Earth

An international team of geophysicists recently made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges the conventional timeline of Earth’s plate tectonics. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study focused on analyzing zircons from Jack Hills in Australia, shedding light on the possibility that plate tectonics may have begun much earlier than previously

Climate change is a pressing issue that is affecting our planet in various ways. Recent research has shown that the impacts of climate change are not uniform across different regions, with temperature rising differently based on factors such as latitude and elevation. This variability in Earth’s climate patterns is known as climate heterogeneity, and it

A recent study conducted by researchers at Texas Tech University shed light on the environmental impact of lithium ion batteries, a key component of clean energy infrastructure. The study, published in Nature Communications, focused on a sub-class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds known as bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis-FASIs). These bis-FASIs were found to exhibit environmental

The rapid warming of polar regions has become a pressing issue in the field of climate science. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported significant increases in air temperatures over Arctic land masses, with rates as high as 1°C per decade since the 1980s. This phenomenon, known as “polar amplification,” highlights the disproportionate warming

The impact of climate change on the ocean’s overturning circulation has been a topic of interest for scientists in recent years. There have been predictions that as climate change progresses, the ocean’s circulation will weaken, leading to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide being pulled down from the atmosphere. However, a new study

Climate modeling is a complex process that involves various factors, with radiative forcing being a key metric. Radiative forcing is crucial for understanding the effects of different atmospheric components on climate change. While most climate models focus on factors like clouds, there is still uncertainty surrounding the radiative effects of precipitation. A recent study led

The issue of plastic pollution in our water systems is a pressing global concern that requires innovative solutions. A recent study conducted by a research team led by McGill University has introduced a groundbreaking technology capable of detecting and deciphering nanoplastics in water in real-time. This advancement could potentially revolutionize the way we monitor and

Tropical forests play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change. Unfortunately, these vital ecosystems are under threat from deforestation, which involves the conversion of forests for agricultural, mining, and infrastructure purposes. However, the impacts of human-driven forest degradation on the remaining forests are often underestimated, leading to long-lasting effects that harm biodiversity

The melting of the Antarctic ice sheets has been a cause for concern in recent years. Researchers have found that the ice in Antarctica is melting at an alarming rate, particularly in West Antarctica as opposed to East Antarctica. This difference in melting rates has led to questions about the formation of the Antarctic ice

One of the key findings of a recent study by researchers from the National University of Ireland Maynooth and the University of Maryland is the influence of childhood home temperature on the way adults set their thermostats. The study, published in the journal PLOS Climate, revealed that individuals who grew up in warmer homes are

When it comes to environmental quality, human health, and carbon footprint, the type of city in which individuals reside plays a crucial role. A recent study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) analyzed 919 European cities to identify four basic urban configurations on the continent: compact-high density cities, open lowrise-medium density cities,

The deep sea is a mysterious place, filled with wonders waiting to be explored. One of the most intriguing phenomena found in the depths of the ocean is hydrothermal vents, where hot liquids escape from cracks in the sea floor. Recently, a groundbreaking discovery was made during the 2022 MARIA S. MERIAN expedition, led by

A recent study conducted by a UC Riverside atmospheric scientist has predicted that unchecked carbon emissions will lead to a northward shift in tropical rains in the coming decades. This shift is expected to have a significant impact on agriculture and economies near the Earth’s equator. The complex changes in the atmosphere, influenced by carbon

Recent research has shed light on the intricate network of carbon mitigation efforts among Chinese cities. A study conducted by experts from the University of Birmingham, University College London, and Tsinghua University analyzed data from 309 Chinese cities between 2012 and 2017. The findings revealed that 240 cities were identified as “outsourced beneficiaries,” meaning that

Undersea mountains, known as seamounts, have been identified as major contributors to ocean mixing at a global scale. These massive structures, which can reach heights of thousands of meters, create intense turbulence that influences the way our oceans store heat and carbon. Despite their significance, the process of seamount-induced mixing has been largely overlooked in