Arctic and boreal ecosystems store enormous amounts CO₂ but climate-driven disturbances—wildfires, drought and thawing permafrost—are rapidly transforming the landscape. Two studies address a major challenge; accurately mapping and measuring the region’s biomass. One paper reveals significant inconsistencies among widely used satellite-based biomass datasets and the other introduces a map that tracks 40 years of ecological change in unprecedented detail.

A University of Utah team of engineers and mathematicians developed and tested technology to support a smartwatch that can accurately monitor blood pressure continuously by tracking the electrical properties of blood flow at the wrist. No cuff or no calibration are required for this device that could revolutionize how a critical health metric is monitored, providing doctors with much more useful information about patients’ cardiovascular health.