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An injective resolution is an exact sequence starting with a sheaf and continuing with injective sheaves. It is constructed by successively embedding each quotient in an injective sheaf. Taking global sections and then cohomology computes sheaf cohomology; in particular an injective sheaf has zero higher cohomology.

We prove the vanishing by an injective resolution of sheaves and the flasque-kernel section-lifting lemma.

For a short exact sequence of sheaves $0\to \mathcal{F}\to \mathcal{G}\to \mathcal{H}\to 0$ with flasque kernel, every section of $\mathcal{H}$ on an open set lifts to $\mathcal{G}$ there. Indeed choose a maximal partial lift by the Zorn lemma, using the sheaf gluing axiom on chains. At any point outside its domain choose a local lift. The difference on the overlap is a section of $\mathcal{F}$ and extends to the new open set by flasqueness; subtract that extension from the new lift and glue. Maximality forces the lift's domain to be the whole open set. Thus taking sections preserves this short exact sequence.

Every injective sheaf is flasque: for $U\subseteq V$, the monomorphism between the extension by zero sheaves ${\mathbb{Z}}_U\hookrightarrow {\mathbb{Z}}_V$ and the defining extension property of injectivity make the restriction $\mathcal{J}(V)\to \mathcal{J}(U)$ surjective. Embed $\mathcal{F}$ into an injective sheaf $\mathcal{J}$. The quotient $\mathcal{Q}$ is flasque as well: lift a section of $\mathcal{Q}$ on a smaller open to $\mathcal{J}$, extend it in $\mathcal{J}$, and project.

The long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology now gives $H^1(X,\mathcal{F})=0$, since $\Gamma (X,\mathcal{J})\to \Gamma (X,\mathcal{Q})$ is surjective, and for $i\ge 2$ gives $H^i(X,\mathcal{F})\cong H^{i-1}(X,\mathcal{Q})$, since injectives have zero positive-degree derived functors. Repeat the construction for the flasque quotient. After finitely many such shifts any specified positive degree reduces to a vanishing first group. HenceNo separation, compactness or scheme hypothesis is used.