https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/wildfires/ Learn about the science of wildfires -- risk factors, smoke emissions, effective controls, role in forest ecology and long-term problems. en-us Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:31:28 EDT Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:31:28 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/wildfires/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005535.htm Tiny plastic particles aren’t just choking oceans and cities—they’re quietly infiltrating forests too. Scientists discovered that most microplastics arrive through the air, settling onto treetops before being washed or dropped to the forest floor in rain and falling leaves. Once there, natural processes like leaf decay help bury and store these particles deep in the soil. The findings reveal forests as hidden reservoirs of airborne pollution—and potentially a new frontline in the growing microplastics crisis. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:34:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005535.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319005110.htm Tropical peatlands, some of the planet’s largest underground carbon stores, are now burning at levels never seen in at least 2,000 years. By analyzing charcoal preserved in peat across multiple continents, scientists discovered that fires had actually been declining for more than a thousand years, largely shaped by natural climate patterns like drought. That long trend suddenly reversed in the 20th century, with a sharp surge in wildfires—especially in Southeast Asia and Australasia. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:18:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319005110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303201755.htm Northern wildfires may be more dangerous for the climate than they appear. Researchers found that fires in boreal forests can burn deep into peat soils, releasing ancient carbon stored for hundreds or thousands of years. These slow, smoldering fires often look small from space, causing climate models to underestimate their emissions. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:50:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303201755.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025613.htm Long before agriculture, humans were transforming Europe’s wild landscapes. Advanced simulations show that hunting and fire use by Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers reshaped forests and grasslands in measurable ways. By reducing populations of giant herbivores, people indirectly altered how dense vegetation became. The findings challenge the idea that prehistoric Europe was an untouched natural world. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:14:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025613.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233836.htm Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing “sprinter” trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems, storing carbon, stabilizing environments, and supporting rich webs of life—especially in tropical regions where biodiversity is highest. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:17:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233836.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm A new study reveals that chemicals used to replace ozone-damaging CFCs are now driving a surge in a persistent “forever chemical” worldwide. The pollutant, called trifluoroacetic acid, is falling out of the atmosphere into water, land, and ice, including in remote regions like the Arctic. Even as older chemicals are phased out, their long lifetimes mean pollution is still rising. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:17:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035322.htm Tiny plastic particles drifting through the oceans may be quietly weakening one of Earth’s most powerful climate defenses. New research suggests microplastics are disrupting marine life that helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, while also releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. By interfering with plankton, microbes, and natural carbon cycles, these pollutants reduce the ocean’s ability to regulate global temperatures. Sat, 17 Jan 2026 21:58:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114084119.htm For thousands of years, wildfires on Alaska’s North Slope were rare. That changed sharply in the 20th century, when warming temperatures dried soils and fueled the spread of shrubs, setting the stage for intense fires. Peat cores and satellite data reveal that fire activity since the 1950s has reached record levels. The findings suggest the Arctic is entering a new, more dangerous fire era. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:41:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114084119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114080328.htm Earth’s oceans reached their highest heat levels on record in 2025, absorbing vast amounts of excess energy from the atmosphere. This steady buildup has accelerated since the 1990s and is now driving stronger storms, heavier rainfall, and rising sea levels. While surface temperatures fluctuate year to year, the ocean’s long-term warming trend shows no sign of slowing. Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:36:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260114080328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214306.htm Honey bees can normally keep their hives perfectly climate-controlled, but extreme heat can overwhelm their defenses. During a scorching Arizona summer, researchers found that high temperatures caused damaging temperature fluctuations inside hives, leading to population declines. Smaller colonies were hit hardest, experiencing the most severe swings. As global temperatures rise, heat waves could pose a growing threat to bees and the pollination they provide. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:31:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112214306.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107012114.htm Scientists have discovered that wildfires release far more air-polluting gases than previously estimated. Many of these hidden emissions can transform into fine particles that are dangerous to breathe. The study shows wildfire pollution rivals human-made emissions in some parts of the world. This helps explain why wildfire smoke can linger and worsen air quality long after the flames are gone. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:34:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107012114.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080736.htm Scientists are uncovering new clues that a cosmic explosion may have rocked Earth at the end of the last ice age. At major Clovis-era sites, researchers found shocked quartz—evidence of intense heat and pressure consistent with a comet airburst rather than volcanism or human activity. The event could have sparked massive fires, blocked sunlight, and triggered a rapid return to ice-age conditions. These harsh changes may explain the sudden loss of megafauna and the disappearance of the Clovis culture. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 23:12:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080736.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251218060550.htm Much of the western U.S. is overdue for wildfire, with decades of suppression allowing fuel to build up across millions of hectares. Researchers estimate that 74% of the region is in a fire deficit, meaning far more land needs to burn to restore healthy forest conditions. Catching up would require an unprecedented amount of controlled and managed fire. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:17:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251218060550.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050457.htm Long-term inhalation of toxic air appears to dull the protective power of regular workouts, according to a massive global study spanning more than a decade and over a million adults. While exercise still helps people live longer, its benefits shrink dramatically in regions with heavy fine particle pollution—especially above key PM2.5 thresholds common in many parts of the world. The researchers emphasize that outdoor activity shouldn’t stop, but better air quality could unlock far greater health gains. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:37:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030932.htm The Amazon has suffered its most destructive fire season in more than two decades, releasing a staggering 791 million tons of carbon dioxide—on par with Germany’s annual emissions. Scientists found that for the first time, fire-driven degradation, not deforestation, was the main source of carbon emissions, signaling a dangerous shift in the rainforest’s decline. Using advanced satellite systems and rigorous simulations, researchers uncovered vast damage across Brazil and Bolivia, exposing the fragility of the Amazon’s ecosystems. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:18:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074001.htm In 2020, California’s Creek Fire became so intense that it generated its own thunderstorm, a phenomenon called a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. For years, scientists struggled to replicate these explosive fire-born storms in climate models, leaving major gaps in understanding their global effects. Now, a new study has finally simulated them successfully, reproducing the Creek Fire’s storm and others like it. Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:57:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251002074001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225016.htm Wildfires are no longer a seasonal nuisance but a deadly, nationwide health crisis. Fueled by climate change, smoke is spreading farther and lingering longer, with new research warning of tens of thousands of additional deaths annually by mid-century. The health costs alone could surpass all other climate damages combined, revealing wildfire smoke as one of the most underestimated threats of our warming world. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:53:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172647.htm Once thought to be sailors’ myths, rogue waves gained credibility after a towering 80-foot wall of water struck the Draupner oil platform in 1995. New research shows that these extreme waves don’t need mysterious forces to form—they emerge when ordinary ocean behaviors like wave alignment and nonlinear stretching converge at the wrong moment. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:39:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250907172647.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085134.htm The booming space industry has filled the skies with rockets and satellites, but this rapid expansion comes with a hidden danger: slowing the recovery of the ozone layer. Rocket launches and burning space debris release chlorine, soot, and metals high in the atmosphere, where they linger for years, damaging Earth’s protective shield against UV radiation. Scientists warn that if annual launches surge to projected levels by 2030, ozone recovery—already not expected until mid-century—could be delayed for decades. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:08:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250902085134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010536.htm A massive global study uncovered a striking paradox: even as total burned land has dropped by more than a quarter since 2002, human exposure to wildfires has skyrocketed. Africa accounts for a staggering 85% of these exposures, while California stands out as an extreme hotspot despite its relatively small share of burned land. Climate change is fueling more intense fire weather, population growth is pushing communities into fire-prone landscapes, and the overlap between people and flames is growing more dangerous. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 01:05:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010536.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm Researchers uncovered that the Maui wildfires caused a spike in deaths far higher than reported, with hidden fatalities linked to fire, smoke, and lack of medical access. They warn that prevention rooted in Native Hawaiian ecological knowledge is critical to avoiding another tragedy. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:57:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004202.htm Industrial forests, packed with evenly spaced trees, face nearly 50% higher odds of megafires than public lands. A lidar-powered study of California’s Sierra Nevada reveals how dense plantations feed fire severity, but also shows that proactive thinning could prevent forests from collapsing into shrubland ecosystems. Thu, 21 Aug 2025 01:32:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234404.htm Air pollution isn't just bad for your lungs—it may be eroding your brain. In a sweeping review covering nearly 30 million people, researchers found that common pollutants like PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and soot are all linked to a significantly higher risk of dementia. The most dangerous? PM2.5—tiny particles from traffic and industry that can lodge deep in your lungs and reach your brain. Sun, 27 Jul 2025 01:47:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250726234404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm What would happen if a nuclear war triggered a climate-altering catastrophe? Researchers have modeled how such a scenario could devastate global corn crops cutting production by as much as 87% due to blocked sunlight and increased UV-B radiation. Using advanced climate-agriculture simulations, they propose a survival strategy: emergency resilience kits containing fast-growing, cold-tolerant seeds that could keep food systems afloat not just after nuclear war, but also after volcanic eruptions or other mega-disasters. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:24:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045707.htm Imagine concrete that not only survives wildfires and extreme weather, but heals itself and absorbs carbon from the air. Scientists at USC have created an AI model called Allegro-FM that simulates billions of atoms at once, helping design futuristic materials like carbon-neutral concrete. This tech could transform cities by reducing emissions, extending building lifespans, and mimicking the ancient durability of Roman concrete—all thanks to a massive leap in AI-driven atomic modeling. Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:22:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000858.htm An ancient glacier high in the French Alps has revealed the oldest known ice in Western Europe—dating back over 12,000 years to the last Ice Age. This frozen archive, meticulously analyzed by scientists, captures a complete chemical and atmospheric record spanning humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to modern industry. The core contains stories of erupting volcanoes, changing forests, Saharan dust storms, and even economic impacts across history. It offers a rare glimpse into both natural climate transitions and human influence on the atmosphere, holding vital clues for understanding past and future climate change. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000858.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000849.htm After devastating wildfires scorched the Brazilian Pantanal, an unexpected phenomenon unfolded—more jaguars began arriving at a remote wetland already known for having the densest jaguar population on Earth. Scientists discovered that not only did the local jaguars survive, but their numbers swelled as migrants sought refuge. This unique ecosystem, where jaguars feast mainly on fish and caimans and tolerate each other’s presence unusually well, proved remarkably resilient. Researchers found that this floodplain may serve as a natural climate sanctuary, highlighting its crucial role in a changing world. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:30:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000849.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250715043405.htm Twenty-five years after first warning that oil spills would wane while invasive species and climate impacts would surge, an international team revisits its coastal forecasts and finds many bull's-eyes, alongside surprising misses. Plastic pollution, ocean acidification, and sensory pollution have risen faster than imagined, even as strong treaties curbed chemicals like TBT. The scientists argue that shorelines remain “sentinels” for the global ocean and urge a blend of local action and sweeping accords such as a Global Plastics Treaty to keep future surprises in check. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:59:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250715043405.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703092609.htm Tropical trees are dying faster than ever, and it's not just heat or drought to blame. Scientists have uncovered a surprising culprit: ordinary thunderstorms. These quick, fierce storms, powered by climate change, are toppling trees with intense winds and lightning, sometimes causing more damage than drought itself. The discovery is reshaping how we understand rainforest health and carbon storage, as storms may be responsible for up to 60% of tree deaths in some regions. Researchers now warn that failing to account for this hidden force could undermine forest conservation and climate models alike. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:26:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703092609.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703092606.htm Breathing polluted air—even at levels considered “safe”—may quietly damage your heart. A new study using advanced MRI scans found that people exposed to more air pollution showed early signs of scarring in their heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure over time. This damage showed up in both healthy individuals and people with heart conditions, and was especially noticeable in women, smokers, and those with high blood pressure. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:37:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250703092606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033449.htm Smoke from wildfires and structural fires doesn t just irritate lungs it actually changes your immune system. Harvard scientists found that even healthy people exposed to smoke showed signs of immune system activation, genetic changes tied to allergies, and even toxic metals inside their immune cells. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:29:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033449.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033445.htm Wildfires are becoming more intense and dangerous, but a new Stanford-led study offers hope: prescribed burns—intentionally set, controlled fires—can significantly lessen their impact. By analyzing satellite data and smoke emissions, researchers found that areas treated with prescribed burns saw wildfire severity drop by 16% and smoke pollution fall by 14%. Even more striking, the smoke from prescribed burns was just a fraction of what wildfires would have produced in the same areas. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:08:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033445.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044332.htm Wildfires don’t just leave behind scorched earth—they leave a toxic legacy in Western rivers that can linger for nearly a decade. A sweeping new study analyzed over 100,000 water samples from more than 500 U.S. watersheds and revealed that contaminants like nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon, and sediment remain elevated for up to eight years after a blaze. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:13:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044332.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141202.htm A new study found exposure to specific tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of various negative birth outcomes. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:12:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603141202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145727.htm Researchers determined how much outdoor particulate pollution affects indoor air quality. Their study concluded pollution from inversion and dust events is kept out of buildings, but wildfire smoke can sneak inside if efficient 'air-side economizers' are in use. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:57:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm Forest-based agroforestry can restore forests, promote livelihoods, and combat climate change, but emerging agroforestry initiatives focusing only on tree planting is leading to missed opportunities to support beneficial outcomes of forest management, scientists found. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:57:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124122.htm Earthquakes create ripple effects in Earth's upper atmosphere that can disrupt satellite communications and navigation systems we rely on. Scientists have now used Japan's extensive network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers to create the first 3D images of atmospheric disturbances caused by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Their results show sound wave disturbance patterns in unique 3D detail and provide new insights into how earthquakes generate these waves. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:41:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124122.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124119.htm Immediate recovery efforts receive the most attention after severe natural disasters, yet new data from researchers at Drexel University and the University of Maryland suggests these climate events often also leave a critical long-term -- and often unaddressed -- problem in declines in access to health care. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:41:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180929.htm With wildfires increasing in frequency, severity, and size in the Western U.S., researchers are determined to better understand how smoke impacts air quality, public health, and even the weather. As fires burn, they release enormous amounts of aerosols -- the vaporized remains of burning trees and homes that enter the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Now, a new study dissects these aerosols and gases to pinpoint their potential effects on our health as well as the planet's short and long-term weather. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527135244.htm A pioneering method to simulate how microscopic particles move through the air could boost efforts to combat air pollution, a study suggests. Tue, 27 May 2025 13:52:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527135244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124851.htm From deadly floods in Europe to intensifying tropical cyclones around the world, the climate crisis has made timely and precise forecasting more essential than ever. Yet traditional forecasting methods rely on highly complex numerical models developed over decades, requiring powerful supercomputers and large teams of experts. According to its developers, Aurora offers a powerful and efficient alternative using artificial intelligence. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:48:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124838.htm A modeling study shows that global warming will make it harder to reduce ground-level ozone, a respiratory irritant that is a key component of smog, by cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:48:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124838.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm A study has found that implementing robust air pollution control measures could mean Southeast Asian countries prevent as many as 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths each year by 2050. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:51:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121142.htm A novel analysis suggests more than 3,500 animal species are threatened by climate change and also sheds light on huge gaps in fully understanding the risk to the animal kingdom. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:11:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121142.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm A new report identifies the top 12 emerging threats that could accelerate pollinator losses within the next 5-15 years, according to ten of the world's leading experts. Mon, 19 May 2025 20:46:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175419.htm Traditional methods of assessing damage after a disaster can take weeks or even months, delaying emergency response, insurance claims and long-term rebuilding efforts. New research might change that. Researchers have developed a new method that combines remote sensing, deep learning and restoration models to speed up building damage assessments and predict recovery times after a tornado. Once post-event images are available, the model can produce damage assessments and recovery forecasts in less than an hour. Wed, 14 May 2025 17:54:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175419.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm Stifling heat and sticky air often make summertime in the city uncomfortable. Due to the heat island effect, urban areas are significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, even at night. This, combined with more frequent extreme weather events caused by climate change, often render the city an unpleasant environment in the summer. Urbanization and climate change modify the thermal environment of urban areas, with an expectation that urban disasters from extremely hot weather and heavy rainfall will only become more severe. Mitigating potential damage involves reducing the intensity of the heat island effect and adapting to climate change. Motivated by this problem, a team of researchers set out to investigate how the reduction in urban heat release could help mitigate and control the rapid development of thunderstorms and local rainfall. Mon, 12 May 2025 20:20:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512202042.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105502.htm A team engineers created a twisty high-temperature heat exchanger that outperformed a traditional straight channel design in heat transfer, power density and effectiveness and used an innovative technique to 3D print and test the metal proof of concept. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:55:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105502.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508172446.htm Researchers looked at PFAS serum concentrations in health care workers for the first time and were surprised by what they found. Thu, 08 May 2025 17:24:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508172446.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508113134.htm A glacier in Antarctica is committing 'ice piracy' -- stealing ice from a neighbor -- in a phenomenon that has never been observed in such a short time frame, say scientists. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:31:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508113134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507141127.htm Scientists say human-caused climate change led to 15,000 additional early deaths from wildfire air pollution in the continental United States during the 15-year period ending in 2020. Wed, 07 May 2025 14:11:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507141127.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130516.htm In a sweeping new study of more than 13,000 urban areas worldwide, researchers have mapped air pollution levels and carbon dioxide emissions, providing comprehensive global analysis of urban environmental quality. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:05:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125838.htm Climate scientists reveal that millions of today's young people will live through unprecedented lifetime exposure to heatwaves, crop failures, river floods, droughts, wildfires and tropical storms under current climate policies. If global temperatures rise by 3.5 C by 2100, 92% of children born in 2020 will experience unprecedented heatwave exposure over their lifetime, affecting 111 million children. Meeting the Paris Agreement's 1.5 C target could protect 49 million children from this risk. This is only for one birth year; when instead taking into account all children who are between 5 and 18 years old today, this adds up to 1.5 billion children affected under a 3.5 C scenario, and with 654 million children that can be protected by remaining under the 1.5 C threshold. Wed, 07 May 2025 12:58:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507125838.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506224350.htm Termites -- infamous for their ability to destroy wood -- are rarely welcomed into rainforests that have been painstakingly replanted. But a new paper suggests that termite transplants may be necessary to help regenerating forests to thrive. Scientists found that termites are not thriving in replanted rainforests in Australia. Because decomposers like termites are essential for recycling nutrients and carbon, the researchers worry that the insect's slow recovery could hinder the growth and health of the young forests. Tue, 06 May 2025 22:43:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506224350.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105342.htm Up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, say researchers. Tue, 06 May 2025 10:53:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105342.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142226.htm Increasing urban vegetation by 30% could save over one-third of all heat related deaths, saving up to 1.16 million lives globally from 2000 to 2019 according to a 20-year modelling study of the impact of increasing greenness in more than 11,000 urban areas. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429102851.htm Scientists believe they have found a way to improve warning systems for vulnerable communities threatened by humid heatwaves, which are on the rise due to climate change and can be damaging and even fatal to human health. The study analysed how patterns of recent rainfall can interact with dry or moist land conditions to influence the risk of extreme humid heat in the global tropics and subtropics. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:28:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429102851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221659.htm Climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires in many regions of the world. This is due partly to specific weather conditions -- known as fire weather -- that facilitate the spread of wildfires. Researchers have found that fire weather seasons are increasingly overlapping between eastern Australia and western North America. The research team examined the causes of this shift and its implications for cross-border cooperation between fire services in Canada, the US, and Australia. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:16:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221659.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424165638.htm A new study finds that presenting the same continuous climate data, such as incremental changes in temperature, in binary form -- such as whether a lake did or did not freeze in the winter -- significantly increases people's ability to see the impact of climate change. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:56:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250424165638.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111913.htm A new study lays out a scientific framework for holding individual fossil fuel companies liable for the costs of climate change by tracing specific damages back to their emissions. The researchers use the tool to provide the first causal estimate of economic losses due to extreme heat driven by emissions. They report that carbon dioxide and methane output from just 111 companies cost the world economy $28 trillion from 1991 to 2020, with the five top-emitting firms linked to $9 trillion of those losses. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:19:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111913.htm