Articles tagged with Climate Change
Researchers have developed tiny 'nanojars' that can split bicarbonate into carbonate and capture it, as well as certain toxic anions, making them suitable for recycling. The nanojars are made up of multiple repeating units of a copper ion and a pyrazole group, and can selectively bind to specific ions.
A new study reveals that dams in California do not adequately replicate natural thermal patterns, making them incapable of supporting cold-water species effectively. Key cold-water conservation candidates include streams highly influenced by groundwater and places where water easily infiltrates the soil.
A new study found that global marine ecosystem models differ widely in their representation of key processes, leading to underestimation of climate change impacts. Marine ecosystem models generally agree on biomass decline but disagree on magnitude and location across the world's oceans through the 21st century.
A new study finds that greenhouse warming will increase North Tropical Atlantic variability, causing more frequent extreme events like hurricanes and droughts. The research also reveals an amplification of ENSO-induced temperature anomalies due to increased ENSO variability in a warming climate.
A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.
Researchers at UEA developed a new method for measuring carbon uptake by Arctic plants, providing insights into the impact of climate change on this process. This study reduces uncertainties in previous assessments and investigates the influence of environmental factors on carbon uptake.
Researchers at Osaka University have successfully created a 3D-bioprinted structured Wagyu beef-like meat alternative using stem cells isolated from Wagyu cows. The new technology mimics the complex texture of real Wagyu beef, allowing for customizable fat and muscle components in cultured meat.
The Iñupiaq people's seal hunting season has shrunk by about one day per year over the past 17 years due to sea ice decline. This reduction in flexibility affects hunters' ability to prepare and hunt, as they now have less time to adapt to changing conditions.
Researchers used glacial isostatic adjustment modeling to reconstruct the Antarctic Ice Sheet before the Last Glacial Maximum, revealing a thickened ice sheet that depressed the continent and generated high sea levels. The study aims to improve understanding of ice-sheet response to climate changes.
Scientists discovered that volcanic arcs, including chains like the Andes and Cascades, played a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels over the past 400 million years. This natural feedback mechanism helped maintain a stable climate, but recent human-driven emissions have disrupted this balance.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...
A global inventory reveals oil refineries emitted 1.3Gt CO2 in 2018, with potential emissions of 16.5Gt by 2030 if no mitigation strategies are adopted. Researchers recommend improving refinery efficiency and upgrading technologies to reduce emissions.
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.
Researchers have identified a massive coral structure in the Great Barrier Reef, measuring 5.3m tall and 10.4m wide, which is not only the widest but also the sixth tallest recorded in the reef.
Researchers have mapped significant geothermal heat beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, revealing a new potential weak spot in the ice sheet's stability. This heat flow, estimated to be up to 150 milliwatts per square meter, could lead to easier sliding of the glacier and potentially accelerate its collapse.
Researchers found that bumblebee flight performance rises rapidly from 12°C and peaks between 25-27°C, but declines beyond this. This study suggests that climate warming may benefit some northern-latitude bee species, but poses risks to southern-latitude populations due to more frequent extreme weather events.
Researchers pair metal halide perovskites with conventional silicon to create a more powerful solar cell, overcoming the 26% practical efficiency limit. The technology has the potential to rapidly scale up solar energy production and help meet ambitious climate change targets.
Researchers identified specialized immune cells in cauliflower coral and starlet sea anemone that can fight infection. These unique cell types were previously unknown and have implications for understanding coral resilience to climate change.
Researchers sequenced DNA from plant specimens collected nearly 50 years ago to analyze genetic diversity and its response to climate change. The study found that several species restricted to the Guadalupe Mountains had surprisingly high amounts of genetic diversity, which could help them adapt to changing conditions.
A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.
Researchers have created a new model that estimates the economic impacts of climate tipping points, such as disintegration of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The study finds that exceeding these tipping points could lead to increased economic costs of climate change impacts by up to 25%.
A recent study suggests that personal carbon allowances (PCAs) may be a feasible solution to reduce emissions and promote sustainable lifestyles. The researchers propose a market-based approach to provide individuals with incentives and options to link their actions with global carbon reduction goals.
A new study published in Nature Food found that long-running wars are the primary driver of rising hunger in Africa, displacing people, raising food prices, and blocking aid. Droughts have played a smaller role in exacerbating food insecurity, with their impact remaining steady or even decreasing over time.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
A clean US hydrogen economy is achievable but requires a comprehensive strategy and infrastructure development. The US needs to consider the production, transport, storage, use, and economic viability of hydrogen to make it viable on a societal scale.
Researchers observed a 'warming bias' in the Earth's ancient history, with more warming events and greater temperature shifts than cooling events. The study suggests that a multiplier effect may kick back in as ice sheets disappear, leading to further amplification of human-induced global warming.
Scientists investigate how Jurassic belemnites adapted to environmental changes caused by warming, finding differences between species and developmental stages. The study highlights the importance of considering life history and phylogeny when analyzing the impact of climate stress on marine organisms.
Researchers say surprise is a key factor in disastrous river floods, with improved flood warnings and protection measures contributing to declining casualties. Asia is the worst-hit region, with over 125 million people affected annually by such disasters.
Research in the southern Murray-Darling Basin has found a downward spiral in water availability, driven by accelerated changes in climate. Since the 1990s, cool season rainfall and river heights have significantly decreased due to increased evaporation and changed precipitation patterns.
A new study finds that global sea levels during the last interglacial may have been as low as 1.2 meters higher than today, rather than the previously accepted 6-9 meters. This suggests that ice sheet melting was not as extensive as thought, but also raises concerns about future projections.
Researchers studied record-breaking cold air outbreaks in China and North America, finding links to sudden stratospheric warming, polar vortex shifts, and anomalous ocean temperatures. The study suggests that global warming and ocean changes may drive extreme weather events, highlighting the need for further research.
Research suggests climate change will increase disease pressure in some regions and reduce it in others. Model projections indicate that rising temperatures will boost yields in temperate areas while having little effect on tropical regions.
Pasquali proposes splitting hydrocarbons to produce clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon materials, which could replace materials with large carbon footprints. This transition would generate robust growth in manufacturing jobs and improve production efficiency.
A recent study by a FAU team has discovered microplastics in every single mollusc examined from the Svalbard archipelago, including up to 184 particles of eight different types of plastic. The impact on the Arctic ecosystem is still unknown, but laboratory studies suggest that microplastics can cause inflammation in molluscs.
A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.
A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that Indigenous fire stewardship increases biodiversity and ecosystem heterogeneity across all major terrestrial biomes. Cultural burning reduces risks of interface fires and has important cultural practices for resource management, community protection, and cultural purposes.
Researchers found a 40-meter fall in sea level increases eruption likelihood at Santorini and possibly other volcanoes worldwide. Climate change impacts volcanic activity, particularly as ice sheets retreat and global sea levels rise.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing various technologies to minimize oil leaks, enable 3D printing in space, and increase fuel efficiency from ethanol. They have developed a quantum sensing system to detect pipeline leaks more quickly, built a thermal protection shield for a capsule launched into space, and creat...
Climate models project significant decrease in suitable permafrost conditions in Daisetsu Mountains, threatening alpine ecosystems and trekkers. By 2100, only 20 km2 area may remain suitable for permafrost under low-carbon scenario.
Research from UNSW Sydney found that unexpected uncertainty prompts people to adjust their behavior, even if it's not the best strategy. In contrast, gradual changes in uncertainty do not lead to significant behavioral shifts. The study suggests that understanding how people react to uncertainty can help overcome inertia and promote su...
A novel statistical method revealed the importance of climate change in controlling deep-sea biodiversity, with temperature being the primary driver. The study used long-term fossil records and Convergent Cross Mapping to detect causality, supporting evidence that climate change affects deep-sea ecosystems.
Researchers estimate that US government subsidies will encourage more oil and gas extraction in the coming decade, particularly at low oil prices. The study's findings suggest that subsidies can flow to excess profits, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and air and water pollution.
Researchers at Princeton University and GFDL found that the Earth's energy balance sheet is out of equilibrium, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events. The study suggests that human activities are responsible for the observed changes in the energy imbalance.
A new study found that climate-related disasters have surged since 2019, with devastating floods, heat waves, and wildfires. The study calls for a phase-out of fossil fuels and strategic climate reserves to address the climate crisis.
The Dead Sea is shrinking at a rate of about one meter per year, causing land subsidence of 15 centimeters annually. Researchers have linked this trend to hydro-meteorological fluctuations, revealing a direct connection between water table fluctuations, evaporation, and land movement.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that droughts in South America will increase by the end of the century due to rising temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions. The study used 38 Global Climate Models to analyze temperature and precipitation changes across the continent.
A study found that the Australian bushfires had a more significant impact on global climate than pandemic lockdowns, cooling the planet by about .06 degrees Celsius. The fires injected sulfates and other particles into the atmosphere, disrupting the climate system and influencing storm tracks.
Research suggests that Western wildfires will initially intensify for about a decade due to hotter and drier conditions, then decrease in size as fire becomes self-limiting.
The study suggests that green habitat corridors connected eastern Africa to the Levant across the present-day Judean Desert, facilitating the dispersal of crested rats and humans. This correlation dates back to a brief period during the Last Interglacial.
Researchers used Project Drawdown's global strategies to estimate that a system of 20 high-impact solutions could decrease Georgia's carbon footprint by 35% in 2030 compared to business-as-usual forecasts. The study suggests that this approach can be replicated for other US states lacking state-specific plans.
Scientists have developed a novel indicator to monitor danger to the world's rainforests, which are losing their capacity to cycle carbon and water. The unique tropical rainforest index (TFVI) provides a snapshot of long-term observations, revealing that rainforests are more vulnerable than previously predicted.
A new study published in PLOS ONE warns that Kenya's Tana River Basin species will be unable to survive if global temperatures continue to rise. However, remaining within the goals of the Paris Agreement could save many species by protecting refugia from climate change.
A new IIASA-led study assesses future global food security projections, finding food demand will increase by 35-56% over 2010-2050, mainly due to population growth. To prevent environmental impacts, policymakers must develop long-term measures, including stimulating inclusive growth.
A new study led by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences suggests that the balance of chemical elements in plankton is primarily dependent on the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus supplied from the subsurface ocean. This discovery could improve the accuracy of computer models used to forecast ocean change.
A new decision tree tool has been developed to differentiate the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse from its abundant look-alike, the western harvest mouse. The tool uses machine learning to analyze characteristics such as belly color and tail hair, allowing for accurate identification with high accuracy.
The Indus basin has significant hydropower and seasonal pumped storage potential due to its high altitudes and water availability. The region's unique climate and geography make it an ideal location for long-term energy storage, with costs comparable to natural gas reinjection.
Scientists at Ohio State University have found viruses nearly 15,000 years old in Tibetan glacier ice, including four previously known and 28 novel viruses. The discovery sheds light on virus evolution and helps understand how microbes and viruses respond to climate change.
A new machine learning system called MOSAIKS uses satellite images to analyze hundreds of variables at a global scale, replicating reports from the US Census Bureau with reasonable accuracy. The system has enormous potential in addressing development challenges in low-income countries and understanding big-picture environmental change.
AgTech NEXT 2021 explores intersections of agriculture, innovation, and climate change. The event features thought-provoking discussions on carbon markets, geospatial sciences, and food security.