10/4/2023: Mars is safer for human brains than the Moon or deep space

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An astronaut stands on the Moon.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon in 1969.
Credit: NASA

AGU News 

Register now to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting
Staff, freelance and student journalists, along with press officers and institutional writers covering the conference, are eligible for free registration for AGU’s annual meeting (#AGU23), coming to San Francisco, CA (and online) 11-15 December. [AGU23 Press Center][Press registration and housing][Media advisories] 

Indigenous science focus 

  • “Pyro-diverse” traditional knowledges apply fire to manage East and Southern African savannas [Earth’s Future] 
  • Tiwi Islanders monitor climate change in Northern Australia [Earth’s Future] 
  • Myanmar community contains coal mining waste fires [GeoHealth] 
  • Palestinian charcoal producers and Israeli researchers collaborate to make a traditional practice burn cleaner [Earth and Space Science] 
  • Ikaaġvik Sikukun (Ice Bridges) project “ice-tethered observatory” tracks heat budget of dwindling landfast ice in Kotzebue Sound [JGR Oceans] 
  • Indigenous communities adapt as climate change upends ecological calendars globally [collection overview] 
  • Balancing open science, data privacy and fairness [Water Science Research] 
  • Co-Creating ethical practices and approaches for fieldwork [AGU Advances] 

Featured research  

Mars is safer for human brains than the Moon or deep space
A major concern for astronauts in space is exposure to radiation from galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles, which could potentially harm the central nervous system. A new study finds that astronauts will be exposed to more radiation on the Moon’s surface and in deep space than they will be on Mars, creating a need for adequate shielding protection. [Space Weather research] 

Air pollution competes with greenhouse gases to rein in rain over South Asia
Greenhouse gases should have increased rainfall over South Asia, but high aerosol concentrations have offset excess rainfall in the region since the mid-20th century. Nevertheless, greenhouse gas-induced rainfall will likely increase in South Asia as aerosol emissions stabilize in the mid-21st century. [Geophysical Research Letters research] 

Storms bring water vapor to higher altitudes than previously thought
Thunderstorms are known to bring water vapor to the stratosphere, but a recent study flew planes at extreme altitudes in the stratosphere and found water vapor present at elevations higher than all prior global records — around 18 kilometers (11 miles) high. Water vapor in the stratosphere can contribute to global warming and harm ozone, and the processes that push water vapor up may increase in frequency as the climate warms. [Geophysical Research Letters research] 

Cities make some thunderstorms in Southeast US stronger and wetter 
Weather conditions that have the necessary elements for convection but lack strong lift can spawn “weakly-forced” thunderstorms susceptible to added environmental influences. New research finds that the unstable atmospheric conditions near urban areas facilitate updrafts, causing these storms to be stronger, more hail-prone, and produce more lightning than similar storms forming outside the city. [Geophysical Research Letters research] 

James Webb Space Telescope captures Saturn’s changing seasons
Winter is coming—and not just for Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. Northern summer on Saturn is coming to a close after about 7.5 years, with its fall equinox coming up in 2025. Unprecedented images reveal how Saturn’s atmosphere is evolving as summertime winds down in its northern hemisphere. [JGR Planets research] [Eos Research Spotlight] 

AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct. 

9/27/2023: Space companies face heightened solar maximum

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The current solar cycle is intense, forcing space-oriented companies to face inclement space weather. Credit: NASA Goddard

Featured research

Space companies face heightened solar maximum
Space companies face inclement weather as the current solar cycle has produced the highest rates of monthly sunspots in over two decades, with 163 and 159 in June and July, respectively. [Space Weather research]

Hydrogen insulates gas giants’ ultra-hot cores
Hydrogen, a primary component in gas giant planets, may be the reason why these distant worlds are able to maintain scorching internal temperatures despite their ice-cold surfaces. Researchers find that in its hot, liquid form, hydrogen has low thermal conductivity, making it a great insulator. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Researchers pinpoint source of Turkey-Syria Earthquake tsunami
On 6 February 2023, two large earthquakes struck southeast Turkey and the northern border of Syria, generating a series of aftershocks and a mysterious tsunami in the Mediterranean Sea. Researchers now say the tsunami originated from landslides and liquefaction around Turkey’s Iskenderun Bay. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Europe is getting drier and hotter
In 2022, western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, resulting in more than 61,000 deaths. Low winds and an influx of hot, dry air are partially to blame, and similar weather patterns will be more likely with climate change, researchers say. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Ocean’s largest Oxygen Deficient Zone is getting stronger
The world’s largest ocean Oxygen Deficient Zone, located in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific, has strengthened by 30% in the last 50 years. There, rapidly depleting oxygen supplies could drastically alter the carbon cycle and threaten marine organisms. [Global Biogeochemical Cycles research]

Exploring the mantle through microseisms
A new method for examining the tiny vibrations of Earth caused by ocean swells could help reveal details of deep-Earth structure. [Geophysical Research Letters research] [Eos Research Spotlight]

AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

 

 

9/20/2023: Hot weather may exacerbate mental and behavioral issues in youth

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Hot weather is tied to an increase in hospital visits for mental and behavioral problems, but more so for youths in lower socioeconomic groups, according to new GeoHealth research. Credit: Gene Gallin/Unsplash

Featured research 

Hot weather may exacerbate mental and behavioral issues in youth
Higher temperatures correlate with an increase in emergency room visits related to mental and behavioral disorders in youths. However, sociodemographic variables, such as income or race, can increase the risk of heat-related symptoms even more as vulnerable communities lack access to the same resources as wealthier populations. [GeoHealth research] 

Heavy rainfall may aggravate asthma symptoms
Increased downpours due to climate change could spell trouble for asthmatics. A new study in New York state found emergency department visits for asthma increased by a small yet significant number following heavy rainfall in non-winter months. Studies conducted in Philadelphia and Maryland yielded similar results, suggesting a trend in rainfall-triggered asthma flare ups. [GeoHealth research] 

New NASA satellite trio will help scientists study the ocean
Over the next five years, NASA will launch three new satellites to enhance scientists’ abilities to study aquatic science from a global perspective. Together, data from the satellite trio will help researchers take a “deeper dive” into harmful algal blooms, oil spills, climate change’s impacts on phytoplankton, and more. [JGR Biogeosciences research] 

Clouds help the Arctic cool off in the wintertime
Most clouds warm Earth’s surface, but 40% of low clouds over Arctic sea ice are cooling the region’s winter climate as they allow longwave radiation to escape from Earth to space. This effect nearly cancels out radiative warming from the other 60% of low clouds. [Geophysical Research Letters research] 

Listening to the temperature of the ocean with seismic microphones
Global warming is changing ocean temperatures, but measuring temperatures in the deep ocean is a challenge. A new study used sounds from small earthquakes to estimate deep ocean temperatures in the East Indian Ocean. Sound waves travel thousands of kilometers underwater, and the warmer the ocean, the faster sound travels. With the help of an underwater microphone, scientists can capture those sounds and gauge deep ocean temperatures.  [JGR Solid Earth research] 

Better bottom-up estimates of wetland methane emissions
Limited monitoring of methane emissions from tropical wetlands could be obscuring these environments’ role in climate change. New analyses using more data could help shed light on methane emissions worldwide and help reduce uncertainty in climate models. [AGU Advances research] [Eos Research Spotlight] 

AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.  

9/13/2023: Modeling firefighting improves wildfire predictions

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Wildfire-scarred landscapes smolder in British Columbia. Credit: Kerry Rawlinson/Unsplash

AGU News

AGU journalism awards go to Julia Rosen and Nicola Jones
AGU honors journalists Julia Rosen and Nicola Jones with the 2023 Journalism Awards. Rosen was awarded the Sullivan Award for her Hakai Magazine feature on crabbing and ocean deoxygenation, and Jones was awarded the Perlman Award for her Nature news story on how fossil fuel emissions are tampering with carbon dating. Congratulations! [full announcement]

Featured research

Modeling firefighting improves wildfire predictions
Wildfires can be hard to contain and even harder to predict, but a new study finds that including fire containment lines and maps on fuel moisture and density in predictive models can improve accuracy. With this data enhancing short-term predictions, firefighters and researchers are improving safety. [JGR Atmospheres research]

Paint the town… white? Higher albedo cools surrounding areas
Increasing a region’s albedo, or the amount of sunlight a surface reflects into space, does more than reduce local temperatures. Higher albedo can lead to more rainfall, which can cool surrounding areas as well. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Geologic mapping of enigmatic continent Zealandia now complete
Zealandia is an ancient continent fragment that today sits mostly underwater. Scientists have now completed geologic mapping of the continent, providing new insights into the region’s geologic history. [Tectonics research]  

Flooded soil is bad at absorbing carbon dioxide
Flooding can decrease a soil’s capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, as a new study of the devastating 2019 floods in the U.S. Midwest reveals. With floods becoming more common due to climate change, further study is needed to understand potential threats to this critical carbon sink, the researchers say. [JGR Atmospheres research]

After midnight in the upper atmosphere
High in the atmosphere, narrow bands of hot plasma called subauroral ion drifts can interrupt radar signals. A new study of drift occurrences reveals that uncommon, after-midnight plasma flows appear to be triggered by the same mechanism that drives more frequently observed evening flows.
[JGR Space Physics research][Eos research spotlight]

Optimizing carbonate classification on Mars
Combining data from several of the Perseverance rover’s spectroscopic sensors offers a more accurate means to classify carbonate minerals, which may hold hints of ancient life. [Earth and Space Science research][Eos research spotlight]

AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

9/6/2023: Air pollution harms Indigenous and low-income Canadians

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Downtown Calgary, Alberta. Credit: Wikimedia

Featured research

Air pollution harms Indigenous and low-income Canadians

Canada’s Indigenous peoples, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and low-income communities are more likely to experience air pollution-related deaths than non-Indigenous, wealthier populations living in the same cities. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that these groups have higher baseline mortality rates. [GeoHealth research]

Fewer tropical storms to hit South Asia, but they’ll be stronger

Climate change will reduce the number of tropical storms over the Ganges and Mekong river basins, but with a catch. The remaining storms will likely be more intense, increasing socio-economic loss for communities that already have limited capacity to mitigate disasters. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

The source of Callisto’s oxygen remains a mystery  

Previous observations of Jupiter’s second largest moon, Callisto, found molecular oxygen in Callisto’s atmosphere. Scientists assumed the atmosphere’s oxygen was caused by Jupiter’s magnetic field interacting with the moon’s icy surface. However, a new study shows that this source does not produce enough oxygen to match observations. Thus, Callisto must have another mechanism for oxygen formation. [JGR Planets research]

Antarctic heatwaves to be five degrees Celsius warmer by end of century

In March 2022, East Antarctica experienced a record-breaking heatwave following a record sea ice minimum. Scientists estimate that climate change made the heatwave two degrees Celsius higher, and by the end of the 21st century, heatwaves will be up to five to six degrees Celsius higher. This would lead to near-melting temperatures over the East Antarctic ice cap during extreme heatwaves. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Climate modeling, no supercomputer required

High-precision atmospheric modeling often requires expensive, power-intensive supercomputers, which are not available to many researchers globally. A new, simplified model requires fewer resources and maintains accuracy with only minor differences, opening climate research to scientists who lack supercomputer access. [Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems research]

 

AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

8/30/2023: Growing animals and crops together to feed the world’s population

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Featured research

Growing animals and crops together to feed the world’s population
As human populations grow, farmers need new ways to sustainably feed more people. One potential solution is rice-animal co-culture systems. By introducing animals, such as fish, ducks or crayfish, into rice fields, farmers can increase both animal and crop yields, creating more food and using resources more efficiently than monocultures alone. [Earth and Space Science commentary][Earth’s Future research]

What makes oceans form on planets?
With new space-observing technology such as the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists are taking a closer look at what planets need to form water oceans. A new study finds that early Venus would need just 13% of Earth’s ocean mass for oceans to form, depending on cloud cover and albedo. The model also supports existing ideas that two planets outside of the Solar System are likely to have liquid water. [JGR Planets research]

Mars is significantly less mineralogically diverse than Earth
Mars and Earth are close in age and share some of their mineral formation mechanisms, yet the Red Planet’s mineral diversity pales in comparison to Earth’s. New research suggests that Mars’ limited mineralogy is caused by a lack of plate tectonics and life. Scientists predict that Mars’ mineral diversity is 10 times smaller than that of Earth. [JGR Planets research]

New Australian lake would not create more rainfall
Central Australia has a dry, arid climate and frequently struggles with drought. An Australian engineer in the 1930s proposed a plan to create a permanent inland lake to alleviate local water insecurity, and supporters of this plan have pointed out that the lake could increase precipitation as well. However, a new study finds that the lake’s impacts to rainfall would be negligible. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Warmer oceans and wind bursts behind 2021’s extreme Atlantic Niño
The Atlantic Niño plays an important role in the development of El Niño and hurricanes near the coast of West Africa. In 2021, the Atlantic experienced the most extreme Atlantic Niño since records began in the 1970s, flooding multiple West African countries. Researchers found that the event was preconditioned by warmer ocean temperatures and finally triggered by a week-long westerly wind burst event. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

It’s too hot for fans in many US cities
Electric fans keep people cool in a warming world. But new research shows there are increasing numbers of hours when, and places where, just using a fan to keep cool won’t cut it. When temperatures rise above 35°C, fans no longer prevent heat-related illnesses, and in the past 2 decades, on average, U.S. residents have experienced roughly twice as many hours when fan use is unsafe compared with 50–70 years ago. [GeoHealth research] [Eos research spotlight]

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Visit the AGU Newsroom to read about the latest science from AGU’s 23 journals, get updates about our organization, register for complimentary press access to AGU journals, and find topical experts. Visit eos.org to read Research Spotlights and Editors’ Highlights.

***   
AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

8/23/2023: Lead in urban soils disproportionately harms Black Americans

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A map of the city of New Orleans showing the milligrams of lead per kilogram of soil. Green is low and red is high.

As in many traffic-congested cities, lead has built up in the soil of inner city New Orleans, La.
Credit: Laidlaw et al, GeoHealth https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GH000829

Featured research

Toxic lead in urban soils harms Black Americans
Urban populations, and particularly majority Black communities, have elevated concentrations of lead in their blood. Previous studies assume that today’s atmospheric lead concentrations are caused by current lead emissions; however, new research finds that urban soils contain lead from the 20th century that becomes airborne during dry seasons, harming vulnerable communities. [GeoHealth commentary]

Extreme heatwaves in China will occur every 8 years by 2100
In 2022, China experienced two record-breaking heatwaves that historically have a return period of tens of thousands of years. As temperatures rise, heatwaves of this intensity are projected to occur every 8.5 years on average by the end of the century. Researchers call for adaptation planners to consider new efforts to build social resilience to extreme heatwaves. [Geophysical Research Letters research].

Tree leaves point to valuable ores underground
Valuable ores are found in bedrock but are often covered by soil and vegetation. Plants growing on top of ores take in elements from soil, which contains broken-down bedrock. A new study demonstrates subtle changes in the light reflected from leaves can mark the presence of copper and molybdenum hidden below. [Radio Science research]

Effects of harvest, wildfires and grazing on carbon in US forests
U.S. forests have been recovering from past depletion since the early 20th century, but fire, harvest and grazing have contributed to continued forest loss. Tree harvest is the key driver in forest biomass loss, with wildfire also contributing. In total, U.S. forest recovery has led to a net increase in carbon stock density of nearly 40%. [Global Biogeochemical Cycles research]

Extreme precipitation storms will shrink in tropics but expand over arid regions
Rising temperatures will cause more concentrated and intense precipitation events in the tropics, and larger rainstorms in arid regions and central Europe. These short-duration storms can lead to severe flash flooding, creating a need for effective stormwater systems in urban areas. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Beavers are remaking microbial ecosystems in the Arctic
As beavers expand their range northward into the Arctic tundra, changes in bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities appear to be following. The increasingly plant rich environments will likely capture more carbon, helping to mitigate carbon emissions from the environment, but in the long run, those gains may be offset by carbon released as microbes break down the vegetation. [JGR Biogeosciences research] [Eos research spotlight]

8/16/2023: Increased ozone reduces rain over South Asia

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A landscape on the Tibetan Plateau. Credit:flickr

Plate tectonics roundup
In honor of the recently deceased W. Jason Morgan, who helped advance the theory of plate tectonics, explore more recent developments in this evolving field:

Featured research

Increased ozone reduces rain over South Asia
Stratospheric ozone depletion in the late 20th century enhanced deep convection and increased rainfall over the Tibetan Plateau, a region where the local population is already vulnerable to hydrological disasters like flooding. However, successful measures to reduce ozone depletion in the early 21st century have begun to decrease rainfall, potentially reducing hazard risks. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Noise exposure negatively impacts overall human health, not only hearing
A recent study compiled the most comprehensive review on noise exposure’s effects on human health to date. While most research focuses on auditory health, this study reports on noise exposure in relation to extra-auditory systems, including circulatory and nervous disorders, gastrointestinal and endocrine dysfunction, and cancer risk. [GeoHealth research]

Climate change to cause snow drought in western US
Rising temperatures will reduce snow water storage in the western U.S., decreasing the volume of snowmelt downstream in the spring and summer. The reduction in snowmelt will not be uniform throughout the western U.S., making it difficult for populations to prepare for changes in water resources. [Water Resources Research research]

Detecting hurricane-triggered tornadoes
It’s difficult to forecast tornadoes that accompany tropical cyclones post-landfall, but a new study finds that subtle changes in low-level rotation and convergence could improve prediction. Their findings suggest that rotation and convergence are more useful than lightning for detecting tropical cyclone-triggered tornadoes in real-time, as most of the tornadoes are not preceded by lightning. [JGR Atmospheres research]

Visualizing deep inside planets and moons
Scientists are using a new method, dubbed THeBOOGIe, to determine where density anomalies lie inside planetary bodies. The flexibility and statistical strength of THeBOOGIe may help scientists visualize the interiors of planets and moons for which seismic and geophysical data are lacking. [Earth and Space Science research] [Eos research spotlight]

Biogeochemical insights from a major Amazonian river
To track human-driven environmental changes of rivers and their basins, scientists first need detailed evaluations of a river’s chemical composition. A new study reveals seasonal changes in the Amazon’s Tocantins River carbon and nitrogen content, reflecting a source shift from terrestrial to riverine organic matter. [JGR Biogeosciences research] [Eos research spotlight]

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Visit the AGU Newsroom to read about the latest science from AGU’s 23 journals, get updates about our organization, register for complimentary press access to AGU journals, and find topical experts. Visit eos.org to read Research Spotlights and Editors’ Highlights.

***   
AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

 

 

 

 

8/9/2023: The Great Lakes are heating up

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Like the oceans, water in the Great Lakes is heating up as climate change progresses. Credit: NOAA

Featured research 

The Great Lakes are heating up
The Great Lakes in the U.S. Midwest have complex climate effects, and accurately modeling those effects can be difficult. New and improved models capture more of that complexity and reflect lake surface temperatures more accurately, revealing higher temperatures than previously estimated. [Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems research] 

Today’s high methane emission rates are similar to 20,000 years ago
Atmospheric methane has been increasing rapidly since 2006, and a new study finds that emissions from wetlands — particularly in the tropics — are partially responsible. Current methane rates are on par with the scale of methane release that occurred when the ice sheets melted at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, likely also due to wetland emissions. In both cases, rapid changes in methane emissions are linked to global climate swings. [Global Biogeochemical Cycles research] 

School greenery improves academic performance
Plant life surrounding schools is associated with higher academic performance at public schools in Santiago, Chile. The researchers suggest that vegetation around schools could reduce educational and environmental inequalities in the Global South’s urban areas. [GeoHealth research] 

Ground penetrating radar reveals lunar lava layers
China’s Chang’E-4 rover sent electromagnetic pulses into the Moon’s interior and uncovered layered lava flows and a crater beneath the surface. These layers of hardened lava are evidence of a series of basalt eruptions that took place billions of years ago. The layers become thinner as they near the surface, suggesting a decrease in eruption size over time. [JGR Planets research] 

US Gulf and northwest coasts most susceptible to high-tide floods
Sea level rise co-occurring with other sea-level processes (i.e., seasonal sea level variability, surge and other sea-level components) exacerbates high-tide flooding, a new study finds. These processes are increasing the magnitude and frequency of high-tide floods across the northwestern and Gulf coasts in particular. [JGR Oceans research]  

Spacecraft housekeeping sensors can scan for solar spray
Many spacecraft have devices to monitor the craft’s “health,” including the presence of solar energetic particles (i.e., protons, electrons and heavy ions). A new study reveals the unintended potential to use these “health monitors” as a vast network to detect bursts of solar energetic particles where monitors are otherwise absent. [Space Weather research] 

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8/3/2023: Air pollution harms brain health — plants can help

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Urban greenery may help reduce stroke risk by cleaning up the air, according to new research in AGU’s journal GeoHealth. Credit: Uwe Conrad/Unsplash

Featured research

Air pollution could raise the risk of stroke — plants can help
Exposure to fine particulate pollution called PM2.5 can have long-term impacts on blood flow to the brain, which is an important stroke risk factor, a new study finds. The team found that areas with more urban greenery had better health outcomes due to plants’ ability to reduce air pollution, suggesting an increase in urban greenery could reduce the risk of damage to brain health. [GeoHealth research]

A glimpse into Venus provides more evidence for volcanoes
A low viscosity zone in Venus’ mantle could indicate the presence of partial melting, a new study finds. Like Earth, movement in the mantle’s low viscosity zone is responsible for magmatic activity and is crucial for volcanic formation and eruption. The presence of partial melt in Venus’ interior is a major step forward for identifying Venus as a volcanically active planet. [Geophysical Research Letters research]

Tree rings predict avalanche conditions in Alaska
A new study used tree rings taken from trees in avalanche paths to find a correlation between avalanches and climate. The team found that large avalanches occur during winters with higher-than-normal winter precipitation and colder temperatures. Researchers suggest that policymakers in avalanche-prone areas could use this information to inform infrastructure planning and avalanche mitigation. [JGR Earth Surface research]

Melting permafrost is sinking northwest Canada
Rising temperatures are thawing permafrost in northwest Canada quicker than most studies measure, a new study finds. Without permafrost, the land loses part of its structural integrity and starts to subside over time. Improved understanding of the conditions that affect permafrost thawing could help reduce its impact on human activities, landscapes and ecosystems. [JGR Earth Surface research]

Mud could have shaped meandering rivers long before plants arrived
New evidence from 1.2-billion-year-old rocks suggests that single, winding channels could have formed in muddy floodplain sediments without the stabilizing help of vegetation. Meandering-style rivers have been found in barren landscapes on Earth, and similar features have been spotted on Mars. Researchers determined that single-channel rivers can form in fine sediments alone, challenging the idea that plants originally caused water to flow in concentrated channels. [Geophysical Research Letters research] [Eos research spotlight]

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AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct