
Climate change could double summer rainfall in the Alps: Study
GENEVA: Short,
intense summer rainfall
in Alpine regions is likely to become more frequent and severe in the future because of
global warming
, according to a study released Thursday by the
University of Lausanne
(UNIL).
Researchers said that in a scenario where temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the Alps and nearby regions could experience episodes of intense summer rainfall twice as often as currently.
"With such warming, an intense storm currently expected once every 50 years could occur once every 25 years in the future," said the Swiss university, which conducted the study in collaboration with the University of Padua in Italy.
"Hot air holds more moisture (around seven per cent more per degree), intensifying storm activity", the researchers said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
"As the Alpine environment warms faster than the global average, it is particularly affected," they added.
The study used summer rainfall data collected from nearly 300 meteorological stations across the European Alps in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France and Italy.
They focused on record-breaking rainfall events, lasting from 10 minutes to an hour, that occurred between 1991 and 2020, as well as the temperatures associated with these episodes.
"The sudden and massive arrival of large volumes of water can exceed the soil's absorption capacity," which can "trigger
flash floods
and debris flows, causing damage to infrastructure", said Nadav Peleg, a researcher at UNIL and the study's lead author.
Researchers recommend "preparing
urban water management
systems and other infrastructures" that are ill-suited to handle significant rainfall volumes.
"Promptly updating engineering and urban planning standards" would help mitigate potential risks associated with these events, they added, while also emphasising the need to "limit global warming to 1.5°C or less above current levels".
According to scientists from the United Nations' IPCC panel on
climate change
, there is a 50 per cent chance of global temperatures rising by an average of 1.5°C by 2030-2035.
"We are already observing a trend towards intensified summer storms and this trend is expected to worsen in the coming years," said Francesco Marra, a researcher at the University of Padova and a co-author of the study.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
AI is being used to design custom proteins that help immune cells find and kill cancer
Scientists have used artificial intelligence to design custom proteins that act like a 'GPS' for the immune system, guiding T cells directly to cancer cells and helping them destroy tumors with remarkable precision. The new research, published Thursday(July 24) in the journal Science, demonstrates how generative AI can create tiny proteins that dramatically enhance the cancer-killing power of human immune cells. In lab tests, T cells outfitted with these proteins swiftly located and killed melanoma cells, a fast-spreading and often deadly form of skin cancer. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA Data Analytics PGDM healthcare Cybersecurity Data Science others CXO Data Science Degree Others Operations Management Healthcare Product Management Artificial Intelligence Finance Public Policy MBA Design Thinking Technology Management Project Management Digital Marketing Leadership Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details 'It's like giving immune cells Google Maps for cancer,' said lead researcher Dr. Timothy Jenkins, a medical biotechnologist at the Technical University of Denmark. 'We're helping T cells find the tumor much more efficiently than they could on their own.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The work is an early-stage form of immunotherapy, a treatment approach that boosts the body's natural defenses to fight disease. The idea builds on successful techniques like CAR T-cell therapy but adds a major twist: Instead of relying on naturally occurring cell receptors, which can take months to isolate and test, the scientists used AI to design new proteins from scratch in just days. The use of AI tools Live Events To create the molecular guides, the researchers used three AI tools. First, a generative model called RFdiffusion was used to analyze the structure of a specific cancer target known as NY-ESO-1, a protein found on many tumor cells. Then, another model proposed amino acid sequences that would fold into the right shape to bind the target. A third model helped narrow tens of thousands of options down to just 44, which were tested in the lab. One design stood out, and it worked. The study builds on a wave of recent breakthroughs in computational biology, including technologies that led to the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for protein structure prediction. Earlier this year, Jenkins' team also developed AI-designed proteins for improved snakebite antivenoms. Clinical trials are still years away, and many questions remain about how the proteins will perform in the human body. But the researchers are optimistic.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
AU scientists use waste derivatives to make biomaterial that can cure bone ailments
1 2 3 Prayagraj: In a hope for those grappling with bone-related ailments, a group of scientists have developed a technique to regenerate bones through use of natural and waste-derived materials. Led by AU alumnus Amit Dubey and AU research scholar Aisha Tufail, the team has introduced a composite made from egg white, fish-derived gelatin, and rice husk nanosilica. This composite, called Bioactive Biphasic Calcium Phosphate-Egg White-Nanosilica-Gelatin (BESG), closely mimics natural bone and supports cell growth. "The laboratory tests have confirmed the biocompatibility, low toxicity, and effectiveness of BESG in promoting bone formation. This eco-friendly innovation offers a cost-effective alternative for treating bone injuries and conditions like osteoporosis," said Dubey, who is an alumnus of Allahabad University. "Once implanted, it acts like a supportive framework that allows the body's natural bone cells to grow over and inside it—just like how plants grow better when they have a trellis to climb on. Its sponge-like porous structure helps nutrients and cells move easily, speeding up healing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nvidia's AI Strategy Is Clear - But Is Wall Street Paying Attention? Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Over time, the material blends into the body safely, helping form new, strong bone without any toxic effects," Dubey said, adding that the innovation could be especially useful for patients recovering from fractures, dental implants, or bone diseases like osteoporosis. Their work was published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials by the American Chemical Society recently. "By using locally available waste products, the technology presents a promising, accessible solution for communities with limited medical resources. BESG can serve as a bone scaffold or patch that integrates with the body, helping damaged bones heal more efficiently," said Dubey. What makes this research significant is its reliance on readily available and often discarded natural resources. "Our goal was to provide a sustainable and effective solution to the challenges of bone tissue regeneration. This research is not just a scientific leap; it's a real promise for our society," said Dubey, whose team also included researchers Edwina Sherley Felicita A, Veni Subramanyam S, and Marie Arockianathan P.


Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
2-yr raptor ecology study begins in DNP with vulture tagging
Jaisalmer: A comprehensive study on raptor ecology has begun in Desert National Park (DNP) and surrounding areas to assess the status and local ecology of breeding raptors. Initiated by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the research project commenced on July 21 and will continue till July 2027. The study involves the capture and tagging of 36 vultures from various species, including the Tawny Eagle Vulture and Egyptian Vulture, to better understand their movement and breeding patterns. Under the guidance of Dr Govind Sagar Bhardwaj, director of WII, and led by senior scientist Dr Sutirtha Dutta, the team has already fitted two vultures with GPS transmitters and backpack harnesses. The first bird, a Tawny Eagle, was tagged and released on July 21 in the RKVY enclosure of DNP, while a juvenile Egyptian Vulture was tagged and released near the Gajaimata enclosure two days later. Both birds exhibited normal flight post-release. The study, approved under Section 12(A) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, also includes collection of biological samples from six individuals each of Red-headed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Tawny Eagle, and Laggar Falcon. The research aims to generate critical data on the spatial ecology and conservation needs of these threatened species. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Officials from WII highlighted the importance of the study in recommending measures to protect the vulnerable landscape of the Thar Desert. B M Gupta, divisional forest officer of DNP, emphasised that these efforts are crucial for the long-term conservation of raptors in the region.