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Book shows evolution that joins human and environmental sciences

A new book edited by Emilio Moran joins social and natural scientists to explore human role in addressing health challenges, managing forests and animal species. The study highlights the importance of understanding people's motivations and decisions in solving environmental problems.

SourceMichigan State University·DateFeb 6, 2013

USDA studies confirm plant water demands shift with water availability

Researchers found that plant water demand fluctuates in response to water availability, but may eventually approach a threshold that limits production. The study suggests that ecosystem resilience will decline as regions experience continued warming and drying trends.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalNature·DateJan 22, 2013

An early sign of spring, earlier than ever

Researchers found that record warm temperatures in 2010 and 2012 resulted in the earliest spring flowering in the eastern United States. Spring is arriving much earlier today than it has in the past, with plants flowering over three weeks earlier than when they were first observed.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 16, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Novel approach to track migration of arctic-breeding avian species

Scientists study snow bunting populations in North America, revealing east-west migratory divide and mixed-data approach for tracking connectivity. The research supports the need for a versatile mix of data to assess habitat changes and climate change effects on breeding success.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalAnimal Migration·DateJan 15, 2013

NASA prepares for launch of next Earth observation satellite

The Landsat Data Continuity Mission will extend over 40 years of global land observations, critical in energy and water management, forest monitoring, and disaster recovery. The mission's instruments, including Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor, promise improved data quality and quantity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 10, 2013

UW, PNNL tackle big data with joint computing institute

Researchers at UW and PNNL will collaborate on advanced computer system designs, accelerating data-driven scientific discovery and improving computational modeling and simulation. The institute aims to solve pressing problems like climate change, energy management, and disease determination.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateJan 9, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Wallace's century-old map of natural world updated

The University of Copenhagen's researchers have produced a next-generation map depicting the organization of life on Earth, combining evolutionary and geographical information for over 20,000 species. The new map shows 11 large biogeographic realms and has major conservation significance in light of the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2012
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Record high for global carbon emissions

Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to rise by 2.6% in 2012, reaching a record high of 35.6 billion tonnes, with China contributing 28% and the US 16%. The analysis highlights the urgent need for radical emission reductions to keep global warming below 2 degrees.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 2, 2012
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Scientists develop new approach to support future climate projections

A team of international scientists has developed a more consistent definition of climate sensitivity in prehistoric times, which helps improve comparison with IPCC estimates. The study found that the likely range of climate sensitivity consistently has been of the order of 2.2 to 4.8 degrees C per doubling of CO2.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature·DateNov 28, 2012

NASA's Cassini sees abrupt turn in Titan's atmosphere

Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show a shift in seasonal sunlight causing a sudden change in atmospheric circulation on Saturn's moon Titan. This unexpected turn reveals the key factor in Titan's atmosphere circulation is the slant of light, which led to sinking air at altitudes previously thought to be upwelling.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateNov 28, 2012

Projected sea-level rise may be underestimated

Sea levels are rising at a rate of 60% faster than the IPCC's latest best estimates, with satellite data recording a rate of 3.2 mm per year compared to projected 2 mm per year. This increase in sea-level rise is likely due to global warming and correlates well with the increase in global temperature.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 27, 2012
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tracking pollution from outer space

A Tel Aviv University team uses NASA satellites to measure pollution hovering over world's megacities, tracking pollution trends for 189 megacities. The method provides standardized global testing of pollution levels, holding countries accountable for their emissions and encouraging environmentally friendly practices.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalAmerican Journal of Climate Change·DateNov 27, 2012

NASA/NOAA's Suomi NPP captures night-time view of Sandy's landfall

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on NASA/NOAA's Suomi NPP captured a composite image of Hurricane Sandy just hours before its historic landfall. The satellite's day-night band sensor revealed city lights and clouds illuminated by the full moon, providing a unique view of the storm's structure.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 31, 2012

Sizing up biomass from space

Researchers developed a new randomization protocol to accurately estimate total biomass in forests. The GLAS approach shows promise in standardizing global forest biomass inventory and improving spatial and temporal coverage.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateOct 30, 2012
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New tools for assessing the patient's experience with health care--progress report

A special supplement to Medical Care presents a progress report on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys, which capture patients' perspectives on healthcare. The CAHPS project aims to move beyond simple patient satisfaction surveys by asking patients about their experiences with health care services.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalMedical Care·DateOct 18, 2012
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

The mathematics of leaf decay

Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze data from North American forests, finding that warmer climates accelerate leaf decay uniformly, while plant composition determines the range of rates. The study reveals surprising commonality among diverse leaf decay patterns, shedding light on global carbon flux and climate change.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateOct 3, 2012

Yearlong MAGIC climate study launches

A yearlong marine deployment of the ARM Mobile Facility AMF2 on the Horizon Spirit aims to collect extensive data on clouds and their transitions, improving climate modeling. The project will provide valuable insights into Earth's energy and water balance, enhancing our understanding of climate change.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateOct 1, 2012

Arctic sea ice hits smallest extent in satellite era

The Arctic Ocean's sea ice cover has reached its annual minimum extent of 1.32 million square miles, a new record low in the satellite era. This represents a decline of almost 300,000 square miles from the previous lowest extent set in 2007, and is approximately half the size of the average extent from 1979 to 2000.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 19, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New, content-based geographic map search tool unveiled

The new LandEx tool uses the National Land Cover Dataset 2006 to enable example-based queries for localities with similar patterns of land cover. The tool allows researchers and educators to explore its capabilities online, providing a total search for a sense of place.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateSep 19, 2012

CU-Boulder-led mountain forest study shows vulnerability to climate change

A new study by CU-Boulder researchers finds mid-elevation mountain ecosystems sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt. The 'tipping point' where these forests switch from moisture-dependent to sunlight-temperature dependent is crucial for understanding climate change's impact.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 5, 2012

Research reveals contrasting consequences of a warmer Earth

A new study suggests that a warmer Earth generally increases biodiversity, but only after millions of years. However, current trends of increasing temperature are expected to cause diversity loss in the short term due to the speed of change.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2012

No-till could help maintain crop yields despite climate change

Research at the US Department of Agriculture found that no-till farming can reduce yield losses caused by climate change. The study simulated different climate factors on three cropping systems, finding declines in corn and millet yields over time. No-till management helped maintain wheat yields for up to 2075.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 23, 2012
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Drastic desertification

Researchers studied Dead Sea sediment cores to reconstruct climate conditions over the past 10,000 years, finding rapid changes between moist and dry phases. They linked pollen data to plant species that can tolerate specific temperature and precipitation levels.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateAug 21, 2012

Massachusetts butterflies move north as climate warms

A study by Harvard University researchers found that Massachusetts butterfly populations are moving north as the climate warms, with subtropical species such as the giant swallowtail and zabulon skipper increasing in abundance. In contrast, more than three quarters of northerly species are declining, particularly those that overwinter ...

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 19, 2012

How do they do it? Predictions are in for Arctic sea ice low point

Researchers from the University of Washington's Polar Science Center have made a prediction for Arctic sea ice, expecting 4.4 million square kilometers of remaining ice, barely more than the 2007 record low. They improved their ability to predict by including new NASA sea ice thickness data collected by airplane.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 14, 2012
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Research links extreme summer heat events to global warming

A new NASA study has found that the likelihood of experiencing an extreme summer heat wave has increased significantly since the middle of the 20th century. The researchers analyzed mean summer temperatures and found that 'extremely hot' summers, previously rare, have become routine in recent decades.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2012

A portal for Earth science data exploration

DataONE enables researchers worldwide to discover, integrate, and analyze massive amounts of diverse environmental and Earth science data. The platform facilitates universal access to data, addressing critical questions about the environment and human role within it.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·DateJul 23, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New data and methods paint clearer picture of emissions from tropical deforestation

Researchers at Winrock International developed a more accurate estimate of gross carbon emissions from tropical deforestation for the early 2000s. The study found that global emissions from deforestation were approximately one-third lower than previously published estimates, with Brazil and Indonesia accounting for 55% of total emissions.

SourceWinrock International·JournalScience·DateJun 21, 2012

Landsat sets the standard for maps of world's forests

Landsat satellites offer high-resolution data for tracking forest change and storing carbon, supporting REDD+ efforts. The program's long-term continuity and free access to data have contributed to a decrease in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 18, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Human hands leave prominent ecological footprints

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and LTER Network sites reveal that historic human activity has a profound impact on today's ecosystem. The study highlights how legacy effects from human actions continue to reverberate throughout present-day ecosystems, influencing environmental policies and land management.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalBioScience·DateJun 1, 2012

Greenland's current loss of ice mass

Research reveals Greenland's ice sheet is losing mass at an unprecedented rate, with melting and calving processes increasing by 0.07mm/year annually since 2005. The study provides insights into the impact of regional weather patterns on ice sheet dynamics.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateMay 29, 2012

NSF supports University of Miami climate and 'cloud computing' research

The NSF grant will support ensemble climate simulations and data sharing to improve environmental and storm modeling. This project aims to enhance the performance of NOAA's SLOSH model for predicting storm surge generated by hurricanes and tropical storms.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateMay 23, 2012
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

National Geographic announces its Emerging Explorers for 2012

The National Geographic Emerging Explorers program recognizes young trailblazers in various fields who are pushing boundaries of discovery, adventure, and global problem-solving. The 2012 class includes cyborg anthropologist Amber Case, digital storyteller Lucy Cooke, and behavioral ecologist Iain Couzin.

SourceNational Geographic Society·DateMay 15, 2012

New research brings satellite measurements and global climate models closer

Researchers found a data calibration problem in the University of Alabama's temperature record, which has been cited by climate change skeptics. When corrected, the results fall in line with other records and climate models, confirming their agreement on global warming impacts.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·DateMay 7, 2012

Spotlight on Sentinel-2

The upcoming Sentinel-2 mission will fill the gap in research and operations, providing frequent coverage and high-resolution imagery. This will enable the monitoring of land cover, forests, agriculture, and glaciers, leading to better management of the environment and understanding of climate change.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·DateMay 4, 2012
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Decades of data show spring advancing faster than experiments suggest

Long-term historical observations reveal plants leafing and flowering sooner due to rising temperatures, contrary to results from controlled environmental warming experiments. This discrepancy suggests that estimated ecosystem changes may be far greater than current estimates based on experimental data.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateMay 2, 2012

NASA goes on top of the Smokies, all covered in light rain

Scientists from NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions discovered that light rain makes up 50-60% of total precipitation in the region, contributing to freshwater resources. The study used satellite data and ground-based instruments to validate measurements and make new discoveries.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 24, 2012

Research is ensuring stormwater systems are designed for the future

Researchers at Kansas State University are updating rainfall distribution data to provide a more accurate benchmark for engineers designing stormwater systems. The study found that the state is experiencing more rain across its entire area, with more intense storms in the southeast region.

SourceKansas State University·DateApr 23, 2012

Miniature Sandia sensors may advance climate studies

Researchers have developed a miniature sensor that uses self-sealing valves to collect pristine atmospheric samples, improving computer climate models. The novel design employs an inexpensive microvalve situated above the sample chamber, allowing for low-cost distribution and minimizing contamination.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 10, 2012
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

OceanScope: Private-science collaboration to provide critical ocean information

The OceanScope project combines the ocean-observing community and the global shipping industry to study ocean circulation dynamics and fill observational gaps. By leveraging commercial ships like Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, the partnership aims to create a cost-effective opportunity for systematic long-term observation.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateApr 9, 2012

Long-term research reveals causes and consequences of environmental change

A long-term study by the LTER Network reveals that cool, wet areas are vulnerable to climate change, while dry forested ecosystems conserve more water as temperatures rise. The research provides valuable insights for effective management of public water supplies and informing policy decisions.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico, Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network·JournalBioScience·DateApr 6, 2012