Earth

The scorching summer of 2024 will linger in the memory of many, not just as a season of extreme heat but as a stark reminder of the pressing issues surrounding our planet’s climate. As global temperatures soar, droughts and heat waves have become alarmingly common, particularly in regions like North America and Europe. These climatic

As climate change escalates, the frequency and severity of drought conditions are becoming more pronounced, jeopardizing both agricultural sustainability and water resources across the globe. Traditional methods for predicting drought have relied on static indices that often fail to capture the complexities and variability inherent in hydroclimatic systems. Recent research published in *Scientific Reports* portrays

Throughout Earth’s history, there have been pivotal climatic events that have shaped the biosphere significantly. Among these, the “Snowball Earth” events stand out as some of the most extreme, where vast portions of the planet were enveloped in ice over a mile thick. These phenomena occurred sporadically and did not conform to regular climatic cycles.

In an astonishing revelation from the depths of the Falkland Islands, a team of researchers led by Dr. Zoë Thomas from the University of Southampton has unearthed compelling evidence suggesting that this desolate archipelago was once enveloped in a thriving rainforest ecosystem up to 30 million years ago. The findings, recently published in the journal

In the Earth’s mantle and lower crust, a complex interplay exists between rocks and water that influences geological processes significantly. The continuous cycle of hydration and dehydration not only affects the physical state of the rocks but also plays a crucial role in tectonic movements and seismic activity. Recent studies, particularly those conducted by Schmalholz

In recent years, the environmental impacts of plastic pollution have reached alarming levels, prompting scientists to advocate for a unified international response. A recent report, published in the esteemed journal Science, highlights the urgent need for global efforts to combat plastic waste, particularly microplastics. An international team of experts argues that current national policies are

Understanding the historical climate of Earth serves as a critical foundation for contemplating our current environment and predicting future changes. Recently, a significant study spearheaded by a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona has shed new light on the evolution of Earth’s surface temperature over the past 485 million years. By

Thwaites Glacier, located in the West Antarctic region, has increasingly become a focal point in climate science discussions, primarily due to its immense size and alarming rate of melting. Roughly equivalent to the land area of Florida, this massive glacier functions as a stabilizing force for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Recent research conducted by

A recent study published in *Geophysical Research Letters* has shed new light on the critical role of the deep ocean in the context of climate change. The research utilized data from innovative deep-sea robots known as Deep Argo floats, which were integrated with existing historical data from research vessels. This combination has significantly increased scientific

Methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin, has been increasingly surfacing in discussions related to public health, particularly its detrimental effects on children and adults alike. A recent study conducted by research teams from Harvard University’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, along with associates from the University of Delaware and the University of British

The recent findings by researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) and the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) provide a fascinating glimpse into the complex relationship between the origins of life and energy production in extreme environments. Led by Ryuhei Nakamura, the study reveals structures that not only mimic biological functions but may

The 79° N Glacier, located in Northeast Greenland, stands as a monumental reminder of the climate crisis. This massive floating glacier tongue is not only the largest in its region but is also among the most vulnerable to the relentless forces of global warming. Recent studies indicate the glacier, like many others around the world,

Recent scientific investigations into climate change have illuminated a concerning nexus between global warming, permafrost dynamics, and wildfire activity, particularly in the Arctic and Subarctic regions. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Communications highlights how emerging climate models forecast an escalation in permafrost thawing, which is, in turn, expected to precipitate a surge

In today’s urban settings, air quality remains a pressing public health challenge, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists. Recent research from the University of Birmingham brings to light the neglected problem of non-exhaust emissions—pollutants emitted from brake wear, tire wear, and road dust—which contribute significantly to chronic diseases. With the shift toward

Recent geological research has transformed our understanding of life on Earth, revealing that microorganisms inhabited the fractured bedrock of Greenland around 75 million years ago. Published in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, this study shines a light on a subsurface habitat—the deep biosphere—where life perseveres in extreme conditions absent of sunlight and dissolved oxygen. This