Storm chasers battle brutal hail in name of science
Storm chasers are driving into hailstorms in the United States' Great Plains to study the weather phenomenon, which causes billions in damage annually.
A team of meteorologists is using radar and cameras to monitor hail and improve forecasting.
ICECHIP, the first US hail-focused field campaign in over 40 years, aims to differentiate between storms producing baseball-sized versus golf ball-sized hail, according to co-lead scientist Victor Gensi.
The goal is to provide more precise forecasts to better serve the public with targeted information.
Watch the video in full above.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Quintessential summer drink shockingly linked to aggressive skin cancer
Summer's here, which means millions will be enjoying a glass of wine on a warm evening. But scientists warn that the type of wine you drink could be raising your risk of skin cancer. A new study found that drinking white wine was associated with a 22 percent higher risk of melanomas and other forms of skin cancers compared to drinking red wine. One of the theories is that white wine is often consumed in the sun, which itself is a risk factor for skin cancer. Red wine also contains chemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties which some studies suggest could have a protective effect on cells. Eunyoung Cho, co-lead author of the study and associate professor of epidemiology and of dermatology at Brown University, said: 'We did observe a distinction when it came to skin cancer risk. 'Specifically, the consumption of white wine, but not red wine, was associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.' The American Cancer Society notes all alcohol consumption can lead to cancer and recommends limiting to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. The group of researchers analyzed 42 studies with nearly 96,000 participants to compare the cancer risk caused by both red and white wine. Among the participants, the scientists identified those who drank the most and least white and red wine, respectively, and how much they consumed. Since the analysis pooled data from multiple research papers from across the world, each with its own definitions of consumption levels, it remains unclear how many glasses of wine each participant was drinking. While 'high' consumption usually means around one glass per day, this can vary from country to country. However, the data that was collected by the Brown University researchers was then measured using multiple statistical models to find a link between drinking wine and the probability of developing cancer. Results showed that women who drank white wine were at a greater risk of developing any kind cancer in their body as compared to men who drank white wine. The researchers did not find any link between red wine and skin cancer. It also remains unclear how many glasses of white wine can raise the risk of skin cancer. has reached to Dr Cho for more information. While Dr Cho and her team did not identify a clear reason on how white wine can increase the risk of cancer, they theorized that it was possible that women do not take protective measures against skin cancer when under the influence of alcohol. Skin cancer is usually caused due to a toxic growth of skin cells and can quickly spread across the skin. Normally, as skin cells grow old and die, new cells form to replace them. When this process stops to work as it should due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, cells grow more quickly and become toxic. The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma - both of which can often be cured. Basal cell carcinoma is defined as the cancer that forms in your basal cells in the lower part of the outside layer of the skin while squamous cell carcinoma forms in the squamous cells in the outside layer of the skin. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma. It is more likely to spread, making it harder to cure. This type of skin cancer forms in cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin, a brown pigment that gives your skin its color and protects against some of the sun's damaging UV rays. However, without proper protection such as using sunscreen, UV rays can damage melanocytes and pave the way for the development of melanoma. Previous studies have shown a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of melanoma. According to Harvard Health, one study found that the risk of basal cell carcinoma increased by seven percent and squamous cell carcinoma increased by 11 percent for every 10-gram increase in intake of alcohol in distilled spirit form (or one standard beer or small glass of wine) each day. Another study also found a 20 percent increase in melanoma in drinkers (compared to those who don't drink alcohol or only drink occasionally) Additionally, it also found that those who drink 50-grams of alcohol (or five beers) per day had a 55 percent increase in risk for melanoma. Numerous researchers believe that drinking alcohol while basking in the sunlight can increase a person's risk of developing cancer. As you drink, the body begins to process and metabolize alcohol which leads to the formation of Acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a known carcinogen - cancer causing substance - that is known to damage cell DNA and can increase a person's chances of having cancer. Coupled with the sun's UV rays that continue to damage the skin, the likelihood to develop the deadly illness increase. The American Cancer Society recommends limiting alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. But experts say that it is important to consider your underlying risk for developing skin cancer based on sun exposure and ethnicity and then alter your lifestyle.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The National Weather Service issues Alaska's first ever heat advisory
For the first time ever, parts of Alaska will be under a heat advisory — but you can put an asterisk at the end of that term. It's not the first instance of unusually high temperatures in what many consider the nation's coldest state, but the National Weather Service only recently allowed for heat advisories to be issued there. Information on similarly warm weather conditions previously came in the form of 'special weather statements." Using the heat advisory label could help people better understand the weather's severity and potential danger, something a nondescript 'special weather statement' didn't convey. The first advisory is for Sunday in Fairbanks, where temperatures are expected to top 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). Fairbanks has has been warmer in the past, but this is unusual for June, officials said. Here's what to know about Alaska's inaugural heat advisory: Why it's the first The National Weather Service's switch from special weather statements to advisories was meant to change how the public views the information. 'This is an important statement, and the public needs to know that there will be increasing temperatures, and they could be dangerous because Alaska is not used to high temperatures like these,' said Alekya Srinivasan, a Fairbanks-based meteorologist. 'We want to make sure that we have the correct wording and the correct communication when we're telling people that it will be really hot this weekend,' she said. Not unprecedented and not climate change The change doesn't reflect unprecedented temperatures, with Fairbanks having reached 90 degrees twice in 2024, Srinivasan said. It's purely an administrative change by the weather service. 'It's not that the heat in the interior that prompted Fairbanks to issue this is record heat or anything like that. It's just now there's a product to issue,' said Rich Thoman, a climate specialist at the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. Thoman also clarified that the term swap doesn't have anything to do with climate change. 'I think some of it is related to the recognition that hot weather does have an impact on Alaska, and in the interior especially," Thoman said. Little air conditioning While the temperatures in the forecast wouldn't be considered extreme in other U.S. states, Thoman noted that most Alaska buildings don't have air conditioning. 'And just the opposite, most buildings in Alaska are designed to retain heat for most of the year," he said. People can open their windows to allow cooler air in during early morning hours — if wildfires aren't burning in blaze-prone state. But if it's smoky and the windows have to remain shut, buildings can heat up very rapidly. 'Last year was the third year in a row in Fairbanks with more than a hundred hours of visibility-reducing smoke, the first time we've ever had three consecutive years over a hundred hours,' he said. There's only been two summers in Fairbanks in the 21st century with no hours of smoke that reduced visibility, a situation he said was commonplace from the 1950s to the 1970s. What about Anchorage? The Juneau and Fairbanks weather service offices have been allowed to issue heat advisories beginning this summer, but not the office in the state's largest city of Anchorage — at least not yet. And, regardless, temperatures in the area haven't reached the threshold this year at which a heat advisory would be issued. Brian Brettschneider, a climate scientist with the weather service, said by email that the Anchorage office is working on a plan to issue such advisories in the future.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
This common nut can lower your risk of heart disease, dementia and diabetes
A handful of almonds each day could significantly reduce a condition that has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and dementia, according to a new study in the journal Nutrition Research. Around one in three Americans are affected by metabolic syndrome, and evidence shows they are 'three times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke and twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease compared to people without this condition,' lead study author Emily Ho, director of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, said in a statement released in the report. 'Poor diet and inactivity contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, and gut health and chronic inflammation may also play roles,' she added. But swapping processed snacks for a handful of almonds – about 45 nuts – in your daily diet could help curb some of the most serious chronic health risks facing Americans today. In a 12-week clinical trial, researchers studied adults aged 35 to 60 who had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. One group consumed 320 calories of almonds daily while the other group ate the same number of calories from crackers. Those who ate almonds experienced significant health improvements, including reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and waist circumference. Blood tests also showed increased levels of vitamin E, an antioxidant known to reduce inflammation and support heart, nerve, and muscle function. Participants in the almond group also saw lower levels of gut inflammation — a promising sign, as maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as vital to long-term health. 'In addition to vitamin E, almonds have polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, polyphenols, biotin, copper, potassium and magnesium,' said study co-author Laura Beaver, a research associate in the Oregon State College of Health. 'The changes in cholesterol levels we observed suggest a meaningful metabolic shift in those who consumed almonds daily.' The findings align with previous research highlighting the health benefits of almonds.
