Research News
The Research news feed includes stories about new climate change and energy research from research press releases, Nature Publishing Group, and ScienceDaily.
Geologists study mystery of 'eternal flames'
(Indiana University) "Eternal flames" fueled by hydrocarbon gas could shine a light on the presence of natural gas in underground rock layers and conditions that let it seep to the surface, according to research by geologists at the Department of Geological Sciences and the Indiana Geological Survey at Indiana University Bloomington.
Dietary flexibility may have helped some large predators survive after last ice age
During the late Pleistocene, a diverse assemblage of large-bodied mammals inhabited the "mammoth steppe" of northern Eurasia and Beringia. Of the large predators -- wolves, bears, and big cats -- only the wolves and bears were able to maintain their ranges well after the end of the last ice age.
Setting the standard for sustainable bioenergy crops
(University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences) Bioenergy crops, such as Miscanthus and switchgrass, appear to be promising resources for renewable energy, but these new crops did not come with a manual on how to measure details on their sustainability impacts.
Researchers find a way to make steel without greenhouse-gas emissions
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Steelmaking, a major emitter of climate-altering gases, could be transformed by a new process developed at MIT.
The effect of climate change on iceberg production by Greenland glaciers
(British Antarctic Survey) While the impact of climate change on the surface of the Greenland ice sheet has been widely studied, a clear understanding of the key process of iceberg production has eluded researchers for many years.
Decline in snow cover spells trouble for many plants, animals
For plants and animals forced to tough out harsh winter weather, the coverlet of snow that blankets the north country is a refuge, a stable beneath-the-snow habitat that gives essential respite from biting winds and subzero temperatures.
New mechanism converts natural gas to energy faster, captures CO2
(North Carolina State University) Chemical engineering researchers have identified a new mechanism to convert natural gas into energy up to 70 times faster, while effectively capturing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
And the beat goes on...: The reliable heartbeat of hibernators
(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) At the current temperatures, all hibernators have probably emerged from their winter hibernation and are enjoying the warm weather. However, this is quite different during the cold season.
NCAR powers up renewable energy forecasts
(National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) The National Center for Atmospheric Research, building on a pioneering wind energy forecasting system that saved millions of dollars for Xcel Energy ratepayers in eight states, has entered into a new agreement with the utility for even more sophisticated weather forecasts to increase the reliability o
NREL quantifies significant value in concentrating solar power
(DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Researchers from the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory have quantified the significant value that concentrating solar power plants can add to an electric grid.