Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
Researchers have developed a framework to reconcile discrepancies in ancient sea surface temperature estimates and climate model results. By accounting for location-biased paleoclimate data, scientists can better reconstruct global climate conditions in the past and improve predictions of future climate scenarios.
A new model by Vicky Chuqiao Yang accurately describes why politicians become more polarized despite voters staying moderate. The model, guided by the concept of 'satisficing', assumes people settle for a candidate who is 'good enough' rather than always voting for the best one.
Researchers used a Skoltech supercomputer to perform sensitivity analysis on soil parameters for crop yield prediction. They found that certain input factors, such as fertilizer usage, significantly impacted crop yields.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that warmer temperatures increase the likelihood of capturing infected mosquitoes in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Sustained warm temperatures over weeks allow mosquitoes to acquire and spread the infection.
Scientists analyzed atmospheric and oceanic factors behind the 2017/18 La Niña event's cooling. Wind stress and subsurface cold water played significant roles in the event's second-year cooling, with differences observed from previous events.
Scientists have developed a new method to measure rainfall in Germany using commercial microwave links, achieving high accuracy and temporal resolution. The technique involves analyzing signal attenuation caused by precipitation, with the help of artificial intelligence, and has been successfully tested for application in West Africa.
A new study found large gaps in soil macroecological studies and a lack of data for most diverse tropical regions. Researchers highlight the need for a globally standardized sampling system to overcome limitations and support policy and decision-making.
The IBCAO 4.0 bathymetric chart provides a detailed map of the Arctic Ocean with higher and better resolution data than previous versions. The new chart reveals a great variety of glacial origins and helps to reconstruct geological processes in arctic latitudes.
A new study analyzing five hundred years of floods in Europe reveals that the continent is experiencing one of its most flood-rich periods in recent history. The research found that the last three decades have been among the most significant regarding frequency and magnitude of floods, with a shift towards more frequent summer floods.
A major international research project shows that flooding characteristics in recent decades are unlike those of previous centuries. Historical data analysis identified nine flood-rich periods and associated regions, with a shift in the timing and relationship between floods and air temperatures.
Researchers used high-quality coral genomes to study variable responses to climate change and identify genetic variants associated with bleaching. They found a polygenic risk score could predict bleaching potential in the wild, while also revealing genetic diversity in heat stress response genes.
A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.
A major loss of grassland has occurred in Great Britain since 1990, with a net reduction of 7,668 km2 or 1.9 million acres, as woodland area increased by 5,236 km2 and urban areas expanded by 3,376 km2 between 1990 and 2015. The majority of this loss and increase occurred in Scotland and England respectively.
Researchers developed a breakthrough machine learning approach that quickly produces higher-resolution climate data, enhancing wind velocity and solar irradiance by 50 and 25 times respectively. This advancement will enable scientists to complete renewable energy studies with more accuracy and speed.
Using highly novel techniques, researchers observed upper ocean currents of approximately 0.1-10 km in size, critical for controlling heat and carbon movement between the ocean and atmosphere. These findings contribute to improving our understanding of small-scale ocean and climate processes with impacts globally.
Researchers have developed a machine learning platform that analyzes high-resolution drone images to predict root crop growth and health. This technology enables scientists to respond quickly to stimuli and breed more drought- and heat-resistant varieties, ultimately improving crop productivity and food security.
Data scientists create new statistical models and visualization software to understand COVID-19 pandemic. They integrate diverse factors like airline traffic patterns, socioeconomic data, and weather conditions into a single platform.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals surprising findings about electric vehicle drivers' perceptions of charging stations, highlighting the importance of quality infrastructure. Contrary to conventional wisdom, public charging stations do not receive more positive reviews than private ones, and dense urban areas exp...
Researchers found a 50% decline in North East Atlantic plankton over the past 60 years, with tiny picophytoplankton replacing more nutritious species. This shift affects fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, threatening shelf sea food webs.
Researchers at IUPUI have found a significant correlation between fog levels and vegetation status using satellite data, revealing the threat of climate change to ecological systems. The study provides new insights into the impact of reduced fog on plant growth and suggests potential for environmental protection policies.
A new soil moisture product has been developed for mainland China, utilizing a dual-pass data assimilation system that auto-calibrates model parameters. The product provides gridded soil moisture data with a spatial resolution of 0.25° over China, showing consistent patterns with precipitation and evaporation.
UTA researchers are testing a new slope protection system to strengthen riverbanks and eliminate erosion around bridge supports. The system uses articulated concrete blocks with anchors, which can stabilize the soil from below and reduce environmental impact.
A study of 300,000 commuters in England and Wales found that walking or cycling to work significantly reduced the risk of early death and illness. Cycling was associated with a 20% lower mortality rate compared to driving, while walking was linked to a 7% reduced cancer diagnosis rate.
The use of genomic selection has rapidly accelerated genetic progress in dairy cows, allowing for the development of new data pipelines for novel traits. This shift has also enabled a better understanding of genetic variance and the creation of single-step genomic evaluations to mitigate homozygosity.
A study analyzing nearly 40 years of hurricane satellite imagery found a global increase in maximum sustained winds, consistent with expectations of how hurricanes respond to a warming world. The research built on previous work identifying trends in hurricane intensification and poleward migrations of hurricanes.
Boreal peatlands are losing more water than previously thought due to climate change. This increase in evapotranspiration will amplify the effects of global warming, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere and intensifying fires.
Researchers identify critical components for finding environmentally sustainable solutions to food security in the face of climate change. A better representation of physiological responses and crop management are essential for simulating crop growth under stressed conditions accurately.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze 30 years of crop-yield data, finding that warmer conditions are causing corn yields to increase in humidity and decrease with extreme temperatures. The study predicts a shift in corn and soybean production from Iowa and Illinois to Minnesota and the Dakotas as optimal climate conditions change.
A new analysis of data from NASA's ICESat-2 and ICESat satellites estimates that polar ice losses from Greenland and Antarctica contributed to 14mm of sea level rise between 2003 and 2019. The study projects that melting ice from these regions will increasingly contribute to sea level rise within tens to hundreds of years.
A new study reveals that hurricanes trigger evolutionary changes in island lizards, resulting in larger toepads in populations frequently affected by the storms. The research, spanning 12 island populations and 188 Anolis species, shows a significant correlation between hurricane frequency and toepad size.
A team of QUT researchers is developing advanced robotic systems to gather data on the Antarctic environment, informing scientific models of climate change responses. The Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future program will provide practical solutions to complex environmental challenges.
A study published in Nature Climate Change used tracking data from crabeater seals to build a habitat model of krill distribution along the western Antarctic Peninsula. The researchers project that areas of krill habitat will shrink and move farther offshore, affecting species such as penguins and fur seals.
The Caribbean coral reef decline began in the 1950s and 1960s due to local human activities such as fishing and land-clearing. Researchers used fossil data, historical records, and underwater survey data to reconstruct the abundance of staghorn and elkhorn corals over the past 125,000 years.
Researchers linked prolonged, heavy rainfall in May 2018 to the Kīlauea eruption, which was characterized by intense activity, lava flows, and ash clouds. The study suggests that water content changes in the Earth's shallow crust can trigger eruptions.
A machine learning algorithm developed by Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ can identify 19 different crop types with an accuracy of 88%. The algorithm takes into account the temporal sequence of cloud-free observations at pixel level and is not dependent on large-scale cloud-free scenes.
A new study suggests the MOSAiC research team's ship may melt out months before its year-end goal due to rapid changes in Arctic sea ice. The team used climate models to simulate conditions along potential routes, finding that thinner sea ice and increased variability could lead to early melt-out.
A new study corrects systematic errors in ocean temperature data using empirical correction schemes, improving the homogeneity of global databases. The technique significantly reduces biases, especially during the 1940-1970 period, crucial for climate change studies.
A new Johns Hopkins University study finds that for every percentage point increase in roads and impervious surfaces, annual floods increase by 3.3% on average. The research team used a large dataset of streamgages and impervious surface data to isolate the effect of urbanization on flooding.
Researchers found that ancient horse body sizes shrunk over time due to faster reproduction rates and shorter lifespans. In contrast, big tapir ancestors grew larger as they lived longer and had more resources for reproduction. The study provides new insights into mammal evolution using exceptionally preserved fossils from Germany.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that communicating uncertainty around key facts and figures can maintain public trust in information and its source, even on contentious issues. The study suggests presenting numerical ranges or verbal cautions can effectively signal uncertainty without reducing trust.
The article discusses recent findings from WAMC workshops and YOPP meetings, focusing on Antarctic observations, numerical modeling, and weather forecasting. Open access to datasets and improved predictive skills are major aspirations for the Polar Prediction Project.
Scientists track unprecedented rate of Greenland's ice melting and continued Antarctic loss in a new study. The research used data from NASA's GRACE Follow-On satellites to monitor changes in Earth's gravity and water reserves, revealing striking results.
A Brazilian study found that consuming contaminated water with saxitoxin worsens Zika neurotoxicity, tripling cell mortality and causing microcephaly-like malformations. This research highlights the public health problem of low water quality in the Northeast region, exacerbating the effects of arbovirus diseases.
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.
A new study reveals that analyzing large-scale ecological patterns can help predict changes in ecosystems. Ecologists are using decades of weather data to forecast bird migrations and wildlife population fluctuations, which can inform conservation measures. The research aims to improve understanding of the climate-ecology link, enablin...
A new NASA/university study uses satellite data to track carbon dioxide emissions in 20 major cities worldwide, revealing that densely populated cities tend to emit less CO2 per person. However, exceptions exist, such as cities with major power generation facilities and affluent areas with high rates of driving.
Researchers used 35 years of satellite imagery to study the effects of climate change on kelp forests in Oregon, finding that warm water isn't always bad news for these near-shore seaweeds. The study also challenged previous assumptions about the impact of large winter waves on kelp populations.
A team of researchers developed a standardized survey tool to collect data on rural households. The Rural Household Multi-Indicator Survey (RHoMIS) includes over 30,000 interviews from 33 countries and provides insights into smallholder farming practices, climate change, and social inclusion.
Researchers use blue light intensity methods to analyze tree rings, recreating summer air temperature in the Eastern United States over 300-500 years. The project aims to understand longer-term climate trends and contribute to developing better general circulation models.
A new study by researchers at University of California San Diego identified a strong link between heatwave exposure and increased risk of preterm delivery. The study found that longer duration heatwaves were associated with the highest risk of preterm birth, while ambient humidity also played a role in exacerbating the issue.
A new species of land snail has been discovered by citizen scientists working with Taxon Expeditions, a company that organizes scientific field trips. The newly described snail belongs to the caenogastropods group, which is sensitive to drought, temperature extremes, and forest degradation.
The Swedish Malaise Trap Project has documented 20 million insects collected over 15 years, providing a unique timestamp of the country's insect fauna. The project has identified over 1,300 new species and 87 previously unknown to science.
Dr. Catherine Nakalembe from NASA Harvest is helping countries in Eastern Africa build systems to monitor crops using free satellite data, enabling life-saving decisions on food security. Combining satellite and ground data with weather forecasts allows for early warnings of crop failure due to drought, floods, disease, or pests.
Research by the University of New Mexico team reveals contraction of the ITCZ leading to drying of the Neotropics, affecting billions worldwide. This study combines new data with existing records to resolve conflicting models on ITCZ variability, highlighting implications for rainfall-dependent agriculture and food security.
A study published in Frontiers reveals China's intertidal wetlands have lost nearly 40% of their area over the past four decades due to anthropogenic development and sea level rise. The loss has significant ecological and economic implications, making conservation a top priority.
A major study reveals that climate change can cause abrupt changes in dryland ecosystems, resulting in drastic reductions in plant productivity, soil fertility, and vegetation loss. The study found three phases of accelerated ecosystem change in response to increasing aridity, with thresholds above a certain level leading to system col...
A German research team has identified bony fish as particularly sensitive to climate change, with snails and oysters being less threatened. The study combines fossil data with experimental studies, providing a basis for future collaboration and more precise predictions of species extinction.
A young student at DTU Space has demonstrated that global sea level rise has accelerated over the past four decades using data from European satellites. The new research supports previous studies and provides a more comprehensive picture of the global rise in sea levels.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute found a correlation between the stability of giant kelp and understory seaweed and seafloor invertebrates, leading to higher biodiversity. The study suggests that robust kelp increases species diversity, promoting ecosystem stability.
Researchers found that upper-ocean stratification is increasing in about 40% of the world's oceans, which could have a negative impact on the marine food chain. The study suggests that global warming may be driving this trend.