Scientists solve mystery of Arctic 'megafires' the size of Belgium

Plus: People with speech paralysis can now talk using this intelligent spelling device. Nov 09, 2022 [Blueprint]( The mystery of the [Arctic "megafires" the size of Belgium]( which released 256 million tonnes of CO2 between 2019 and 2020, has been solved. But the answer as to why there’s been an exponential spike in Arctic megafires may not surprise you. Sadden you, maybe. But surprise you, not so much. The new insight came after scientists looked into the cause of a 3-million-hectare burnt area in the Siberian Arctic. And, it found that we can expect megafires to become more frequent by the end of the century. Joyful. But before you get fired up about that, get fired up about [this video]( which documents the roll-out of an intelligent spelling device that will allow people with speech paralysis to talk. It’s lit. Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Why the ESA's world-first Biomass satellite is 'very timely' for understanding Earth's climate.]( [premium] Biomass, which has recently left for final testing before launch in 2024, will be the seventh Earth Explorer program satellite in orbit. Here's everything you need to know about the mission. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [People with speech paralysis can now talk using this intelligent spelling device.]( [People with speech paralysis can now talk using this intelligent spelling device.]( If it’s good enough for the late, great Stephen Hawking, it's must be good. [Must Read]MUST READ Arctic 'megafires' the size of Belgium released 256 million tonnes of CO2 – now scientists know why. [Arctic 'megafires' the size of Belgium released 256 million tonnes of CO2 – now scientists know why.] Spoiler alert: it’s climate change. [Rising global temperatures are the reason]( behind an exponential spike in Arctic “megafires,” according to scientists who have just completed a study on the matter. They set out to provide new insight into the cause of a 3-million-hectare burnt area in the Siberian Arctic. Their research suggests that the Arctic's fire regimes are already shifting due to the climate's warming, which could impact how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. But the Arctic is icy, right? So how did this happen? Well, it’s not all ice, is the short answer. Far from it. The fires caused particular alarm because the Arctic contains substantial stretches of permafrost, (a permanently frozen layer of subsoil that stores a lot of carbon.) Not only can permafrost be damaged by fires, but those same fires (especially on this scale) also cause greenhouse gas emissions that contain carbon. So, bad news all around. → The study found that approximately 4.7 million hectares were burned between 2019 and 2020, resulting in total emissions of 412.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Solar cells one-thousandth the size of human hair can resist space radiation.]( Scientists have developed a [radiation-tolerant photovoltaic cell design]( that features an ultrathin layer of light-absorbing material. The devices feature cells with a surface one-thousandth the thickness of a human hair. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - Researcher discovers a rare fossil clam thought to be [dead some 40,000 years ago](. - [Olkaria VI, Kenya]( Inside the world's largest single-turbine geothermal plant. [premium] - A professor's work on prime numbers could [solve a 150-year-old puzzle]( in math. [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [UK startup's nuclear fusion gun will fire a 1-billion-G projectile at a fusion fuel pellet.]( First Light Fusion is developing its prototype [Big Friendly Gun (BFG]( in a bid to achieve nuclear fusion without relying on lasers and powerful magnets. The company's test campaign could finally unlock the potential of nuclear fusion. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - This deep brain stimulator needs [no batteries, only your breath](. - [Meet the Large Hadron Collider]( the world's most powerful atom smasher. - The worst-case Starlink scenario? [We could be 'right on the edge']( of Kessler syndrome. [premium] [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Arctic 'megafires' the size of Belgium released 256 million tonnes of CO2 – now scientists know why. Do you think the reporting of these ‘megafires’ will make more people take action to combat climate change? [Yes, I really hope so]( [No, people don’t seem to care]( [This will help build awareness]( [It’s hard to say either way]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you if you think solar windows will one day be economically viable enough for domestic use and 73 percent of you said yes, if it’s adopted widely by industry, we can all follow suit. 73% Yes, if they're widely adopted by industry 23% Possibly eventually, but not for years yet 3% No, this is all pie in the sky 1% It's difficult to say either way [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “There may be babblers, wholly ignorant of mathematics, who dare to condemn my hypothesis, upon the authority of some part of the Bible twisted to suit their purpose. I value them not, and scorn their unfounded judgement.” Nicholas Copernicus. [9 best USB microphones.]( [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [HoMedics Tabletop Fountain]( [image]( [Trazon Snow Shovel]( [image]( [AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker]( [image]( [ZLINE Copper Island Range Hood]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - [Females recover faster]( from kidney disease, and we're not sure why. - Here’s how [mysterious, last-resort antibiotics]( kill bacteria. (Science News) - The US just [seized over $3 billion in Bitcoin]( the second-highest amount of criminal cash ever. - At what age do you really become an adult? And [why it’s vital to know](. (New Scientist) - The world's biggest aircraft ['Mriya' will be rebuilt]( after the Russia-Ukraine war ends. - Smartphone-based therapy offers [hope for sufferers of tinnitus](. (BBC) - Miraculous breast [cancer vaccine passes first human trials]( that went on for 20 years. Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here](. © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 205 Hudson St New York, NY, 10013, USA [Interesting Engineering]