UC Irvine scientists: Global warming is speeding breakdown of major greenhouse gas
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 18-Apr-2026 00:15 ET (18-Apr-2026 04:15 GMT/UTC)
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have discovered that climate change is causing nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance, to break down in the atmosphere more quickly than previously thought, introducing significant uncertainty into climate projections for the rest of the 21st century.
A new study of the oldest known bird, Archaeopteryx, shows that some of birds’ weirdest mouth features—like extra tongue bones, a sensitive beak-tip, and fleshy “teeth” on the roofs of their mouths—date all the way back to the Jurassic Period. These features, which are still present in most living birds, hint that being extra-good at finding, grabbing, and processing food might be key to a life on the wing.
Contrary to expectations, wetlands do not need to be completely flooded to provide the greatest climate benefit. Instead, the water table should be below the soil surface and remain stable, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. The greenhouse gas methane and microorganisms in the soil are a game changer.