Articles tagged with Droughts
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers found that de-stocking livestock and receiving cash helped families feed themselves, maintain core herds, and access vital services during droughts. This approach supported local economies and reduced the need for humanitarian assistance.
The US should implement a national drought policy to ensure sustainable water supplies for drinking, agriculture, and fisheries. Climate change models predict warmer and wetter weather, but regions like the southwestern US may experience increased drought risk.
A NASA study suggests that a warmer future climate will increase droughts in the southwest United States and other parts of the world. The researchers found that changes in solar output in the past increased surface warming and altered atmospheric moisture and circulations, leading to severe droughts.
Researchers discovered that quick-growing plants like weeds can adapt in just a few years to climate change, whereas slower-growing plants struggle. This finding suggests that annual plants may thrive better in warmer conditions, leading to potential changes in Earth's plant life.
Climate change may cause large infrequent disturbances in Africa, leading to devastating environmental and societal impacts. Historical data suggests that such events can have a lasting effect, with examples like the Maasai 'Emutai' period showing catastrophic consequences.
A new study from Queensland University of Technology finds that climate change caused a series of massive droughts to kill giant kangaroos and other megafauna in south-east Queensland 40,000 years ago. The research provides evidence that the prehistoric big dry was responsible for extinctions, contradicting some theories that humans we...
Researchers at Purdue University found that considering all interactions among temperature, radiation, precipitation, and land use can aid humans in preparing for extreme shifts in weather patterns. They discovered that a lack of precipitation will have the most dramatic effect on living conditions in the future.
Researchers discovered that releasing reservoir water to recharge natural aquifers can help cities survive droughts with full production from municipal wells. This technique may become crucial for areas experiencing reduced inflow due to changing water uses or climate change, such as the city of Las Vegas, NM, and parts of California.
A climatologist and a political scientist argue that planning for droughts can minimize losses. In contrast, the US still reacts to droughts as unexpected emergencies, wasting resources. Experts call for a shift in perspective and proactive risk management.
Researchers from the University of Bristol warn that Eurasia, eastern China, Canada, Central America, and Amazonia are at risk of forest loss due to global warming. The team predicts more intense droughts in West Africa, southern Europe, and the eastern USA, while regions north of 50°N will face excessive runoff and flooding.
Researchers studied particle flow inside coronal streamers to understand space weather hazards. Turbulence within an oceanic mixed layer was found to inhibit sedimentation of planktonic particles. Zonal currents in the western equatorial Pacific Ocean were observed to flip direction, affecting water transport and zonal mass balance.
Researchers used tree-ring records and gauged streamflows to reconstruct historic Colorado River streamflows, dating back to 1490. The reconstructions suggest that droughts more severe than the recent 100-year period occurred in the past, with at least eight droughts similar in severity to the 2000-2004 drought.
A recent study found that factors such as development, population growth, and failing water supply systems contribute significantly to water emergencies in Rockland County, N.Y. The researchers' findings suggest that the balance between water demand and supply is becoming increasingly fragile due to human activities.
The western prairies in Canada are facing a dire water crisis due to climate change, drought, and human activity. The region's glaciers are dwindling, snowpacks are decreasing, and precipitation evaporation is increasing, exacerbating the issue.
Researchers found that periwinkle snails, normally harmless, played a significant role in killing off thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Southeast during intense droughts. The study reveals that extreme climatic events can trigger formation of grazer fronts, leading to habitat die-off in stable ecosystems.
Researchers found three pronounced cooling periods indicating drought, linked to African deforestation and global temperature increases. The study suggests that these changes will disrupt the monsoon system, affecting agriculture and food security in equatorial Africa.
Research revealed that a massive pinyon pine die-off in the Southwest was caused by hot and dry conditions, which are predicted by global climate change models. The study found that temperatures coupled with drought led to tree mortality, affecting ecosystems for decades.
A study using tree-ring data reveals that severe droughts and low-flow conditions in one basin are unlikely to be offset by abundant streamflow in another. The research covers waterways from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, spanning nearly 800 years.
A new study links drought in southern Africa to the warming of the Indian Ocean, contradicting earlier research that connected it to the Sahelian region. The analysis suggests a late 20th-century cooling of the North Atlantic Ocean was key to Sahelian drought, with recent warming leading to increased rainfall in the area.
A severe drought in Asia has pushed millions of people below the poverty line, but researchers are developing new technologies to help farmers adapt. New rice varieties and irrigation management strategies can improve crop yields and reduce water usage.
Researchers from Columbia University and NASA used sediment layers to uncover a 500-year drought from 800 A.D. to 1300 A.D., as well as the effects of the Little Ice Age and European settlers' agricultural practices on the area's climate. The study found increased erosion, saltier water, and changes in vegetation during these periods.
A decade-long study on water availability in the Yakima River Valley found expected losses to agriculture of $92-163 million by mid-century due to projected snowpack reductions. Climate models predict up to 70% reduction in snowpack for the West Coast, with severe droughts becoming more frequent.
Researchers used tree-ring data to reconstruct years of low river flows in the Columbia River Basin back 250 years, revealing six multiyear droughts that were much more severe than anything in recent memory. These droughts persisted for years, including one that lasted 12 years.
Scientists have found that climate change is a major contributing factor to droughts' increasing frequency and severity, with rising temperatures accounting for almost half of the global trend. The study used a unique analysis to estimate how much of the global trend in soil moisture was due solely to warming-induced evaporation.
A new NCAR study reveals that rising temperatures are the primary cause of expanding droughts globally. The research found that almost half of the change in dry conditions since the 1970s is due to warming rather than decreased rainfall or snowfall.
A NASA study reveals that planting trees on marginal agricultural lands can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially offsetting one-fifth of the US's annual fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, research suggests that insect outbreaks linked to droughts and heat waves may contribute to increased greenhouse gas levels.
Researchers from UGA found that Georgia's recent drought, combined with an opportunistic parasite, led to the decline in blue crab numbers. The study reveals that the delicate balance of saltwater and freshwater in coastal estuaries is disrupted during droughts, creating a favorable environment for the parasite to thrive.
A team of UCR researchers led by Daniel R. Gallie found that reducing ethylene production through ACC synthase increases drought tolerance in corn plants. The study suggests a promising approach to help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Researchers have created a North American Drought Atlas CD-ROM, mapping year-by-year occurrences of droughts over the last 2005 years. The atlas provides essential paleoclimate data with applications to science, policy, education, and history.
A multi-species herbivore outbreak occurred in Panama following an El Niño drought, causing moth larvae to devour 250% more leaf material than usual. The short-lived event was brought under control quickly by natural predators and diseases, but highlights the potential impact of climate change on forest ecosystems.
A historical study found that elevated aridity in the western US may be a natural response to climate warming. The study revealed a 400-year-long period of epic drought during the Medieval Warm Period (A.D. 900-1300), which could lead to increased aridity if temperatures continue to rise.
The Lewis and Clark expedition successfully traversed the new frontier due to a favorable climatic window that allowed for abundant food sources. If they had traveled during an intense drought, their journey might have been significantly impacted, potentially altering the course of U.S. expansion into the West.
A new study suggests that droughts like the 1930s Dust Bowl may not be unique to modern times, but were common in prehistoric periods. The research found that ancient droughts persisted for several decades and caused widespread effects on ecosystems, including prairie fires and erosion.
Researchers found that under drought conditions, tropical forests and desert ecosystems have similar maximum rain-use efficiency, a measure of total plant growth per unit of precipitation. This discovery indicates an upper limit to ecosystem productivity, which may impact climate change scenarios.
By decreasing the enzyme dehydroascorbate reductase, UC Riverside researchers have improved drought tolerance in plants, enabling them to conserve water resources and survive droughts. This discovery is highly valuable for U.S. and world agriculture, particularly in areas with erratic rainfall.
Scientists have determined for the first time how drought conditions can be quantified over large forest areas in the Amazon rainforest from space. Using a combination of ground-based and space-based tools, they found that satellite imaging can measure the physiology of the rainforest canopy with high accuracy.
A study using modern-era satellite data found that a combination of cooler tropical Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures led to the US dust bowl drought from 1931 to 1939. This created shifts in weather patterns and reduced moisture supply, resulting in severe dry conditions.
A study by USGS researchers associates drought patterns in the US with multi-decade variations in North Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. The research found that positive AMO (warm North Atlantic) and negative PDO (cool North Pacific) are linked to large-scale droughts, affecting regional weather patterns.
Native C4 plants faced disastrous consequences during prolonged severe droughts in the middle Holocene, contrary to expectations. Weedy C3 plants adapted well due to their ability to exploit limited water resources, highlighting a key difference between C3 and C4 plant responses.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that previous year's drought is the main driver of high mosquito populations in wetlands. This discovery has implications for predicting and controlling diseases like West Nile virus and malaria, which are spread by mosquitoes.
Contaminated water from abandoned mines poses a threat to Colorado's nine billion-dollar tourism industry, particularly in ski areas like Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. The use of artificially created snow due to droughts and climate change exacerbates the issue, highlighting the need for alternative methods to mitigate acid-rock drainage.
Contaminated water from abandoned mines in Colorado's Summit County is affecting artificial snowmaking and tourism, impacting $9 billion industry. Heavy metals are detected in headwater drainages, posing a risk to aquatic life and other sports.
The presentation highlights the impacts of major water restrictions and efforts toward community communication during severe droughts. Researchers explore the management of freshwater inflow criteria for affected regions, examining vulnerability to aquatic resources and allocation of water resources in South Africa.
A new study reveals that elevated carbon dioxide levels can improve corn growth during drought periods, increasing photosynthesis by up to 41% in some cases. The findings suggest that C4 plants like corn may benefit from rising CO2 levels, but other factors such as ozone levels could still impact crop yields.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a gene that controls the production of plants' outermost protective coating. By manipulating this gene, they may be able to create crops with increased drought resistance. The study found that altering the gene's expression can result in thicker or more rigid cuticles, reducing water los...
A New Mexico State University scientist's study reveals that the cost of maintaining the upstream habitat for the endangered silvery minnow results in a net gain of $68,000 per year for New Mexico agriculture. However, central New Mexico agricultural users and Albuquerque residents would lose $68,000 annually, while southern New Mexico...
A study found a previously unknown abrupt shift in climatic conditions around AD 700 in the Canadian prairies and 500 years later in US prairies. Persistent changes in jet stream shape and storm tracks are believed to cause such patterns.
A new theory proposes Chaco Canyon's powerful political system kept other Pueblo peoples under its thumb from 1000 to 1125. The city's elite ruled a region containing tens of thousands of people, with influence stretching hundreds of miles.
A new study uses tree ring chronologies to identify patterns of multidecadal oscillations in precipitation, linking them to ocean temperature shifts. The research suggests that the Great Plains, Rockies, and Southwest are prone to megadroughts when tropical Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures align.
The study found three catastrophic droughts in Africa 8,300, 5,200, and 4,000 years ago, which coincided with the formation of cities and social structures. The ice cores also showed a significant decline in oxygen-18 isotopes, indicating another severe drought event around 5,200 years ago.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that urban areas in the US now have an average of 10 more very warm nights a year than rural areas, which has significant implications for heat problems. The growth was highest on the East Coast, with cities like Miami and Los Angeles showing the most extreme temperature trends.
Researchers predict that El Niño could lead to increased precipitation in the Southwest, alleviating water shortages and reducing wildfire danger. The region has been experiencing severe drought conditions, with reservoirs struggling to meet demand.
After severe droughts, wading bird populations surge due to changes in fish populations and nutrient cycles, according to University of Florida researchers. This phenomenon, known as 'pulsed productivity,' occurs worldwide among diverse wading bird species.
Researchers found that soil geology plays a significant role in the Congo River Basin's response to drought. The basin's varied geology, including ferruginous cuirassed peneplain, sandy soils, and porous aquifers, affects discharge reduction rates during droughts.
Research reveals Amazon forest fragments are more susceptible to extinction due to overhunting, increased airborne pollutants, and heightened fire risks. Climate change may further exacerbate these effects, threatening biodiversity in fragmented landscapes.
A recent study by Texas A&M University researchers found that environmental conditions such as drought, water quality, and predator presence impact crayfish populations. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the ecological relationships between organisms and their environments to predict stream health.
The analysis of three Himalayan ice cores reveals a highly detailed record of the last 1,000 years of earth's climate in the high Tibetan Plateau. The data shows that both the last decade and the last 50 years were the warmest in 1,000 years, with at least eight major droughts caused by a failure of the South Asian Monsoon.
Researchers analyzed ancient sediments to shed light on ancient drought cycles and their potential link to future aridity. The study found well-defined 80- to 100-year cycles of alternately arid and humid conditions in the region.
Researchers used a computer climate model to find that vegetation interactions significantly drive the Sahel region's drought. The study suggests that natural vegetation causes enhanced drying, leading to cooler climates and reduced rainfall.
Scientists create a new 'drought map' using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite data to identify areas hardest hit by the drought. The map compares current surface temperature measurements to average temperatures over the last 10 years, showing whether an area has a normal, low, medium or high drought index.