Articles tagged with Climate Data
Scientists developed a new model to estimate sea ice thickness, using historical observations and environmental data analysis. The study shows that average ice thickness and total ice volume fluctuated together during the early period, peaking in the late 1980s before declining until the mid-1990s.
Researchers are facing the challenge of balancing computing power and storage technology in high-performance computing (HPC) environments, as noted by Virginia Tech's Ali R. Butt. Modern scientific computations require powerful computing resources and manage large amounts of data, with terabyte speeds becoming increasingly common.
A NASA study reveals that warming air temperatures are causing the surface of Greenland's massive ice sheet to melt, leading to loss of ice throughout the mass beneath. The team found a strong connection between melting on the surface and ice loss below 6,500 feet in elevation.
The expedition's data indicates the foot of the continental slope off Alaska is over 100 nautical miles farther from the U.S. coast than previously thought, supporting U.S. claims to natural resources in the area. The findings also shed light on the geological history and bathymetry of the Arctic region.
Researchers used digital imaging techniques to document Greenland's ice sheet dynamics and found significant changes in the glacier's geometry without visible calving events. The new data can impact climate projections and sea-level rise estimates, possibly doubling current projections.
A UA-led team has received a $50 million grant to create a global center and computer cyberinfrastructure to address plant biology's grand challenge questions. The project will unite researchers from around the world to advance all fields of plant science.
A study by Dr Alan Grainger found no convincing evidence for a decline in tropical forests over the past 40 years. Despite local evidence of deforestation, long-term data is plagued by errors and inconsistencies that raise questions about predictions of species extinctions and global climate change.
Researchers are working on operational global forecasts of air pollution, which could aid in improving air quality and addressing climate change. NASA satellites are providing crucial data to support these efforts, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental regulations.
The GRACE-Team received the William T. Pecora Award for their groundbreaking work in determining the global water balance of continents through satellite measurements. This achievement provides a reliable dataset for understanding climate change, as highlighted by Professor Reinhard Hüttl.
A new study found that leading global climate models do an unsatisfactory job of mimicking climate change, particularly in the lower and middle atmosphere. The researchers compared the models' output with actual climate data and found discrepancies, casting doubt on the reliability of these models for predicting future climate changes.
A study found large gaps in GBIF's biodiversity data, with over 70% of Legume species lacking formal records or poor-quality location information. The research highlights the need for governments to invest in digitizing and publishing more biodiversity data from museums.
CSIRO launches 'Terabyte Science' program to tackle massive data sets in astronomy, gene sequencing, and climate modeling. The initiative aims to develop new mathematical approaches and processes for scientists to stay competitive globally.
A new NASA study reveals record-breaking snow melting in high-altitude areas of Greenland, with melting occurring 25-30 days longer than average. This trend is expected to impact Earth's energy budget and contribute to sea level rise.
The Montreal Protocol has been a resounding success, with chlorine compound levels leveling off and beginning to decline. Researchers study climate change and the timing of ozone recovery through space-based instruments and computer models, aiming to ensure CFC emissions fall below levels that produce an ozone hole.
The UK's proposed TRUTHS satellite mission seeks to settle international debates on climate change by launching a calibration laboratory into space. This will enable more accurate climate data and inform predictive quality of climate models.
A CU-Boulder team forecasts a 92% probability of the September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum extent setting a new record low. The researchers attribute this to rapid disintegration and thinning of multi-year ice, replaced by thinner first-year ice.
Researchers are working to understand regional climate change in North America, using models to predict impacts on agriculture and weather patterns. The Iowa State team has observed increased annual precipitation by about an inch over the past 30 years, which could be beneficial for Midwest agriculture.
Researchers from the University of Alberta have recorded alarming evidence that Arctic ponds are drying out rapidly, affecting waterfowl habitats and biodiversity hotspots. The study, published in PNAS, reveals a drastic shift in water levels and chemistry over 24 years, consistent with increased evaporation and warmer temperatures.
The GBIF Data Portal offers instant mapping and plotting of biodiversity data on Google Earth, facilitating ecological studies and predicting species response to climate change. The portal is expected to significantly increase the number of participating institutions, making global biodiversity data freely available worldwide.
The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite has captured the first occurrence of mysterious iridescent polar clouds. The clouds form during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season and are being seen more frequently at lower latitudes than ever before. Preliminary information suggests a connection with global climate change.
Two newly discovered species of giant prehistoric penguins lived in equatorial Peru during the Eocene epoch, contradicting previous hypotheses on penguin evolution and climate change. The species, Icadyptes salasi and Perudyptes devriesi, stood up to 5 feet tall and had unique beak features.
A new study reveals that Antarctic icebergs are hotspots of ocean life, supporting thriving communities of seabirds above and a web of phytoplankton, krill, and fish below. The researchers found that the icebergs produce a halo effect with increased phytoplankton, krill, and seabirds out to a radius of more than two miles around them.
Long-term monitoring programs help society understand environmental issues like acid rain, clean air, and global warming. The absence of monitoring hinders evaluation of environmental policies and contributes to the development of appropriate experimental design.
Scientists at the Woods Hole Research Center are expanding a two-year pilot phase to create a national biomass and carbon dataset for US forests. The dataset will improve current methods of determining carbon flux between vegetation and the atmosphere.
A recent experiment confirmed what NASA satellites are telling us about how changes in clouds can affect climate in the coldest regions on Earth. Researchers found extremely high ice water content in snowstorms and embedded layers of liquid water in very cold multi-layer cloud systems.
Researchers are setting up observatories to examine changes under the Arctic ice cap, investigating water properties in the upper layers of the Arctic Ocean. The goal is to understand annual change and measure mechanisms that lead to ice melting from below.
Researchers at Yale and Wesleyan Universities have found that the sensitivity of Earth's climate to changes in carbon dioxide has been consistent for 420 million years. The study confirms that each doubling of atmospheric CO2 translates to an average global temperature increase of about 3° Celsius.
The new CarbonTracker tool will distinguish between natural and human-produced carbon cycle changes, providing verification for climate models. It will also enable policymakers to compare emissions from urban centers and businesses.
The Integrated Microbial Genomes (IMG) data management system has been updated with new microbial genomes from NCBI's RefSeq collection, model eukaryotic genomes, and plasmids. This update brings a total of 2,782 genomes to the system, including 481 new public microbial genomes.
Researchers use a new technique to analyze rainfall trends, finding systematic patterns in heavy and light rain, but no consistent trend in moderate rain. The study resolves the challenge of detecting long-term global rainfall trends, providing insight into climate change's impact on weather events.
A new European satellite project, Polar View, is contributing to the International Polar Year by offering real-time monitoring of polar regions. The project provides comprehensive services to over 40 international users, including government agencies and commercial interests, to help guide responses to environmental and human pressures.
Researchers used satellite imagery and radar sensors to study Pacific walrus habitats in the Bering and Chukchi seas. They found that walruses prefer medium-thickness first-year ice, which is critical for their survival and way of life.
The COSMIC satellite system provides unprecedented information on the atmosphere's temperature and water vapor structure, enabling more accurate long-range weather forecasts and climate change analysis. The system's unique global coverage and ability to gather data above hard-to-reach locations enhance global-scale monitoring.
Researchers at UC Davis are developing a virtual library of data from hundreds of environmental sensors to study the interconnectedness of air, water, land, and living things in California. This 'God's-eye view' will help understand how climate change affects the state, including precipitation patterns, wildfires, and ocean upwelling.
The ILTER network, with over 34 countries as members, will benefit from a joint management structure, ensuring sustainable support for environmental monitoring sites. Long-term data is crucial for understanding climate change, invasive species, and ecosystem health.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed a map that incorporates environmental and human factors to pinpoint areas most vulnerable to devastating wildfires. The map highlights the critical role humans play in causing fires, particularly near wildland-urban interfaces.
The U.S. will maintain a leadership role in science and technology thanks to Argonne's involvement in the SciDAC program. Projects focus on creating software and infrastructure for petascale supercomputers.
A study by University of Illinois researcher Patrick Weatherhead found a direct correlation between the North Atlantic Oscillation and the decline in red-winged black bird population. The population decreased by 50% due to warmer, wetter winters in the southeastern United States.
Researchers use novel technique to analyze regional changes in Greenland's massive ice sheet, finding dramatic losses concentrated in coastal regions. The study shows an annual net loss of ice equal to nearly six years of average water flow from the Colorado River, with 20% more mass lost than received from new snowfall each year.
A new workflow language, Martlet, enables the analysis of large datasets in a changing environment by adjusting to data requirements at runtime. This approach has potential for use in various e-Science applications and demonstrates how core computer science can be used to meet exciting challenges.
Researchers are working to project the impacts of climate change on municipal water supplies by refining global climate models and customizing them for specific basins. This allows local governments and water planners to prepare for changes in tap water availability.
A new study reveals a significant decline in Arctic winter sea ice cover, with losses of six percent per year over the last two winters. This reduction is attributed to rising greenhouse gas emissions and warmer temperatures, posing a threat to marine ecosystems.
A NASA-funded study uses satellite data to monitor forest growth and health, detecting the effects of climate change on tree species and forest composition. The MODIS dataset shows a strong link between forest productivity and the number of tree species, enabling scientists to better predict future changes.
Satellite images from ESA's ENVISAT and NASA's Aura Satellite reveal a UK record heatwave and significant increases in nitrogen dioxide pollution. The data shows extreme temperature and pollution effects on large conurbations, while smaller cities display more moderate levels.
PLANKTON*NET offers a vast database of over 3000 images and 500 species descriptions, promoting global collaboration in biodiversity research. The project aims to network all data bases and integrate them into the World Data Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences.
UNH researchers created the most comprehensive global land-use history description to assess impacts on carbon and climate models. The study reveals that 42-68% of the global land surface has undergone substantial changes due to historical land-use practices, affecting carbon sinks and ecosystems.
The VENUS facility offers a unique window into the world under the sea, with a centralized data management system providing unrestricted access to long-term ocean observations. The observatory has already archived over 35 million measurements and dozens of gigabytes of acoustic and visual data.
The study found total hip and knee replacement surgery to be safe with low post-operative complications, while patient satisfaction levels remained high at 85-90%. However, disparities in utilization exist across race and gender lines.
New Jersey Institute of Technology physicists have used Earthshine observations to study changes in the earth's climate, with a focus on cloud cover and global warming. The research also has implications for the search for life on other planets, as evidenced by the detection of oxygen, water, and ozone in the Earth's spectrum.
Researchers from Kansas State University develop a low-cost remote sensing tool that can collect high-resolution images and reliable data on small ecosystems. The tool, made available to climate scientists, aims to provide flexible and affordable data collection for environmental research.
A team of scientists has found that Pakistan experienced its wettest period in over 1,000 years during the 20th century, with precipitation rates increasing significantly. The study used ancient juniper tree rings to estimate humidity conditions and found parallels with global warming.
A comprehensive mineral history of Mars reveals that conditions became increasingly dry and acidic around 3.5 billion years ago, making it an unlikely place for life to thrive. The study identifies clay-rich rocks and soil as potential targets for future lander missions.
The COSMIC satellite network measures atmospheric data daily in real time over thousands of points on Earth using GPS signals. Temperature and water vapor profiles will help meteorologists forecast storms and study long-term climate change trends.
A new study by an international team finds that climate change may contribute to malaria's rise, with rising temperatures creating favorable conditions for mosquitoes and pathogen development. The researchers also suggest that other factors such as drug resistance and human migration play roles in the disease's resurgence.
A study reviewed over 100 scientific studies and found that the global water cycle is intensifying, with increasing precipitation, runoff, and evapotranspiration. However, the effects on tropical storms and floods are not consistent with predictions.
High-resolution images of ice crystals provide detailed information about ice clouds, including particle size and shape, which influence the longevity of the cloud. The Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment, led by the ARM Program, combines aircraft and surface data to better understand cirrus structure in the tropics.
The year 2005 may have been the warmest year in a century, with global temperatures returning to levels seen in 1998. The Earth has warmed by 0.6° C or 1.08° F over the past 30 years and 0.8° C or 1.44° F over the past 100 years.
The ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) will collect atmospheric data on absorbing aerosols from desert dust in the dry season and deep convective clouds during the summer monsoon. This information will help improve model simulations of global climate and increase understanding of the influence of the West African Monsoon.
A new software developed by Ohio State University's Noel Cressie and his colleagues can fill in missing data on satellite images with remarkable speed and accuracy. The software uses statistical techniques, including Bayesian analysis, to weight available data and calculate missing values at different image resolutions.
Researchers use microfossils to analyze coastal sediment cores, revealing evidence of less frequent major storms in recent centuries. However, results may be affected by other environmental factors, such as rising sea levels.