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| Open AccessA tipping point in stable isotope composition of Antarctic meteoric waters during Cenozoic glaciation
Variations in the oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of meteoric waters are reconstructed using hydrothermally altered granitoids. These variations show major rearrangements in the Antarctic hydrological cycle during Cenozoic glaciation.
- Luigi Dallai
- & Zachary D. Sharp
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| Open AccessAdopting yield-improving practices to meet maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa without cropland expansion
Maize demand in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase. Here, the authors use data collected by One Acre Fund on 14,773 smallholder fields in the region and determine that maize production can be increased with minimal cropland expansion by improving management practices.
- Fernando Aramburu-Merlos
- , Fatima A. M. Tenorio
- & Patricio Grassini
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| Open AccessWhole-soil warming leads to substantial soil carbon emission in an alpine grassland
This study demonstrates that future whole-soil warming has a much stronger effect on soil carbon emission in the alpine grassland ecosystem than what is estimated by previous warming experiments which only warm surface soils mostly.
- Ying Chen
- , Wenkuan Qin
- & Biao Zhu
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| Open AccessEarly aerial expedition photos reveal 85 years of glacier growth and stability in East Antarctica
Pre-satellite era observations of Antarctic glaciers are rare. A unique record of aerial expedition images of East Antarctic outlet glaciers since the 1930s reveal long-term stability and moderate thickening.
- Mads Dømgaard
- , Anders Schomacker
- & Anders A. Bjørk
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| Open AccessEmergence of decadal linkage between Western Australian coast and Western–central tropical Pacific
This study identifies a decadal link between sea surface temperatures off Western Australia and the western-central tropical Pacific that has emerged since 1985. Driven by external forcings and the rapid changes in the Indo-Pacific warm pool, it may impact future climate.
- Yuewen Ding
- , Pengfei Lin
- & Weiqing Han
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| Open AccessWidespread 2013-2020 decreases and reduction challenges of organic aerosol in China
Clean air actions affect air quality greatly. Here, the authors report widespread decreases in organic aerosol (OA) in China from 2013 to 2020 with primary OA decreasing more than secondary OA. However, further reductions are challenging.
- Qi Chen
- , Ruqian Miao
- & Tong Zhu
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| Open AccessHumidity-tolerant porous polymer coating for passive daytime radiative cooling
A consistency issue with the production of porous polymer-based radiative coatings can be a significant drop in the cooling performance when dried under humid conditions. This issue is efficiently resolved by adding polymer reinforcement.
- Dongpyo Hong
- , Yong Joon Lee
- & Sang Yoon Park
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Article
| Open AccessA role for subducting clays in the water transportation into the Earth’s lower mantle
The breakdown of pyrophyllite, a hydrous clay mineral in the oceanic sediment, into further hydrated minerals during cold subduction may account for some 22% of water delivered to the lower mantle.
- Yoonah Bang
- , Huijeong Hwang
- & Yongjae Lee
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| Open AccessIntegrated assessment modeling of a zero-emissions global transportation sector
To eliminate transport emissions by 2050, low carbon fuels must rapidly replace fossil fuels. The authors model these technological transitions for each transport mode and evaluate economy-wide tradeoffs of varied levels of transport decarbonization.
- Simone Speizer
- , Jay Fuhrman
- & Haewon McJeon
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Article
| Open AccessPhosphorus deficiency alleviates iron limitation in Synechocystis cyanobacteria through direct PhoB-mediated gene regulation
Iron and phosphorus exist at low concentrations in surface waters and may be co-limiting resources for phytoplankton growth. Here, the authors show that phosphorus deficiency increases the growth of iron-limited cyanobacteria through a PhoB-mediated regulatory network.
- Guo-Wei Qiu
- , Wen-Can Zheng
- & Bao-Sheng Qiu
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| Open AccessRecent wetting trend over Taklamakan and Gobi Desert dominated by internal variability
The Taklamakan and Gobi Desert region has witnessed a significant rise in summer precipitation in recent decades. This study shows that atmospheric internal variability, rather than external forcings, is the main driver shaping this wetting trend.
- Wenhao Dong
- , Yi Ming
- & Zhaoyi Shen
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Article
| Open AccessCompound mortality impacts from extreme temperatures and the COVID-19 pandemic
Extreme weather and pandemics are classified as two of the most serious risks facing the UK in its National Risk Register. Here, the authors investigate the compound mortality impacts of extreme high and low temperatures and COVID-19 in England and Wales.
- Y. T. Eunice Lo
- , Dann M. Mitchell
- & Antonio Gasparrini
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Article
| Open AccessIdentifying rheological regimes within pyroclastic density currents
Jones et al., use a laboratory apparatus to perform rheological measurements on real gas-pyroclast mixtures to uncover the flow properties of pyroclastic density currents, a lethal volcanic hazard.
- Thomas. J. Jones
- , Abhishek Shetty
- & Helge M. Gonnermann
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| Open AccessAn integrated spatio-temporal view of riverine biodiversity using environmental DNA metabarcoding
Using intensive eDNA sampling in space and time across five rivers in Europe and North America, this study shows that eDNA gives relevant information on freshwater diversity and ecology across broad taxonomic groups, and with limited downstream transport. The findings demonstrate that eDNA is vital for freshwater biodiversity monitoring in a time of anthropogenic change.
- William Bernard Perry
- , Mathew Seymour
- & Simon Creer
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| Open AccessBiodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage
Loss of vegetation carbon from biodiversity loss could rival emissions from other sources such as land-use change. This creates a feedback where climate change increases biodiversity loss, leading to greater emissions and more climate change.
- Sarah R. Weiskopf
- , Forest Isbell
- & Simon Ferrier
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| Open AccessCentral-Pacific El Niño-Southern Oscillation less predictable under greenhouse warming
This study shows that the predictability of Central Pacific ENSO will be suppressed in response to global warming, driven by the faster warming over surface ocean in tropical Pacific and a consequent enhanced thermodynamical damping.
- Hui Chen
- , Yishuai Jin
- & Xiaopei Lin
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Article
| Open AccessEnvironmental conditions associated with initial northern expansion of anatomically modern humans
Past global human migration was the result of environmental and cultural factors. Here, the authors develop a statistical approach that combines archaeological, genetic, and palaeoclimate data to identify regional environmental conditions facilitating population expansion routes in northern Eurasia and the Americas.
- Frédérik Saltré
- , Joël Chadœuf
- & Corey J. A. Bradshaw
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| Open AccessCopper isotopes track the Neoproterozoic oxidation of cratonic mantle roots
Copper isotopes in rifted alkaline rocks indicate that since the Neoproterozoic, cratonic mantle roots have been oxidized from metal-saturated environments with volatile CH4 and H2O to environments of stabilized CO2 and H2O and destabilized metals.
- Chunfei Chen
- , Stephen F. Foley
- & Yongsheng Liu
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| Open AccessPressure stabilizes ferrous iron in bridgmanite under hydrous deep lower mantle conditions
The large low-shear-velocity anomalies in the deep lower mantle below 2300 km depth may relate to H2O-induced ferrous iron stability in bridgmanite, according to laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments.
- Li Zhang
- , Yongjin Chen
- & Ho-kwang Mao
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| Open Access3D ocean assessments reveal that fisheries reach deep but marine protection remains shallow
The first three-dimensional spatial analysis of global marine conservation achievements and fisheries footprint reveals 3D conservation gaps and an underrepresentation of high protection levels across all depths while the 3D footprint of fisheries covers all depths.
- Juliette Jacquemont
- , Charles Loiseau
- & Joachim Claudet
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| Open AccessSimultaneous rift-scale inflation of a deep crustal sill network in Afar, East Africa
This study shows that magma rising from deep in the Earth’s mantle is not a continuous process but occurs in episodes. This is observed in East Africa with simultaneously replenishing of four magma pockets.
- A. La Rosa
- , C. Pagli
- & D. Keir
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| Open AccessAbsolute dating of the European Neolithic using the 5259 BC rapid 14C excursion
The Neolithic site of Dispilio, Northern Greece, is a pile-dwelling site with 900+ piles excavated. Here, the authors use the 5259 BC Miyake event to date the juniper tree-ring chronology constructed from these piles to 5140 BC, making it the first Neolithic site in the region to be absolutely calendar dated.
- Andrej Maczkowski
- , Charlotte Pearson
- & Albert Hafner
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Perspective
| Open AccessPlacing engineering in the earthquake response and the survival chain
This Perspective provides insightful discussion in how engineers can aid human health and safety during earthquake disasters. From search and rescue, helping mobilize patients, and securing medical facilities and treatment engineering can work towards bettering earthquake response.
- Luis Ceferino
- , Yvonne Merino
- & Baturalp Ozturk
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| Open AccessRevealing trends and persistent cycles of non-autonomous systems with autonomous operator-theoretic techniques
Data-driven detection of governing rules and trends in dynamics of nonautonomous systems usually requires a significant amount of measured data. The authors propose an operator-theoretic technique for identifying trends and persistent cycles using data from a single measured trajectory, relevant for the analysis of climate dynamics.
- Gary Froyland
- , Dimitrios Giannakis
- & Joanna Slawinska
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| Open AccessEmergent ribozyme behaviors in oxychlorine brines indicate a unique niche for molecular evolution on Mars
Mars, an attractive candidate for potential presence of extraterrestrial life, contains oxychlorine species such as perchlorate at its surface. Here, the authors show perchlorate brines support folding and catalysis of functional RNAs, while inactivating representative protein enzymes, and that perchlorate enables new ribozyme functions, including ribozyme catalyzed chlorination of organic molecules.
- Tanner G. Hoog
- , Matthew R. Pawlak
- & Aaron E. Engelhart
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| Open AccessEstablishing flood thresholds for sea level rise impact communication
Using machine learning algorithms, this study estimates sea level rise and high tide flooding thresholds every 10 km along the United States’ coasts, complementing conventional linear-/point-based estimates and offering insights for ungauged areas.
- Sadaf Mahmoudi
- , Hamed Moftakhari
- & Hamid Moradkhani
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Article
| Open AccessSpatial disparities in the mortality burden of the covid-19 pandemic across 569 European regions (2020-2021)
Excess mortality can be used as an indicator of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, the authors estimate excess mortality in 569 European regions in 25 countries for 2020 and 2021 and describe how impacts changed over time.
- Florian Bonnet
- , Pavel Grigoriev
- & Carlo-Giovanni Camarda
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Article
| Open AccessWide range of possible trajectories of North Atlantic climate in a warming world
This study reveals a widening range of projected North Atlantic climate states in the mid-twenty-first century. The distinct trajectories seen in sea surface temperatures are activated by global warming and may enable skillful long-lead decadal predictions.
- Qinxue Gu
- , Melissa Gervais
- & Shang-Ping Xie
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Article
| Open AccessEarly planetesimal differentiation and late accretion shaped Earth’s nitrogen budget
The late veneer impacts Earth’s nitrogen budget while exhibiting limited effects on other volatile elements, according to first-principles calculations of N-isotope fractionation during Earth’s accretion and differentiation.
- Wenzhong Wang
- , Michael J. Walter
- & Shichun Huang
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Article
| Open AccessOn the potential of vehicle-to-grid and second-life batteries to provide energy and material security
Europe is becoming increasingly dependent on battery material imports. Here, authors show that electric vehicle batteries could fully cover Europe’s need for stationary battery storage by 2040, through either vehicle-to-grid or second-life-batteries, and reduce battery material demand by up to 7.5%.
- Fernando Aguilar Lopez
- , Dirk Lauinger
- & Daniel B. Müller
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Article
| Open AccessCarbon pricing and system reliability impacts on pathways to universal electricity access in Africa
This study investigates the role of off-grid solar in achieving SDG7 in Africa, focusing on understanding the impact of carbon pricing and supply reliability. It uses high-resolution spatial analysis and demand modelling to explore policy interventions for universal electricity access.
- Hamish Beath
- , Shivika Mittal
- & Ajay Gambhir
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| Open AccessSystematic review and meta-analysis of ex-post evaluations on the effectiveness of carbon pricing
Carbon pricing policies are adopted in many countries around the world to mitigate climate change. This systematic review shows that significant emission reductions of between 5 and 21% are achieved by at least 17 out of 21 reviewed policy schemes.
- Niklas Döbbeling-Hildebrandt
- , Klaas Miersch
- & Jan C. Minx
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| Open AccessPhysiological basis for atmospheric methane oxidation and methanotrophic growth on air
Atmospheric methane-oxidizing bacteria constitute the sole biological sink for atmospheric methane. Here, Schmider et al. assess the ability and strategies of seven methanotrophic species to grow with air as sole energy, carbon, and nitrogen source, showing that these bacteria can grow on the trace concentrations of methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen present in air.
- Tilman Schmider
- , Anne Grethe Hestnes
- & Alexander T. Tveit
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| Open AccessPublic engagement for inclusive and sustainable governance of climate interventions
Meaningful public engagement is key to sustainable governance of carbon removal and solar radiation modification. A study across 22 countries emphasizes tailored approaches sensitive to local contexts, technological nuances, power dynamics and trust.
- Livia Fritz
- , Chad M. Baum
- & Benjamin K. Sovacool
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Article
| Open AccessIon pair sites for efficient electrochemical extraction of uranium in real nuclear wastewater
Electrochemical uranium extraction from real nuclear wastewater is appealing but challenging. Herein, Lin et al develop a strategy of ion pair site for enhanced binding of dominant uranium fluoride species in real wastewater, achieving efficient recycling of uranium as powder product.
- Tao Lin
- , Tao Chen
- & Rong He
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Article
| Open AccessGeologically younger ecosystems are more dependent on soil biodiversity for supporting function
This study demonstrates that soil BEF relationships diminish during long-term pedogenesis, highlighting the importance of soil biodiversity in sustaining multiple ecosystem functions in younger, drier soils.
- Jiao Feng
- , Yu-Rong Liu
- & Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
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| Open AccessSevere drought exposure in utero associates to children’s epigenetic age acceleration in a global climate change hot spot
The study suggests a positive association between in utero drought exposure and faster biological aging in children in a global climate change hot spot. Drought experienced during pregnancy may reduce life expectancy.
- Xi Qiao
- , Bilinda Straight
- & Belinda L. Needham
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| Open AccessCarbon storage through China’s planted forest expansion
The dynamics of planted forests in China over the past three decades have contributed ~1198tg of above-ground carbon storage.
- Kai Cheng
- , Haitao Yang
- & Qinghua Guo
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| Open AccessSustained bacterial N2O reduction at acidic pH
Microbial reduction of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen is considered negligible under acidic conditions. However, Guang He et al. show that a co-culture of two bacterial species derived from acidic tropical forest soil can reduce nitrous oxide at pH 4.5.
- Guang He
- , Gao Chen
- & Frank E. Löffler
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Article
| Open AccessFinancial markets value skillful forecasts of seasonal climate
Traders of financial options bet that firms’ stock prices will be affected by forecasts of seasonal climate produced by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Firms are exposed throughout the economy, and traders spend more to hedge the news from more skillful forecasts
- Derek Lemoine
- & Sarah Kapnick
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| Open AccessA HIMU-like component in Mariana Convergent Margin magma sources during initial arc rifting revealed by melt inclusions
HIMU-type seamounts may be subducted elsewhere beneath the Mariana arc, but obvious HIMU-type components appear only in the initial stages of arc rifting due to the low melting degree and being consumed during the process of back-arc spreading.
- Xiaohui Li
- , Osamu Ishizuka
- & Hongxia Yu
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| Open AccessGlobal mapping and evolution of persistent fronts in Large Marine Ecosystems over the past 40 years
A global digital atlas of persistent fronts in Large Marine Ecosystems reveals a rapid increase in subtropical and polar regions, and stable conditions or a slight decrease in tropical regions, a pattern not captured by climate projections and ocean models.
- Qinwang Xing
- , Haiqing Yu
- & Hui Wang
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Article
| Open AccessStratospheric influence on surface ozone pollution in China
The authors analyze the frequency, duration and intensity of stratospheric intrusions to the surface in China over 2015-2022 and find that such intrusions enhance surface ozone pollution, especially in spring and autumn, followed by summer.
- Zhixiong Chen
- , Jane Liu
- & Zhou Zang
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Article
| Open AccessGlobal projections of heat exposure of older adults
By 2050 > 23% of the global population aged 69 + will live in climates with acute heat exposure– the 95th percentile of the distribution of maximum daily temperatures–greater than the critical threshold of 37.5C, compared with 14% in 2020, an increase of 177–246 million older adults exposed to dangerous acute heat.
- Giacomo Falchetta
- , Enrica De Cian
- & Deborah Carr
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Article
| Open AccessLong-read powered viral metagenomics in the oligotrophic Sargasso Sea
The Sargasso Sea is a natural laboratory for understanding future conditions of warmer oceans and associated nutrient limitation. Here, the authors combined short- and long-read sequencing to survey Sargasso Sea viral communities.
- Joanna Warwick-Dugdale
- , Funing Tian
- & Ben Temperton
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Article
| Open AccessAmmonium-derived nitrous oxide is a global source in streams
NH4+-derived pathways, rather than NO3--derived pathway, are the dominant hyporheic N2O sources in lower-order streams. These findings provide insights into better estimation of N2O emissions in global models of riverine ecosystems and emphasize the importance of managing ammonium.
- Shanyun Wang
- , Bangrui Lan
- & Yong-Guan Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessAutomatic detection of methane emissions in multispectral satellite imagery using a vision transformer
Accurate monitoring of methane emissions is essential to understand its contribution to global warming. The authors here employ multi-spectral satellite data to create a methane detection tool with global coverage and high temporal and spatial resolution.
- Bertrand Rouet-Leduc
- & Claudia Hulbert
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Article
| Open AccessAnalysis of nearly 3000 archaeal genomes from terrestrial geothermal springs sheds light on interconnected biogeochemical processes
Here, Qi et al. assembled ~3000 archaeal genomes from hot springs, capturing temporal dynamics and environmental diversity, and systematically explored functional niches and metabolic handoffs, shedding light on Archaea’s role in biogeochemical cycling.
- Yan-Ling Qi
- , Ya-Ting Chen
- & Zheng-Shuang Hua
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| Open AccessAnthropogenic forcings reverse a simulated multi-century naturally-forced Northern Hemisphere Hadley cell intensification
The authors find an unprecedented human-induced weakening of the Northern Hemisphere Hadley circulation in recent and coming decades, contrasting with the naturally-forced simulated strengthening over the preindustrial last millennium.
- Or Hess
- & Rei Chemke