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The study improves the accuracy of black carbon's refractive index, revealing it may contribute up to 16% to atmospheric warming, affecting climate models. The method developed can be applied to other particles in the atmosphere and ocean.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAerosol Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2023

RIPE researchers model ‘link’ between improved photosynthesis and increased yield

A team from the University of Illinois has modeled improving photosynthesis through enzyme modification and simulated soybean growth with realistic climate conditions. The study found that seasonal climate conditions impact the effectiveness of improving photosynthesis to increase soybean yield.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalField Crops Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 2, 2023

Climate change could drive more Zika and dengue epidemics and longer transmission seasons in Brazil, with a new model predicting Zika's R0 increasing up to 2.7

A new model predicts that climate change will lead to longer transmission seasons for Zika and dengue diseases in Brazil. The study found that warming temperatures could increase the basic reproduction number (R0) of Zika by up to 2.7, leading to more frequent epidemics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 27, 2023

Mixing theory, observation to envision warmer world

Researchers combine theory and observation to understand damselfly responses to warming temperatures, discovering a more realistic predator-prey simulation model. This work provides groundwork for understanding how other species will adapt to a warmer world, particularly species like mosquitoes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateApr 25, 2023

Understanding the long-term impact of climate change on Indian crops

A new study reveals that Indian farmers have adapted to climate change by changing management practices and using hardier crop varieties. However, the impact of climate change on crop yields varies across crops and regions, with some areas experiencing greater benefits than others.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalAgricultural Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2023

Drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth reveals the critical points for nonlinear vegetation response to soil moisture stress

Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 20, 2023

A once-stable glacier in Greenland is now rapidly disappearing

A study by Ohio State University researchers found Steenstrup Glacier in Greenland is retreating at an unprecedented rate, with a 5-mile retreat and quadrupled velocity between 2018 and 2021. The glacier's rapid change reveals that even long-term stable glaciers are susceptible to sudden and rapid retreat due to warming waters.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Projection of China’s future runoff based on the CMIP6 mid-high warming scenarios

This study uses the EDCFM method to downscale and bias-correct six CMIP6 GCMs for China's hydrological applications. The results indicate that SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios will bring increased volatility in precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Multi-year average annual values are projected to increase under these scenarios.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateApr 18, 2023

Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast

A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Predictive power of climate models may be masked by volcanoes

A recent study found that the way volcanic eruptions are represented in climate models can degrade their accuracy in predicting decadal variations in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific. These variations have significant impacts on global precipitation and severe weather patterns.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 12, 2023

Scientists show how we can anticipate rather than react to extinction in mammals

Researchers developed a model that predicts which species are at risk of becoming threatened or extinct based on climate change, human population growth, and land use patterns. The study aims to shift conservation efforts from reactive to proactive, enabling the protection of species before they reach threatened status.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2023

US forests face an unclear future with climate change

A new study by University of Utah researchers finds that US forests may lose carbon through fire, stress, and insect damage, compromising their role as a climate solution. The study suggests urgent need to update carbon offset protocols with best available science on climate risks.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2023

Climate change: improved prediction of heatwaves thanks to AI

Researchers developed AI predicting heatwaves using 'deep learning' and statistical models, providing a probabilistic approach up to a month before arrival. The technology is trained on 8,000 years of weather data and combines with rare event simulation algorithms for improved forecasts

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 5, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers correlate Arctic warming to extreme winter weather in midlatitude and its future

A study by GIST researchers found that Arctic warming is correlated with severe winters in East Asia and North America. The 'Warm Arctic-Cold Continent' phenomenon will persist but become more difficult to predict under warmer climates.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2023

Hidden ice melt in Himalaya: Study

A new study reveals that lake-terminating glaciers in the Himalaya have been significantly underestimated, leading to revised estimates of glacier mass loss. The research found a 6.5% underestimation, with some regions experiencing even greater discrepancies, highlighting critical implications for regional water resources.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 3, 2023

Uneven Indian Ocean warming unlocked

A recent study reveals that uneven future warming in the Indian Ocean can cause shifts in monsoon precipitation, with potential impacts on societies and ecosystems. The research identifies key mechanisms driving these changes, including winds and ocean currents.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 31, 2023

Ancient forests, seaways, and climate: Lessons from the miocene for today's world

Researchers used a coupled model to simulate ocean circulation and temperature during the MMCO, finding that global average temperature was over 3℃ higher than present. Extensive forest coverage played a significant role in climate regulation, with land temperatures particularly high in the Sahara and high northern latitudes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalPalaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology·DateMar 30, 2023

Framework helps local planners prepare for climate pressures on food, energy & water systems

A new framework developed by a multidisciplinary team provides guidance to local and regional planners to anticipate and prepare for the impacts of climate change on critical civic resources. The C-FEWS framework evaluates options and makes decisions related to specific local conditions, focusing on the nexus of food, energy, and water.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Climate change threatens global fisheries

A major study found that climate change could decline the diet quality of fish by up to 10% as zooplankton communities shift towards more carnivorous groups. This could exacerbate declines in fish biomass, with potential implications for human societies relying on fisheries for food and livelihoods.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

The new normal already? Examining changing probability of a summer-like fall

A recent study confirmed that a record-high temperature recorded in October 2021 would have been extremely unlikely to occur without the influence of global warming. The team quantified how often such heatwaves may occur during future fall seasons under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateMar 14, 2023

Elegantly modeling earth’s abrupt glacial transitions

Stefano Pierini proposes a new paradigm to simplify the verification of the Milankovitch hypothesis, combining physics concepts to link orbital parameters and glacial cycles. The deterministic excitation paradigm correctly predicts the timing of recent glacial terminations, offering insights into climate predictability.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateMar 7, 2023

A better understanding of gas exchange between the atmosphere and ocean can improve global climate models

A new study published in PNAS reveals that the dissolution of bubbles in high-latitude oceans is a dominant pathway for gases like oxygen and nitrogen to enter the deep ocean. This improved understanding can help improve the accuracy of climate models, which are crucial for predicting changes in the ocean's carbon dioxide inventory.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023

Pioneering study shows flood risks can still be considerably reduced if all global promises to cut carbon emissions are kept

A pioneering study finds that flood risks in the UK can be kept below a 5% increase by 2050 if all countries meet their carbon emission pledges. The research reveals dramatic regional variations in flood hazards, with areas like South East England and London facing significant increases in damage.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Science·DateMar 6, 2023

Antarctic sea ice at lowest level in 45 years marks a reversal from the long-term increasing trend to a decreasing trend

Satellite observations reveal Antarctic sea ice extent has dropped to a record low of 1.788 million square kilometers, marking a reversal from long-term increasing trend to a decreasing one. This occurrence raises questions about the cause and implications of this change, particularly in light of human-caused global warming.

SourceOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research (OLAR)·JournalOcean-Land-Atmosphere Research·TypeNews article·DateMar 5, 2023

Estuaries face higher nutrient loads in the future – particularly on the Atlantic coast

Estuaries along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience significant increases in nutrient loading, posing risks for harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. The study identified regions with high adaptive capacity as having more resources to mitigate these effects.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEarth s Future·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2023

Study finds sinking tundra surface unlikely to trigger runaway permafrost thaw

Researchers used a high-performance computer simulation to study the impact of soil subsidence on permafrost thawing in the Arctic tundra. They found that uneven land subsidence leads to a drier landscape, which limits the process's acceleration through the end of the century.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 21, 2023