July 2023 was the hottest month in NOAA's 174-year record, exceeding any previous July by more than a third of a degree Fahrenheit, according to a joint NOAA and NASA report. The month also recorded the fourth consecutive month of record-high global ocean surface temperatures and the third straight month of record-low Antarctic sea ice.
Oxford physicist Vlatko Vedral argues that the act of observation doesn't create reality, but rather every interaction splits the universe into parallel versions, each with a different 'you.' His recent commentary in Popular Mechanics challenges popular misconceptions about quantum mechanics, suggesting that our choices and identities are shaped by countless quantum branches.
Astronomers used a 36-antenna array in Chile to pinpoint the origin of a one-millisecond radio burst that traveled 4 billion years, locating it in the outskirts of a distant galaxy. The precision technique could aid in mapping the universe's structure.
A star roughly the size of our Sun was torn apart by a black hole 215 million light-years away, in a process astronomers call spaghettification. New observations detail how the star's material was pulled in and ejected in powerful jets. The findings offer a rare glimpse into the violent mechanics of these cosmic events.
Astronomers have detected a rare type of blazar in a galaxy seen as it was 1.7 billion years after the Big Bang, challenging the established sequence of black hole evolution. The finding, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests that current models of how galaxies and their central black holes change over time may need revision.
Neutrinos, the universe's most abundant yet elusive particles, hold keys to cosmic creation and structure. Recent experiments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have achieved first-ever observations of neutrino interactions, advancing physics without massive detectors. Understanding neutrinos could unlock dark matter secrets and the universe's expansion.
India's energy ministry has scrapped a proposed 4,000 MW coal plant in Gujarat, citing sufficient existing capacity and a new focus on renewables. The decision aligns with the country's Paris climate commitments and its goal of boosting solar power, which has become cheaper than fossil fuels.
New data reveals 2017 was the hottest year without an El Niño influence, surpassing 2014 by 0.17°C. A study in Nature Climate Change suggests human behavior could alter temperature projections by 2100, offering both hope and warning.
A researcher from the University of the West of England has published a study in Royal Society Open Science suggesting that electrical impulses in mushrooms may constitute a form of communication. The study, which involved four mushroom species, found patterns that could be interpreted as a 'language' of up to 50 words, though the scientist remains open to alternative explanations.
A powerful south swell described as 'historic' by forecasters slammed Hawaii's shores, sending waves over two-story condos, flooding homes, and prompting hundreds of lifeguard rescues. Video captured by residents shows the ocean's force, while officials warn of continued danger and link the event to sea-level rise.
A new computer-modeling study reveals that Therizinosaurus, a 40-foot dinosaur with three-foot claws, likely used its talons for display or grooming rather than fighting. The findings challenge popular depictions of the creature as a fierce predator, suggesting its oversized claws were a product of sexual selection.
Tesla finalized its $2.6 billion acquisition of SolarCity, creating a single brand for home solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. The deal, announced in June, brings together Elon Musk's two companies to streamline product integration and customer experience.
Researchers led by Thomas Schwander have engineered a synthetic enzymatic pathway that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds at a rate exceeding natural photosynthesis. The in vitro system, detailed in Science, could lead to faster CO2 fixation in plants and new applications in agriculture and chemical production.
A new solar-powered device called Source, developed by Zero Mass Water, extracts moisture from the air and converts it into drinkable water, producing up to 5 liters daily. Already deployed in several countries, the system offers a flexible, off-grid solution to water scarcity, which affects 663 million people worldwide.
NuScale Power has submitted a design for a compact nuclear reactor that fits on a flat-bed truck, aiming to cut costs and enhance safety. The 50-megawatt modular units could serve as backup for renewables and military bases, but face a multi-year NRC review before deployment.
New research from the University of Maryland indicates that meeting the Paris Agreement's 2-degree Celsius limit requires renewables to provide half of the world's energy by 2060. The study, published as a book, emphasizes that current pledges must be extended and strengthened.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, led by Nobel laureate John Goodenough, have developed an all-solid-state battery using glass electrolytes that offers three times the energy density of lithium-ion cells, faster recharge times, and improved safety. The technology could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and portable devices.
A federal initiative to cut solar costs is yielding measurable gains in public health and climate, including billions in avoided damages and significant water savings. New analysis quantifies the impact of installed solar capacity and the stakes of continued investment.
The Green New Deal, a sweeping climate resolution championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle. Supporters praise its ambition, while critics call it unrealistic and socialist. The debate highlights deep divisions over how to address climate change.
Canadian startup Carbon Engineering says it has secured funding for a 30-acre direct air capture facility designed to remove as much carbon dioxide annually as 40 million trees. CEO Steve Oldham called it the largest financing round of its kind for a DAC company, with investors including Bill Gates and oil companies Chevron and Occidental Petroleum.