Research Papers
Peer-reviewed research papers and academic studies on climate change
Plant nutrient acquisition under elevated CO2 and implications for the land carbon sink
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 18 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02386-yElevated atmospheric CO2 has stimulated plant growth, yet the future land carbon sink may be constrained in part by nutrient availability. Here...
Time of Emergence of RecordâShattering Compound HeatwaveâExtreme Precipitation Events and Their SocioâEconomic Exposures
Abstract Extreme events surpassing historical variability are expected to occur more frequently under future warming conditions. However, the time of emergence (ToE) of recordâshattering compound heatwaveâextreme precipitation events (CHEPs), where...
Importance of Ocean Initialization in ENSO Predictions: Accuracy Versus Consistency
Abstract Ocean initialization (OI) plays a crucial role in El NiĂąoâSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) predictions. This study investigates both the importance of OI accuracy and the detrimental effect of initialization shock...
Enhanced Quantification of Global Carbon Emitters Using Collocated OCOâ3 CO2 and NO2 Observations From Twin PolarâOrbiting Satellites
Abstract Satelliteâbased estimates of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO2) emissions are crucial for global stocktaking but are limited by sparse coverage. As nitrogen dioxide (NO2) observations can enhance CO2 emission...
Enhancing system resilience to climate change through artificial intelligence: a systematic literature review
The growing urgency of climate change necessitates innovative strategies to enhance system resilience across many sectors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a transformative tool in this regard, yet existing research...
Deep Hydrogen Cycle Facilitated by Redox Dehydrogenation and Hydration
Abstract Hydrous phases are often considered important hydrogen carriers in the subducted slabs, but their stabilities under the reduced oxidation state have rarely been investigated. Previous studies suggested that metallic...
Impacts of IndoâPacific Sea Surface Temperature Versus Internal Atmospheric Variability on the South China Sea Summer Monsoon
Abstract The South China Sea (SCS) summer (i.e., JuneâAugust [JJA]) monsoon experiences strong interannual variability, which is modulated by the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH). Largeâscale steadyâstate atmospheric circulations...
Mantle Flow and Fault Zone Related Seismic Anisotropy Revealed by a Dense Linear Broadband Array in Southeast Tibet
Abstract Southeast Tibet, a key region for the southeastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau, remains debated in terms of its tectonic deformation in response to the ongoing collision between the...
Hydration in the Crust and Upper Mantle Near the Extinct Spreading Ridge in the Eastern SubâBasin, South China Sea
Abstract During the final stages of seafloor spreading in the East Subâbasin of the South China Sea, spreading transitioned from slow to ultraslow before cessation. However, postâspreading volcanism has obscured...
The ShockâSubstorm of 24 September 1998: A Different Type of Substorm Trigger Onset
Abstract An interplanetary shock triggered a substorm with a peak intensity SML = â1,781 nT on 24 September 1998. This is called a shockâsubstorm here to differentiate it from generic...
Divergent SoundingâDerived Precursor Pathways Enable Discrimination of Dry Versus Wet Severe Convective Winds
Abstract Forecasting Severe Convective Wind (SCW) events remains challenging due to unresolved precursors. Using 8âyear (2016â2023) highâresolution soundings from China radiosonde network, we establish observational preâSCW thresholds, revealing divergent preâstorm...
The Impact of Adaptive HighâLatitude Coordinates
Abstract The highâlatitude ionosphere can be divided into three regions dominated by different types of coupling and characterized by distinctive behaviors. These are the polar cap, the auroral region, and...
Delayed Impacts of Spring Soil Moisture in the Tibetan Plateau on EarlyâSummer Air Temperature in the Northern East Asia
Abstract The northern East Asia (NEA) is suffering from significant temperature anomalies in recent years and the formation mechanisms remain unclear yet. With focus on nonâlocal effects of Tibetan Plateau...
The Efficiency of Water Vapor on TopâofâAtmosphere Radiation
Abstract Earthâs climate sensitivity is greatly affected by the compensation between temperature feedback and water vapor (WV) feedback. Using abrupt 4xCO2 experiments, we show that the globalâmean WV feedback is...
Connecting inequalities in land ownership and groundwater access: the case of Californiaâs Central Valley
Understanding inequality in groundwater access and cropland ownership is critical for assessing the sustainability and equity of agricultural systems, especially in regions facing climatic and socioeconomic patterns such as drought...
Optimal precursors of El NiĂąo: spring zonal wind stress as a non-negligible indicator of event types
Boreal spring is typically considered the onset phase of El NiĂąoâSouthern Oscillation (ENSO), and extracting reliable precursors during this season is therefore essential for improving ENSO prediction. In this study,...
Critical window of gestational greenspace exposure for the risk of low birth weight
Many studies link average residential greenspace exposure during pregnancy to birthweight changes, but evidence on critical timing for low birthweight is limited. Furthermore, coarse aggregations of exposure levels throughout pregnancy...
Examining Clustered MCSs and Their Precipitation Significance Over Global Land MCS Hotspots
Abstract Multiple independent mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) can occur closely in space and time, subjecting common geographic regions to multiple precipitation events over short periods. Motivated by an earlier study...
Thermodynamical and Dynamical Background Characteristics and Microphysical Structures of the Mesoscale Convective Systems Over the Tibetan Plateau: A 7âYear Statistic
Abstract Tibetan Plateau mesoscale convective systems (TP_MCSs) shape regional weather and precipitation, yet their thermodynamical and dynamical background characteristics, and microphysical structures remain poorly understood due to sparse observations. To...
Heat Waves in Regional Climate Models: ThreeâDimensional Insight and Links to Atmospheric Circulation Over Middle Europe
Abstract To improve understanding of heat wavesâ biases in regional climate models (RCMs), we employ a novel approach to study them as threeâdimensional phenomena. Heat waves over Middle Europe are...
MethaneâDriven Arsenic Biogeochemical Cycling in DeepâSea Cold Seeps: Implications for Oceanic Arsenic Geochemistry
Abstract Arsenic accumulation in seafloor cold seeps is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the interplay between arsenic and methane biogeochemical cycles at the Haima cold seep, South China Sea. Geochemical...
Deep Ocean Steric Sea Level Change in the Subtropical Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Abstract The nonâclosure of the global sea level budget, detected since 2017, stimulates the need to better understand limitations of satellite altimetry and gravimetry measurements, and breakdown in situ measurement...
Prolonged Intervals of Relativistic Electron StormâTime Flux Enhancements in the Magnetotail at Lunar Distance
Abstract We report on prolonged enhancements of electron fluxes at energies at or above 500 keV, observed in the magnetotail by the lunarâorbiting Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moonâs...
Time and Length Scales of the Martian Atmospheric Turbulence as Observed by the InSight Lander
Abstract We provide a statistical analysis of the Martian nearâsurface atmospheric turbulence based on in situ wind observations from NASAâs InSight lander. We focus on the variations in length and...
Intraplate Basalts in Eastern Continental China Record the Subduction History of the Pacific Plate
Abstract To assess whether intraplate magmatism in eastern continental China records the subduction history of the Pacific plate, we plotted elemental compositions of the volcanic rocks in this region since...
Spatiotemporal variations and climatic drivers of lightning activity across pan-Arctic regions during 2010â2024
Lightning activity could influence regional air quality and terrestrial ecosystems through physicochemical processes such as lightning-generated nitrogen oxides and wildfire risks. However, the characteristics and causes of lightning activity across...
Can artificial intelligence equitably mitigate climate change? Spatiotemporal evidence from Chinese cities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical enabler of climate mitigation. However, its spatial and temporal impacts remain insufficiently understood. Using balanced panel data from 279 Chinese cities (2006â2019),...
Multiple modes in tropical tree cover: a multi-dimensional perspective
Observations have been debated as portraying a multimodal distribution of tropical tree cover, even in regions with identical mean annual precipitation (MAP). Previous studies have discussed whether such multimodality is...
Advancing seasonal prediction of tropical cyclone activity with a hybrid AI-physics climate model
Machine learning (ML) models are successful with weather forecasting and have shown progress in climate simulations, yet leveraging them for useful climate predictions needs exploration. Here we show this feasibility...
Genetic diversity must be explicitly recognized in ecological restoration
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 15 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02405-yGenetic diversity must be explicitly recognized in ecological restoration
Closing the flood insurance protection gap
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 15 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02385-zClimate change is increasing financial impacts for households, yet flood insurance coverage remains insufficient. Now research affirms that there are still opportunities...
Quantitative analyses of multidimensional ecological impacts of Talatan photovoltaic power plant on desert ecosystems in Northwestern China
Globally, solar energy has supplanted fossil fuels as the predominant source of clean energy. Scholars have been calling for techno-ecological synergies that minimizing unintended environmental consequences; however, empirical evidence is...
Local capacity assessment is integral to stakeholder engagement for responsible marine carbon dioxide removal
Novel carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches are essential to address climate change. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is being considered to enhance the oceanâs capacity as an atmospheric carbon sink. It...
Shifts in diurnal cycles of low and high clouds warm the climate: evidence from decadal satellite observations
Anticipated changes in the diurnal cloud cycle (DCC) under global warming carry significant implications for future climate predictions. However, there is a notable dearth of studies specifically focusing on DCC...
Heat alerts and information-seeking behavior: evidence from heat-related internet searches in the United States
Extreme heat is a growing public health threat. In the United States (US), the National Weather Service (NWS) issues alerts ahead of forecast periods of extreme heat. However, the behavioral...
Risk of rice production failure in India under climate change
Rice production failure is a major threat to food security and supply chain resilience across India. In this paper, we examine future rice production failure risks across India by integrating...
Hydro-climatological changes and mine water management challenges in Canada under climate change
Climate change (CC) is already affecting Canadaâs hydrologic cycle, posing challenges for water management in mining operations and increasing associated environmental and social risks. However, there is limited research that...
Transboundary trade poses regulatory challenges for EV battery recycling
Governments worldwide are advancing efforts to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the circular economy of electric vehicle batteries. However, current regulations often overlook the impacts of transboundary trade. This article...
Advancing global vegetation water content observations: the potential of Moon-based SAR for ecological risk assessment
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Publisher Correction: Consequential differences in satellite-era sea surface temperature trends across datasets
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02422-xPublisher Correction: Consequential differences in satellite-era sea surface temperature trends across datasets
Hydrologic response of artificially drained agricultural watersheds: insights from high-resolution integrated surface/subsurface simulations
Artificial drainage systems comprising subsurface networks of perforated pipes (tile drains) and engineered surface ditches are widely used to remove excess water from poorly drained agricultural regions. Artificial drainage lowers...
Streetscapes and heat tolerance
Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 August 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02416-9During hot weather, dense urban areas are often not conducive to outdoor recreation. However, pedestrian tolerance to heat can be increased by...
Influence of the IMF Elevation Angle on Midday Auroral Intensity During Northward IMF
Abstract Using global ultraviolet imager auroral observations, we have investigated the possible role of the IMF elevation angle (Ď $\phi $), which is determined by IMF Bx and Bz, on...
Tracing Organic Carbon Sources With Ramped Pyrolysis/Oxidation
Abstract Tracing sources of organic carbon (OC) is a critical aspect of studying surface carbon cycling. Previous methods, such as carbon and nitrogen isotopes, have struggled to separate different sources...
A New Method for Calculating Growth Rates of Ferromanganese Nodules From Marginal Seas: Implications for Terrigenous Input in the South China Sea
Abstract Accurate age determination of marine ferromanganese (FeâMn) nodules is crucial for interpreting their geochemical compositions as paleoceanographic tracers and for understanding critical metal (e.g., Co, Ni) enrichment. Previous empirical...
HundredâMeterâScale In Situ Observations Reveal Joint Impact of Humidity and Wind on Raindrop Microphysics
Abstract The mechanisms linking raindrop size distributions (DSDs) to environmental conditions remain poorly understood, limiting their practical application. We develop a unique fineâscale vertical in situ data set to reveal...
Protective antigenâmediated delivery of an anti-CRISPR protein for precision genome editing
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 122, Issue 32, August 2025. SignificanceThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first CRISPR-Cas9 therapy, making genome editing a promising...
The entities enabling scientific fraud at scale are large, resilient, and growing rapidly
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 122, Issue 32, August 2025. SignificanceNumerous recent scientific and journalistic investigations demonstrate that systematic scientific fraud is a growing threat to the...