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Tiny microscopic hunters could be a crystal ball for climate change

Researchers at Duke University used mini ecosystems to test the effects of warming on bacteria-eating protists. They found that simple measurements of species traits could predict their response to temperature, shedding light on how climate change will alter microbial communities and influence the pace of global warming.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2021

No silver bullet

Researchers challenge long-held notion that humans are bad for ecosystems, finding no correlation between remoteness and coral reef resilience. Instead, areas with higher human influence may recover faster from disturbances due to shifts in coral population dynamics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 20, 2021

Climate change will diminish the number of birch trees in Bavaria by the end of the century

A mathematical model based on 30 years of pollen data predicts a decline in pollination in Bavarian forests due to climate change. The study forecasts a reduction in birch trees in the region by the end of the century, with warmer summers initially favoring pollen production but ultimately leading to a decline in plant populations.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 20, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

What’s missing from forest mortality projections? A look underground

A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 19, 2021

Climate change affects animal behavior

A study on over 100 species found that climate change affects animal behavior, including changes in aggression, activity, and sociability. The researchers believe that behavioral changes can serve as a buffer for animals to avoid negative effects of environmental change.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalOikos·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 19, 2021

Climate change caused the devastating floods in part of Brazilian´s Southeast region, study says

A study found that climate change increased the probability of heavy rainfall by 70% in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, leading to severe flooding, deaths, and massive damage. The extreme event caused over 90,000 people to be temporarily homeless and resulted in significant economic losses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClimate Resilience and Sustainability·DateOct 19, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Lakes are changing worldwide

Research led by VUB team shows that global changes in lake temperature and ice cover are caused by human-induced climate change, posing a threat to water quality and native fish species.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2021

Climate change and human pressure mean migration may be “no longer worth it”, say researchers

Researchers warn that climate change and human pressure have eroded benefits of long-distance migration for animals, leading to lower reproductive success and higher mortality. This has serious consequences for ecosystem structure and function, with many species unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 18, 2021

Climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, study shows

A study found that climate change will alter functioning of marine microbial communities, with plankton at the poles being particularly badly damaged by rising temperatures. In temperate zones, they'll suffer from reduced nutrient flows, while in the tropics, increased salinity will affect them.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 14, 2021

Warming slows microbes’ growth in wild soil

Researchers found that microbes' growth rate decreased over 15 years of warming, and a loss of soil carbon may be responsible for the slowdown. Rare bacterial taxa were among the fastest growers, highlighting the importance of considering different organisms' responses.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Climate change threatens hydropower energy security in the Amazon basin

Climate change-driven reductions in precipitation and river discharge will diminish the Amazon's hydropower capacity, according to a new study. As a result, alternative energy sources like solar and wind are expected to become more important.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 14, 2021

Increases in extreme humid-heat disproportionately affect populated regions

A new study by Washington State University scientists finds that people living in areas with humid-heat extremes are bearing the brunt of the impact. The researchers identify a greater increase in population exposure to humid-heat as compared to dry-heat, emphasizing the importance of understanding humidity changes in a warming world.

SourceWashington State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

Large effect of solar activity on Earth's energy budget

Researchers from DTU Space and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that solar eruptions reduce cosmic ray flux, leading to reduced aerosol production and decreased cloud cover. This results in an increase in the Earth's energy budget by almost 2 W/m2 within 4-6 days.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 12, 2021

Insects in the light of land use and climate

A new study published in Nature Communications finds that insect biomass is higher in warmer temperatures, while diversity declines in agricultural environments compared to semi-natural habitats. Researchers recommend increasing green spaces in urban areas and promoting forest habitats to mitigate climate change.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2021
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

How recovery from COVID-19’s impact on energy demand could help meet climate targets

A new study examines alternative scenarios and their potential impact on climate mitigation targets. The research suggests that retaining low-energy practices in lifestyle and business could reduce climate mitigation challenges, while missing these opportunities would lead to a more difficult energy transition.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Energy·DateOct 11, 2021

Study reveals impact of wild meat consumption on greenhouse gas emissions

A new study found that consuming sustainably sourced wild meat instead of domesticated livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions and retains precious tropical forest systems. This can lead to significant financial incentives for forest conservation through carbon credit revenues, totaling millions of dollars per year.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 7, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Growing climate anxiety poses significant threat to individuals and society

Climate anxiety is growing among children and young people, with over half of child psychiatrists in England seeing distressed patients. Experts call on leaders to provide reliable information on climate mitigation and adaptation, and support individuals connect with nature and join like-minded communities.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 6, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Fires in Iceland: Human interference even 1,100 years ago

Researchers analyzed an ice core from Greenland and found that fires in the North Atlantic region decreased over 4,500 years ago due to weaker summer insolation and expanding glaciers. Human interference, such as Viking colonization, also played a role in reducing fire frequency.

SourceUniversità Ca' Foscari Venezia·JournalClimate of the Past·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Drought in Africa linked to lower vaccine rates in children

A new study found that drought may hinder child vaccination coverage in Africa, with polio vaccination rates being the lowest closest to the time of drought. The study suggests that climate change can hinder vaccinations through financial instability, food insecurity and erosion of public health infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 30, 2021

Human behavior sabotages CO2-reducing strategies

A new study by University of Utah researchers found that energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments had limited impact on reducing CO2 emissions. However, policies aimed at improving energy efficiency had no effect, while investment in renewable energy sources led to increased levels of CO2 emissions in the residen...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Dramatic liana increases in old-growth tropical forests associated to natural disturbance and climate change

A 10-year study in Panama's Barro Colorado Island found that liana density increased dramatically due to natural canopy disturbance, with most of the growth attributed to gaps in the canopy. The study suggests that environmental factors like climate change may also be contributing to this phenomenon, but to a lesser extent.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 29, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Sex and the symbiont: Can algae hookups help corals survive?

Researchers at Rice University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the reproductive habits of dinoflagellate algae, which can help coral reefs adapt to climate change. By studying sex in these tiny creatures, scientists hope to breed strains that are more tolerant of environmental stress.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2021

Desert teamwork explains global pattern of co-operation in birds

A new study from the Kalahari Desert finds that teamwork allows birds to cope with brutally unpredictable environments. The research team at the University of Exeter shows that families with more helpers successfully raise more chicks in dry conditions, reducing weather-driven variation in breeding success.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

After the flood disaster in western Germany: what science must find answers to

Researchers say the July 2021 flood in western Germany was more destructive than predicted, with mobilization of dead wood and sediment contributing to its impact. The event highlights the need for science to better understand precipitation-induced floods and their associated self-reinforcing effects.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Climate change threatens base of polar oceans’ bountiful food webs

A new study suggests that climate change is displacing cold-water communities of algae with warm-adapted ones, threatening to destabilize the delicate marine food web. The research found a clear boundary between these communities at moderate water temperatures, highlighting the vulnerability of polar ecosystems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2021

Quantifying future impacts on coral reefs

Coral reefs will experience substantial declines in productivity and survival due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, with some attributes responding similarly to heat stress with or without acidification

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 16, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Degradation of biobased plastics in the soil

Soil ecologists found that biobased plastics like PBSA degrade efficiently in the soil, even under future climate conditions, but excessive amounts can disrupt microbial communities and agriculture. The degradation process is influenced by fungi and a diverse bacterial community.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2021

Species in polar regions hard hit by climate change

A mathematical model developed at Linköping University predicts that many species in polar regions will become extinct due to global warming, with ecosystems already showing signs of strain. The model simulates the impact of climate change on species interactions and diversity, highlighting the importance of considering ecological proc...

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 14, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Uncertainty on climate change in textbooks linked to uncertainty in students

A North Carolina State University study finds that textbooks portraying climate change as uncertain can influence students' certainty, even among those already knowledgeable. The researchers suggest improving students' knowledge and teaching critical evaluation skills can help combat misinformation.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnvironmental Education Research·DateSep 13, 2021

Jet stream changes could amplify weather extremes by 2060s

Research suggests that climate-caused disruptions to the jet stream's position and intensity could lead to severe weather-related consequences. The study's findings imply that continued warming could cause significant deviations from the norm, rendering the jet stream drastically different within a matter of decades.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2021

New ocean temperature data help scientists make their hot predictions

A new study using Argo system ocean temperature data refines climate modeling predictions by identifying models most consistent with observations. The analysis shows that land and air temperatures only tell part of the story, with oceans storing 90% of the planet's heat.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeNews article·DateSep 13, 2021

Ancient sea ice core sheds light on modern climate change

Researchers found a 12,000-year record of marine sediment cores in Antarctica showing fluctuations in sea ice levels affecting algae growth. Algal bloom events occurred nearly every year before 4,500 years ago, but became less frequent after 4.5 thousand years ago, responding to climate cycles like ENSO.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Putting a price on climate change

A new study improves climate change cost estimates by considering annual climate variability and persistent economic damages. This advancement highlights the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 7, 2021

Global warming threatens the existence of an Arctic oasis

The North Water Polynya, an Arctic oasis, is susceptible to climate change, with its high rate of primary production maintaining a diverse ecosystem. The polynya's stability has varied over the last millennia, with periods of instability linked to warmer climate periods and low productivity rates.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 3, 2021

Hotter weather is linked to increases in COPD exacerbations

A recent study found that warmer temperatures are associated with an increase in COPD exacerbations. The research analyzed data from over 1,100 smokers with COPD and discovered a 2% increased risk of exacerbations for every one-degree Celsius rise in ambient temperature.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Grim warning for Aussie species in conservation checklist

A comprehensive list of threats to Australian plants and animals reveals stark news about the future for some iconic species. The study provides precise data to better direct conservation efforts, categorizing and addressing threats like habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateSep 2, 2021

Coastal grape growers can use less water during drought

A recent study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that coastal grape growers in California can reduce irrigation levels by up to 50% during droughts without affecting crop yields or flavor profile. This reduction also leads to a decrease in water footprint and improved water use efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.