New approach to removing toxins from wastewater

The New York State Center for Clean Water Technology (CCWT) at Stony Brook University has made a series of critical discoveries regarding a new approach to protecting Long Island's drinking water, groundwater, and surface waters. Some of the discoveries involve the likely human carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane, which has been found at higher levels in Long Island drinking water than anywhere else in the U.S.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-approach-toxins-wastewater.html

New light shed on the early evolution of limb bone marrow

When and how bone marrow first originated in the limbs of early four-legged animals is disputed in evolutionary biology. With the help of powerful X-ray technology, an international research team, led by Uppsala University, has now discovered that this evolutionary adaptation most likely took place after the first tetrapods stepped ashore.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-early-evolution-limb-bone-marrow.html

Ice Age testing reveals challenges in climate model sensitivity

Key to the usefulness of climate models as tools for both scientists and policymakers is the models' ability to connect changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels to corresponding shifts in temperature. Equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) is one such measure, representing the predicted warming after a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-ice-age-reveals-climate-sensitivity.html

How rhizosphere microorganisms of a leguminous plant respond to change

Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed the response mechanism of rhizosphere microorganisms of deep-rooted leguminous plant to water and nitrogen changes in desert ecosystem.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-rhizosphere-microorganisms-leguminous.html

Optimizing disinfection to prevent spread of antibiotic resistance in wastewater

For nearly a century, improvement in human healthcare has depended heavily on the efficiency with which we can treat bacterial diseases. But today, antibiotic resistance—the ability of certain mutant super-bacteria to block out antibiotics—poses a major threat to healthcare, food security and overall social development worldwide, threatening to upend much medical progress.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-optimizing-disinfection-antibiotic-resistance-wastewater.html

Plastic solar cells combine high-speed optical communication with indoor energy harvesting

Around the world, there are currently more than 18 billion internet-connected mobile devices. In the next 10 years, anticipated growth in the internet of Things (IoT) and in machine-type communication in general, will lead to a world of hundreds of billions of data-connected objects. Such growth poses two very challenging problems:

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-plastic-solar-cells-combine-high-speed.html

How 'green' are environmentally friendly fireworks?

Fireworks are used in celebrations around the world, including Independence Day in the U.S., the Lantern Festival in China and the Diwali Festival in India. However, the popular pyrotechnic displays emit large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere, sometimes causing severe air pollution. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology have estimated that, although so-called environmentally friendly fireworks emit 15-65% less particulate matter than traditional fireworks, they still significantly deteriorate air quality.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-green-environmentally-friendly-fireworks.html

Taiwan prepares white rhino 'Emma' to find mate in Japan

Emma, five years old, slim build with a gentle demeanour, is looking for love overseas. Hobbies include hanging with friends and studying Japanese. Seeks fellow rhino for companionship and mating.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-taiwan-white-rhino-emma-japan.html

Intel hit with $2.2 bn verdict in US patent trial

A federal jury in Texas on Tuesday ruled that US computer chip giant Intel should pay $2.2 billion to VLSI Technology in a patent infringement case.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-intel-bn-verdict-patent-trial.html

Cambodia's Royal Turtle lays eggs in captivity for first time

An endangered turtle bred in captivity laid eggs for the first time in Cambodia, conservationists said this week, in a massive win for animal protection in the kingdom.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-cambodia-royal-turtle-eggs-captivity.html

Microsoft sets stage for mixed-reality future

Microsoft on Tuesday set the stage for a future in which long-distance coworkers can collaborate as though in the same room, using augmented reality glasses and cloud computing power.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-microsoft-stage-mixed-reality-future.html

Fly me to the Moon: Japan billionaire offers space seats

It's the sort of chance that comes along just once in a blue Moon: a Japanese billionaire is throwing open a private lunar expedition to eight people from around the world.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-moon-japan-billionaire-space-seats.html

How beers and Vikings gave Bluetooth technology its name

One of the best-known modern technologies owes its name and logo to a Viking-era king with a bad tooth: a quarter century ago, two engineers hatched the idea for the moniker "Bluetooth" over beers.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-beers-vikings-gave-bluetooth-technology.html

New Zealand eyes Australia-style media deals with tech firms

New Zealand called on Google and Facebook Wednesday to strike deals with Kiwi media similar to those reached in Australia, which require the tech giants to pay for using news.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-zealand-eyes-australia-style-media-tech.html

Giraffe dies at L.A. Zoo after delivery of stillborn calf

A giraffe has died at the Los Angeles Zoo after undergoing a procedure to deliver her stillborn calf, the zoo announced Tuesday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-giraffe-dies-la-zoo-delivery.html

Microsoft: China-based hackers found bug to target US firms

China-based government hackers have exploited a bug in Microsoft's email server software to target U.S. organizations, the company said Tuesday.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-microsoft-china-based-hackers-bug-firms.html

A silver swining: 'Destructive' pigs help build rainforests

Wild pigs are often maligned as ecosystem destroyers, but a University of Queensland study has found they also cultivate biodiverse rainforests in their native habitats.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-silver-swining-destructive-pigs-rainforests.html

Examining the environmental impact of computation and the future of green computing

When you think about your carbon footprint, what comes to mind? Driving and flying, probably. Perhaps home energy consumption or those daily Amazon deliveries. But what about watching Netflix or having Zoom meetings? Ever thought about the carbon footprint of the silicon chips inside your phone, smartwatch or the countless other devices inside your home?

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-environmental-impact-future-green.html

Cooperative eco-driving automation improves energy efficiency and safety

Imagine you're driving up a hill toward a traffic light. The light is still green so you're tempted to accelerate to make it through the intersection before the light changes. Then, a device in your car receives a signal from the controller mounted on the intersection alerting you that the light will change in two seconds—clearly not enough time to beat the light. You take your foot off the gas pedal and decelerate, saving on fuel. You feel safer, too, knowing you didn't run a red light and potentially cause a collision in the intersection.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-cooperative-eco-driving-automation-energy-efficiency.html

Chickpea genetics reduce need for chemicals

In recent years, hummus has become a pop culture food phenomenon, drawing praises from dieticians for the health benefits and chefs for the flavor.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-chickpea-genetics-chemicals.html