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Water in smog may reveal pollution sources

Researchers have found combustion water in Salt Lake City's winter inversions, with cars and home heating being the largest sources. The study provides a new method for measuring greenhouse gas emissions and studying urban weather.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2015

New study confirms water vapor as global warming amplifier

A new study from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School confirms that rising levels of water vapor in the upper troposphere will intensify climate change impacts. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, increase greenhouse gases, leading to higher temperatures and more atmospheric moisture.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2014

Hubble finds 3 surprisingly dry exoplanets

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope found three 'hot Jupiters' with significantly lower than expected water vapor levels, challenging current theories on planet formation and migration. The discovery may require instruments to be designed with higher sensitivity for future space telescopes searching for water in potentially...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 24, 2014

Ancient Indonesian climate shift linked to glacial cycle

Researchers from Brown University have assembled a 60,000-year record of rainfall in central Indonesia, showing that the region's normally wet climate was interrupted by a severe dry period during peak ice age. This finding provides crucial data for predicting how the region might respond to global warming.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2014

AGU journal highlights -- March 11, 2014

Recent AGU publications explore the surface dynamics of Titan's second-largest lake, Ligeia Mare. Researchers found that the lake's surface is flat, suggesting no waves or wind in the region. Additionally, new research on U-shaped glacial valleys suggests a tectonic stress feedback loop played a crucial role in their formation.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 11, 2014

Wind power's potential

Researchers calculated wind power potential worldwide, accounting for climate impacts and found it exceeds global energy demands. The maximum theoretical potential is over 250 terawatts globally and 80 TW over land and ocean areas.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2012

Earliest watery black hole discovered

Astronomers have found the largest and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the universe, located in a distant quasar with a massive black hole. The discovery provides valuable information about the early universe's water vapor behavior and its influence on cosmic evolution.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 22, 2011

AGU journal highlights -- March 17, 2011

Researchers discover unique ocean current rings off Brazil's coast, with properties including size, speed, depth, and rotation velocity. Additionally, scientists capture detailed profiles of ice water content in the Martian near-surface atmosphere, revealing thickest concentrations at 50 meters above the surface.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 17, 2011

Dry winters linked to seasonal outbreaks of influenza

A new study published in PLoS Biology found that absolute humidity is the underlying cause of seasonal influenza outbreaks. The researchers used 31 years of observed data to drive a mathematical model of influenza and found that the model simulations reproduced the observed seasonal cycle of influenza throughout the United States.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 22, 2010

AGU Journal highlights -- Oct. 26, 2009

Two new studies found evidence of a large volcanic eruption in 1809 that contributed to the coldest decade on record. Researchers analyzed ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, as well as stalagmites in Turkey, to shed light on this event. The findings challenge previous theories on climate change and provide valuable insights into ...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 26, 2009

NOAA scientists to search tropical skies

Scientists from NOAA's Earth System Research Lab will conduct a field study in Costa Rica to observe the troposphere during the rainy season. They aim to understand key processes related to climate change, the stratospheric ozone layer, and global chemistry.

Massive weather study heads for the skies and roads of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas

A massive weather study is underway in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, using six aircraft and 30 ground sensors to track water vapor and predict heavy rain. The IHOP2002 project aims to improve forecasts from 1 to 12 hours ahead of heavy rain, which could help in flash-flood safety and other applications.