Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have modeled the impact of El Niño on rainfall in the Red Sea region. The study found that El Niño strengthens the Red Sea Convergence Zone (RSCZ), leading to increased rainfall and storms along the coast.
Researchers in Oklahoma compared measured soil moisture with the Keetch-Byram Drought index and found that high-quality soil moisture data consistently outperformed KBDI. Soil moisture conditions conducive to large wildfires were more narrowly defined, providing earlier warnings of extreme wildfire potential.
A major stormfront study reveals shifting storms bring unprecedented danger from climate change, damaging waterfront areas once thought safe. The study found 11.5 million cubic metres of sand eroded in just three days, equivalent to filling the Melbourne Cricket Ground seven times.
A new Stanford study reveals that as super-giant oilfields age, the energy required to operate them increases, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers developed a software tool to accurately calculate these emissions, finding that some oilfields see a doubling of emissions per barrel over a 25-year operating period.
A new web application provides historical climate data to farmers, allowing them to compare current year's conditions with past ten years. The app covers the Texas region and offers information on soil temperature, growing degree days, and precipitation.
The PAGES 2k Consortium has upgraded its global temperature database, adding nearly 200 new records and improving accuracy to track global warming. The updated database confirms that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate in recent geological history.
Scientists developed a method to compare climate model sensitivities with historical data, showing good agreement. Accounting for slow mode feedback, the temperature range of climate sensitivity from historical data is consistent with climate models, implying a higher sensitivity to carbon dioxide emissions.
A new study from University of Arizona scientists has analyzed Greenland's past temperatures to better understand the island's vast ice sheet melting. The research found that current temperatures are warmer than the 1930s, with a long-term trend for ever-higher surface temperatures.
A new Rutgers University study projects that climate change will make the US poorer and more unequal, with severe costs for poor regions. The poorest counties could lose up to 20% of their income if warming proceeds unabated.
A study led by Lindsey Rich demonstrates that camera traps are an effective method for collecting data on species populations. The research found that prey availability can determine carnivore distributions, while human development and influence also impact population sizes.
A new study by AAAS predicts climate change will have a devastating impact on certain US counties, with losses exceeding 20% of gross county product in some areas. Southern and midwestern populations are projected to suffer the largest economic damage due to increased cyclone intensification and sea level rise.
Researchers are developing a method to forecast volcanic eruptions by analyzing satellite measurements and ground deformation data. By applying data assimilation techniques, they aim to improve predictions of magma movement and pressure buildup beneath volcanoes.
A new global map offers detailed insights into certified forest areas, enabling policymakers and users to make informed decisions on sustainable resource use. The map combines country-level statistics with remote sensing products and crowdsourcing, providing a basis for a global pathway towards sustainability.
A recent joint statement highlights the critical lack of knowledge on the worldwide distribution of disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Macroecologists propose creating a data network to close these gaps and predict future outbreaks.
A new analysis of urban agriculture in the northeastern US found that it provides limited environmental benefits, with a 1.1-2.9% reduction in food-related carbon emissions. Minimizing meat and dairy purchases is recommended for consumers seeking to lower their footprint.
A 55-year series of Tibetan Plateau tree-ring data shows that the start of growing season advanced by 0.28 days/year, while end of growing season delayed by 0.33 days/year between 1960-2014. April-June and August-September minimum temperatures drive these changes.
A new study reveals that increasing temperatures are eroding the natural buffer against malaria transmission in Ethiopia's highlands. As temperatures rise above 18°C and 15°C, conditions become favorable for the disease to spread, posing a significant threat to the country's population.
The journal published two ultraviolet radiation datasets covering China, providing long-term measurements from 1961 to 2014. This move aims to promote translational applications for the general public by making atmospheric and physical oceanographic data traceable and citable.
Researchers developed an inexpensive acoustic listening system to monitor bees in flight, allowing farmers to track pollination and increase food production. The technology, published in PLOS ONE, could also engage global 'citizen scientists' in monitoring bee activity in their backyards.
A recent study finds that large areas of the Amazon forest are less susceptible to a tipping point into savannah, contrary to previous research. The key factor was controlling for seasonality and removing data points from human-influenced areas, revealing a more resilient ecosystem.
A new study found that warmer nights due to climate change can lead to increased instances of insufficient sleep, with the poor and elderly being most affected. The research shows that a single month of nightly temperatures averaging 1 degree Celsius higher than normal could result in 9 million more nights of insufficient sleep.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that the increase in extreme Northeast storms occurred as an abrupt shift in 1996, particularly in the spring and fall. The region experienced a 53% increase in extreme precipitation from 1996 to 2014, with tropical cyclones and nor'easters being key drivers.
The Ocean Health Index (OHI) researchers adopted collaborative research tools to enhance reproducibility and streamline workflow, making their methods more transparent and efficient. This new approach enables the team to produce better science in less time, sharing their story to encourage others to adopt similar practices.
Scientists discovered a sharp increase in moss growth on Antarctica's Antarctic Peninsula, indicating major changes in ecosystems. The study found clear evidence of 'changepoints' over the past half century, suggesting that plants and soils will alter substantially even with modest further warming.
Researchers warn that rising ocean temperatures and human impacts will lead to the decline of Yellow-eyed penguin populations on New Zealand's Otago Peninsula. Urgent coordinated conservation action is needed to build penguins' resilience against climate change.
The melting of glacial ice contributes to sea-level rise, displacing millions of people, while glaciers also serve as a source of fresh water. However, researchers like Twila Moon warn that glaciers are shrinking at an alarming rate, with devastating consequences for the planet's weather and climate systems.
A Hokkaido University researcher found a correlation between high tropical Pacific seawater temperatures and increased ice breakup in East Antarctica. The study suggests that warmer seawater triggers atmospheric waves, leading to large ice breakups at Syowa Station.
Researchers found transmission of dengue, chikungunya and Zika is highest at around 84 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature previously considered peak-transmission. Climate change causes temperatures to climb, potentially impacting more northern regions.
PortHadoop reader enables seamless data transfer between Hadoop and parallel file systems, accelerating big data analytics. The NSF-funded Chameleon cloud testbed facilitates the development of PortHadoop reader for NASA Cloud library applications.
The CARAFE airborne campaign will gather data on greenhouse gas levels and vertical wind speeds over a range of vegetation types in the Mid-Atlantic region. This will help improve computer models that predict Earth's carbon sinks and inform greenhouse gas policy decisions.
A new high-quality barley genome sequence has been created, allowing for detailed analysis of agronomically important gene families. This breakthrough could significantly accelerate the development of new varieties resistant to pathogens and climate fluctuations.
Global weather events, particularly droughts, significantly impact wheat prices, research suggests. Trade policies, including hoarding and export bans, can exacerbate these effects.
A new study reveals that species' geographic ranges are systematically overestimated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), leading to an underestimation of extinction risk. The research provides a formula to estimate more accurate species ranges, suggesting that at least 10 out of 18 bird species should have the...
The next generation TimeTree web combines molecular sequencing data with geological timelines and environmental information. Users can now explore the history of life on Earth in detail, tracing species evolution through time and comparing divergence times between species.
A study by Penn State economists found that a combination of college graduates and high-quality-of-life amenities significantly contributes to economic growth. Rural counties, which often struggle with growth, may particularly benefit from this approach.
Researchers found that forests cool the surface in temperate and tropical regions but warm high-latitude areas through mechanisms like water and heat transfer, evapotranspiration, and convection. This new insight highlights the importance of forest conservation in mitigating climate change.
A recent study suggests that human-made climate change is likely influencing giant planetary waves, which can transport heat and moisture around the globe. These waves can stall, causing droughts or floods. The research found that warming caused by greenhouse-gases from fossil fuels creates favorable conditions for such events.
A new study by the University of New Hampshire shows that warmer winters with less snow result in a longer lag time between spring events, leading to a more protracted vernal window. This may have ecological, social, and economic consequences, including impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and outdoor recreation.
Climate scientist Michael Rawlins will study the impacts of climate change on coastal lagoons and rivers in northern Alaska. The five-year project aims to understand changes in carbon and nutrient content and their effects on ecosystem dynamics.
Physicists developed a simple mathematical model to predict turbulent flows and verified it physically in a lab. They identified exact coherent structures (ECSs) that provide entry points for computing predictions about future turbulence behavior.
Researchers found that Republicans are less likely to conform to the scientific consensus on global warming when temperatures are extreme, while Democrats are more likely to attribute it to human activity. Temperature anomalies exacerbate existing political polarization and partisan differences over global warming beliefs.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures in US deserts will put songbirds at greater risk of dehydration and mass die-offs. The study found that smaller species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration, with the lesser goldfinch facing a 25-day-per-year risk by the end of the century.
Scientists call for transparent and credible data to track the real mitigation potential of forests. Forests are expected to contribute up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030.
A new set of maps shows that spring is arriving ahead of schedule across the US, with areas such as California, Kansas, and Ohio seeing early blooms. The study highlights the challenges posed by earlier springs for planning and managing issues affecting the economy and society.
The NASA team is using satellites to provide real-time air quality data, making it easier for policymakers, doctors, and lawyers to track changes in rural and suburban areas. By collaborating with experts from various fields, the team aims to develop new ways to use satellite data to address pressing public health issues.
Scientists found strong evidence for geographic variation in six of nine life-history variables, including body size and litter sizes. The study suggests a one-size-fits-all conservation strategy is not appropriate, and assessments should account for geography to aid Eastern Massasauga recovery efforts.
A team of geographers has developed a methodology to measure aboveground woody biomass in savannahs, with results showing significant changes in the ecosystem. The study found that some areas of Kruger National Park's savannah are experiencing declining biomass due to elephant activity, not human impact.
USU scientist Sarah Null is developing mathematical models to explore processes and interactions of built and natural water systems. Her research aims to improve aquatic ecosystem representation in water resources models, enabling quantitative analysis of water supply, hydropower, and habitat trade-offs.
Researchers found that responses to climate variations can be detected in deep groundwater aquifers within a year, suggesting an intermediate connection between precipitation and groundwater levels. Pumping of aquifers may drive this rapid response, controlled by crop water demand and agricultural industry activities.
Three-spine stickleback fish in Alaska's Bristol Bay region are altering their breeding patterns in response to climate change, spawning earlier and more often. This shift could have wider ecological effects on the ecosystem, particularly for species like juvenile sockeye salmon.
The new data from the SMAP satellite is providing significant surprises that will help in the modeling of climate, forecasting of weather, and monitoring of agriculture around the world. The topsoil's 'memory' for weather anomalies persists for a matter of days, contrary to expectations.
A new collaboration between UMD and NOAA has developed reference datasets that can be used to calibrate weather satellites. This improvement enables more accurate weather forecasting and monitoring of climate change.
Researchers have created an open-source database to facilitate bioenergy research, confirming Miscanthus as the top US bioenergy crop. The database, BETYdb, contains over 40,000 records of yield data for various biomass crops, revealing that Miscanthus is 2.4 times more productive than switchgrass under different environmental conditions.
A new study confirms the steady warming of oceans over the past 75 years, with a rate of 0.12 degrees Celsius per decade since 1997, contradicting claims of a global warming 'hiatus'. The research uses data from buoys, satellites, and Argo floats to support the NOAA findings, providing accurate measurements of ocean temperatures.
A researcher at the University of Kansas is examining the role of nonprofits in community cohesion and recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The study aims to reveal the social-ecological drivers of response and current extent of recovery in approximately 92 communities using data from various disciplines.
A new study using independent data from satellites and robotic floats confirms that the oceans have warmed at a rate of 0.12 degrees Celsius per decade since 2000, nearly twice as fast as earlier estimates. This finding eliminates much of the global warming hiatus, which was attributed to biases in ship measurements.
A new study by University of Iowa engineers finds that flood risk is growing in the northern US and declining in the southern half, due to shifting rainfall patterns and groundwater levels. The research suggests regional variations can be attributed to changes in rainfall and climate change.
A new study led by Berkeley Lab researcher Trevor F. Keenan highlights a common practice in plant science that may have underestimated plants' growth and photosynthesis rates. The study suggests updating global plant databases and models to better account for plant responses to full-sun conditions.
The EPA awards $1.1 million in grants to Virginia's VIMS and DEQ to protect and restore its wetlands, advancing the state's goal of preventing net loss and increasing ecological function. The funding will support efforts to identify vulnerable wetlands, develop management plans, and inform decision-making for development and preservation.
Researchers compare biodiversity trends with the stock market to develop a framework for preventing species loss. The concept of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) can help document critical changes in biodiversity and inform policy decisions.