Polar Bears in Canada’s High Arctic Are the Most Vulnerable to Climate Change, According to New Genetic Analysis

Researchers from leading institutions including Polar Bears International, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the University of Manitoba, and MacEwan University have analyzed all of Canada’s polar bear populations and found that the most northern polar bears, those in Canada’s High Arctic, are less likely to be able to adapt to a rapidly warming Arctic.

Rutgers to Lead $16 Million in Climate Projects Along New Jersey Coast

Rutgers University researchers will lead several components of a $72.5 million federal initiative to fortify New Jersey’s coast against climate change and extreme weather events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the grant to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the Building a Climate Ready New Jersey program.

UAlbany Study: Joint Effects of Thunderstorms and Power Outages Increase Respiratory-Related Emergency Department Visits

A new study led by UAlbany researchers is among the first to examine the joint effects of thunderstorms and power outages on respiratory-related emergency department visits in New York State.

Retreat of tropical glaciers foreshadows changing climate’s effect on the global ice 

As they are in many places around the globe, glaciers perched high in the Andes Mountains are shrinking. Now, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and their collaborators have uncovered evidence that the high-altitude tropical ice fields are likely smaller than they’ve been at any time since the last ice age ended 11,700 years ago.

Wetland wonders unfold: aerial systems shed light on ecosystem services

A cutting-edge study revolutionizes coastal wetland mapping by integrating unmanned aerial systems with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors. This innovative approach provides detailed elevation data and vegetation analysis, enabling highly accurate classifications of diverse wetland types. The research advances conservation by offering a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective method that is instrumental in climate change mitigation strategies and informs policy-making for coastal resilience.

Against the odds: the genetic secrets of a rare conifer’s climate change defiance

In a remarkable twist of evolutionary adaptation, the rare Tibetan cypress, Cupressus gigantea, has shown unexpected genetic resilience. Despite facing the brink of extinction due to climate change and habitat loss, the species has experienced a significant reduction in harmful genetic mutations.

Global patterns of Rhododendron diversity explained by island biogeography theory and habitat heterogeneity

• Global Rhododendron hotspots are mainly distributed in the Hengduan Mountains of southwestern China and the southern regions of the Himalayas.
• Rhododendron diversity patterns were most strongly explained by proxies of island biogeography theory (i.e., mountain area) and habitat heterogeneity (i.e., elevation range).

Loss of Oxygen in Lakes and Oceans a Major Threat to Ecosystems, Society, and Planet

Oxygen is a fundamental requirement of life, and the loss of oxygen in water, referred to as aquatic deoxygenation, is a threat to life at all levels. In fact, in research recently published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Associate Professor Kevin Rose, Ph.D. and his collaborators describe how ongoing deoxygenation presents a major threat to the stability of the planet as a whole.

Atomically controlled MXenes enable cost-effective green hydrogen production

A research team led by Dr. Albert Sung Soo Lee at Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) with collaboration with Professor Chong Min Koo’s group at Sungkyunkwan University has developed an oxidatively stable molybdenum-based MXene as electrocatalyst support in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers.

From winter’s rest to spring’s bloom: PmDAM6 gene steers plant bud dormancy

This pivotal study explores the genetic orchestration of bud dormancy in woody perennials, a survival strategy crucial for enduring harsh climates. It focuses on the PmDAM6 gene, revealing its regulatory effects on lipid metabolism and phytohormone dynamics within dormant meristems, which dictate the plant’s seasonal transition from rest to growth.

From fields to policy: Conserving China’s agricultural heritage systems

Agricultural heritage systems, the custodians of ancient farming practices, face unprecedented challenges from climate change and urbanization. This study presents a detailed geographical analysis coupled with strategic management approaches to conserve these invaluable systems.

From space to swamp: innovative AI method classifies mangrove species with unprecedented accuracy

Mangrove ecosystems, vital for biodiversity and climate change mitigation, face challenges in monitoring and conservation due to their complex species composition. A new study introduces an AI-driven approach to classify mangrove species with remarkable accuracy, potentially transforming conservation efforts.

Hurricanes Cooking up an Intense Season

The onset of the hurricane season has brought renewed attention to the impacts and preparedness efforts necessary to mitigate the damage caused by these powerful storms. The increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes are attributed to global warming and climate change, posing significant risks to lives, property, and economies.

Cucumbers fight back: new study uncovers genetic key to overcoming water stress

A pivotal study has shed light on the genetic underpinnings of cucumbers’ ability to withstand waterlogging. The research identifies a key gene, CsPrx73, which is instrumental in the development of adventitious roots and the neutralization of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), offering a promising avenue for improving crop resilience in waterlogged conditions.

Energy saving and economic competitiveness of solar desiccant cooling technology – A case study of the Moroccan Kingdom

Abstract As many countries in the world, Morocco is vulnerable to climate change having direct impacts on its main economic sectors highly dependent on natural resources. This is exemplified, among other things, by long periods of drought, increase of average…

Application of photovoltaics on different types of land in China: Opportunities, status and challenges

Abstract Addressing pressing issues such as global climate change, dwindling fossil fuel reserves, and energy structure transitions, there is a global consensus on harnessing photovoltaic (PV) technology. As PV projects burgeon, they intensify the demand for land resources. Given land’s scarcity, its efficient…

UAlbany State Weather Risk Communication Center Director Available to Discuss Extreme Heat

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 17, 2024) — An intense heat wave is bringing record-breaking temperatures to the eastern United States this week, including the Capital Region. Today, temperatures in the Albany area are expected to reach close to 90 degrees, with…

Phosphorylation: the molecular key to birch trees’ drought endurance

Researchers have elucidated the pivotal function of the BpNAC90 gene’s phosphorylation in birch trees, which is essential for their drought tolerance. This discovery in gene expression regulation presents a significant step towards engineering plants with enhanced resilience to arid conditions, offering a strategic approach to combat the impacts of climate change on vegetation.