Articles tagged with Atmosphere
New research found that plant water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 due to climate change, contradicting earlier hopes it would help improve water consumption. The study's findings suggest that rising temperatures and atmospheric CO2 may be undermining nature-based methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
A recent study reveals that past climate changes and vegetation shifts played a key role in determining when and where early human species interbred. The research suggests that the overlap of habitats led to increased encounters and interactions among groups, increasing the chance of interbreeding.
Researchers linked chemical changes in seawater to volcanic activity and climate change, with a 7-fold decrease in lithium concentration over the past 150 million years. This shift is attributed to reduced seafloor hydrothermal activity, influenced by tectonic plate movements.
A chemical process used by cooks to create flavors and aromas is believed to have helped create conditions for complex life to evolve on Earth. The Maillard reaction, also known as the browning of food, converts small molecules into larger ones that are harder for microorganisms to break down.
A new study has captured the early stages of planetary evolution, observing a young gas planet's violent and erratic atmospheric shedding. The research, led by Dartmouth researchers, provides insights into the most common experiences of planets beyond our solar system.
Researchers used a new code to test the capabilities of future giant telescopes, which could help identify potentially habitable planets. The study found that ELT and TMT can make high-resolution observations of brown dwarfs and exoplanets over a single rotation, while GMT's instruments require multiple rounds.
Research reveals a significant cross-seasonal connection between Arctic sea ice and Eurasian summertime temperature fluctuations. The study found that changes in Arctic sea ice influence atmospheric waves over the North Atlantic–Barents-Kara Sea–Central Asia regions, leading to corresponding changes in temperature fluctuations.
The study found that adding CO2 to temperate terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres intensifies warming in non-irradiated regions, altering global circulation patterns. This effect is seen on both Earth and the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e, with implications for habitability and climate research.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate river flow rates on Mars and Titan, utilizing satellite observations and mathematical equations. The technique allows for predictions of river flow times, sediment size, and potential support for life, shedding light on these celestial bodies' geological pasts.
For over a billion years, the sun's atmospheric tide countered the moon's gravitational pull, keeping Earth's rotational rate steady and day length at 19.5 hours. This balance was disrupted by climate change, resulting in our current 24-hour day stretching to over 60 hours if not for the pause.
A recent study by Kyoto University has raised concerns about the authenticity of Big Oil's net-zero emissions claims. The research team found that oil majors are not making sufficient progress in phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to clean energy, despite their pledges to achieve net-zero by 2050.
A newly discovered exoplanet, LP 890-9c, is providing important insights into conditions at the inner edge of a star's habitable zone. The team's models detail differences in chemical signatures generated by rocky planets near this boundary, based on variables including size, mass, and surface temperature.
The new VOLT Center aims to understand the interactions between organisms, environment, and atmosphere regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which influence global climate. Researchers will study the production, consumption, and effects of VOCs from various organisms, including bacteria, plankton, and plants.
New research from the University of Manchester reveals that areas rich in marine life are significantly impacting our ecosystems and climate. The study found that urea, a nitrogen-rich compound, is being transported over long distances through the atmosphere to benefit nutrient-deficient environments.
Researchers found rock-forming elements in the atmosphere of WASP-76 b, which suggests it might have accreted a smaller Mercury-like planet. The discovery provides unprecedented insight into the presence and abundance of rock-forming elements in giant planets.
Human-induced warming has increased at an 'unprecedented rate' since the last major assessment, with greenhouse gas emissions reaching a record level. The remaining carbon budget has halved over three years, highlighting the urgent need for policymakers and climate experts to access up-to-date scientific evidence.
A Cornell University-led study found that small and shallow ponds emit significant amounts of methane and carbon dioxide, with variability increasing as pond size decreases. The research provides valuable insights into calibrating climate models and informs strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from inland waterbodies.
Researchers found that plants allocate a significant amount of carbon to mycorrhizal fungi, equivalent to roughly one-third of carbon emitted yearly by fossil fuels. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding fungal networks in soil ecosystems and their role in mitigating climate change.
A new study published by scientists at the University of Miami found that Miami residents may experience temperatures 6 degrees Fahrenheit higher on average than NOAA's official reported values, which can feel 11°F higher with humidity. The research team analyzed temperature and humidity data from low-cost sensors set up in outdoor loc...
A new study suggests that industrialized countries in the Global North could be liable to pay a total of $170 trillion in compensation or reparations by 2050. This amount would be distributed as compensation to low-emitting countries that must decarbonize their economies faster than required, aiming to meet climate change targets.
A new study from Tufts University predicts a significant increase in extreme temperatures affecting wheat yields in the US and China. The research warns of potentially disastrous consequences for global food supplies if crops are impacted by heat stress, which can occur at temperatures above 27.8°C.
Researchers used the NIRISS instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope to create a temperature map of the exoplanet WASP-18 b, revealing a huge temperature change from day to night sides. Water vapor was also detected in the atmosphere at various elevations.
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, LP 791-18d, with active volcanoes that could sustain an atmosphere, potentially allowing for liquid water and life. The planet's unique tidal locking creates a permanent day and night side, with the night side possibly experiencing condensation of water vapor.
The new spectrometer designs provide high spectral resolution and low spatial resolution, enabling the study of the Earth's atmosphere or other planets' atmospheres. The designs combine desirable features from several existing designs, reducing size and cost.
A team of researchers used JWST to observe GJ 1214b's atmosphere, discovering water vapor and a reflective haze. The findings suggest the planet is too hot to be habitable but likely contains significant amounts of water.
Heat stress indices, such as humidex and apparent temperature, can provide a more accurate representation of health risks than expected temperatures alone. The study found that areas with critical conditions often differed from regions with the highest temperatures, emphasizing the need for improved communication of heat wave dangers.
A team of Chinese scientists developed high-resolution Earth system models incorporating clouds and ocean submesoscale eddies, capturing major weather-climate extremes. The models simulate cross-scale interactions and provide new insights into weather-climate mechanisms.
The SuperBIT telescope has begun capturing high-resolution images of the Universe on its first research flight. It is investigating the mystery of dark matter, which is thought to be made up of particles that can bounce off each other during galaxy collisions.
The study analyzed ancient dolomite deposits to estimate the temperature and composition of a shallow inland sea during the Palaeoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that the conditions were ideal for photosynthetic algae to emerge, pumping oxygen into the atmosphere.
A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
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.
A model shows enhanced rock weathering will only leak minimal carbon if its products are stored in the ocean. The technique may help constrain global warming below 1.5ºC or 2ºC by century's end.
Astronomers observe repeating radio signal from star YZ Ceti, indicating potential magnetic field of nearby Earth-sized planet YZ Ceti b. The detection provides new insights into the environment around stars and has implications for the search for habitable exoplanets.
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.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can remove atmospheric blur from astronomical images, resulting in more accurate scientific measurements and clearer data. The tool produces faster and more realistic images than current methods, producing 38.6% less error compared to classic methods.
Astronomers have found that Saturn's vast ring system is heating the giant planet's upper atmosphere, a phenomenon that could provide insights into the atmospheres of distant worlds. The discovery was made using archival ultraviolet-light observations from four space missions, including Hubble and Cassini.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
New research reveals methane traps heat in the atmosphere but also creates cooling clouds that offset 30% of the heat. Methane absorbs both longwave and shortwave energy, leading to a slight cooling effect.
Astronomers using JWST discovered that the atmosphere of exoplanet HD149026b, a 'hot Jupiter,' is super-abundant in carbon and oxygen, far above expectations. This finding provides insight into planet formation and suggests that giant planets may have varied atmospheric compositions.
Scientists have identified clouds made from silicate particles on a distant planet using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The team discovered an atmosphere constantly rising and mixing, bringing hotter material up and pushing colder material down.
The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.
A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.
The Atmospheric Waves Experiment, led by USU's Space Dynamics Laboratory and College of Science, will provide unprecedented images of Earth's gravity waves from space. The mission aims to improve satellite communications forecasting and enable contingency planning for space weather events.
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.
Researchers found that mineral-organic carbon preservation slowed down decomposition, allowing atmospheric oxygen levels to increase unhindered. This process enabled complex life forms to evolve and ultimately led to the development of intelligent life on Earth.
A new study highlights Asian megacities like Chennai, Kolkata, Yangon, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila as facing significant risks from sea level rise by 2100. The research incorporates natural sea level fluctuations to show how climate change amplifies this effect, leading to more frequent extreme flooding events.
A study by the University of Bonn has confirmed a significant reduction of methane emissions in slurry by 99% using calcium cyanamide, a long-standing fertilizer. This additive suppresses microbial degradation processes, resulting in lower greenhouse gas production during long-term storage.
Research reveals a clear link between tropical forest loss and reduced rainfall, with potential consequences for agriculture, hydropower plants, and local communities. The study estimates that continued deforestation in the Congo could lead to a 8-12% reduction in rainfall by the end of the century.
A new study finds that rising temperatures will increase harmful plant emissions and dust, leading to a 14% boost in air pollution. The degradation in future air quality from natural sources is predicted to be significant, with two-thirds of the pollution coming from plants.
Researchers at MIT have developed a membrane-free electrochemical process to remove carbon dioxide from seawater, potentially reversing ocean acidification. The system could be integrated with existing desalination plants or ships to help mitigate emissions.
Researchers find that electrical discharge in Martian dust storms could be a major driving force of the planet's chlorine cycle. The study reveals high yields of chlorine gases from common chlorides when electrified by Martian conditions, indicating a promising pathway for converting surface chlorides to atmospheric phases.
A University of Utah-led study explores using space dust as a shield to reduce solar radiation and slow global warming. Launching lunar dust from the moon instead of Earth's way station at L1 could be an effective and cheap solution.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that even dormant volcanoes release a surprisingly high amount of sulfur into the Arctic atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding Earth's atmosphere and its relationship with climate and air quality.
New analyses suggest that climate change alters global precipitation and evaporation patterns, leading to increased sensitivity in river water availability. This study revises forecasting models by incorporating local measurement data from over 9,500 catchments worldwide.
New research reveals that nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to let go of carbon and release it back into the atmosphere. The study found that excess nitrogen acidifies soils, leading to a loss of carbon stored in association with calcium.
Researchers found that benzene and toluene emitted by ocean plankton contribute significantly to aerosol production, increasing organic aerosols by up to 80% in the Southern Ocean. This biological origin of these gases is a significant factor in cloud formation and climate accuracy.