A new study provides a framework for predicting snowpack runoff and its impact on flood risk during rain-on-snow events. By leveraging hourly data from existing snow monitoring stations, researchers have created a decision support tool that can help water managers prepare for potential flooding.
A study from the Healthy Nevada Project found that only 10% of patients with electronic health records containing genetic diagnosis experienced a change in care, emphasizing the need for follow-up education and conversations. The study also highlights the importance of including genetic diagnoses into electronic health records to maxim...
A new study shows substantial increases in atmospheric thirst across the US Southwest, with warming temperatures accounting for 57% of the changes observed. The largest changes are centered over the Rio Grande region, where crops now require more water and can be expected to require even more in the future.
A $150,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation will support DRI's development of a Weather and Research Forecast model to simulate weather, fire, and smoke for firefighting operations. The tool will provide critical air quality forecasts and risk assessment for specific locations.
A new study from the Healthy Nevada Project found associations between genetics, childhood trauma, and adult obesity. Participants with specific genetic traits and who experience childhood traumas are more likely to suffer from adult obesity. The study suggests that understanding the interplay between genes and environment can help pro...
The USDA has awarded a $1.5 million grant to support climate resilience planning in Indian Country, led by Desert Research Institute (DRI). The project aims to address climate injustice through culturally-appropriate information sharing and increasing Native American representation in research and outreach positions. The initiative wil...
A research team has identified a bacterium responsible for producing palmerolide A, a melanoma-fighting compound found in Antarctic sea squirts. The discovery could lead to the development of naturally-derived treatments for skin cancer.
The Mountain Rain or Snow project collects observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation from across mountainous regions. Volunteers can submit their own reports via smartphone or computer to improve satellite monitoring and model predictions, leading to better weather forecasts, skiing conditions, and avalanche risk assessments.
A new study reveals that early human activities, specifically Māori burning practices in New Zealand over 700 years ago, impacted the Earth's atmosphere more than previously known. The increase in black carbon levels in Antarctic ice cores supports this conclusion.
Scientists investigate e-cigarette formation of formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, under various use patterns and devices. The study aims to identify key parameters underlying harmful substance production, informing public health and policy.
A new study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology found a significant association between wildfire smoke exposure and an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 in Reno, Nev. During a prolonged 2020 wildfire smoke event, PM2.5 levels were associated with a 17.7% rise in COVID-19 cases.
A recent study by Desert Research Institute found that cold wildfire smoke can make soil surfaces hydrophobic, leading to severe water repellency and increased erosion. The research used sand samples treated with both hot and cold smoke, showing similar results in terms of water absorption time.
A new study published in Frontiers in Earth Science uses citizen science data to identify the temperature cutoff between rain and snow in winter storms in the Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada. The results show that a warmer temperature threshold of 39.5°F may be more accurate for predicting precipitation in this region.
A new study finds that climate warming reduces the impact of summer monsoons on streamflow in the Colorado River Basin. Monsoonal rains normally deliver 18% of the basin's water and produce 10% of annual streamflow, but a warmer future with less snow accumulation will diminish this effect.
A new model refines an existing computer model to understand water movement and storage in dry desert soils. The study improves knowledge of solar farm impacts on desert hydrology, useful for soil restoration and flood risk mitigation.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to more extreme wildfires and multi-year droughts in Nevada and California. Warmer temperatures will cause faster drying of soil moisture and vegetation, increasing fire danger and severity.
A new study found that wildfire smoke leads to a 6.1% increase in medical visits for asthma patients compared to days with similar pollution levels from other sources. The research team suggests that wildfire PM is more hazardous than non-wildfire PM for asthma patients, likely due to differences in chemical composition or human behavior.
A new study shows that community-based genetic screening can identify individuals at increased risk for three common inherited conditions, including Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, and Familial Hypercholesterolemia. The study found that up to 90% of carriers were not previously identified in a clinical setting.
Researchers have identified a common suite of 21 bacterial taxa present in more than 80% of samples, and six bacterial taxa present in all 63 samples. The study found palmerolide levels were high across all samples but no trends between sites or microbiome bacteria.
A team of scientists and historians found evidence connecting an ancient period of extreme cold in Rome with a massive eruption of Alaska's Okmok volcano in 43 BCE. The study used ice core samples to link the eruption to the caldera-forming event, which had significant impacts on climate and history.
A new consensus statement by 119 microbiologists proposes updating the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to include uncultivated bacteria and archaea represented by DNA sequence information. This would enable researchers to create a unified list of all discovered species and implement universal quality standards for nam...
A pilot study by Desert Research Institute found high levels of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and butane at cannabis growing facilities in Nevada and California. These chemicals can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, posing health risks to workers and residents.
A study using Arctic ice cores shows that lead pollution levels correlate with economic growth and decline, indicating the impact of European events on the environment. The research found exponential increases in lead pollution during the past 1,500 years, with a significant decrease since the passage of pollution abatement policies.
A study by Desert Research Institute researchers found a clear correlation between extreme heat and mortality rates in Las Vegas over the last decade. The study identified adults over 50 as particularly vulnerable to heat-related deaths, which often occurred due to pre-existing heart disease.
A new study by Desert Research Institute researchers found that a common species of freshwater green algae can remove certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from treated wastewater. The algae showed significant removal rates for three EDCs, including triclosan, in ultrafiltration water.
A research team led by University of Nevada, Reno is investigating how changes in mountain snowpack affect available water and agricultural production in the arid West. The project aims to improve decision-making for water allocation and understand its impact on the economic well-being of various groups.
A recent pilot study reveals that e-cigarette users are exposed to hazardous aldehydes like formaldehyde, which can cause cancer. The study found that concentrations of these chemicals increased tenfold after vaping sessions, suggesting a significant amount remains in the lungs.
The new California Climate Tracker tool provides more than 120 years of historical climate data, allowing users to analyze trends and patterns in temperature and precipitation. The updated version incorporates a user-friendly web interface, improved accuracy using PRISM data, and access to archived maps and data dating back to 1895.
New research reveals that low-severity burns weaken soil structure, increasing risk of erosion, while also releasing organic carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Soils in burned areas show deteriorating physical properties over weeks and months.
Researchers have dated a significant assemblage of stone artifacts at the Gault site in Central Texas to 16-20,000 years of age, identifying an early projectile point technology unrelated to Clovis. This finding pushes back the timeline of the first human inhabitants of North America before Clovis by at least 2,500 years.
A new study finds that lead pollution in Greenland ice closely tracks known plagues, wars, social unrest and imperial expansions during European antiquity. The team's detailed analysis reveals that lead emissions rose and fell along with historical events, including the rise of the Roman Empire.
A recent study found significant differences in nutrient levels and species composition between Devils Hole and a constructed scale replica at the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility. The findings suggest that modifications to the refuge's operation could improve the prospects for continued survival of the critically endangered Devi...
Researchers recover intact human mitochondrial DNA from common type of plant-based artifact, providing insights into the genetic ancestry of Native Americans in the Desert Southwest. The study also sheds light on the Numic Spread event, a contentious debate among scientists.
The Renown Institute for Health Innovation is partnering with Helix to offer DNA sequencing to an additional 40,000 Nevadans through the Healthy Nevada Project. This phase will utilize Helix's proprietary Next Generation Sequencing technology to provide unparalleled access to genetic data.
New research documents a 192-year series of volcanic eruptions in Antarctica that coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These halogen-rich eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
A recent study discovered that flavored e-cigarette vapor contains hazardous levels of toxic aldehydes, including formaldehyde, which can cause cancer. The research highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of flavoring additives on e-liquid toxicity.
Researchers used unmanned aircraft to measure turbulent kinetic energy, aerosol particle concentration, and temperature fluctuations near the Earth's surface. The study found that black carbon aerosols suppress turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer, exacerbating human health impacts and extreme weather events.
Researchers explored the effects of climate change on American Indian communities in Nevada, with a focus on water rights and land use. The projects, Water for the Seasons and Native Waters on Arid Lands, aim to protect valuable resources and promote sustainable practices.
The Desert Research Institute's new WINDS platform provides actionable insight for businesses, utilities, and municipalities impacted by extreme weather. With improved weather forecast data and sensor networks, the platform translates data into decision-making support frameworks.
A new partnership aims to reduce wildfire fighting costs by developing and testing UAS platforms for smoke plume sampling, early warning, and detection. The project will leverage DRI's expertise in climate, ecosystem, and fire applications, as well as NASA's research and industry connections.
Researchers reconstructed nearly 300 individual volcanic eruptions, revealing 15 of the 16 coldest summers between 500 BC and 1,000 AD followed large eruptions. The eruptions injected sulfate particles into the atmosphere, shielding the Earth from solar radiation and causing widespread summer cooling.
A new ice core from West Antarctica shows a consistent pattern of climate changes starting in the Arctic and spreading to the Antarctic during the last glacial period. Ocean currents played a key role in redistributing heat between hemispheres, influencing past climates and providing insights into predicting future warming.
A study published in Geobiology reveals that methane production in thermokarst lake sediments can increase up to three times when exposed to higher temperatures. The findings suggest that biological methane production may play a larger role in total methane emissions in the future.
New research highlights the growing threat of smoldering peat fires, which can produce large amounts of carbon and worsen air quality. As temperatures rise, peat-rich regions worldwide become increasingly susceptible to drying and burning.
Kelly Redmond, a renowned climatologist from the Desert Research Institute, will receive the AGU Tyndall History of Global Environmental Change Lecturer award. He has dedicated his career to understanding the Earth's climate and communicating that knowledge to a general audience.
A new citizen science model proposes empowering sailors worldwide to gather basic ocean data, significantly improving the accuracy of climate models and weather forecasts. Bacterioplankton sampling and ocean physics measurements can be deployed by sailors with simple instruments and basic training.
Scientists found industrial lead pollution in Antarctic ice cores from 1600 to 2010 A.D., with peak concentrations in 1900 and remaining high until the late 1920s. Lead contamination persisted despite mitigation efforts and still affects the continent today.
Scientists have discovered a new form of soot particle, 'superaggregates,' emitted by wildfires in regions like Southeast Asia and Russia. These particles contribute up to 90% more warming than conventional soot particles, warranting further research.
A team of scientists has reconstructed annual records of volcanic sulfate emissions in the Southern Hemisphere for the past 2,000 years using ice cores from Antarctica. The new record reveals 116 individual volcanic events and provides a more accurate understanding of climate variability caused by powerful eruptions.
Researchers at DRI found that certain bacteria can consume and convert left-handed amino acids into right-handed forms, which would otherwise be toxic to plants and animals. This discovery suggests that these bacteria play a crucial role in detoxifying the environment by consuming D-amino acids produced through geochemical transformation.