Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Physics in uncharted waters: The mysteries of marine snow

Research by University of Warsaw scientists reveals the impact of marine snow on the ocean's carbon cycle and global warming. The study models the collision frequency of these 'snowflakes' to determine their sinking rate, which transports vast amounts of carbon from the surface to the depths.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateMay 14, 2026

How fast does smoke rise, rain fall, and a supernova explode?

Researchers at OIST and University of Turin developed a general formulation for mixing heavy particles with fluid, enabling study of fundamental physics phenomena and applied research in fluid engineering. Simulations reveal the formation of sediment plumes and the role of friction in particle interactions.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 11, 2026

Unexpected feedback in the climate system

Researchers found a surprising correlation between West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat and marine algae growth over the past 500,000 years. The study suggests that global warming may lead to reduced CO2 uptake if the ice sheet continues to shrink.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Microplastics in Texas bays are being swept out to sea

Researchers found microplastics in Texas bay sediments, but most have been swept out to sea, not settling at the bottom. The study suggests microplastics can absorb chemicals and build up in marine life, eventually affecting humans.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 14, 2025

AMS Science Preview: Data deserts, energy costs, malaria prediction

Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·DateMar 11, 2025

Salt deposit ring inside your pasta pan?

Scientists from the University of Twente and INRAE discovered that releasing small particles of salt into a tank of water creates a circular pattern due to gravity-induced wake drag. The experiment reveals that the optimal amount of water and particle size affect the shape and size of the salt ring.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJan 21, 2025

Groundbreaking study provides new evidence of when Earth was slushy

A groundbreaking study led by Virginia Tech provides the first direct geochemical evidence of a massive, rapid melting period on Earth after the last global ice age. The researchers analyzed lithium isotopes in carbonate rocks formed during this time and found strong evidence for freshwater meltwater interacting with the ocean.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2024
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.

Scientists set sail to study Greenland glaciers from underwater

The UT Austin expedition aims to investigate how sediments control glacial melt and the future of the Greenland ice sheet. A robotic submersible will gather measurements of the glaciers' underwater walls and sediment-laden meltwater, while surveys and sediment cores will reveal past climate change impacts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2024

Innovative method for visualization and prediction of sedimentation in soft-ground drilling

Researchers developed a novel method to visualize sedimentation in soft-ground drilling, enabling accurate predictions of settling times. The Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method models the drilling slurry and sand particles, reproducing three-dimensionally the settling process with high accuracy.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalResults in Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2024

Biggest Holocene volcano eruption found by seabed survey

Researchers from Kobe University found that a 7,300-year-old volcanic eruption was the largest of the Holocene era. The team analyzed seismic imaging and sediment samples to determine the event's magnitude and impact on the climate.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 22, 2024
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.

Defying gravity

Researchers from University of Warsaw and Utrecht University observed the Brazil nut effect in a mixture of charged colloidal particles without external energy. The phenomenon involves heavier particles rising to the top due to repulsion forces, with potential applications in geology, soft matter physics, and industry.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2023

Coral select algae partnerships to ease environmental stress

Researchers found that coral symbiont community structure responds to environmental conditions in Kaneohe Bay, which can help predict how corals will respond to future heat stress. Corals in areas with less light and temperature variability hosted less of the stress resilient symbiont.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2022

Is climate change disrupting maritime boundaries?

Researchers warn that climate change will increase uncertainty in international law governing maritime zones, affecting small island states. Technologies like GPS and satellite bathmetry may help solidify claims, but more data is needed to accurately delineate existing boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 9, 2022
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.

River belt discovery helps scientists understand ancient rivers

Researchers at UT Austin discovered a rule connecting channel belts to river patterns, finding that channels in ancient rivers lead to narrower belts. Multichannel rivers take up more space on the belt and are closer to the floodplain, influencing landscape shaping.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeology·DateJun 14, 2022

Overlooked channels influence water flow and flooding along Gulf Coast

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that narrow but deep channels across the coastal plain landscape play a significant role in moving water, particularly during floods. The channel networks covered over 12,000 square miles and were separated into distinct drainage basins.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 28, 2022

Reforestation could help save coral reefs from catastrophe

A University of Queensland-led study found that nearly 85% of coastal areas leach sediment to coral reefs, a major threat. Reforestation can help by reducing sediment transport, increasing light levels for coral growth and reproduction. Land restoration is crucial for building coral resilience.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 16, 2021
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.

Articles for Geosphere posted online in April

Scientists study the Central Anatolian Plateau and Southern Rocky Mountain Volcanic Field, while examining fluvial siliciclastic rocks from the San Juan Basin. In another study, researchers investigate the evolution of the Portland and Tualatin forearc basins in Oregon, highlighting their relation to the Cascadia convergent margin. Add...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateApr 30, 2021

How do you know where volcanic ash will end up?

Researchers studied ash from volcanic eruptions, discovering premature sedimentation and the rafting effect. These findings will refine forecasting models used by VAACs to predict volcanic ash clouds' impact on aircraft routes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021

Method for temporal monitoring of microplastic sedimentation

Microplastics have been found in nearly all organisms and habitats worldwide, but the factors contributing to their influx and accumulation in water ecosystems are not yet fully understood. A new study developed a sediment trap method to analyze annual accumulation rates and possible seasonal variation, finding that microplastic flux r...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateFeb 15, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Natural variability of sea-ice in Arctic Ocean

Researchers analyzed sediment cores to find natural sea-ice extent variation since last ice age, contrasting with recent decline. Perennial ice in western and central areas persisted even during warm periods, while southeastern part experienced seasonal ice-free conditions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2020

Earliest human impact on geological processes took place 11,500 years ago

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered basin-wide erosion rates incompatible with known tectonic and climatic regimes of the period. The findings indicate that human impact on the environment began significantly affecting the Earth's geology around 11,500 years ago.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalGlobal and Planetary Change·DateJun 5, 2017

Solving the riddle of the snow globe

A Tel Aviv University study reveals that asymmetric objects settle uniformly in liquid, contrary to symmetrical objects. This finding may improve fluidized beds used in polymer production and water treatment facilities.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 25, 2017
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.

Shallow reefs off Singapore survive in the face of adversity

A recent study found that shallow coral reefs in Singapore can recover rapidly from bleaching events, despite high levels of sedimentation. The team's research suggests that diverse shallow coral communities can persist in adverse conditions, highlighting the resilience of corals to environmental stresses.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 8, 2016

'Just right' plant growth may make river deltas resilient

A study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that intermediate vegetation growth is key to stabilizing river deltas. This 'just right' amount of vegetation slows water flow and promotes sediment deposition, helping prevent sea-level rise from damaging sensitive marshlands.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 24, 2014

Stars reveal the secrets of looking young

Researchers used the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope and Hubble Space Telescope to study 21 globular clusters, finding that a few were young with blue stragglers distributed throughout, while others were old with the stars clumped in the centre. This reveals big differences in the speed of evolution from cluster to cluster.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

Inverting a standard experiment sometimes produces different results

A recent study by Washington University in St. Louis scientist Younan Xia found that nanoparticles above certain sizes and weights settle, altering the concentration near cell surfaces and resulting in higher cellular uptake rates. This discovery may invalidate prior experiments on nanoparticle toxicity and dosimetry.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 28, 2011
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.

Deep sedimentation of acantharian cysts -- a reproductive strategy?

Research found that spore-like acantharian cysts rapidly sink from surface waters to the deep ocean, delivering significant amounts of organic matter to the ocean depths. This phenomenon may be part of an extraordinary reproductive strategy allowing juveniles to exploit a seasonal food bonanza.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateMar 8, 2010

Ocean carbon: A dent in the iron hypothesis

Researchers measured carbon particles from plankton blooms in the Southern Ocean, finding most don't reach the deep ocean. Plankton blooms stimulate carbon capture, but carbon tied up in plankton doesn't sink far or fast.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateMay 6, 2009
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.

December Geosphere media highlights

The Geosphere journal features two studies: one on climate change in the southwestern US from 17-6 million years ago, and another on the evolution of the South Balkan extensional system. The climate study used sedimentation and erosion history to interpret changes in ocean circulation and North American monsoon activity.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateDec 1, 2008

Elsevier to partner with the IRTCES

Elsevier has partnered with IRTCES and WASER to enhance the International Journal of Sediment Research's global presence through ScienceDirect, providing a platform for sedimentation engineering and water management research. The journal will offer certification and wider dissemination to a global audience.

SourceElsevier·JournalInternational Journal of Sediment Research·DateOct 30, 2007

San Jacinto fault is younger than thought, rises in seismic importance

A new study reveals the San Jacinto fault is no older than 1.1-1.3 million years, with its slip rate likely faster than previously thought. The fault's long-term motion may be as high as 20 millimeters per year, making it a significant contributor to seismic hazards in southern California.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateOct 23, 2006