Recent Events

Here’s why there’s so much flash flooding right now

Across many parts of the country, flash flooding has become more frequent and more intense — and there are a few key reasons why. One major factor is climate change: as the atmosphere warms, it holds more moisture, leading to heavier and more sudden downpours. These intense rainfalls can overwhelm drainage systems and cause water to collect rapidly in streets, low-lying areas, and rivers. On top of that, storms are moving more slowly than they used to, meaning areas get soaked for longer, increasing the risk of flash floods.

Urbanization is making things worse. Cities and suburbs are packed with pavement, concrete, and other surfaces that don’t absorb water. When rain falls on these surfaces, it runs off quickly instead of soaking into the ground, funneling into storm drains or pooling dangerously. Add in aging infrastructure and poor stormwater management in some areas, and the result is a perfect recipe for sudden, destructive flooding. As extreme weather events become more common, understanding and preparing for flash floods is more important than ever.

Climate change linking to volcanic eruptions

In a surprising new twist, scientists are warning that melting glaciers could actually trigger more volcanic eruptions. According to a report published this week in The Week, the rapid loss of ice—particularly in regions like Iceland and parts of the Pacific Ring of Fire—is removing massive amounts of weight from the Earth’s crust. That pressure release can allow magma to rise more easily, increasing the likelihood of volcanic activity. In other words, climate change isn't just warming the planet—it might also be waking up dormant volcanoes. Researchers are calling it a "geological chain reaction" that’s rarely talked about in public climate discussions.

The implications go beyond fiery eruptions. Volcanic activity can spew ash and gases that disrupt air travel, threaten nearby communities, and even alter global weather patterns. Ironically, large eruptions can temporarily cool the planet by sending sunlight-blocking particles into the upper atmosphere. But scientists stress that this doesn’t cancel out the long-term warming trend—it just adds more unpredictability to an already unstable climate system. As our glaciers vanish, it turns out they may not go quietly.

Dogs Trained to Sniff Out Invasive Insects

A groundbreaking study at Virginia Tech found that volunteer dog-handler teams, made up of citizen scientists, were incredibly successful in detecting egg sites of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that is responsible for millions of dollars in agricultural losses every year in regions of eastern and central United States.

Spotted lanternflies are originally native to Asia, but were reported to have appeared in Pennsylvania in 2014. They have since spread to many different states, using trees, stone, lumber, and cars as laying grounds for their eggs. These lanternflies are incredibly harmful to the farms and forests they reside in, but they are also difficult to spot and exterminate, as the insects often resemble mud smears or lichens and hide in small crevices and undersides.

Although humans have quite some trouble locating lanternflies, dogs can be trained to sniff out spotted lanternfly egg masses quite easily. And rather than rely on expensive professional detection dogs, scientists have looked to average citizens with dogs to join the effort as a recreational activity.

With a sense of smell that's tens of thousands of times more acute than humans', dogs can be trained to sniff out spotted lanternfly egg masses without disturbing the environment. Previous research has shown that professional conservation detection dogs can do this with high accuracy. But professional dogs are expensive, and there aren't nearly enough of them to cover the growing threat.

In the study, which over 1,000 dog owners expressed interest in, 182 teams from across the US were selected and provided with inert egg masses, which the owners used to introduce their dogs to the scent of the lanternflies. After months of this training, the results of real-world field trials showed that the dogs were able to correctly identify egg masses 61% of the time. While this isn’t perfect, it certainly is a major improvement from human searches.

This study has far-reaching implications for future uses of animals to aid agricultural efforts. In fact, a separate study at Texas Tech University found that pet dogs could be trained to detect powdery mildew, a major fungal disease of grapes and vineyards, with over 90% accuracy. All of this potentially points to what might be an important development in agriculture, by not only giving a chance for dogs and their owners to do meaningful work, but also by ensuring the safety and prosperity of local farms and ranches.

Tips: How to Decrease Water Usage During the Summer

As we’re in the midst of the dog days of summer, it can often seem that we are using more water than we typically do. This can be attributed to many factors, but let’s talk about some tips on how you can decrease your water usage. 

1. Take showers instead of baths.

On average, taking a shower uses significantly less water than taking a bath. Bonus points if you keep your showers short!

2. If you have a pool, cover it when it's not in use.

During the summer months, pools lose a lot of water to evaporation, which can lead to frequent refilling and water waste. Using a pool cover helps reduce evaporation and minimizes the need to constantly refill it.

3. Only run full loads of laundry.

Try to wash clothes only when you have a full load and when it’s truly necessary. This helps your washing machine run more efficiently and saves water over time.

4. Fix small leaks around your home. 

Oftentimes, tiny drops of water coming out of something like your faucet may seem insignificant, but over time this amount can compound, leaving you potentially losing multiple gallons of water each day.  Taking the time to repair them can make a big difference in long-term water conservation.

5. Optimize how you wash your dishes. 

If you have a dishwasher, use it instead of washing dishes by hand, and always wait until it’s fully loaded. Dishwashers typically use less water than handwashing, especially when run at full capacity.