A new study recommends four cost-effective methods to reduce arsenic contamination in Bangladesh, including testing and drilling medium-depth wells. The strategies could help more people at a lower cost, with the goal of improving public health and lives.
Researchers identified long-term global effects on water supplies, with drying soils in North America and Eurasia, and wetter regions like the Indian subcontinent. The study suggests severe consequences for humans as warmer temperatures intensify droughts in dry regions.
A new study suggests that ocean warming may lead to faster carbon recycling, reducing the deep ocean's ability to store carbon. In many regions, bacteria consume plankton at shallower depths than previously thought, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
A new study published in Science Advances uses urine salts to reconstruct the history of animal domestication at an ancient site in Turkey. The research suggests that the transition from hunting to herding occurred around 10,000 years ago, with a rapid increase in human and animal density.
A new study links a slowdown of the Atlantic Ocean current to a massive buildup of carbon in the deep ocean. This buildup cooled the planet and triggered a series of ice ages that lasted for hundreds of thousands of years. The research suggests that if this current continues to slow, it may not help store carbon emissions.
A new study finds that Hurricane Maria's damage to trees in Puerto Rico was unprecedented, with big, old trees suffering the worst. The study suggests that more frequent storms whipped up by a warming climate could permanently alter forests across the Atlantic tropics.
A new study reveals that the Atlantic Ocean's conveyor belt is slowing down, with some scientists fearing it could lead to dramatic temperature drops in Europe and exacerbate hurricanes. The research suggests that past changes in ocean circulation patterns may have preceded major climate shifts by several centuries.
Researchers suggest that coffee farmers can maximize their profits by adopting shade-growing practices, which provide ecosystem services and reduce the need for agrochemicals. This approach can result in higher quality coffee beans with a price premium, offsetting lower yields.
A new study finds that rain is becoming increasingly common over parts of the Greenland ice sheet, triggering sudden melting events. The researchers estimate that nearly a third of total runoff is initiated by rainfall, leading to more widespread future melting.
Researchers have identified key aspects of planetary motions from a period around 200 million years ago, pushing the record back further than ever before. They used geological records to create a 'Geological Orrery', a precise history of solar system changes that can be extrapolated into the future.
A new study reveals that fecal bacteria from sewage are thriving in near-shore sediments of the Hudson River, with potential health risks for swimmers and kayakers. The researchers found high levels of bacteria in both water and sediment at some sites, suggesting an interchange between the two.
A recent study found that urbanization is weakening the shoreline of New York City's Jamaica Bay wetlands, causing erosion and loss of vital mineral sediment. The marshes are being drained of essential sediments, leading to their gradual but dramatic disintegration.
Scientists discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test in 2017 set off aftershocks over eight months, providing insight into the physics of nuclear explosions and how natural earthquakes can be triggered. The analysis used new methods to pinpoint the locations of the quakes with greater precision, revealing a hidden fracture.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment highlights the dangers of peace in Colombia, where deforestation rates are surpassing those of Brazil, and climate change poses a threat to isolated mountain ecosystems. Mining activities also pose environmental problems.
A study published in Science Advances suggests replacing rice with alternative crops like maize, finger millet, or sorghum could reduce irrigation water demand by 33 percent while improving iron and zinc production. However, more research is needed to evaluate the potential benefits on a case-by-case basis for each district.
Scientists discovered that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet regrew in recent history due to a previously unknown mechanism involving its own shrinking and crustal uplift. The findings contradict previous assumptions and suggest that global sea levels may decrease due to ice sheet readvances.
A new study found that urbanization and climate change are driving off low-lying morning clouds in southern California, leading to increased wildfire risk. The decrease in cloud cover correlates with lower vegetation moisture and higher fire danger.
A new study reveals that C4 plants, which dominate Australia's landscape, first expanded around 3.5 million years ago due to a strengthened summer monsoon. The research suggests that human influence on the atmosphere will play a significant role in shaping ecosystems in the future.
Scientists have documented a 405,000-year climate cycle in ancient rocks, which repeats every 405,000 years and plays a role in natural climate swings. The cycle is believed to result from a complex interplay with the gravitational influences of Venus and Jupiter.
Scientists confirm the 100th meridian as a real divide between population and agriculture on opposite sides. Climate change is pushing this boundary eastward, expanding aridity into the Midwest, with significant implications for farming and land use.
A new study reveals that palm trees can thrive in regions as cold as Washington DC, with an average temperature above 2 degrees Celsius. The study's findings suggest that palms are sensitive indicators of changing climates and can provide insights into past temperatures.
A new study projects that high humidity in many regions will dramatically increase in coming decades, surpassing humans' ability to work or survive. Potentially affected areas include the southeastern US, Amazon, Africa, and eastern China, with hundreds of millions of people facing severe human impact.
A new study proposes swapping crop distributions on existing farmland to meet growing food demand and reduce water stress, resulting in a 10% increase in calorie production and 19% more protein. The proposed changes would generate substantial water savings for 42 countries, including Australia, India, and South Africa.
Researchers found that ancient volcanic eruptions caused significant melting of the northern European ice sheet, with some eruptions leading to 20 centimeters of ice loss. The study suggests that modern ice sheets may be vulnerable to similar effects, highlighting a potential positive feedback loop between volcanism and climate change.
A new study predicts that global warming will extend the range of the southern pine beetle, a tree-killing insect, through much of the northern US and southern Canada. The beetle's spread is threatened by rising winter temperatures, which could lead to loss of biodiversity, iconic forests, and damage to tourism and forestry industries.
Researchers have mapped a geologic structure off Alaska's seafloor that suggests high tsunami danger, with similar features found in Japan and potentially elsewhere in the Pacific. The discovery highlights the need for better understanding of subduction zones and their potential hazards.
A new study finds that rising temperatures will make it harder for many aircraft to take off, with some planes needing to dump weight or wait for cooler hours. The study projects widespread effects on aviation, particularly in hotter parts of the world.
A new study models sea-level rise along North America's East Coast, including the impact of Greenland and Antarctica's melting ice. The researchers found that contributions to ocean volume from ice melt accelerate sea levels in the southern U.S. East Coast, while changing ocean dynamics drive rises in the northern part.
A new survey found nearly 700 seasonal systems of interconnected ponds, channels and braided streams fringing Antarctica on all sides. The study reveals that warming projected for this century could quickly magnify the influence of these meltwater systems on sea level.
Scientists have found evidence of severe droughts in the Mideast during past warm periods, with rainfall plummeting to a fifth of modern levels. The findings suggest that the region is already experiencing dire drought and may become even drier as climate warms.
Researchers found that the lake was six times larger and water levels were 60 meters higher than present during the early and middle Holocene period. The shifting monsoon likely altered the course of early human cultures in China, leading to changes in ecosystems and population dynamics.
Researchers S. George Philander and Mark A. Cane developed a key insight that the Pacific Ocean's weather balance swings seesaw-like between extremes, leading to practical forecasts of El Niño events. Their work enabled institutions worldwide to monitor warning signs for crop planting, disease control, and floods or droughts.
A new study uses airborne ice-penetrating radar to observe meltwater's year-round life under the Greenland ice. The research reveals extensive winter water storage beneath the ice, which affects glaciers' response to melting.
A study found that the Greenland ice sheet nearly disappeared for extended periods in the last million years, challenging previous assumptions about its stability. The finding implies global warming could tip it into decline rapidly, causing rapid sea-level rise.
A new study found that melting permafrost during a past warming spike led to the massive release of stored carbon into the atmosphere, with severe deepening of the active layer and enhanced microbial respiration. The research provides crucial insights into how permafrost will respond to future climate change.
A new study has found heightened concentrations of common substances in drinking water near fracking sites in Pennsylvania. The researchers suggest underground disturbances that could be harbingers of eventual water-quality problems.
A recent study suggests that a tear in the Earth's crust is the primary driver of undersea volcanic eruptions. The research team analyzed seismic data and underwater microphones from an eruption at the East Pacific Rise, finding that violent popping noises were triggered by the emergence of lava on the seafloor.
A recent study analyzing seized African elephant tusks confirms that nearly all come from animals killed less than three years prior to seizure. The findings support evidence of widespread poaching and undermine the idea that many tusks are illegally recycled from older stockpiles.
Researchers have discovered tiny glass droplets in New Jersey sediment layers that could be linked to an extraterrestrial object hitting Earth. The finding is consistent with previous work suggesting an impact triggered the PETM, a period of rapid warming comparable to modern human-induced climate change.
Ancient leaves reveal that carbon dioxide levels increased dramatically as the ice sheet began to deteriorate, raising questions about its stability today. The study found a rapid decline in ice extent over a short period, similar to modern times, where CO2 concentrations are rising.
A new study reveals that human-induced climate change has doubled the area affected by forest fires in the U.S. West over the last 30 years. The study found that heightened temperatures and resulting aridity have caused fires to spread across an additional 16,000 square miles than they otherwise would have.
A new study found that letters of recommendation for women in STEM fields are less likely to portray them as outstanding candidates compared to men. The study analyzed 1,224 letters from over 500 institutions worldwide and found that women were only half as likely to receive excellent recommendations.
Researchers found high calcium-to-aluminum ratios in olivine and diamond inclusions, suggesting a connection between the chemistry of tiny carbon-rich fluids trapped within diamonds and those that form HIMU islands. The study suggests that material from diamond-forming regions journeys to earth's core and back up to form such islands.
A new study finds that rising Antarctic temperatures will lead to more snowfall, which could help mitigate global sea level rise. By mid-century, the effect of human-induced warming on Antarctica's net snow accumulation is expected to emerge above natural climate variability.
A new study from Columbia University and MIT found that large-scale groundwater pumping is contaminating aquifers in Southeast Asia with high levels of arsenic, posing a significant risk to human health. The researchers discovered clear patterns of contamination that can help farmers and communities locate lower-risk sites for wells.
Scientists warn that tropical cyclones will become stronger as temperatures rise due to a decrease in aerosols. This trend has been masked by air pollution, but is expected to become apparent in the future. Computer models predict an increase in intense storms and coastal flooding.
Scientists have identified a subduction zone beneath Bangladesh, where two tectonic plates are slowly thrusting under each other. The resulting strain could lead to an earthquake magnitude of up to 9, affecting over 140 million people in the region.
A new study has found that smaller-scale processes in the Earth's mantle have a more significant impact on plate tectonics than previously thought. The research used high-resolution imaging to map the flow of the mantle beneath the ocean's tectonic plates, revealing that convection channels play a crucial role in driving plate movement.
New evidence suggests that ocean circulation slowed during every one of the temperature plunges in the Northern Hemisphere during the last ice age, contributing to abrupt climate changes. This finding supports the view that changes in ocean circulation were responsible for causing these events.
A new study reveals that Antarctic sea ice migration drives the strength of global ocean circulation by changing water density. The researchers found that freshwater from melting sea ice contributes 10 times more to freshwater input than land-based glaciers, making it a vital contributor to circulation.