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Storm water banking could help Texas manage floods and droughts

Researchers found that Texas' major rivers produce enough water to store almost two-thirds of the state's flow capacity. Capturing this water could partially mitigate floods and droughts. The study's discovery fills a niche in understanding the potential for aquifer storage projects across the state.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 10, 2019

Researchers develop better way to determine coastal flooding risk

A new methodology for building computer models has been developed at Oregon State University, enabling better prediction of coastal flooding risk. The research used statistical techniques and 'emulation' to reduce complexity and improve performance, allowing for nearly instantaneous use of the model for future flooding scenarios.

SourceOregon State University·JournalCoastal Engineering·DateMay 3, 2019

33-year study shows increasing ocean winds and wave heights

Researchers analyzed wind speed and wave height measurements from satellites and ocean buoys to find extreme winds increasing by 8% and waves by 5% in the Southern Ocean over the past 30 years. This increase has significant implications for rising sea levels and coastal flooding.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Climate change to blame for Hurricane Maria's extreme rainfall

A new study finds that Hurricane Maria's extreme rainfall was due to human-caused climate warming, making a storm of its magnitude nearly five times more likely to form now than during the 1950s. The research analyzed Puerto Rico's hurricane history and found that Maria produced the largest maximum daily rainfall of those 129 storms.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 16, 2019

Dr. Kellie Flood named AGS geriatrics clinician of the year

Dr. Kellie Flood, an Associate Professor at UAB, is recognized for her outstanding geriatric care, research, and leadership. She has expanded geriatrics expertise in Alabama and beyond through various programs, including the UAB Geriatric Scholar Program.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·DateApr 16, 2019

Hurricane Harvey provides lessons learned for flood resiliency plans

Researchers used satellite radar data to map the extent of standing water and measure land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston area, revealing large flooded areas fell outside FEMA designated flood zones. The study highlights the need for revising flood hazard zone maps and resilience plans in coastal regions.

SourceArizona State University·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateApr 10, 2019

Post-wildfire step-pool streams

Researchers find that severity of wildfire and rainfall intensity affect stability and destruction of step-pool units, impacting habitats and benthic organisms. Management strategies vary from 'leave alone' to active channel management based on burn severity.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateApr 4, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Farming for natural profits in China

Researchers at Stanford University found that adopting diverse agricultural lands can provide flood control, water purification, and climate stabilization, while also doubling farmers' incomes. The 'Ecological Development Strategy' aims to support both economic growth and environmental health in rural regions like Hainan Island.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Cities under pressure

Researchers at Newcastle University found that balancing sustainability objectives is a complex challenge. The 'best case' scenario for London involves concentrating development in central areas to reduce flood risk, transport emissions, and urban sprawl, but this comes at the cost of exposing more people to extreme temperatures.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalCities·DateMar 27, 2019

PSU study: Low-income neighborhoods more vulnerable to flooding, extreme heat

A new Portland State University study found that East Portland's low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to floods and urban heat islands. The research team mapped winter flood and summer heat hazard potential, testing it against sociodemographic and physical variables at a neighborhood scale.

SourcePortland State University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateMar 22, 2019
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.

Woolly stars need catastrophes to live

Researchers found that soil treatments mimicking floods led to the highest woolly star survival rate, while no treatment favored invasive grasses. The study suggests that restoring natural flood pulses can help reestablish the plant species in degraded habitats.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcosphere·DateMar 19, 2019

Home insurance buyers lack access to public flood data

A recent study found that flood mapping information in Canada is inadequate, incomplete and hard to locate, leaving homeowners exposed to significant financial risk. The study highlights the need for better information availability to help homeowners determine if their homes are at risk from flooding.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2019

Do volcanoes or an asteroid deserve blame for dinosaur extinction?

Researchers find evidence suggesting an asteroid/comet impact reignited massive volcanic eruptions in India, coinciding with the worldwide extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The eruptions, known as the Deccan Traps, produced climate-altering gases that may have played a role in the mass extinction.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2019

International research collaboration computes climate past, present, and future

Researchers from Canada and Germany used a supercomputer to simulate climate trends in Quebec and Bavaria from 1950 to 2100, providing insights into severe flooding dynamics under changing climate conditions. The study's results showed good agreement with historical climate data, confirming the predictive power of the simulations.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateFeb 18, 2019
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.

What rising seas mean for local economies

A new study found that high-tide flooding is already impacting businesses' experiences and profits, with downtown Annapolis losing 3,000 visits in 2017 due to flooding. Rising seas are expected to increase flooding days by 2035, affecting 170 coastal communities.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 15, 2019

NASA's Aqua Satellite eyes Tropical Cyclone Oma near Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Oma has been located northwest of the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, prompting heavy rainfall and flash flooding warnings for several provinces. The satellite imagery revealed a large area of powerful thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 14, 2019
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New scale to characterize strength and impacts of atmospheric river storms

A new scale has been developed to characterize the strength and impacts of atmospheric rivers, which can deliver heavy precipitation to the Western United States. The scale assigns five categories to atmospheric rivers based on the amount of water vapor they carry and their duration in a given location.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateFeb 5, 2019
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.

Major northeastern snowstorms expected to continue with climate change

Research suggests that smaller snowstorms will decrease in number, but the most powerful nor'easters will remain frequent and crippling. The study's findings have significant implications for transportation, economy, and infrastructure along the Eastern Seaboard.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 24, 2019

A damming trend

A new study by Michigan State University found that hundreds of dams planned for the Mekong River basin could disrupt the region's flood dynamics, threatening food security and ecosystem balance.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 14, 2018
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.

The long dry: why the world's water supply is shrinking

Research found that global water supplies are shrinking as soils dry out due to climate change, leading to drought-like conditions. Despite intense rain, large rivers are drying out, and urban flooding is becoming more common.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalWater Resources Research·DateDec 13, 2018

Houses in hurricane strike zones are built back bigger

A study found that homes in hurricane-hit areas of the US are being rebuilt with larger footprints, often exceeding pre-storm sizes. This trend increases coastal risk and puts strain on subsidized insurance funding for properties in at-risk areas.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Sustainability·DateDec 10, 2018

Information from citizens could improve flood modelling

A new study uses citizen science to enhance flood forecasting by integrating water level data into models. The Hydrological Alert Model with Participatory Basis (HAMPB) model has shown promising results in improving forecast accuracy.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Flood Risk Management·DateDec 5, 2018
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Coping with threats from hurricanes, wildfires and rising sea levels

Recent studies highlight the need for updated adaptation plans to address severe weather events, with hard-adaptive measures like seawalls increasing long-term vulnerability. Increasing hazard awareness through education can reduce vulnerability, while effective communication strategies can mitigate flood damages.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·DateDec 3, 2018

Overflowing crater lakes carved canyons across Mars

New research found that overflowing crater lakes on Mars carved canyons rapidly, possibly in weeks, using high-resolution satellite images. This process likely played a major role in shaping Mars' surface without plate tectonics.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeology·DateNov 16, 2018

Houston's urban sprawl increased rainfall, flooding during Hurricane Harvey

Researchers recreated Hurricane Harvey using computer models and weather data, finding that urbanization led to a wetter hurricane with higher flood peaks and more damage. The study highlights the need to consider urban development when calculating hurricane risk and preparing for hurricane damage and recovery.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateNov 14, 2018

Carbon goes with the flow

A recent study by Michigan State University found that floods significantly transport large amounts of organic carbon through ecosystems, contrary to the traditional view of the carbon cycle as vertical. The research analyzed over 1,000 watersheds across the US and found that wetlands play a crucial role in storing and releasing carbon.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 13, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

World Heritage Sites threatened by rising sea levels

A Kiel-based study reveals that 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean are at risk due to sea-level rise and storm surges. The sites face increased flood risk of up to 50% and erosion risk of up to 13% by 2100, according to a spatial database and model simulations.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 17, 2018

Ground shaking during devastating flood offers new insights

A recent study found that glacial lake outbursts can trigger massive erosion and landslides, causing widespread damage to infrastructure. The research, published in Science, suggests that non-climatological drivers such as earthquakes and climate change may play a significant role in shaping fluvial erosion rates.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience·DateOct 4, 2018
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Adoption of green stormwater infrastructure rises after floods

Researchers found that residents and property owners are more likely to adopt green stormwater infrastructure practices if they have experienced flooding or erosion. The study suggests a flexible approach to encourage effective stewardship of these practices across diverse populations and landscapes.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalLandscape and Urban Planning·DateSep 25, 2018
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.

Flood frequency of the world's largest river has increased fivefold

A recent study reveals a significant increase in the frequency and severity of floods on the Amazon River, with extreme floods occurring every four years. The research attributes this change to changes in the surrounding seas, particularly the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 19, 2018

NASA-NOAA satellite sees land-falling Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, bringing estimated maximum winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure estimate of 958 millibars. The storm's infrared imagery showed the power and extent of its massive storm system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 14, 2018

Transparency may improve US home buyout programs

A Stanford University study found that lack of transparency in US home buyout programs leads to lower participation rates and perpetuates social inequality. The research suggests increasing clarity on decision criteria, community involvement, and emphasis on equitable relocation can improve the program's effectiveness.

SourceStanford University·JournalClimatic Change·DateSep 10, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tropical Depression Gordon still lingering over Arkansas

NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Depression Gordon's center over Arkansas on September 7, with maximum sustained winds near 10 mph. The depression is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3-6 inches, causing local flooding and flash flooding in Missouri and the Midwest.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 7, 2018

Global warming: Worrying lessons from the past

A study by researchers from UNIGE reveals that global warming 56 million years ago had a more significant impact on the environment than currently thought, with floods increasing by a factor of eight and landscapes transforming into arid plains.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 6, 2018

NASA adds up heavy rains from Typhoon Jebi

Typhoon Jebi's rainfall affected Shikoku and most of Honshu's south central coastal regions, with estimated amounts over a one-week period ranging from 100 mm (~4 inches) or more. The storm caused significant flooding, including at Kansai International Airport near Osaka, resulting in fatalities and injuries.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 6, 2018

Satellites tracking the rainfall from Tropical Depression Gordon

Tropical Depression Gordon is expected to produce significant rainfall accumulations of 3-7 inches in northwest Mississippi and Arkansas, potentially causing local flooding. The depression is moving west-northwest at 8 mph, with little change in strength forecast over the next 48 hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 6, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Tree species richness in Amazonian wetlands is three times greater than expected

A new study reveals that Amazonian wetlands are home to an astonishing 3,615 tree species, exceeding expectations by three times. This comprehensive list of tree species was compiled from forest inventories and botanical collections, providing valuable insights into the region's biodiversity.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 24, 2018

Smartphones may be used to better predict the weather

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a system to harness data from smartphones to forecast weather patterns, particularly those that lead to flash floods. The smartphone sensors can monitor various atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light levels, providing valuable data for accurate forecasts.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics·DateAug 23, 2018

Nighttime satellite data reveals global flood response patterns

Human settlements with low flood protection levels tend to resettle further away from rivers after floods. Satellite data analysis in 16 countries showed that the distance between humans and rivers increased, especially in areas with high flood fatalities.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 22, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Engineers, urban designers boost efforts to protect fragile infrastructure

Researchers at NYIT have developed a 3D data modeling tool called IN-SOURCE to simulate and visualize the impact of environmental conditions on FEW distribution networks and urban infrastructure. The tool aims to help policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investments and mitigate the effects of climate change.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·DateAug 21, 2018