Phys.org
Rivers worldwide reveal greenhouse gas rise that's been overlooked for decades
Rivers are warming and losing oxygen at an alarming rate, causing them to emit significantly more greenhouse gases than previously accounted for, according to a sweeping two-decade analysis by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The study, published in Global Change Biology, links the transformation directly to rising temperatures and human land use. The findings close a critical gap in climate modeling, suggesting global emissions inventories may have been meaningfully underestimating atmospheric contributions from freshwater systems.
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Two whale groups separated by seas—but not by genes, study finds
Despite being separated by geography, Mediterranean and Atlantic fin whale populations share closer genetic ties than previously thought, according to new research in Genome Biology and Evolution. Both populations have been in decline for 200,000 years, long before modern human activity accelerated the pressure. The finding reshapes conservation strategy, suggesting cross-population management may be necessary to protect this endangered species.
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JWST hunts for an 'Earth-moon' twin in a habitable zone, but the star has other plans
The James Webb Space Telescope has turned its gaze toward a promising star system in search of an Earth-moon analog, only to find the host star itself undermining the effort. Astronomers have long sought a twin to our Earth-Luna system, given the moon's critical role in stabilizing Earth's climate and potentially seeding life through tidal forces. The new study from researchers at MIT and Harvard adds another frustrating chapter to that search, with stellar activity throwing a wrench into what looked like a compelling candidate.
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An unprecedented Antarctic heat wave hit in the dead of winter—what it signals for the decades ahead
During the Antarctic winter of 2024, temperatures in East Antarctica surged up to 28°C above average for more than two weeks — an event with no historical precedent. The scale of the anomaly is staggering: it would be the equivalent of the UK experiencing mid-30°C heat in January. Scientists warn this signals accelerating climate instability at the poles, with cascading consequences for global sea levels and weather patterns in the decades ahead.
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Sewers have been hiding a climate problem in plain sight, and this new tool finally exposes its true scale
Urban sewer systems are quietly leaking significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere, and until now, no reliable way existed to measure the problem at scale. Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed the first globally applicable tool to estimate methane emissions from sewers, filling a critical blind spot in climate accounting. With anthropogenic methane responsible for nearly 45% of current net warming, accurately capturing this overlooked source could meaningfully reshape emissions reduction strategies worldwide.
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