A study led by Northern Arizona University ecologist Andrew Richardson found that even slight increases in temperature in boreal forests can lead to a significant reduction in snowpack, resulting in increased plant stress, mortality, and potential fire risk. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, used long-term warming experimental results to show that less snowpack leads to warmer air temperatures and more snowmelt, with implications for ecosystem functioning and climate modeling. The findings suggest that transitioning to low- or no-snow winters could have major negative impacts on northern ecosystems.
Canadian teenager Brenden Sener replicated Archimedes' death ray for a science project using heat lamps and mirrors, finding that the setup significantly increased the temperature of the target. While not attempting to set anything on fire, Sener concluded that with a scaled-up version and a stronger heat source, it would be possible. The historical accuracy of Archimedes' death ray remains debated, with various attempts to recreate it yielding mixed results.
A new federal climate report, the Fifth National Climate Assessment, warns that the U.S. could face significant temperature increases in the coming decades due to global warming. The report projects that the average temperature in the U.S. could rise between 4.4 and 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit with 3.6 degrees of global warming. The Midwest, Northeast, and much of the mountainous West could see average temperature increases of 5 degrees, while Illinois and most of its neighbors could see a rise of about 4 degrees. The report also predicts more hot days, fewer cold days, and warmer nights, with the Midwest experiencing 10 more days above 95 degrees each year. The projections highlight the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change.
