-
New Study Reveals Climate Change Threatens Sloth Survival by 2100
A new study published in PeerJ Life & Environment has delivered an urgent message about the survival of sloths. The slow-moving creatures, known for their leisurely pace and tree-dwelling lifestyle in Central and South America, are facing serious existential threats due to climate change. The research examines the metabolic response of two-fingered sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni)…
-
New Satellite Imaging Technique Revolutionizes Forest Dieback Detection
In a significant advancement for environmental science and forest conservation, researchers at the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy have unveiled a pioneering method to map forest dieback through satellite imaging. Their study, published in the Journal of Intelligent Information Systems, presents a novel approach named DIAMANTE, which leverages data-centric semantic segmentation to detect…
-
Digitizing Herbarium Specimens Could Revolutionize Biodiversity Conservation, McGill Study Finds
In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers from McGill University emphasize the transformative potential of digitizing herbarium specimens to boost biodiversity conservation efforts. The team underscores how digitizing these collections, housed in museums globally, can offer invaluable insights to preserve species amid escalating climate change. Herbarium digitization entails cataloging a specimen’s species name…
-
Deep-Sea Corals Hold Key to Restoring Florida Keys Reefs
Research from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute offers new hope for the Florida Keys’ declining shallow reefs. The study, recently published in the journal Heredity reveals that mesophotic (deep-sea) coral ecosystems could play a crucial role in the recovery of shallow reefs within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). Since the…
-
AI Breakthrough Revolutionizes Drought Prediction Accuracy
In a groundbreaking advancement, scientists have successfully developed artificial intelligence (AI) models capable of predicting future drought conditions with remarkable precision. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the research underscores the power of AI in overcoming the limitations of traditional drought forecasting methods. “The results were promising. The AI models were able to predict future…
-
Urban Heating and Cooling Energy Demand Underestimated Amid Climate Change, Study Reveals
Future urban energy needs could be significantly misjudged if current climate change models continue to overlook key physical interactions in urban environments, according to new research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In a recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers found that global energy projections are underestimating the impact of…
-
Study Reveals Rich Grossly Underestimate Own Carbon Footprint, Overestimate Impact of Poor
In a revealing new study, an international team of researchers uncovered that the personal carbon footprints of the wealthiest individuals are vastly underestimated, not only by the wealthy but also by middle and lower-income groups. Conversely, the carbon footprints of the poorest are greatly overestimated. The study, spearheaded by the Copenhagen Business School, the University…
-
Study Reveals How Forest Canopy Gaps Affect Microclimate and Soil Activity
Forest canopy gaps, created by silvicultural interventions or the natural death of large trees, may significantly influence the microclimate and biological processes of forest soil, according to recent research from Leipzig University. In light of climate change, understanding these impacts is becoming increasingly vital. The study, led by Annalena Lenk from the Institute of Biology…
-
Urban Summer Storms Grow Stronger and More Frequent, Study Finds
Summer storms are becoming more frequent, intense and concentrated over cities compared to rural areas, according to a new study that has implications for urban flood management and future city planning. The research team examined weather data from eight cities across Europe and the United States – Milan, Berlin, London, Birmingham, Phoenix, Charlotte, Atlanta and…
-
Marine Organism Transforms Mediterranean Beaches, Boosting Tourism
In an unexpected twist, a species of microscopic marine organisms, foraminifera (forams), is reshaping the future of coastal tourism in the eastern Mediterranean. Amphistegina lobifera, a single-celled organism known for its calcium carbonate skeletons, is transforming rocky shorelines into sandy beaches, offering a surprising economic boost. Pamela Hallock, a distinguished university professor of geological oceanography…
