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New research led by the University of California, Riverside, suggests that a slowdown in a significant ocean current may help reduce Arctic warming projections by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the century’s end. The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigating how a slowing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could affect the rate of warming in the Arctic, a region currently warming at a rate three to four times faster than the global average.

Impact of AMOC on Arctic Temperatures

The AMOC, a crucial part of Earth’s climate system, transports heat from tropical regions to higher latitudes. According to  the study, a weakening AMOC could mean less heat reaching the Arctic, thereby slowing the region’s warming. Without this factor, Arctic temperatures are projected to rise by up to 10 degrees Celsius by the century’s end; factoring in the AMOC, this rise may be limited to around 8 degrees.

Challenges for Arctic Ecosystems Despite Slower Warming

While a reduced temperature increase might offer some relief, Arctic ecosystems still face considerable challenges. Sea ice continues to melt, posing a threat to polar bears and other wildlife dependent on ice-covered habitats for survival. With ice disappearing, open water absorbs more sunlight, intensifying the warming process—a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. Wei Liu, associate professor of climate change at UC Riverside and co-author of the study, cautioned that while the AMOC slowdown could slow Arctic warming, the consequences are complex. “This is not simply a good-news story,” he remarked. “The broader impact on ecosystems and weather patterns may still be profound.”

Potential Global Impacts of AMOC Slowdown

The study also warns of possible climate disruptions beyond the Arctic. For instance, a slower AMOC may shift the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a tropical rain belt, southward. Such a shift could increase droughts in areas reliant on the ITCZ’s rainfall for agriculture and water supplies. Additionally, the study notes that while melting sea ice does not directly impact sea levels, other factors like melting land ice and the thermal expansion of warming ocean waters do contribute to rising sea levels.

Future Uncertainty and Climate Complexity

The research team used a climate model integrating ocean, atmosphere, land, and sea ice interactions, isolating the AMOC’s effect by conducting simulations under different scenarios. While this provided insights, the researchers acknowledge ongoing uncertainties about the AMOC’s long-term behaviour. Direct AMOC measurements have only been available since 2004, limiting data on its historical trends and future trajectory. “There’s still debate about whether the slowdown will continue or if a total collapse might happen by century’s end,” Lee noted.

Despite the temporary relief a weaker AMOC might offer, Lee emphasised the importance of a global perspective. “Even small shifts in ocean circulation can lead to ripple effects across the planet,” she said. “The future of the Arctic—and our world—depends on the actions we take now to address climate change.”

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Can burying wood help reduce carbon? This ancient log suggests it might.

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November 7, 2024

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Can burying wood help reduce carbon? This ancient log suggests it might.

In 2013, a team led by Ning Zeng, a climate scientist from the University of Maryland, unearthed a remarkable find while conducting an experiment in Quebec, Canada. The researchers were digging a trench to test if burying wood under clay soil could prevent its decomposition and keep carbon locked away from the atmosphere. During this process, they unexpectedly discovered a 3,775-year-old Eastern red cedar log buried just two metres below the ground. This ancient log, still containing 95 percent of its carbon, demonstrated the potential effectiveness of clay as a carbon-preserving medium.

A Natural Solution to Carbon Storage

For years, scientists and environmental experts have been exploring new ways to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Ning Zeng’s team initially aimed to test if wood burial could be a low-cost, natural approach to long-term carbon storage. While researching clay soil’s ability to inhibit decomposition, their discovery suggested a promising solution already existed in nature. By covering wood with layers of clay, oxygen and microbes are kept from reaching it, thus helping to preserve its carbon content.

According to Daniel Sanchez who is an environmental scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, this affordable approach holds great potential. He notes that as global emissions continue, inexpensive solutions like these are critical. Burying wood could reduce emissions at an estimated $30 to $100 per tonne of CO2, significantly less than other carbon-capturing methods.

Affordable and Practical Potential

The researchers estimates that replicating these conditions could allow up to 10 billion tonnes of carbon to be stored annually by 2060. This will potentially help in reducing greenhouse gases. The wood vault design proposed by Zeng involves burying wood under clay, which forms a protective barrier. Although the long-term durability of these conditions is still under review, Zeng’s team has concluded their original study, and findings suggest practical applications for climate mitigation efforts.

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Research Shows What Happens to Your Brain When You Watch a Movie

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November 7, 2024

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Research Shows What Happens to Your Brain When You Watch a Movie

In a significant advancement in neuroscience, researchers have developed a detailed functional map of the brain by studying brain activity in people watching movie clips. Conducted by neuroscientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and published on November 6 in Neuron, the study used fMRI scans to observe how different brain networks respond to various film scenes. Clips from independent and popular Hollywood films, including Inception and The Social Network, were shown to participants, revealing how brain areas engage differently when processing scenes featuring people, objects, dialogue, and action.

Detailed Insights into Brain Network Functions

The study was published in Neuron. Dr Reza Rajimehr, neuroscientist and lead author from MIT, emphasised the study’s unique approach, noting how it highlights the brain’s organisation in more realistic settings. Traditionally, brain function research has been based on scans during resting states, limiting understanding of how complex external stimuli impact brain activity. By analysing responses to films, the research offers a broader view of how specific networks activate in response to varied audio-visual elements.

Rajimehr and his team applied machine learning to data from the Human Connectome Project, involving 176 participants who watched one-hour film compilations. They pinpointed 24 distinct brain networks related to sensory or cognitive processing, such as recognising faces, movements, and social interactions. Activity varied depending on the scene’s content, particularly when switching between straightforward dialogue and more ambiguous sequences.

Executive Control in Complex Scenes

Notably, the study identified how executive control regions—brain areas involved in planning and prioritising information—became more active during scenes that required greater cognitive engagement. Simple scenes, such as clear conversations, saw heightened language-processing activity, while complex sequences activated executive domains to interpret context and semantic details.

The researchers suggested that future studies might explore individual brain response variations, considering factors like age or mental health. Rajimehr stated that the findings could open doors to mapping how specific film content, including social cues and narrative context, drives activity in different networks. This research provides an initial framework for deeper studies into personalised brain mapping based on content-driven stimuli.

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Are fans safe in extreme heat? New studies challenge limits.

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November 7, 2024

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Are fans safe in extreme heat? New studies challenge limits.

With rising global temperatures, the use of electric fans as a cooling method has sparked debate. It was particularly regarding safety limits in high heat. Public health agencies have set differing thresholds: the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages fan use above 32.2°C, while the World Health Organization (WHO) supports using fans up to 40°C in certain conditions. Recent studies, though, offer mixed insights into the role of fans in managing heat stress, especially for older adults and those with heart conditions.

New Studies Examine Fan Benefits in Different Conditions

The new study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Two new studies by thermal physiologists have added insights but haven’t settled the debate. In one study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, older adults placed in a humid environment at 38-degree Celsius experienced a marked reduction in cardiac stress—31% lower when using fans. Participants who combined fan use with misting saw even greater relief, suggesting that the circulation of moist air aids in lowering heart strain. Ollie Jay, thermal physiologist at the University of Sydney, led the research, concluding that fans may provide significant benefits in humid settings.

On the other hand, a study published in JAMA highlighted the limitations of fans in dry heat. This study involved older adults in an environment set at 36°C with moderate humidity, finding minimal changes in core temperature or heart rate, which only dropped by five beats per minute. Robert Meade, a Harvard University researcher, cautioned that fans may not deliver the cooling needed under these dry conditions.

Humidity as a Key Factor in Fan Use Guidance

These studies indicates that humidity significantly influences the effectiveness of fans, with high moisture levels allowing fans to aid in evaporative cooling. In contrast, in dry conditions, fans may worsen heat stress by circulating hot air. This variability has led the WHO to recommend a 40°C threshold, while the CDC maintains a conservative 32.2°C guideline.

This research, conducted in controlled conditions, highlights the need for real-world studies to better inform public health recommendations. The ongoing debate underscores a critical public health issue as heatwaves become more intense and frequent globally.

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