Climate science, earth systems and environmental research.
Sediments from Lakes Bolshoye Miassovo and Maloye Miassovo in Russia’s Southern Urals contain evidence of several past warming, cooling and drying events. The researchers linked changes in the sediments to regional and global climate stages, including a warming about 14,700 years ago and later dry periods.
Plastic pollution altered how intertidal sediments responded to a storm, changing oxygen consumption and nitrogen fluxes. The findings suggest that plastic pollution can affect coastal carbon and nitrogen exchanges during short-term environmental change.
Rare underwater observations at a retreating glacier in South Greenland found unexpectedly high biological activity at the point where ice meets the ocean. Zooplankton, fish and other organisms appeared to respond to glacier material, rather than mainly to deeper nutrient-rich water.
Researchers reconstructed how an upstream glacial lake’s outburst triggered the failure of a second lake, devastating Thame Village in Nepal on 16 August 2024. They estimate that the flood released about 600,000 cubic metres of water and reached the village within 22 to 32 minutes.
A study used satellite images, farm records and soil–water modeling to map nitrate loss within fields in a drinking-water protection area. Low-yield zones had higher nitrogen surpluses and modeled nitrate concentrations than high-yield zones.
A study in northern Australia found that wetland plots disturbed by feral pigs released more methane and nitrous oxide than undisturbed reference plots. The highest emissions occurred at recently disturbed sites, suggesting feral pig management could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands.
A numerical study of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing simulated how the mushroom cloud formed and carried two types of material. Ground-derived dust mainly followed the central updraft, while bomb-derived radioactive material was concentrated in a rotating ring around the cloud head.
A study combining existing research and benchmark results estimates that inference—the process of responding to users—accounts for about 90% of an AI model’s lifetime energy use. It also finds that more than 84% of models released since 2022 do not report their environmental impact, while some efficiency methods could reduce emissions without reducing accuracy.
A study of catch-and-release bogue found that deeply hooked fish had similar survival outcomes whether anglers used a de-hooker or cut the line. Loss of orientation and bleeding were associated with mortality, making prevention of deep hooking the most effective way to reduce harm.
Women with higher exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A had different estrogen and progesterone levels in a cross-sectional study. The findings show an association, but cannot establish that the chemicals caused the hormone changes.
Researchers used seismic signals produced when thunder’s sound waves enter the ground to image the shallow subsurface beneath an urban karst setting. The method identified several previously undetected weak zones, some of which matched surface deformation and independent underground surveys.
Amazon droughts were linked to stronger wildfire pollution during the dry season, according to a study covering 2010 to 2015. The researchers estimate that fire-related exposure to fine particles and ozone raised premature mortality more in drought years than in other years.
A study of 13 cereal-based products from Arak, Iran, found that estimated health risks varied widely between brands. Mercury drove the highest risk estimate for Tak pasta, while arsenic was the main factor for Zhik pasta; Zar, Mak and Jahan had much lower estimates.
A paper in the Journal of Applied Volcanology catalogs 18 common misconceptions about volcanoes and eruptions, from volcanic ash and smoke to forecasts and “supervolcanoes.” It also examines seven case studies where incorrect information spread during events at volcanoes including Mount Agung, Kīlauea and Taal.
Heat stress before spawning changed reproductive traits in the coral Acropora aspera, but the effects depended on temperature and exposure time. Longer heat exposure increased egg volume while sperm production showed a more variable response.
