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Early arrival and expansion of palaeolithic people on Cyprus

Researchers found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus around 14,257 to 13,182 years ago, suggesting the island was attractive for early human habitation. The rapid expansion of the population coincided with increased temperature, precipitation, and environmental productivity.

SourceFlinders University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 16, 2024

Optimal redistribution of nitrogen fertilizer among countries

Shifting excess nitrogen from rich countries to poor ones could increase crop production by 12%, with moderate/food insecure regions seeing significant gains in both fertilizer use and food output. Current levels of production could be maintained with only 53-68% of current nitrogen used through redistribution.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 14, 2024

Weaker ocean currents lead to decline in nutrients for North Atlantic ocean life during prehistoric climate change, research shows

Researchers found that weaker ocean currents during the Younger Dryas period led to a decline in nutrient availability, resulting in decreased biological productivity in the North Atlantic. This study supports predictions about the impact of climate change on ocean circulation and life.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeSurvey·DateMay 9, 2024

Climate change amplifies severity of combined wind-rain extremes over the UK and Ireland

New research shows climate change will cause more severe combined wind-rain extremes in the UK and Ireland, leading to increased flooding and damage. The study found that stronger winds and heavier rainfall are likely to occur together, posing challenges for coastal areas and emergency response resources.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalWeather and Climate Extremes·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 3, 2024

New computer algorithm supercharges climate models and could lead to better predictions of future climate change

A new computer algorithm developed by University of Oxford scientist Samar Khatiwala can drastically reduce the spin-up time of Earth System Models, enabling researchers to investigate subtle changes in model parameters and define uncertainty more accurately. This breakthrough could lead to better predictions of future climate change a...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 1, 2024

Should chatbots chime in on climate change?

Researchers found that chatbots like ChatGPT can provide accurate information on climate change-related topics, but not all responses are reliable. The study compared the chatbots' answers to hazard risk indices generated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and found more accuracy with tropical storms than droughts.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 30, 2024

AMS Science Preview: Hawaiian climates; chronic pain; lightning-caused wildfires

A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 26, 2024

Through a new NASA grant, interdisciplinary team to measure nitrogen released from agriculture sources

An interdisciplinary team led by Kaiyu Guan is using a combination of satellite remote sensing, in-situ measurements, and biochemical modeling to quantify nitrogen emissions from agriculture. The goal is to provide improved guidance for farmers on reducing nitrogen fertilizer use and alleviating air pollution.

CO2 worsens wildfires by helping plants grow

A recent study by the University of California - Riverside found that carbon dioxide is driving an increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires by fueling the growth of plants that become kindling. This process occurs because plants use the extra CO2 to make carbohydrates, leading to an increase in biomass that burns.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 16, 2024

New review offers first recommendations on accurately assessing the carbon footprint of coffee farming

A new scientific review published in Sustainable Production and Consumption explores how to accurately assess the carbon footprint of coffee farming. The study provides guidance on measuring green coffee's environmental impact, including identifying representative measurements and applying land use change modeling.

SourceKaizo·JournalSustainable Production and Consumption·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 16, 2024

Unraveling the song of ice and fire across the American landscape with machine learning

A recent machine learning study has discovered a surprising link between wildfires in the western United States and hailstorms in the central US. The research, led by Jiwen Fan, used ML algorithms to analyze vast datasets spanning two decades, predicting hail storms with remarkable accuracy.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 11, 2024

Ocean currents threaten to collapse Antarctic ice shelves

A new study reveals that meandering ocean currents and the ocean floor induce upwelling velocity, transporting warm water to shallower depths, contributing to rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves. This process poses a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide due to rising global sea levels.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateApr 11, 2024

UC Santa Cruz researchers value salt marsh restoration as a crucial tool in flood risk reduction and climate resilience in the San Francisco Bay

Researchers found that salt marsh restoration can reduce flood risk, preserve habitats, and provide recreational opportunities. The study also emphasizes the importance of integrating nature-based solutions into comprehensive climate resilience strategies to mitigate future climate change impacts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 11, 2024

Reducing production and consumption growth in high-income countries: is it good for tackling climate change?

Researchers analyze degrowth scenarios to reduce emissions, highlighting the need for lower energy demand and technological advancements. The study suggests that fast emissions reductions are possible even with reduced or zero economic growth, but also raises concerns about sociocultural feasibility.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEconomic Systems Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 8, 2024

A new estimate of U.S. soil organic carbon to improve Earth system models

Scientists have developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon in the US, providing a more accurate benchmark for policymakers. The study reveals how environmental variables affect soil organic carbon and offers insights into mitigating climate change through sustainable land management practices.

SourceEmory University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 2, 2024

How extratropical ocean-atmosphere interactions can contribute to the variability of jet streams in the Northern Hemisphere

Researchers from Kyushu University found that ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns, leading to more meandering jet streams and extreme weather events. The study highlights the significance of extratropical ocean-atmosphere interactions in climate variability.

SourceKyushu University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 28, 2024

Breakthrough in modeling

Researchers developed a new type of ocean model that can simulate the transport, storage, and turnover of carbon in the global coastal ocean. The model shows that intense plankton growth is key to enhanced CO2 uptake in coastal oceans, which could strengthen with ongoing CO2 emissions.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 25, 2024

New research finds boreal arctic wetlands are producing more methane over time

Scientists have developed a new model to accurately understand methane emissions in the region, finding that wetlands are producing more methane over time. This is due to the warming of these biomes, causing the stored carbon to be released into the atmosphere as methane, contributing to global warming.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2024

Drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions: an overlooked feedback loop exacerbating climate change

Tufts scientists highlight the overlooked feedback loop between drought, soil desiccation cracking, and carbon dioxide emissions, which could accelerate climate change. The study suggests that soil's 80% carbon storage capacity is releasing increasing amounts of greenhouse gases as droughts trigger cracks in soils.

SourceTufts University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2024