Startling new research finds large buildup of heat in the oceans, suggesting a faster rate of global warming

Update: Researchers behind the study discussed below have since acknowledged errors in the work that renders the central conclusion much more uncertain, and have submitted a correction to the journal Nature. Read our new story about this development here.

The world’s oceans have been soaking up far more excess heat in recent decades than scientists realized, suggesting that Earth could be set to warm even faster than predicted in the years ahead, according to new research published Wednesday.