Research & Developments is a blog for brief updates to provide context for news that impacts science and scientists today. If you have a tip, email us at [email protected].
Arctic Winter Sea Ice Hits a Record Low, Again
Sea ice in the Arctic has likely hit its maximum extent for the year, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) said on 26 March. That maximum extent is…
Temperatures Are Soaring in the Western United States. Climate Change is to Blame, Says a New Report.
A new rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution suggests that, based on a combination of observations and modeling, climate change has made the extreme temperatures forecasted for 18-22 March about…
Tracking Science Policy Decisions and Approaches
The new administration has taken an array of decisive actions with far-reaching consequences for Earth and space scientists. Use our new tool to help sort them out.
UCAR Sues Federal Agencies
The lawsuit alleges that the federal agencies are “waging a campaign of retaliation” against Colorado and its institutions because the state has not bowed to federal authorities.
Senate Committee Approves Bill to Expand NOAA Capabilities
The markup meeting, to discuss the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2026 and the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, lasted less than 20 minutes.
Antarctic Ice Sheet Has Lost a Connecticut-Sized Amount of Ice Over the Past 30 Years
A new study of Antarctica has found that since 1996, its ice sheet has lost 12,820 square kilometers (nearly 5,000 square miles) of ice—nearly enough to cover the state of…
After Restructuring, NSF Wants to Hire More Staff but Reduce Solicitations
After large reductions in staffing last year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is now seeking to hire more employees.
Power Plants Will Be Allowed to Release More Than Twice As Much Mercury Into the Air
At a 20 February event in Kentucky, the Trump administration announced plans to loosen pollution restrictions for coal-burning power plants, including limits on emissions…
The Endangerment Finding Is Lost
Tomorrow, the EPA will revoke the 2009 Endangerment Finding, finalizing a July proposal to do so, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a 10…