reducing its drought resistance. Conversely, overexpressing BcSRC2 raised ascorbic acid levels, enhancing the plant’s tolerance. This finding could guide future breeding strategies to help crops cope with water scarcity.

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A research team has revealed that the strategic combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly improves soil nutrient supply, enhances rice growth, and boosts grain yield in rice ratooning systems.

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By: Kayla Cardenas | Published: September 11, 2024 | 12:09 pm | SHARE: Atlantic hurricane season is nearing its peak, raising alarms for mold outbreaks triggered by flooding and the respiratory health issues to follow.Ebrahim Ahmadisharaf, an assistant professor and researcher at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center, or RIDER, is shedding new light on the indirect effects of flood damage on residential buildings and human health.

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Andrew Margenot led some of the top biogeochemists from around the world in synthesizing recommendations for measuring phosphorus accumulation in the biosphere.

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On the heels of a Northeastern rainstorm that flooded towns on Long Island and claimed at least two lives in Connecticut, teams of scientists, engineers, and representatives of local power and transportation utilities met to discuss the increasing frequency of severe weather and its impacts on crucial infrastructure. The timing for the meeting at New York’s Kennedy International Airport August 21-22, 2024, was a coincidence.

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Scientists using high-resolution aerial scans and computational modeling concluded that wildfires, storms and selective logging have become key drivers behind rainforest carbon emissions, outpacing clear-cutting practices.The team used drones equipped with light detection and ranging sensors, or LiDAR, to measure tree biomass and carbon emissions in Brazilian forests.

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Redlining from the 1930s, marked minority and low-income neighborhoods as “hazardous,” which influenced mortgage and insurance decisions. Results show that redlined areas have less greenspace and more pavement, intensifying urban heat. While higher temperatures generally decreased walking in “still desirable” or “best” neighborhoods, this effect was not significant in “definitely declining” or “hazardous” areas, possibly due to greater reliance on walking for essential activities. Findings underscore the lasting impact of discriminatory policies on environmental vulnerability and physical activity.

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Increased capabilities in the human-occupied submersible Alvin open a window on a rarely seen behavior

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Researchers in ACS Central Science report a sugar-like polymer that traps heavy metals within insoluble clumps for easy removal. In proof-of-concept tests, the polymer removed ionic cadmium and lead from river water spiked with these persistent contaminants.

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KIMM develops seawater-based self-charging energy harvester. Newly developed energy harvester, which is capable of generating 4.2 times more electrical power compared with existing devices, is expected to be used for small-sized equipment such as devices for monitoring ocean environments

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Land was once set aside as Native American reservations because it was undesirable and low in resources, but now interested Native Americans may have economic leverage in the growing industry of clean energy. A team of researchers led by UW–Madison professors Dominic Parker and Sarah Johnston quantified the economic potential of wind and solar energy projects on these lands and discussed the regulatory barriers for tribes wishing to tap into it.

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Cal Poly Humboldt Forestry Professor Jeff Kane is leading a project funded by the USDA Forest Service in collaboration with Ecologist, Kyle Merriam, to reestablish Baker Cypress in areas where it was nearly extirpated by the 2021 Dixie Fire, with significant involvement from students.

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The research aims to assess changes in surface fuels, tree mortality, regeneration, and the general health of secondary redwood forests.

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Scientists from Jefferson Lab, Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia recently conducted a study that compares deep learning models of street-scale flooding in the City of Norfolk with previous machine learning and physics-based simulations.

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Predators not native to Madagascar, such as feral dogs and cats, may pose a serious threat to lemur species—many of which are already facing extinction on this African island.