The National Science Foundation has awarded $14.5 million to develop a data and knowledge management system for geosciences, fostering greater data accessibility and research collaboration. The EarthCube framework aims to connect geo-, bio- and cyberscientists to advance the understanding and prediction of the Earth system.
A new study published in Nature reveals that Antarctic warming began around 22,000 years ago, significantly earlier than previously thought. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that West Antarctica waited for cue from the Northern Hemisphere to start warming.
Researchers highlight climate change's role in spreading infectious diseases, affecting wildlife and agriculture, with potential consequences of extinction and human health risks
A study finds that seasonal carbon dioxide variations have substantially changed during the last 50 years, with a 50% increase in high latitude regions. This is due to increased carbon emissions from fossil fuels and land-based ecosystems taking deeper breaths.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and species interactions to understand how climate change altered biotic interactions in the past. They found that rapid changes drove extinction, evolution, and species distribution, highlighting the need for informed predictions about future ecosystem responses.
Researchers found that the composition of tree species in the Yukon Flats gradually shifted from coniferous trees to deciduous trees, which are more fire-resistant, during a warm period in the Holocene epoch. Current wildfire activity has already surpassed this limit, with the average fire frequency doubling in the last 50 years.
Research found that removing even one bumblebee species from an ecosystem significantly reduces pollination effectiveness and plant seed production. The study showed that reduced competition among pollinators disrupts floral fidelity, leading to less successful plant reproduction.
Forests across the globe are losing less water and becoming more efficient in using it for growth as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise. Scientists found that forests are storing more carbon due to higher growth rates.
The study identified pockets of oil trapped within the wreckage of the sunken rig as the source of recent oil sheens. This finding suggests that the amount of leakage is limited to these trapped oil pockets, providing some comfort that the situation is under control.
Scientists discuss spillover of infectious diseases among wildlife, domestic animals and people; find links between environment and human health. The symposia will address human influences on viral and bacterial diseases through alteration of landscapes and ecological processes.
Harvard researchers discovered that humans store and release energy in the tendons and ligaments crossing the shoulder, allowing for rapid throws. The team used a 3D motion-capture camera system to analyze collegiate baseball players' throws, finding that elastic energy storage occurs during the 'cocking' phase.
Astronomers have discovered three 'super-earths' in the habitable zone of the nearby star Gliese 667C, boosting the search for Earth-like planets. The newly found system is packed with at least six planets, offering a promising new era for studying potentially life-supporting worlds.
Researchers found that bacterial DNA is more likely to integrate into the human genome in tumor samples than in normal cells. The phenomenon of lateral gene transfer may play a role in cancer and other diseases linked with DNA damage.
Coral reefs are more vulnerable to disruption and erosion due to ocean acidification, which reduces the density of coral skeletons. The study found that corals cannot fully acclimate to low pH conditions in nature.
Ocean acidification is altering shell formation rates and energy usage in young oysters, leading to increased mortality. However, interventions at hatcheries, such as buffering water with antacids, may help mitigate these effects.
Research suggests that fragmented pine stands hinder seed production, reducing regeneration. Whitebark pines' viability depends on pollen release, wind, and proximity, making their future uncertain with dwindling gene pools.
Scientists have determined the precise chemical structure of the HIV capsid using a supercomputer on a 64 million-atom sample. The discovery has provided valuable insights into the development of new antiretroviral drugs that can suppress the HIV virus and stop AIDS progression.
A joint NSF/SRC program supports 29 researchers at 18 US universities to develop self-corrective electronic systems. The funding aims to ensure system reliability in life-critical applications, such as pacemakers and autonomous vehicles.
Researchers found that the banded mongoose in Botswana carries Leptospira interrogans, the pathogen that causes leptospirosis. The study highlights the widespread but neglected disease as a significant public health risk in Africa.
A new study analyzes the longest terrestrial sediment core in the Arctic, revealing that the region was warmer around 3.5 to 2 million years ago than previously thought. The findings suggest that small fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels can have a significant impact on Arctic climate.
The National Science Foundation has partnered with Intel and GE to increase the number of new engineering and computer science graduates in the US. The Graduate 10K+ program aims to retain undergraduates in these fields, addressing a chronic shortage of skilled professionals. The $10 million grant will support five-year projects that a...
Researchers have discovered a light-independent source of superoxide in the depths of oceans and dark environments. Bacteria common in these areas produce superoxide, which has both toxic and beneficial effects on the environment.
Fossil records from Tanzania and Zambia reveal a lineage of animals thought to have led to dinosaurs, contradicting previous assumptions about their predecessors' fate. The discovery provides new insights into the recovery of animal communities after the mass extinction.
Researchers found that sunlit snow is a major source of atmospheric bromine in the Arctic, purging pollutants and destroying ozone. The loss of sea ice could disrupt this delicate balance and have extreme effects on atmospheric chemistry.
A 2,000-year climate record reveals a long-term cooling trend that ended in the 19th century, reversing with global warming since then. The study aggregates proxy data from various sources, including tree rings and lake sediments, to provide insights into natural factors driving climate change.
Researchers used pitcher plants to identify signs of ecosystem trouble, finding that nutrient overloads can trigger drastic changes. The study discovered a reliable way to create tipping points and aims to identify early warning signals.
New research indicates that reducing emissions of black carbon, methane, and other pollutants can significantly slow sea level rise. The study found that cuts in these four heat-trapping pollutants could temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise by roughly 25 to 50 percent.
A record-breaking algae bloom in Lake Erie was triggered by a combination of long-term agricultural practices and extreme weather events. The researchers predict that future blooms will be even more severe unless agricultural policies are revised to reduce nutrient runoff.
New models predict a massive 'greening' of the Arctic by mid-century, with up to 50% increase in wooded areas and acceleration of climate warming. This trend will have far-reaching impacts on global ecosystems and wildlife.
Researchers from the University of Akron discovered that wet, water-repellent surfaces secure geckos' grip similarly to dry surfaces. The study may inform future bio-inspired gecko-like adhesives for underwater applications.
The complete genomes of three aye-aye lemur populations in Madagascar have been sequenced, revealing genetic diversity and historical separation. The research aims to prioritize conservation efforts for these critically endangered species, which are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Researchers have discovered a hidden layer of liquified molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which may be responsible for the sliding motions of massive tectonic plates. The finding has significant implications for understanding geologic functions and processes related to volcanism and earthquakes.
A massive extinction event occurred 200 million years ago, wiping out 76% of species on Earth. Volcanic eruptions from the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province likely triggered the event through global warming and ocean acidification.
Astronomers using NSF-funded South Pole Telescope and ALMA observatory discover galaxies producing stars at high rates, challenging previous understanding of galaxy formation. The discovery provides valuable data to refine computer models of star and galaxy formation in the early universe.
Researchers discovered distinct gene expression patterns in Antarctic midge and Arctic springtail species, revealing unique strategies for coping with dehydration. The findings highlight the power of genomics in advancing polar science and uncovering previously undetected differences between these extreme ecosystems.
The genome of extremophile red alga Galdieria sulphuraria reveals horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, allowing it to survive battery acid and toxic metals. This discovery provides new insights into evolution and potential applications in biotechnology.
A new study reconstructs Earth's temperature history back to the end of the last Ice Age, revealing that the planet is warmer than it was during 70 to 80 percent of the past 11,300 years. The analysis also shows that global temperatures have warmed about 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century.
Researchers deploy self-guided robot Yeti to map deadly crevasses hidden in ice-covered terrains, reducing danger to human lives and equipment. The robot uses ground-penetrating radar to reveal unseen fissures buried beneath ice and snow.
Researchers describe a new technique based on particle physics that could reveal the composition and characteristics of the deep Earth. The approach relies on a hypothetical fifth force of nature, which could help reconcile conflicting scientific lines of evidence.
Researchers found that salmon imprint on the magnetic signature of their home river and seek it out during spawning migration. This discovery represents a major new phenomenon in behavioral biology, providing insights into how salmon navigate epic distances.
The National Science Foundation has announced the 53 winners and honorable mentions of the 10th annual International Science & Technology Visualization Challenge. The contest, which received over 200 entries from 18 countries, featured outstanding visualizations that showcased complex scientific concepts.
Researchers found a single mutation in the EphB2 gene responsible for creating head crests in pigeons. The study reveals insights into bird evolution and provides new tools to understand animal diversity.
A new study analyzing Greenland ice cores suggests that melting of the Antarctic ice sheet may have contributed more to sea-level rise than the Greenland ice sheet around 100,000 years ago. The research findings indicate a warmer-than-expected climate during the Eemian interglacial period, with surface temperatures about 8 degrees Cels...
A new study found that invasive plant species decrease biodiversity at small scales due to reduced light and nutrient availability, but have minimal impact at larger scales. This scale-dependent effect can lead to conflicting results in scientific research, highlighting the importance of considering local battles against invasive species.
Scientists at Michigan State University and other institutions have found that marginal lands can produce substantial amounts of cellulosic biomass, which could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre. This study provides an estimate of greenhouse gas benefits from using these lands for biofuel production.
A team of scientists has discovered that magma can form at depths of up to 250 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, a finding that challenges existing theories and sheds new light on the planet's inner workings. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's geophysical and geochemical properties.
New study finds Western Antarctica warming at three times the global average, with potential for catastrophic consequences on sea levels. The region's ice shelves are vulnerable to melting, contributing significantly to sea level rise.
Researchers from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide, Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling, and Pine Island Glacier projects have reached significant technological milestones, advancing cutting-edge research on life in extreme ecosystems, ice sheet fate, and abrupt global climate-change events. Innovative drilling te...
A National Science Foundation-funded research team has discovered the remains of a camp used by explorers of the 'Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration, dating back to 1912. The site was found using a combination of written accounts and historic images, matching an archival photograph from the Terra Nova expedition.
The report highlights increased representation of women, minorities, and foreign nationals among US doctorate recipients. Employment opportunities after graduation are also a focus, with the expansion of the postdoctoral pool noted as a trend.