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Fast-melting alpine permafrost may contribute to rising global temperatures

Researchers used lake sediment in the Tibetan Plateau to estimate that high-elevation alpine permafrost will melt faster than arctic permafrost, releasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global temperature rise. The study suggests that up to 60% of alpine permafrost land area may be lost under current warming conditions.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 14, 2022

Global warming projected to increase health burden from hyponatremia

A new study from Karolinska Institutet projects that a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius will increase hyponatremia hospitalizations by almost 14%. Women and elderly are particularly vulnerable to the increased risk, with those over 80 years old facing a 15 times higher chance of hospitalization during heat waves.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 8, 2022

Swiss rivers on track to overheat by the end of the century

According to a new EPFL study, Swiss rivers are at risk of overheating by the end of the century. If greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, river temperatures may only rise by 1°C and discharge decreases by 5% in mountain catchments. Inaction could lead to extreme consequences, including glacier loss and decreased biodiversity.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2022

Using nanodiamonds as sensors just got easier

University of Rochester researchers adapt excited state lifetime thermometry to extract temperatures of nanoscale materials from light emitted by nitrogen vacancy centers in single nanodiamonds. The technique allows for precise measurement of temperature changes on fast time scales and is safe for imaging sensitive nanoscale materials ...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Building a better bat box: Temperature variation in rocket box designs

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.

Extremely hot days linked to higher risk of emergency hospital visits

A large study found that extremely hot days are associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits for various health conditions. The study suggests that adults of all ages are at increased risk of heat-related health effects, and the risk is more pronounced in certain geographic regions, age groups, and socioeconomic statuses.

SourceBMJ Group·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 2021

New method reveals minimum heat for Leidenfrost effect

Physicists developed an electrical technique to study the Leidenfrost effect, revealing the temperature at which vapor layers form and collapse. The results show that stable vapor layers can be sustained at 240 degrees Celsius, with a minimum heat of 140 degrees Celsius required for their existence.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Sensing suns

Red supergiants are extremely bright but difficult to study due to their complex upper atmospheres. Astronomers have now developed a new technique to estimate their surface temperatures using iron absorption lines. By combining these temperatures with accurate distance measurements, researchers found consistent results with theory.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 28, 2021

South American lizard's blood pressure mechanism is more efficient at cool temperatures

Researchers found that the black and white tegu lizard's baroreflex mechanism is more efficient at lower temperatures, relying on vascular adjustments rather than heart rate alterations. This discovery provides new insights into the physiology of ectothermic animals and paves the way for further research on novel applications.

Researchers measure temperature effect of plasmon in chemical reactions using organic "sensors"

Scientists have developed a method to estimate the temperature of chemical reactions activated by plasmons, revealing that properties of plasmons depend on thermal effects and other factors. The study used organic molecules as ultra-small sensors, showing different temperatures for two molecules triggered by plasmon energy.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalChemical Science·DateFeb 15, 2021

Using ancient fossils and gravitational-wave science to predict earth's future

A team of scientists used ancient marine fossils and gravitational wave astronomy to develop a more accurate palaeo-thermometer for predicting climate change. The improved thermometer uses machine-learning tools to extract temperature from GDGT concentrations with an accuracy of just 3.6 degrees, nearly twice that of previous models.

Coldest Northern Hemisphere temperature, first recorded by UW, officially confirmed

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has officially confirmed the lowest recorded temperature in the Northern Hemisphere, a chilly -93.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme reading was first detected in Greenland in 1991 and has been verified through rigorous review processes by the World Meteorological Organization.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateSep 25, 2020

How sensitive can a quantum detector be?

A new device created by Aalto University and Lund University has set a new standard for measuring the tiniest energies in superconducting circuits. The calorimeter uses a strip of copper one thousand times thinner than a human hair to detect energy changes, providing essential insights into quantum thermodynamics.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2020

Nanoscale thermometers from diamond sparkles

Researchers developed a highly-sensitive nano-thermometer that accurately measures temperature at the nanoscale using diamond nanoparticles. The sensor exploits the properties of these tiny particles on the quantum level, enabling non-invasive temperature measurements in biological samples and electronic circuits.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2019

Study suggests trees are crucial to the future of our cities

A recent study suggests that trees are essential for mitigating the urban heat island effect, with 40% canopy cover required to trigger significant cooling effects. The research found that even small increases in tree density can lead to substantial reductions in temperatures, making tree planting a key strategy for city planners.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2019