Research suggests that the land-based portion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet has remained stable for the past 8 million years, with minimal retreat in response to current carbon dioxide levels. However, the team warns that increasing atmospheric emissions could destabilize the ice sheet and contribute to sea level rise.
Scientists have discovered a new 'teleconnection' that predicts winter rainfall in California by analyzing sea surface temperatures in New Zealand during the summer. This discovery allows for more accurate precipitation predictions and has implications for drought forecasting and regional ecosystem management.
The NSF-Simons Research Centers will investigate the mathematical foundations of biological systems, shedding light on the pathways from DNA to organismal complexity. This knowledge may lead to predictive frameworks for understanding phenotypes across multiple scales and time.
The study analyzed 22 recent hurricanes and found that they would become a little stronger, a little slower-moving, and a lot wetter if they formed under predicted late 21st-century conditions. The rainfall rate of simulated future storms would increase by an average of 24 percent.
The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration aims to understand the likelihood, timing, and magnitude of glacier collapse. The collaboration will deploy scientists with advanced equipment to measure ice-volume or ice-mass change in the region.
A new study shows that sunlight transforms oil into different compounds that dispersants cannot easily break up, reducing their effectiveness by at least 30 percent. The findings suggest that responders should factor in sunlight when determining the window of opportunity to use dispersants effectively.
New research finds that thinning forests due to wildfires can reduce water stress and save up to 17 billion gallons of water annually. This approach may help offset the costs of forest restoration, which could increase water flow from Sierra Nevada watersheds by as much as 10 percent.
The brain uses a two-step process to categorize both visual and auditory inputs, increasing sensitivity to acoustic features in the lower-level auditory cortex. This discovery has important implications for understanding individual differences in language learning and developing treatments for people with learning disorders.
A study published in Science reveals that up to 26 percent of the nitrogen in ecosystems comes from weathering of rocks at Earth's surface. This discovery sheds light on the mysterious gap in nitrogen balance and has implications for forest growth, carbon sequestration, and conservation efforts.
The National Science Foundation's GRFP program has announced the offer of 2,000 fellowship awards to high-potential scientists and engineers. The awardees come from diverse backgrounds, including women, underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has received a $184 million funding renewal from NSF over five years. The lab provides access to powerful instruments, including the world's strongest magnets, enabling scientists to advance fundamental science and applied research.
The Sahara Desert has expanded by about 10 percent since 1920 due to a combination of human-caused climate change and natural climate cycles. The expansion is linked to increased greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, posing devastating effects on African people who depend on agriculture-based economies.
A mission is underway to lower sub-seafloor observatories into the Hikurangi subduction zone off New Zealand. This expedition aims to understand why destructive tsunamis occur after shallow earthquakes and underwater landslides, shedding light on New Zealand's largest earthquake and tsunami hazard.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded over $10 million to fund 64 projects advancing geographic patterns, human-environmental interactions, and spatial dynamics. These research projects address critical questions of societal significance in fields such as land use, technology, social networks, and environmental sustainability.
Researchers using a unique radio antenna detected a clear signal from the earliest stars in the universe, revealing the formation of these massive, blue, and short-lived stars within 180 million years of the Big Bang. The discovery provides new insights into the early universe's mysteries and potential connections to dark matter.
Researchers found that up to 27% of annual rainfall is stored as 'rock moisture' in bedrock fractures and pores. This water can sustain trees through droughts even after soil has become parched, explaining why some tree species showed little effect from severe droughts.
Researchers from NSF LTER sites present findings on coastal and ocean ecosystems, including salt marsh resilience and the impact of sea ice patterns on penguin populations. The study also investigates the diet of blue whales in the California Current and the effects of El Niño events on marine ecosystems.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that wetland complexes can significantly reduce nitrate levels in rivers and streams. Retaining or restoring wetlands in intensively managed agricultural watersheds can improve local water quality while reducing nitrate exports to the Gulf of Mexico dead zone.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive study on cloud seeding, tracing the transition of ice crystals into snowflakes and observing the effects of silver iodide on cloud seeding. The study provides direct, quantifiable observations for the first time, shedding light on the effectiveness of cloud seeding in increasing winter snowfall.
A new study finds significant increases in salinity and alkalinization of freshwater across the US and southern Canada, driven by road salt and fertilizer use. This growing problem threatens drinking water supplies and natural ecosystems, highlighting the need for better regulation of salty compounds.
New research reveals the East Antarctic Ice Sheet has undergone significant growth and shrinkage over millions of years, with frequent intervals of open water along the Sabrina Coast. This dynamic behavior is a concern as climate change raises global air temperatures and could lead to dramatic ice mass loss.
Researchers have solved a six-decade-old mystery about the source of energetic particles in Earth's inner radiation belt using data from a CubeSat. The study found that cosmic rays born from supernova explosions create charged particles, including electrons, that become trapped by Earth's magnetic field.
Observations of two massive galaxies using ALMA radio telescope reveal they formed 780 million years after the Big Bang, challenging previous understanding. The discovery provides new insights into galaxy formation and dark matter's role in assembling large structures.
Researchers found that windborne dust provides a significant source of nutrients for plants in mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. The study's results have implications for understanding the global influence of regional processes and the Earth's balance.
Researchers at Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) will discuss various topics related to the critical zone, a region where fresh water flows, rock turns to soil, and life flourishes. Studies include the effects of Hurricane Maria on the Luquillo, Puerto Rico, critical zone and wildfire in the critical zone.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography will develop an advanced ocean and atmosphere simulator to replicate complex ocean conditions and generate gale-force winds in a controlled setting. The simulator will help researchers understand how pollutants and climate change affect marine animals, plants, cloud formation, and the planet.
The NSF Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program aims to address the growing cybersecurity challenge through foundational research and education. The $74.5 million investment will support a wide range of research areas, including access control, cryptography, and human interaction, to develop safer and more secure cyber systems.
A new database called LAGOS provides comprehensive information on water quality, physical, and ecological factors affecting thousands of lakes. The database, developed by 80 scientists across various disciplines, will enable researchers and policymakers to analyze trends over space and time.
The NSF's Smart & Connected Communities program has awarded $19.5 million to 38 projects across the US, focusing on public safety, water systems, community health, energy, transportation, and rural planning. Researchers will collaborate with diverse stakeholders to address challenges and transform communities.
The LIGO and Virgo observatories have jointly detected a black hole collision, emitting ripples in space and time. The event, located 1.8 billion light-years away, resulted in a spinning black hole with about 53 times the mass of our sun.
The National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program awards $5.6 million to 30 non-tenured researchers across 20 states. The fellowships provide opportunities for extended collaborative visits, partnerships with complementary expertise, and access to sophisticated equipment.
Researchers analyzed over five decades of data to find that changes in non-extreme precipitation are more significant than previously realized. The study highlights the importance of examining precipitation in a nuanced way, as even small changes can have a substantial impact on ecosystems and resource management.
The NSF INCLUDES program aims to create paths to STEM for underrepresented populations, expanding the nation's leadership and talent pools. The new awards will develop blueprints for collaborative change among public-private partners to address broadening participation challenges.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $13 million to nine researchers studying socioecological system dynamics related to livelihoods, human migration and landscape evolution. The grants will help understand the complex interactions between humans and natural systems in deltas globally.
A decade-long study in Antarctica's Dry Valleys reveals that an extreme melt season triggered changes in physical and biological characteristics, including increased soil species and population increases. The findings suggest that abrupt climate events can cause long-term alterations in polar ecosystems.
The NSF has awarded 19 projects to study neural and cognitive systems, advancing frontiers in cognitive science and neuroscience. The research focuses on four themes: education, engineering, computer science, and the impact of neural systems on these fields.
Researchers have released high-resolution maps of Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, allowing scientists to compare present-day conditions with lower-resolution surveys conducted 13 years ago. The data provide detailed topography and insights into landscape changes, including rapid erosion along streams.
Researchers found that hydraulic failure is universal when trees die during droughts, while carbon starvation occurs roughly half the time. This study aims to improve climate change models by understanding tree mortality mechanisms.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $17 million to develop innovative tools and partnerships for understanding the brain. The NeuroNex program will bring together researchers across disciplines to tackle the mysteries of the brain, with a focus on advancing theoretical frameworks and computational modeling.
A new study predicts that US water quality will worsen due to climate-driven changes in precipitation, leading to increased nitrogen pollution and the formation of harmful algae blooms and dead zones. The Midwest and Northeast are expected to be particularly affected.
Researchers will drill into the seafloor of Zealandia, examining a shift in plate movement that occurred 50 million years ago. The expedition aims to understand the timing and causes of this change, which led to the development of new volcanoes and changes in ocean circulation patterns.
Researchers found unusual coral reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, defying expectations of inhospitable conditions. The discovery suggests that factors such as abundant food and unique chemistry may contribute to their existence.
Researchers studying slow-slip earthquakes on the seafloor off Japan's coast have gained new insights into undersea earthquakes and tsunami creation. About 50% of energy released during these events can be dissipated, potentially reducing tsunami risk.
Scientists studied zircon crystals to understand magma reservoirs, finding a more solid and crystalline environment than previously thought. The research sheds light on the pre-eruption phase and how mobile magma contributes to volcanic activity.
Researchers have discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a significant source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, led by Michigan State University, found that leaf particles create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria that produce nitrous oxide.
Researchers estimated that Los Angeles lost about 100 gallons of water per person per day to the atmosphere in 2010 due to overwatering of lawns and trees. The study found a surprising water efficiency of tree cover, with trees using significantly less water than grassy lawns.
A new tool developed for China's Yellow River can predict and prevent its frequent floods, threatening 80 million people. The formula calculates sediment transport, enhancing the sustainability of eroding coastlines globally.
A team of scientists has found that bacteria living in marine sponges can produce toxic compounds nearly identical to man-made fire retardants, also known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The discovery could help understand the human health implications of these additives.
The new radar simulator helps explain how debris scatters and falls through the atmosphere, improving tornado detection and damage estimates. Characterizing debris fields is vital due to flying debris causing most tornado fatalities.
Researchers have extracted ancient ice cores from a Transylvanian cave glacier to reconstruct winter climate conditions during the Holocene period. The findings reveal warmer and wetter winters, with significant shifts in atmospheric dynamics occurring around 7,000 years ago.