Extreme heat waves trigger unexpected nanoparticle formation in air
Phys.org
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Extreme heat waves, even in sweltering conditions exceeding 40°C (104°F), can unexpectedly trigger new particle formation (NPF) in the atmosphere, according to a recent study. These tiny aerosol particles play a crucial role in regulating how much sunlight Earth absorbs or reflects and influence cloud formation, which has significant implications for our planet's climate. The findings challenge previous assumptions that NPF was primarily
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/22/2026