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North American cold-climate forests are already absorbing less carbon, study shows

A new study reveals that cold-climate forests at high latitudes are already absorbing less carbon, casting uncertainty on their ability to continue doing so. In contrast, Siberian forests have increased their carbon uptake four times more than other North American forests, suggesting stark divergent responses across regions.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Peatland carbon and nitrogen stocks and permafrost thaw

Northern peatlands store large amounts of carbon and nitrogen, but are vulnerable to permafrost thaw under climate change. If thawed, these peatlands could become a source of atmospheric carbon, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2020

Scientists identify missing source of atmospheric carbonyl sulfide

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology found that anthropogenic sources account for much of the missing source of OCS in the atmosphere. Their study provides better context for estimating global photosynthesis using OCS dynamics.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2020

More carbon in the ocean can lead to smaller fish

Researchers found that high CO2 concentrations in water make fish grow smaller, with a growth deficit of between five and ten percent. Fish living at less ideal temperatures and more CO2 experienced greater reductions in growth.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 4, 2020

In a warming world, New England's trees are storing more carbon

A new study reveals that New England's trees are capturing more carbon from the atmosphere, driven by growing temperatures and increased precipitation. However, some forests are also becoming a source of CO2 due to invasive insects and climate-related stressors.

SourceHarvard University·JournalEcological Processes·DateAug 4, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Seasonal sea ice changes hold clues to controlling CO2 levels, ancient ice shows

A new study found that seasonal growth and destruction of sea ice in the Southern Ocean enhances marine life present in the sea around Antarctica, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The researchers analyzed data from a period when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels plateaued at 240 ppm 14,600 years ago.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 22, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Mysterious climate change

A recent study found that seasonal sea ice growth and destruction increased biological productivity in the Southern Ocean, extracting carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the deep ocean. This process helps explain a long-standing question about a 1,900-year pause in CO2 growth during the Antarctic Cold Reversal.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 22, 2020

Arctic Ocean acidification worse than previously expected

The Arctic Ocean is projected to absorb 20% more CO2 by the end of the 21st century, leading to stronger ocean acidification. This increase in CO2 will negatively impact calcifying organisms such as mussels and corals, having serious consequences for the entire food chain.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

A carbon sink shrinks in the arctic

The Arctic Ocean's capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has decreased due to rapid warming and sea-ice loss. This reduction will have significant implications for climate change, with the Canada Basin predicted to become a minimal carbon sink by 2030.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJun 15, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Study shows diamonds aren't forever

A recent study published in Nature shows that CO2 emissions from the African continent's rift system are destabilizing diamond deposits, which could have significant implications for the environment.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature·DateJun 4, 2020

Ocean uptake of CO2 could drop as carbon emissions are cut

A new study suggests that the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide will slow down as global emissions decrease, due to the slowed growth rate of atmospheric CO2. This could lead to a decrease in ocean carbon uptake and an increase in atmospheric CO2, contributing to additional warming.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalAGU Advances·DateJun 3, 2020

Measuring climate change

Researchers have identified similarities and differences in ocean acidification on both coasts of North America, with the east coast experiencing a near-equilibrium pattern and the west coast showing enhanced acidification due to upwelling. The study highlights vulnerable hot spots, particularly in northern waters where rising carbon d...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2020

NAU's Vulcan Project fossil fuel emissions show best match to carbon-14 measurements

The study found that NAU's Vulcan Project emissions estimate is the closest match to the new atmospheric-based approach, with an accuracy of 1.5%. The integrated approach combines multiple data sources, including local pollution reporting and fuel statistics, to provide a more detailed and accurate picture of US fossil fuel emissions.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2020

Estimating fossil fuel CO2 emissions

Researchers estimate US fossil fuel CO2 emissions using atmospheric 14C measurements, finding higher emission rates compared to widely used inventories. The study suggests that independent validation of inventory-based estimates is possible through carbon isotope measurements.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Tracking fossil fuel emissions with carbon-14

Researchers estimate national fossil-fuel-derived CO2 emissions by observing carbon-14 in air samples. The new method uses a model of atmospheric transport to disentangle CO2 variations from natural sources, providing an independent and objective estimate.

SourceNOAA Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2020

Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes

Research by the University of Exeter suggests that climate change could lead to sudden changes in British vegetation, particularly in regions with warmer and wetter conditions. This increase in plant growth is expected due to factors such as CO2 fertilization, but soil drying out can also cause rapid decreases in vegetation productivity.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateMay 28, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

London's CO2 emissions cut by almost 60% during lockdown

Scientists measured a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in London during the pandemic, with daily reductions mirroring decreases in traffic flow. The lockdown's impact on air quality and potential changes in behaviors post-lockdown are also being studied.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·DateMay 19, 2020

Commercial airliners monitoring CO2 emissions from cities worldwide

A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed thousands of vertical measurements over airports and characterized CO2 variations over 34 major cities worldwide. The CONTRAIL program's aircraft data showed clear CO2 enhancements when wind comes from urban areas, indicating a relationship between CO2 variability and city emissions.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalNature·DateMay 15, 2020

Chromium speciation in marine carbonates and implications on atmospheric oxygenation

A recent study reveals that Cr(III) dominates in all sedimentary marine carbonates, contradicting previous theories on the oxidation of Earth's early atmosphere and ocean. The findings suggest that either microbial reduction or preferential uptake of Cr(III) by carbonate may be responsible for the absence of Cr(VI) in these rocks.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMay 15, 2020

The revolt of the plants: The arctic melts when plants stop breathing

Plant breathing reduces Arctic land surface temperature, but rising CO2 accelerates warming by closing stomata and reducing transpiration. This study confirms the physiological forcing effect on Arctic climate system, estimating that 10% of greenhouse effect is caused by plant stomatal closure.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study shows wetter climate is likely to intensify global warming

A new study suggests that increased rainfall in tropical regions will enhance soil respiration and decrease soil carbon stocks, leading to further intensification of global warming. This process could release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalNature·DateMay 6, 2020

The best things come in small packages

A miniaturized carbon dioxide monitoring instrument based on non-dispersive infrared technology has been developed to observe carbon dioxide concentrations in the boundary layer. The instrument provided consistent results with conventional gas chromatography analyzers and revealed that CO2 concentration decreases with increasing altitude.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateApr 21, 2020

Volcanic CO2 emissions helped trigger Triassic climate change

A new study suggests that volcanic activity played a direct role in triggering extreme climate change at the end of the Triassic period. The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from these eruptions is comparable to the amount expected to be produced by all human activity in the 21st century.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2020

Don't look to mature forests to soak up carbon dioxide emissions

Research suggests mature forests cannot absorb additional carbon as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase. Carbon is quickly cycled through the soil and returned to the atmosphere, with only half being stored by trees and half by fungi and bacteria.

SourceSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

The ocean's 'biological pump' captures more carbon than expected

A new study from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals the ocean's biological carbon pump is more efficient than previously estimated, capturing twice as much carbon as thought. This discovery has significant implications for future climate assessments and policy.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2020

Most of Earth's carbon was hidden in the core during its formative years

Scientists discovered that more carbon than expected stayed in the mantle, suggesting it was sequestered into lighter elements like silicon and oxygen in the core. Despite this, the majority of Earth's total carbon inventory still likely exists in the core.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 31, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Under extreme heat and drought, trees hardly benefit from an increased CO2 level

Researchers found that increased CO2 levels reduced water loss and improved water use efficiency in trees during periods of drought and heat, but had no positive effect on carbon metabolism. The study suggests that the benefits of elevated CO2 are outweighed by the negative impacts of climate change.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 26, 2020

Study reveals grasshopper declines associated with declines in quality of prairie grasses

A University of Oklahoma-led study reveals a decline in grasshopper numbers over the past two decades in a Kansas grassland preserve. The research identifies nutrient dilution as a key driver, caused by increased atmospheric CO2 levels, leading to declining plant quality and reduced sustenance for herbivores.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2020

Methane emitted by humans vastly underestimated, researchers find

University of Rochester researchers found that the amount of methane emitted by humans is significantly higher than previously thought. By analyzing ancient air samples, they determined that reducing fossil fuel use can help curb climate change. The study suggests that anthropogenic methane emissions account for a larger portion of the...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateFeb 19, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Earth's glacial cycles enhanced by Antarctic sea-ice

A study published in PNAS reveals that Antarctic sea-ice played a crucial role in past climate transitions, storing extra carbon in the deep ocean and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels. Sea ice formation increases storage of carbon in the deep ocean, leading to a 30 ppm drawdown of atmospheric CO2.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Mystery solved: Why ocean's carbon budget plummets beyond the twilight zone

A recent study found that fragmentation of large organic particles into small ones accounts for roughly half of particle loss in the ocean, controlling sequestration of sinking organic carbon. Sinking particles like plankton and detritus play a critical role in lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020

Removing CO2 from the atmosphere and the Desarc-Maresanus project

The Desarc-Maresanus project uses an alkalinization process to counteract ocean acidification and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The study found that dispersing calcium hydroxide on the surface of the sea could make it possible to halt the trend of ocean acidification, making it a promising solution to combat climate change.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·DateFeb 10, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New research highlights how plants are slowing global warming

According to a new study, human activities have inadvertently increased plant growth globally, which absorbs carbon dioxide and cools the planet. This 'global greening' trend could be slowing down global warming by up to 0.2-0.25 degrees Celsius.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·DateJan 31, 2020

Meteorites reveal high carbon dioxide levels on early Earth

Tiny meteorites found in ancient soils suggest carbon dioxide made up 25-50 percent of Earth's atmosphere 2.7 billion years ago, indicating a warm planet. Lower nitrogen levels resulting from lower pressure would allow for both high CO2 and cool conditions.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

How old are they? Some non-photosynthetic orchids consist of dead wood

Researchers used radiocarbon analysis to determine the carbon age of non-photosynthetic orchids, revealing they obtain carbon from dead wood via saprotrophic fungi. This finding overturns traditional views and opens a new perspective on how these plants have become ecologically successful.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·DateJan 23, 2020

Tracking the scent of warming tundra

Researchers found that tundra warming significantly increases VOC release from plants, shifting composition towards more reactive hydrocarbons. This change in VOCs could impact plant-animal interactions and ecosystem resilience.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 20, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Ocean acidification is damaging shark scales

Research on puffadder shysharks reveals that ocean acidification damages up to 25% of their denticles, limiting their swimming ability. The study also found that sharks have an acid-base regulatory mechanism to adapt to environmental conditions.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 8, 2020

Carbon dioxide in early atmosphere

A study of 2.7 billion-year-old micrometeorites reveals that the early atmosphere likely contained between 25-50% CO2, leading to a cooler climate with evidence of glaciation. This finding suggests lower nitrogen levels in the ancient atmosphere, allowing for a modest greenhouse effect.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 6, 2020

BU chemists develop new biodegradable adhesive

Boston University researchers have developed a biodegradable adhesive that can effectively stick to various surfaces, replacing traditional plastic adhesives. The adhesive's formula is easily adaptable to suit industrial and medical applications.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New research pinpoints which of the world's trees are climate-ready

Researchers have discovered that evergreen tree species, such as holly and ivy, are more water-efficient under rising CO2 concentrations, potentially giving them a competitive edge over deciduous trees. This advantage is expected to be particularly pronounced in cooler climates like Ireland.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 11, 2019

Breathing? Thank volcanoes, tectonics and bacteria

A new study suggests that volcanic eruptions triggered by tectonics led to the Great Oxidation Event, a significant increase in oxygen in Earth's atmosphere about 2.5 billion years ago. The research proposes that this event was also linked to a change in the composition of carbon isotopes in carbonate rock record.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 2, 2019
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.