polar climate Archives - Disasters News

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Polar Vortex Sparks Arctic Freeze Across US: Could Its Effects Reach India?

As a formidable polar vortex sweeps across the United States, millions of Americans brace for dangerously low temperatures and life-threatening conditions, marking the coldest weather of the season so far. This Arctic blast is set to engulf much of the country, with nighttime lows plummeting to -23°F (-31°C) in northern states and sub-zero wind chills predicted as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent warnings about hypothermia, frostbite, and hazardous travel conditions due to snow and ice. Understanding the Polar Vortex The polar vortex is a large, low-pressure system of frigid air that typically circulates near the Earth's poles. During winter, this system can weaken and expand, displacing Arctic air into lower latitudes. This ...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf Calves Massive Iceberg A-83, Signals Ongoing Environmental Shift

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

On May 20th, 2024, Antarctica witnessed yet another significant iceberg calving event as a massive iceberg measuring 380 square kilometers (approximately 147 square miles) broke off from the Brunt Ice Shelf. This event, designated A-83 by the U.S. National Ice Center, marks the third major iceberg calving in the region within the past four years. The separation of iceberg A-83 was captured by two Earth Observation satellites: the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-1 and NASA's Landsat 8 satellites. These satellites provided radar imaging and thermal data, respectively, allowing scientists to monitor the effects of climate change on remote regions like Antarctica. Routine monitoring of ice shelves by satellites enables scientists to track changes in ice dynamics and structura...

May272024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA’s PREFIRE Mission: Studying Earth’s Heat Emissions and Monitoring Polar Climate Change

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Space

NASA's PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission has successfully launched the first of two climate satellites designed to study heat emissions from Earth's polar regions. The satellite lifted off on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand, at 7:41 p.m. NZST (3:41 a.m. EDT) on Saturday. PREFIRE Mission Overview The PREFIRE mission consists of two CubeSats, each the size of a shoebox, tasked with measuring the amount of heat radiated from Earth's poles into space. These CubeSats will provide critical data to help researchers predict changes in Earth's ice, seas, and weather patterns in a warming world. The mission aims to fill a significant gap in our understanding of how the polar regions influence the planet’s energy budge...

May212024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Finds Microplastics in Human Testes, Raising Concerns About Male Fertility

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

A new study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences has uncovered a worrying presence of microplastics in every human testicle examined. This finding heightens concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on male fertility. Comprehensive Analysis of Microplastics Researchers at the University of New Mexico (UNM) conducted a detailed analysis of tissue samples from both dogs and humans. The study, led by Xiaozhong "John" Yu, MD, PhD, MPH, a professor in the UNM College of Nursing, identified 12 types of microplastics in 47 canine and 23 human testes. The results showed that microplastics were present in all samples examined. "Our study revealed the presence of microplastics in all human and canine testes," Yu stated. He emphasized the potential implications for ...

Jan62024 by Editor Desk1 Comment

Green signal given to PRITHvi VIgyan scheme to fight Natural Disasters

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” of Ministry of Earth Sciences, for implementation during the period from 2021-26 at an overall cost of Rs. 4,797 crore. The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes namely “Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)”, “Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)”, “Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)”, “Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)” and “Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT)”. The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are: Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid e...

Dec252023 by Editor Desk1 Comment

Polar Bear Populations Decline in Greenland Over 20,000 Years Due to Climate Change

Breaking News, Environment

A comprehensive international study, including researchers from the University of Copenhagen, reveals a concerning decline in polar bear numbers in Greenland over the last 20,000 years. The research, combining genetic analysis, food habits, habitat study, and historical climate data, points to rising sea temperatures as the key driver behind this decline. The study, published in Science Advances, emphasizes the impact of global warming, leading to increased sea temperatures and reduced sea ice, consequently affecting the polar bear‘s primary food source – seals. Michael Westbury, lead author and assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen, highlights the non-linear relationship, where even small environmental changes significantly impact polar bear populations. The research ind...