Something to Chew on: Researchers Look Inside Cow Stomachs for a Leg up on Next-Gen Biofuels
By analyzing samples taken directly from a cow's cellulose-digesting foregut, the authors of a new study elucidated a new catalogue of nearly 30,000 enzymes that could lead to more efficient production of cellulosic biofuel
Spruce Up: Researchers Pinpoint Genes That Give Pine-Killing Fungus Immunity to Host Tree Defenses
A genome-level understanding of how the fungus Grosmannia clavigera, a symbiont of the mountain pine beetle, withstands its host tree's chemical defenses could help ecological modelers better forecast the range and extent of the epidemic
Experts Criticize Evidence Used to Diagnose a Suspected Leak at One of the World's Largest CO2 Storage Sites
Citing a lack of information, scientists argue a consultant's conclusion that Saskatchewan's Weyburn oil field is leaking greenhouse gas is unfounded
More than a game: Researchers design video games that feature real microorganisms
Artificial Genes Used to Replace Missing DNA Keep Cells Alive
In another step for synthetic biology, genes designed in the lab and not seen in nature have been used by researchers to rescue bacterial cells from death
Paying Waste: Sewage Contains More Usable Energy Than Scientists Thought
A new study finds a previous estimate of wastewater's potential as a renewable energy source "a substantial underestimation"
A Key Series of Events Helped Giffords Survive a Gunshot Wound to the Head
The nature of the congresswoman's injury, along with prompt emergency care kept her alive
What's the Catch? Researchers Wrangle Over How to Measure Commercial Fishing's Impact on Ocean Biodiversity
Two recent studies highlight a debate within the world of marine fisheries science over how to interpret available fisheries data
Ocean acidification may disrupt the marine nitrogen cycle
Bumpy humpback flippers inspire new tidal turbine design
The Truth about the Risks to Freshwater Aquifers Posed by Underground Carbon Sequestration
Rather than raising alarm, new study results could help pave the way toward better methods for monitoring geologic carbon sequestration areas and detecting CO2 leaks
Rooting Out CO2: Scientists Isolate a Gene That Boosts Plant Root Growth
Researchers have found a gene that promotes faster-growing and larger roots, which could lead to plants with a robuster ability to sequester excess atmospheric carbon
In a new documentary, Bjorn Lomborg says "Cool It"
The Heat Was On: Atmospheric CO2 Triggered a Global Warming Event 40 Million Years Ago
In a new study scientists used "paleothermometers" to gauge CO2 and temperatures that prevailed during a long-lived primordial global warming event, and found CO2 to be the culprit
Color Bind: A New Study Finds Wind Turbine Color May Play a Role in Bat Fatality Rate
Could purple wind turbines decrease the carnage wreaked in the night by looming towers with spinning blades on Halloween's iconic flying mammals?
A Cut-and-Dry Forecast: U.S. Southwest's Dry Spell May Become Long-Lasting and Intensify as Climate Change Takes Hold
A new analysis using a standard drought index augurs that by the end of the century devastating drought conditions will take hold over much of the populated areas of the world
New research confirms global surface winds are slowing, blames land use changes
Flower Power: Genetic Modification Could Amply Boost Plants' Carbon-Capture and Bioenergy Capacity
A new review sums up options for increasing global carbon sequestration by flora and speculates that genetically engineering crops and trees could enhance the process, trapping gigatons of the greenhouse gas as well as increasing bioenergy production
The Art of Tiny Tech: The 2010 Microscopic Photo Competition Prizewinners
The participants of the 36th annual Nikon microscopic photography competition won prizes for minuscule masterpieces rendering really close close-ups of everything from mosquito hearts and rat retinas to soy sauce and soap film
Massive offshore wind-power backbone inspired by marine scientist's model
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Casts for Collaboration in Its New Climate Change Response Plan
The plan emphasizes the need to share knowledge and scientific capacity, and establishes a new type of conservation partnership. But will it work in practice?
Tinker Joys: DIYers Turn Inspiration into Everything from Bamboo Bikes to Urban Rooftop Cosmic-Ray Detectors
At the World Maker Faire a panel discussion highlighted how scientists depend on nonscientists and their off-campus innovations