New research has shown that warming temperatures in some regions of the UK are the main drivers of increases in extreme short-duration rainfall intensities, which tend to occur in summer and cause dangerous flash flooding. New research by Newcastle University has shown that warming temperatures in some regions of the UK are the main drivers…

By 2050, faster adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and faster generation of renewable energy will result in 99% less fossil fuel consumed and 93% less CO2 emissions from passenger and freight vehicles on Oahu. McKenzie, based at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute in SOEST, created mathematical models of four scenarios based on projections for the…

Although wastewater disposal has been the primary driving force behind increased earthquake activity in southern Kansas since 2013, a new study concludes that the disposal has not significantly changed the orientation of stress in the Earth’s crust in the region. Activities like wastewater disposal can alter pore pressure, shape and size within rock layers, in…

Range anxiety with electric commercial vehicles is real, since running out of battery can have serious consequences. Researchers have developed tools to help electric delivery-vehicles navigate strategically to use as little energy as possible. The secret lies in looking beyond just the distance traveled, and instead focusing on overall energy usage — and has led…

Rare earth elements are finding their way into Colorado water supplies, driven by changes in climate, finds new research. Rare earth elements are necessary components of many computing and other high-tech devices, like cell phones and hard drives. But there is growing recognition that they can be hazardous in the environment even at low levels…

Coconut trees grow slowly and are difficult to clone. Scientists a multiplied seedlings faster and conserved coconut genetic resources for the long term. This will help preserve coconut tree biodiversity and meet the increasing demand for coconuts and derived products. The coconut is the sixth most cultivated fruit on earth and demand for it continues…

While farmers have the capacity to drive species conservation worldwide, their true potential is yet to be fully realized. An international team of researchers shows how this can change. The researchers interviewed 560 farmers around the world to find out what they know about their local pollinator diversity and their engagement in the issue. The…

The summer 2018 eruption of Kilauea Volcano on the Island of Hawai’i was one of the most significant in the volcano’s history, collapsing a large portion of the summit caldera, erupting massively from its flank and triggering a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in the process. Through it all, scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory were installing…

As climate change pushes many cities towards dangerous temperatures, planners are scrambling to mitigate excessive heat. One strategy is to replace artificial surfaces with vegetation cover. In water-limited regions, municipalities have to balance the benefit of cooler temperatures with using precious water for irrigation. A new study will make those decisions easier for the semi-arid…

A new, internet-connected lighting system for greenhouses could sharply reduce a farmer’s electrical bill, according to a study by University of Georgia researchers. Recently published in Plants, the study showed that a predictive lighting control system could optimize lighting for plants by predicting sunlight and only running the lights when needed. The data showed that…