Latest news with #EnvironmentalResearchLetters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers develop plants with genetically enhanced roots to help combat global crisis: 'We propose a new approach'
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studied genetically enhanced crops as a tool to remove carbon from the atmosphere. The next-generation crops could capture about 1 gigaton of carbon annually, the team of researchers proposed. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world will need to remove 5 to 16 gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere annually to achieve net-zero emissions by the end of the century. This achievement also requires curbing dirty energy and carbon pollution at the source. Not addressing this pollution could result in an increase in extreme weather events, drought, disease, and more. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) addresses pollution, and the researchers' study that was published in Environmental Research Letters aimed to determine effective CDR strategies and scale these strategies to achieve net-zero emissions. The team discovered genetically enhanced crops could capture carbon on a big scale, making them a promising solution. The crops –– which include soybeans and corn –– are altered to grow larger, deeper roots, the researchers described. These root systems allow the crops to store more carbon in the soil surrounding them since roots can hold about five times more carbon than plant material above ground. Compared to other CDR technologies, the large-rooted crops have more potential to address pollution, the team of researchers argues. Agricultural innovations –– like these crops –– are historically adopted quickly and do not require expensive infrastructure. The scientists suggested "existing seed companies and farmer extension programs" could implement the genetically enhanced crops. While this innovation could face setbacks since genetically modified crops exist on just about 13% of agricultural lands, other agricultural technologies –– like drought detection –– have managed rising temperatures too. These technologies can work together, and determining how to scale them, which the researchers considered, will prove crucial to achieving net-zero emissions. "We propose a new approach for estimating scalability rooted in insights about how technologies emerge and diffuse into service under real-world conditions," the researchers wrote. Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Lower energy bills Better temperature control Helping the planet I'd never buy a heat pump Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Russia Today
24-05-2025
- Science
- Russia Today
Scientists outline ‘nuclear winter' scenario
Apart from killing millions, a war between Russia and the US could result in a 'nuclear winter' that would devastate the Earth's atmosphere and lead to a drastic reduction in agricultural production, a group of American scientists has said. A team led by an assistant research professor at Pennsylvania State University, Yuning Shi, published the results of their stimulation of a war between the two largest nuclear powers in an article in Environmental Research Letters earlier this month. According to the paper, 'a global nuclear war' could see up to 150 million tons of soot released into the atmosphere, leading to 'prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse, and social upheaval on an unprecedented scale.' In such a scenario, precipitation and solar radiation would decrease by as much as 70% globally, resulting in the average air temperature dropping by over 15 degrees Celsius, it said. Due to this 'nuclear winter', the annual production of maize, which the scientists focused on, could decrease by as much as 80%, the paper said. Supply chains and trade could also be seriously disrupted, further worsening the situation in the agricultural sector and leading to regional or global famine, the researchers stressed. According to their estimates, it would take from seven to 12 years to restore food production levels. Understanding the possible damage from a nuclear exchange and preparing for it is 'critical' given current geopolitical trends, including the Ukraine conflict, the tensions between India and Pakistan, and instability in the Middle East that have 'undermined the fragile detente that prevailed during the last years of the Cold War,' the paper stressed. Shi and his colleagues proposed to develop what they called 'Agricultural Resilience Kits' of region- and climate-specific seeds and technology packages to serve as a 'buffer against uncertainty' in case of a 'nuclear winter'. Last month, Nikolay Patrushev, national security adviser to President Vladimir Putin, accused Western powers of 'deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios.' Moscow has repeatedly denied claims by the US and EU of planning to use nuclear weapons during the Ukraine conflict. However, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine in 2023, allowing for the use of such arms as a deterrent to prevent aggression by hostile powers and military blocs that possess weapons of mass destruction or large arsenals of conventional weapons.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Scientists outline nuclear winter scenario
The aftermath following an exchange of nukes could include prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse and social upheaval, a study has said Apart from killing millions, a war between Russia and the US could result in a 'nuclear winter' that would devastate the Earth's atmosphere and lead to a drastic reduction in agricultural production, a group of American scientists has said. A team led by an assistant research professor at Pennsylvania State University, Yuning Shi, published the results of their stimulation of a war between the two largest nuclear powers in an article in Environmental Research Letters earlier this month. According to the paper, "a global nuclear war" could see up to 150 million tons of soot released into the atmosphere, leading to "prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse, and social upheaval on an unprecedented scale." In such a scenario, precipitation and solar radiation would decrease by as much as 70% globally, resulting in the average air temperature dropping by over 15 degrees Celsius, it said. Due to this 'nuclear winter', the annual production of maize, which the scientists focused on, could decrease by as much as 80%, the paper said. Supply chains and trade could also be seriously disrupted, further worsening the situation in the agricultural sector and leading to regional or global famine, the researchers stressed. According to their estimates, it would take from seven to 12 years to restore food production levels. Understanding the possible damage from a nuclear exchange and preparing for it is "critical" given current geopolitical trends, including the Ukraine conflict, the tensions between India and Pakistan, and instability in the Middle East that have "undermined the fragile detente that prevailed during the last years of the Cold War," the paper stressed. Shi and his colleagues proposed to develop what they called 'Agricultural Resilience Kits' of region- and climate-specific seeds and technology packages to serve as a "buffer against uncertainty" in case of a 'nuclear winter'. Last month, Nikolay Patrushev, national security adviser to President Vladimir Putin, accused Western powers of "deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios." Moscow has repeatedly denied claims by the US and EU of planning to use nuclear weapons during the Ukraine conflict. However, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine in 2023, allowing for the use of such arms as a deterrent to prevent aggression by hostile powers and military blocs that possess weapons of mass destruction or large arsenals of conventional weapons. (
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Scientists outline possible nuclear winter scenario
The aftermath following an exchange of nukes could include prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse and social upheaval, a study has said Apart from killing millions, a war between Russia and the US could result in a 'nuclear winter' that would devastate the Earth's atmosphere and lead to a drastic reduction in agricultural production, a group of American scientists has said. A team led by an assistant research professor at Pennsylvania State University, Yuning Shi, published the results of their stimulation of a war between the two largest nuclear powers in an article in Environmental Research Letters earlier this month. According to the paper, "a global nuclear war" could see up to 150 million tons of soot released into the atmosphere, leading to "prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse, and social upheaval on an unprecedented scale." In such a scenario, precipitation and solar radiation would decrease by as much as 70% globally, resulting in the average air temperature dropping by over 15 degrees Celsius, it said. Due to this 'nuclear winter', the annual production of maize, which the scientists focused on, could decrease by as much as 80%, the paper said. Supply chains and trade could also be seriously disrupted, further worsening the situation in the agricultural sector and leading to regional or global famine, the researchers stressed. According to their estimates, it would take from seven to 12 years to restore food production levels. Understanding the possible damage from a nuclear exchange and preparing for it is "critical" given current geopolitical trends, including the Ukraine conflict, the tensions between India and Pakistan, and instability in the Middle East that have "undermined the fragile detente that prevailed during the last years of the Cold War," the paper stressed. Shi and his colleagues proposed to develop what they called 'Agricultural Resilience Kits' of region- and climate-specific seeds and technology packages to serve as a "buffer against uncertainty" in case of a 'nuclear winter'. Last month, Nikolay Patrushev, national security adviser to President Vladimir Putin, accused Western powers of "deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios." READ MORE: Israel could strike Iranian nuclear facilities CNN Moscow has repeatedly denied claims by the US and EU of planning to use nuclear weapons during the Ukraine conflict. However, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine in 2023, allowing for the use of such arms as a deterrent to prevent aggression by hostile powers and military blocs that possess weapons of mass destruction or large arsenals of conventional weapons. (
Russia Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- Russia Today
Scientists outline possible ‘nuclear winter' scenario
Apart from killing millions, a war between Russia and the US could result in a 'nuclear winter' that would devastate the Earth's atmosphere and lead to a drastic reduction in agricultural production, a group of American scientists has said. A team led by an assistant research professor at Pennsylvania State University, Yuning Shi, published the results of their stimulation of a war between the two largest nuclear powers in an article in Environmental Research Letters earlier this month. According to the paper, 'a global nuclear war' could see up to 150 million tons of soot released into the atmosphere, leading to 'prolonged cooling, agricultural collapse, and social upheaval on an unprecedented scale.' In such a scenario, precipitation and solar radiation would decrease by as much as 70% globally, resulting in the average air temperature dropping by over 15 degrees Celsius, it said. Due to this 'nuclear winter', the annual production of maize, which the scientists focused on, could decrease by as much as 80%, the paper said. Supply chains and trade could also be seriously disrupted, further worsening the situation in the agricultural sector and leading to regional or global famine, the researchers stressed. According to their estimates, it would take from seven to 12 years to restore food production levels. Understanding the possible damage from a nuclear exchange and preparing for it is 'critical' given current geopolitical trends, including the Ukraine conflict, the tensions between India and Pakistan, and instability in the Middle East that have 'undermined the fragile detente that prevailed during the last years of the Cold War,' the paper stressed. Shi and his colleagues proposed to develop what they called 'Agricultural Resilience Kits' of region- and climate-specific seeds and technology packages to serve as a 'buffer against uncertainty' in case of a 'nuclear winter'. Last month, Nikolay Patrushev, national security adviser to President Vladimir Putin, accused Western powers of 'deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios.' Moscow has repeatedly denied claims by the US and EU of planning to use nuclear weapons during the Ukraine conflict. However, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine in 2023, allowing for the use of such arms as a deterrent to prevent aggression by hostile powers and military blocs that possess weapons of mass destruction or large arsenals of conventional weapons.
