During the most recent total solar eclipse visible in the U.S., on Aug. 21, 2017, the skies darkened as the Moon crossed in front of the Sun. It blocked out all sunlight – except for that from a golden ring visible around the Moon’s shape, called the corona. Not surprisingly, solar power generation across North…

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The United Nations Environment Assembly this week considered a resolution on solar radiation modification, which refers to controversial technologies intended to mask the heating effect of greenhouse gases by reflecting some sunlight back to space. Proponents argue the technologies will limit the effects of climate change. In reality, this type of “geoengineering” risks further destabilizing…

The post Not a bright idea: Why cooling Earth by blocking sunlight could be disastrous appeared first on Study Finds.

BOULDER, Colo. — A grim new study reveals that the Arctic could have no sea ice at all within the next 10 years. Researchers from the University of Colorado-Boulder indicate that the Arctic could experience its first summer days without sea ice within the next few years, significantly earlier than previously anticipated. This projection underscores a…

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ALBANY, Calif. — A pioneering seismic study has unveiled a remarkable geological phenomenon beneath the western Mediterranean Sea, challenging previous understandings of tectonic movements. Researchers analyzing seismic data from a 2010 earthquake beneath Spain stumbled upon evidence of a subducted oceanic slab that has completely overturned — a discovery that could redefine our knowledge of Earth’s…

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Have you ever wondered why the extra day of the leap year falls on February 29, an odd date in the middle of the year, and not at the end of the year on December 32? There is a simple answer, and a slightly more complex one. Let’s start with the simple answer. Several ancient…

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It’s been a warm day, maybe even a little humid, and the tall clouds in the distance remind you of cauliflower. You hear a sharp crack, like the sound of a batter hitting a home run, or a low rumble reminiscent of a truck driving down the highway. A distant thunderstorm, alive with lightning, is…

The post Where does lightning strike? New maps reveal unprecedented detail of 36.8 million strikes appeared first on Study Finds.

The post Scientists Discover Earth’s ‘Seeds Of Life’ From Nearby Ryugu Asteroid appeared first on Study Finds.

Why does a leap year have 366 days? Does the Earth move slower every four years? You may be used to hearing that it takes the Earth 365 days to make a full lap, but that journey actually lasts about 365 and a quarter days. Leap years help to keep the 12-month calendar matched up…

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Salt crystals, made of sodium chloride - ordinary table salt - were discovered on samples from asteroid Itokawa retrieved by the Japanese Hayabusa probe in 2005.

The post How A Dash Of Salt From An Asteroid Unveiled Our Oceans’ Origins appeared first on Study Finds.

LISBON — The Atlantic Ocean will be home to active volcanoes and earthquakes as it enters its declining phase. A seminal study utilizing advanced computational models has unveiled that the Atlantic is on the verge of a significant geological transformation. Portuguese researchers have predicted the emergence of an Atlantic Ring of Fire, akin to the Pacific’s infamous…

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LANCASHIRE, United Kingdom — Flat Earthers might want to hitch their wagon to Jupiter. In a revelation that challenges our long-standing knowledge of the cosmos, researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have discovered that large planets like Jupiter that form far away from their host stars were initially flat like smarties rather than…

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TORONTO, Ontario — A new study is challenging long-held beliefs about the rigidity of the ocean floors’ tectonic plates. Geoscientists from the University of Toronto are revealing significant undersea faults that suggest these plates are not as unyielding as once thought, particularly the Pacific plate. The century-old model of plate tectonics, which explains the movement…

The post Seismic Shift: Earth’s Pacific Plate Being Pulled Apart By Undersea Faults appeared first on Study Finds.

STANFORD, Calif. — A region of Antarctica the size of California is not as stable as previously thought. Stanford University scientists reveal that the base of this ice sheet, in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica, is alarmingly close to its melting point. If this dire situation worsens and the ice melts, it could raise…

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BERKELEY, Calif. — With global warming and rising ocean temperatures making hurricanes even more catastrophic, climate scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are proposing the addition of a hypothetical Category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale. This update would aim to address the potential underestimation of hurricane damage risk in a warming climate. For over five…

The post Category 6: Why a devastating new hurricane level may be coming soon appeared first on Study Finds.

Exquisitely preserved 350-million-year-old trees recently unearthed in Canada boast a shockingly familiar form.

The post Seuss-Like Ancient Forest Unearthed: 350 Million-Year-Old Trees Reveal Surprisingly Modern Architecture appeared first on Study Finds.

SANTIAGO, Chile — Astronomers have traced the source of Earth’s oceans, rivers, and lakes back to a stellar nursery located 1,300 light years away. They’re describing this finding as the “missing link” in the evolution of life as we know it. “We can now trace the origins of water in our Solar System to before…

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Plate tectonics didn’t play the pivotal role in the formation of Earth’s continents as once thought. A seminal discovery from geoscientists at the University of British Columbia reveals that the continents actually developed through internal geological processes within ancient oceanic plateaus. During the Archean Eon, which spanned from 2.5 to four…

The post Earthshaking Discovery: Tectonic Plates Not The Driving Force That Formed Continents appeared first on Study Finds.

BOULDER, Colo. — A unique ecosystem has been discovered in one of the harshest places in the world — and it’s offering up a glimpse into the earliest stages of life on Earth and possibly on ancient Mars. The previously unknown environment in Argentina’s Puna de Atacama, a high plateau desert more than 3,500 meters…

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RENO, Nev. — It’s no secret that plastic litter polluting the forests, oceans, and parks is a major ecological hurdle facing mankind’s future on Earth. Now, researchers from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) are pointing to Lake Tahoe as a microcosm of what’s occurring across countless bodies of water and green areas all over the…

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ORONO, Maine — Human evolution might be the biggest threat to solving the climate crisis. Scientists at the University of Maine set out to understand how the process of cultural adaptation to the environment, a significant driver of human evolution, impacts our ability to address global environmental issues. The findings reveal some counterintuitive insights. The study…

The post Success of Human Evolution is Actually Threatening Earth’s Future, Study Warns appeared first on Study Finds.

PERTH, Australia — A key chapter in Earth’s evolution is finally taking shape after Australian researchers successfully dated some of the world’s oldest fossils of complex, multicellular life. This discovery reveals a period when the seas, previously home to only single-celled microbes for four billion years, began to flourish with diverse life forms. “Located in the…

The post Ancient Fossil Breakthrough: Earth’s Early Life Explosion Dated appeared first on Study Finds.

KIEL, Germany — Under the sea, such wonderful things surround you on the ocean floor. Now, a new study is revealing exactly what happens, as animals of the ocean — particularly porpoises and sand eels — play a significant role in shaping the seafloor, solving a mystery of what’s causing millions of strange holes at the…

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NEWCASTLE, United Kingdom — Can ancient hot springs unlock the mysterious origins of life on Earth? That’s what Newcastle University scientists are banking on. Their new research explores how the first living systems emerged from non-living geological materials over 3.5 billion years ago. The team’s discovery involves the creation of organic molecules, including long-chain fatty…

The post Missing Link Found? Study Reveals Potential Hot Spring Birthplace of Early Life appeared first on Study Finds.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — In recent years, climate change and rising sea levels have dominated headlines, but there’s an overlooked aspect that poses a significant threat to coastal communities, especially along the East Coast: land subsidence, or the gradual sinking of the ground. The alarming study highlights this alarming trend, showing how subsidence, coupled with sea-level…

The post From Boston to Miami, major cities along the East Coast sinking significantly appeared first on Study Finds.

VIENNA, Austria — Flowers were more diverse 100 million years ago than they are today, research reveals. Scientists in Austria have found that shortly after their emergence in the Cretaceous period, flowering plants had already produced a wide array of different flower types. In fact, during this “blooming” period, floral diversity surpassed that of present-day…

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BEIJING, China — We could potentially forget about a white Christmas this year because of global warming. As scorching heatwaves dominated the globe throughout the summer and fall of 2023, concerns rose about the possibility of an unprecedented warm winter ahead. Now, researchers are warning that the globe could see record-breaking temperatures this winter. From…

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LIMA, Peru — After more than 100 years, plants hidden deep within the tropical Andes and once thought extinct have been rediscovered with the help of community scientists. These plants are part of the Nasa genus from the Blazing Star family (Loasaceae). They have long perplexed scientists due to their delicate yet painfully stinging leaves, which…

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Scientists warn that freshwater fishing could become a thing of the past within the next 70 years due to rapidly warming rivers and declining oxygen levels. A team at Penn State says these environmental changes pose a serious threat to fish species and aquatic diversity worldwide. The comprehensive research analyzed nearly…

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LINKÖPING, Sweden — Scientists have developed an innovative “electronic soil” that significantly boosts crop growth, with barley seedlings growing 50 percent more when their roots receive electrical stimulation through this “esoil” layer. This breakthrough, spearheaded by researchers from Linköping University in Sweden, focuses on soilless cultivation, commonly known as hydroponics. “The world population is increasing,…

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Space debris as small as a paint flake can fly around the Earth at a mind-boggling speed of 15,000 miles per hour. This can be very dangerous for astronauts and the rest of us on Earth. With that in mind, West Virginia University researchers are working to detect and identify this high-speed…

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PARIS, France — Flowers are apparently taking matters into their own “hands,” a new study explains. Researchers in France say flowers are evolving to self-pollinate due to a concerning drop in insect populations. Unfortunately, the team adds that this may also make flowers less attractive. This observation stems from French scientists noticing a decrease in…

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Lava erupted through a fissure in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula on Dec. 18, 2023, shooting almost 100 feet (30 meters) in the air in its early hours. Icelanders had been anticipating an eruption in the area for weeks, ever since a swarm of thousands of small earthquakes began on Oct. 23 northeast of the fishing town…

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WASHINGTON — The speed at which snowflakes fall has significant implications for the rate of climate change, new research reveals. Scientists who have been observing the descent of snowflakes discovered that all snowflakes, irrespective of their variety or atmospheric turbulence, descend in a uniform pattern. However, researchers now believe that monitoring even minor variations in their…

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Wildfires aren’t just a problem for the western part of the United States. A concerning study by University of Florida researchers has revealed a troubling increase in wildfires in the eastern U.S., a trend often overlooked compared to the more publicized fires in western states like California and Oregon. “It’s a serious issue…

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NEW YORK — The average person still uses 140 plastic bags in a year — about the height of an 18-story building, new research reveals. A survey of 2,000 adults asked people to rate their efforts of becoming more sustainable over the past five years. While only 18 percent would give themselves an “A+” for…

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WASHINGTON — A new device that extracts water from the air using solar power offers a potential solution for the world’s driest regions, scientists say. This atmospheric water harvesting technology utilizes a super hygroscopic gel known for its exceptional ability to swell and trap salt. The prototype, equipped with desorption and condensation chambers, has shown…

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Pine Island glacier is one of the fastest flowing outlets of ice from the west Antarctic ice sheet, draining an area three-quarters the size of the UK. In recent decades, the glacier has been retreating rapidly and losing ice, contributing more to global sea level rise than any other Antarctic glacier. The speed of the…

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BUDAPEST, Hungary — Don’t sleep on dormant volcanoes — they can still be extremely dangerous. An alarming new study reveals that even after tens of thousands of years of dormancy, a volcano can become active again, potentially posing a newfound threat to surrounding areas. This raises questions about how to explain volcanic eruptions and what…

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BEER-SHEVA, Israel — Fairy circles, those bare-soil circular gaps found in grasslands around the world, have long captivated scientists. Initially discovered in Namibia and later in other regions, these enigmatic, nearly hexagonal patterns have sparked a range of theories about their origins, from water-vegetation feedback to termite nest patterns. Now, a new study is shedding…

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LOS ANGELES — Is Earth undergoing a mass extinction event right now? Researchers from the University of Southern California believe so, as their new study reveals stunning information about what caused a similar catastrophic event on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Approximately 200 million years ago, Earth faced its fourth major mass extinction,…

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TEMPE, Ariz. — The Atlantic Ocean is now warmer and more acidic than ever before, new research reveals. This conclusion is based on data gathered over 40 years of oceanic studies, highlighting a rapid change in the Atlantic’s composition, particularly in just the last four years. Scientists have been conducting monthly samplings of the ocean’s…

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EXETER, United Kingdom — Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have soared to unprecedented levels, primarily driven by increases in India and China, recent research indicates. The annual Global Carbon Budget report estimates that fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will reach 36.8 billion tons in 2023, marking a 1.1-percent rise from the previous year. While…

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LEEDS, United Kingdom — Antarctica’s melting ice shelves have released approximately 66.9 trillion tons of freshwater into the oceans over the past 25 years, scientists say. Researchers from the University of Leeds determined that nearly 67 trillion tons of ice have melted into the ocean during this period. However, 59 trillion tons of ice were…

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The Earth’s magnetic field plays a big role in protecting people from hazardous radiation and geomagnetic activity that could affect satellite communication and the operation of power grids. And it moves. Scientists have studied and tracked the motion of the magnetic poles for centuries. The historical movement of these poles indicates a change in the…

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The scientific worldview has made great contributions to humanity’s flourishing. But, as science advances into territory once firmly held by religion – attempting to answer questions about the origins of the universe, life and consciousness – science communication often paints a fairly pessimistic picture of the world. Take a few examples. An article in New…

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LONDON — A significant cooling event more than a million years ago may have cause early humans in southern Europe to go extinct. An international team of researchers discovered extreme glacial conditions previously undetected 1.1 million years ago dramatically altered the European climate. This harsh cold likely surpassed the conditions that these archaic humans could endure,…

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The Great Sand Sea Desert stretches over an area of 72,000km² linking Egypt and Libya. If you find yourself in a particular part of the desert in south-east Libya and south-western parts of Egypt, you’ll spot pieces of yellow glass scattered across the sandy landscape. It was first described in a scientific paper in 1933…

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AARHUS, Denmark — Pre-human Europe was not home to dense forests like some might believe. Instead, researchers in Denmark now believe the region had numerous areas of open vegetation. This was largely due to the presence of rhinos and elephants. Analysis of pollen and twig fragments extracted from rhino fossil teeth indicates that up to…

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TEMPE, Ariz. — A decades-long mystery inside of the Earth has finally been solved. Until recently, the existence of a peculiar region called the E prime layer, located hundreds of miles beneath the planet’s surface, remained a puzzle. However, an international team of researchers, including scientists from Arizona State University, are now shedding light on how…

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BEIJING —  Many times we say we don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. Now, researchers say it would be even worse if we lived in our planet’s infancy. In a recent study, scientists reveal the length of a day on Earth was much shorter in the distant past due to…

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