A paper written by a Bermuda-linked scientist has been featured in one of the world’s leading science and research publications.

Dr. Richard Murnane, of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), recently co-authored a paper that was first published in the Geophysical Research Letters (GRL).

Science Magazine — which has almost one million readers — selected the article as an ‘Editor’s Choice’ which was published in its March issue.

The article — titled ‘A Globally Consistent Reanalysis of Hurricane Variability and Trends’ — explains the relationship between sea-surface temperatures and their effect on hurricanes, as well as global warming.

Distributed by the American Association for the advancement of Science (AAAS), the magazine focuses on scientific research, global news and commentary.

Dr. Murnane is currently based in the US, and serves as Senior Research Scientist for BIOS.

He said: “This information is critical for determining whether there have been trends in hurricane intensity.

“The value of this work as noted in the Science summary, is that we form a homogenous data set from satellite observations.”

He addressed the controversial subject of global warming — which involves factors such as greenhouse gasses by adding: “There has been a huge debate in the tropical cyclone world.

“It is over whether there are trends in cyclone intensity and number and if so, what is causing it.”

Dr. Murnane said one of the most contentious issues in the debate about the impact of global warming on hurricanes, is the accuracy of hurricane records.

“It is important for hurricane intensity measurements to be evaluated in a consistent manner, so that methodological differences do not introduce spurious trends,” he stated.

BIOS, formerly The Bermuda Biological Station For Research, was founded in 1903 by US scientists who wanted to take advantage of Bermuda’s ideal location for marine exploration.