Articles tagged with Climate Change
The HOMED project aims to develop a full panel of scientific knowledge and practical solutions for managing emerging native and non-native pests and pathogens threatening European forests. Forest health will be considered broadly, including trees in forests, nurseries, urban, and rural areas.
A new computer model flags areas ripe for preservation of California's native species, focusing on biodiversity hotspots and evolutionary uniqueness. The model aims to prioritize conservation efforts with limited funds.
A powerful new map by the University of Cincinnati illustrates dramatic changes in land use over the last quarter century, showing widespread deforestation and urbanization. The map highlights the devastating effects of climate change on the environment, including the shrinking Aral Sea and growing desertification in the Sahara Desert.
Forests in the Pacific Northwest are less vulnerable to drought and fire due to climate conditions. Modeling suggests water-limited forests in the Rockies will be most affected by future drought-related mortality.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an algorithm that uses supercomputers to analyze genetic data, identifying genes linked to pain and opioid addiction. Meanwhile, a team from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory used deep learning methods to improve weather forecasting, leveraging high-performance computing and in...
The 2018 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored journalists for their work on a male contraceptive pill, the environmental impact of toxic algae and invasive mussels, and efforts to restore patients with severe brain injuries. The awards also recognized a documentary on NASA's mission to the outer planets.
A new US study found that restoring the nation's lands and coastal wetlands could absorb a fifth of greenhouse gas pollution, equivalent to emissions from all US vehicles. The study identified natural solutions such as reforestation, forest management, and tidal wetland restoration that can store carbon and avoid emissions.
A team of scientists, with citizen initiative help, confirms Rhizostoma luteum's presence and abundance in Mediterranean waters over the past 60 years. More than 150 observations since 1998 reveal it's not a rare species.
A new study found that climate change drove the Harappans to resettle in smaller villages in the Himalayan foothills. The research, led by Liviu Giosan, suggests that changing weather patterns made agriculture difficult near cities, leading to a massive migration.
New research suggests that rising global sea levels and high-energy wave events could actually build, rather than destroy, coral reef islands like the Maldives. This is possible if the coral reef remains healthy to provide building material, but threatens island infrastructure with devastating consequences.
Researchers used epigenetic reprogramming to modify soybean plants' response to stress, resulting in more vigorous and productive plants. The 'memory' effect allows the plants to adapt to environmental stresses over multiple generations.
Analysis of Alpine ice shows tripled iodine levels since Second World War, partially balancing ozone production. Researchers now call for inclusion of iodine data in climate models to predict future environmental outcomes.
The study found that monarch caterpillars and butterflies have declined by 80 percent since 2005 in North Central Florida, mirroring the decline in Mexico. The researchers blame shrinking native milkweed populations and glyphosate use in agricultural fields for the decline.
A predictive model suggests common ragweed will expand its range into major northeast metro areas due to climate change, affecting millions with hay fever and asthma. The study found potential expansion at the northern margins of its current distribution, particularly in the northeast U.S.
Researchers found that increases in diarrheal disease cases were closely tied to periods of rainfall, flood recession, and changes in surface water quality. The study suggests that adapting water treatment facilities to handle rapid shifts in surface water quality is crucial to mitigate the risk of waterborne disease.
Researchers have identified nearly 35,000 hectares of prime viticultural land in the UK, particularly in Kent, Sussex, and East Anglia, suitable for new and expanding vineyards. The areas found to be ideal for vineyard investment are drier, warmer, and more stable than established locations.
A new study links international investors to economic activities that modify large ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest and boreal forests. Financial institutions can play a crucial role in bolstering or undermining climate stability through their investments.
Large dams are not sustainable due to environmental and social concerns, but in-stream turbine technology protects fish and delivers energy locally. This technology can be part of a large sustainable energy portfolio combining solar, wind, and biomass energy production.
A study by UCR researcher Sydney Glassman explored how climate change affects the ability of microbes to recycle nutrients. The research found that specific microbial communities play an independent role in decomposition, and their response to climate change is not solely dependent on the environment they reside in.
A University of Houston graduate student has received a NASA fellowship to incorporate predictions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from vegetation into a climate model. The project aims to better understand the impact of extreme drought on emissions and atmospheric composition.
The world has lost over 77% of land and 87% of ocean to human modifications, with only polar regions remaining untouched. International conservation targets are urgently needed to protect the last remaining wilderness.
A long-term study found that frequent disturbances outweigh severe ones in structuring kelp forest biodiversity. Annual disruptions led to a doubling of smaller plants and 30-61% fewer fish and shellfish, highlighting the importance of resilience over severity.
A recent study found that frequent disturbances to kelp forests can significantly impact marine life, leading to a decrease in commercially desirable fish and shellfish. The experiment suggests that increasing storm frequency could dramatically alter the ratios and types of sea life along the California coastline.
A new study suggests that a warmer world may equal a wetter Arctic, driven by two climatic processes: melting sea ice and increasing global humidity. Researchers analyzed lakebed mud dating back thousands of years to uncover clues about the region's past climate.
Research suggests that climate change-associated flooding can reduce seawater salt content, inducing stress in oyster animals. Even the most tolerant groups show vulnerability to future freshwater flooding events.
A new study reveals that heat increases gastroenteritis hospital admissions by 21% and cold by 7%, while rainfall decreases risk by 26%. Temperature plays a significant role in the increase of hospital admissions due to gastroenteritis, with hot temperatures mostly affecting foodborne cases.
A University of Oklahoma meteorologist predicts severe droughts and intense rainfall events will become more frequent and long-lasting worldwide. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, uses standardized rainfall indices to compare event characteristics between regions and seasons.
A special issue published in Energy Efficiency Journal outlines how carbon emissions can be reduced through demand-side approaches, including transport sector strategies such as telecommuting, public transport, and vehicle electrification.
Researchers at CCNY use network theory to predict which species are most vulnerable to extinction under climate change and when an ecosystem may collapse. The K-core metric identifies peripheral species that are likely to go extinct first, providing early warning signals for ecosystem collapse.
Researchers found that diatom algae blooms produce biotoxins affecting Oikopleura dioica zooplankton development, causing 'golf ball' phenotype and lethal anomalies. The study suggests a potential biomarker for zooplankton response to stress caused by diatoms.
A recent study reveals that the US desert areas will experience a significant increase in dryness due to climate change. The research, conducted at Devils Hole cave, suggests that the water table has fluctuated by as much as 10 meters over the past 350,000 years, with shifts in Pacific storm track influencing rainfall patterns.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesi has persisted on the Scotian Shelf, which experiences strong multi-decadal variability in temperature and salinity. The sponge's ability to adapt to these changes suggests its potential response to future climate change.
Researchers have found that rewilding can mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the Arctic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming, and enhance wetland plant diversity. The approach involves reintroducing native carnivores to suppress invasive herbivores and restore ecosystem balance.
Research suggests giant tortoise sizes evolved independently on multiple continents, contradicting the island rule theory. Fossil records reveal extinct mainland giants in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, which went extinct during the Pleistocene ice age.
Researchers found that coral bleaching causes a decrease in aggressive behavior among butterflyfish, suggesting a link between bleaching and population declines. The study suggests that fish adjust their behavior in response to environmental stressors, but these changes may not be sustainable in the long term.
Researchers report a significant link between upper ocean temperatures and September tropical cyclone activity in the North Atlantic. Considering subsurface temperatures enhances hurricane prediction accuracy up to three months in advance.
Researchers at IUPUI have spotted a new type of blow fly in Indiana, indicating shifting species populations due to climate change. The Lucilia cuprina fly was previously known to populate southern states but has now been found as far north as Michigan.
Researchers found that corals living in more productive waters consume plankton and other microorganisms for energy, suggesting some corals are less reliant on symbiotic algae. This discovery could aid predictions on coral recovery from bleaching events and inform strategies for identifying resilient reefs.
A new study finds that US tornado frequency has increased in the Midwest and Southeast over the past four decades, closing the gap with traditional Tornado Alley. The trend is significant for understanding future tornado exposure and damage.
Researchers at UNH found a high infestation of winter ticks on 179 radio-marked moose calves, causing emaciation and severe metabolic imbalance leading to 125 calf deaths over three years. Most adult moose survived but were severely compromised.
Researchers from Georgia State University discovered arid conditions in East Africa around half a million years ago, which may have influenced human evolution and the development of stone technology. The findings provide insights into how environmental changes impacted early human ancestors.
New research reveals climate models inaccurately represent recent air-pressure changes in Greenland, leading to uncertain projections for the UK and Europe. This may result in more frequent record wet summers if Greenland air pressure continues to strengthen.
Researchers found sea snail shells were on average a third smaller and showed visible deterioration under predicted future CO2 levels, impacting thickness, density, and structure. The corrosive effects of ocean acidification threaten the survival of calcified animals like shellfish, which are crucial to coastal marine communities.
Researchers used tree rings to track the northern boundary of the tropics from 1203 to 2003, finding that periods of expansion coincided with severe droughts. The study suggests climate change was a contributing factor to these societal disruptions.
Recent global warming trend slowdown can be explained by natural factors such as solar eleven-year cycles and strong volcanic explosions. The study highlights the crucial role of these phenomena in climate change, which has been underestimated by existing studies focusing solely on CO2 rise.
A study by Point Blue Conservation Science found that restoring forests can benefit both carbon storage and biodiversity, but optimizing for one may come at the expense of the other. The researchers identified areas with high tree density had more carbon stored in trees, but lower bird density and diversity.
A new collection in PLOS Biology explores the challenges of using stories to communicate scientific evidence around climate change, highlighting the need for accurate narrative without sacrificing scientific accuracy. The collection features articles on strategies for climate communication, storytelling frameworks, and the importance o...
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2 million US residents and found a correlation between rising temperatures and increased mental health issues, suggesting climate change poses a risk to human well-being. The study suggests that even small increases in temperature can have significant impacts on mental health.
A new study on the 1918 flu pandemic reveals that a complex interplay of viral, host, and societal factors contributed to its severity. The researchers warn that future pandemics will face challenges such as changing population demographics, antibiotic resistance, and climate change.
The study found that mountain snowpack is vulnerable to climate warming, with a 20-40% decrease in above-average snow water equivalent for 1-2°C temperature increases. Regional variations were observed, with northern regions more susceptible than southern ones, affecting water resource management and wildfire activity.
The Image Permanence Institute will study the recovery of modern museum inkjet print collections affected by water disasters through freezing and freeze drying methods. The three-year project aims to determine if these methods are safe and effective for recovering damaged inkjet prints.
Researchers at University of Michigan urge policymakers to prioritize planting more trees and conserving wild areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By protecting natural ecosystems, up to one-third of current carbon dioxide emissions could be sequestered, keeping carbon out of the atmosphere for decades.
A study by researchers from Germany found that taller plant species have taken over the Arctic tundra in recent decades, with a significant increase in plant height observed over the past three decades. Climate warming is believed to be the underlying cause of this shift.
A new analysis warns that delaying efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions could result in substantial economic costs, potentially exceeding the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The study suggests that the remaining carbon budget for this goal is very small, requiring unprecedented scale and significant investment.
The DFG is establishing nine new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in their respective fields. The new units will focus on topics such as precipitation estimation, the brain's energy supply, Tourette syndrome, and climate change impact on high alpine geosystems.
The UK is unprepared for climate change, according to a study by the University of Surrey. The country needs effective strategies for prevention and management, including learning from past events and stakeholder collaboration.
A new study suggests that climate change may be driving electricity demand higher than predicted by existing models. The researchers used mean dew point temperature and extreme maximum temperature as key predictors of increased energy demand, finding significant discrepancies with traditional models.
A recent study found that climate change is causing a shift in reef composition, with gorgonians taking the place of declining coral species in some regions. The research suggests that gorgonians are better adapted to changing conditions due to their flexible trophic structure.
The MOSAiC project aims to improve climate prediction models by studying the marginal ice zone and seasonal ice floes. Researchers will investigate how winter ice deforms and melts in the summer, with Dr. Phil Hwang tracking ice movement using specially-designed buoys.
A new study led by University of Kansas researcher Pamela Sullivan is analyzing changes in soil structure and their influence on water quality and availability. The research aims to develop mathematical models to understand the interactions between biogeochemistry, soil structure, and environmental conditions.