Articles tagged with Climate Change
Researchers identified three invasive species of high concern for Durban: Alligator weed, American bullfrog, and red imported fire ant. The study provides a new tool for cities to focus on preventative measures, reducing costs associated with future invasions.
An international research team reconstructed ice nucleating particles from ice cores for the first time, providing insights into cloud cover in the Arctic over the last 500 years. The measurements could help close gaps in knowledge on climate research and inform future climate changes.
The CASUS institute will develop a systematic understanding of complex phenomena using new digital methods, focusing on climate, environmental, and astrophysics research. Researchers from diverse disciplines will work together to map and understand complexity, enabling reliable predictions for complex systems.
A new study reveals Himalayan glaciers have doubled their annual melt rate since 2000, with temperatures averaging 1 degree Centigrade higher than in previous decades. The accelerated melting threatens water supplies for 800 million people and may lead to deadly outburst floods.
Researchers studied ocean's carbon cycle to improve climate models and predict future changes. They found the ocean absorbs CO2 slower in the 1990s but faster in the 2000s, influencing atmospheric accumulation rates.
A team of engineers is investigating the risk of coastal flooding in three Sri Lankan communities due to cyclones, incorporating the impact of rainfall and climate change. The project aims to develop compound flood hazard maps that will help local communities understand the threat and take action to minimize risks.
Researchers at Swansea University have developed a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) using a common epoxy resin. The material shows high CO2 uptake and could potentially be used to capture CO2 from industrial flue gas streams or from the air.
Scientists discovered ancient crocodile species' climate sensitivity, suggesting they served as 'climate clocks.' Fossil analysis mapped their distribution to reconstruct global temperatures during the Eocene-Oligocene epochs. The study provides new insights into how these ancient reptiles adapted to changing climates.
A €10 million, four-year project will assess the Atlantic's health using latest technologies, combining data on marine life, habitats, and human activities. The study aims to provide unprecedented insights into climate change's effects on plant and animal life in the Atlantic.
A new sediment core from Zipingpu Reservoir provides direct evidence of the link between a large earthquake and its sedimentary signature. The study found that hydrological forcing played a crucial role in transporting debris downstream, even in proximal locations.
Climate change is putting pressure on river ecosystems, with iconic species like the Murray cod in danger of disappearing. Researchers outline a four-part plan for an 'adaptive' approach to river management, including forecasting tools and process-based models that can track and predict ecosystem changes.
A new study shows climate change led to the decline of Amazon communities, with those who adapted to their environment being less affected. Researchers analyzed pollen and charcoal remains, sediments, and archaeological evidence to understand the impact of changing weather patterns on these ancient societies.
An international team of researchers investigated changes in egg predation on shorebird nests over the past 60 years, challenging a recent claim of increased predation in the Arctic. The study found little support for this hypothesis, instead attributing changes to shifts in research methods and biases in data analysis.
CABI aims to gather sufficient data to act as evidence for prioritizing research and policy in plant health. The initiative will provide accurate information for decision makers to allocate resources between diseases, enabling investment in plant health systems.
A new study by the Tropical managed Forests Observatory suggests that selective logging alone is unlikely to meet current demand for timber in Amazonia. The research highlights the need for a more sustainable approach to manage wood resources in the region, considering the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
Coral reefs face growing danger from climate change, local pollution, and habitat destruction. New interventions, such as breeding corals with greater heat resistance and genetic manipulation, show promise but vary in readiness levels.
Researchers found that mountain streams retain sediment for thousands of years, revealing a waterway's history. Climate-induced threats like wildfires and increased precipitation will alter the dynamics of other rivers, including the Cuyahoga River.
A new study found that replacing one food item with a lower-impact alternative can significantly reduce an individual's carbon footprint. The research, based on the diets of 16,000 people, suggests that making just one substitution of poultry for beef resulted in an average reduction of dietary greenhouse gases by about half.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and ecological models to find that many tropical birds were formerly suited to high-latitude areas, and rapid climatic changes may prompt distributional shifts. Climate change is likely to drive extinctions and alter bird populations over time.
A new study predicts that more than 6 billion people will be at risk of contracting the dengue virus by 2080. The greatest shifts in dengue risk are projected to occur on the African continent, particularly in the Sahel and southern Africa.
Coral reefs, unchanged for 24 million years, are experiencing profound changes due to rapid climate change. Experts urge a rethink on conservation priorities in the face of these shifts, which exceed predictions. Carbon emissions reduction is key to sustaining coral ecosystems.
A rapid retreat of Arctic coastline has been revealed through drone surveys, showing a 14.5-meter erosion over a 40-day period. The study highlights the impacts of climate change on permafrost landscapes, with storms causing increasing damage to coastal areas.
Two RIT scientists, Aaron Gerace and Matthew Montanaro, received the USGIF Academic Achievement Award for solving a stray-light problem affecting the Landsat 8 satellite's Thermal Infrared Sensor. They developed an algorithm to estimate source problems in real-time, improving the accuracy of Earth's surface temperature readings.
A new study by WSU researchers found surprisingly high levels of indoor air pollutants, including formaldehyde and possibly mercury, in carefully monitored homes. Temperature fluctuations inside the homes led to increased pollution levels, which varied throughout the day.
Climate change is speeding up Alaska sockeye salmon's growth rate in freshwater, causing them to migrate to the ocean faster. However, this shift may not benefit the species long-term, as it takes an extra year at sea, where they face increased competition with hatchery-raised salmon.
Experts from 10 European Countries and 16 Research Institutions aim to drill for and recover ice from up to 1.5 Million years ago in Antarctica to study greenhouse gases during the Middle Pleistocene Transition. The project, led by Carlo Barbante, will take 6 years and cost around €11 million.
Researchers at UNH found that during a 15-year period of slowed air temperature rise, phenology remained relatively constant, with no appreciable increase in growing seasons. This finding has significant implications for regulating plant photosynthesis and energy exchange.
An international team led by Laura Epp is analyzing ancient DNA from sediment cores, current ecological data, and anthropological studies to understand the interplay between climate change, grazing, and tundra vegetation. The project aims to generate scenarios for future ecosystem changes and develop solutions for local communities.
A study predicts that operating costs for US state parks will surpass state budgets by the middle of the century due to increasing visitor numbers. Climate change may exacerbate this trend, with some scenarios suggesting a 756% increase in operating costs under one scenario.
A UCI-led study analyzes global water usage trends from 1980 to 2016, identifying hot spots of stress and opportunities for conservation. The researchers propose strategies to build resilience in the face of climate change, including dry cooling technologies and improved management practices.
This book introduces computational legal analysis, studying law as data to transform how laws are experienced, practiced, and studied. Experimental work pushes methodological boundaries, expanding horizons of legal analysis.
Glaciologists from UCI and partner institutions have found Patagonia's ice sheets to be significantly more massive than expected, with some glaciers reaching depths of over 1,600 meters. This new understanding will help model the effects of global warming on freshwater resources and ecosystems in the region.
A new study suggests that non-native plants may thrive over native plants as temperatures rise, potentially altering local landscapes. Native species showed no shift in flowering times despite warming temperatures.
Scientists discover that rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine's depths is changing food availability and increasing risk to North Atlantic right whales. The study reveals that climate-driven changes are rippling throughout the ecosystem, making conservation efforts challenging.
Researchers found that corals and coralline algae, crucial for reef structure, are vulnerable to ocean acidification. The study suggests a significant shift in the composition and function of future reefs if they can survive climate change.
Frank O. Aylward's three-year grant will focus on computational genomics to understand evolutionary trends in prokaryotes and their roles in biogeochemical processes. The research aims to predict how microbes might respond to climate change and ocean acidification.
A new review article highlights the vulnerability of rural coastlines to sea-level rise, with research showing widespread conversion of upland forests to wetlands. The study emphasizes the need for better understanding of factors influencing land conversion, including human barriers and policy incentives.
Researchers linked seasonal photosynthesis cycles to solar-induced fluorescence in evergreen forests, enabling large-scale monitoring of carbon dioxide uptake. The study found that fluctuations in photoprotective pigments affect both photosynthesis and fluorescence, providing a proxy for forest activity.
Low-density areas transmitted plague faster than high-density areas due to reduced contact rates, while temperatures below 20° C slowed transmission, while increased precipitation accelerated it. Climate changes may alter the dynamics of plague transmission.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley found that uncertainty about what one knows leads to the most curiosity and learning. Tailoring classroom learning to students' misconceptions can be an effective way to stimulate curiosity and motivation to learn. The study's findings expand on Maria Montessori's child-centered appro...
The GRACE mission has provided unprecedented insight into global water resources, measuring polar ice loss and ocean currents. The data has also highlighted the impact of drought and aquifer depletion worldwide.
A study by University of Exeter scientists found that older male crickets are more attractive to females, leading to successful pairings, but they mate less frequently once paired. The researchers also discovered no relationship between a male's age at mating and offspring production.
Colorado State University's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) has received a new $128 million cooperative agreement with NOAA. CIRA supports various NOAA research initiatives, including forecast model improvements and real-time satellite tools.
A UTSA political scientist analyzes the UN's Twitter feed to understand its potential as a diplomacy tool. The researcher found that tweets from the UN and its member states are often self-referential and lack substantial debate on global issues, resulting in limited engagement.
Researchers studied skeletal stress bands on corals to reconstruct bleaching history and understand thermal thresholds of reef communities. The study found thermally tolerant reefs experienced more stress than the least resistant ones, highlighting historical climate impacts on coral reefs.
Research shows that warming climate alters microbial diversity in alpine streams, with colder streams having less diversity than warmer ones. Icy seeps, insulated by rock glaciers, offer hope as they are less susceptible to climate change and may support cold-adapted species.
Researchers at FAU have discovered a small RNA that prevents potato tuber formation at high temperatures. They created heat-resistant potato plants by deactivating this RNA, which can withstand temperatures above 29 degrees during the day or night. This breakthrough offers hope for securing crop yields in the face of climate change.
A team of scientists has created a bowl-shaped electrode that efficiently converts CO2 from gas into carbon-based fuels and chemicals. The innovative design addresses two major obstacles in the conversion process, achieving higher conversion efficiency and sensitive detection of molecules.
A recent study from Carnegie Mellon University finds that simple green energy nudges can decrease support for more effective climate change policies, such as a carbon tax. The researchers found that when participants were also offered a nudge, their support for the tax declined significantly.
Researchers found two types of mid-latitude wave trains linked to concurrent extreme heat events in South Korea and Southern-Central Japan. The studies reveal unique characteristics of circulation responsible for extreme heat, differing from other regions.
Researchers found that ghost forests supported a different group of bird species than the forests they replaced. Some bird species, like the northern bobwhite quail and woodpeckers, fared well with the changes in vegetation.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that climate change may be contributing to a mysterious epidemic of chronic kidney disease among agricultural workers. The researchers found that heat exposure and heavy labor are common factors in the disease, which is also linked to toxins such as glyphosate and lead.
A new model reveals 'tipping points' where small localized rain increases lead to widespread road disruptions, even isolating entire regions. The model was validated using Hurricane Harvey data and shows a 90.6% prediction rate for reported road closures.
A new study finds that immediate, dramatic cuts in carbon emissions can be economically sound if human health benefits are factored in. The research estimates that the health benefits alone could reach trillions of dollars annually, depending on air quality policies adopted by nations.
Researchers found an ocean heat-transporting mechanism controlling the monsoon's intensity. The mechanism strengthens the monsoon when winds drive south-flowing waters that cool the ocean.
A new climate policy model debuts in Nature Communications, finding that reducing carbon emissions is economically sound due to immediate human health benefits. The study supports the Paris Climate Agreement targets and suggests a target of 2 degrees Celsius is defensible if health benefits are included.
Researchers created a 400-year seasonal record of El Niños from coral cores, detecting different types and showing a change in El Niño events. The record reveals more Central Pacific El Niños forming in recent decades, with stronger Eastern Pacific El Niños becoming the most intense ever recorded.
A new study predicts that Ash dieback will have a devastating impact on the UK's economy, with estimated costs of £15 billion over the next decade. The disease is expected to kill 95-99% of ash trees in Britain, leading to significant losses in ecosystem services such as water and air purification and carbon sequestration.
New research quantifies seagrass' ability to dissipate wave energy and protect vulnerable shorelines. Seagrass meadows can trap fine sediment, reducing eutrophication and promoting marine life.
Research suggests that US schools can harness the power of solar panels to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. The study found that schools in sunny states like Texas, California, and Florida have the greatest potential for generating electricity from solar panels on school rooftops.