NSF's iPlant Collaborative rebrands to CyVerse
CyVerse rebranded from iPlant Collaborative to emphasize its expanded mission across all life sciences. The platform provides data management and computation services for various scientific disciplines.
Climate Data
Articles tagged with Climate Data
Optimized Arctic observations for improving weather forecast in the northern sea route
High-frequency atmospheric observations in the Arctic Ocean improved wind field accuracy, reducing uncertainty in sea-ice forecasts and predicting severe weather phenomena. The study suggests that a cost-effective observing network can be established to enhance polar predictions.
Trees employ similar strategies to outcompete their neighbors
A new study shows that trees globally compete in some of the same ways, making simpler models of forest response to climate change possible. Trees with denser tissues have more impact on their neighbors.
Engineers demo first processor that uses light for ultrafast communications
Engineers successfully marry electrons and photons within a single-chip microprocessor, achieving a bandwidth density of 300 gigabits per second per square millimeter. The photonic I/O on the chip is also energy-efficient, using only 1.3 picojoules per bit.
Initiative uses technology to enhance children's understanding of the natural world
PhenoloGIT aims to create an educational platform that utilizes real-world data to teach seasonal changes and periodic life cycle events, promoting citizen science and 21st-century skills. The platform will be piloted in four schools across UK, Spain, Lithuania, and Denmark, expanding its reach in the future.
Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers
A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.
Reading the smoke signals
A new study uses laser-based measurements to estimate carbon dioxide emissions from tropical peatland fires, revealing that the amount of CO2 released depends on previous fire history. The research provides valuable insights into the devastating impact of climate change on global warming.
CWRU researchers to make virtual energy audits a reality
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will create software to perform virtual energy audits, helping building owners identify efficiency problems and cost-effective solutions. The project aims to enhance the nation's economic and energy security by improving building energy efficiency.
NASA atmospheric scientist 2015 AGU Roger Revelle Medal winner
Anne Thompson has received the 2015 Roger Revelle Medal for her groundbreaking research on ozone and other trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. Her work, conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s, established a link between chemical changes, climate forcings, and the earth's oxidizing capacity.
New research shows Earth's tilt influences climate change
Recent studies show a connection between the Earth's tilt and the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, the world's heaviest rainbelt. This new information enables climate scientists to better predict extreme weather events and has implications for global climate and sustainable human socioeconomic development.
PNNL talks weather phenomena at AGU
Scientists from PNNL will discuss the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a weather phenomenon that influences tropical cyclones and climate change. The team used computer simulations to explore how daily pulses of clouds over islands affect the MJO's movement.
Nature, not humans, has greater influence on water in the Colorado River Basin
A new study finds that the Colorado River Basin's water supply is controlled more by natural climate patterns than human use. The researchers used NASA satellite data and local monitoring records to reconstruct changes in the basin's water storage since the 1980s.
Rapid growth in carbon dioxide emissions breaks in 2015
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels declined by 0.6% in 2015, marking a break from the rapid growth of the past decade. The largest contributor to this decline was a decrease in coal consumption in China, which slowed its emissions growth to 1.2%.
UTA research predicting lake levels, moving water to yield better data for water providers
Researchers at UTA are developing an integrated decision support tool to optimize water supply systems, allowing water providers to make informed decisions about when to transfer water between reservoirs. The Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System will provide a range of possible values for cost-effective decisions.
Bird decline shows that climate change is more than just hot air
A new study reveals that climate change is driving bird declines in the Western Cape, with factors such as changing fire and rainfall patterns playing a significant role. The research found striking similarities between bird population declines and increases in average temperature, highlighting the need for urgent conservation action.
'Pale orange dot': Early Earth's haze may give clue to habitability elsewhere in space
Researchers found that a fractal hydrocarbon haze on early Earth could have resulted in a moderate, possibly habitable average global temperature. The haze also would have absorbed ultraviolet light, shielding the planet from deadly radiation.
Large landowners key to slowing deforestation in Brazil
Research in Mato Grosso reveals nearly two-thirds of remaining forests and carbon reserves are on private properties owned by large landowners. The study suggests continued focus on larger properties is crucial to preserving forest cover.
Columbia to lead Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub
The Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub aims to address health, energy, finance, urbanization, natural science, and education challenges using data analytics and collaboration between experts. The hub will focus on extracting insights from large datasets to bring about tangible results.
New England cod collapse linked to warming waters
A new study by AAAS finds that warming waters in the Gulf of Maine have contributed to the decline of New England cod stocks, despite strict quotas. The researchers used sea surface temperature data to show how ocean warming reduced cod production and led to overfishing.
NASA's GRACE satellites evaluate drought in southeast Brazil
A new NASA study uses GRACE satellite data to track droughts in Brazil, revealing an average loss of 15 trillion gallons of water per year from 2012 to 2015. The findings show the worst drought in 35 years has desiccated major cities across southeastern Brazil.
Subtropical expedition will help forecast UK weather
A team of scientists from the National Oceanography Centre are on a six-week expedition to the Bahamas to update and acquire data from ocean instruments. This data helps make long-term forecasts of weather and climate by feeding it into models of the ocean and atmosphere.
Chesapeake Bay surface water temperature is increasing over time
A new study finds that Chesapeake Bay surface water temperature is increasing rapidly, with trends detected in over 92% of the Bay. The study suggests that warming waters signal spawning time for fish and exacerbate eutrophication and algal blooms.
SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateOct 14, 2015
High-speed search methods to better estimate climate threats to biodiversity
Researchers used high-performance computing methods to map climate change threats to birds, mammals, and amphibians across the Western Hemisphere. They found that tropical species will likely be vulnerable to climate change by 2100 due to narrow climatic ranges.
Scientists use holography to peer into clouds
Researchers used holographic imaging to analyze cloud mixing behavior, revealing clear boundaries between wet and dry air. The findings challenge current computer models and may enhance weather predictions by providing more accurate insights into cloud interactions.
Climate change negatively affects birth weight, University of Utah study finds
A new University of Utah study found that climate change negatively impacts birth weight, particularly in African countries. Exposure to reduced precipitation and increased hot days results in lower birth weights, with effects seen as early as the first trimester.
Africa could be the answer to delaying 'peak grain'
Researchers estimate that farmers in sub-Saharan Africa can obtain 20-30% of their potential yields with optimized management and resources. The Global Yield Gap and Water Productivity Atlas provides detailed information for major crops in countries such as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and others.
DRI research team unveils weather intelligence platform at TechCrunch Disrupt
The Desert Research Institute's new WINDS platform provides actionable insight for businesses, utilities, and municipalities impacted by extreme weather. With improved weather forecast data and sensor networks, the platform translates data into decision-making support frameworks.
Sure as the wind blows
A recent study published in Renewable Energy predicts that the Midwest region will experience a 2% increase in wind energy density by 2038-2070 due to climate change. This is expected to provide additional power for residents, with some counties projected to gain enough energy to run multiple appliances continuously.
Bolivian biodiversity observatory takes its first steps
The new repository will help measure the status of biodiversity knowledge in Bolivia and inform conservation efforts. The project brings together over 40 Bolivian scientists with international partners to catalog the country's plants and animals.
Climate research: Where is the world's permafrost thawing?
The first global permafrost database has been launched, offering a comprehensive dataset on permafrost temperature and active layer thickness. The GTN-P database, compiled by an international team of researchers from 25 countries, will help scientists better understand the extent to which climate change is causing permafrost thawing.
SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalEarth System Science Data·DateSep 13, 2015
Mobile phone records may predict epidemics of mosquito-borne dengue virus
A new study uses mobile phone records to predict the geographical spread and timing of dengue epidemics, providing critical early warning to policymakers. The model accurately forecasts outbreaks in locations of recent epidemics and emerging trouble spots, enabling national control programs to plan in near real time.
SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2015
Innovative visualization technology to help strengthen climate change action
Researchers at the University of Warwick are developing innovative visualization technology to analyze the effectiveness of climate change adaptation initiatives worldwide. They will use big and small data to better understand complex social systems and identify successful interventions.
Historical data hold secrets of 1 of UK's favorite fish
Scientists analyzed UK fisheries survey logbooks from the 1930s to 1950s, finding that cod diet and populations were affected by environmental conditions. The study contributes to understanding climate change and variability, providing insights into fish stocks and the environment over the past century.
Saving oysters by digging up their past
A new Cornell University study suggests that examining centuries-old oyster reefs can help restore these vital marine ecosystems. By analyzing fossils and sediment records, scientists can gain insights into how oysters have grown, lived, and interacted with their environments over time.
Since Katrina: NASA advances storm models, science
Researchers have made strides in understanding inner-core processes and environmental factors that affect a hurricane's path and intensity. NASA satellites, computer modeling, instruments, aircraft, and field missions provide valuable information to help scientists better understand these storms.
New estimates show China's carbon emissions were less than previously thought
New research has substantially reduced China's estimated carbon emissions from the past decade, suggesting that international agencies had overestimated its cumulative emissions by as much as 2.9 gigatons. The revised estimates were made possible by a more accurate understanding of fuel quality and emission factors.
UCI, NASA researchers find link between Amazon fire risk, devastating hurricanes
A new study reveals a strong connection between Amazon fires and North Atlantic hurricanes, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to both phenomena. The research found that reduced atmospheric moisture flow from the North Atlantic leads to drier conditions in the Amazon, creating an environment conducive to wildfires.
European consortium develops new approaches for dealing with Big Data
The BigStorage project aims to develop new approaches for handling Big Data, leveraging theoretical research, complex infrastructures, and software packages. The European consortium will focus on high-performance computing and storage technologies to address the needs of climate research, medicine, and environmental sciences.
UGA researcher calls for more natural baseline data collection in world's oceans
A UGA researcher is urging the academic community, federal responders, and the oil and gas industry to collect more baseline data in the world's oceans to establish critical environmental baselines. This data is essential for documenting anthropogenic perturbations, such as oil spills, and preparing for future disaster response.
New study narrows the gap between climate models and reality
A new study led by Dr Kevin Cowtan found that climate models fail to reflect real-world measurements due to using air temperature for the whole globe. With 36 different models recalculated, a third of differences disappeared, leaving remaining discrepancies possibly explained by recent global warming fluctuations
New research will boost grasp of North American carbon cycle
Researchers are working to reduce uncertainty in carbon cycle science by harmonizing data on key components, including Mexico and the US. This will help better understand how diverse regions respond to climate change and improve confidence in models.
Washington, DC sinking fast, adding to threat of sea-level rise
New research confirms Washington D.C. is sinking rapidly, with a projected six-inch drop by 2100, exacerbating flooding and sea-level rise concerns. The study's detailed field data reveal the region's land subsidence is primarily driven by geological processes, not human influence.
A cataclysmic event of a certain age
Researchers have narrowed the date of an anomalous cooling episode known as the Younger Dryas, which occurred around 12,800 years ago, to a 100-year range. The study suggests that a cosmic impact triggered this event.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2015
Marine plankton brighten clouds over Southern Ocean
Tiny marine organisms produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds that reflect more sunlight. This process affects the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's surface, with implications for global climate.
Space-eye-view could help stop global wildlife decline
Scientists are calling for cooperation between conservationists and space agencies to monitor biodiversity loss, which has halved in just 40 years. Satellite images can reveal changes in vegetation productivity and provide information on ground-level biodiversity levels.
Air travel and climate: A potential new feedback?
Researchers found a connection between climate and airline flight times, suggesting a feedback loop between carbon emissions and warming climate. The study suggests that climate variability determines flight times, with faster winds resulting in shorter flights and increased fuel consumption.
Researchers propose better way to invest in the SDGs
Gathering data on specific questions is the most effective way to support SDGs, says Keith Shepherd and colleagues. They propose five key principles: replacing targets with measures of return on investment and modeling intervention decisions.
Study: Temperature a dominant influence on bird diversity loss in Mexico
A recent study published in Science Advances found that temperature changes are the primary environmental influence on bird species distribution in Mexico. The researchers analyzed historical data and current distributions of 115 bird species to find that only temperature change had significant impacts on avifaunal turnover.
Experts express concern over cyclone trends in the British-Irish Isles
Researchers found that recent years have seen three of the stormiest seasons on record, with the summer of 2012 being the 'stormiest' since at least 1871. A 142-year climate data study confirms a strong relationship between seasonal precipitation totals and cyclone frequency in the region.
It's cold outside: 2 remarkable roundworm species from Antarctica revisited
Two Antarctic roundworm species, A. isokaryoni and P. paradoxus, have been studied in detail for the first time using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The research revealed new information on their morphology and taxonomic position, including peculiarities of their lip region and vulva shape.
Researcher discovers groundwater modeling breakthrough
Fred Ogden's discovery answers a long-standing question about water movement in the vadose zone, crucial for agriculture, hydrology, and climate science. The new equation improves the accuracy and computing power of hundreds of important water models.
The Southeast Pacific produces more nitrous oxide than previously thought
Research teams from GEOMAR and CAU discover the Southeast Pacific has been significantly underestimated as a source of nitrous oxide. Continuous measurement data show the region emits up to 1.4 megatons of nitrous oxide each year, exceeding similar areas in other tropical oceans.
Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal launches new collaboration tools, ocean stories
The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal has launched new features to expand pathways for participation and collaboration. The platform now includes Ocean Stories, Map Groups, and enhanced organization tools, empowering stakeholders to share their perspectives and work together on ocean planning challenges.
Jet contrails affect surface temperatures
Researchers found that jet contrails depress daytime-highs and nighttime-lows, mimicking the effect of ordinary clouds, with a 5-6 degree Fahrenheit reduction in daily temperature range in regions like the South and Midwest.
International spacecraft carrying NASA's Aquarius instrument ends operations
The Aquarius instrument successfully completed its primary three-year mission in November 2014, achieving its science objectives and providing valuable data on ocean dynamics and climate models. The loss of onboard power regulation and spacecraft attitude stabilization led to the end of operations.
A third of the world's biggest groundwater basins are in distress
A third of the world's biggest groundwater basins are under stress, with many running out quickly without reliable data. The studies found major discrepancies in projected 'time to depletion' and highlighted the need for a coordinated global effort to determine remaining water reserves.
From data to tomato
UCSB, UC Davis, and PowWow Energy receive $2.3 million in funding to deploy a method to measure groundwater use and provide irrigation best practices for California's major crops such as alfalfa, almonds, pistachios, and tomatoes. The project aims to optimize agricultural water and energy efficiency during drought years.
Conservation policies could improve human health
A study published in PNAS found that strictly protected areas, like parks and reserves, have lower incidences of malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrhea. By preserving biodiversity, these areas can act as a barrier to disease transmission, suggesting a potential double win for public health benefits.
New Grand Canyon age research focuses on western Grand Canyon
Researchers studied the western Grand Canyon and found that it must be younger than a fault slip that occurred 18 to 12 million years ago. The data also suggest that the notion of the canyon starting to erode about six million years ago is still the best scientific idea for its age.
Study shows wildlife density data better predicts conservation success
A recent study published in Conservation Biology makes a strong case for using detailed wildlife density data to inform conservation planning. The research found that prioritizing areas with higher species richness led to the protection of more individuals of each species.