In the News Archive

(Inside Science) -- As the sun rises over the island of American Samoa, a chorus of animal voices drifts upward. They're not the calls of birds, though -- the purrs, clicks and groans are coming from under the water. New research shows how automation can make it increasingly easy to eavesdrop on the fish making the sounds and uncover how their environment impacts them. Jill Munger is quoted. 

Expect less snowfall over the Himalayas, but intense cold waves in north India this winter, warn climate scientists. The reason: The development of La Nina for the second consecutive year, which is expected to last through early 2022, influencing temperature and precipitation. Michael McPhaden is referenced. 

The year in ocean news brought about quite a few surprises, including the discovery of a self-decapitating sea slug and the return to popularity of sea shanties. We learned that whales poop a lot more than previously thought and that their excrement is essential for ocean ecosystems, and that even large sharks can glow. Technology allowed us to reach the deepest depths of the oceans, travel to the eye of a hurricane and a whole lot more. The Saildrone/PMEL/AOML Atlantinc Hurricane Mission is listed. 

The explosions, identified during the 2018 eruption phase, offer a clear acoustic signal that researchers could use to measure ocean properties. Bob Dziak is quoted. 

After sending a fleet of self-sailing drones into the path of Hurricane Sam to help improve forecast models, Saildrone has now launched three uncrewed surface vehicles into the Gulf Stream winter to gather data on carbon uptake in the ocean. PMEL designed ASVCO2 system is mentioned. 

The Arctic Ocean has been warming since the onset of the 20th century, decades earlier than instrument observations would suggest, according to new research. James Overland is quoted. 

Researchers are predicting low fish runs in the Norton Sound and Northern Bering Sea region again next year, according to research biologist Jim Murphy. EcoFOCI research cruise is mentioned. 

Robert Dziak, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, who is based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, has wanted to find out if trees in Oregon were affected by the 1700 earthquake and tsunami for the last decade, according to an Oregon State University press release.

While scientists can’t say whether a given weather phenomenon has been modified in any way by climate change without some analysis first, the effects of climate change have also been becoming more and more pronounced – sometimes to the point where they’re too obvious to overlook. Michael McPhaden is quoted. 

For the first time, a surface drone captured footage of a Category 4 hurricane’s 50-foot waves and 120-mph winds. Chris Meinig is quoted. 

A new study showed nighttime air in the western U.S. is getting drier and warmer, potentially prolonging fire activity. Andy Chiodi is quoted. 

Local evidence of the cataclysm has literally washed away over the years. But Oregon’s Douglas firs may have recorded clues deep in their tree rings. Bob Dziak is quoted. 

Scientists at Oregon State University are troubled by the levels of hypoxia off the Pacific Northwest coastal line. Richard Feely and NOAA webstory is referenced. 

A 1500 pound, solar-powered craft will sail into the eyewalls of future hurricanes and report back data that could improve the ability of scientists to predict where storms will make landfall and at what strength. CBS News senior environmental correspondent Ben Tracy has the details. This video features NOAA PMEL/AOML joint research mission.

The highest temperature ever verifiably recorded on Earth—54.4 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) in Death Valley, California, on July 9, 2021—comes just months after record-low temperatures were recorded across Asia and the United States. In sweltering heat, the results of a rapidly warming Earth are clear. In a blizzard, it can be more difficult to understand how global warming can cause such freezing cold. An international research team examined three extreme events from the past winter to elucidate the mechanisms underlying such swings in temperature and weather. Jim Overland is quoted. 

As the Pacific Ocean’s cool waters hugged Oregon’s rugged shore, Nick Edwards, a seasoned commercial fisherman, could not believe his eyes. Stretching over at least 100 yards, he said, were the carcasses of hundreds of Dungeness crabs piled in the sands of a beach south of Cape Perpetua. Richard Feely is quoted.