And the company hopes to improve the absorption (and effect) of Abbott's 431 compound by developing it as an inhaler.

FORBES: Drug warrior

But one effect of that absorption is that it turns the ocean water more acidic.

CNN: Ice shelf collapse: What does it mean?

Scientists think that the compound itself has an effect on limiting glucose absorption, which in turn helps reduce weight.

NEWYORKER: The Operator

"If it is true that the mechanism is all about rays enhancing diffuse radiation, it would mean that 'global dimming' and 'global brightening' would have a big effect on tree growth and therefore on the absorption of carbon dioxide, " warns Ms Dengel.

BBC: Earth News - Cosmic pattern to UK tree growth

But the strength of the greenhouse effect depends on the chemical composition of the atmosphere, because the phenomenon is due to the absorption of infra-red radiation by various gases in the air.

ECONOMIST: Climate change: Getting real | The