A new study led by the University of Oxford and ETH Zurich reveals that a key part of the climate system - the large-scale wind patterns that determine where rain falls – can be underestimated by current climate models, helping explain why forecasts of regional rainfall remain uncertain. Ultimately, this insight could enable more confident projections of future rainfall patterns, supporting better preparation for floods and droughts.

A new study by researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso has identified a significant rise in Valley fever cases in El Paso over the past decade and found strong connections between the disease and extreme weather, wind and airborne dust.

This study reveals that geographic isolation and Quaternary climatic fluctuations jointly drove genetic differentiation and multiple glacial refugia of the fully mycoheterotrophic herb Burmannia nepalensis, with recent human activity causing population decline.

Climate extremes are adversely affecting cacao production. A recent study by Hasanuddin University highlights the potential of multistrata shade structures in addressing these challenges. Researchers show how a mix of shade trees—such as coconut, banana, and Gliricidia sepium—can help cacao plants grow better and become more resilient. These trees can improve soil fertility and help cacao plants cope with environmental variability—offering a pathway toward more resilient and sustainable smallholder agriculture.

A new decades-long study of oceanographic data provides the first evidence that deep-ocean heat has moved closer to Antarctica, threatening the fragile ice shelves that fringe the continent.

A new review synthesizes research on Tibetan Plateau lakes, revealing that climate warming is turning these high-altitude ecosystems into major greenhouse gas sources. Melting permafrost and retreating glaciers feed thermokarst lakes, which are hotspots for methane emissions. The study calls for new models that include microbial mechanisms to predict and manage these emissions.

A study of over 3,100 middle-aged and older adults in China found that long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM2.5-10) significantly increases the risk of heart disease. The risk is highest for those with advanced cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Accelerated biological aging explained about 9% of this effect, highlighting the need for targeted protections.