Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Earth & Environment
Animal capital: a new way to define human-animal bond in view of global changes and food insecurity
"Animal capital" recognizes animals' contributions beyond material value, crucial for human survival. Recognizing material, natural, social, and cultural capital promotes biodiversity and sustainability.
Intense bottom trawling impairs carbon storage in marine sediments
This is a "Behind the Paper" post for our recently published paper "Long-term carbon storage in shelf sea sediments reduced by intensive bottom trawling" in Nature Geoscience.
Porphyry copper formation driven by water-fluxed melting during flat-slab subduction
Many major porphyry copper deposits formed during periods of flat-slab subduction, however, the mechanism to explain this has remained unclear. Here we show that porphyry copper deposits in Arizona formed from crustal melting due to the interaction of volatiles derived from the Farallon flat-slab.
One Stone, Two Birds: Detection and Understanding of Atmospheric Rivers
We use the same variable to detect and understand atmospheric rivers, killing two birds with one stone.
Highly efficient solar steam evaporation via elastic polymer covalent organic frameworks monolith
Elastic polymer covalent organic frameworks (PP-PEG) have been developed for efficient solar steam evaporation, which is expected to solve the problem of water scarcity.
Plastic pollution is infiltrating coral ecosystems in the ocean.
Microplastics alter crystal growth in coral skeleton structures. Our study reveals the concerning impact of polyethylene microplastics in oceans, emphasizing the urgent threat they pose to Briareum violacea corals. Rising pollution levels may harm coral skeletal growth and overall health.
Atmospheric rivers and the upper ocean
Using an eddy-resolving ocean coupled to a high resolution atmosphere, we find that atmospheric rivers significantly influence upper ocean processes, and the nature of these impacts change as the climate warms.
Impact of residential solid fuel usage and fuel conversion on children’s lung function
Solid fuel combustion exposure is a leading global health risk factor, yet evidence on its effects, especially on vulnerable children, is sparse. Our study highlights the adverse impact of solid fuel usage on children and the need to promote clean fuel usage for this vulnerable population.