Desert Research Institute
Recent News About Desert Research Institute
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Study uncovers ancient forest preserved in Beartooth Plateau ice
Scientists from the Desert Research Institute (DRI), Montana State University, and the U.S. Geological Survey have uncovered a 6,000-year-old forest preserved in an ice patch on the Beartooth Plateau.
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Reno-Sparks releases urban heat data following successful mapping campaign
The Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project has successfully completed its temperature mapping campaign, releasing detailed data and modeled temperature maps for the Truckee Meadows communities.
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Study links ancient Roman-era lead pollution with cognitive decline
Lead exposure has long been recognized for its detrimental effects on human health, particularly in children.
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Research shows persistent disparities in cancer risk from US air pollution
New research conducted by the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) examines the distribution of air pollution and its associated cancer risks across U.S. communities.
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Native Climate reporters share stories at Indigenous conference in Alaska
Villagers from Newtok, Alaska, faced permanent evacuation in mid-October due to rising sea levels.
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DRI recruits Fallon residents for study on well water contamination
DRI scientists are seeking fifteen Fallon residents with private wells to participate in a water quality study.
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DRI honors faculty and staff achievements at annual awards ceremony
The Desert Research Institute (DRI) recently held its annual awards and recognition ceremonies at the Reno and Las Vegas campuses to honor faculty and staff for their achievements. The event celebrated individuals for their contributions to science, service, and public engagement.
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Grant supports clean energy education program in Nevada
The Desert Research Institute's (DRI) STEM Education Program has secured a grant from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management to support Nevada’s clean energy workforce pipeline. The funding, amounting to nearly $2 million, aims to equip the next generation with essential knowledge and technical skills for employment in sectors such as clean energy, waste management, and environmental remediation.
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Catherine Ivanovich wins Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences
DRI has announced that Catherine (Casey) Ivanovich from Columbia University is the recipient of the 26th annual Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for Women in Atmospheric Sciences. The award ceremony took place at the DRI campus in Reno on September 23, 2024.
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USGS funds study on wildfire impacts on flood risks led by Guo Yu
Reno, Nev. (September 10, 2024) – Guo Yu, an assistant research professor of hydrometeorology, along with collaborator Luke McGuire from the University of Arizona, has been awarded a three-year grant from the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program. The funding will be used to expand Yu's research on how repeated wildfires impact flooding risk in communities.
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Study finds satellites can accurately monitor groundwater use
Reno, Nev. (September 5, 2024) – Drought remains a significant concern in the Western U.S., prompting water managers to develop groundwater management plans to conserve this essential resource. Groundwater is often pumped to the surface for crop irrigation, with meters traditionally measuring the flow of pumped water. However, these meters are scarce. Scientists at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) investigated whether OpenET, a platform that measures evapotranspiration using satellite data, could bridge this information gap.
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Guidance helps emergency planners prepare for future weather hazards
Reno, Nev. (September 4, 2024) – Climate change is intensifying storms, floods, droughts, and fires, presenting new challenges for communities worldwide. To aid emergency managers in preparing for these future weather extremes, DRI scientists have collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey to produce a guidance document. This report leverages publicly available data on historical and projected extreme weather events to enhance emergency planning exercises.
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DRI holds inaugural AWE+ Summit on wildfire recovery
The Desert Research Institute (DRI), in collaboration with the DRI Foundation, held its inaugural AWE+ Summit this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event, titled "Wildfire Recovery and Resilience: Working Across Silos to Drive Solutions," aimed to encourage communities to adopt measures that enhance resilience and adaptability to wildfires.
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EPA funds $1 million grant for stem education program at Desert Research Institute
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has announced that the Desert Research Institute (DRI) has secured $1 million in grant funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program. This funding aims to support DRI’s STEM Education Program in strengthening Nevada’s workforce in the drinking water and wastewater sectors.
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Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project seeks volunteers amid summer heat
Reno, Nev. (August 2, 2024) – A consortium of organizations led by the Nevada State Climate Office is seeking volunteers for the Reno-Sparks Heat Mapping Project on August 10. The initiative aims to study urban heat islands and their effects on the region. Volunteers will drive or navigate predetermined routes with GPS-equipped temperature and humidity sensors attached to their vehicles.
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EPA awards $100K grant to support Nevada's microplastics education initiative
Reno, Nev. (July 24, 2024) – The Desert Research Institute’s (DRI) STEM Education Team has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enhance environmental education in Nevada schools. The funding will be used to produce additional educational kits known as Greenboxes, aimed at raising awareness about microplastics in the environment.
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Global study maps critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems amid growing threats
Reno, Nev. (July 17, 2024) – Groundwater-dependent ecosystems provide crucial support to life in arid regions by acting as water reserves during droughts. As climate change and human activities deplete groundwater levels globally, there is an urgent need for better data on these ecosystems' locations. A new study published in Nature on July 17 addresses this gap by mapping groundwater-dependent ecosystems in dryland regions worldwide, assessing their protection status, and examining their overlap with human communities.
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New study suggests Mars had a cold subarctic climate
Reno, Nev. (July 10, 2024) – The question of whether Mars ever supported life has captivated scientists and the public for decades. Central to this inquiry is understanding the planet's past climate: was it warm and wet with seas and rivers, or frigid and icy? A new study supports the latter hypothesis by identifying similarities between soils found on Mars and those in Newfoundland, Canada, a region with a cold subarctic climate.
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EPA selects Desert Research Institute for funding on microplastics mitigation project
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of Nevada’s System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) to receive a competitive grant for environmental education in Nevada. This organization was chosen for its work in promoting youth ecological stewardship and environmental education, with the grant supporting a project to mitigate microplastics in Nevada waterways.
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Reno-Sparks heat mapping project seeks volunteers
Reno, Nev. (July 2, 2024) – Scientists from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the University of Nevada, Reno are recruiting volunteers for a one-day campaign to map extreme heat across Washoe County. On July 27th, community volunteers will collect thousands of temperature and humidity measurements during three one-hour periods from early morning through evening. Sensors will be distributed at a central meeting location, which volunteers will attach to their vehicles before driving along predetermined routes. Volunteers can serve as drivers or navigators.