Research on measuring and modeling the climate. Covers climate extremes, carbon sequestration, monitoring methods, and urban heat exposure.
Scientists are using hindcasting to develop more accurate models of ecosystem changes, leveraging UC Berkeley's vast museum collections to study past episodes of global change. This will inform policy-making and forecasting tools for the future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study using NASA satellite data found that the four largest wind farms in Texas experience an increase in land surface temperature over nine years, likely due to turbulence caused by turbine wakes. The warming occurred mainly at night and during times of high turbine activity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study by Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution found that development in Massachusetts could reduce forest carbon storage by 18% over the next half century. However, the researchers highlight the importance of expanding support for forestland protection to mitigate climate change.
A University of Rhode Island oceanographer is leading an effort to partner with the global shipping industry to collect detailed ocean data on commercial vessels. The proposed OceanScope initiative aims to fill observational deficiencies in the ocean, particularly below the surface, where satellites cannot measure properties.
The GPM mission, a joint effort between NASA and JAXA, aims to improve climate, weather, and hydrological predictions by providing accurate precipitation measurements from space. The GMI instrument will play a crucial role in measuring precipitation and environmental forecasting, particularly during extreme weather events.
A new research study has found that jellyfish populations have increased in some regions but decreased or fluctuated in others, contradicting previous theories. The study's lead researcher hopes to shed light on the issue by analyzing a global database of jellyfish data since 1750.
Jack Williams' research uses paleoecological data to understand species responses to past climate change, revealing the importance of combining modern and historical data for accurate predictions. This approach aims to improve forecasting ability and inform conservation priorities.
The new 'Geo-Wiki' web tool utilizes Google Earth and crowdsourced data to enhance the accuracy of global land use and forest cover information. By leveraging a network of volunteers, Geo-Wiki aims to produce more accurate hybrid land cover maps than existing individual products.
The CERES instrument has begun scanning Earth, providing a long-term record of the energy balance and helping scientists understand climate change. The satellite's data will aid in monitoring minute changes in the Earth's energy budget, which is critical for understanding how human activities impact the planet.
Dr. F. Michael Flasar, Dr. Anthony D. Del Genio and Dr. James Slavin recognized for their outstanding contributions to Earth and space sciences. Flasar's work on planetary atmospheres, including Titan's unique atmosphere, was highlighted as fundamental to understanding climate physics.
A Duke University-led study finds that 80% of high-endemicity areas in the Andes lack protection, with hundreds of rare species under threat from human activities. The research highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies to protect this unique region.
Researchers have discovered spatiotemporal variations of mid-upper tropospheric methane in China using satellite observations. The study reveals a center of low CH4 concentration over western China and seasonal cycles in eastern, northeastern, and northwestern China.
Researchers will use satellite data to survey the vast Congo River Basin, answering questions about water sources and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to provide a new method for studying inaccessible areas of the planet.
The University of Nevada, Reno is using a new fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing system to monitor sea and ice temperatures in Antarctica. The system will provide continuous data on the effects of climate change on glacial ice and sea levels.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found that tropical birds are moving to higher elevations in response to climate change, but at a slower rate than predicted. The animals appear to be tracking changes in vegetation rather than migrating rapidly, suggesting a delay in their response to warming temperatures.
The ARM Climate Research Facility has deployed 18 new scanning radars to study the lifecycle of clouds. These radars provide unprecedented data on cloud formation, structure, and evolution.
Researchers reconstructed climate sensitivity over five ice-age cycles using a global suite of records, comparing it with changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and Earth-Sun orbital configuration. The study estimates a 3.1-3.9°C temperature increase for a modern doubling of atmospheric carbon-dioxide concentrations.
The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard NASA's NPP satellite has acquired its first measurements, capturing high-resolution imagery of Eastern North America. The data will be used to observe the Earth's surface, including fires, ice, ocean color, vegetation, clouds, and land and sea surface temperatures.
Researchers found zircon crystals with ages matching those from western source sites, indicating a dramatic shift in atmospheric winds. The study improves climate modeling by suggesting alternating northwesterly and westerly sources for loess during glacial periods.
The US Department of Energy has established a high-speed network connecting three top supercomputing centers in California, Illinois, and Tennessee. This network delivers data at 100 Gigabits per second, making it one of the fastest systems in the world.
A massive set of mammal data from GBIF helped quantify the influence of environmental factors on species presence. The study found that climate is the biggest factor influencing mammal species communities at larger scales, while land use and land cover become more important at smaller scales.
The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument on board NASA's NPP satellite acquired its first measurements in November 2011. The data will be used to improve short-term weather forecasts up to 5-7 days in advance, and provide critical information for climate research.
An international research team, led by Jason Stajich, is sequencing 1000 fungal genomes to improve understanding of their role in ecosystems and human affairs. The '1000 Fungal Genomes' project aims to fill gaps in the Fungal Tree of Life and provide a foundation for interpreting how fungi adapt to their environments.
A new study by Drexel University researchers found that a safe working environment for nurses is also a safe environment for patients. For each 10-point increase in the average safety climate score, the odds of decubitus ulcer and nurse injury declined significantly.
Researchers found that birds' wings have grown longer and bodies are increasing in mass over the last 27 to 40 years in central California. Climate change is believed to be behind the trend, which challenges the usual thinking about climate change and body size.
The GeoSymbio application provides a wealth of information on symbiotic zooxanthellae, including genetic identification and taxonomic description of over 400 distinct subclades. This tool accelerates insights into their ecology, biogeography, and evolution in the face of climate change.
Researchers have made significant findings on the San Andreas Fault and Japan's 1944 Tonankai earthquake. The study reveals that seismic slip can propagate to shallow levels along megasplay faults, while another discovery sheds light on osmium behavior in a subduction system using chromian spinel from Bonin Island beach sands.
NASA has released a series of new satellite data visualizations showing tens of millions of fires detected globally from space. The data helps scientists understand the impact of fire on local, regional and global scales.
Scientists from the University of Gothenburg have launched a GIS system called SEES to determine solar energy potential for existing structures. The system analyzes geographical data and simulates shadows to calculate annual solar radiation on roof surfaces.
Researchers at Caltech have directly determined the surface temperature of early Mars for the first time. They found that carbonate minerals formed at about 18 degrees Celsius, consistent with a warmer and wetter Martian past. This finding provides crucial evidence for understanding Mars' history and climate.
A living species of aquatic beetle, Helophorus sibiricus, was discovered in 20-million-year-old sediments in southern Siberia. The fossil provides new data on the average duration of an insect species and suggests that some species may survive for millions of years.
The University of Tennessee is part of a nationwide effort to study the effects of global change on climate, invasive species, and biodiversity. The project, NEON, aims to detect and forecast ecological changes across the continent using cutting-edge technology.
A new CU-Boulder study assesses 69 historical sites in the Southern Rockies and finds that 65 of them are still occupied by pikas, contrasting with a recent Great Basin study showing local extinctions increasing five-fold. The team found that drier conditions at abandoned sites may be driving pika disappearance.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute leads two major European projects, O3M SAF and SAF on Support to Operational Hydrology and Water Management. The institute develops software and systems for processing satellite data, including products for ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and aerosols. These products support climate change ...
A new NASA study disputes previous claims that droughts led to reduced global plant productivity and threatened food security. The research found that modeling errors and the use of corrupted satellite data contributed to exaggerated claims.
The project, called VertNet, aims to make online storage of vertebrate collections from around the world more accessible. This will enable academic researchers and citizen scientists to search and explore the vast collections more easily.
Fire response teams use Landsat satellite data to protect houses, wildlife, and bodies of water. The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) uses Landsat data to create maps depicting ecologic changes due to high temperatures after a fire.
A meta-analysis predicts that cities will expand by 590,000 square miles globally by 2030, threatening biologically diverse areas. Rising incomes in China drive half of urban land expansion, while population growth drives expansion in India and Africa.
Species have moved towards the poles at three times the rate previously accepted and to cooler, higher altitudes at twice that rate. On average, species have shifted 12.2m per decade in elevation and 17.6km per decade in latitude.
CSIRO scientists rely on international cooperation to deploy Argo ocean and climate monitoring instruments, as Somali pirates operate in the region. The program offers crucial data for understanding Australian and south Asian weather patterns.
The NASA National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) has successfully completed its most comprehensive end-to-end compatibility test. The NPP satellite contains a suite of five sensors that will make measurements to continue producing key data products about Earth.
A USC researcher collected samples from floating sediment traps in the San Pedro Basin to study how much carbon is locked up in the ocean. Her findings suggest that the majority of particulate organic carbon falling to the basin floor is marine-derived, acting as a carbon sink taking carbon out of the atmosphere via phytoplankton and l...
Scientists found satellite data inaccurately measures aerosols' effect on climate, leading to underestimated cooling effect. Researchers need to combine models with satellite data to improve climate predictions.
The NASA Visualization Explorer app allows users to interact with extraordinary images, video, and information about NASA's Earth science research. The app features high-resolution movies, short written stories, and interviews with scientists, all designed to be easily accessible to the general public.
A study combining satellite data from NASA and aircraft missions has provided the clearest account yet of glacial ice surges into the sea after Antarctic ice shelves collapse. The research reveals rapid elevation decreases of over 500 feet for some glaciers, with total ice loss estimated at 11.2 gigatons per year.
A recent study by Rovira i Virgili University reveals that only 20% of recorded climate information is accessible to the scientific community. The remaining data, dating back centuries, pose significant challenges for understanding climate variations and tackling global warming.
A new knowledgebase, Kbase, will integrate disparate data streams on plants and microbes to facilitate question-asking about huge datasets. This will help make progress on improved ways to generate biofuels and optimize plant yields.
The National Science Foundation awards four grants to create a national resource of digital data documenting existing biological collections. This will increase accessibility to valuable information and stimulate new research across multiple fields of science.