Global coverage from our correspondents.
Science
NASA's InSight lander has successfully deployed its solar arrays after a dramatic entry into the Martian atmosphere, securing power for its upcoming surface operations. The mission team is now preparing to select instrument deployment sites, with scientific data collection expected to begin in a few months.
Science
A.P. Moller-Maersk has agreed to sell Denmark's final oil company to France's Total for $7.45 billion, marking the end of Danish corporate ownership of domestic fossil fuel extraction. The deal follows Dong Energy's earlier sale of its oil and gas assets, as Danish firms pivot toward renewables while foreign giants continue North Sea production.
Science
A new study reveals that ozone levels in middle and lower latitudes have unexpectedly declined over the past two decades, despite the success of the Montreal Protocol. Scientists are investigating possible causes, including unregulated chemicals and flaws in atmospheric models.
Science
Apple has submitted formal comments to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, citing financial and environmental concerns. The filing, reported by Reuters, underscores how major corporations are engaging in federal climate policy debates.
Science
A team from Durham University and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has proposed a unified theoretical model for solar eruptions, suggesting that magnetic reconnection above the sun's surface drives both small coronal jets and large coronal mass ejections. Published in Nature, the 'breakout model' could improve space weather forecasting and help protect satellites and astronauts from severe solar storms.
Science
Researchers at MIT and Georgia Tech have designed a thermal energy storage system using molten silicon in an insulated tank, capable of storing excess renewable energy and delivering it on demand. Their early projections suggest a single unit could support a community of 100,000 homes, addressing a key challenge in the transition to renewable energy.
Science
New federal labor projections place wind turbine technicians and solar photovoltaic installers among the top three fastest-growing U.S. occupations through 2030, signaling a shift toward renewable energy employment. The data, updated in late 2021, comes as gasoline prices hit record highs and policymakers push for energy independence.
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At the Petersburg Climate Dialogues in Berlin, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged ministers from 40 countries to choose collective action over 'collective suicide' in addressing the climate crisis. He highlighted that no nation is immune to extreme weather, but vulnerable regions face disproportionate risks.
Science
At CES 2024, Sunflare showcased a solar wrap for the Tesla Cybertruck that could add 12 to 18 miles of range per day. The $10,000 option includes a 5 kW inverter, though real-world benefits may be limited. This comes as Tesla's own solar roof plans remain unrealized.
Science
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have developed a method to chemically modify DNA, enabling the creation of new materials such as hydrogels. The technique uses engineered polymerase enzymes and click chemistry to attach functional groups, opening potential applications in drug delivery and cell culture. The findings were published in Angewandte Chemie.
