New AI Lab Assistant Does the Math for You
An AI system developed using NASA data can now answer research questions on windstorms and other Martian phenomena. This same approach was adapted to create an AI assistant focused on sea level science, helping researchers access complex data quickly and efficiently. The AI draws from NASA’s extensive datasets, offering insights on topics ranging from coastal flooding predictions to Martian weather events.
AI Assistant Speeds Up Research on Oceans and Mars
Scientists used ChatGPT as a foundation, feeding it detailed information on sea level science. The result is a live system that anyone can query in plain language about sea level topics—whether it’s current coastal measurements, flooding risks, or related mathematical models. By shifting the information input, the team also created an AI to answer questions about Mars, such as wind speeds and storm predictions, all based on NASA’s data.
15 US Coastal Airports Are Sinking
Research shows that airports like San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle are sinking faster than others due to the geology beneath them. Many of these airports are built on former wetlands or floodplains, which contributes to ground subsidence. While 96% of coastal airports currently face low risk from sinking-related damage, Tampa, Seattle, Orlando, and Reagan National Airport are rated as high to very high risk.
Shrubification of the Arctic Slows Greenhouse Gas Release
Climate change is pushing southern shrubs into the Arctic tundra, but this shift may slow the tundra’s transition from a carbon sink to a greenhouse gas source. Shrubs absorb more CO2 than native mosses, lichens, and tussocks. Studies at Canada’s Trail Valley Creek found that while shrubs increase winter soil temperature, they cool the soil in summer by providing shade. At higher shrub densities, the area absorbs more carbon than it emits, an important factor for climate models.
Why Crop Yields Decrease at High Temperatures
Scientists have identified water stress as the key driver linking surface temperature increases to crop yield losses. This insight improves the ability to predict agricultural productivity under climate change, helping guide future farming strategies.
How Earthquakes Shake Up Microbial Lake Communities
Seismic activity affects a lake’s geological, chemical, and biological makeup. A recent study on Lake Cuopu in the Himalayas reveals how earthquakes reconfigure these components, impacting microbial communities and overall lake health.
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