Latest news with #Lehner
The Hill
09-07-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Climate change and aerosol pollution made drought inevitable in the US Southwest: Study
The combined effects of climate change and air pollution have led to direct declines in precipitation in the U.S. Southwest, making drought inevitable, a new study has shown. These circumstances, which began taking hold in about 1980, are likely here to stay as the planet warms, according to the study, published on Wednesday in Nature Geoscience. Its authors attributed this decades-long trend toward less precipitation to La Niña-like conditions, weather patterns that lead to cooler surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Even if El Niño-like conditions had prevailed instead, the Southwest would not have experienced a corresponding surge in rainfall, the researchers found. 'There's a uniform warming trend because of historical climate change, as well as emissions from anthropogenic aerosols, that both create a certain circulation pattern over the North Pacific,' lead author Yan-Ning Kuo, a doctoral student at Cornell University, said in a statement. 'Those two factors prevent the precipitation for the Southwestern U.S. from increasing, even under El Niño-like trends,' Kuo added. The researchers drew their conclusions by abandoning popular climate models that they said in recent years have not accurately reflected sea surface temperatures as observed in real-time. Instead, they designed their own simulations in which they could insert data from satellites and statistical models, and thereby isolate the impact of each contributing factor. The post-1980 period in the U.S. Southwest exhibited the fastest soil-drying among past and future periods of similar lengths — a result that the authors attributed to human-induced warming and a decline in precipitation. Even in a simulation of El Niño-like trends, the authors identified a tendency toward precipitation decline, counter to what they described as a 'canonical El Niño teleconnection,' or the relationship among weather patterns spanning the Pacific. That 'unintuitive yet robust circulation change' is rooted not only in warming, but also in the radiative effects of manmade aerosol pollution, according to the study. Co-author Flavio Lehner, an assistant professor in Earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell, said in a statement that this change points to a bigger shift in the so-called teleconnection that spans the Pacific Ocean. 'These external influences really modulate that relationship, so it doesn't behave exactly how we expect it to behave,' Lehner added. While emission from vehicles and industry will likely decrease as countries in East Asia make air quality improvements, Lehner noted that warming temperatures could offset this positive momentum. These gains, in other words, are 'unlikely to substantially alleviate the currently projected future drought risk,' according to the study. 'The warming is going to continue as far as we can tell,' Lehner said. 'That will gradually outweigh those benefits, as a warmer atmosphere tends to be thirstier, gradually drying out the Southwest,' he added.
Malaysian Reserve
30-04-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Rent Mason Bees Partners with UC Davis to Combat Rising Houdini Fly Threat to Native Bees
Join the Hunt for Houdini Flies! BOTHELL, Wash., April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Rent Mason Bees, the nation's largest solitary bee provider, has partnered with researchers at the University of California, Davis to address the alarming spread of the Houdini fly, an invasive kleptoparasite threatening native mason bee populations across the Pacific Northwest. This week, they officially launched THE HOUDINI FLY HUNT, calling on bee hosts and citizen scientists nationwide to help track and report sightings of this destructive invader. The collaboration is led by Abigail Lehner, a PhD candidate at UC Davis, who is researching how mason bees are impacted by global environmental change. Lehner recently received a grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) program to deepen the understanding of Houdini fly biology and to develop an effective management plan. 'I've seen a significant increase in Houdini flies in Washington and Oregon this year, and they are devastating to mason bee populations. Unmaintained bee hotels are a major cause of their spread,' said Lehner. The Houdini fly—a small, gray insect with red eyes, about the size of a fruit fly—was accidentally introduced from Europe within the last few years. These parasitic flies are often seen hovering near bee hotels or sitting at nest entrances. Houdini flies exploit mason bees by sneaking into nests when the mother bee is away. They lay their eggs on the pollen stores intended for bee larvae. When the Houdini larvae hatch, they consume the pollen, starving the developing mason bees. Fully grown Houdini flies then escape the sealed chambers at the same time the surviving bees would normally emerge, earning their notorious name. Thyra McKelvie, Managing Director of Rent Mason Bees, emphasizes that proper care and public education are critical. 'Many people don't realize that setting up a bee hotel comes with responsibility,' McKelvie said. 'Without proper maintenance, these hotels can quickly become breeding grounds for parasites like the Houdini fly.' McKelvie outlines three critical steps for responsible mason bee care: Place clean, openable nesting material out in early spring. Remove nesting materials at the end of spring (mason bees only live 6–8 weeks). Harvest and clean cocoons in the fall to remove parasites. 'If you want to prevent further spread, it is imperative to clean out your bee hotel in the fall and remove Houdini larvae,' Lehner added. Join the Houdini Fly Hunt! One of the best ways to combat this threat is by identifying where Houdini flies are spreading—and that's where you come in. Report your findings here: Houdini Fly Hunt!Watch the video to learn how to spot and stop Houdini flies: Mason Bee Predator Alert! Houdini Fly – How to Spot, Stop & Hunt! Your participation is crucial in protecting our native pollinators and strengthening ecosystems across the country.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KLX Energy Services Announces 2025 First Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule
HOUSTON, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. ("KLX" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KLXE) announced today that it will report its 2025 first quarter financial results prior to the Company's live conference call, which can be accessed via dial-in or webcast, on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time). What: KLX Energy Services 2025 First Quarter Conference Call When: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time How: Live via phone – By dialing 1-201-389-0867 and asking for theKLX call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, orLive Webcast – By logging onto the webcast at the address below Where: For those who cannot listen to the live call, a replay will be available through May 23, 2025 and may be accessed by dialing 1-201-612-7415 and using passcode 13753324#. Also, an archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at for 90 days. Please submit any questions for management prior to the call via email to KLXE@ About KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. KLX is a growth-oriented provider of diversified oilfield services to leading onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies operating in both conventional and unconventional plays in all of the active major basins throughout the United States. The Company delivers mission critical oilfield services focused on drilling, completion, production, and intervention activities for technically demanding wells from over 50 service and support facilities located throughout the United States. KLX's complementary suite of proprietary products and specialized services is supported by technically skilled personnel and a broad portfolio of innovative in-house manufacturing, repair and maintenance capabilities. More information is available at Contacts: KLX Energy ServicesKeefer M. Lehner, EVP & CFO(832) 930-8066IR@ Lascar Investor RelationsKen Dennard / Zach Vaughan(713) 529-6600KLXE@ View original content: SOURCE KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
14-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Arctic ice approaches historic low, impacting habitat for polar bears
At the edge of the Arctic in northern Canada, the annual migration of polar bears draws tourists, photographers, and scientists like Geoff York. Buggies traverse the frozen terrain, bringing tourists closer to something truly wild. The polar bears pass through Churchill, Manitoba, hoping to catch a ride out of the tiny town on Hudson Bay's sea ice. After a summer of fasting on land, the bears need to get back to their frozen home to hunt seals and bulk up. "They're just dreaming of ice and being back out there," said York, senior director of research and policy with the conservation group Polar Bears International. But this migration ritual is changing. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the globe, according to a study published in 2022 in the journal Nature. "The Arctic is one of the fastest warming regions in the planet," said Flavio Lehner, chief climate scientist for Polar Bears International and assistant professor at Cornell University. He explained that the warming is melting the sea ice that bears depend on. "It's important, because it's a complete transformation of the ecosystem," Lehner said. The Western Hudson Bay polar bears are off the ice for a month longer than their parents and grandparents. That hurts their hunting and ability to have healthy cubs that make it to adulthood. The change has cut this population by up to half in 40 years, according to Polar Bears International. "It's hard to find other places, maybe other than places maybe that have been deforested in the Amazon, where you see such a stark change," Lehner said. And what happens in the Arctic trickles down to those who reside on the rest of the planet. "If the sea ice disappears, the Arctic will warm faster and the planet will warm faster," Lehner said That ice can be thought of like the Earth's air conditioner. It reflects light and heat away from our waters. Without it, the sun is absorbed and warms the oceans. Scientists say to slow the melting, we need to significantly cut emissions from fossil fuels.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. Closes on New $232 Million Senior Secured Notes and $125 Million ABL Credit Facility
HOUSTON, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: KLXE) ("KLX", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") announced today that it has closed on refinancing its existing 2025 senior secured notes by issuing approximately $232 million of senior secured notes due March 2030 together with warrants to purchase common stock of the Company. The Company also announced it has closed on its new ABL credit facility due March 2028 with a $125 million commitment, a first-in-last-out facility with a $10 million commitment, and a committed incremental loan option with a $25 million commitment. About KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. KLX is a growth-oriented provider of diversified oilfield services to leading onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies operating in both conventional and unconventional plays in all of the active major basins throughout the United States. The Company delivers mission critical oilfield services focused on drilling, completion, production, and intervention activities for technically demanding wells from over 50 service and support facilities located throughout the United States. KLX's complementary suite of proprietary products and specialized services is supported by technically skilled personnel and a broad portfolio of innovative in-house manufacturing, repair and maintenance capabilities. More information is available at Contacts: KLX Energy ServicesKeefer M. Lehner, EVP & CFO(832) 930-8066IR@ Lascar Investor RelationsKen Dennard / Zach Vaughan(713) 529-6600KLXE@ View original content: SOURCE KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
