https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/desert/ Read all about the desert biome, including articles on desertification, semi-arid conditions and more. en-us Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:26:16 EDT Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:26:16 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/desert/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030650.htm Even in the ultra-dry Atacama Desert, tiny soil-dwelling nematodes are thriving in surprising diversity. Scientists found that biodiversity increases with moisture and altitude shapes which species survive. In the most extreme zones, many nematodes reproduce asexually — a possible survival advantage. The discovery suggests that life in arid regions may be far richer, and more fragile, than once believed. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:49:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030650.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030644.htm K’gari’s iconic lakes have existed for tens of thousands of years—but they haven’t always been full. New research shows that about 7,500 years ago, during a time of high rainfall, several of the island’s deepest lakes mysteriously vanished. Scientists believe changing wind patterns may have redirected rain away from the island. As the climate shifts again, the lakes’ long-term survival is no longer guaranteed. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:27:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010151.htm The Ediacara Biota are some of the strangest fossils ever found—soft-bodied organisms preserved in remarkable detail where preservation shouldn’t be possible. Scientists now think their survival in sandstone came from unusual ancient seawater chemistry that created clay “cements” around their bodies after burial. This process captured delicate shapes that would normally vanish. The finding helps clarify how complex life emerged before the Cambrian Explosion. Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:46:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127010151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm After analyzing 40 years of tree records across the Andes and Amazon, researchers found that climate change is reshaping tropical forests in uneven ways. Some regions are steadily losing tree species, especially where conditions are hotter and drier, while others are seeing gains. Rainfall patterns turned out to be just as important as rising temperatures. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:27:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080736.htm Scientists are uncovering new clues that a cosmic explosion may have rocked Earth at the end of the last ice age. At major Clovis-era sites, researchers found shocked quartz—evidence of intense heat and pressure consistent with a comet airburst rather than volcanism or human activity. The event could have sparked massive fires, blocked sunlight, and triggered a rapid return to ice-age conditions. These harsh changes may explain the sudden loss of megafauna and the disappearance of the Clovis culture. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 23:12:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080736.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084206.htm Around 1,000 years ago, a major climate shift reshaped rainfall across the South Pacific, making western islands like Samoa and Tonga drier while eastern islands such as Tahiti became increasingly wet. New evidence from plant waxes preserved in island sediments shows this change coincided with the final major wave of Polynesian expansion eastward. As freshwater became scarcer in the west and more abundant in the east, people may have been pushed to migrate, effectively “chasing the rain” across vast stretches of ocean. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 23:53:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251215084206.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095049.htm Human development and climate-driven sea level rise are accelerating global beach erosion and undermining the natural processes that sustain coastal ecosystems. Studies reveal that urban activity on the sand harms biodiversity in every connected zone, magnifying worldwide erosion risks. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 10:19:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115439.htm Sargassum seaweed is creating major new obstacles for sea turtle hatchlings, drastically slowing their crawl to the ocean and increasing their risk from predators and heat. Despite the physical challenge, their energy stores stay stable, suggesting the real danger lies in the delay itself. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:37:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115439.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm In Death Valley’s relentless heat, Tidestromia oblongifolia doesn’t just survive—it thrives. Michigan State University scientists discovered that the plant can quickly adjust its photosynthetic machinery to endure extreme temperatures that would halt most species. Its cells reorganize, its genes switch on protective functions, and it even reshapes its chloroplasts to keep producing energy. The findings could guide the creation of crops capable of withstanding future heat waves. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 04:01:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205025.htm UIC researchers predict that the Sahara Desert could see up to 75% more rain by the end of this century due to rising global temperatures. Using 40 climate models, the team found widespread precipitation increases across Africa, though some regions may dry out. The results suggest a major rebalancing of the continent’s climate. Scientists stress that adaptation planning is essential to prepare for both wetter and drier futures. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 04:22:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm UC Davis scientists uncovered Aptostichus ramirezae, a new trapdoor spider species living under California’s dunes. Genetic analysis revealed it was distinct from its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The species was named after pioneering arachnologist Martina Ramirez. Researchers warn that shrinking coastal habitats could threaten both species’ survival. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:28:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029100158.htm A new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in the upper Dadu River Valley of China. Its distinct traits and isolated habitat highlight the hidden biodiversity of the Hengduan Mountains. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:22:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029100158.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223056.htm Researchers have discovered chemical fingerprints of Earth's earliest incarnation, preserved in ancient mantle rocks. A unique imbalance in potassium isotopes points to remnants of “proto Earth” material that survived the planet’s violent formation. The study suggests the original building blocks of Earth remain hidden beneath its surface, offering a direct glimpse into our planet’s ancient origins. Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:31:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223056.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250911073201.htm Hidden within Arctic ice, diatoms are proving to be anything but dormant. New Stanford research shows these glass-walled algae glide through frozen channels at record-breaking subzero temperatures, powered by mucus-like ropes and molecular motors. Their astonishing resilience raises questions about how life adapts in extreme conditions and highlights the urgency of studying polar ecosystems before they vanish. Fri, 12 Sep 2025 02:29:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250911073201.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031503.htm New research has revealed that East Antarctica’s vast and icy interior is heating up faster than its coasts, fueled by warm air carried from the Southern Indian Ocean. Using 30 years of weather station data, scientists uncovered a hidden climate driver that current models fail to capture, suggesting the world’s largest ice reservoir may be more vulnerable than previously thought. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:45:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172638.htm Sauropod tooth scratches reveal that some dinosaurs migrated seasonally, others ate a wide variety of plants, and climate strongly shaped their diets. Tanzania’s sand-blasted vegetation left especially heavy wear, offering rare insights into ancient ecosystems. Sun, 07 Sep 2025 17:26:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172638.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083646.htm Beneath the North Sea, scientists have uncovered colossal sand formations, dubbed “sinkites,” that have mysteriously sunk into lighter sediments, flipping the usual geological order. Formed millions of years ago by ancient earthquakes or pressure shifts, these giant structures could reshape how we locate oil, gas, and safe carbon storage sites. The discovery not only challenges established geology but also introduces a new partner phenomenon, “floatites,” and sparks debate among experts. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:53:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083646.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100910.htm Deep beneath the Antarctic seas lies a hidden network of 332 colossal submarine canyons, some plunging over 4,000 meters, revealed in unprecedented detail by new high-resolution mapping. These underwater valleys, shaped by glacial forces and powerful sediment flows, play a vital role in transporting nutrients, driving ocean currents, and influencing global climate. Striking differences between East and West Antarctica’s canyon systems offer clues to the continent’s ancient ice history, while also exposing vulnerabilities as warm waters carve away at protective ice shelves. Sat, 09 Aug 2025 10:46:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250807233054.htm A new study reveals that an earthquake early warning system, similar to the USGS ShakeAlert used in California, Oregon, and Washington, could give Alaskan communities precious seconds to prepare before strong shaking hits. Modeling shows that towns like Sand Point, King Cove, and Chignik might receive between 10 and 50 seconds of warning during major quakes, while a simulated magnitude 8.3 event could provide up to half a minute in some areas. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 02:45:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250807233054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234415.htm For over two decades, satellites have quietly documented a major crisis unfolding beneath our feet: Earth's continents are drying out at unprecedented rates. Fueled by climate change, groundwater overuse, and extreme drought, this trend has carved out four massive "mega-drying" regions across the northern hemisphere, threatening freshwater supplies for billions. Groundwater loss alone now contributes more to sea level rise than melting ice sheets, and unless urgent global water policies are enacted, we could face a catastrophic freshwater bankruptcy. Sun, 27 Jul 2025 04:38:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234415.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250707073351.htm Feral water buffalo now roam Hong Kong s South Lantau marshes, and a 657-person survey shows they ignite nostalgia, wonder, and worry in equal measure. Many residents embrace them as living links to a fading rural past and potential conservation icons, yet others fear road blockages, safety hazards, and ecosystem impacts. Attitudes skew more positive among younger locals familiar with wildlife, while concern rises in groups with less rural exposure. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:33:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250707073351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250626081530.htm South Australia’s tiny pygmy bluetongue skink is baking in a warming, drying homeland, so Flinders University scientists have tried a bold fix—move it. Three separate populations were shifted from the parched north to cooler, greener sites farther south. At first the lizards reacted differently—nervous northerners diving for cover, laid-back southerners basking in damp burrows—but after two years most are settling in, suggesting they can ultimately thrive. Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:43:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250626081530.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031151.htm Arctic peatlands are expanding with rising temperatures, storing more carbon at least for now. But future warming could reverse this benefit, releasing massive emissions. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 03:11:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620031151.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121958.htm Atmospheric rivers, while vital for replenishing water on the U.S. West Coast, are also the leading cause of floods though storm size alone doesn t dictate their danger. A groundbreaking study analyzing over 43,000 storms across four decades found that pre-existing soil moisture is a critical factor, with flood peaks multiplying when the ground is already saturated. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:19:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121958.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013823.htm Where do microplastics really go after entering the environment? MIT researchers discovered that sticky biofilms naturally produced by bacteria play a surprising role in preventing microplastics from accumulating in riverbeds. Instead of trapping the particles, these biofilms actually keep them loose and exposed, making them easier for flowing water to carry away. This insight could help target cleanup efforts more effectively and identify hidden pollution hotspots. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:38:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013823.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm Some microbes living on sand grains use up all the oxygen around them. Their neighbors, left without oxygen, make the best of it: They use nitrate in the surrounding water for denitrification -- a process hardly possible when oxygen is present. This denitrification in sandy sediments in well-oxygenated waters can substantially contribute to nitrogen loss in the oceans. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:53:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154719.htm New research shows that the presence of solar panels in Colorado's grasslands may reduce water stress, improve soil moisture levels and -- particularly during dry years -- increase plant growth by about 20% or more compared to open fields. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:47:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154719.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131536.htm As rising global temperatures alter ecosystems worldwide, animal species usually have two choices: adapt to changing local conditions or flee to a cooler clime. Ecologists have long assumed that the world's bird species were best equipped to respond to the pressures of climate change simply because they have the option of flying to higher altitudes or towards global poles. But a new study finds that few bird species are able to escape the realities of a warming world. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131536.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161126.htm A serendipitous observation has led to a surprising discovery: a new class of nanostructured materials that can pull water from the air, collect it in pores and release it onto surfaces without the need for any external energy. The research describes a material that could open the door to new ways to collect water from the air in arid regions and devices that cool electronics or buildings using the power of evaporation. Wed, 21 May 2025 16:11:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161126.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122244.htm Worldwide, coastal areas are squeezed between a rising sea level on one end and human structures on the other. The distance between a sandy coastline and the first human structures averages less than 400 meters around the world. And the narrower a coastline is, the lower its biodiversity as well. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:22:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520122244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131545.htm Fertilizer might be stronger than we thought. A new international study found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought, findings which could have implications for agriculture and food systems in a world facing climate stressors. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131545.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132116.htm The Amazon rainforest may be able to survive long-term drought caused by climate change, but adjusting to a drier, warmer world would exact a heavy toll, a study suggests. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:21:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514155300.htm The increasing frequency of once-in-a-decade agricultural and ecological drought has underscored the urgency of studying hydrological changes. A research team has analyzed the estimated changes in land water storage over the past 40 years by utilizing space geodetic observation technology and global hydrological change data. This innovative method has revealed a rapid depletion in global soil moisture, resulting in a significant amount of water flowing into the oceans, leading to a rise in sea levels. The research provides new insights into the driving factors behind the alarming reduction in terrestrial water storage and rise in sea levels. Wed, 14 May 2025 15:53:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514155300.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514141905.htm The impacts of human activity and climate change are coalescing to make coastal lagoons saltier, changing the microbial life they support and the function they play in their ecosystems, according to new research. Wed, 14 May 2025 14:19:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514141905.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120052.htm Before Homo sapiens arrived, Europe's forests were not dense and dark but shaped by open and light-rich woodland landscapes. Researchers have analyzed 917 native forest plant species in Central and Western Europe and found that more than 80 percent prefer high-light conditions -- environments traditionally created by large herbivores. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514120052.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512153349.htm A new study has uncovered the mystery of how mini sand dunes form on beaches and in deserts. Mon, 12 May 2025 15:33:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512153349.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105202.htm A team of researchers investigated a sequence of coastal dunes of different ages (from 0-700,000 years old) in Cooloola National Park near Rainbow Beach to understand how soil microorganisms coped with severely declining levels of nutrients such as phosphorus in soil as the dunes got older. They found microbes -- such as fungi and bacteria -- acted is 'phosphorus gatekeepers' to deal with low phosphorus levels. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:52:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429102851.htm Scientists believe they have found a way to improve warning systems for vulnerable communities threatened by humid heatwaves, which are on the rise due to climate change and can be damaging and even fatal to human health. The study analysed how patterns of recent rainfall can interact with dry or moist land conditions to influence the risk of extreme humid heat in the global tropics and subtropics. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:28:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429102851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220430.htm A powerful earthquake, combined with rising sea levels, could significantly increase flood risks in the Pacific Northwest, impacting thousands of residents and properties in northern California, Oregon, and Washington, according to new research. The study found that a major earthquake could cause coastal land to sink up to 6.5 feet, expanding the federally designated 1 percent coastal floodplain, an area with a 1-in-100 chance of flooding each year, by 35 to 116 square miles. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:04:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220430.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121653.htm Once thought resistant to invasion, California's deserts are losing native plants to aggressive weedy species like Saharan mustard. New research shows its spread is disrupting biodiversity and reducing the desert's ability to recover from extreme climate swings. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:16:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424121653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422132007.htm Dust-on-snow is a major threat to water in the Colorado River, yet no snowmelt forecasts integrate dust-accelerated melt. Using pioneering remote sensing techniques, new research is the first to capture how dust impacts the headwaters of the Colorado River system. The new method could help predict the timing and magnitude of snow darkening and impacts on melt rates on snowpacks, in real time. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:20:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422132007.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415160352.htm Researchers conducted three years of extensive fieldwork to develop the first data-driven map of both newly documented and predicted peatlands across Colombia's eastern lowlands. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:03:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415160352.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110042.htm O'ahu's sandy beaches are at risk. New research has determined that 81% of O'ahu's coastline could experience erosion by 2100, with 40% of this loss happening by 2030. Importantly, these forecasts of shoreline erosion are more extreme than previous studies indicated for O?ahu. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:00:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411110042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409115049.htm Nanoplastics are an increasing threat to the ecosystem; however, their mobility in the soil is still underexplored. Against this backdrop, researchers investigated the adsorption and aggregation behavior of nanoplastics in different types of soil under different pH conditions. The study offers new perspectives on the migration and environmental interactions of nanoplastics, while broadening our knowledge of pollution dynamics and soil contamination processes. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:50:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409115049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114653.htm A new study reveals the modern arid desert between Africa and Saudi Arabia was once regularly lush and green with rivers and lakes over a period of 8 million years, allowing for the occupation and movements of both animals and hominins. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:46:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114653.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407114252.htm The vast desert of the Arabian Peninsula was not always an arid landscape. A recent study reveals that this region was once home to a vast lake and river system. These favorable conditions fostered grasslands and savannahs, enabling human migration -- until drought returned, forcing populations to move. This research highlights the impact of climate cycles on landscapes and human societies. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:42:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407114252.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143654.htm Researchers injected CO2 gas into seawater while applying an electrical current. The process transformed dissolved ions, minerals in seawater into clusters of solid particles. The clusters hold over half their weight in CO2 to become a carbon sink. Material could replace sand in concrete and be used in other construction materials while trapping CO2. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:36:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143419.htm In the desert areas of Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, research work has revealed unusual structures that are probably due to the activity of an unknown microbiological life form. Unusually small burrows, i.e., tiny tubes that run through the rock in a parallel arrangement from top to bottom, were discovered in marble and limestone of these desert regions. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:34:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143419.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141241.htm Nature-based solutions like restoring mangroves, and hybrid solutions, protect vulnerable shorelines. However, they need careful planning to be effective. A new GIS-based tool, combined with varied experts' input, has identified the best shoreline stabilization methods for the Florida Keys. Findings show that about 8% of coastline is suitable for nature-based or hybrid solutions, while 25.1% is unsuitable, and 67% is already vegetated or naturally protected. The tool integrates data on shoreline types, environmental factors and wave exposure to guide decisions on shoreline protection. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:12:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163744.htm In a recent, cross-institutional study partially funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers report that healthy human airways are at higher risk for dehydration and inflammation when exposed to dry air, an occurrence expected to increase due to global warming. Inflammation in human airways is associated with such conditions as asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:37:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317163744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312124618.htm New Delhi's air pollution is more severe than previously estimated with particles absorbing atmospheric water vapor leading to particulate matter levels across the city being underestimated by up to 20%. Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:46:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250312124618.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164642.htm Cement manufacturing and repair could be significantly improved by using biocement-producing bacteria, but growing the microbes at construction sites remains a challenge. Now, researchers report a freeze-drying approach that preserves the bacteria, potentially allowing construction workers to ultimately use powder out of a packet to quickly make tiles, repair oil wells or strengthen the ground for makeshift roads or camps. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:46:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164642.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250225122338.htm An intriguing native Australian rat-kangaroo, thought to be probably extinct, may still be running around in the inhospitable remote Sturt Stony Desert -- and researchers have discovered new details about its feeding habits that might help to find it. The experts in marsupial evolution and ecology have compared the biting ability of different small animal skulls to understand the kinds of food the desert rat-kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris) ate, thus narrowing down the best areas to monitor for the little animal. Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:23:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250225122338.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125808.htm Experts say a focus on re-wetting our parched peat would significantly dampen down the UK's fire-driven carbon emissions and help mitigate against climate change. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:58:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125808.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125245.htm Scientists outline the urgency to better identify the significant damage sand extraction across the world heaps upon marine biodiversity. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:52:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220192143.htm Research on the vanishing coastlines of Alexandria, Egypt, offers nature-based solutions for protecting coastal cities globally, including those in California. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:21:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220192143.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111358.htm Scientists have discovered how to turn common minerals into materials that spontaneously remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In the lab, the materials pull CO2 from the air thousands of times faster than occurs with natural rock weathering. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:13:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111358.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111130.htm A mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste has been developed. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:11:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111130.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250207152708.htm A scientist has discovered a hopping treasure trove -- 16 new species of grasshoppers living in the thorny scrubs of U.S. and Mexican deserts. Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:27:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250207152708.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123113057.htm The remains of the earliest dinosaurs may lie undiscovered in the Amazon and other equatorial regions of South America and Africa, suggests a new study. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:30:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123113057.htm