A new study shows that sea surface temperatures reconstructed from climate archives vary to a much greater extent on long time scales than simulated by climate models. The researchers found that conventional climate models underestimated the variations of sea surface temperatures by a factor of 50 on a millennial time scale.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new database and algorithm to analyze upstream data, enabling the management of stream health across large landscapes. The system allows for rapid analysis of 2.6 million stream reaches in the contiguous United States, reducing analysis time from weeks to just five hours.
Researchers found a horizontally layered magma reservoir beneath the Toba caldera, composed of numerous intrusions with molten material. This discovery sheds light on the accumulation and eruption mechanisms of super-volcanoes, which occur every few hundred thousand years.
A study by an international team has shown that anonymous mobile phone call record data can be as accurate as traditional census-based maps. The findings have significant implications for infrastructure and emergency planners, particularly in low-income countries where recent population density information is often scarce.
Researchers found Madison's urban heat island effect peaks in summer, with downtown averaging 7 degrees warmer at night and 3 degrees warmer during the day compared to rural areas. The study also highlights the impact of snow cover and vegetation on temperature differences between urban and rural areas.
The new map is based on a collaboration between the Woods Hole Research Center and Mexican institutions, integrating field measurements with satellite data to provide continuous estimates of carbon stocks. This biomass map represents an important step forward in accounting for carbon emissions from the land sector in Mexico.
A new forecasting method uses complex networks analysis to predict extreme rainfall events in the South American Andes. The approach, developed by an international team of scientists, can accurately forecast 90% of extreme rainfall events under El Niño conditions and 60% under other conditions.
Researchers explore challenges and opportunities of mining large climate datasets with powerful analytical methods, scientific theory, and solid data engineering. By combining theory and Big Data, scientists aim to explain and predict important climate change phenomena.
A new DataONE project aims to provide a network of data repositories for Earth observational data, enhancing research efficiency and addressing complex environmental questions. By combining citizen scientist data with land use information, researchers can accurately assess species protection needs and public land agency responsibilities.
Researchers identified 230 SNPs associated with climate change and found that gene TBC1D12 became advantageous in colder climates, suggesting a link between sunlight and vegetation availability. The study could inform breeding practices for more resilient livestock breeds.
The Global Carbon Project predicts a 2.5% rise in CO2 emissions in 2014, reaching a record 40 billion tons, surpassing the 1,200 billion-ton quota for limiting global warming to 2°C. This could lead to climate change catastrophe if not addressed immediately.
A study by Technical University of Munich found that trees have accelerated their growth rate by up to 70% since the 1960s. The growth is attributed to rising temperatures, increased CO2, and nitrogen levels, which also led to a temporary slowing effect of acid rain on tree growth.
A new study reveals peak tornado activity in the central and southern Great Plains of the US is starting and ending earlier than it did half a century ago. The shift in tornado activity could help states in 'Tornado Alley' better prepare for these violent storms, with some states experiencing an average shift of 14 days compared to 1954.
A new study reveals climate change's complex effects on land and water, contradicting the 'DDWW' principle. While some regions become drier or wetter, others experience no trends, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of climate change.
A new approach estimates CO2 emissions from fossil fuels at a global scale, providing detailed information for policy-makers. The 'Fossil Fuel Data Assimilation System' (FFDAS) uses satellite feeds, national fuel accounts, and power plant data to create high-resolution planetary maps.
A new citizen science model proposes empowering sailors worldwide to gather basic ocean data, significantly improving the accuracy of climate models and weather forecasts. Bacterioplankton sampling and ocean physics measurements can be deployed by sailors with simple instruments and basic training.
The $21 million SOCCOM program will create a biogeochemical and physical portrait of the Southern Ocean using hundreds of robotic floats deployed around Antarctica. The project aims to improve our understanding of the ocean's carbon, nutrient, and oxygen content, and its importance to Earth's climate systems.
A new study reveals that citizen science plays a crucial role in climate change research, with amateur data collectors contributing up to 77% of studies. The lack of recognition for this contribution can lead people to feel they have nothing to contribute to the scientific process.
Reconstruction of sea ice changes in the Fram Strait reveals that Arctic sea ice cover decline led to significant weakening of the Gulf Stream. This change had a direct impact on European climate, with cooling occurring twice in the past 30,000 years.
Researchers find that El Niño and La Niña events, as well as weakened solar activity and aerosol concentrations, contributed to the recent slowdown in global warming. The study suggests that short-term climate fluctuations can be explained by natural factors without contradicting long-term warming trends.
A new NOAA analysis shows that between 1996 and 2011, 64,975 square miles of coastal regions experienced changes in land cover, with a decline in wetlands and forest cover. Development was a major contributing factor in these losses, with the Southeast region losing 510 square miles of wetlands.
Researchers at the University of Montana have improved computer models for estimating temperature across mountainous landscapes by creating a new climate dataset. This dataset uses weather station data, atmospheric weather model data, and satellite-based observations to estimate daily temperatures from 1948 to 2012.
The University of Waterloo has released a high-resolution Antarctic map created using RADARSAT-2 satellite imagery. This mosaic provides unprecedented accuracy and confidence in mapping ice cover changes, offering valuable information on the effects of climate change.
A long-lasting foreshock series in northern Chile controlled the rupture process of a magnitude 8.1 earthquake, which occurred in a region where the two colliding tectonic plates were partly locked. The study suggests that the unbroken regions north and south may break in separate smaller earthquakes.
Researchers used big data science to extract insights on climate extremes, finding that global warming may not mean fewer extreme cold snaps. The study suggests that natural processes driving weather anomalies could continue to occur in a warming future.
The WIFIRE project is developing a cyberinfrastructure system that integrates dynamic wildfire models, sensor data, and computational techniques to monitor and predict wildfire behavior. This will enable situational awareness, responses, and decision support for local, state, national, and international levels.
A team of researchers from York University created the first ever migratory connectivity map produced for a songbird, using tracking from both breeding and winter sites. The study reveals that wood thrushes have dual citizenship, with Canadian birds migrating to Nicaragua for the winter.
New research suggests that Antarctic sea ice expansion may have been incorrectly measured due to a processing error in satellite data. This finding could affect climate change reports, particularly those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
A new study led by Old Dominion University and the University of Colorado Boulder found sea levels are rising in the tropical Pacific off the coasts of the Philippines and northeastern Australia. The research team estimated that areas near these regions are being raised by about 1 centimeter per year due to anthropogenic warming.
Researchers at UCI used NASA satellite data to predict river basin overflow, increasing flood warning lead times from two months to five months. This could help save lives and property by providing earlier evacuation strategies.
Researchers argue that IPCC's approval process limits its credibility by not considering diverse policy views. By analyzing global emissions data, they show how different interpretations can be made from the same dataset, highlighting the need for a more connected scientific-policy interface.
The release of worldwide maps of soil moisture by NASA's Aquarius instrument showcases how wetness of the land changes with seasons and weather phenomena. This data is essential for understanding the climate system and has potential applications in advancing climate models, weather forecasts, drought monitoring, and water management.
A team of researchers, including Smithsonian paleoanthropologist Richard Potts, suggests that human traits evolved separately and at different times rather than all together. This flexibility likely enhanced the ability of human ancestors to adapt to unstable environments and disperse from Africa.
A team of researchers combined 3D technologies with advanced range estimator tools to provide detailed data on wildlife species' range and movements. This project utilized the San Diego Supercomputer Center's resources to create highly detailed data sets and visualizations, enabling faster calculations and improved accuracy.
A NASA study found that populated areas show increased plant productivity, while rural areas and wildlands see little change. Human land use and factors like nitrogen fertilization drove the growth changes.
A new study reveals that local-scale factors, such as terrain and temperature, explain most of the variation in wood decomposition, while climate plays a smaller role. The research suggests that termites and fungi have a more significant impact on decomposition than previously thought, which can improve climate change projections.
A new study reveals that powerful tropical cyclones are now reaching their peak intensity farther from the equator and closer to the poles. The trend is statistically significant and consistent with a warming climate, posing potentially profound consequences for life and property in regions further north and south of the equator.
Researchers used anonymized mobile records to identify geographical 'hotspots' of malaria and design targeted plans for its elimination. The study combined population movement data with information about diagnosed cases, climate, and topography.
Research documents a poleward migration of storm intensity in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres over 30 years of global historical tropical cyclone data, highlighting changes in risk for densely populated coastal cities and potential water shortages in equatorial regions.
A new measurement model reveals that human rights are actually improving, contrary to common claims. The model takes into account changes in data collection and categorization, showing more countries with better human rights records.
Research suggests that economic conditions during the formative years of emerging adulthood can leave a lasting mark on individuals' self-concept. People who entered their adulthood during hard economic times are less narcissistic later in life than those who came of age during more prosperous times.
A new modeling tool, GAMCAF, predicts a 40% increase in potato production across the ESR and identifies key factors affecting yields, such as soil quality and water management. The platform aims to optimize regional food production and improve food security for consumers, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Corn yields in central US sensitive to drought conditions increasing over past two decades. Farmers may be pushing limits of productivity under extreme heat and dryness.
A new analysis of archaeological records suggests that complex interbreeding and assimilation between Neandertals and early modern humans may have led to the demise of Neandertals. This contradicts previous theories that suggested modern human superiority was responsible for their extinction.
Over 60 years of citizen science observations detected trends in Midwestern lake water clarity. Lakes further north showed an overall trend toward increasing water clarity, whereas those in the south experienced a decline. These geographical patterns suggest latitude may play a role in water clarity trends.
A new study shows that the odds of storm waters overflowing the Manhattan seawall have increased 20-fold due to a rise in storm tides and sea-level rise. The maximum height of 'once-in-10-years' storms has grown by almost a foot since the mid-19th century, making New York City more prone to frequent and extensive flooding.
Researchers found that seed dormancy allows plants to adapt to their environment, resulting in increased species diversity. Plants with this ability are more likely to colonize new areas and thrive under changing conditions, a strategy that has been around since the earliest seeds.
A research group from Jülich has found that nitrous acid (HONO) is not a net source of hydroxyl radicals, which are central to the air's self-cleaning capacity. The discovery was made using air measurements recorded by a Zeppelin NT during the EU PEGASOS project.
A new study reveals a significant increase in wildfires across the western US over the last 30 years, with larger fires burning more frequently. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this trend, with rising temperatures and droughts contributing to increased fire activity.
Climate scientist Compton Tucker receives the 2014 Vega Medal for his work on remote sensing, measuring global land photosynthesis from space. His research has led to a 33-year data set invaluable for scientists studying Earth's climate.
Researchers predict that Miami sea levels will rise by .3 meters to 1 meter by 2100, with areas experiencing constant flooding and mangrove loss. Long-term predictions could be available as early as 2020, providing 70 years of planning for coastal regions.
Scientists have discovered a late Triassic tectono-thermal event in southern Mexico, synchronous with a magmatic arc hiatus, suggesting flat-slab subduction. Additionally, research has found evidence of giant mantle plume activity in ancient Australia and Argentina, providing insight into the Earth's thermal structure.
A Cornell University study found that neotropical orchid bees' habitats could be reduced by 30-50% due to future dry climate changes. However, male orchid bees' mobility allows them to maintain connectivity and healthy bee populations.
A study published in Surveys in Geophysics found that the hydrological model WaterGAP underestimates seasonal continental water storage fluctuations and fails to retain rainwater for a long time. The researchers used GPS observations and GRACE satellite data to identify shortcomings in the model.
The Ground Validation program gathers similar precipitation data on the ground to compare with satellite data, improving models and understanding precipitation physics. Remote campaigns and a Precipitation Science Research Facility supplement GPM data, allowing scientists to monitor precipitation under various conditions.
New research confirms Arctic ice trends show a five-day per decade increase in the length of the melt season, with implications for climate change tracking and shipping. The study's findings also highlight the importance of understanding Arctic sea ice feedback mechanisms.
A new digital atlas details historical sea ice concentration data in Alaska's Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering seas from 1850 to the present. The atlas provides a reliable tool for researchers to evaluate climate change impacts and offers users interactive features to explore historical trends.
A new software architecture developed by Fraunhofer IOSB enables the visualization of complex relationships between environmental factors and health data on risk maps, leading to a better understanding of cholera epidemic processes. This allows for faster and more effective response measures.
A new statistical hierarchical Bayesian model consolidates climate change information from various sources, including observation-based data sets and climate models. The approach provides an ensemble estimate of current and future climate along with a measure of uncertainty.
Climate researchers at the University of East Anglia have made world temperature records available via Google Earth, allowing users to zoom in on 6,000 weather stations and view monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature data. The dataset combines records from 150 years ago, providing valuable insights into climate change.