Plants, like other organisms, can be severely affected by heat stress. To increase their chances of survival, they activate the heat shock response, a molecular pathway also employed by human and animal cells for stress protection. Researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now discovered that plant steroid hormones can promote this response in plants.

Conventional wet-chemistry methods used to create biocidal materials are complex, time-consuming, and expensive. In the Journal of Applied Physics, researchers present a tutorial in which they explore a promising alternative called plasma-enabled surface engineering. The technology relies on nonequilibrium plasma that produces chemical reactions to change the properties at the material surface. Reactions can be manipulated by adjusting electric power for surface activation, coating deposition, and surface nanostructuring of virtually any solid material.

Research led by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has revealed frequent storm activity in coastal areas is a previously unrecognised way in which deforestation can increase flooding. The study found the frequency of thunderstorms in some fast-growing African coastal cities has doubled over the past 30 years, with much of this increase linked to the impact of deforestation on the local climate.

Meteorological data collected from polar regions is essential for forecasting climate and weather using operational numerical weather prediction (NWPs) models. One of the instruments in the meteorological observation network, radiosondes provide an atmospheric vertical profile. More radiosondes would improve NWPs but increasing observation cover and frequency needs significant resources. Scientists have successfully gathered high-quality data comparable to radiosonde observations using a modified commercially-available drone, opening doors to improved weather prediction.

In a new study published in Science Advances, University of Montana researchers found that climate change drives native trout declines by reducing stream habitat and facilitating the expansion of invasive trout species.

Given the diverse components of soil — minerals, organic matter, living organisms, gasses and water — scientists have struggled for decades to figure out the ecology and function of soil microorganisms.

Deforestation scenarios show the importance of secondary forest for meeting Panama’s carbon goals