2026 in science

April

← Previous revision Revision as of 08:14, 25 April 2026 Line 68: Line 68: *15 April – A study published in ''Science Advances'' finds that the [[Atlantic meridional overturning circulation]] (AMOC) is likely to weaken by 42–58% by 2100, significantly more than many previous estimates, with the most realistic climate models indicating a high probability of eventual collapse. The research reduces uncertainty by combining observational data with model projections, suggesting that stronger slowdown scenarios are more consistent with real-world conditions. Scientists warn that such a decline could have major impacts on global climate systems, including shifts in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels in the Atlantic, and extreme weather changes in Europe and other regions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrington |first=Damian |date=2026-04-15 |title=Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/critical-atlantic-current-significantly-more-likely-to-collapse-than-thought |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Portmann |first1=Valentin |date=2026 |title=Observational constraints project a ~50% AMOC weakening by the end of this century |journal=Science Advances |doi=10.1126/sciadv.adx4298}}</ref> *15 April – A study published in ''Science Advances'' finds that the [[Atlantic meridional overturning circulation]] (AMOC) is likely to weaken by 42–58% by 2100, significantly more than many previous estimates, with the most realistic climate models indicating a high probability of eventual collapse. The research reduces uncertainty by combining observational data with model projections, suggesting that stronger slowdown scenarios are more consistent with real-world conditions. Scientists warn that such a decline could have major impacts on global climate systems, including shifts in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels in the Atlantic, and extreme weather changes in Europe and other regions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carrington |first=Damian |date=2026-04-15 |title=Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/critical-atlantic-current-significantly-more-likely-to-collapse-than-thought |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Portmann |first1=Valentin |date=2026 |title=Observational constraints project a ~50% AMOC weakening by the end of this century |journal=Science Advances |doi=10.1126/sciadv.adx4298}}</ref> *16 April – A study in the ''Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets'' presents “PlanetWaves”, a model developed by researchers at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] to predict wave formation under different planetary conditions. The results suggest that wave behaviour varies widely depending on gravity, atmosphere, and liquid composition, with gentle winds potentially generating large waves on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] but only small ripples on denser or higher-gravity worlds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-16 |title=Waves hit different on other planets |url=https://news.mit.edu/2026/waves-hit-different-on-other-planets-0416 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=MIT News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Schneck |first1=Una |date=2026 |title=Planetary controls on wind-generated waves across diverse liquid surfaces |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets}}</ref> *16 April – A study in the ''Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets'' presents “PlanetWaves”, a model developed by researchers at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] to predict wave formation under different planetary conditions. The results suggest that wave behaviour varies widely depending on gravity, atmosphere, and liquid composition, with gentle winds potentially generating large waves on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] but only small ripples on denser or higher-gravity worlds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-16 |title=Waves hit different on other planets |url=https://news.mit.edu/2026/waves-hit-different-on-other-planets-0416 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=MIT News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Schneck |first1=Una |date=2026 |title=Planetary controls on wind-generated waves across diverse liquid surfaces |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets}}</ref> *21 April – The discovery of seven previously undetected [[Organic compound|organic]] molecules ([[trimethylbenzene]], [[tetramethylbenzene]], [[methyl benzoate]], [[dihydronaphthalene]], [[naphthalene]], [[benzothiophene]] and [[methylnaphthalene]]) on [[Mars]] by ''[[Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'' rover is announced.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Diverse organic molecules on Mars revealed by the first SAM TMAH experiment |author=Amy M. Williams; Ashley E. Murphy; Daniel P. Glavin; Jennifer L. Eigenbrode, others |journal=Nature Communications |date=2026 |doi=10.1038/41467-026-70656-0}}</ref> *21 April – The discovery of seven previously undetected [[Organic compound|organic]] molecules ([[trimethylbenzene]], [[tetramethylbenzene]], [[methyl benzoate]], [[dihydronaphthalene]], [[naphthalene]], [[benzothiophene]] and [[methylnaphthalene]]) on [[Mars]] by the ''[[Curiosity (rover)|Curiosity]]'' rover is announced.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Diverse organic molecules on Mars revealed by the first SAM TMAH experiment |author=Amy M. Williams; Ashley E. Murphy; Daniel P. Glavin; Jennifer L. Eigenbrode, others |journal=Nature Communications |date=2026 |doi=10.1038/41467-026-70656-0}}</ref>

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