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☆ Some bumblebees can survive underwater for up to a week, new study shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —An experimental error led a team of scientists researching bumblebees to make a startling discovery: the insects’ remarkable ability to survive underwater for up to a week. Scientists believed that these conditions provide protection from flooding, which would be fatal to many terrestrial organisms, but the study shows that eastern common bumblebees can survive for at least a week. “These bees are effectively on energy-saver mode,” said Raine, who added that they most likely wouldn’t survive underwater if they were active. Understanding the mechanisms behind this resilience is a key question for future research, said Raine, who also plans to test whether hibernating queens could survive for longer than a week underwater. “Understanding wild pollinators is really, really important,” he said, emphasizing the insects’ importance for food security and terrestrial ecosystems.

Persons: bumblebees, Nigel Raine Study, Nigel Raine, ”, “, ” Raine, Raine, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Canada’s University of Guelph Locations: diapause

☆ The upcoming solar eclipse will cause shallow, cumulus clouds to disappear. Researchers explain why
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Ayurella Horn-Muller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

That’s at least what scientists expect to take place in swaths of Mexico, Canada and the United States during April 8’s total solar eclipse. They discovered that cumulus clouds dissipate during eclipses because of the relationship between solar radiation and the formation processes of the clouds. Shallow cumulus clouds, in particular, serve a critical function. But what exactly shallow cumulus clouds’ role is when it comes to the rapidly warming climate remains a long-standing subject of uncertainty in the scientific community. De Roode hopes those across North America gearing up for the next solar eclipse remember to keep an eye out for any vanishing low-lying cumulus clouds.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Victor Trees, Jake Gristey, Gristey, “, Kevin Knupp, Knupp, Stephan de Roode, de Roode, ” de Roode, ’ Gristey, De Roode, Ayurella, Muller Organizations: CNN, Environment, geoscience, Delft University of Technology, cumulus, Cooperative Institute for Research, Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Alabama, Climate Locations: Mexico, Canada, United States, Netherlands, Africa, Huntsville, North America, Axios

☆ Ship sunk by Houthis threatens Red Sea environment, Yemen government and US military say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CARGO SHIP RUBYMAR, RED SEA -- MARCH 1, 2024: Maxar closeup view satellite imagery of the cargo ship Rubymar - just before sinking after being targeted by Houthi rebels last month. The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control the north of Yemen and other large centres, say their campaign is a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The Rubymar went down in the southern Red Sea late on Friday or early on Saturday, according to statements from the Yemen government and CENTCOM. "An urgent plan should be adopted by countries of the Red Sea to establish monitoring agenda of the polluted areas in the Red Sea as well as adopt a cleanup strategy," he said. The ecosystem of the southern Red Sea features pristine coral reefs, coastal mangroves and diverse marine life.

Persons: Houthi, CENTCOM, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Ali Al, Al, Tony Wang Organizations: RED SEA, U.S . Central Command, U.S ., Marine, University of Jordan, Department of Earth, Environmental Sciences, Boston College, United Nations Locations: Iran, Yemen, Gaza, U.S, Belize, Africa, Red, United States, Britain, Suez, Aden, Saudi Arabia, United

When Daniel Skousen scrubs at the ash and soot covering his Maui home, he worries about the smell. Crews have installed air quality monitors throughout town and are spraying a soil sealant to prevent toxic ash from being washed into the ocean or blowing around. The Hawaii Department of Health's Environmental Health Services Division also told Skousen's attorney it had no records about residential testing of contaminants to release. “If it smells like burned plastic or burned electrical cables, then probably those chemicals are in the air and not healthy,” Hertz-Picciotto said. Whether a home can be made safe enough for residency comes down in part to the resident's risk tolerance, Hayes said.

Persons: Daniel Skousen, ”, Bill Hayes, Hayes, Char, ” Hayes, Crews, Kellen Ashford, Shawn Hamamoto, ‘, ’ ”, Edward Neiger, ” Ashford, Andrew Shoemaker, it's, Shoemaker, Dioxins, Skousen, Irva Hertz, Davis, Picciotto, ” Hertz, He’s Organizations: Hawaii Department of Education, Environmental, Agency, Associated Press, Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Department of, Environmental Health, Health Department, U.S . Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, Lahaina Civic Center, World Health Organization, University of California, Hertz, Cooperative Institute for Research, Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado Locations: Lahaina, Boulder County , Colorado, Maui, ” State, Skousen, “, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder

☆ Oceans absorb 90% of the heat from climate change — here's why record ocean temps are so harmful
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +22 min

"Over 90 percent of the excess energy on earth due to climate change is found in warmer oceans, some of it in surface oceans and some at depth." Put simply, the greenhouse gases serve to trap more heat, some of which is absorbed by the ocean," Kirtman told CNBC. In addition to the daily record on July 31, the monthly sea surface temperature for July was the hottest July on record, "by far," Copernicus said. CopernicusThese record sea surface temperatures arise from multiple factors, including the El Niño weather pattern, which is currently in effect. "These climate variations occur when sea surface temperature patterns of warming and cooling self-reinforce by changing patterns of winds and precipitation that deepen the sea surface temperature changes."

Persons: Baylor, Carlos E, Del Castillo, Castillo, Benjamin Kirtman, Kirtman, Copernicus, Gavin Schmidt, Kemper, Zeke Hausfather, Sarah Kapnick, Kapnick, Kempler, Hurricane Ian, Michael Lowry, Lowry, Rainer Froese, Daniel Pauly, Pauly, Vigfus, pollack, Sean Gallup, Lorenz Hauser, Hauser, Froese, Phanor Montoya, Javier, Carolyn Cole, Hans W, Paerl, Justin Sullivan, Christopher Gobler, Gobler, Gary Griggs, Kimberly McKenna, Angela Weiss, Griggs, it's, Judith Kildow, Kildow, It's Organizations: International, Baylor Fox, Kemper, Brown University, CNBC, Ecology Laboratory, NASA, University of Miami, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Fox, El, Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, heatwave, NOAA, Northern Hemisphere, Miami Herald, Tribune, Service, Getty, Helmholtz, Ocean Research, University of British Columbia's Institute, Fisheries, School of, Fishery Sciences, Restoration Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Looe Key, Los Angeles Times, University of North, Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, Berkeley Marina, San, Quality, Centers for Disease Control, Stony Brooke University's School of Marine, Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Stockton University Coastal Research, Afp, Ocean Economics Locations: Florida, El, Pacific, Berkeley, Fort Myers, Hurricane, Germany, New York, Nova Scotia, Hofn, Hornafjordur, Iceland, Seattle, Alaska, Looe, University of North Carolina, San Francisco Bay, Berkeley , California, San Francisco, Europe, Santa Cruz, Atlantic City , New Jersey, Atlantic City, Antarctica, Greenland

☆ There is a ‘gravity hole’ in the Indian Ocean, and scientists now think they know why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Jacopo Prisco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There is a “gravity hole” in the Indian Ocean — a spot where Earth’s gravitational pull is weaker, its mass is lower than normal, and the sea level dips by over 328 feet (100 meters). The “gravity hole” in the Indian Ocean — officially called the Indian Ocean geoid low — is the lowest point in that geoid and its biggest gravitational anomaly, forming a circular depression that starts just off India’s southern tip and covers about 1.2 million square miles (3 million square kilometers). In six of the scenarios, a geoid low similar to the one in the Indian Ocean formed. The future of the geoid lowThe geoid low formed around 20 million years ago, according to the team’s calculation. Past research only simulated the descent of cold material across the mantle, rather than including hot rising mantle plumes as well.

Persons: ”, Attreyee Ghosh, Ghosh, Felix Andries Vening Meinesz, hasn’t, ” Ghosh, ” Huw Davies, ” Davies, Alessandro Forte, Forte Organizations: CNN, Indian Institute of Science, Research, Earth Sciences, of Earth, Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, University of Florida Locations: Bengaluru, India, Dutch, Asia, Gainesville, Réunion, Africa, Eurasia

☆ Long-lost Greenland ice core suggests potential for disastrous sea level rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Instead, moderate, natural warming led to large-scale melting and sea level rise of more than 1.4 meters (4.6 feet), according to the report published Thursday in the journal Science. This would have significant impacts on sea level rise. The potential implications for sea level rise are enormous, Tammy Rittenour, a professor from Utah State University and study co-author said in a statement. “We are looking at meters of sea level rise, probably tens of meters. “The current greenhouse gas emission-driven warming may reduce the Greenland ice sheet faster than forecast,” he told CNN.

Persons: ”, Paul Bierman, Bierman, “ It’s, “, Tammy Rittenour, Andrew Shepherd, Jason Box, “ we’re Organizations: CNN, University of Vermont, Utah State University, Northumbria University, Geological Survey Locations: Greenland, Denmark, Copenhagen, New York City, Boston, Miami, Amsterdam, India, Africa, glaciology

Here are some of the notable weather phenomena striking the United States on Wednesday:HEATWAVE BREAKS ARIZONA RECORDA massive heat dome parked over the southern and western United States is keeping tens of millions of Americans under extreme heat advisories. Central Texas, an area stretching from San Antonio north to Dallas, is forecast to reach 105 degrees or higher over the next two days. The all-time high for Death Valley is 134 degrees, which is also the hottest temperature ever recorded on the Earth's surface. "If you have the right kind of weather pattern, you can get this transport of the smoke," Benjamin said. TROPICAL STORMS AND FLOODSHawaii's Big Island was under a tropical storm warning early Tuesday morning as it braced for Tropical Storm Calvin, expected to bring as much as 8 inches of rain and wind gusts of 40 mph, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Persons: Read, Stan Benjamin, Benjamin, Tropical Storm Calvin, Brendan O'Brien, Julia Harte, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Phoenix, Texas ., Yosemite National, Cooperative Institute for Research, Environmental Sciences, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Tropical, National Weather Service, NWS, Thomson Locations: Phoenix , Arizona, U.S, United States, Hawaii, China, ARIZONA, Texas, Texas . Central Texas, San Antonio, Dallas, , California, Death, Yosemite, California, Conway , New Hampshire, Smoky, Tennessee, Vermont, Montpelier

☆ Antarctic sea ice has been at record low levels for months — here's what that means
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty ImagesAntarctic sea ice has been at record low levels for the past few months. What the record low sea ice in the Antarctic meansZoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards The blue line sows the amount of sea ice in the Antarctic in 2023. Why the sea ice levels in the Arctic are more damningThe Arctic is an ocean covered by a layer of sea ice and surrounded by land. So the change below the surface in the Arctic sea ice is much more pronounced than the change in Antarctic sea ice," Meier told CNBC. While the sea ice does not directly contribute to sea level rise, melting land ice does.

Persons: That's, it's, Walt Meier, Howard Diamond, Diamond, Will Hobbs, Hobbs, Meier, Kerem Yucel, that's, Notz Organizations: Antarctic, Xinhua News Agency, Getty, Data, University of Colorado, CNBC, U.S . National, Resources Laboratory, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder Cooperative Institute for Research, Environmental Sciences, Australian Antarctic Program, NASA Gulfstream, University of Texas, Afp, NOAA Locations: Southern Ocean, Antarctica, New York City

☆ Rescuers make last desperate push as final hours of oxygen on missing Titanic submersible tick down
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

An undated photo shows tourist submersible belongs to OceanGate begins to descent at a sea. But the crew had only a four-day oxygen supply when the vessel, called the Titan, set off around 6 a.m. Sunday. The full area being searched was twice the size of Connecticut in waters as deep as 13,200 feet (4,020 meters). "This is a search and rescue mission, 100%," he said Wednesday. An undated photo shows tourist submersible belongs to OceanGate begins to descent at a sea.

Persons: OceanGate, Captain Jamie Frederick, Donald Murphy, Frederick, Carl Hartsfield, Frank Owen, Owen, Arthur Loibl, Capt, Jamie Frederick, Scott Eisen, Rush, Jeff Karson, Karson Organizations: US Coast Guard, OceanGate, Anadolu Agency, Getty, First Coast Guard District, Coast, Patrol, Navy, Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, U.S . Navy, Stockton Rush, OceanGate Expeditions, U.S, U.S . Coast Guard, CBC, Syracuse University Locations: Boston, Canada, Connecticut, Atlantic, U.S, British, St, John's, Norfolk , Virginia, Germany, Cape Cod, Boston , Massachusetts

☆ Billion-year-old rocks reveal traces of ancient life
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Kate Golembiewski | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

V. Diekamp/MARUM/University of BremenThe evidence of these ancient eukaryotes took the form of biological molecules that they produced. Advances in biochemical analyses have allowed scientists to identify ancient molecules preserved in the fossil record, particularly in old rocks that have been relatively undisturbed by geological processes. In the new Nature study, Nettersheim and his colleagues, including Brocks, a professor of geobiology at the Australian National University, examined rocks from Australia’s Barney Creek Formation. Previous studies established that the Barney Creek rocks, which are more than 1 billion years old, contain traces of ancient biomolecules. But “people never looked, really, for these primordial types of steroids in those kinds of rocks,” Nettersheim said.

Persons: Benjamin Nettersheim, ”, Nettersheim, “, Dr, ” Nettersheim, Jochen Brocks, Konrad Bloch, Bloch, Barney, Susannah Porter, Porter, Roger, ” “ Konrad Bloch, Brocks Organizations: CNN, MARUM Center, Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Australian National University, University of California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Locations: Australia, Nature, geobiology, Germany, MARUM, Santa Barbara

Rey Steve Mabiala and his wife, Liz Gouari, taking refuge at the Roberval emergency center after being ordered to evacuate Chibougamau, Quebec, as a fire approached. Of the more than 400 fires now burning in Canada, more than one-third are in Quebec, which has already registered its worst wildfire season on record. Credit... Carlos Osorio/Reuters“We are facing some unprecedented events, including droughts, accelerated fires and heat waves, and there will be more over time, especially forest fires,” Ms. Mohsin said. But perhaps most surprised were newcomers to Chibougamau, like Mr. Mabiala, from the Republic of Congo, who came to work in logging. “They were asking, “Oh, is there such a thing in Canada?’ ’’ Ms. Cabrera said.

Persons: Rey Steve Mabiala, Liz Gouari, Gouari, Mabiala, Prince Edward Island, ” Mr, “ It’s, ”, Josée Poitras, Tanzina Mohsin, Carlos Osorio, Ms, Mohsin, Poitras, “ I’ve, I’ve, Francis Côté, “, Chibougamau, Renaud Philippe, Côté, Guy Boisvert, Winters, Boisvert, Shirley, Jonathan Mattson, Mr, Mattson, Ruth Cabrera, Anna Huerte, —, Cabrera, Huerte Organizations: Wildfire, University of Toronto, ., Reuters, The New York Times, “, Credit Locations: Chibougamau, Quebec, Africa, Canada, North America, Republic of Congo, Prince, Nunavut, Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Toronto, Val, Montreal, Roberval, East Coast, United States, Philippines

☆ The world’s largest lakes are shrinking dramatically and scientists say they have figured out why
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Lake water levels fluctuate in response to natural climate variations in rain and snowfall, but they are increasingly affected by human actions. The Caspian Sea, between Asia and Europe – the world’s largest inland body of water – has long been declining due to climate change and water use. NASA NASA The Caspian Sea is rapidly shrinking due to climate change and human activity. NASAThe researchers used satellite measurements of nearly 2,000 of the world’s largest lakes and reservoirs, which together represent 95% of Earth’s total lake water storage. The report found losses in lake water storage everywhere, including in the humid tropics and the cold Arctic.

☆ The CEO of a $900 million asset manager shares 6 stocks to buy to take advantage of the coming AI revolution — and explains how investors can diversify their holdings to capitalize on emerging tech tr
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She also oversees the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM), which invests in quantum computing and machine learning companies. "They're clear leaders and no matter what happens, they'll invest in artificial intelligence, data pricing, machine learning, and quantum computing," she explained. "But even if that happens, you're still okay because you have the high-quality tech companies to hedge your basket … We look at it as balance plus opportunity." Besides the Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM), other options include Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ), the ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC), and the iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Multisector ETF (ITRBO). Amazon (AMZN) is another stock that has been propelled higher thanks to its web services and machine learning division.

☆ Testosterone surges preserved in 33,000-year-old mammoth tusk
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In addition to cortisol, the mammoth tusk revealed annually recurring testosterone surges up to 10 times higher than baseline, according to the study. An African bull elephant tusk was used in the study to compare with mammoth tusks. Then we saw the same patterns in the mammoth — wow!”Both the elephant and male mammoth tusks contained evidence of musth-related testosterone surges. Meanwhile, the female mammoth tusk showed little variation and very low testosterone, as expected. Gleaning this type of information from mammoth tusks can reveal more insights into the lifetimes of the extinct creatures.

☆ Picking a Stock for the Year 2048
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Jason Zweig | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Illustration: Alex NabaumMeet the stock pickers who pick stocks once and then stop—for a quarter of a century. Tiffany Gray, 22 years old, is a senior majoring in finance and wealth management at Delaware State, a historically Black university in Dover, Del. Jonathan Rivers, 20, is a junior double-majoring in environmental sciences and religious studies at the University of Virginia.

☆ Medieval monks' observations of the moon reveal unexpected
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Medieval observations of the moon are helping present-day researchers study a mysterious cluster of volcanic eruptions on Earth. Monks, and other scribes from the era, made detailed descriptions of lunar eclipses, when the moon is fully in Earth’s shadow. Guillet believes medieval manuscripts contain an important source of information about a string of large but little-understood volcanic eruptions on Earth. These dates correspond with five major volcanic eruptions identified from traces of volcanic ash found in polar ice cores — in 1108, 1171, 1230, 1257 and 1276. “These eruptions were significantly more powerful than some of the most well-known volcanic eruptions in recent history,” Guillet said.

Last decade 2100 scenarios LOW EMISSIONS By 2100, Basra would see almost six months of dangerous heat under the most likely scenario. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Kuwait City Last decade 2100 scenarios Lower emissions Medium emissions Higher emissions Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emission scenarios Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emission scenarios Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 80°F Caution 90°F Extreme Caution 103°F Danger 125°F Extreme Danger Kuwait City Basra Today, Basra experiences about 60 dangerously hot days per year. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Kuwait City Last decade 2100 scenarios Lower emissions Medium emissions Higher emissions Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario LOW Medium HIGH Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Basra Last decade 2100 emissions scenario Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Kuwait City Last decade 2100 emissions scenario Low Medium High Jan. July Dec. Heat Index 27°C Caution 32°C Extreme Caution 39°C Danger 52°C Extreme Danger Kuwait City Basra Today, Basra experiences about 60 dangerously hot days per year. Last decade 2100 scenarios LOW EMISSIONS By 2100, Basra would see almost six months of dangerous heat under the most likely scenario. MEDIUM EMISSIONS HIGH EMISSIONS Jan. July Jan. July Dec. Dec.

☆ Amid historic drought, California expected to approve $140 mln desalination plant
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Daniel Trotta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 13 (Reuters) - A $140 million desalination plant is expected to be approved by California regulators on Thursday as the U.S. state contends with how to convert ocean water into drinking water amid the worst drought in 1,200 years. Instead of relying on water pumped from hundreds of miles (km) away, through the State Water Project or the Colorado River, the South Coast Water District would now have its own water supply. The Doheny plant would produce 5 million gallons of drinking water per day, more than enough to meet the needs of the district's 35,000 people. The Coastal Commission staff, which recommended rejecting Poseidon, favors building Doheny, which would be the 12th desalination plant approved by the regulator. The Doheny plant will use a sub-surface intake that creates a barely perceptible current.

☆ Sustainability manager is one of the most in-demand jobs right now. Here's how to land a role, which can net you above $100,000 in base pay.
▼ + stars: | 2022-03-04 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Insider spoke with specialist sustainability recruiters to find out how to land a role. "There's just been this huge explosion in roles, and every single company is looking for more people," Katie Pereira, the sustainability director at recruitment agency Allen & York, said. Sustainability manager was one of the fastest-growing jobs across Europe and the seventh-fastest-growing job in the UK, according to data from LinkedIn published earlier this year. "The demand for sustainability professionals has really jumped," Andrew Murray, a former senior environment manager at Vodafone, said. While companies often look for a degree, Allen told Insider that some businesses were "starting to remove the need for higher-education qualifications."

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