Virginia Commonwealth University professor Julie Zinnert, along with her colleagues, conducted a study on barrier islands and dunes to understand how these natural formations are connected and how they can affect ecosystems on adjacent interior islands. The study focused on two islands on the Eastern Shore – Hog and Metompkin, within the Virginia Coast Reserve.
Earth
A recent study conducted by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has shed light on the world’s increasing reliance on depleting groundwater systems. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, highlights the urgent need to address the issue of groundwater depletion. However, the researchers also warn that efforts to halt groundwater depletion could
Marine algae play a crucial role in our ecosystem, from producing oxygen to serving as food for marine life. However, the process of cultivating algae for commercial purposes, known as aquaculture, poses a significant challenge in terms of carbon neutrality. While algae cultivation has the potential to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the traditional
On a research field trip to the Ichinokawa Mine in Ehime prefecture, Noriyoshi Tsuchiya, a professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and the Hachinohe National College of Technology, made a surprising discovery. While most people would be captivated by the sword-shaped stibnite crystals in the mine, Tsuchiya found himself intrigued by a sedimentary
In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Geodesy, researchers have discovered that earthquakes may reveal themselves much earlier than previously believed. By analyzing anomalies in the ground, atmosphere, and ionosphere using satellite technology, it is possible to detect signs of an impending earthquake. This groundbreaking research opens up new possibilities for the
Recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Southern California has challenged the long-standing belief that the Earth’s inner core rotates faster than the planet’s surface. In a study published in Nature, the USC team presented compelling evidence indicating a surprising shift in the inner core’s movement. Contrary to previous assumptions, the inner core
The emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, have continued to rise unchecked from 1980 to 2020. A recent report by the Global Carbon Project reveals that over 10 million metric tons of nitrous oxide were released into the atmosphere in 2020, primarily due to farming practices. The use of chemical fertilizers and animal
Climate models play a crucial role in forecasting the impacts of climate change by simulating the Earth’s climate. However, the current models face challenges in providing information quickly and affordably for smaller scales like city sizes. In a recent study published in the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, researchers have introduced a new
The collaboration between researchers and artists has brought a unique approach to shedding light on the invisible threat of air pollution. By combining digital light painting techniques with low-cost air pollution sensors, the team has been able to create compelling visual representations of pollution levels in different cities around the world—ultimately raising awareness about the
Recent research has unveiled a startling discovery – even individuals with an average sense of smell may be unknowingly living with a natural gas leak in their homes. A study published in Environmental Research Letters sheds light on the fact that minor gas leaks can significantly impact indoor air quality by introducing a variety of
The demand for cobalt and lithium, essential for e-car batteries, is projected to increase by almost 20-fold by 2050 due to the global shift towards renewable energy sources. This increase in demand will have significant implications for the extraction of raw materials such as copper, aluminum, iron, and rare earth elements. A recent study conducted
Climate change has led to an increase in flood risks in urban areas around the world. Heavy rainfall disasters have become a global issue, posing significant challenges to communities. Traditional numerical simulations are used to predict flooding from heavy rain and river overflows, but they often fall short in providing detailed risk assessments. This limitation