News & Announcements
Working to solve our most challenging environmental problems
DRI’s research calls on the expertise and methods of scientists from multiple scientific disciplines. More than 400 highly-skilled scientists, engineers, technicians, students, and staff work collaboratively within and across four research divisions, focused on understanding and answering critical science questions about global climate change, water quality and availability, air quality, the sustainability of desert lands, life in extreme environments, education, and more.
Does Cold Wildfire Smoke Contribute to Water Repellent Soils in Burned Areas?
A new DRI pilot study finds severe water repellency in sand samples after treatment with both hot and cold smoke.
Traditional hydrologic models may misidentify snow as rain, new citizen science data shows
Normally, we think of the freezing point of water as 32°F – but in the world of weather forecasting and hydrologic prediction, that isn’t always the case.
DRI Foundation Celebrates International Women and Girls in Science Day Feb. 11; Launches NevadaMedal.com registration for spring event honoring world-renowned former NASA Astronaut
The 31st DRI Nevada Medal will honor Earth Explorer Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan during special evening hour-long virtual program on April 20, 2021 LAS VEGAS (Feb. 9, 2021) - DRI Foundation is marking International Women and Girls in Science Day on February 11 with...
As climate warms, summer monsoons to produce less streamflow
A new paper led by DRI’s Rosemary Carroll points to both the importance of monsoon rains in maintaining the Upper Colorado River’s water supply and the diminishing ability of monsoons to replenish summer streamflow in a warmer future with less snow accumulation.
Renown Institute for Health Innovation expands partnership with Gilead Sciences and Siemens Healthineers to offer ELF – Enhanced Liver Fibrosis testing for Nevada NASH study participants
Together, will test over 30,000 qualifying study participants by 2023 for risk of cirrhosis and liver-related illnesses RENO, Nev. (Dec. 15, 2020) – Renown Institute for Health (IHI) announced today that the organization and Gilead Sciences, Inc. will be joining...
What happens when rain falls on desert soils? An updated model provides answers
Several years ago, while studying the environmental impacts of large-scale solar farms in the Nevada desert, Desert Research Institute (DRI) scientists Yuan Luo, Ph.D. and Markus Berli, Ph.D. became interested in one particular question: how does the presence of thousands of solar panels impact desert hydrology?
Climate change and “atmospheric thirst” to increase fire danger and drought in Nevada and California
Climate change and a “thirsty atmosphere” will bring more extreme wildfire danger and multi-year droughts to Nevada and California by the end of this century, according to new research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI), the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of Calfiornia, San Diego, and the University of California, Merced.
New luminescence rock dating technique to help answer archaeological questions in Lincoln County, Nevada
Above: In Coal Valley, located in Lincoln County, Nev., dry playas and ancient shorelines of ice-aged lakes hold clues to some of the Great Basin’s earliest inhabitants. DRI archaeologists are working to learn more about these ancient cultures through a new...
Local Scientists Tackle Timely Nevada Environmental and Climate Discoveries and Solutions During First “Conversations with DRI Innovators” Event
Researchers debriefed global participants on microplastics in the environment, a new online snow tracker tool for water resource management, and the role of dogs in body recovery. Link to Event Video Presentation Available at...
DRI Archaeologists to document ancient rock art at Fort Hunter Liggett
Caption: Pictographs from a site at Fort Hunter Liggett, processed with D-stretch imagery. DRI Archaeologists will soon travel to Fort Hunter Liggett, in California, to document rock art in high resolution. Credit: Fort Hunter Liggett. Las Vegas, Nev. (Nov. 10,...