ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
Aerosols in air pollution cause negative health impacts, but they also help cool cities by deflecting the sun’s rays
Recent research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals alarming findings about the impact of declining aerosol levels on heatwave occurrences in populated regions. As heatwaves become more frequent worldwide, this study—published in Environmental Research Letters—highlights how reducing aerosols, which contribute to air pollution, may be exacerbating the problem.
Cameron Cummins, a co-author of the study, explains, “While we knew that aerosol emissions were suppressing global warming at the regional level, we found that their impact on heatwaves near urban centers was much more significant than we expected.” Although clean air policies aimed at improving public health have led to reduced aerosol emissions, this study warns that urban areas may be at higher risk for heatwaves as a result.
Using advanced global climate models, researchers found that aerosols play a vital role in moderating temperature changes, being up to 2.5 times more influential than greenhouse gases in urban heatwave events. Higher levels of aerosols effectively reflect sunlight, resulting in lower heatwave exposure, but this balance is shifting as aerosol levels decline.
The research indicates that from 1920 to now, increased aerosol levels had helped decrease heatwave occurrences in urban settings by nearly half. Unfortunately, this trend is reversing, with projected outcomes showing that heatwaves could rise from an average of 40 days per year today to about 110 days annually by 2080 in certain regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South America, and Western Europe.
Geeta Persad, the study’s lead author and assistant professor at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences, underscores the urgency of the situation: “We seem to have already crossed a tipping point where declining aerosols are accelerating heatwave exposure in many places.”
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U.S. and Bahrain Reaffirm Defense Partnership at Pentagon Meeting
On Thursday, high-level officials gathered at the Pentagon to reinforce the longstanding defense partnership between
U.S. and Bahrain Forge Path for Civil Nuclear Cooperation
In a significant diplomatic milestone, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dr. Abdullatif bin
Climate Change Increases Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Rising temperatures increase the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a large new study published at the ATS 2025 International Conference. The study also found that, under the most likely climate change scenarios, the societal burden of OSA is expected to double in most countries over…
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Panama Takes Aim at ‘Invisible’ Owners in Fight Against Illegal Fishing
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Solar Power is Transforming Home Energy in 2025—and Define Solar is Leading the Way
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Pause, not plunder: International Seabed Authority must halt deep-sea mining rush
The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is calling for the international community to urgently establish a moratorium on destructive deep-sea mining to prevent irreversible harm to ocean ecosystems and protect the rights of current and future generations.
Over the next three weeks, States will convene in Kingston, Jamaica, for the critical International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council and Assembly meetings, where discussions will continue whether to open the deep sea, one of our greatest allies in combating the climate crisis, to the highly destructive deep-sea mining industry.
During the marathon 3-week meeting, ISA Member States will resume negotiations on a deeply flawed and incomplete mining code, despite growing environmental, cultural, technical, economic, and human rights concerns, and mounting global opposition. Thirty-seven countries, along with major financial institutions, businesses, human rights experts, scientists, fishers, and millions of people around the world, are now calling for a moratorium or precautionary pause.
Sofia Tsenikli, DSCC Campaign Director, said: “The unmistakable momentum for a moratorium at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in June made it clear that the world does not need or want deep-sea mining, either through the ISA or unilaterally. It…
While some scientists argue that agricultural gene editing regulations are overly restrictive, a new paper from the University of Adelaide emphasises the importance of clear regulations to ensure new technologies are used safely and responsibly
A recent paper from the University of Adelaide is drawing attention to the crucial role of regulatory frameworks in agricultural gene editing. While some scientists argue that current regulations are overly restrictive, the authors emphasize the need for clear guidelines to ensure these emerging technologies are applied safely and responsibly.
The paper, published in The Plant Journal, features contributions from researchers Dr. Emily Buddle, Michail Ivanov, and Professor Rachel Ankeny. The review underscores how effective regulation not only fosters innovation but also encourages public engagement and builds trust in new gene technologies.
“Regulatory decisions are influenced by value judgements related to safety, risk, and societal benefits,” explains Dr. Buddle. She further stresses the importance of early and ongoing communication between plant scientists and various stakeholders to address potential concerns regarding new technologies. “This engagement should be seen as a mutual learning process, recognizing that no single group can shape regulation in isolation.”
A notable point made in the review is the distinction between scientific equivalency and public acceptance. While certain gene-editing techniques can produce changes that occur naturally in agriculture, public perception relies more on the application and perceived benefits of the technology rather than the methods themselves. Dr. Buddle notes…
Spring Break is Fire for Students Conducting Prescribed Burns in Georgia
Students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) chose to spend spring break in Georgia, engaging in prescribed burns — a forestry management practice that involves intentionally setting fires to promote forest health, support wildlife biodiversity, and increase resilience to future wildfires.
Led by graduate students Maria…
New Research Uncovers Evolutionary Secrets Linking Birds to Their Dinosaur Ancestors
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U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Joint Partners Tackle Hazardous Waste in Southern California Wildfire Response
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New insights into the evolution of the back-belly-axis
By Tina Geiger / Staff WriterA new study from the University of Vienna reveals that sea anemones use a molecular mechanism known from bilaterian animals to form their back-to-belly body axis. This mechanism (“BMP shuttling”) enables cells to organize themselves during development by interpreting signaling gradients. The findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that this system evolved much earlier than previously assumed and was already present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians.
Most animals exhibit bilateral symmetry—a body plan with a head and tail, a back and belly, and left and right sides. This body organization characterizes the vast group known as Bilateria, which includes animals as diverse as vertebrates, insects, molluscs and worms. In contrast, cnidarians, such as jellyfish and sea anemones, are traditionally described as radially symmetric, and indeed jellyfish are. However, the situation is different is the sea anemones: despite superficial radiality, they are bilaterally symmetric – first at the level of gene expression in the embryo and later also anatomically as adults. This raises a fundamental evolutionary question: did bilateral symmetry arise in the common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria, or did it evolve independently in multiple animal lineages? Researchers at the University of Vienna have addressed this question by investigating whether a key developmental mechanism called BMP shuttling is already present in cnidarians.
Shuttling for development
In bilaterian animals, the back-to-belly axis is patterned by a signaling system involving Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and their inhibitor Chordin. BMPs act as molecular messengers, telling embryonic cells where they are and what kind of tissue they should…
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In Memoriam: Kristina Washer, 30, Environmental Science Pioneer and Advocate for Planetary Health
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Remembering Kristina Comley Washer: A passionate environmental scientist and advocate who left an indelible mark at 30
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Kristina was more than a scholar—she was a force for change. A master’s student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, she was awarded the prestigious Hanes Endowed Fellowship in Environmental Health, which supported her research into the complex intersections between pollution, public health, and environmental risk management. Her academic path was marked by a rare blend of intellectual excellence and moral clarity, with a sharp focus on hazardous waste site remediation and environmental justice.
In June 2022, the Licensed Site Professional Association (LSPA) recognized Kristina’s outstanding potential by awarding her one of its coveted scholarships. The LSPA Scholarship Fund, which annually supports students in environmental studies across New England, honored Kristina’s deep commitment to environmental health, selecting her for the award in recognition of both her scholarly promise and her profound passion for the field.
Kristina’s work had a global scope and…
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New Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Methane Emissions Linked to Arctic Warming
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Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $122.9 million for six California projects to build zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, including over $55 million for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. The funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration’s…
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