Latest news with #UniversityofHawaiʻiatMānoa
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers turn to 'living libraries' in effort to solve growing threat to food supply: 'Pressures on food crops touch every country on our planet'
Imagine if the key to protecting our favorite foods from a changing climate was hidden away in a vault in the Arctic, and we just figured out how to unlock it. That's the real-world promise of a new gene selection technique that could revolutionize the way we grow food. Scientists from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and their global partners have developed a faster, more affordable method for identifying genes that help crops survive extreme weather. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change and reported by reveals that these researchers are looking toward seed banks, sometimes called "living libraries," for solutions. These collections store thousands of plant varieties with unique genetic traits that could make crops stronger and more resilient. "Climate-driven pressures on food crops touch every country on our planet, and this technique holds promise for making more use of our global genebanks," said study co-author Michael Kantar of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, per That means future versions of your favorite foods like coffee, rice, or chocolate might be better equipped to thrive despite rising temperatures. This new method, called environmental genomic selection, combines DNA data with climate models to predict how different plants will perform under future conditions. Instead of growing and testing thousands of plants, researchers can now use a smaller, diverse group to find the best candidates for breeding. By helping farmers grow crops that need less water, resist pests naturally, and thrive without harmful chemicals, this breakthrough could reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and support healthier communities. It also means we may have new ways to protect everyday staples we often take for granted, from the rice in your pantry to the chocolate in your snack drawer. The researchers tested the method on sorghum, a drought-tolerant grain, and found that it works on dozens of other crops as well, including barley, cannabis, and peppers. Their findings also show that countries heavily reliant on one crop may need genetic resources from other regions to stay resilient. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With Crop Trust reporting more than seven million samples stored in global genebanks, this tool could help scientists turn these collections into real-world solutions, faster and more affordably than ever before. For everyday people and farmers alike, that means more reliable harvests, more nutritious meals, and a stronger food system no matter what the forecast brings. More food innovations, such as vertical farms and drought-resistant crops, are making it easier for people to eat well while reducing pollution. To help build a more sustainable food system, people can turn to plant-based food alternatives or even grow their own food, as well as compost food scraps. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Watch: Humpback whales migrate to Hawaiʻi in new UH film
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In celebration of World Ocean Day, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Dolphin Quest have released a 12-minute film showcasing the migration of humpback whales as they journey from Alaska to Hawaiʻi. Matt Elliott named next UH Mānoa athletics director, pending regents' approval The video offers insights into one of nature's most interesting journeys, when thousands of whales travel nearly 3,000 miles to Hawaiʻi each year to give birth. 'Understanding the biology and behavior of humpback whales is essential, especially now as changing ocean conditions threatens their habitats and migratory patterns,' said MMRP Director Lars Bejder. 'This video helps explain how their endurance and sacrifices are truly extraordinary.' The video features researchers documenting whale behaviors, collecting data and photographing the rare traits of individual whales. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'Dolphin Quest is honored to support this research and help share it with the public,' said Dolphin Quest Co-Founder Rae Stone. 'This project combines the best of science, education and conservation—and makes it accessible for everyone.' The film is available to watch online for free on the Dolphin Quest's YouTube channel. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UH: Urgent response required to save world's coral reefs
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A study by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology found that coral reefs are less frequent in the tropics due to warming oceans. The research found that the reefs are unable to beat the heat and effects of climate change, which rings the emergency alarm for conservationists. 8 takeaways from Hawaiʻi's top ranking for school lunches However, there is still hope, as the research showed that immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can improve the future of these iconic ocean scenes across the planet. 'As the ocean warms, species tend to move poleward,' said lead author Noam Vogt-Vincent, lead author of the study. 'We know from the fossil record that coral reefs have previously expanded their ranges in response to past climate change, but we didn't know whether this was a matter of decades or millennia.' In order to predict changes in the distribution of these reefs, the research team used complex simulation models running on UH's high-performance computing cluster. The team created a global model including approximately 50,000 coral reef sites to the model, the researches tested three future emissions scenarios: one with low warming, around two degrees Celsius, a moderate warming scenario, around three degrees Celsius and a high warming model, which is greater than four degrees Celsius. 'By modeling coral reefs globally and incorporating evolution and connectivity, this study provides an unprecedented long-term view of how these complex ecosystems will respond to climate change,' said research professor Lisa McManus. Provided the current condition of the climate on coral reefs, the researchers found both good news and bad news. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'Unfortunately, while we've confirmed that coral reef range expansion will indeed eventually occur, the biggest coral losses are expected in the next 60 years, meaning these new, higher-latitude reefs won't form fast enough to save most tropical coral species,' Vogt-Vincent said. While northern Florida, southern Australia and southern Japan may see new reefs in the future, they will not be in existence soon enough to help corals survive through the century, UH said. While the future seems bleak, there is still hope, with significant cuts in emissions, such as those outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement, could dramatically reduce the loss of coral. Aliʻi Drive to revert to a two-way street Currently, coral reduction is on track to lose up to 86% of coral reefs; but with lower emissions, losses could be reduced to only around 33% of coral reefs. 'Our study suggests that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not just improve coral reef futures this century, but for hundreds to thousands of years into the future,' Vogt-Vincent said. 'Our actions over the next few decades will therefore have incredibly long-lasting consequences for coral reefs globally.' Researchers will continue to monitor reef levels with their supercomputer power to try to better understand both threats and solutions surrounding the world's coral reefs. For more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Megatsunami warning: Three US States could face direct impact within 50 years
A groundbreaking study from Virginia Tech, published in the , has issued an urgent warning: within the next 50 years, three U.S. states—Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington—are at significant risk of experiencing catastrophic megatsunamis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These colossal waves, potentially reaching up to 1,000 feet, could result from massive earthquakes and geological events, threatening millions of lives and causing unprecedented damage. What is a megatsunami ? A megatsunami is a very large wave created by a large, sudden displacement of material into a body of water. Unlike an ordinary tsunami, a megatsunami is characterized by extremely large wave heights, often hundreds of meters, and is typically caused by massive underwater displacements like large landslides or volcanic eruptions. Megatsunamis can reach wave heights of hundreds of meters and are often triggered by massive underwater events like large landslides, glacier collapses, or meteorite impacts. Megatsunamis can inundate coastal areas much further inland and with greater force than regular tsunamis. In October 1936, a megatsunami occurred in Lituya Bay in Alaska with a maximum run-up height of 150 metres (490 ft) in Crillon Inlet at the head of the bay. The four eyewitnesses to the wave in Lituya Bay itself all survived and described it as between 30 and 76 metres (100 and 250 ft) high. Cascadia Subduction Zone : A ticking time bomb Stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island, the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a major fault line where the Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly sinking beneath the North American Plate. This tectonic boundary has the potential to produce a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake, with scientists estimating a 15% chance of such an event occurring within the next 50 years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The last significant rupture along this fault occurred in 1700, but the risk remains high. A major earthquake in this region could cause coastal land to sink by up to 6.5 feet, dramatically expanding floodplains and increasing flood risks. The resulting tsunami could send waves up to 40 feet high, devastating communities along the Pacific Northwest coast, including northern California, northern Oregon, and southern Washington. Experts warn that public awareness remains low, and evacuation times could be as short as 10 minutes, leaving little room for escape. Alaska: A double threat from earthquakes and landslides Alaska faces a dual threat from both seismic activity and climate change-induced landslides. The Aleutian Islands, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, are prone to powerful earthquakes. A study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa estimates a 9% chance of a magnitude 9.0 or greater earthquake in the Aleutians within the next 50 years. Such an event could generate a mega-tsunami with waves reaching up to 75 feet, impacting coastal communities along the Alaska Peninsula and potentially affecting areas as far away as Hawaii. Additionally, melting glaciers in Alaska are destabilizing slopes, increasing the risk of massive landslides into the ocean. These landslides can displace large volumes of water, generating tsunamis that could inundate nearby coastal areas. The combination of seismic and climatic factors makes Alaska particularly vulnerable to devastating tsunami events. Hawaii: Volcanic collapses pose tsunami risk Hawaii's unique geological features also place it at risk. The Big Island's active volcanoes, such as Kīlauea, are susceptible to flank collapses—massive landslides where large sections of the volcano's flank slide into the ocean. These collapses can displace enormous amounts of water, generating tsunamis that can affect coastal areas of Hawaii. While the probability of such events is lower compared to other regions, the potential impact on Hawaii's densely populated coastal areas makes it a significant concern. Urgent call for preparedness: The study underscores the need for immediate action to prepare for potential mega-tsunamis. Experts advocate for enhanced , improved infrastructure, and public education campaigns to ensure communities are ready to respond effectively. In the Pacific Northwest, for instance, FEMA estimates that a magnitude 9 earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone could result in over 13,000 fatalities and displace more than a million people. Coastal regions must invest in resilient infrastructure, including elevated buildings and tsunami-resistant designs, to withstand the impacts of such disasters. Additionally, updating evacuation plans and conducting regular drills can save lives by ensuring that residents know how to respond quickly and safely. Global implications and climate change considerations: While the immediate focus is on the United States, the global implications of mega-tsunamis are profound. Rising sea levels due to climate change exacerbate the risks associated with these events, as higher ocean levels can increase the extent of flooding and damage. International collaboration in monitoring seismic activity and sharing early warning information is crucial to mitigate the effects of such disasters worldwide. Conclusion: The recent study serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by coastal regions in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. With the potential for mega-tsunamis within the next 50 years, these communities must take proactive measures to prepare for such catastrophic events. Through enhanced preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and public awareness, the impact of these disasters can be mitigated, saving lives and protecting livelihoods. As scientists continue to monitor seismic activity and climate change effects, the need for comprehensive disaster planning and international cooperation becomes ever more critical. By learning from past events and investing in future resilience, we can better safeguard our coastal communities against the looming threat of mega-tsunamis. Covid-19 crisis: Goans on a mission to grow more greens, after lockdown blues
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Nearby Star's Song Shakes Up Astronomy With 'Long-Lost Tuning Fork'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Our understanding of how stars evolve has been shaken up by astronomers who have been listening to the "song" sung by a nearby star. While the movement of celestial bodies might not quite play the "music of the spheres"—as poetically imagined by the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras—each star does still resonate with natural frequencies. And just as the vibrations of earthquakes allow seismologists to probe the interior of the Earth, so the oscillations of stars allow "asteroseismologists" to learn about the inside of stars. "The vibrations of a star are like its unique song," explained paper author and astronomer Yaguang Li of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in a statement. "By listening to those oscillations, we can precisely determine how massive a star is, how large it is and how old it is." Located just 21 light-years from Earth, HD 219134 is an orange main sequence star much older than our sun. By listening to its tune, astronomers have been able to learn key new information about how stars evolve as they get older. An illustration of sound waves in a star. An illustration of sound waves in a star. OpenAI, based on original artwork from Gabriel Perez Diaz/Instituto de Astrofísica de Canaria Previous asteroseismological studies—using such NASA telescopes as Kepler and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)—have typically involved stars that are hotter than the Sun. In contrast, HD 219134 is much cooler, meaning that its "song" was much too subtle for space-based telescopes to pick up via observation of the star's brightness. In the new study, however, astronomers used the cutting-edge "Keck Planet Finder" (KPF) instrument as the W. M. Keck Observatory at the peak of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, to measure the faint movement of the surface of HD 219134 towards and away from us. "KPF's fast readout mode makes it perfectly suited for detecting oscillations in cool stars," explained Li. "It is the only spectrograph on Mauna Kea currently capable of making this type of discovery." Taking more than 2,000 ultra-precise measurements of the star's vibrations of the course of four consecutive nights, the team have been able to estimate HD 219134's age and size. Based on how it has been observed oscillating, Li and colleagues believe that HD 219134 is more than twice as old as our sun, at a stately 10.2 billion years. Not only does this make it one of the oldest stars to have ever been dated via asteroseismology, but it also shakes up how we understand how stars age. For most stars, astronomers are able to calculate their ages based on how quickly they spin, in a method known as "gyrochronology;" for while young stars spin quickly, they lose angular momentum over time, slowing down. However, the slow-down of stars like HD 219134 tends to tall at older ages. By better understanding how this process works, astronomers will be able to refine our estimates of the ages of numerous other stars across the sky. "This is like finding a long-lost tuning fork for stellar clocks," said Li. "It gives us a reference point to calibrate how stars spin down over billions of years." Stock image of the W. M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Stock image of the W. M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. This wasn't the only surprising development from the new analysis of HD 219134—as the team also found that the star is more compact than previously assumed. Specifically, past studies based on interferometry (wherein the size of stars are measured using observations by multiple telescopes) gave it a radius some 4 percent larger. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear—but could point to issues with some of the assumptions presently made in stellar modeling. The researchers were also able to confirm that, of the five planets orbiting HD 219134, two indeed have Earth-like compositions, with solid, rocky surfaces. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about stars? Let us know via science@ Reference Li, Y., Huber, D., Ong, J. M. J., van Saders, J., Costa, R. R., Larsen, J. R., Basu, S., Bedding, T. R., Dai, F., Chontos, A., Carmichael, T. W., Hey, D., Kjeldsen, H., Hon, M., Campante, T. L., Monteiro, M. J. P. F. G., Lundkvist, M. S., Saunders, N., Isaacson, H., ... Walawender, J. (2025). K Dwarf Radius Inflation and a 10 Gyr Spin-down Clock Unveiled through Asteroseismology of HD 219134 from the Keck Planet Finder. The Astrophysical Journal, 984(2), 125.
