Geoscientists Kyle Nichols and Paul Bierman observed vast flooding in Namibia's western mountains and coastal plain. The rivers flowed for weeks, carrying sediment and leaving behind a landscape transformed by heavy rainfall. The researchers are studying the effects of mega-floods on erosion rates and sediment sources.
A large-scale meteorological event, an abnormal Rossby wave, sparked extreme heat in Russia and unusual downstream wind patterns that shifted rainfall in the Indian monsoon region, fueling heavy flooding in Pakistan. The study analyzed satellite data to show the connection between the two events.
A Louisiana State University researcher is leading a multi-university team to investigate how disaster-impacted communities cope with disruptions and recover from past calamities. The study aims to identify traditional elements of resilience that enable coastal societies to bounce back after traumatic events.
A study published in Science found that East Africa's climate has been under the spell of El Niño for thousands of years, with significant impacts on rainfall patterns. The research, led by Axel Timmermann and Gerald Haug, used sediment layers from Lake Challa to reconstruct the history of East African rainfall back to the Last Ice Age.
Researchers found that La Nina's cold phase leads to marginal rainfall and stronger winds in East Africa, while El Niño warm phase causes weak wind conditions with frequent rain. The study tracked climate variations to the last ice age using Lake Challa sediment cores.
A team at Georgia Tech developed an operations research model that helped CARE International pick three locations worldwide to supply relief quickly to victims of earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. The model considered capacity constraints and recommended a gradual roll-out plan, enabling CARE to reduce response time, pr...
Landsat satellites have been monitoring the Missouri River for extended periods, showing heavy rains and snowmelt causing prolonged flooding. The USGS WaterWatch website provides real-time streamflow data, highlighting the devastating impact of the flood on the region.
The Resilience Capacity Index (RCI) measures a region's ability to adapt to stress, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Northeastern and Midwestern regions tend to be more resilient due to high scores for affordability, health-insured population, and metropolitan stability.
A study using local newspapers helps identify coastal flood events in the Solent region of southern England. The research found a strong relationship between high sea levels and floods, highlighting vulnerable areas such as Portsmouth and Southampton.
Tropical Storm Beatriz is strengthening towards hurricane status, according to NASA satellite imagery, which revealed powerful thunderstorms and cloud tops cooling. The storm is expected to bring excessive rainfall, life-threatening flash floods, and mudslides to southwestern Mexico.
In June 2011, the Mississippi River reached historic levels, causing widespread flooding, with water remaining high in the floodplain. By early June, flooding had receded around Vicksburg, but the river's level was forecast to continue falling.
Researchers from Columbia University found that evaporation from the land surface can modify the frequency of summertime rainfall, but not its quantity. This discovery is crucial for understanding prolongation of hydrological extremes like floods and droughts.
The elderly are more vulnerable to negative impacts of floods and natural disasters due to age-related disabilities and social circumstances. Research highlights the importance of considering age-related needs in emergency preparedness planning to ensure better outcomes.
Sodium channels are a key component of animal nervous systems but evolved prior to their development, according to new research published in PNAS. The discovery suggests that complex traits like the nervous system can evolve gradually from pre-existing genes.
Gina Hodges, a University of Oklahoma graduate student, has been awarded $30,000 annually for three years to research flash flood prediction using next-generation radar observations and stormscale rainfall forecasts. Her goal is to improve current methods to protect public lives and property.
Recent Landsat satellite data captured by NASA and the USGS show extreme flooding of the Mississippi River around Memphis, Tenn., with a crest height of 47.87 feet, surpassing the second-highest record in 1937. The flood is expected to cause widespread damage and cost approximately $1 billion.
China's Sloping Land Conversion Program has helped restore eroded forestland while providing economic gains for farmers. The program has decreased soil erosion by up to 68% and improved the environment, but its economic benefits have been less pronounced, with some families struggling to find new work.
Researchers discovered peppermint's effectiveness in relieving Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) pain by activating the TRPM8 anti-pain channel. IBS affects 20% of Australians, causing abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive issues.
Researchers found that flood-tolerant rice plants with the Sub1A gene not only survive flooding but also recover well from drought, growing new shoots. This breakthrough could greatly benefit rice growers and consumers globally.
McGill researchers develop a cheap, portable paper-based filter to produce clean drinking water in emergency situations. The filter, coated with silver nanoparticles, is able to kill nearly all bacteria and produce water that meets EPA standards.
The symposium explores the shrinking distance between humans and nature, with increased trade and technological advancements having significant consequences for environmental sustainability. World-renowned experts will present on the topic of telecoupling, highlighting new dynamics in human-nature interactions.
A vaccine that induces antibodies in vaginal tissue is sufficient to protect monkeys from HIV exposure, challenging traditional blood-based immunity approaches. The study found mucosal antibodies can block viral entry without neutralizing effects in the bloodstream.
A new scientific study confirms that computer models at a European weather-forecasting center gave clear indications of the impending floods in Pakistan last July. The researchers found that if the information had been processed, forecasters could have predicted extremely accurate rainfall totals and even prevented some flooding.
A rogue weather system triggered flooding in Pakistan by pouring heavy rain on the barren mountainsides, which then ran into the Indus River. The World Health Organization estimated that as many as 10 million people had to drink unsafe water, causing structural damage of over $4 billion.
A Baylor University study reveals that different households in coastal communities in Belize adapt and cope with climate-related events through various behaviors and strategies. The results highlight the importance of empowerment, access to resources, and collective thinking in enhancing resilience.
The modENCODE project has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the epigenome, a complex system that regulates gene expression in eukaryotic organisms. By analyzing the epigenetics of fruit flies and round worms, researchers have gained insights into how DNA packaging affects organism development.
Recent AGU research highlights increased flood fatalities in Africa due to population trends, not climate change, as well as lake warming caused by climate change. The study also found that the ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation, while solar wind contains more oxygen than previously thought.
The ESA GlobSnow project uses satellites to map snow cover and volume globally, especially in the northern hemisphere. This provides almost real-time data on snow cover and depth, aiding in flood forecasting and climate research.
Elsevier will donate 10% of its revenue to MSF for all subscriptions to MD Consult, purchased between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, 2010. This campaign aims to provide medical assistance and support to people around the world affected by war, natural disasters, and other crises.
A study by LSU Health Sciences Center researchers found that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fish oil component, can protect brain tissue and promote recovery in acute ischemic stroke even when treatment is delayed. DHA treatment reduced swelling and facilitated neurobehavioral recovery.
A new satellite-based global map of mangrove forests reveals they make up less than previously thought, sparking motivation for stronger conservation efforts. The map also shows 75% of the world's mangroves are concentrated in just 15 countries.
Researchers found that old logging practices led to unprecedented soil erosion in southern Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains, which remains a threat despite improved practices. The study analyzed charcoal, pollen, and sediment cores to understand the impacts of fires over the last 2,000 years.
A study of 36 rivers found that human activities such as droughts and floods alter the length of food chains, particularly eliminating top predators like large-bodied fish. Climate change will exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to factor in the fate of large-bodied fishes in water management.
Rivers and streams face threats from human activities and climate change, altering their natural flow patterns and disrupting food webs. This can lead to the disappearance of large-bodied fish species, making them more vulnerable to droughts and floods.
Researchers used Doppler weather radar data to improve forecast models for monsoon systems, reducing landfall error from 200km to 75km. This enhancement can better prepare people for heavy rains and catastrophic floods in coastal areas of India.
A new study examines how river flow affects sediment movement, aiming to predict erosion and deposition in rivers. By using an innovative combination of measurements, scientists will improve understanding of sediment transport and develop techniques to prevent damage to infrastructure.
Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened with NASA's satellite data revealing high thunderstorm clouds and heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides over the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba.
Yang Hong's project aims to increase Pakistan's capacity to reduce natural disaster risks through training, research, and early warning systems. The goal is to strengthen the country's flood risk assessment and management system, supporting vulnerable communities.
Researchers are developing an early warning system for bridge failures caused by scouring, using tiny fish-inspired sensors and radar technology. The system can provide real-time information on river bottom conditions and detect minute changes in depth and density of sediment.
Tropical Storm Frank has strengthened with increasing convection and tightening thunderstorm bands. NASA's TRMM satellite revealed a deep eye wall and microwave data confirmed the storm's west-northwest trajectory. Heavy rainfall is expected over south-central Mexico, with potential flash floods and landslides.
A new project aims to enhance the accuracy of climate models by leveraging data mining techniques. The collaboration between UT and ORNL will help predict large shifts in regional climate patterns and improve predictions of severe meteorological and hydrological events.
A Purdue University study finds that controlling urban growth and increasing forested land are effective ways to decrease future water runoff and flooding. The model simulated Michigan's Muskegon River watershed runoff rates and forecasted their impact on rivers and streams over the next 30 years.
Researchers found that emodin from Chinese herbs can lower blood glucose and serum insulin levels in mice with diet-induced obesity. The herb's active compound effectively limits the effect of glucocorticoids, which contribute to insulin resistance.
NASA's TRMM satellite is monitoring heavy rainfall and potential flooding in southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi due to Tropical Depression Five's remnants. Rainfall amounts of up to five inches are possible, with isolated areas experiencing even more intense downpours.
Researchers used satellite data to calculate the amount of water in the Amazon River floodplain, finding an average of 285 cubic kilometers per year. This discovery highlights the complexity of measuring water volumes in remote regions and underscores the need for further research on global water supplies.
Researchers are collecting high-tech sensing data from various sources to create a reliable early-warning system for train operators. The goal is to predict natural disasters and possible terror attacks on rail lines.
The September-October issue of GSA Bulletin explores various geological topics, including fast erosion during floods and improving the Earth's geological time scale fidelity. A study on the West Mariana Ridge reveals new insights into its geomorphology and processes.
Scientists present new data estimating motion of the Sagaing fault and study river deposits to understand flood frequency and magnitude. Researchers also explore enigmatic volcanism and find evidence for cryogenic origin of brine in southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
Tropical Depression 2-E is close to land, bringing heavy rain to western Mexican coast states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. Tropical Storm Blas has strengthened into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph, expected to strengthen further over the next 48 hours.
NASA satellite imagery captures Tropical Depression 2-E and System 92E near western Mexican coast. The system is expected to produce heavy rain and life-threatening flash floods along the immediate coast of Oaxaca.
Research led by the University of Exeter finds that climate change is increasing hazard risks in mountainous regions, including glacier loss and rock-fall activity. The study's findings highlight the need for increased public awareness and preparedness to mitigate the impacts of climate-related hazards.
Tropical Cyclone Phet weakened after making landfall in Oman and is now headed towards a second landfall in Pakistan. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased to 65 knots (74 mph), down from its previous Category Four strength.
Tropical Storm Agatha brought heavy rains to El Salvador and Guatemala, causing over 100 deaths and forcing 70,000 people to evacuate. The storm's remnants have entered the northwestern Caribbean Sea with only a 10% chance of reforming into a tropical cyclone due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
Researchers used systems biology approaches to study how hematopoietic cells react to high levels of erythropoietin. They found that the cells rapidly take up and break down the hormone, replenishing their receptors in a continuous process. This understanding may lead to developing more effective anemia treatments.
The project will investigate the lower reach of the river and its offshore plume, measuring elements such as carbon, nutrients, and microorganisms. The goal is to develop a carbon cycle model that links the upriver microbial system with the offshore plume.
Researchers found evidence of four 'megafloods' in Glacial Lake Atna, which breached ice dams and released up to 1,400 cubic kilometers of water. The floods formed massive dunes over 110 feet high, with some still visible on topographical maps.
Research on Martian impact craters reveals a complex geologic history involving liquid water, ice, volcanism, tectonism, and aeolian processes. Additionally, studies of floods from Pleistocene Glacial Lake Missoula and volcanic activity in Guatemala provide insights into Earth's crust formation and plate tectonic processes.
Research papers published in Geophysical Research Letters reveal changing precipitation patterns in Europe, increased gully activity on Mars indicating liquid water, and thick water ice observed in lunar craters near the Moon's north pole. These findings suggest potential impacts on flooding and climate change.
Dr. Graciela Chichilnisky's research provides solid foundations for better preparing the public and experts for catastrophic events like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods. Her team has developed new tools in probability and statistics to rank risks, prioritize decisions, and evaluate economic after-effects of disasters.
TRMM data revealed that Cyclone Ului brought heavy rainfall to western Queensland, with estimates suggesting 5.1-7.0 inches of rain fell in some areas. The satellite's precipitation radar and microwave radiometers provided detailed insights into the cyclone's track and potential flooding.