Earth

Warming temperatures and reduced snowpack in northern forests are creating a vicious cycle that is more severe than previously believed, according to a recent study conducted by ecologist Andrew Richardson from Northern Arizona University. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, reveals that even slight increases in temperature can have a significant

The idea of artificially shading the Earth’s surface to slow global warming is gaining traction among the scientific community. One method being proposed is Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB), which involves injecting salt spray into shallow marine clouds to increase their reflectivity. The goal is to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the water below,

Soil carbon is a crucial component of the Earth’s carbon cycle, with the potential to sequester more carbon than plants and the atmosphere combined. However, as global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, the vulnerability of soil carbon to microbial decomposition under warmer conditions becomes a significant concern. Recent research conducted by Lawrence

Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans has become a significant environmental concern. When plastic finds its way into the ocean, it breaks down into small particles that can be harmful to marine animals when ingested. Researchers have discovered substantial amounts of plastic waste and microplastics even in remote marine protected areas. A study conducted by

As spring weather brings welcome conditions for flowers and plant life to bloom across the land, the underwater ecosystem also experiences changes due to environmental factors. One curious discovery in Lake Erie circa 2012 led microbiologists to study an unseasonal display of winter abundance of diatoms, microscopic photosynthetic algae. This phenomenon raised questions about how

The latest oceanic research has revealed undeniable evidence of a human “fingerprint” on climate change, with specific signals indicating alterations in the seasonal cycle amplitude of sea surface temperatures (SST). This breakthrough discovery highlights the impact of human activities on oceanic temperatures, particularly associated with CO2 increases. The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, demonstrate

Climate scientists often use computer models to predict the future effects of climate change, such as changes in precipitation patterns. However, a recent study conducted by University of Michigan scientists takes a different approach by examining coral samples from the Great Barrier Reef to understand how rainfall patterns have changed over time. This article will

The melting of ice has emerged as a pressing concern in recent years due to the visible impacts of climate change. While the focus has largely been on the images of polar bears stranded on melting ice floes, the consequences extend far beyond that. The freshening of seawater, alteration of marine ecosystems, sea-level rise contributing

The research conducted by Oregon State University’s College of Engineering provides a new perspective on the importance of snowpacks in water supply management. Instead of using traditional metrics like snow water equivalent or the length of the snow season, the researchers introduced a new technique called snow water storage. This innovative approach offers a more

Water resource management is a crucial task that requires accurate and reliable data. Satellite technology has provided us with a wealth of information about the Earth’s water bodies, but extracting actionable insights from this data can be a daunting challenge. The data gathered by satellites often come in two forms – high spatial resolution or

Weather forecasting is a complex and challenging undertaking, especially when it comes to predicting long-range weather patterns. However, recent research conducted by scientists at LMU has shed light on a promising new approach to improving the accuracy of such forecasts. The stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere located 15 to 50 kilometers above the Earth’s

Anthropogenic plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects not only marine animals but also those residing in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. It is not just the larger macroplastics that pose a threat, but also the microplastics and nanoplastics that are finding their way onto floating ice and land in these

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has been a subject of interest for researchers since it was first observed in 2004. A recent study published in Nature Communication sheds light on the impact of Asian aerosols on the AMOC, a crucial component of the Earth’s climate system. The study, titled “Increased Asian Aerosols Drive a

As vehicles drive down the road, particles are released into the air from their brakes. While these particles have been relatively understudied, recent research suggests that they may pose a greater threat to public health than the particles emitted from tailpipes. A study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, sheds light on the potential

Emergency planners in coastal cities such as Shanghai and New York City are under increasing pressure to protect elderly citizens from the devastating impact of coastal flooding caused by storms and cyclones. A recent study has revealed that both cities are highly exposed to storm-induced flooding, highlighting the urgent need for efficient evacuation plans to