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Secrets of the 'blue supergiant' revealed

Astronomers observed blue supergiants for the first time using data from NASA space telescopes, discovering wave patterns on their surface that reveal properties of these stars. The discoveries confirm two types of waves, providing new prospects for studying massive stars.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 6, 2019

Lessons learned from the drift analysis of MH370 debris

A team of scientists at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel used simulation techniques to analyze the drift of MH370 debris and propose new strategies for tracking marine objects. The study found that Stokes drift, caused by surface waves, plays a crucial role in determining the final position of drifting objects.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalJournal of Operational Oceanography·DateApr 17, 2019

Variations in seafloor create freak ocean waves

Researchers at Florida State University have found that abrupt variations in the seafloor can cause massive destruction from rogue or freak waves. The study, published in Physical Review Fluids, reveals that these extreme events follow a gamma distribution, a mathematics function that defies traditional bell curve patterns.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateFeb 1, 2019

What atoms do when liquids and gases meet

Researchers from UC3M and Imperial College London have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of liquids and gases at the microscopic scale. The study reveals that the arrangement of atoms exhibits certain mathematical properties called resonances, which provide a consistent description of liquid-gas fluctuations.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 24, 2019

Slow, steady waves keep brain humming

New study reveals that ultra-slow waves are not just noise in the brain, but a fundamental process that coordinates complex brain activity. The waves enhance electrical activity in areas and persist even under anesthesia, suggesting they may be linked to consciousness.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMar 29, 2018

Scientists study atmospheric waves radiating out of hurricanes

Researchers have discovered atmospheric gravity waves radiating from hurricanes, which could be used to monitor the storms' intensity and location from hundreds of miles away. These subtle waves can reveal processes occurring in the eyewall of a hurricane that are obscured by thick clouds, leading to better forecasts.

Scientists link California droughts and floods to distinctive atmospheric waves

A recent study found that a specific wave pattern in the upper atmosphere, called wavenumber-5, is associated with California's droughts and floods. The wave pattern emerges during the northern winter and can lead to persistent extreme events like heat waves, droughts, and floods. Scientists hope that this new understanding of wavenumb...

Scientists unravel effect of ENSO and Atlantic multidecadal oscillation on the East Asian winter monsoon

Researchers found that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation significantly modulates the Pacific SST-EAWM relationship, leading to warmer winters over East Asia when ENSO-like mode and AMO are in phase. The study suggests considering AMO phase in predicting EAWM-related climate based on ENSO variability.

Planetary waves, first found on Earth, are discovered on sun

A team of scientists has discovered large-scale planetary waves on the Sun, which may influence space weather and offer a new source of predictability. The discovery uses data from multiple satellites to identify and track coronal bright points, revealing bands of magnetized activity that propagate slowly across the Sun.