Articles tagged with Climatology
A study of fossilized bones from Brazilian species found that hollow bones with air sacs enabled dinosaurs and pterosaurs to become larger, as they circulated more oxygen and stayed cooler. This trait evolved independently in different groups, including sauropods, herrerasaurids, and birds.
Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.
A pooled data analysis of 16 studies found that most family outcomes were similar between sexual minority and different sex parent families, with some advantages in child psychological adjustment and child-parent relationships. However, risk factors such as stigma and discrimination can negatively impact family outcomes.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 will peak by 2100 and become less efficient after 2300 due to a surface layer of low-alkalinity water. This emergence hinders CO2 absorption, leading to faster warming.
Researchers found that seabird species have unique wind tolerance strategies, with some flying fast to counteract wind drift. Albatrosses can fly in most storm conditions, while tropical species use special avoidance tactics.
A recent study synthesizes climate trends across the Western US during the Holocene Era, revealing that the hallmarks of California's climate began around 4,000 years ago. The study also sheds light on human-caused climate change and its impact on regional resilience.
Researchers found that indoor refrigeration units increased queen survival rates and reduced maintenance needs compared to outdoor storage. The study suggests that 'queen banking' could be a key strategy for strengthening honey bee survival in the face of a changing climate.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are designing a model home to address health challenges associated with living at high altitudes. The project combines local materials, state-of-the-art technology, and traditional Indigenous knowledge to create sustainable and accessible housing.
Researchers analyzed two US Army Corps of Engineers flood megaprojects in Rhode Island that emerged simultaneously after hurricane activity around the 1950s. The study found that strong public support and political backing were crucial factors in advancing one project, while the other failed to gain momentum due to environmental concer...
A new study reveals that wildfire smoke interacts with local weather to create conditions that accelerate wildfire expansion and worsen air pollution. Short-term variations in humidity, wind speed, and precipitation drive extreme wildfires on the US West Coast and Southeastern Asia.
A study using tree rings reveals a 400-year trend of increasing droughts and floods in the Kabul River Basin, with severe events becoming more frequent. The research suggests that climate change is intensifying hydrological cycles, leading to devastating consequences for natural resources management.
Dimethyl sulfide levels have increased in Arctic air over the past five decades, according to a study led by Hokkaido University. The team tracked the rise in emissions through measurements of methane sulfonic acid in Greenland ice cores, finding higher levels between 2002 and 2014.
A study by the University of Freiburg has found that auxin influences the fertility of spreading earthmoss, with PINC protein playing a crucial role. The research reveals that sperm swim better without PINC and that its absence leads to increased abortions in Physcomitrella moss.
Researchers uncovered evidence of blue-green algae presence in a German lake dating back 11,000 years, with species diversity increasing significantly after Bronze Age burials. Climate change and industrial agriculture have since accelerated the growth of these toxic algae.
Researchers found that wildfire exposure led to difficulty in sensory interference processing and increased frontal cortex activity, similar to PTSD symptoms. Cognitive deficits persisted 6-12 months post-wildfire, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address climate trauma.
The years 2001 to 2011 were the warmest in the last thousand years, with temperatures 1.5 °C higher than in the 20th century at high elevations of the Greenland Ice Sheet. This warming is surprisingly pronounced and decoupled from the rest of the Arctic.
A recent study found that agricultural droughts in Central Asia will continue to worsen due to human-induced warming and natural climate variability. The researchers used ensemble simulations and observations to project future changes in agricultural droughts across the region, indicating a worsening trend in the coming century.
Scientists have developed AI techniques to track crevasses on the Thwaites Glacier, which could impact global sea levels by up to 60cm. The study found a complex interplay between crevasse formation and ice flow speed changes.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have found that jet engine lubrication oils are a significant source of ultrafine particles. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger inflammatory reactions, potentially contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers project that glaciers will lose 26-41% of their mass by 2100, even under optimistic scenarios. This means that up to half of the planet's glaciers could be lost, contributing significantly to sea-level rise and hydrological changes.
Researchers at the University of Basel have calculated that Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski resort's 100-day ski season is unlikely by 2100 due to warmer winters. Water consumption for snowmaking will increase significantly, with an average winter requiring 540 million liters of water.
Recent changes in climate change coverage in college biology textbooks have been minor and focus on the impacts rather than solutions. The analysis of 57 college biology textbooks since 1970 shows that coverage has continually expanded, but the proportion of text dedicated to actionable solutions has decreased over time.
A team of researchers has harmonized calculation methods for CO2 emissions from land use, enabling more accurate evaluation of country targets and supporting the fair distribution of climate mitigation goals. The analysis reconciles land-based mitigation estimates by separating natural and land-use CO2 fluxes at the country level.
Researchers found that biology textbooks published between 1970 and 2019 provided insufficient climate change information, with median sentence counts decreasing over time. Climate coverage has varied substantially, but actionable solutions decreased significantly since the 1990s.
Researchers propose alternative fertilizer production methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but emphasize the need for careful environmental assessment. The global food supply depends on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which require significant energy and lead to carbon pollution.
The expansion of forests in Central Europe, circa 11,000 years ago, led to the decline and eventual extinction of large Ice Age mammals such as mammoth and bison. The growth of trees deprived these herbivores of their main food source, grass.
Researchers at CReSIS have developed an adaptable radar system for unmanned aerial systems, enabling more complete data on ice-sheet thickness. The new system will improve ice-discharge estimates and allow routine monitoring of sea ice snow cover.
Researchers have developed a robot capable of sorting, manipulating, and identifying microscopic marine fossils. Forabot uses robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the tedious process of evaluating foram shells and fossils.
A new study by Bruegel experts recommends a European 'green pact' to increase climate investments and meet EU's ambitious Paris Agreement targets. The proposal involves better regulatory policies, higher emissions pricing, and public green investments.
Researchers found that oscillations between extreme wetness and aridity in California were closely linked with wildfires during the 8.2-kiloyear event. The study suggests that hydroclimate fluctuations will become more common due to global warming, leading to an increase in wildfire activity.
Scientists analyze past El Niño events to better understand climate patterns over the past 12,000 years. They found that Eastern Pacific events have increased in frequency, while Central Pacific and Coastal events have decreased, resulting in changes in hydroclimate in the tropical Pacific.
Scientists have discovered a long-sought plant water loss-regulating sensor, composed of two proteins working together to regulate stomatal movements in response to changing CO2 concentrations. This finding has significant implications for trees, crops, and wildfires, as well as efficient plant water use and CO2 uptake.
The Southern Hemisphere is stormier than the Northern due to ocean circulation and mountain ranges in the Northern Hemisphere. Since the 1980s, storminess has increased in the Southern Hemisphere, while the Northern Hemisphere has seen negligible changes.
Research from Aarhus University found that melting glaciers release around 10,000 microorganisms per millilitre of meltwater, leading to estimated annual releases of over 100,000 tonnes of carbon-dense microorganisms to surrounding ecosystems.
Researchers warn of impending 35-60 year droughts in western US unless greenhouse gas emissions are curbed to limit warming to 2.5 degrees Celsius. Mountain snowpack is shrinking due to global warming, threatening agriculture, ecosystem support, and urban water supplies.
A new study by researchers from the University of Oldenburg found that particles from central South America were the primary source of iron in the South Pacific during the last two glacial periods. The team's theory suggests that jet stream circulation picked up fine mineral particles on the east side of the Andes and transported them ...
Global carbon emissions have reached a record high, with no indication of a decline to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The Global Carbon Project projects total global CO2 emissions of 40.6 billion tonnes in 2022, fueled by fossil CO2 emissions that are projected to rise 1.0% compared to 2021.
Research reveals sub-hourly rainfall extremes are becoming more intense due to climate change, causing flash floods and landslides. In the Sydney area, extreme rainfall events have risen by at least 20% per decade, highlighting the need for effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The study found that the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream could add a half-inch or more of water to sea levels by the end of this century. The researchers used satellite data and numerical modeling with GPS data collected from the harsh interior of Greenland over the past decade.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that while the pandemic disrupted city sustainability efforts in some cases, it also increased focus on certain types of initiatives. Nearly half of cities reported negative effects on program implementation, but 75% said sustainability staffing was not affected.
A study by Linköping University finds that current measurement methods are insufficient for reducing emissions and meeting the Paris Agreement's 2°C target. The researchers highlight the need for cheap and easy-to-use methods to track all types of greenhouse gas emissions at a local level.
A study reveals a consistent pairing of volcanic ash and low ocean oxygen events during times of rapid climate warming at the end of the last ice age. The research suggests that volcanic eruptions may increase as the planet warms, posing risks to populated regions.
Researchers found coastal embayments experience episodic hypoxic events and increased hypoxic conditions compared to open coastline. These areas are likely to be impacted by climate change and ecosystem changes.
A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.
New research from the University of Rochester and others finds that ocean methane hydrate reservoirs in mid-latitude regions will not be released to the atmosphere under warming conditions. This means that ancient methane is being stored safely on the seafloor, reducing concerns about climate change.
Researchers investigated how supraglacial lake drainage affects tidewater glacier flow speed. They found that Helheim Glacier showed a small 'pulse' of movement after lake drainage, likely due to an efficient drainage system. However, for glaciers without such systems, lake drainages may produce a net increase in glacier movement.
A new study suggests that rising air temperatures amplify the effects of ocean warming on the Greenland ice sheet, leading to greater ice loss. The combination of warmer liquid and movement accelerates melting, similar to ice cubes in a drink being stirred.
Researchers from Hokkaido University used satellite images to observe the sudden drainage of proglacial lake Lago Greve in Chilean Patagonia, resulting in a 18-meter drop in water level and a loss of 3.7 cubic kilometers of water. The study suggests that the cause was the collapse of a sediment bump at the lake's outlet, highlighting t...
Researchers found that the return of radiolarians, a tiny marine organism, helped restore habitable conditions after the massive extinction event. The study suggests that every microorganism plays a vital role in regulating biogeochemical cycles and conservation of the planet.
New research models the value of clean hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industries and transportation in China. A widespread application of clean hydrogen in HTA sectors can save $1.72 trillion in investment costs and avoid a 0.13% loss in aggregate GDP.
A new method was developed by LMU geographers to distinguish the direct effects of human land use on global CO2 fluxes from those of natural environmental factors using satellite and other Earth observation data. This differentiation is important for isolating the true progress achieved by climate protection measures.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and elsewhere are showing that climate change must be considered in marine planning. The ClimeMarine project has studied the effects of temperature and salt content changes on ecosystems and species, finding that they may impact more than other environmental factors combined.
Researchers used counterfactual history to analyze the 2011 cloudburst, demonstrating a clear correlation between heat in the atmosphere leading up to the event and its intensity. The study shows that a century of human-caused temperature increases doubled the risk of similar or stronger cloudbursts in the future.
A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.
A Japanese research group discovered that the leaf area index of mixed-forests influences seasonal changes in the formation of a nocturnal cold-air pool at a small mountain basin. The study found that weakening of the nighttime temperature inversion occurred during leaf expansion, while strengthening occurred after leaf fall.
Researchers confirm significant increase in freshwater entering the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait, leading to a decrease in saltiness and potential impacts on sea ice formation and regional ecosystems. This change could also affect climate-sensitive processes, such as deep water mixing in the North Atlantic.
Thirty-eight Chinese cities have reduced their CO2 emissions for at least five years, while 21 cities have cut emissions due to economic decline or population loss. The study recommends individualized emission targets considering cities' resources and development goals.
Simultaneous extreme heat and drought events have significant consequences on various sectors, including economy, health, and food production. The analysis of eight extreme events in Europe, Australia, and Africa highlights the need for more systematic risk assessments to improve adaptability and resilience.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that counties with moderate-to-high wildfire risk are more likely to have higher poverty rates. The researchers identified 14 states in the lower 48 with the highest wildfire risk, including Arizona, California, and Texas.