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NASA study verifies global warming trends

A NASA study has verified recent global warming figures, showing high consistency between satellite-based AIRS data and station-based GISTEMP analysis over the past 15 years. The findings also suggest that surface-based data may be underestimating temperature changes in the Arctic, indicating faster warming at the poles.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 16, 2019

Predicting the uphill battle

Researchers developed a series of models that strongly predict how terrain slope affects human travel rates, accounting for variability in movement. The study used crowdsourced fitness-tracking data from nearly 30,000 people, resulting in more advanced models than previous ones.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalApplied Geography·DateApr 3, 2019

Deforestation and drinking water quality

A study by Hisahiro Naito and Annie Mwayi Mapulanga found that deforestation in Malawi is associated with lower safe drinking water usage, despite increased runoff. The authors estimate a 9% decrease in precipitation equivalent to a 14% loss of forest area, highlighting the importance of preserving forests for water source protection.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2019

How to take a census of Earth's biodiversity? One team of researchers has a plan

Researchers propose a new method to measure and track plant and animal populations, known as the 'hypercube,' which can generate health stats for the planet. The goal is to provide policymakers with accurate information to make sound conservation decisions, including assessing progress toward national and international policy goals.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 11, 2019

Democratizing data science

The tool uses Bayesian modeling to automatically generate statistical models from raw data, addressing a bottleneck in the data science field. By providing a user-friendly interface, it enables nonstatisticians to uncover insights and patterns in data, making data science more accessible to those without extensive expertise.

The privacy risks of compiling mobility data

A new study by MIT researchers finds that compiling massive, anonymized datasets about people's movement patterns can make it easier to discern users' identities. The study shows how merging different types of location-stamped data can lead to a high matchability success rate, increasing the possibility of deanonymizing real user data.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Big Data·DateDec 7, 2018

The 'Chinese Pyramids' and the pole star

Researchers discover Chinese pyramids exhibit surprising orientation patterns, defying expectations of traditional funerary practices. The study suggests that ancient Chinese emperors intentionally aligned their pyramids to the star Polaris, reflecting a deeper understanding of celestial movements and astronomy.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalArchaeological Research in Asia·DateNov 28, 2018

Data-driven shale dialogue

Researchers studying water quality around hydraulic fracturing found a blueprint for moving conversations forward through publicly available data and collaboration. The Shale Network has fostered dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including citizens, watershed groups, and energy companies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience·DateFeb 6, 2018

Robots aid better understanding of phytoplankton blooms

Researchers have developed biogeochemical profiling floats to collect data on phytoplankton blooms, identifying the starting point for explosive spring blooms. These robots provide unparalleled data on ocean conditions, including light intensity, suspended particles, and chlorophyll concentration.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 15, 2018

Neutron spectroscopy: New detector module MultiFLEXX increases count rate tenfold

The new detector module MultiFLEXX enables faster data collection by measuring multiple angles and energies simultaneously, reducing measurement times by a factor of 10. This results in significant gains in acquisition efficiency, particularly useful for applications involving temperature or magnetic field mapping.

Sometimes, it pays for the boss to be humble

Researchers discovered that humble leaders foster higher levels of creativity in teams when team members value open communication and collaboration. Humble leaders acknowledge their limitations, facilitate information sharing, and broaden the scope of team skills.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateNov 28, 2017

Correcting position errors in spherical near to far-field transformation for long antennas

Researchers developed an efficient technique to compensate for position errors in a spherical near to far-field transformation for long antennas, using minimum near-field measurements. The method achieves accurate reconstructions of uniform samples from non-uniform ones, enabling the evaluation of input data needed for traditional NTFFT.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Electrical & Electronic Engineering Journal·DateOct 20, 2017

Antarctica: Return of the Weddell polynya supports Kiel climate model

The Weddell Sea has formed a large ice-free area, supporting the Kiel climate model. This natural phenomenon plays a crucial role in sea ice formation and deep water circulation. Scientists closely monitor its occurrence to improve climate models and differentiate between natural variability and human-induced changes.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalCurrent Climate Change Reports·DateSep 29, 2017