A recent study reveals that marine microplastics can persist and leach chemicals from plastic additives even after fragmentation. Chemicals such as antioxidants, plasticizers, and flame retardants were detected in both microplastics and larger plastic debris collected around Japan.
A new method for three-dimensional visualization of nanoplastic distribution in the neonatal mouse brain has been established, revealing particle-size-dependent biodistribution patterns. The study found that smaller particles (50 nm) were widely distributed throughout the brain, while larger particles (500 nm) showed weaker accumulation.
Climate mitigation policies may increase hunger risk due to land use competition, but ozone reduction benefits partially offset these effects. Ozone-driven yield gains reduce food prices and increase food availability, particularly in regions with severe hunger.
A new study improves projection accuracy by combining climate model projections with observational data. The analysis reveals that many models overestimate global warming and refines estimates of the remaining carbon budget, narrowing the uncertainty range from 352-702 billion tons to 251-666 billion tons.
The GOSAT-GW satellite has successfully launched with the TANSO-3 sensor, confirming its proper operation. The first observation by TANSO-3 provided spectral absorption data for carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide, enabling the calculation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
A new study projects the start of Amazon dieback as early as the 21st century under high-emission scenarios, triggered by extreme conditions and global warming levels above 1.5°C. The Amazon's natural water recycling system is weakened, leading to hotter and drier conditions that can no longer sustain dense vegetation.
Researchers used satellite data from GOSAT-2 to estimate methane and carbon monoxide emissions in the world's 40 most populous cities. The analysis revealed significant variations between cities, with Beijing emitting approximately 4.3 times more CO per unit of CO2 compared to Tokyo.
Researchers found four types of aircraft engine exhaust particles, including soot, volatile particles, and onion-like structures. The onion-like particles are composed of organic compounds and have unique internal structures that may affect their volatility and interaction with the human respiratory tract.
A new study reveals the complex relationship between climate change impacts and fisher adaptations in southern Japan. Fishers in more exposed regions adopt non-action strategies, while those in less exposed areas are more likely to adapt but transform based on social and economic circumstances.
A new study finds that future climate change may reduce the Amazon's ability to act as a carbon sink by making it drier and hotter. The Amazon rainforest's carbon storage capacity is threatened by increased frequency and severity of droughts and heat extremes.
A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies shows that current infrastructure deployment is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets, requiring a shift in how materials are used or consumed. The study estimates that feasible supply of steel and cement within a carbon budget will fall short of expected global dem...
This study investigates the consistency of greenhouse gas concentrations obtained from the GOSAT and GOSAT-2 satellites, focusing on CO2 and CH4 retrieval algorithms and validation. The analysis reveals systematic differences in concentration data between satellites that vary temporally and spatially.
The updated analysis method increases CO2 concentration data availability by 13% while improving accuracy over land. However, it decreases ocean data due to negative biases, requiring bias correction in the V03.05 product.
A macroecological study found that giant tree properties, such as trunk circumference and age, are strongly correlated with climatic factors. The probability of a tree being an object of faith tends to increase with lower annual precipitation, highlighting the impact of climate change on spiritual ecosystem services.
A new study suggests that producing the same amount of steel with zero emissions is unlikely, and that reducing demand through material efficiency and upcycling could be key. The research highlights the need for a more strategic approach to decarbonization, rather than relying on technological innovations alone.
The study reveals that achieving low forcing levels relies on negative CO2 emissions, particularly through carbon capture and storage methods. Regional contributions show the US, China, and EU as top contributors, with China's share projected to increase under future scenarios.
A study using GOSAT observations and surface station data estimates CH4 emissions from natural gas in the NE region, showing a significant increase trend. The model-estimated total CH4 emissions and natural gas leaks constitute a waste of energy and value.
Researchers created iPSCs from Okinawa rail, Japanese ptarmigan, Blakiston's fish owl, and Japanese golden eagle for conservation. The cells can differentiate into various cell types, providing a valuable resource for evaluating disease risks and pollution.
A new study reveals that global warming has doubled the probability of extreme ocean warming events in Japan's marginal seas since the 2000s. The increased occurrence frequency is attributed to human-induced climate changes, with most events linked to global warming.
A new study concludes that net zero carbon emissions in the concrete industry need both supply-side and demand-side strategies. Changes in purchasing habits and infrastructure design can reduce concrete consumption, promoting recycling, reuse, and material efficiency.
A study predicts Japan's permafrost area will significantly decrease in the future due to global warming. The research used climate projection data to estimate areas that can sustain permafrost, revealing a broader distribution than previously thought.
Researchers develop a new method to assess inconsistencies in mercury trade data for ASGM, highlighting potential illegal and informal mercury use flows. The study identifies inconsistencies in Hg trade statistics in African, Central and South American, and some Asian countries.
A new study projects that unprecedented drought conditions will become more frequent and consecutive in certain regions due to global warming. The research analyzed changes in drought day frequency for 59 global subcontinental regions until the end of the 21st century.
The Global Methane Pledge and increasing methane emissions from fossil fuels are driving a rapid rise in atmospheric methane concentration. The GOSAT satellite project has measured the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, revealing an upward trend in methane concentrations since 2020.
Researchers from National Institute for Environmental Studies identified that radiocesium accumulates primarily in organic soil layers and stagnant water, contaminating organisms. Fertilizing contaminated areas with potassium can suppress biological absorption of radiocesium.
The rooftop PV plus EV system has the potential to supply 54-95% of electricity demand in cities, reducing CO2 emission by 54-95%. Residential districts show rapid economic advantages over commercial ones due to greater rooftop space and vehicle numbers.
A new study reveals that consumption in G20 nations causes significant premature deaths worldwide, particularly among infants and elderly populations. The research estimates that the lifetime consumption of 28 people in G20 nations will result in one person's premature death.
The AP-PLAT website provides online tools such as ClimoCast, Climate Impact Viewer, and ClimoKit for climate projections, impact assessments, and capacity development. The platform aims to support regional climate change adaptation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Climate models project significant decrease in suitable permafrost conditions in Daisetsu Mountains, threatening alpine ecosystems and trekkers. By 2100, only 20 km2 area may remain suitable for permafrost under low-carbon scenario.
A new method evaluates satellite CO2 observations over open ocean areas, using cargo ship and passenger aircraft data. The study reveals a negative bias in satellite XCO2 data, which can be attributed to uncertainties in the retrieval algorithms.
A study estimated the amount of carbon emitted from biomass burning in Equatorial Asia during 2015, using high-precision observations from a commercial passenger aircraft and a cargo ship. The estimated emissions were around 273 Tg C, comparable to Japan's annual CO2 emissions.
Research found that unsustainable irrigation can increase global BECCS potential by 60-71%, but sustainably constrained irrigation only boosts it by 5-6%. The study suggests a reexamination of the role of BECCS in achieving climate goals due to its environmental impacts.
Researchers analyzed conversion factors of methane into CO2 equivalent, finding a dynamic approach to reduce economic cost while maintaining stability. The study suggests adapting conversion factors to future pathways to implement cheapest options, potentially avoiding additional mitigation costs up to 5% in high overshoot scenarios.
The study reveals that methane emissions from human activities, particularly oil and gas sectors, coal mining, and ruminant farming, have led to its long-term growth. The findings highlight the need for targeted emission reduction strategies in these key sectors to mitigate climate change.
A recent study found that dams can decrease the number of people globally exposed to historical once-in-100-year floods by approximately 15% downstream of dams. Integrating dam landscapes into existing flood modeling frameworks is crucial for realistic assessments of population exposure to present and future floods.
The SolarEV City concept integrates roof-top PVs with electric vehicles to supply affordable CO2-free electricity, reducing emissions by 54-95% in nine Japanese urban areas. Implementations can meet 53-95% of electricity demands by 2030, with potential cost savings of 26-41%.
A new study reveals that human-induced climate changes have increased the occurrence probability of record-high SSTs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean from once-in-1000 years to once-in-15 years. The warming trend, accelerated since the 1980s, may intensify tropical cyclones and cause severe damages to East Asian countries.
The GOSAT-2 satellite has revealed unprecedented global concentrations of CO2, CH4, and CO. The full physics method used for the retrieval results shows column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of these three gas species. The data show high CO concentrations in regions with fossil fuel use and forest fires.
Researchers from NIES and JAMSTEC detected a 20% decrease in FFCO2 emissions in China during January-February 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The study used atmospheric observations at Hateruma Island, Japan, to quantify the changes in regional FFCO2 emissions.
Climate security discussion is scarce in Japan, with overlooked risks including indirect economic losses and potential refugee influxes. The country's approach to addressing climate change should consider long-term irreversible planetary changes and short-term abrupt risks to individuals.
Researchers have developed a new method for estimating fish populations by analyzing environmental DNA in water. The approach, which accounts for the degradation of DNA molecules, has been successfully tested in Japan and shows promise for quantitative monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed thousands of vertical measurements over airports and characterized CO2 variations over 34 major cities worldwide. The CONTRAIL program's aircraft data showed clear CO2 enhancements when wind comes from urban areas, indicating a relationship between CO2 variability and city emissions.
A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan found that biotic and abiotic factors affecting radionuclide accumulation in fish are dependent on the ecosystem and differ between lakes and rivers. The study analyzed 30 species of fish from five rivers and three lakes in Fukushima, revealing significant differe...
This study uses mobile phone network data to estimate the current nationwide human welfare of coastal recreation in Japan. The projected economic values drop significantly under climate change scenarios, with some dropping below one-tenth of their current values.
A new study estimates that human decisions and actions can reduce the uncertainty in climate response, limiting economic impacts to under 1% of global GDP. The research suggests humanity has control over its future and can choose a path through its actions.
A new study led by two Japanese researchers found that pre-modern ironwork had significant impacts on the current distributions of 21 mammalian genera native to Japan. Medium-to-large mammals responded positively, while small mammals were negatively impacted due to habitat degradation.
The analysis result shows high precision in retrieving column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of methane and carbon monoxide using the proxy method. The results depict higher concentrations in Southeast and South Asia, Central Africa, and the northern part of South America.
A recent study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies suggests that transitioning from coal to natural gas can help stabilize climate change. The study found that natural gas power plants have smaller short- and long-term impacts than coal power plants, even when considering high methane leakage rates or uncertainty issues.
Researchers developed a method to visualize climate risks and their cause-effect relationships across seven sectors, including water, food, energy, and more. The study identified 253 causal relationships between climate drivers and risk factors, highlighting the interconnectedness of climate impacts on human security and health.
Researchers successfully established an immortalized cell line derived from the critically endangered Okinawa rail. The use of the K4DT method, which involves co-expressing mutant CDK4, Cyclin D, and TERT genes, significantly extended cellular division and immortalization in avian cells. This breakthrough paves the way for further func...