Tropical forests play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, serving as a significant carbon sink. However, the effects of climate change on these ecosystems are becoming increasingly concerning. Recent research conducted by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in collaboration with Colorado State University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has shed light
Earth
The world of earthquake forecasting has seen significant advancements in recent years, with researchers exploring ways to provide the public with more warning about major seismic events. A new study conducted by a team of scientists, led by Társilo Girona of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, has suggested that machine learning techniques could be the
The planet’s drylands, including deserts, shrublands, grasslands, and savanna woodlands, now cover approximately 45% of the global land surface. These regions are characterized by water scarcity, which has significant impacts on natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes such as agriculture, forestry, and livestock production. While factors such as climate change and land management practices have long
Scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) recently made a groundbreaking discovery regarding Earth’s liquid core. They have found a doughnut-shaped region thousands of kilometers beneath our feet, providing new clues about the dynamics of our planet’s magnetic field. This structure within Earth’s liquid core is unique to low latitudes and runs parallel to the
The mixing of Atlantic and Arctic waters has been found to play a crucial role in sustaining the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a significant mechanism for regulating Earth’s climate. Researchers from various institutions, including the University of Southampton and Stockholm University, conducted a study analyzing ocean data over several decades to understand the importance
In 2023, Canada experienced some of the warmest and driest conditions in decades, leading to extreme forest fires that released approximately 640 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere. This amount of carbon emissions is comparable to the annual fossil fuel emissions of a large industrialized nation. The fires burned an area roughly the
The alarming rate at which Greenland has been warming in recent years has outpaced global temperature rises. This accelerated warming, known as Arctic Amplification, poses a serious threat to our planet’s ecosystems and coastal regions. As the ice sheets in Greenland continue to melt at a rapid pace, the potential for significant sea level rise
The year 2024 has been filled with significant seismic events, with a magnitude 7.5 earthquake striking Japan’s Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day. The earthquake resulted in the loss of over 280 lives and caused extensive damage to thousands of homes. Recent research has shed light on the unique mechanism behind this earthquake, involving a
The study conducted by Peter Reich of the University of Michigan sheds light on the concerning issue of increased carbon loss from northern forest soils due to warming temperatures. The research reveals that as the planet warms, more carbon is escaping the soil than is being added by plants, which has negative implications for climate
A recent international study conducted by the Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology of Seville (IRNAS-CSIC) has shed light on the effects of global change factors on terrestrial ecosystems. The study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, revealed that as the number of environmental stressors increases, the resilience of ecosystems to these changes decreases significantly.
In a recent study published in the journal Science, an international research team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of 1,500 climate policy measures from 41 countries across six continents. The findings of this study shed light on the effectiveness of various climate policies implemented over the past two decades. The Reality of Climate Policy Effectiveness The
Predicting the path and nature of tropical cyclones is crucial for the safety and preparedness of communities in vulnerable areas. However, the current prediction models only offer a lead time of up to five days. This is due to limitations in both physics-based models like the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and machine learning
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Western Sydney University has revealed alarming levels of PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) chemical contamination in the livers of deceased platypuses residing in eastern New South Wales. This Australian-first research, recently published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research, involved the analysis of liver samples from nine deceased platypuses
Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) affects a significant portion of the population, with nearly 8% of genetic males and 0.5% of genetic females experiencing some form of color blindness. In fields like meteorology, where the interpretation of colors is crucial for conveying information, individuals with CVD may face challenges in accurately discerning important data. Many scientists
PKP precursors, seismic signals that have baffled scientists for decades, are finally starting to reveal their secrets. Research conducted by geophysicists at the University of Utah has shed new light on this enigmatic seismic energy and its origins. These precursor signals seem to emanate from deep below North America and the western Pacific, potentially linked