The Unexpected Role of Land, Not Ice, in Accelerating Sea Level Rise

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The land on Earth is drying out quickly, contributing to sea level rise even more than melting glaciers, according to new research.

Researchers have discovered that water loss from soil, lakes, and underground aquifers accelerates the rise in sea levels. This trend of drying is spreading at an alarming rate.

Areas around the globe that are drying are merging into vast interconnected regions known as “megadry” zones. One such area now spans from the southwest coast of the US to Mexico.

Previously, dryness in certain regions was balanced by wetness in others. However, dry areas are now expanding at a faster pace than wet areas, covering an expanse that grows annually by an area twice the size of California.

At present, 101 countries are consistently losing freshwater, putting 75% of the world’s population (almost 6 billion people) at risk.

“In many locations where groundwater is being depleted, it will not be replenished within human timescales,” a recent study noted. Advances in science, “Safeguarding the global groundwater supply has become increasingly crucial in a warming world, especially in regions known to be drying.”

Utilizing satellite data gathered from 2002 to 2024, the research monitored water storage across Earth’s surface, in lakes, rivers, snow, soil, groundwater aquifers, and even plant life.

The findings indicate that human activities worsen the situation, while climate change also plays a significant role. As landscapes dry out, humans extract more water from sources such as underground aquifers.

These water reserves are not replenished at the same pace, which leads to an accelerated growth of dry areas and their eventual connection.

For instance, the study identified declining groundwater levels in California’s Central Valley and the Colorado River Basin, resulting in these arid regions merging with similar areas in Central America to create a massive dry zone.

Dryness is also encroaching upon previously wet regions like Canada and Russia. – Credit: Getty Images

“In certain areas such as California, the continuous overextraction of groundwater is threatening water and food security in ways that are not fully acknowledged globally,” the study asserts.

Moreover, they emphasize the urgent need for crucial decisions at both national and international levels to “preserve this vital resource for future generations.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Research Uncovers Small Crystals in Interstellar Amorphous Ice

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Low-density amorphous ice is one of the most prevalent solid materials in the universe and plays a crucial role in deciphering numerous well-known anomalies of liquid water. Despite its significance and discovery nearly 90 years ago, its structure remains a topic of debate. In a recent study, researchers from the University of London and Cambridge found that prior computer simulations of low-density amorphous ice were influenced by a disturbed structure where the ice was not entirely amorphous. Instead, it contained small crystals measuring 3 nm in width, slightly wider than a single DNA strand. In their experimental studies, actual samples of amorphous ice, which formed through different methods, were recrystallized (i.e., warmed up). They observed that the resulting crystal structure varied based on the method used to generate the amorphous ice. The researchers concluded that if the ice was completely disordered, it would not retain any imprint of its previous shape.

Low-density amorphous ice structure: Many small crystals (white) are hidden in the amorphous material (blue). Image credits: Michael B. Davis, UCL & Cambridge University.

“We now have a solid understanding of what the most common ice structures in the universe look like at the atomic level,” states Dr. Michael Davis, a researcher at the University of London and Cambridge.

“This is significant because ice is involved in numerous cosmological processes, including planet formation, galaxy evolution, and the movement of matter throughout the universe.”

For their investigation, Dr. Davis and his colleagues utilized two computer models of water.

They simulated the freezing of water molecules in these virtual “cages” by cooling to -120 degrees Celsius (-184 degrees Fahrenheit) at various rates.

These different cooling rates affected the proportions of crystalline and amorphous ice produced.

The researchers determined that low-density amorphous ice, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction studies, appears to align with a mixture of up to 20% crystallinity and 80% amorphous structure (i.e., researchers fired X-rays at ice and analyzed the deflection patterns).

Using an alternative method, they created a large “box” filled with numerous small ice crystals tightly packed together.

The simulation then disordered the regions between the ice crystals, resulting in structures remarkably similar to those obtained from the initial approach of 25% crystalline ice.

In additional experimental efforts, scientists generated actual low-density amorphous ice samples through various methods, including deposits of water vapor onto extremely cold surfaces (mimicking how ice forms on interstellar dust) and from high-density amorphous ice (ice crushed at very low temperatures).

These amorphous ice samples were then gently heated to provide energy for the formation of crystals.

They noted variations in the structure of the ice depending on its origin, particularly regarding the arrangement of molecules in a hexagonal (6x) formation.

This provided indirect evidence that low-density amorphous ice contained crystalline constituents.

Should it be entirely disordered, the ice would lack any memory of its prior form.

The findings raised further inquiries about the nature of amorphous ice, such as whether crystal size varies based on the formation method, and whether truly amorphous ice is achievable.

“Water is essential to life, yet our understanding is still incomplete,” remarked Professor Michael Ryde from Cambridge University.

“Amorphous ice may be key to explaining many anomalies observed in water.”

“Ice holds potential as a high-performance material in space,” added Dr. Davis.

“It can shield spacecraft from radiation and supply fuel in the form of hydrogen and oxygen.”

“Understanding the various structures and properties is critical.”

Moreover, this research touches upon a speculative theory regarding the origins of life on Earth.

This theory posits that life’s building blocks were transported here on an icy comet, known as Panspermia.

“Our findings indicate that this ice might be a suboptimal transport medium for these biological molecules,” stated Dr. Davis.

“This is due to the reduced space available for partial embedding of these components in the crystal structure.”

“Nonetheless, the theory could still hold merit, as there are amorphous regions within the ice capable of storing and concealing life’s building blocks.”

“Ice on Earth captivates our curiosity due to our warm climate,” observed University College professor Christophe Salzmann from the University of London.

“You can see the intricate order of snowflakes in their symmetry.”

“Ice elsewhere in the universe has long been viewed as a frozen snapshot of liquid water: a disordered arrangement that is fixed in place. Our findings suggest that this perception is not entirely accurate.”

“Our results also prompt questions regarding the properties of amorphous materials in general.”

“Such materials are vital in advanced technologies.”

“For instance, fiberglass used for data transmission must be amorphous or disordered to function.”

“If these materials contain small crystals, their performance can potentially be enhanced by removing them.”

The findings were documented in a paper published today in the journal Physical Review B.

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Michael Benedict Davis et al. 2025. Low-density amorphous ice contains crystalline ice grains. Phys. Rev. B 112, 024203; doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.112.024203

Source: www.sci.news

Antarctic Ocean Ice Loss Accelerates Ocean Warming Beyond Predictions

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent Summers Show Antarctic Sea Ice Cover at Unprecedented Lows

Nature Picture Library / Alamy

The decline of sea ice around Antarctica has led to a doubling of icebergs calved from the ice sheet and increased spikes in seawater temperatures, exacerbating the effects of heat accumulation in the Southern Ocean.

In recent years, sea ice extent at both poles has sharply decreased. In 2023, the Antarctic winter sea ice area fell 1.55 million square kilometers short of the expected average.

This loss is equivalent to disappearing an ice area nearly 6.5 times larger than the UK. Projections for 2024 suggest similarly low figures, with 2025 also anticipated to experience harsh conditions.

Edward Dodridge from the University of Tasmania and his team are investigating the implications of the long-term reduction of protective buffers provided by Antarctic sea ice.

The researchers discovered that the average temperature in the South Seas has increased by 0.3°C between latitudes 65° and 80° since 2016. Additionally, summer sea ice losses have similarly raised temperatures by 0.3°C.

Alarmingly, the heat from a year with particularly low sea ice does not dissipate by the next year. Instead, it continues to warm the ocean for at least the following three years, resulting in even greater temperature increases than expected, according to Dodridge.

“For some time, we’ve known that summer sea ice loss contributes to ocean warming because ice and its reflective snow cover keep heat at bay,” explains Doddridge.

“The fact that the ocean retains warming effects for three years complicates the consequences of warming in the Southern Ocean.”

Moreover, the dramatic reduction in sea ice may accelerate the loss of inland ice sheets. When sea ice freezes, it dampens the expansion of the South Seas, preventing contact with the ice sheets sitting above Antarctica. Once the protective sea ice barrier disappears, the coastal ice sheets become more susceptible to breaking apart.

The research found that for every additional 100,000 square kilometers of sea ice lost, six more icebergs larger than one square kilometer were formed. “We witnessed double the amount of icebergs at periods of low sea ice,” said Doddridge.

Additionally, the reduction in sea ice significantly impacts species that rely on transferring from the ocean to solid ground for survival. The study indicates that species like the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) and Crabeater Seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) may face severe challenges.

The scientific investigation in Antarctica is becoming increasingly difficult as the presence of sea ice is crucial for safely resupplying research stations.

Nellie Abram from The Australian National University remarks that “this analysis shows very few positives surrounding the loss of sea ice and its impact on the environment.”

“In years with extremely low sea ice, the Antarctic ecosystem continues to experience effects for years afterward. This isn’t just a one-time event,” Abram asserts. “There are numerous ways this loss of ocean ice influences Antarctic ecosystems.”

Topics:

Climate Change/
Antarctica

Source: www.newscientist.com

Utilizing Space and Underwater Curtain Mirrors: Will Technology Save the Arctic Ice Caps in Time?

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

wGlacier researcher John Moore began exploring the Arctic Circle in the 1980s. The continuous warming of this area has led to the disappearance of many glaciers, as noted in The Arctic heats 4 times faster. They have simply melted away, outpacing global averages.

Four decades later, Moore’s research network identified an Arctic university. 61 Potential Interventions aim to slow, halt, and reverse the impacts of regional climate change. These concepts are regularly updated. Some will be discussed at a meeting in Cambridge this week, where scientists and engineers will explore whether radical technical solutions can buy time and mitigate the loss of polar ice caps.

Dr. Sean Fitzgerald excavates the ice. Photo: Real Ice/Cambridge University

“We aim to distill them down to about 10 concrete ideas,” Moore asserts, although he hasn’t yet shared specific developments. He emphasizes that the study should exclude “non-starters and hopeless ideas.” If no action is taken over the next 30 years, it may indeed be too late.

The focus should be on rationally valuing these interventions; otherwise, they are merely speculation.

These include methods such as Solar Radiation Management (SRM), brightening Arctic clouds to stabilize ice sheets, giant underwater curtains to prevent warm water from melting glaciers, and deploying vast mirrors in space. Ideas once considered science fiction are becoming more mainstream.

“None of these ideas will solve every issue,” Moore states, emphasizing the need to weigh potential costs against perceived benefits.

Dr. Sean Fitzgerald, director of the Climate Restoration Center at Cambridge University, which is hosting the conference, reflects on a 30-year journey of “unpaid progress” that has slowed the climate crisis, shifting focus towards preserving the Arctic.

“I felt obligated to expand knowledge into broader fields,” he notes. Among the more unusual ideas discussed is the concept of a 10km sunshade suspended between airships the size of Zeppelins and creating corridors for fixed rafts to assist Arctic wildlife reliant on ice. Other measures, such as the initiative by British startup Real Ice and a Dutch company, are underway, which involve pumping water onto ice to refreeze it.

Critics voice concerns about the ethical and legal implications of many proposed interventions, making geoengineering a contentious topic. For instance, in 2021, the Sami Council, representing the Saami people in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, voiced opposition against Harvard-led pilot projects that aimed to test stratospheric aerosol injection (Science), which simulates volcanic eruptions by dispersing aerosols in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. The Sami Council branded the plan as a “real moral hazard.”

Inuit hunters navigate through meltwater in West Greenland. Photo: Lawrence Hislop/Alendal

With these sensitivities in mind, the Cambridge Conference will address ethics, governance, sustainability, and general engagement.

The interventions have undergone extensive study, including those identified by Moore for mitigating the Arctic climate emergency. However, many proposals are unlikely to go beyond theoretical stages and require substantial funding or large-scale implementation.

Thus far, ocean-based concepts present additional uncertainties, limitations, and risks, and the study has deemed them “unsuitable for further consideration,” scoring very low against most evaluation criteria.

One such idea, modifying ocean currents, was first proposed during the Cold War, when suggestions were made to block the Bering Strait to enhance Arctic livability. Years later, climate activist Rolf Schttenhelm proposed a similar initiative aimed at increasing Arctic sea ice.

One small-scale solution currently being implemented involves pumping water onto ice to refreeze it. Photo: Real Ice/Cambridge University

“It’s very easy to make mistakes, and no one knows the definitive answer,” Moore reflects. “Local benefits must be balanced with the hope for global gains.”

Fitzgerald remains cautious about any solutions he considers to be frontrunners, underscoring the importance of keeping an open mind and exploring a variety of approaches.

Meanwhile, SAI and Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) are drawing significant interest. Professor Peter Wadham, leader of the Polar Ocean Physics Group at Cambridge University, describes MCB as a “very powerful” option. “It’s advantageous because it can be implemented on a small scale, allowing for cessation of activities if negative impacts arise,” he asserts.

Wadham is less enthusiastic about SAI, labeling it a risky long-term strategy compared to MCB. Additionally, he finds the proposal to thicken sea ice unrealistic due to the sheer energy required. “It could work in limited scenarios,” he notes, “but not at an impactful scale. Marine Cloud Brightening stands out as the best and most thoughtfully designed approach.”

Hunters return to Kullorsuaq, the Inuit village in Greenland, nearby Melville Bay. Photo: Reda/Universal Images/Getty

Earlier this year, UK scientists announced plans for outdoor geoengineering trials, including Marine Cloud Brightening, funded by a £50 million government initiative. However, opposition has emerged from various sectors; a discussion was held in the UK Parliament this week, and the state of Tennessee has passed legislation banning geoengineering in the US.

In critique claiming that potential disasters outweigh the benefits, Fitzgerald advises: “The risks of attempting action should be assessed alongside those of inaction. Given the rapid pace of climate change, our research efforts must accelerate.”

He adds, “If we believe current conditions are dire, we must consider what the next century may hold.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Morse Code Messages Encased in Ice Bubbles

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

ICE can provide a method for long-term message storage in cold climates

Anton Petrus/Getty Images

Messages can be preserved in ice for millennia simply by altering the shape and positioning of the internal bubbles present.

Mengjie Song and his team at China’s Beijing University of Technology were exploring ice formation when they discovered that it influences the size and shape of bubbles encapsulated within. For instance, they found that freezing a layer of water between plastic sheets resulted in either oval or needle-shaped foam, depending on the freezing rate.

The researchers assigned specific bubble sizes, shapes, and positions to represent characters in Morse and binary code. By controlling the freezing rate of water, they created ice that conveyed messages through the embedded bubbles.

Transforming this ice image to grayscale revealed that white areas indicated the presence of bubbles, while black areas indicated the absence of them. This allowed computers to identify the size and location of bubbles for message decoding.

Currently, the amount of information that can be stored in conventional ice cubes is minimal with existing technology. However, Song suggests that by manipulating foam in materials like plastic, greater capacities could be achieved.

He mentions that beyond the novelty of reading messages embedded in ice cubes used in beverages, this research has diverse potential applications. “The strength of this study lies in its capability to sustain information over extended periods in frigid environments like the Arctic and Antarctic,” Song notes.

He envisions a future where bubbles could safely contain ozone for food preservation or act as carriers for slow-release medications. He is particularly intrigued by how bubbles can inhibit ice formation on airplane wings and how this knowledge could inform behavior in lunar environments.

However, Qiang Tang from the University of Sydney is more skeptical about the practical implications of this research, asserting that significant information can be long-term stored on hard drives and paper.

He comments, “This represents a novel method for conveying messages, but from a security and encryption standpoint, I see little value in it—unless, of course, a polar bear has something to communicate,” he adds.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Two Uncommon Radio Signals Discovered Emerging from Antarctic Ice

Posted on June 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

An unusual radio pulse was identified by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) Experiment. Various instruments were deployed on NASA balloons over Antarctica, aiming to detect radio waves produced by cosmic rays impacting the atmosphere. This experiment seeks to illuminate events in the distant universe by scrutinizing signals that reach Earth. Rather than bouncing off the ice, this radio signal seemed to originate from beneath the horizon. Such a direction challenges our current understanding of particle physics and might indicate a previously unknown particle or interaction.

ANITA instruments were stationed in Antarctica to minimize interference with other signals. The setup involves balloon-mediated radio detectors flying through ice to capture what is known as an ice shower. Image credit: Stephanie Wissel/Penn State.

“The detected radio waves were highly angled, approximately 30 degrees below the ice surface,” said physicist Dr. Stephanie Wissel from Pennsylvania State University.

“Our calculations suggest the anomalous signal interacted with thousands of kilometers of rock before reaching the detector.

“This poses an intriguing question as we have yet to understand these anomalies fully. However, we do know they likely do not represent neutrinos.”

Neutrino signals typically emerge from high-energy sources such as the sun or significant cosmic events like supernovae and the Big Bang.

Yet, these particles present a challenge: they are notoriously difficult to detect.

“A billion neutrinos pass through any point instantly, but they rarely interact,” Dr. Wissel explained.

“This presents a paradox. If we detect them, it means they traversed this way without interacting with anything else.”

“We can even identify neutrinos originating from the edge of the observable universe.”

“When observed and traced back to their source, these particles travel at speeds comparable to light, offering insights into illuminative events that reveal more than the most powerful telescopes.”

“Researchers globally have been focused on creating specialized detectors to capture faint neutrino signals.”

“Even a minor signal from neutrinos can unveil valuable information, making all data crucial.”

“We’re aiming to utilize radio detectors to establish a significant neutrino telescope, anticipating low event rates.”

ANITA was one of these detectors, positioned in Antarctica to reduce interference from other signals.

To capture the ejection signal, it deploys a balloon-mediated radio detector to traverse ice stretches and identify what is known as an ice shower.

“We operate these radio antennas on balloons that soar 40 km above the Antarctic ice,” Dr. Wissel noted.

“We lower the antennas into the ice, searching for neutrinos that interact within the ice, resulting in radio emissions detectable by the instrument.”

These unique ice-interacting neutrinos, termed tau neutrinos, generate secondary particles called tau leptons that are released from the ice as they lose energy traveling through space, producing emissions identified as air showers.

“If visible to the naked eye, an air shower may resemble a sparkler dispersed in one direction.

“We can distinguish between two signal types (ice and air shower) and ascertain details about the particles that produced the signals.”

“These signals can be traced back to their sources, akin to how balls thrown at angles bounce back predictably.”

However, the recent peculiar findings cannot be traced because they display sharper characteristics than existing models anticipate.

By analyzing data gathered from multiple ANITA flights and contrasting it with thorough simulations of both mathematical models and common cosmic rays and upward air showers, researchers successfully eliminated background noise and ruled out possibilities of known particle-based signals.

Scientists then cross-referenced signals from other independent detectors, including the IceCube experiment and the Pierre Auger Observatory, to determine if any upward-facing air shower data had been captured by other experiments similar to those identified by ANITA.

The analysis disclosed that no other detectors documented anything capable of explaining what ANITA detected, leading researchers to characterize the signal as abnormal. This indicates that the particles responsible for the signal are not neutrinos.

The signal defies conventional paradigms in particle physics. Some theories propose it could hint at dark matter; however, the absence of follow-up observations from IceCube and Auger significantly diminishes this possibility.

“Our team is in the process of designing and constructing the next major detector,” Dr. Wissel shared.

“We aspire for a new detector called Pueo to be larger and more adept at identifying neutrino signals, which should clarify the nature of the abnormal signal.”

“My hypothesis is that some intriguing radio propagation phenomena occur near the ice, close to the horizon—effects I don’t fully comprehend, but we are certainly investigating them.

“So, this is one of those enduring mysteries, and we are eager to achieve enhanced sensitivity when we deploy Pueo.”

“In principle, we should detect more anomalies, and perhaps we’ll decipher their nature.”

“We could also encounter neutrinos, which would be tremendously exciting in their own right.”

The team’s paper was published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

____

A. Abdul Halim et al. (Pierre Auger Collaboration). 2025. Exploring abnormal events detected by ANITA using the Pierre Auger Observatory. Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 121003; doi:10.1103/physrevlett.134.121003

This article is based on a press release provided by the Pennsylvania State University.

Source: www.sci.news

“Online Misinformation Surrounds La Ice Protest: ‘Fuel for Right-Wing Agitators'”

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Since the uproar surrounding the immigration attacks in Los Angeles began, a wave of inaccurate and misleading claims about ongoing protests has proliferated across text-based social networks. As Donald Trump significantly ramped up federal involvement, falsehoods shared on social media intertwined with misinformation propagated through channels established by the White House. This blend of genuine and deceptive information creates a distorted representation of a city that strays from the truth.

Various regions in Los Angeles have experienced substantial protests over the last four days in response to intensified immigration policies from the US presidential administration. Dramatic images circulated on Saturday from downtown Los Angeles depicted a car ablaze amid clashes with law enforcement. Many posts fostered the impression that chaos and violence engulfed the entirety of Los Angeles, despite the fact that disturbances remained limited to specific areas within the sprawling city. Trump sent 2,000 National Guard troops to the city without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has prompted the state to sue over this alleged infringement of sovereignty. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has ordered approximately 700 Marines to be deployed to the city.

As misinformation proliferates amid both street-level and legal confrontations, the intersection of lies and conflict is evident. Social media often acts as a catalyst for the spread of falsehoods, a trend noted during recent wildfires in Los Angeles, catastrophic hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the most egregious disinformation is the circulation of a video featuring Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum by conservative Russian accounts, leading into the protests and inciting the demonstrations showcased on the Mexican flag, as reported by the misinformed Watchdog News Guard. These misleading posts — crafted by Benny Johnson on Twitter/X, referencing pro-Trump outlets like wltreport.com and Russian state media RG.RU — garnered millions of views, according to the organization. On June 9th, Sheinbaum stated to reporters:

Posts about bricks stir up a mixture of real and fake news

Conspiracy-minded conservatives are quick to latch onto familiar tropes. A post on X claimed that the “Soros Funding Organization” had garnered over 9,500 retweets regarding brick pallets near Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, racking up more than 800,000 views. George Soros remains a recurring figure in right-wing conspiracy narratives, with the post similarly implicating LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom in the supposed shortage of supplies.

I encountered a post that read, “It’s a civil war!!!”

The images of stacked bricks originate from a Malaysian construction supplier, and the myth that these bricks were distributed to protesters dates back to the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Users on X shared insights regarding the “Community Notes,” while X’s built-in AI chatbot Grok also provided fact-checks in response to inquiries about the authenticity of the post.

In response to the hoax imagery, some X users shared a link to Real footage showing protesters slamming concrete bollards, intertwining truths and falsehoods, and obscuring the reality of the situation. Independent journalists who showcased the footage claimed it depicted projectiles hurled at police, although the footage revealed no such actions.

The Social Media Lab, a research group at Toronto Metropolitan University, was referenced in Blueski.

Trump and the White House are covered in mud

Trump himself fueled narratives suggesting that the protests were orchestrated and dominated by external agitators lacking genuine concern for local issues.

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“These individuals are not protesters; they are troublemakers and anarchists,” Trump asserted on Truth Social, later screenshot and shared by Elon Musk on X. Others within the administration echoed similar sentiments on social media.

Los Angeles Times reporter noted that the White House claimed certain Mexican citizens had been arrested for assaulting an officer “during the riot.” However, it was established that customs and border protection agents had detained him prior to the protest’s commencement.

Sowing misleading information and fostering distrust

Trump has escalated the frequency of ICE raids nationwide, amplifying deportation fears throughout Los Angeles. Anti-ICE posts are also circulating misinformation, according to the Social Media Lab. One concerning post on Blueski, labeled “breaking,” alleged that a federal agent had just arrived at an LA elementary school seeking to interrogate first graders, when in reality, the incident occurred two months prior. Researchers have identified such posts as “Rage-Farming to Push Merch.”

The conspiracy platform Infowars has initiated a broadcast on X titled “Live Watch: LA ICE Riots Spread Across Major Cities Nationwide.” While protests against deportation have emerged in various locations, the level of confusion observed in Los Angeles is unmatched. The broadcast attracted 13,000 viewers simultaneously as X, a Los Angeles news service, aired coverage four nights after the immigration protest.

The spread of erroneous reporting undermines X’s credibility as a news platform, yet it continues to promote itself as the leading news application in the US, or more recently, in Qatar. Older images and videos are combined with new to instill doubts about legitimate news. After taking over Twitter in late 2022, Musk has endorsed user-generated fact-checking via the “Community Notes” feature, but has dismantled numerous internal avenues designed to counter misinformation. Particularly with the 2024 US presidential election approaching, researchers indicate that Musk himself has become a significant facilitator of misinformation, posting and resharing misleading claims that garnered around 2 billion views on numerous occasions. The Center for Countering Digital Hate.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Webb Discovers Crystallized Water Ice in Debris Disks Surrounding Young Sun-Like Stars

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Water ice plays a crucial role in the formation of giant planets and can also be delivered by comets to fully developed rocky planets. Utilizing data from the Near-infrared spectrometer (NIRSPEC), which is part of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have identified crystallized ice on a dusty fragment disk surrounding HD 181327.

Artist impression of a debris disk around the sun-like star HD 181327. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/RALF CRAWFORD, STSCI.

HD 181327 is a young main sequence star located approximately 169 light years away in the constellation Pictor.

Also referred to as TYC 8765-638-1 and WISE J192258.97-543217.8, the star is about 23 million years old and roughly 30% larger than the Sun.

Astronomer Chen Zai and a team at Johns Hopkins University utilized Webb’s NIRSPEC instrument to study HD 181327.

“The HD 181327 system is highly dynamic,” Dr. Xie noted.

“There are ongoing collisions occurring within the debris disk.”

“When these icy bodies collide, they release tiny particles of dusty water ice, which are ideally sized for Webb to detect.”

Webb’s observations reveal a significant gap between the star and its surrounding debris disk, indicating a considerable area devoid of dust.

Moreover, the structure of the fragment disk is reminiscent of the Kuiper Belt within our Solar System, where we find dwarf planets, comets, and various icy and rocky bodies that may also collide.

Billions of years ago, the Kuiper Belt in our own Solar System could have resembled the HD 181327 debris disk.

“Webb clearly detected crystallized water ice not only present in the debris disk but also in places like Saturn’s rings and the icy bodies of the Kuiper Belt,” Dr. Xie stated.

The water ice is not uniformly distributed across the HD 181327 system.

The majority is found in the coldest and most distant regions from the star.

“The area beyond the debris disk contains over 20% water ice,” Dr. Xie explained.

Near the center of the debris disk, Webb detected approximately 8% water ice.

In this region, frozen water particles may form slightly faster than they are destroyed.

Closest to the star, Webb’s detection was minimal.

Ultraviolet radiation from the star can evaporate the nearby water ice deposits.

It is also possible that the interiors contain rocky bodies, referred to as planets, which are “confined” such that their frozen water remains undetectable by Webb.

“The presence of ice facilitates planetary formation,” said Dr. Xie.

“Icy materials can ultimately contribute to the delivery of resources to terrestrial planets that may form over hundreds of millions of years in such systems.”

Survey results were published in the May 14, 2025 issue of the journal Nature.

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C. Xie et al. 2025. Water ice on debris disks around HD181327. Nature 641, 608-611; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08920-4

Source: www.sci.news

Doctors Report Immigrants Avoiding Medical Care Due to Fear of ICE

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A man lay on the sidewalk in New York City, injured by a gunshot, holding his side.

Emily Bolgaard, a social worker providing supplies to the homeless through her nonprofit, discovered him and prepared to call 911. Nonetheless, the man pleaded with her not to make the call.

“No, no, no,” he insisted.

Bolgaard attempted to reassure him that federal law mandated hospitals to treat patients regardless of immigration status, but his fear was palpable.

“He expressed, ‘If I go to the emergency department, I’ll be on their radar,'” she recounted in an interview about the event.

Across the nation, healthcare professionals are increasingly worried that individuals with severe medical issues, including injuries and chronic illnesses, are forgoing treatment due to fears of arrest by immigration officials. After the Trump administration’s announcement of extensive deportation plans, the Biden administration’s strategy of safeguarding areas like hospitals and clinics has led to a noticeable increase in patient anxiety and a decrease in treatment uptake.

If this trend persists, healthcare professionals indicate that the consequences could be severe. Uncontrolled infectious diseases could spread, healthcare costs would rise due to untreated chronic conditions, and complications during childbirth may pose increased risks to women delaying care.

In a KFF survey, 31% of immigrants reported concerns that their status (or that of family members) could adversely affect their health. About 20% of all surveyed migrants shared struggles with diet and sleep, while 31% experienced increased stress and anxiety.

A White House representative did not respond to a request for comment. Following the announcement on January 21 to end protections at hospitals, a statement from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that the updated policy was “designed to enforce immigration laws and apprehend criminal foreigners.”

Research indicates that immigration enforcement actions are associated with deterioration in birth outcomes, negative mental health effects, decreased care access, and reduced public program utilization that alleviates illness and poverty.

“We are not only creating significant health risks, but also long-term economic risks for our nation,” stated Julie Linton, a pediatrician and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Federal Committee. “These policies instill very real fear and uncertainty among people, drastically impacting their daily functioning.”

Chronic Conditions

Numerous immigrant communities grapple with a high prevalence of chronic diseases, including hypertension and diabetes. Without treatment, this can lead to serious complications like heart attacks and strokes.

Doctors express concern for patients like Maria, a 47-year-old pre-diabetic woman who has visited the same primary care clinic since arriving in the U.S. from El Salvador two decades ago. Even during the first Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants, she sought medical care consistently. However, after protections around hospitals were lifted earlier this year, Maria canceled her appointment to check her blood sugar.

“We are in the clinic and deeply afraid of ICE arriving while we wait,” she said in Spanish.

Maria, who requested to remain anonymous, described herself as being in “continuous anguish.” She is formulating a plan to care for her American citizen child in the event she and her husband are deported.

One of her daughters, aged 15, is being treated for fatty liver disease, while another child requires care for developmental issues. Their eldest daughter has a doctor’s appointment scheduled for June. Maria and her husband wish to continue their child’s treatment but are apprehensive about attending appointments alone. “It’s very complicated,” Maria said. “I can risk myself for my child, but when it comes to my own health, I prefer to let it go.”

The repercussions of forgoing regular medical care can escalate quickly. Jim Manzia, president of St. John’s Community Health Network in Los Angeles, described a diabetic patient who ceased attending weekly diabetes education classes. Upon contacting her, the clinic staff discovered she was too terrified to even go grocery shopping and had subsisted on tortillas and coffee for days.

“We’re thankful we managed to reach her and that she came in,” Manzia noted. The network serves approximately 25,000 undocumented patients across more than 20 locations. Clinic exams indicated her blood sugar levels were dangerously elevated.

“This is becoming increasingly common,” Manzia lamented. “It breaks my heart to discuss these situations.”

Acute Care

In emergency care settings, doctors have noted several unusual indicators reflecting the impact of immigration enforcement. For instance, Dr. Amy Zidan, an emergency physician in Atlanta, reported a more than 60% decline in requests for Spanish interpretation in her hospital’s emergency department from January to February.

Theresa Cheng, an ER physician at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, recounted an incident where one of her residents cared for an immigrant patient who had sustained multiple facial fractures from an assault but hadn’t sought care for over two weeks. “There is an overwhelming sense of fear,” Dr. Cheng stated.

In late January, Dr. Cheng treated a patient with severely untreated diabetes. The undocumented woman shared her terror and had been waiting for assistance. Tragically, she passed away that same day.

Dr. Carolina Miranda, a family physician in the Bronx, discussed a patient granted legal asylum, yet fearing ICE, who missed an appointment regarding a potential brain tumor.

Similar delays and cancellations have been observed among pregnant women and new mothers nationwide. Dr. Caitlyn Bernard, an obstetrician in Indiana, noted a patient who skipped a postnatal visit, indicating she no longer felt safe leaving her house. Staff on the obstetrics floor of a San Diego hospital reported a significant drop in immigrant women experiencing acute pregnancy-related issues following the administration change.

“These women undeniably still exist,” a doctor, choosing to remain anonymous due to institutional restrictions on public statements, expressed. “I fear this will drive up maternal mortality rates over time.”

Children’s Health

Many children of immigrant parents who skip appointments or leave prescriptions unfilled are American citizens. In mixed-status families, parents facing deportation often hesitate to bring their children to clinics or pharmacies.

Pediatricians serving underserved populations in Central Coast California reported a 30% increase in missed child appointments. Many families who sought professional care for their children, including evaluations for speech therapy and autism, cited fear as a barrier, with some wishing to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of their situations.

Dr. Tania Caballero, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins, has encountered parents reluctant to visit emergency rooms, including those with children suffering from chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, asthma, and diabetes.

“I tell my patients, ‘I cannot control what happens outside of my clinic. I can’t ensure against an ICE visit, but you know me, and I possess the resources to help you navigate this journey together,'” she explained.

Some parents facing dire circumstances, like those of children undergoing cancer treatment, believed their child’s medical conditions might shield them. They sought letters from pediatricians outlining their child’s medical needs, hoping this information would convince immigration authorities to allow them to remain in the U.S. for survival.

Dr. Lisa Gwyn, a pediatrician in South Florida, reported alarming drops in patient attendance as families from the Caribbean and South America miss essential pediatric vaccinations needed to prevent illnesses like measles, pneumonia, and whooping cough.

Dr. Gwyn also expressed concern for children who have endured significant trauma before arriving in the U.S. and who are not connected with social workers or psychologists for needed support.

“Imagine a child living in a home filled with fear. They came to this country hoping to find safety, only to feel afraid again,” she said. “We understand that prolonged stress negatively impacts health. Children who are stressed perform poorly in school and often battle mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.”

Hospital Dilemma

Some medical facilities have stated they will comply with immigration authorities. NYU Langone has issued warnings to employees cautioning against attempting to shield undocumented patients. However, many other health centers and organizations are finding ways to protect their patients by displaying “Know Your Rights” information and advising staff not to log immigration status in patients’ medical records.

Last week, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article detailing how physicians continue to provide healthcare while legally distancing themselves from ICE requests.

The St. John’s Clinic Network in Los Angeles recently instituted an ambitious home visit initiative where doctors, nurses, and medical assistants conduct examinations and deliver medication, working to inform all undocumented patients of this service.

The New York Regional Hospital Association proposed designating a “hospital contact” to quickly guide law enforcement to private offices, emphasizing the necessity of viewing signed warrants.

In the emergency department at University Hospital, a safety-net facility in Newark, staff distribute cards in Spanish and other languages to remind patients of their rights, stating, “You have the right to refuse consent to searches of yourself, your car, or your home.”

Yet, fear remains palpable. Dr. Annaly M. Baker, an emergency physician, recounted witnessing a young woman who had been beaten unconscious waiting for hours to receive care.

Dr. Baker also attended to a minor who had been stabbed but required parental consent for treatment. The boy was reluctant to provide details, fearing that his parents might be caught in immigration enforcement.

What troubles Dr. Baker most is the number of people who never seek treatment at all.

“The tragic message to these individuals is to remain hidden, and I hope you don’t die,” she remarked.

Sarah Cliff contributed to this report.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Sam Altman’s Startup Unveils Ice Canning Crypto Orb in the U.S.

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Immerse yourself in the vibrant ethos of San Francisco, where the future of cyberpunk is already unfolding. Self-driving vehicles? Boring. A venture aiming to resurrect woolly mammoths? Absolutely, why not! Summoning a god-like AI capable of eradicating humanity? Why not.

Just like you did on Wednesday evening, you might find yourself in a bustling venue in the Marina district, gazing at a luminous white sphere, commonly referred to as an orb, as it scans your eyes in exchange for your cryptocurrency and World ID.

The event was organized by World, a startup based in San Francisco, co-founded by the enterprising Sam Altman, known for his ambitious (or depending on your perspective, unsettling) technological initiatives.

This is essentially the core proposition of the company. The internet is on the brink of being overwhelmed by a multitude of realistic AI bots, making it nearly impossible to discern real individuals on social networks, dating platforms, gaming sites, and other digital realms.

To address this issue, World developed a program called World ID, akin to Internet clearance or TSA Precheck, enabling users to authenticate their humanity online.

To sign up, users gaze into the orb, which captures their iris scans. Following that, they complete a few prompts on a mobile app to attain a unique biometric identifier, stored on their device. The system includes built-in privacy features, assuring that no iris images are retained, only a numeric code linked to the user.

In return, participants earn a cryptocurrency named WorldCoin. (As of Wednesday night, the sign-up bonus was estimated to be valued at around $40.)

During the event, Altman framed the initiative as a response to a dilemma he termed “trust in the AGI era,” as artificial general intelligence is on the horizon and increasingly human-like AI systems are coming to fruition.

“We wanted to ensure that humans remain unique and pivotal in a landscape brimming with AI-generated content online,” Altman explained.

Ultimately, Altman and World’s CEO Alex Blania contend that a solution like WorldCoin is essential for redistributing wealth generated by powerful AI systems to humans, potentially in the form of a universal basic income. They delved into varied methods for establishing a “real human network,” merging proof-of-human verification with financial systems enabling validated individuals to transact with one another.

“Our initial concept seemed quite radical,” Altman remarked. “Then we embraced our craziness and evolved into World.”

Launched globally two years ago, the project initially gained traction in developing regions such as Kenya and Indonesia, where individuals queued for ORB scans in exchange for cryptocurrency incentives. The company has secured about $200 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Khosla Ventures.

However, challenges arose. The global collection of biometric data has drawn criticism from privacy advocates and regulatory bodies, leading to the company being banned or investigated in locations like Hong Kong and Spain. Reports of fraud and worker exploitation tied to the project’s crypto-based reward mechanism have also surfaced.

Despite these issues, the venture appears to be expanding swiftly. According to Blania, approximately 26 million individuals have signed up for the app worldwide since its debut, with more than 12 million undergoing ORB scans to confirm their humanity.

Initially, the world was kept separate from the US due to regulatory concerns, but the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly policies created an opportunity.

On Wednesday, World announced plans to launch in the US, with retail outlets slated to open in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Nashville. They aim to install 7,500 orbs across the country by year-end.

The company also unveiled a new version of the ORB, dubbed the Orb Mini. This device resembles a smartphone, yet performs the same function as the larger orb. World has established partnerships with gaming company Razer and the dating conglomerate Match Group.

Uncertainty lingers about the potential for profitability, or whether privacy-conscious Americans are inclined to share their biometric data for cryptocurrency, as many in developing regions have done.

Moreover, it remains to be seen if the world can overcome the inherent skepticism surrounding the peculiar and foreboding aspects of the initiative.

For my part, I recognize the necessity for a method to distinguish bots from humans. However, the proposed solution—a global biometric registry sustained by volatile cryptocurrencies and monitored by private entities—might resemble a “Black Mirror” episode that struggles to achieve widespread acceptance. Even during Wednesday’s event, I observed numerous attendees hesitating to approach the orb amidst a crowd of eager early adopters.

“You can’t easily discard your personal data. It’s essentially your eyeball data at stake,” remarked one tech worker.

Altman’s global affiliations are also under scrutiny. Attendees noted that, through his role at OpenAI, he might be perpetuating the very issue World aims to rectify (an internet flooded with engaging bots).

Nevertheless, Altman’s connections could potentially accelerate World’s growth, especially if collaborations with OpenAI come to fruition or if it becomes integrated with an AI product. Perhaps OpenAI is planning a social network feature with a “Verified Humans Only” setting. Additionally, users who contribute beneficially to OpenAI’s products might one day earn WorldCoin.

(Note: The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement regarding news content related to AI systems, a claim which both companies deny.)

Furthermore, societal norms regarding privacy may shift in favor of the initiative, and what seems unusual today could become the norm tomorrow. (Think back to when seeing an airport biometric kiosk felt bizarre—did you vow to never share your biometric details?)

When my turn arrived to approach the orb, I removed my glasses, opened the World app, and adhered to its instructions (Look this way, adjust my position). The orb’s camera recorded the details of my iris and paused for a moment. The rings surrounding the orb glowed yellow, accompanied by a cheerful chime.

Minutes later, I had secured WorldCoin Tokens alongside a World ID and had around 39.22 tokens (valued at $40.77 at current rates). If I manage to transfer them from my phone, I will donate to charity.

My ORB scan was swift and painless, but I felt a subtle sense of vulnerability throughout the night. Conversely, many attendees appeared unfazed.

“What’s the big deal? What am I concealing?” remarked social media influencer Hannah Stocking as she prepared for her orb scan. “Who really cares? I’m all in.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Ancient Ice Age civilizations constructed elaborate fireplaces primarily fueled by wood burning

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Archaeologists discovered and analyzed three hearths at the Upper Paleolithic site of Korman ‘9 (45,000-10,000 years ago) on the right bank of the Dniester River in Ukraine. Their findings show that ice age humans built different types of hearths, using mostly wood, but perhaps using bones and fat to burn fire.

Murphy et al. Provides a high-resolution Earth Character Study on three combustion features related to the profession of Epigravet on the Kolman 9 site in Ukraine, with age dropping to the last glacial maximum.

It is widely assumed that an important tool for human survival, especially in cold weather, is the ability to create, maintain and use fires.

Many literature provides data on the benefits of fire use regarding human evolution and its fundamental function in everyday life.

More recent research also shows the labor-intensive nature of using fireworks. The implication of fire use was not only an essential survival tool, but also played an important role in the way hunter-gatherer groups organize themselves.

This includes how hunter-gatherers acquire resources such as wooden fuel, how to initiate and maintain a fire if they store or cache fuel materials for future use, or how sites and activities are organized around the combustion function.

“The fire didn’t just keep it warm. It was also essential for cooking, making tools and social gatherings,” said Dr. Philip R. Nigust, an archaeologist at the University of Vienna.

“We know that fires have spread around this period, but there is little evidence from the height of the ice age,” added Dr. William Murfrey, an archaeologist at the University of Algarve.

In the current study, the researchers focused on the archaeological site of Komann 9 in Ukraine.

“Korman ‘9 is an Upper Paleolithic site on a north facing terrace on the right bank of the Dniester River in Ukraine,” they said.

“This site was discovered in 2012 while researching a site along the Dniester River.”

Through microstratigraphic analysis, microtransfer and colorimetric analysis, scientists have identified three flat wood furnaces.

One interesting discovery to come is that these fires have reached temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius, demonstrating a sophisticated mastery of fireworks even in the face of extreme environmental stresses.

The analysis also shows that humans use wood as the main fuel during peak ice ages, and charcoal analysis indicates spruce wood. However, other fuels such as bones and fat may be used.

“Some of the animal bones found on the site were burned in the fire at temperatures above 650 degrees Celsius,” said Dr. Majolaine D. Bosch, a museum of the University of Vienna zoo physician, Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Museum of Natural History.

“We are currently investigating whether they are being used as fuel or if they were accidentally burned.”

All three fireplaces are open and flat. However, the new results suggest that fire use was refined as it is likely that fireplaces were constructed and used in different ways each season.

One of the three fireplaces is large and thick, suggesting that a higher temperature was achieved here.

“People had full control over the fire and knew how to use it in a variety of ways depending on the purpose of the fire,” Dr. Nigust said.

“However, our results also show that these hunter-gatherers used the same location at different times of the year during their annual migration.”

Survey results Published in the journal Geography.

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William Chase Murfrey et al. 2025. The use of fires during the last Glacier largest era: evidence from the epigravet of Kolmann 9 in the Middle Donierster Valley in Ukraine. Geography 40(2): E70006; doi: 10.1002/gea.70006

Source: www.sci.news

ICE detains Harvard scientists analyzing images that could alter cancer diagnosis

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Harvard Medical School’s cutting-edge microscopes have the potential to revolutionize cancer detection and lifespan research. However, a scientist who developed computer scripts to extract maximum information from the images found herself in immigration detention for two months, jeopardizing significant scientific advancements.

The scientist in question is 30-year-old Russian-born Xenia Petrova, who worked at Harvard’s renowned Kirschner Institute until her arrest at Boston Airport in mid-February. Currently detained at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana, Petrova is fighting against deportation to Russia, where she fears persecution and imprisonment due to her participation in protests against the conflict in Ukraine.

The incident involving Petrova and the detention of scholars across the country have hindered American universities’ ability to attract and retain crucial talent, a concern raised by Petrova’s colleagues. In fields where expertise is highly specialized, the loss of talent could have grave global implications for the future of medicine and scientific discovery. Scientists and faculty members are contemplating leaving institutions nationwide out of fear that their visas may be revoked or impacted by immigration enforcement actions.

“It’s like a meat grinder,” Petrova, as per a person talking to NBC News from the Louisiana facility, described her situation. “We are all in this system, regardless of having a visa, green card, or a valid reason.”

Petrova’s first immigration court hearing in Louisiana is scheduled for Tuesday morning, where she expects more clarity on her asylum case. Dr. Leon Peshkin, a prominent research scientist at Harvard University’s Faculty of Systems Biology and Petrova’s supervisor, received a call from Customs and Border Protection on February 16, notifying him of Petrova’s detention at Logan International Airport for failing to declare a sample of frog embryos used in research.

International researchers are increasingly anxious about the Trump administration’s strict stance on illegal immigration, with concerns that these policies could deter other foreign scientists from coming to Harvard. Recent surveys indicate a significant portion of scientists are contemplating relocating to Europe or Canada due to actions taken by President Donald Trump.

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Rome’s Collapse Linked to Mini Ice Age Triggered by Ancient Geological Event

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Iceberg calving from a Greenland glacier can carry rocks to distant coasts

Professor Ross Mitchell

SEI 246262600 — Iceberg calving from a Greenland glacier can carry rocks to distant coasts

Professor Ross Mitchell

The rocks transported by icebergs from Greenland to Iceland add to evidence that the European climate became much colder for a century or two in 540 AD.

This cold season in the Northern Hemisphere has been shown previously by research on tree rings and sediment cores, but is linked to many historical events around the world, from the collapse of the northern WEI dynasty in China to the decline of the city of Teotihuacan, Central America. The Justinian plague that affected the Eastern Roman Empire after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 may also have been caused in part by cold weather.

Christopher Spencer Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada and his colleagues decided to explore Iceland’s west coast beaches, as they showed it was a light colour, rather than the basalt black of almost every other beach in Iceland.

Its bright colour turned out to be due to the presence of many shells, but while walking through the area, Spencer spotted a cobblestone-sized granite stone. It was immediately clear to him that these rocks were not from Iceland. “It’s a bit embarrassing how easy it is to make a discovery,” he says.

Sure enough, analysis of the rocks confirmed that they came from various parts of Greenland. Greenland is the closest point, about 300 km from Iceland. So, Spencer must have been carried by icebergs spotted and washed away on the beach from Greenland’s glacier.

The beach formations where Greenland rocks reside were previously dated from AD 500 to AD 700, says Spencer. Greenland icebergs can still reach this area, but Greenland Rock has not been found in other layers of the beach.

An ancient rock collection analyzed in the study was traced to Greenland

Dr. Christopher Spencer

Therefore, this finding indicates that numerous Greenlandic Icebergs were washed away at this beach during the period when this layer was formed. This suggests that because of the cold conditions, Greenland’s glaciers grew larger during this period, hiding more icebergs, says Spencer.

This is neatly linked to evidence of cold seasons, sometimes known as the late antique red ice age. The cause of this event is unknown. Some people think it was caused by volcanoes, while others think it was caused by a surprising piece of Earth from a comet. Spencer believes that the solar heat is simply dependent on changes in the orbit that reaches Earth.

The extent to which climate contributed to events such as the collapse of Rome remains debated, but there is growing evidence that climate change has shaped the fate of many civilizations.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers find that melting ice sheets are causing a reduction in the speed of the world’s strongest ocean currents

Posted on March 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Antarctic Circulating Current (ACC), which is more than four times as strong as the Gulf Stream, is the world’s strongest ocean current and plays an unbalanced role in the climate system due to its role as a major basin conduit. Scientists at the University of Melbourne and the Research Centre in Nordic Norway have shown that ACC will slow by about 20% by 2050 in high carbon emission scenarios. This influx of freshwater into the southern ocean is expected to alter the properties such as the density (salinity) of the ocean and its circulation patterns.

Sohail et al. High-resolution ocean and sea ice simulations of ocean currents, heat transport, and other factors were analyzed to diagnose the effects of temperature changes, saltiness, and wind conditions. Image credit: Sohail et al. , doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/adb31c.

“The oceans are extremely complex, finely balanced,” says Dr. Bishakhdatta Gayen, liquid mechanic at the University of Melbourne.

“If this current ‘engine’ collapses, serious consequences, including more climate change, including extreme extreme climate variability in certain regions, will accelerate global warming due to a decline in the ability of the ocean to function as a carbon sink. “

The ACC acts as a barrier to invasive species, like the southern burkelp and marine vectors such as shrimp and mollusks, which travel in the current from other continents reaching Antarctica.

If this current slows and weakens, it is more likely that such species will head towards the fragile Antarctica, potentially serious effects on food webs, which could change the available diet of Antarctic penguins, for example.

The ACC is an important part of the marine conveyor belt around the world, moving water around the world and linking the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian seas. These are the main mechanisms of exchange of heat, carbon dioxide, chemicals and biology throughout these basins.

In their study, the authors used Gadi, the fastest supercomputer in Australia located on the Access National Research Infrastructure.

They discovered that transport of seawater from the surface to the deepest could also be slower in the future.

“If ice melting accelerates as predicted by other studies, slowdowns are predicted to be similar in low emission scenarios,” Dr. Sohail said.

“The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”

“Many scientists agree that we have already reached this 1.5 degree target, which could have an impact on the melting of Antarctic ice, making it even hotter.”

“Cooperative efforts to limit global warming (by reducing carbon emissions) will limit the melting of Antarctic ice and avoid the expected slowdown in ACC.”

This study reveals that the effects of ice melting and ocean warming on ACC are more complicated than previously thought.

“The melted ice sheets throw a large amount of fresh water from salt water into the salty sea.”

“This sudden change in ocean salinity has a series of results, including weakening of subsidence to the depths of surface seawater (called Antarctic bottom water), and based on this study, it includes weakening of the powerful marine jets surrounding Antarctica,” Dr. Gayen said.

study Published in the journal Environmental Survey Letter.

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Taimoor Sohail et al. 2025. Decreasing the polar current in the Antarctic due to polarization. environment. res. Rent 20, 034046; doi:10.1088/1748-9326/adb31c

Source: www.sci.news

New record low levels of world sea ice have been reached

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Arctic ocean sea ice

Shutterstock / Kevin Xu

According to satellite measurements from the European Union’s Climate Service Copernicus, there is less sea ice covering the ocean this February.

“One of the consequences of a warm world is to melt sea ice, and both Poles’ records or near-recorded low-sea ice covers have pushed the world’s sea ice cover to the lowest ever.” Samantha Burgess The European Middle Distance Centre is forecast in a statement. According to the service, global temperatures in February this year rose 1.59°C above the pre-industrial average, making it the third security in March on record.

These high temperatures have affected the global sea ice range, including both the Arctic and Antarctic, which is currently close to the largest in the year. Satellite records from both regions date back to 1979.

In the Arctic, sea ice was 8% below average throughout February, missing an area of nearly the size of the UK ice. This was the three consecutive months of successive months that set a low monthly new record in the Arctic.

This decline in the Northern Hemisphere is combined with the long-term decline in Antarctic sea ice seen over the past two years. Antarctic ice appeared to recover to near average levels last December, but then again fell rapidly. In February, the ice reached the fourth-lowest range on record for the month, 26% below the average.

Record low ice in both hemispheres is a “cause of serious concern,” he said. Robert Larter In a statement in the UK Antarctic Survey. He says that ice shortages could harm the polar ecosystems, expose ice shelves to more seawater, and accelerate melting and rising sea levels.

The lack of ice also affects beyond the poles. Less ice means less solar radiation is reflected in the universe, increasing warming. It can also weaken global ocean currents, relying on the dense salt water that is generated when sea ice forms.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Plans for Increased Surveillance by ICE Contractors During Trump’s Immigration Crackdown | Technology

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

GEO Group, the largest single private contractor for U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), has expanded its surveillance operations to monitor hundreds of thousands or potentially millions of migrants.

Geo Group, a private prison company and parent company of Bi Inc, has been working with ICE for nearly two decades to oversee the agency’s electronic surveillance program. Currently, they are tracking approximately 186,000 immigrants using various devices like ankle monitors, smartwatches, and facial recognition apps, as reported by Public Ice Data. With the increasing demand from the administration of Donald Trump, which has promised significant deportations, company executives anticipate that this number will surpass the previous peak of 370,000 to 450,000 immigrants within the next year. This statement was made during the company’s fourth-quarter revenue call on Thursday morning.

“About two years ago, ISAP contract utilization peaked at around 370,000,” mentioned George Zorry, executive chair of GEO Group, during a revenue call discussing the ICE and GEO contract. “If the contract exceeds its previous peak usage, achieving revenues of $250 million is possible.”

The company is ramping up the production of additional GPS units in preparation for expanded ICE contracts. Executives suggest they can monitor “hundreds of thousands” of individuals and are positioning themselves to monitor even more, potentially reaching into the millions. Zoley mentioned that GEO Group and its competitor, Core Civic, will engage in conversations with ICE to expand current contracts and electronic monitoring for detention facilities.

“It’s a dynamic situation, rapidly evolving,” he stated. “We’ve shifted from initial proposals to detailed pricing and operational discussions. The procurement process is moving at an unprecedented pace. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Established in 2004 as an alternative to detention, the company’s extensive electronic surveillance program has been entrusted to Bi Inc, a subsidiary of Geo Group. Many individuals wearing ankle monitors raised concerns about overheating, discomfort, or tightness. The company has introduced SmartLink, a Smart Watch location tracker, and a smartphone app as less intrusive monitoring methods. However, during the revenue call on Thursday, executives expressed a desire to return to relying primarily on ankle monitors.

“Our top priority is ankle monitors for high-security monitoring,” Zoley emphasized.

While the company has not received indication from ICE about reissuing a new agreement for their electronic monitoring program, the executive team is focusing on expanding the number of individuals tracked through existing programs. Geo Group plans to invest $16 million to increase federal ISAP use and build up Ankle Monitor inventory to cater to hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of participants.

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Company officials believe that under the Laken Riley Act, immigrants charged with violent crimes or thefts must be monitored “indefinitely” under the ISAP program due to the risk they pose. Executives intend to expand the surveillance program to monitor an estimated 7-8 million individuals with non-decisive immigration statuses who entered the US through unauthorized routes. They are also preparing to monitor an estimated 95-100 million people in the United States.

“Given our population size, we view this as an opportunity to enhance detention capacity… The Laken Riley Act mandates a significant increase in electronic monitoring services to combat human trafficking involving individuals with non-decisive immigration statuses and ensure compliance with immigration court requirements,” Zoley stated.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The best-preserved ice age animal ever found

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

There have been numerous ice age animals recovered from the world’s permafrost, ranging from woolly rhinos and wolves to urus, brown bears, and bison. Despite some being slightly damaged, they are often found in excellent condition.

One remarkable discovery was in 2017 when scientists excavated the remains of a small cave lion named Sparta from a frozen bank on the Siberian River. Although its golden fur was muddy and matted, its skin, soft tissue, and organs were all preserved. With closed eyes, it appeared more like a sleeping animal than one that had been dead for 28,000 years.

Another notable find was a two-month-old horse that died 35,000 years ago and was uncovered in Siberia in 2018. Though some fur was missing, the animal was largely intact, with hooves, skin, tail, and nostril hair preserved.

Various well-preserved woolly mammoths have also been discovered, some with grass in their mouths, milk in their bellies, and even dung on their bellies. While videos show people cutting into frozen mammoth carcasses and finding meat that looks fresh, the appearance can be deceiving.

Many animals found from the Ice Age are well preserved on the outside, but on the inside is a different story – Credit: Grafissimo

While these ice age animals and their tissues may appear well-preserved superficially, zooming in reveals a different story. The lack of antifreeze agents when freezing live cells causes ice crystals to form, leading to cell bursting.

Although tissues and organs may seem intact, the cells that form them are not. The damage to these cells has occurred over the thousands of years since the last ice age ended. While these ancient animals may seem well-preserved on a larger scale, they are damaged at a microscopic level.

The most well-preserved ice age beasts are likely those with intact cells, which died closer to the end of the last ice age and have been frozen since. One such candidate is a 9,000-year-old bison discovered in the Russian Far East in 2022, which may have cells viable for cloning attempts.

However, cloning attempts on ice age animals have so far been unsuccessful due to DNA deterioration after death. Despite the optimism, the chances of successful cloning are slim. For now, appreciating these mummified artifacts as they are offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past.

This article is the answer to the question (asked by Ben Schofield).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New research reveals the impact of global warming on the pace of the next ice age

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Glacier Age Earth

Zoonar/Alexander Savchuk/Alamy

Without human-induced climate change, the Earth could have been on track to enter another ice age within 11,000 years. This long-term prediction of the planet's “natural” climate is based on a new analysis of how orbital shapes and the tilt of their axis combine to change the amount of solar energy reaching Earth.

For millions of years, these orbital oscillations (known as the Milankovich cycle) entered and left the planet during the Ice Age about every 41,000 years. However, over the past 800,000 years, these ice ages, also known as ice age, have only occurred every 100,000 years. The term Ice Age, as it is currently, can be used to refer to whenever there is ice on Earth's poles, but generally refers to a wide range of ice Age periods.

The ambiguity of the record as the ice sheets were willingly retreated meant that it was not possible to explain how trajectory changes were involved in driving this long cycle.

If previous research attempted to link orbital changes to a specific period, such as onset of an ice age, Stephen Barker Cardiff University in England and his colleagues took a new tack. They came back fading during the “glacial age” where they saw the overall pattern of the ice age, also known as ice age. This allowed us to link changes in trajectories with changes in ice, despite the ambiguity of ice records over the past million years.

They discovered that these 100,000-year cycles appear to follow simple rules. For the last 900,000 years, following the most circular phase of the orbit, the planets also tilted towards the Sun, thus causing all interglacial periods after the Earth's axis wobbled at the farthest from the Sun.

This suggests that all three of these aspects of Earth's orbit (known as precession, oblique and eccentricity) are combined to create a 100,000-year glacial cycle, Barker says. “Since 900,000 years ago, this simple rule has predicted all of these major glacial end events, which says it's really very easy to predict,” he says.

Under that rule, the next ice age where you currently live is expected to begin approximately 66,000 years from the year, as there is no impact on greenhouse gas emissions. But that could only be started if there was an ice age before that,” says Barker.

The diagonal and gradual stages of precession that preceded the Holocene suggest that the glaciers are likely to be on track between 4300 and 11 and 100 years from now. We may now live in what would have been the beginning of this next ice age. “Of course, it's just a natural scenario,” says Barker.

More than 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been released into the atmosphere as the Industrial Revolution is expected to cause sufficient warming to disrupt this long-term glacial cycle.

“The amount we've already put into the atmosphere is so big that it takes hundreds to thousands of years to pull it out through natural processes,” Barker says. However, he says more research is needed to define the planet's future natural climate in a more detailed way.

It states that this is consistent with previous modeling suggesting that anthropogenic emissions can prevent the onset of the next ice age, from dozens to hundreds of thousands of years. Andrei Ganopolsky At the Potsdam Climate Impact Research Institute in Germany.

But he says even at pre-industrial levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, it was high enough to delay the ice sheet advancement by 50,000 years. This is due to the unusually small orbital changes expected in thousands of years and the unpredictable way that Earth responds to those changes.

topic:

Climate change/
global warming

Source: www.newscientist.com

48 million years ago, Palm fossils in subwestern Canada suggest a winter without ice

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tribal palm trees Trachycarpeae Fossilization analysis shows that it once flourished in Axiang Canada Phytris – Microscopic siliceous structures produced in specific tissues in many plant families – from the territory of the northwestern Canada.

Palm plant stones from the Eocene Giraffe Region (AQ) and modern plant stones extracted from Coryphoid Palm leaves Trachycarpus Fortunei. Image credit: Siver et al. , doi: 10.1093/aob/mcaf021.

“The palm is a monocot flowering plant of the Arecaceae family distributed primarily to tropical and subtropical regions around the world,” the University of Connecticut said. Professor Peter Siver And his colleague.

“It's a large family, with a particularly high variety of species, especially in Central and South America and Southeast Asia.”

“In general, the palms thrive in warm, wet conditions, so the majority of the species are found in rainforests.”

“There are significantly fewer species found in both Southern Europe and the southern regions of the United States, and families are completely lacking in more north latitudes.”

“In the southeastern US subtropical area, the palm is largely restricted to state coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico, and some inland along the Atlantic coast that stretches north along Florida. It's growing to Tennessee.”

“The majority of the palms are found in climates marked with both high average annual temperatures and high average annual rainfall, but several species can be found under cool, dry conditions.”

Professor Siver and co-authors discovered fossilized plant matter from a tree in Trachycarpeae in ancient lakebed sediments extracted from the area of the Giraffin Balite Pipe in Canada's northwest territory.

Four aquatic organisms, largely restricted to today's warm subtropical and tropical regions, were also found in the same sediments.

These 48 million years ago (early Eocene) fossils exhibit much warmer climates than previously thought, challenging the challenge of ice that first formed in the Northern Hemisphere.

“This discovery of palm fossils in the north provides clear evidence that the Arctic Circle was once iceless and has a climate similar to today's subtropical climate,” Professor Shiver said.

“These findings provide a window into past greenhouse conditions and help refine models to predict future climate change.”

In addition to confirming records of the northernmost palms during this period, the authors established that this evolutionary characteristic appeared in the early Eocene: linear arrays of plant matter in palm leaves., Fossilized Stegmata – Fossilized Stegmata were also recorded.

The presence of multiple warm, adaptive aquatic species further strengthens the support of this prehistoric Arctic region's lush, temperate ecosystem.

“Our research contributes to a broader understanding of the extent and timing of ice formation in the Earth's climate history, particularly during the Cenozoic era,” the researchers said.

“Restructuring these past environments will give scientists valuable insight into how ecosystems respond to long-term climate change.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal The Anniversary of Botany.

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Peter A. Shiver et al. Palmphytris in sub-Western Canada means ice-free winter in the late Eocene period 48 million years ago. The Anniversary of BotanyPublished online on February 10th, 2025. doi:10.1093/aob/mcaf021

Source: www.sci.news

Dark Algae Accelerates Greenland Ice Sheet Melting

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Greenland ice sheet algae absorb light and accelerate melting

Laura Halbach

Dark algae growing on the surface of the Arctic ice sheet are likely to expand future coverage, and tend to exacerbate melting, sea level rise and warming.

“These algae are not a new phenomenon.” James Bradley At the Institute of Oceanography in Marseille, France. “But if they bloom more intensely or the flowers bloom more widely, this is an important thing to consider in future projections of sea level rise.”

Greenland's ice sheets, which cover most of the island, are rapidly melting due to rising temperatures, making them the biggest contributor to sea level rise worldwide.

*ancylonema* Algae under a microscope

Natural Communication

ancylonema Algae species bloom in patches of ice called ablation zones, which are exposed as snow lines recede to the ice sheet every summer. Flowers darken the ice, reduce its reflectivity, absorbing more heat, thereby increasing melting in these regions by an estimated 10-13%.

To better understand this feedback loop, Bradley and his colleagues gathered ancylonema Samples from the southwest tip of the ice sheet were examined for cells using advanced imaging techniques.

The results reveal that algae are highly adapted to malnutritional conditions and suggest that they can invade ice at high elevations with low nutrients.

Global warming already causes snow lines to increase altitude over time, exposing more ice. Ice algae should add yet another layer to these interactions and explain it in future climate forecasts.

“We have been studying glacial algae flowers for several years, and one of the biggest questions that remains is that we can grow to such high numbers in such undernourished ice.” I say that. Christopher Williamson At the University of Bristol, UK, where he was not involved in the project. “A big part of understanding this puzzle is the amount of nutrients needed for glacial algae cells and whether it can efficiently take and store rare nutrients available in the system. This research is cutting edge. They do an amazing job of demonstrating these things using the methodology of

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Antarctic ice sheets may be more stable than previously thought

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Ronnes Ice Shelf in the Southwest Pole survived a long time ago

Modis/Zuma Wire/Shutterstock

The main ice shelves in Antarctica seem to have survived the hot period more than 120, 00 years ago. This indicates that the Westwest Pole ice sheet is not as vulnerable as it is thought to complete the complete collapse caused by climate change. You can raise the sea surface by one meter. However, great uncertainty remains.

“It's good news and bad news.” Eric Wolf At Cambridge University in the UK. “There was no worst scenario, but I can't say that it won't happen in the next century or the second century.”

The climate change caused by humans uncertains the future of the Ice bed in the Southwest Pole. If you continue to release high -level greenhouse gases, some models will completely disappear the ice sheet over the next few centuries. The most extreme scenarios projected by the inter -government panel on climate change in 2023 can lead to up to 2 meters up to the sea level by 2100.

Wolf and his colleagues looked at Ronne's ice shelves, a large part of the ice sheet that extends to the sea, to see how they behaved from 117, 00 to 126 to 00 years. Meanwhile, it was part of the last inter -glacier, and the change in the orbital of the earth increased the temperature of the Antarctica even higher than today.

In order to judge the range of Ronne's ice shelves during the warm period, researchers measured the concentration of the sea salt of the ice core about 650 km away from the end of the shelf. When the ice shelf melted between the last glacier, the edge was approaching the core. As a result, the researchers expected that the core was much closer to the ocean, so the core salt concentration would rise 8 times. “It would have been a seaside resort,” Wolf says.

Instead, they discover that the salt concentration between the last glacier is similar to today's concentration or even lower, indicating that the edge of the ice sheet remains far. Other measurements of the coat of water in the core, which maintain evidence of weather patterns affected by the change in the ice sheet, suggest that Ronne's ice shelves lasted during the last ice age.

Wolfff suggests that ice stability in the previous warm period is unlikely that climate change will be completely collapsed as the climate change increases the global temperature. However, he and other researchers say that the rise of the sea surface due to melting of ice is still a big risk.

“That means that there was no complete removal cation in the South Pole, but we do not provide enough information to relax.” Timothy Naish At Werrington Victoria University in New Zealand.

One is that the survival of Ronnes Ice Shelf does not mean that other ice areas such as Swaites and Pine Island have not melt. In fact, Wolf says the record of the core's water level suggests what they did. The ice score used by the researcher did not cover the warmth of the last ice age.

The dynamics of glacial warming between glaciers, which change in the region, are different from today's global warming, where the temperature is rising throughout the planet. For example, Wolf says that warm seawater that reaches Antarctica can accelerate melting by invading under ice.

“This is a really important observation, but I think it will take more time to understand what it means.” Andrea Duton At Wisconsin University Madison School. She emphasizes that researchers are spending 50 years and trying to think about what happened in the Westwest Pole in the last ice age.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient forests hidden beneath the Rocky Mountains emerge as ice melts.

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

exposed white bark pine

Gregory Pederson

Melting ice in the Rocky Mountains has led to the discovery of a 5,900-year-old white bark pine forest. Scientists discovered more than 30 trees during an archaeological survey on Wyoming's Beartooth Plateau at about 3,100 meters above sea level, 180 meters above the current tree line.

This, he says, “allows us to learn about past conditions at high altitudes.'' Kathy Whitlock at Montana State University. Japanese white pine (Albicari pine) These plants needed to grow during warmer weather, she says, because they don't currently grow at this elevation.

To understand the history of the lost forests, Whitlock's team analyzed tree rings and used carbon dating to find out how old the forests were. They discovered that the tree lived between 5,950 and 5,440 years ago, a time when temperatures were steadily dropping.

Data from ice cores in places like Antarctica and Greenland suggest that these temperature drops were influenced by centuries of volcanic eruptions in the Northern Hemisphere. These produced enough aerial deposits to block sunlight and lower global temperatures until the environment became too cold for these high-altitude trees to survive.

Although the newly discovered tree was lying flat, it was in exceptional condition, indicating that it was rapidly preserved after death. Although there is no evidence of avalanche cover, there are traces consistent with the current expansion of the ice sheet.

Climate models suggest that more continuous volcanic eruptions occurred in Iceland 5,100 years ago, causing further temperature drops, team members say Joe McConnell at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada. These temperature drops led to the expansion of the ice belt, and “the fallen trees were buried in the ice and protected from the elements for the next 5,000 years,” he says.

Only in recent decades have temperatures warmed enough to free trees from their ice cellars. The current tree line is “likely to shift upward as temperatures rise in the coming decades,” Whitlock said.

“This discovery was made possible thanks to anthropogenic climate change. Rising temperatures are exposing areas that have been buried under ice for thousands of years,” she says. “While discoveries like this are scientifically interesting, they are also a sad reminder of how vulnerable alpine ecosystems are to climate change.”

“This study is a very elegant and careful use of a rare 'time capsule' that tells us not only about these mountain forests 6,000 years ago, but also about the climatic conditions that allowed them to exist.” '' he says. Kevin Antukaitis at the University of Arizona.

These trees are not the first such finds that researchers have unearthed from Rocky Mountain ice. Previous research had found “fragments of wooden shafts used for arrows and darts,” Whitlock said. One of the shafts has been radiocarbon dated to be more than 10,000 years old, “which tells us that people have been hunting in high-altitude environments for thousands of years,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Mars’ polar regions covered in white due to carbon dioxide ice

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Planetary scientists using ESA's Mars Express spacecraft's high-resolution stereo camera have captured stunning images of Earth's mysterious landscapes. Australe Scopri Region in the southern hemisphere of the red planet.

Frozen landscape of the Australe Skopli region on Mars' south pole. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

“Here, a layer of carbon dioxide ice and dust envelops the site, turning Mars white,” ESA researchers said in a statement.

“The contrasting light and dark layers are especially striking on the exposed surfaces of hills and valleys.”

“They track the seasonal polar layered deposits characteristic of the region, which form when layers of ice freeze and trap varying amounts of dust within them. It is something that will be done.”

“It's probably better to take a sled ride, but either way, dress warmly, because it's -125 degrees Celsius (-193 Fahrenheit) outside so it's cold,” they added.

“Skiers and sledders on Mars will have to slalom around potentially hundreds of dust jets.”

“That's because ski season is almost over and it's starting to look like spring, or even summer. This image was taken on June 16, 2022, near the Antarctic summer solstice.”

If you zoom in on the image above, you can see numerous dark spots where the ice has already sublimated. This is a sure sign that the sun's warming rays have been hitting the area for some time.

“When sunlight hits the translucent upper layer of carbon dioxide ice, it warms the underlying surface,” the scientists explained.

“The ice at the bottom of the layer begins to sublimate, forming pockets of trapped gas.”

“As the pressure increases, the overlying ice suddenly cracks, causing gas to burst out from the surface.”

“These gas fountains carry black dust from below, which falls to the surface in a fan-shaped pattern depending on the prevailing wind direction.”

“Fan lengths range from tens of meters to hundreds of meters.”

“If you look more closely, it often appears that the fans follow the boundaries between polar layered deposits.”

“Perhaps these boundaries represent zones of weakness, from which escaping dust-laden jets can more easily break through the ice layer.”

“We may have missed the chance to create 'Frosty the Snowman,' but it's still a wonderful time of year on Mars.”

Source: www.sci.news

Arctic Faces High Temperatures, Melting Ice, and Fires in 2024 According to NOAA Report

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

overview

This year was the second hottest year on record in the Arctic, according to a new report from NOAA.
The authors said the tundra has become a carbon source rather than a carbon sink.
The North Pole is heating much faster than lower altitude locations because melting ice reflects less radiation back into space.

The Arctic just experienced its second warmest year on record. And worryingly, the region's tundra is transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon emitter as permafrost thaws and methane is released.

This would only increase the amount of heat-trapping gas entering the atmosphere, paving the way for further global warming.

The findings, shared Tuesday in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Arctic Report Card, show how climate change is disrupting ecosystems and altering the landscape in regions where global warming is most intense.

The Arctic, considered a leading region for the effects of climate change, is heating much faster than lower-altitude locations, depending on the baseline scientists use for comparisons and which geographies they include in their assessments. But that speed is 2-4 times faster. Each of the last nine years in the Arctic has been the hottest on record since 1900.

This dynamic is the result of a phenomenon called arctic amplification. As snow cover and sea ice are lost in the Arctic, more dark-colored water and rocks are revealed. Their dark surfaces reflect less radiation back into space, instead absorbing heat. In addition, ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns increasingly transport heat toward the Earth's poles.

Taken together, that means the Arctic is a fundamentally different place than it was just a decade ago. Twila Moon said.

“The Arctic is in a kind of new regime, not a new normal, of course, but it's definitely different than it was just a few decades ago,” she says.

Overall, the Arctic is becoming a greener landscape with more extreme precipitation, less snow and ice, the report said. As fires in the Arctic send smoke into populated areas, ice melts and sea levels rise, the effects of those changes are becoming increasingly apparent closer to American homes, scientists said.

“These problems aren't just limited to the Arctic; they affect all of us,” says Brendan Rogers, an associate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. .

This year's report includes a detailed explanation of how the carbon cycle in the Arctic is changing. Scientists have been closely watching what happens when permafrost thaws, releasing powerful greenhouse gases as it thaws and decomposes.

“Permafrost regions contain about twice as much carbon as is currently present in the atmosphere, and about three times as much carbon as is contained in the above-ground biomass of forests around the world. There's a lot of carbon out there,” Rogers said.

He added that permafrost areas “have been carbon sinks for thousands of years on average, primarily due to low temperatures and frozen soil.” Carbon sinks, by definition, absorb and capture more carbon dioxide than they emit. But now such areas are instead sources of greenhouse gas emissions, as they dissolve carbon and methane and release it into the atmosphere, Rogers said.

Wildfires also contribute to Arctic emissions. Last year's wildfires burned more than twice as much area in the region as the year before, and produced more emissions than Canada's economic activity.

Rogers said Canada's total wildfire emissions are “roughly three times the emissions from all other sectors in Canada.” “This is more than the annual emissions of any other country except China, the United States, India and Russia.”

Last year's wildfires forced the evacuation of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories. About 19,000 people had to evacuate the cityin Areas with discontinuous permafrost.

Temperature records are organized by Arctic water year, so the most recent records are from October 2023 to September 2024. Every September, scientists measure the extent of Arctic sea ice at its seasonal minimum.

This year's sea ice was the sixth lowest in the 45 years since satellite measurements began. Sea ice extent has decreased by about 50% since the 1980s. Meanwhile, the Arctic tundra is the second greenest since records began in 2000, indicating more shrubs have taken root and spread into new terrain.

Measurements of Arctic permafrost taken from boreholes drilled beneath the earth's surface show that average temperatures were warmer than in all but one year.

“There are many indicators that consistently show extreme or near-extreme conditions,” Moon said.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Researchers suggest that microbial life on Mars could be supported by melted water beneath the ice

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

On Earth, solar radiation can travel up to several meters into the ice, depending on its optical properties. Organisms in the ice can harness the energy from photosynthetically active radiation while being protected from harmful ultraviolet radiation. On Mars, there is no effective ozone shield, so about 30% more harmful ultraviolet radiation reaches the surface compared to Earth. However, a new study shows that despite strong surface UV radiation, mid-latitude ice on Mars contains 0.01-0.1% dust, ranging from a few centimeters deep to several centimeters deep. It has been shown that a radioactive habitable zone exists with a range of up to 3000 m. Cleaner ice.

The white edges along these canyons on Mars' Terra Sirenum are thought to be dusty water ice. cooler others. It is thought that melt water could form beneath the surface of this type of ice, providing a potential site for photosynthesis. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona.

“Today, if we are trying to find life anywhere in the universe, the icy outcrops on Mars are probably one of the most accessible places we should look,” said a researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. said Dr. Aditya Kuler.

Mars has two types of ice: frozen water and frozen carbon dioxide.

Dr. Cooler and his colleagues investigated water ice. The ice masses were formed from snow mixed with dust that fell on Mars during a series of ice ages over the past million years.

That ancient snow has since solidified into ice and is still dusted with dust.

Dust particles can block light in deeper layers of ice, but they are the key to explaining how underground pools of water form within the ice when exposed to the sun.

The black dust absorbs more sunlight than the surrounding ice, causing the ice to warm and potentially melt several feet below the surface.

Mars scientists are divided on whether ice actually melts when exposed to the Martian surface.

It's thought to be caused by the planet's thin, dry atmosphere, where water ice sublimates and turns directly into gas, similar to dry ice on Earth.

But the atmospheric effects that make melting difficult on Mars' surface don't apply beneath the surface of dusty snowpack and glaciers.

On Earth, dust in ice can create what are called cryoconite holes. This is a small cavity that forms in the ice when windblown dust particles (called cryoconite) land there, absorb sunlight, and melt deep into the ice each summer. is.

Eventually, these dust particles stop sinking as they move away from the sun's rays, but they still generate enough heat to create pockets of melted water around them.

This pocket can foster a thriving ecosystem of simple organisms.

“This is a common phenomenon on Earth,” says Arizona State University researcher Phil Christensen.

“Rather than melting from the top down, thick snow and ice melts from the inside out, letting in sunlight that warms it like a greenhouse.”

In 2021, the authors discovered powdery water ice exposed inside canyons on Mars and proposed that many canyons on Mars are formed by erosion as ice melts into liquid water.

Their new paper suggests that powdery ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as 3 meters (9 feet) below the surface.

In this scenario, the upper layer of ice prevents shallow underground pools of water from evaporating, while also protecting them from harmful radiation.

This is important because, unlike Earth, Mars does not have a protective magnetic field to protect it from both the Sun and radioactive cosmic ray particles flying through space.

“Water ice most likely to form underground pools would exist in tropical regions of Mars between 30 and 60 degrees latitude, in both the northern and southern hemispheres,” the researchers said.

of paper appear in the diary Communication Earth and Environment.

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AR cruller others. 2024. Possibility of photosynthesis on Mars in snow and ice. common global environment 5,583;doi: 10.1038/s43247-024-01730-y

This article is a version of a press release provided by NASA.

Source: www.sci.news

The abundance of ice deposits on the Moon is greater than initially believed

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Previous studies have found signs of ice in permanently shadowed regions near the moon’s south pole, including areas within the Cabeus, Howarth, Shoemaker, and Faustini craters. A new analysis of data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) shows there is widespread evidence of water ice outside Antarctica, at least within a permanently shadowed region toward 77 degrees south latitude. Ta.

This figure shows the distribution of permanently shadowed regions (blue) toward the moon’s poles at 80 degrees south latitude. They are overlaid on a digital elevation map of the lunar surface (gray) from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter Instrument aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Image credit: NASA / GSFC / Timothy P. McClanahan.

Ice may have been embedded in the lunar regolith by comet or meteor impacts, emitted as steam (gas) from the moon’s interior, or formed by chemical reactions between hydrogen in the solar wind and oxygen in the regolith. there is.

Permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) typically occur in topographic depressions near the moon’s poles.

Due to the low angle of the sun, these regions have not seen sunlight for billions of years and are constantly in extremely cold conditions.

Ice molecules are thought to be repeatedly stripped from the regolith by meteorites, cosmic radiation, or sunlight, traveling across the lunar surface and landing on the PSR, where they become trapped in the extreme cold.

The PSR’s continuously cold surface could store ice molecules near the surface for perhaps billions of years, accumulating in sediments large enough for mining.

“Our models and analysis show that the largest ice concentrations are near the coldest parts of the PSR below 75 Kelvin (minus 198 degrees Celsius, or minus 325 degrees Fahrenheit) and on poleward-facing slopes of the PSR. It is expected to occur near the base of the Dr. Timothy McClanahan, researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

“It is not possible to accurately measure the volume of ice deposits in the PSR or determine whether they are buried beneath a dry layer of regolith.”

“However, we expect it to be 1 m for each surface.² If present above these deposits, there should be at least about 5 liters of ice within the top meter of the surface compared to the surrounding area. ”

McClanahan and his colleagues used LRO’s Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) instrument to detect signs of ice deposits by measuring moderately energetic “exothermal” neutrons.

Specifically, they used LEND’s Collimating Sensor for Exothermal Neutrons (CSETN), which has a fixed field of view of 30 km (18.6 miles) in diameter.

Neutrons are produced by high-energy galactic cosmic rays that come from powerful deep space events, such as exploding stars, and impact the moon’s surface, destroying regolith atoms and scattering subatomic particles called neutrons.

Neutrons originate from depths of up to about 1 meter (3.3 feet) and ping-pong through the regolith, colliding with other atoms. Some are guided into space and detected by LEND.

Since hydrogen has approximately the same mass as a neutron, neutrons lose relatively more energy in collisions with hydrogen than in collisions with the most common regolith elements.

Therefore, if hydrogen is present in the regolith, its concentration will correspondingly reduce the number of medium-energy neutrons observed.

“We hypothesized that if all PSRs had the same hydrogen concentration, CSETN should detect hydrogen concentrations proportionally depending on their area,” Dr. McClanahan said.

“Therefore, more hydrogen should be observed towards the larger area of the PSR.”

of findings this week, Planetary Science Journal.

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TP McClanahan others. 2024. Evidence of widespread hydrogen sequestration within the lunar south pole cold trap. planet. Science. J 5, 217; doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ad5b55

This article has been adapted from the original release by NASA.

Source: www.sci.news

The impact of the melting Greenland Ice Sheet on ocean currents

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Climate change affects our planet and our lives in many ways. Dry the atmosphere To Increase in home runs Climate change accelerates glacial melt with each Major League Baseball season. Greenland Ice Sheet The land ice mass that covers about 80% of Greenland. When glaciers melt, icebergs form, a process called “iceberg formation.” Glacier collapse Recent climate change has increased the rate at which icebergs are flowing from the Greenland Ice Sheet into the North Atlantic.

Scientists have found that in the past, large increases in the rate of glacial collapse have disrupted important ocean current systems in the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Meridional Gyre Or as the AMOC, it carries warm water north and cold water south, affecting global temperatures and moving nutrients across the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that disrupting the AMOC could change the climate and destabilize marine ecosystems. Recently, scientists conducted a study to determine whether the current increase in glacier collapse could disrupt the AMOC.

For this study, the researchers developed a method to quantify glacial runoff during past periods of increased glacial collapse in the North Atlantic that disrupted the AMOC. Heinrich Event They began by looking at present-day glaciers in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. As icebergs break up, they deposit sediment. This sediment includes sand and rocks from the land below the ice sheet, as well as the remains of organisms that lived on the ice sheet. When the icebergs melt at sea, the sediment is released and sinks to the ocean floor.

Scientists observed modern glaciers melting and measured the average amount of sediment, by volume, that they released. Using this average, the researchers estimated how much ice was released during past Heinrich events, based on the amount of sediment that was deposited on the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Scientists used this method to estimate the total amount of ice lost during 10 Heinrich events (the last of which) that occurred over the past 140,000 years. Glacial Cycle Previous scientists had determined the duration of Heinrich events, which allowed the researchers to estimate the ice runoff rate during each event. The researchers compared their estimated runoff rates to current ice runoff rates and found that current ice runoff rates are similar to those of previous mid-sized Heinrich events that disrupted the AMOC. However, the scientists who conducted the study also noted that the AMOC is currently stable.

The researchers suggested two factors that could help explain why the current increase in glacial collapse is not disrupting the AMOC as much as it has in the past. First, the researchers think that the AMOC was stronger when the current glacial runoff rate began to increase than it was at the start of past Heinrich events, which may make the current AMOC more resistant to disruptions. Second, each of the 10 Heinrich events the scientists used in their study lasted about 250 years, while the faster glacial collapse seen today may have been due to a slowdown in the early Heinrich events. It began in recent decades They suggested that AMOC collapse could only occur after a longer period of increased glacier calving than has happened previously.

If the rate of glacial calving continues to increase by the time the AMOC collapses, the size of the Greenland Ice Sheet may limit its influence on the AMOC. The researchers noted that if the Greenland Ice Sheet continues to melt at its current rate, the rate of calving will slow before 250 years have passed. The icebergs that caused the Heinrich events in the last glacial cycle broke off from a much larger ice sheet. Laurentide Ice Sheet It no longer exists.

The scientists who conducted the study said that freshwater runoff from the melting Greenland Ice Sheet could also disrupt the AMOC, but its impact would be less severe than ice runoff. However, they noted that freshwater runoff is likely to increase as glacial collapse slows in the coming decades, which could have unpredictable consequences. The researchers suggested that the scientific community should continue their work to model the impacts of a melting Greenland Ice Sheet as accurately as possible, because, in their words, “the fate of the AMOC remains uncertain.”

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Source: sciworthy.com

The melting Antarctic ice may decelerate the rise in sea levels

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Weddell Sea ice shelf in Antarctica

Sergio Pitamitz/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Uplifting the land beneath the Antarctic ice sheet could help slow ice loss and limit sea level rise over the coming centuries, but if emissions continue to rise, it could cause more sea levels to rise than the ice melt alone.

The findings come from models that simulate Earth’s mantle, the layer beneath the crust, in greater detail than ever before. When Antarctica loses its weight as ice melts, the elastic mantle beneath it bounces back, causing the land above it to rise. When ice melts and the continents lose their weight, Earth’s elastic mantle bounces back, causing the land above it to rise. The bounced back land can slow the flow of ice sheets where they meet the ocean. This “sea-level feedback” occurs primarily because the uplifted land changes the shape of the ocean floor, limiting the thickness of the ice sheet’s edges. Thinner ice there reduces the overall inflow of ice into the ocean.

Researchers have long suspected that this effect plays a role in slowing ice loss, but it was unclear when this effect begins or how it varies in different parts of the ice sheet.

Natalia Gomez Gomes and his colleagues at McGill University in Canada modeled the relationship between the melting ice and the rebounding land, and also simulated the mantle, capturing the different viscosities beneath the continents: East Antarctica sits on a more viscous mantle and thicker crust, while West Antarctica’s rapidly melting glaciers sit on a less viscous mantle and thinner crust. This more detailed picture of Earth’s interior is based on precise measurements of ice sheet elevation changes over decades, as well as data about the mantle beneath Antarctica from seismic waves generated by earthquakes. “This is hard-earned,” Gomes says.

The researchers found that under a very low emissions scenario, compared to a model that considered the ground beneath the ice solid, land uplift would reduce Antarctica’s contribution to global mean sea level rise by more than 50 centimeters by 2500. This effect was less pronounced under a moderate emissions scenario, but still led to a large reduction in sea level rise, with effects starting to be felt as early as 2100.

But in a very high emissions scenario, the team found that land uplift in Antarctica would raise sea levels by an additional 0.8 meters by 2500. This happened because the ice sheet retreated faster than land uplift, and the rising sea floor pushed more water into the rest of the ocean.

“From a modeling perspective, this is a huge step forward.” Alexander Bradley The British Antarctic Survey’s Bradley says it’s always been thought that land uplift would limit sea-level rise, but this high-resolution modeling shows that the effect depends on emissions. “The changes that occur in the 21st and 22nd centuries will depend very much on what we do now,” he says.

Alexander Lovell Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta call it a “very good simulation,” but the scenario in which land uplift drives sea level rise is based on worst-case assumptions about emissions and the rate at which ice sheets are retreating.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Research suggests that biological amino acids could potentially endure in the near-surface ice of Europa and Enceladus

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Europa and Enceladus are important targets for the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life in the solar system. However, the surfaces and shallow subsurfaces of these airless icy moons are constantly exposed to ionizing radiation that can degrade chemical biosignatures. Therefore, sampling the icy surfaces in future life-searching missions to Europa and Enceladus requires a clear understanding of the required ice depths where intact organic biomolecules may exist. A team of scientists from NASA and Pennsylvania State University conducted experiments exposing individual biological and abiotic amino acids in the ice to gamma radiation to simulate conditions on these icy worlds.

Europa's surface stands out in this newly reprocessed color image. The image scale is 1.6 km per pixel. Europa's north side is on the right. Image courtesy of NASA / JPL-Caltech / SETI Institute.

“Based on our experiments, a 'safe' sampling depth for amino acids on Europa is about 20 centimetres (8 inches) at high latitudes in the trailing hemisphere (the hemisphere opposite the direction Europa moves around Jupiter), in an area where the surface has not been significantly disturbed by meteorite impacts,” said Dr. Alexander Pavlov, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Detecting amino acids on Enceladus does not require subsurface sampling; these molecules survive radiolysis (breakdown by radiation) anywhere on Enceladus' surface, within a few millimeters (tenths of an inch) of the surface.”

Dr. Pavlov and his colleagues used amino acids in their radiolysis experiments as representative examples of biomolecules on icy moons.

Amino acids are produced by both living organisms and non-living processes.

But if certain types of amino acids were found on Europa or Enceladus, they could be a sign of life, as they may be used by life on Earth as building blocks of proteins.

Proteins are essential for life because they are used to create structures and to produce enzymes that speed up or control chemical reactions.

Amino acids and other compounds found underground in the ocean could be transported to the surface by geyser activity or the slow churning motion of the ice shell.

To assess the survival of amino acids on these planets, the researchers mixed amino acid samples with ice cooled to minus 196 degrees Celsius (minus 321 degrees Fahrenheit) in sealed, airless vials and exposed them to various doses of gamma rays (a type of high-energy light).

Because the ocean may harbor microorganisms, the researchers also tested the viability of amino acids contained in dead bacteria in the ice.

Finally, the researchers tested samples of amino acids in the ice mixed with silicate dust to see if meteorites or interior materials could be mixing with the surface ice.

This experiment provided vital data for determining the rate at which amino acids break down (called the radiolysis constant).

Using these, the scientists used the age and radiation environment of the icy surfaces of Europa and Enceladus to calculate drilling depths and where 10% of amino acids would survive radiolysis.

While experiments have been done before to test for the survival of amino acids in ice, this is the first to use low doses of radiation that don't completely break down the amino acids – changing or breaking them down would be insufficient to determine whether they were a sign of life.

This is also the first experiment to use Europa/Enceladus conditions to assess the survival of these compounds in microbes, and the first to test the survival of amino acids mixed with dust.

Scientists have found that amino acids break down faster when mixed with dust, but more slowly when they come from microorganisms.

“The slow rate of breakdown of amino acids in biological samples under surface conditions like those on Europa and Enceladus strengthens the case for future life detection measurements from lander missions to Europa and Enceladus,” Dr Pavlov said.

“Our results indicate that the decomposition rates of potential organic biomolecules are higher in the silica-rich regions of both Europa and Enceladus than in pure ice. Future missions to Europa and Enceladus should therefore be careful when sampling the silica-rich regions of these icy moons.”

“A possible explanation for why amino acids survive longer in bacteria is the way that ionizing radiation alters molecules, either directly by breaking chemical bonds or indirectly by creating nearby reactive compounds that alter or break down the target molecule.”

“It's possible that the bacterial cellular material protected the amino acids from reactive compounds produced by the radiation.”

Team paper Published in the journal Astrobiology.

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Alexander A. Pavlov others2024. Effects of radiolysis on biological and abiotic amino acids in shallow subsurface ice on Europa and Enceladus. Astrobiology 24(7); doi: 10.1089/ast.2023.0120

This article has been edited based on the original NASA release.

Source: www.sci.news

Melting Ice Causing Earth’s Rotation to Slow and Axis to Shift, Research Finds

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study reveals that climate change is fundamentally reshaping the Earth, impacting its core. The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to global warming is causing a redistribution of water towards the equator, resulting in a shift in the Earth’s rotation and leading to increased daylight hours. This phenomenon is supported by new evidence suggesting that changes in the Earth’s ice could potentially affect its axis. These alterations create feedback loops within the Earth’s molten core, as highlighted in studies published in Nature Geoscience and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

According to Benedict Soja, an assistant professor at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, human activities are significantly influencing the Earth’s rotation. Changes in the planet’s shape and mass distribution, influenced historically by forces like the moon’s gravitational pull and rebounding of crust after ice age glaciers disappeared, are now being accelerated by rapid ice melting caused by climate change. Soja warns that continued carbon emissions could make ice loss a more significant factor in Earth’s rotation than the moon.

In addition to external factors like gravity and ice loss, fluid movements in the Earth’s core also play a role in affecting the planet’s rotation. These movements can speed up or slow down the Earth’s rotation and are currently compensating for the slowdown caused by climate change. The new study suggests that climate change is leading to small variations in polar motion due to changes in mass distribution, estimated to be about one meter per decade.

An iceberg in Antarctica on February 8th.
Şebnem Coşkun / Anadolu via Getty Images File

These changes in rotation are expected to have implications for space missions, navigation, and timekeeping. Understanding how Earth’s rotation and axis are affected by climate change will be crucial for accurate space exploration and maintaining global time standards. The research emphasizes the interconnectedness of surface processes with the Earth’s core, shedding light on the complex relationship between human activities and the planet’s inner workings.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The melting sea ice in the Canadian Arctic is now a hindrance, not a help, to shipping.

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Broken sea ice in Lancaster Sound, part of the Northwest Passage

Allison Cook

Shipping companies had hoped that melting sea ice would open up shorter shipping routes through the Canadian Arctic, but thicker ice moving in from further north may dash those hopes.

“North [of the Northwest Passage] “No new routes are expected to open anytime soon.” Allison Cook At the Scottish Association for Marine Science.

For over a century, sailors have navigated the icy waters of the Canadian Arctic along the Northwest Passage, a dangerous but efficient sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. As climate change melts the sea ice, the southern part of the passage is less dangerous, and since 1990, voyages through the Northwest Passage have quadrupled.

The North Strait is expected to be an even shorter route, but it is ice-bound for longer periods than the South Strait, and so fewer ships use it. But because the entire route was almost ice-free in the summer of 2007, and the climate has continued to warm since then, many believe the North Strait route will soon become regularly navigable. This possibility has spurred ideas of a boom in Northern Sea Routes.

Cook and his colleagues assessed whether this vision was working using ice charts provided by the Canadian government to ship captains between 2007 and 2021. For each leg of the Northwest Passage, they calculated the number of weeks per year when ice was light enough for moderately ice-hardened ships to navigate safely.

Map showing the route of the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic Islands

Allison Cook

The detailed images of the ice reveal that rather than the passage opening, the safe passage window shortened at several “choke points” along the route, particularly along the northern route. For example, the passage window in the eastern Beaufort Sea shortened from 27 weeks to 13 weeks. The passage window in McClure Strait shortened from 6.5 weeks per year to just two weeks. In other areas, passage windows increased by a few weeks or remained unchanged, but the passage window that determines the overall passage window is determined by the shortest passage window, Cook said.

Researchers believe the shortened season is primarily due to an increase in thicker sea ice flowing in from an area known as the “last ice field” north of Greenland, which is expected to become the last remaining bastion of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean as the climate warms. “Climate change is making the sea ice a little less intense and a little more mobile,” Cook says.

The findings are consistent with expectations that ice will remain in the Canadian Arctic the longest, he said. Amanda Lynch The bigger geopolitical and economic question now is how the melting ice will affect shipping on the Russian side of the Arctic, said Robert G. Schneider, a researcher at Brown University in Rhode Island who was not involved in the study.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Hot water leaking beneath Antarctic ice sheet may quicken melting

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Aerial photo of the Antarctic ice sheet

David Vaughn/BAS

Antarctica’s melting ice sheet could retreat faster as warmer ocean water invades underneath it, and rising ocean temperatures could trigger a “runaway” feedback effect that pushes warm water further inland, melting even more ice and accelerating sea-level rise.

As the climate warms, the future of Antarctica’s vast ice sheet remains uncertain, and predictions vary widely about how quickly it will melt and therefore how much it will contribute to sea-level rise. One dynamic that researchers have only recently begun to recognize as a key factor is the intrusion of warmer ocean water beneath the ice.

“The mechanisms of invasion are much more powerful than we previously understood.” Alexander Bradley At the British Antarctic Survey.

Such intrusions are driven by density differences between the freshwater flowing out from beneath the ice sheet and the warmer waters where the ice meets the sea floor, known as the grounding line. They are difficult to observe directly because they occur hundreds of meters beneath the ice, but simulations suggest that in some places the warm waters could extend several kilometers inland.

One model by Alexander Lovell Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta found that widespread ice-sheet intrusion could add heat from below, lubricating ice flow along bedrock and more than doubling ice loss from the ice sheet.

Bradley and his colleagues Ian Hewitt Using their model, Oxford researchers explained how the shape of cavities in the ice changes as the ice melts, altering how ocean water flows in.

The researchers found that once ocean water reaches a certain temperature threshold, ice from the ice sheet melts faster than it can be replaced by outflowing ice. If this cavity grows larger, more water could flow under the ice sheet and penetrate further inland, creating a so-called “runaway” positive feedback effect.

“Small changes in ocean temperature lead to dramatic changes in how far warm water can intrude,” Bradley said. The ocean warming needed to cause this effect is within the range expected this century, he said, but models cannot yet predict it for specific ice sheets, and not all ice sheets are equally susceptible to such intrusions.

“This positive feedback could lead to much more intrusion than we thought,” Lovell says. “Whether that’s a tipping point that leads to unrestrained intrusion of ocean water beneath the ice sheet is probably a stretch.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Water ice deposits found on tropical Mars volcanoes

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using high-resolution color images from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Trace Gases Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express missions, planetary researchers have found evidence of morning frost deposits in the calderas of the Tharsis volcanoes on Mars (Olympus Mons, Arsia Mons, Ascleius Mons and Ceraunius Turus).

This image, taken with the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, shows Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano not only on Mars but in the entire Solar System. Image credit: ESA / DLR / Free University Berlin.

The Tharsis region of Mars contains numerous volcanoes, including Olympus Mons and the Tharsis Mountains (Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons).

Many of these volcanoes are enormous, towering above the surrounding plains at heights between one (Mont Pavonis) and three times (Mont Olympus) higher than Earth’s Mount Everest.

At the summit of these volcanoes are large cavities called calderas, which were formed when magma chambers were emptied during past eruptions.

“We thought it would be impossible for frost to form near the equator on Mars because of the relatively high temperatures both on the surface and on mountain tops, caused by a combination of sunlight and a thin atmosphere. On Earth, we would expect frost to form on mountain tops, but that would not be the case near the equator on Mars,” said Dr. Adomas Valantinas, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University.

“Its presence here is intriguing and suggests that there are exceptional processes at work that allow frost to form.”

The frost patches appear for a few hours before and after sunrise, then evaporate in the sunlight.

Although it is thin, perhaps only one-hundredth of a millimeter thick (about the thickness of a human hair), it covers a vast area.

The amount of frost is equivalent to about 150,000 tonnes of water that moves between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere every day during the cold season, which is roughly the equivalent of filling about 60 Olympic swimming pools.

The researchers propose that air circulates in a special way above Tharsis, creating a unique microclimate within the volcano’s caldera there and allowing the frost patches to form.

“Winds move up the mountain slopes, carrying relatively moist air from close to the surface to higher altitudes, where it condenses and falls as frost,” said Dr Nicolas Thomas from the University of Bern, principal investigator of TGO’s Colour Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS).

“We actually see this happening on Earth and other parts of Mars, where the same phenomenon causes the seasonal elongated clouds on Mars’ Arsia Mons.”

“The frost we see on the summits of Martian volcanoes appears to have accumulated in the shadowed parts of the calderas, where temperatures are particularly cool.”

Scientists have found frost on the Tharsis volcanoes of Olympus, Arsia, Mount Ascraeus and Ceraunius Turus.

By modeling how these frosts form, scientists could potentially unlock more of Mars’ mysteries, like where any remaining water on Mars resides, how it moves between reservoirs, and even understanding the dynamics of the planet’s complex atmosphere.

This knowledge is essential for future exploration of Mars and the search for signs of extraterrestrial life.

“The discovery of water on the surface of Mars is always an exciting prospect, both for scientific interest and for its implications for human and robotic exploration,” said Dr Colin Wilson, ESA’s project scientist for both ExoMars TGO and Mars Express.

“Even so, this discovery is particularly intriguing because Mars’ low atmospheric pressure creates the unusual situation where Martian mountaintops are typically less cold than the plains. But moist air blowing up the mountain slopes can still condense into frost, a phenomenon that is clearly similar to Earth.”

“This discovery was made possible thanks to successful collaboration between ESA’s two Mars rovers, as well as additional modelling.”

“Understanding exactly which phenomena are the same and which are different on Earth and Mars will really test and improve our understanding of the fundamental processes occurring not only on our home planet but elsewhere in the universe.”

of Investigation result Published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

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A. Valantinus othersEvidence for episodic morning frost accumulation at the Tharsis volcano, Mars. National GeographyPublished online June 10, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01457-7

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists find colossal virus in Greenland ice samples

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Giant viruses were first discovered in the ocean in 1981, when researchers discovered them. These viruses were specialized to infect green algae in the sea. Giant viruses were later found in soil on land and even in humans. However, this is the first time that giant viruses have been found living on the surface of ice or snow, where snow algae dominate. In Greenland, these viruses probably control the growth of snow algae by infecting them on the ice.

Giant virus species Pandoravirus Salinus Image courtesy of IGS CNRS-AMU.

“Every spring in the Arctic, the sun rises after months of darkness and life returns,” said Aarhus University researcher Laura Perini and her colleagues.

“Polar bears emerge from their winter dens, arctic terns return from their long journey south, and musk oxen trek north.”

“But animals aren’t the only life awakened by the spring sun. Algae that were dormant on the ice begin to flourish in the spring, turning large areas of the ice black.”

“As the ice darkens, it loses its ability to reflect sunlight, which accelerates its melting. More melting exacerbates global warming.”

“But we may have found a way to control the growth of snow algae, and in the long term, we may be able to reduce some of the ice melt.”

In the new study, the authors found signatures of giant viruses in snow and ice samples from the Greenland Ice Sheet.

The researchers believe that these viruses feed on snow algae and may act as a natural control mechanism against algal blooms.

“Although we still do not know much about viruses, we suspect they may be useful as a means to mitigate ice melt caused by algal blooms,” the researchers said.

“We don’t yet know how specific it will be and how efficient it will be, but we’re hopeful that further investigation will help answer some of those questions.”

“We analyzed samples of black ice, red snow, and melted pits (cryoconite),” they explained.

“We found traces of an active giant virus in both the dark ice and the red snow.”

“And this is the first time they’ve been found on ice or snow surfaces that are rich in pigmented microalgae.”

“The ecosystem surrounding the algae includes bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, as well as protozoans that eat the algae, various fungi that parasitize the algae, and giant viruses that infect the algae.”

“These last three groups need to be studied to understand the biological controls that act on algal blooms.”

“We can’t pinpoint which hosts the giant viruses will infect. Some of the viruses may infect protists, others may attack snow algae. We don’t know for sure yet,” Dr Perini said.

“We are continuing our research to learn more about giant virus interactions and their role in the ecosystem.”

Team paper Published in the journal Microbiome.

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L. Perini other2024. Traces of a giant virus are found on the Greenland ice sheet. Microbiome 12, 91; doi: 10.1186/s40168-024-01796-y

Source: www.sci.news

New studies indicate Arrokoth and other Kuiper belt objects are made of untouched ice

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A pair of planetary scientists from Brown University and the SETI Institute have uncovered ancient ice deep within Arrokoth, the Kuiper Belt object (486958) that was the focus of a flyby by NASA’s New Horizons mission on January 1, 2019. They suggest that billions of years ago when the object first formed, there was a chance that ancient ice formed by comets could be present. By developing a new model to study comet evolution, the researchers found that this endurance is not unique to Arrokoth but may also be found in many other objects in the Kuiper belt.

This composite image of Ultima Thule was compiled from data acquired when NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft flew by the object on January 1, 2019. This image combines enhanced color data (close to what the human eye can see) with detailed high-resolution panchromatic data. picture. Image credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research Institute / Roman Tkachenko.

“Using a fairly simple mathematical model, we now show that primordial ice can be trapped deep inside these objects for long periods of time,” said Dr. Sam Birch, a planetary scientist at Brown University. “Most of our community thought this ice should have disappeared long ago, but now we think that may not be the case.”

Planetary scientists have long struggled to understand what happens to the ice on these space rocks over time. The new study challenges traditional thermal evolution models and suggests that highly volatile ice on these objects may persist longer than previously thought.

A model created by Birch and SETI Institute researcher Orkan Umurkhan explains this phenomenon, indicating that the ice on these objects can endure due to their extremely low temperatures. This new idea may provide insight into the explosive nature of icy objects in the Kuiper belt when they approach the sun.

Ultimately, this study presents a new perspective on comet evolution and activity, challenging existing theories and paving the way for a deeper understanding of these celestial bodies and their origins.

Birch and Dr. Umruhan are co-investigators of NASA’s Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) mission, which aims to collect surface material from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and return it to Earth for analysis, potentially shedding further light on comet evolution and activity.

The study is published in the journal Icarus, and the results could have implications for future space exploration missions and our understanding of the cosmos.

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Samuel PD Birch and Orkan M. Umruhan. 2024. 486958 CO ice and gas remain inside the Arokos. Icarus 413: 116027; doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116027

Source: www.sci.news

The Melting of Polar Ice Could Alter Earth’s Rotation and Timekeeping.

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Global warming is causing the Earth’s rotation to slow slightly, which could affect the way we measure time.

A study published Wednesday found that the melting of polar ice, a trend accelerated primarily by anthropogenic climate change, is causing the Earth to spin more slowly than it would otherwise.

Study author Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, said melting polar ice changes where the Earth’s mass is concentrated. This change affects the planet’s angular velocity.

Agnew likened the dynamic to a figure skater spinning around on ice. He said, “If a skater starts spinning and lowers his arms or extends his legs, he will slow down.” However, if the skater’s arms are pulled inward, the skater will rotate faster.

So less solid ice at the poles means more mass around the equator, at the Earth’s waist.

“What melting ice does is take water that has solidified in places like Antarctica or Greenland, and when that frozen water melts, it moves that liquid to other parts of the planet. “Thomas Herring said. He was a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology but was not involved in the new research. “Water flows toward the equator.”

In other words, this study shows how human influence can successfully manipulate forces that have puzzled scholars, stargazers, and scientists for millennia: forces long thought to be constants beyond human control. It suggests that it has happened.

“It’s kind of impressive, even to me, that we were able to accomplish something that measurably changed the rotational speed of the Earth,” Agnew said. “Something unprecedented is happening.”

His research, published in the journal Nature, suggests that climate change is playing a significant enough role in the Earth’s rotation to delay the possibility of a “negative leap second.” If the polar ice hadn’t melted, clocks around the world might have needed to subtract one second by 2026 to synchronize universal time with the Earth’s rotation, which is influenced by a variety of factors.

Rather, the impact of climate change has delayed that outlook by an estimated three years. If timekeeping organizations ultimately decide to add negative leap seconds, the adjustment could disrupt computer networks.

A view of the Earth captured by a deep space climate observation satellite.NASA

The leap second adjustment is necessary because even without climate change, the Earth’s daily rotation tends to slow down over time, even though it appears constant.

Studies show that about 70 million years ago, days became even shorter, lasting about 23.5 hours. Implications of paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. This means that Cretaceous dinosaurs experienced 372 planetary days a year.

Several important factors influence a planet’s rotation, but they sometimes act in opposition.

Due in part to the moon’s gravitational pull, tidal friction in the oceans slows the Earth’s rotation. Meanwhile, since the last Ice Age, the Earth’s crust has been uplifting in some areas in response to the removal of ice sheet weight. This effect changes the distribution of mass, causing the planet to spin faster. Both of these processes are approximately constant and have predictable rates.

Yet another factor is the movement of fluids within Earth’s liquid inner core, a wild card that can either speed up or slow down Earth’s rotation, Agnew said.

Here, melted polar ice was added to the mix. As climate change intensifies, researchers expect melting ice to have an even more profound effect on the Earth’s rotation.

“As we predict, as melting accelerates over time, its contribution will become even larger,” Herring said. He added that the new study is a thorough and robust analysis that combines research from multiple scientific fields.

The need for timekeepers to adjust universal time to match the Earth’s rotation is not a new phenomenon. But historically, this involved adding leap seconds to the common standard for clocks. This is because astronomical time lags behind atomic time (measured by the vibrations of atoms in atomic clocks) due to the slowing of the Earth’s rotation.

But in recent decades, changes in the Earth’s core have caused the Earth to rotate faster than expected. This has led timekeepers, for the first time since Coordinated Universal Time was officially adopted in the 1960s, to consider whether it makes sense to subtract leap seconds to synchronize universal time with the Earth’s rotation. Ta.

The melting of polar ice counteracted that trend, avoiding any decision points regarding negative leap seconds. According to Agnew’s estimates, if the current rate of Earth’s rotation is maintained, it will likely be delayed by three years from 2026 to 2029.

Adding or subtracting leap seconds is troublesome because it can disrupt satellite, financial, and energy transmission systems that rely on very precise timing. For that purpose, Timekeepers around the world have voted to abolish leap seconds in 2022. By 2035, addition and subtraction will shift universal time from the pace of the Earth’s rotation.

“Since around 2000, there has been a movement to abolish leap seconds,” Agnew said.

Regardless of whether the clocks ultimately change, the idea that melting polar ice is affecting the Earth’s rotation speaks to how important an issue it has become. Studies have already shown that ice loss has significant impacts on coastal communities.

Scientists predict that sea level rise will accelerate as the climate warms, a process that will continue for hundreds of years. Last year, leading polar researchers warned in a report that parts of the major ice sheets could collapse and coastal regions should brace for several feet of sea level rise. If humans allowed global average temperatures to rise by 2 degrees Celsius, Earth could see sea levels rise by more than 40 feet.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb discovers complex organic compounds in interstellar ice approaching dual protostars

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

astronomer using Mid-infrared measuring instrument The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope's (MIRI) detected molecules ranging from relatively simple ones like methane to complex compounds like ethanol (alcohol) and acetic acid. interstellar ice One low-mass protostar and one high-mass protostar: toward NGC 1333 IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385+6053, respectively.

This image taken by Webb's MIRI instrument shows the region near the IRAS 23385+6053 protostar. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/WRM Rocha, LEI.

Complex organic molecules (COM) are molecules with six or more atoms, including at least one carbon atom.

These materials are the raw material for future exoplanetary systems and are therefore of essential importance in understanding the chemical complexity developed in star-forming regions.

If this material becomes available in a primitive planetary system, it could facilitate the planet's habitability.

In a new study, astronomers Will Rocha, Harold Linnaerts and colleagues at Leiden University used Webb's mid-infrared instrument to determine the extent of COM ice in two protostars, NGC 1333 IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385+6053. We investigated the characteristics.

They were able to identify a variety of COMs, including ethanol (alcohol) and perhaps acetic acid (a component of vinegar).

“Our discovery contributes to one of the long-standing questions in astrochemistry,” Dr. Rocha said.

“What is the origin of COM in the Universe?” Are they created in the gas phase or in ice? Detection of COM in ice is based on the solid phase at the surface of cold dust particles It suggests that chemical reactions can build complex types of molecules. ”

“Some COMs, including those detected in the solid phase in our study, were previously detected in the warm gas phase, so they are now thought to originate from ice sublimation.”

“Sublimation is the change from a solid directly to a gas without becoming a liquid.”

“Therefore, we have hope that detecting COM in ice will improve our understanding of the origins of other, larger molecules in the universe.”

This figure shows the spectrum of the NGC 1333 IRAS 2A protostar. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Leah Hustak, STScI.

The researchers also detected simpler molecules such as formic acid, methane, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide.

“Sulfur-containing compounds, such as sulfur dioxide, played an important role in promoting metabolic reactions on early Earth,” the researchers said.

“Of particular interest is that one of the investigated origins, NGC 1333 IRAS 2A, is characterized as a low-mass protostar.”

“NGC 1333 IRAS 2A may resemble the early stages of our solar system.”

“Therefore, the chemicals identified around this protostar may have been present during the earliest stages of the development of the solar system and were later delivered to the proto-Earth.”

“All of these molecules could become part of comets, asteroids, and ultimately new planetary systems as icy material is transported inside planet-forming disks as protostar systems evolve.” '' said Dr. Ewain van Dyschoek, an astronomer at Leiden University.

“We look forward to using more web data in the coming years to follow this astrochemical trajectory step by step.”

of the team paper It was published in the magazine astronomy and astrophysics.

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WRM Rocha other. 2024. JWST Young Protostar Observation (JOYS+): Detection of icy complex organic molecules and ions. I.CH._FourSo₂,HCOO⁻,OCN⁻,H₂Colorado, Cooh, Switzerland₃CH₂Oh, CH₃Cho, channel₃Ocho and CH₃Coo. A&A 683, A124; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348427

Source: www.sci.news

Winter life around the Great Lakes is changing due to a shortage of ice.

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Some fish species’ reproduction, shoreline erosion, and weather patterns are all at risk due to lower ice levels. This includes changing the amount of lake-effect snow that falls on nearby communities.

Research shows that the maximum annual ice area trended downward at a rate of approximately 5% for each decade from 1973 to 2023. For more information, visit NOAA’s research page.

Due to poor ice conditions, ice fishermen are turning to inland waters as their seasons on Lake Superior are impacted. Joe Friedrichs said, “In the Duluth area, their seasons don’t exist, and that definitely impacts their ability to get on the ice.”

As of Thursday, only 3.4% of the northern Great Lakes region was covered in snow. Visit the National Operational Hydrological Remote Sensing Center for more information.

With the lack of snowfall and above-normal temperatures, businesses that rely on snow activities are taking a hit. John Silliman of Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply said, “People aren’t coming to ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile anymore.”

The region is experiencing the warmest winter on record, and meteorologists predict this trend will continue into spring with higher than normal temperatures. Visit AccuWeather for more details.

The National Climate Prediction Center’s outlook suggests that the Great Lakes region will continue to experience higher than normal temperatures until early spring. This raises concerns about wildfire risk, particularly in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Learn more from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Sand dunes and ice formations found in Mars’s north pole by Mars Express

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

new images from high resolution stereo camera (HRSC) On ESA's Mars Express spacecraft It shows the terrain surrounding Mars's permanent ice cap at its north pole.

This image from ESA's Mars Express shows an area close to Mars' north pole. This image consists of data collected by Mars Express' High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on April 14, 2023. Image credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

Mars' permanent north polar ice cap is a stack of water ice and dust layers up to 3 km thick and approximately 1,000 km in diameter.

These are divided into four stacked “packets” of different thicknesses, which are further composed of finer layers.

These layers contain information about the climate going back millions of years in Mars' history.

The deposits were formed by precipitation of dust and water ice in the atmosphere and by direct frost formation.

These consist primarily of water ice, with fine dust deposits accounting for 10-15% of the total.

These likely reflect changes in Mars' orbit and the tilt of Mars' axis of rotation, which is much more unstable than Earth's orientation.

It changes in several cycles with periods ranging from thousands of years to millions of years.

Changes in solar radiation cause significant changes in climate, especially in the polar regions. The Arctic ice sheet is currently thought to be growing.

“The landforms surrounding Mars' north pole, known as pranum boriumfascinating,” said a member of the Mars Express team.

“The poles themselves are covered with a layer of fine dust and water ice. These stack up several kilometers thick and extend for about 1,000 kilometers.”

“Most of this material is not visible here, but you can see the beginning of the planum boreum on the right side of the frame. There are some subtle wrinkles that indicate where layers of material are starting to accumulate.”

“The ground has also become more distinctly stepped, as most clearly seen in the topographical map of the area below.”

“The lowest elevation areas are blue/green, and the highest elevation areas are red/white/brown.”

“These layers formed as a mixture of dust, water ice, and frost that accumulated on the Martian ground over a long period of time.”

“Each layer contains valuable information about Mars' history, telling us how the planet's climate has changed over the past millions of years.”

“During the Martian winter, a thin cap of carbon dioxide ice several meters thick rests on top of that layer. This cap completely disappears into the atmosphere each year during the Martian summer.”

The left side of the image is dominated by a vast strip of undulating sand dunes, extending over 150 km within this frame alone.

This wrinkled, turbulent appearance is very different from the smoother, more primitive terrain seen on the right.

This smooth area shows no obvious signs of erosion and has been spared from being hit by rocks from space. This indicates that the surface is very young and is probably getting younger every year.

“Between these two extremes are two semicircular cliffs, the larger of which is approximately 20 km wide,” the researchers said.

“Within the curves of these cliffs are frost-covered dunes.”

“The sheer scale of the cliffs is evident from the dark shadow they cast on the ground below. Sheer walls of ice can reach up to a kilometer in height.”

“These two cliffs are located in what's called a polar trough, a landform formed when wind pushes and wears down the earth's surface.”

“These appear as wavy ridges in the landscape and are common in this region, creating the characteristic spiral pattern of the polar plateau.”

Source: www.sci.news

Greenland’s melting ice could trigger a heat wave in Europe this year

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Melting ice in Greenland could worsen extreme weather across Europe

REDA & CO srl/Alamy

Europe's 10 hottest and driest summers in the past 40 years have all come after a particularly large amount of fresh water was released from the Greenland ice sheet, meaning southern Europe will experience an especially hot summer this year. Maybe you are doing it.

They say this link occurs because the excess meltwater triggers a series of amplifying feedbacks that affect the strength and position of the atmospheric jet stream over Europe. Marilena Ortmans At the UK National Marine Centre.

“2018 and 2022 were the most recent examples,” she says. 2022 saw extreme heat and numerous bushfires across Europe, with high temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in parts of the UK for the first time.

These feedback effects, on top of the underlying warming trend from fossil fuel emissions, mean Europe will become even hotter and drier in coming decades as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet accelerates. Then Mr. Ortmans says:

“This is on top of the warming that is already happening due to increases in greenhouse gases,” she says.

Hotter heat waves and drier droughts are expected as the planet warms, but in some regions, such as Europe, recent heat waves and droughts have been even more extreme than climate modeling projects. Several studies have linked these extreme events to changes in the strength and position of the Arctic jet stream. The Arctic jet stream is a band of upper-level winds whose location and strength have a significant impact on weather.

But it's not clear what causes these changes, Ortmans says. Now, she and her colleagues are analyzing weather observations from the past 40 years, and the results show that extreme weather is ultimately the result of a period of increased ice melt in Greenland. It is said that there is.

“Observational statistical associations are very powerful,” she says.

The excess meltwater leads to a shallow layer of freshwater that extends south of the North Atlantic Ocean. This layer does not easily mix with the warm, salty ocean water below, causing the ocean surface to be colder than normal in winter.

This makes the gradient between this colder water and warmer water further south even more extreme, strengthening the weather front aloft. As a result, wind patterns strengthen, pushing warm water flowing northward, the North Atlantic Current, further north than usual. This further amplifies the temperature gradient.

“The front that forms between an area of cold fresh water and an area of warm ocean water is the main source of energy for storms,” she says.

In a 2020 study, Ortmans suggested: This process leads to an increase in storms. during one winter.

Now, Oltmans' team suggests that these winter changes have lasting effects into the following summer. “Two years after the freshwater anomaly occurred, we are still seeing significant signs,” she says.

The researchers found that stronger temperature gradients lead to stronger jet streams across Europe, making the weather in southern Europe even hotter and drier. Then, as the unusually cold water recedes, the jet stream moves north, bringing hot, dry weather to northern Europe.

“We have discussed the individual links in this feedback chain before,” Ortmans says. “What we did in this study is bring these links together.”

Computer models miss this chain of feedback because they don't include factors such as large fluctuations in meltwater from year to year, she says.

“The association between Atlantic freshwater anomalies and subsequent European summer weather proposed in this study is interesting and relevant to current scientific research on long-term predictions of summer weather, especially “If that relationship holds true for future summers,” he says. adam scaife He works on long-term forecasts at the UK Met Office.

“I think this study is somewhat convincing,” he says. Fei Luo At the Singapore Climate Research Center. But when it comes to predicting summer weather, looking at the previous year's snowmelt isn't as helpful as looking at winter weather conditions, Luo said.

But Oltmans is confident enough to predict that Europe will experience more heatwaves and droughts in the coming years as Greenland's ice melts further in the summer of 2023. “I think southern Europe will experience strong heat anomalies this summer,” she says.

These are likely to become even more powerful in 2025, after which they will begin to impact Northern Europe. “We expect Northern Europe to experience another strong heatwave and drought, not this year, but in the next few years.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com