A recent study of 45-million-year-old pollen from Pine Island has led to a revised understanding of Florida's geologic history. The discovery of land-based pollen indicates that Florida may have been inhabited by land animals around 10-15 million years ago, contradicting previous theories.
The Leopold Leadership Program selects mid-career researchers to engage policymakers, journalists, and business leaders with their research. Fellows receive training and networking opportunities to translate their knowledge into action.
A research study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid finds that traditionally irrigated Mediterranean landscape has suffered loss of cultural and ecological patrimony due to modernization. The study highlights the need for multifunctionality in hydraulic policy and conservation efforts to preserve these valuable landscapes.
Four Penn State faculty have been selected to participate in collaborative projects with international partners on various topics, including ocean acidification, earth surface sedimentary flow processes, climate change adaptation, and public health. The partnerships aim to address global issues and promote interdisciplinary research.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new donor-liver distribution system that could lead to up to 14% more transplants annually. The proposed regions aim to better account for population differences and geographic distance to increase organ availability.
Aeroecology is a new discipline that focuses on the aerosphere and its influence on airborne organisms. Organisms such as bats, birds, and insects rely on this aerial environment for their existence, but are also affected by human-altered landscapes and climate change.
Researchers are using radar technology to monitor and study airborne organisms, requiring collaboration between disciplines like ecology, computer science, and engineering. This advancement offers insights into animal migration patterns, invasive species, and ecosystem sustainability.
A study by Eric Lambin predicts the world may run out of productive agricultural land by 2050 due to rising global demand and land degradation. However, some developing countries have increased their forest cover while enhancing food production through innovation, sound policy, and good governance.
A study found that Medicare costs in the last six months of life are driven more by patient characteristics such as ability to function and family support than regional factors. Patient impairment or decline was a strong predictor of higher Medicare costs, accounting for ten percent of variation.
A set of maps created by the University of Sheffield have illustrated the pattern and speed of shrinkage of the large ice sheet that covered the British Isles during the last Ice Age. The maps use new information on glacial landforms, such as moraines and drumlins, to predict future ice losses in Greenland and Antarctica.
Two Cluster satellites encounter a natural particle accelerator above the northern hemisphere, mapping its electrical landscape. This discovery sheds light on the generation of auroras and provides new insights into space plasma.
A study of over 2,000 US patients found greater HIV/AIDS-related morbidity among women, nonwhites, and those from the southern US. The disparities were attributed to socioeconomic factors beyond biological influences.
A new study reveals that people's spatial memory biases develop as they become more familiar with a particular area. As individuals better understand the relationship between buildings on a campus, they tend to exaggerate distances and create cognitive biases.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method for reporting solar data, allowing policymakers and businesses to understand solar resources. The method presents solar data in a geographic information system (GIS) format, providing daily, monthly, and yearly averages.
New research from UC Davis Cancer Center found that colon cancer screening rates vary significantly across geographic regions, with African Americans and Hispanics facing lower rates. In contrast, Asian-Pacific Islanders in Hawaii had the highest screening rates among any group, suggesting potential cultural factors at play.
Researchers project a catastrophic climate collapse by 3000 due to unstoppable CO2 effects. Zero-emissions scenarios suggest the Northern Hemisphere will recover faster than the South.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that regional dialects and slang terms on Twitter can predict the location of tweet authors. The study analyzed over 380,000 tweets and found that users from different regions used distinct words and phrases, such as 'yinz' for Pittsburghers and 'coo' for southern Californians.
A recent study by Kansas State University professor Melinda Daniels suggests that beaver dams can create diverse river landscapes, turning single-thread channels into meadows or multichannel streams. The researchers recommend only partially removing old dams to mimic the role of beavers and restore ecosystem diversity.
Researchers have uncovered two photographic images of native Americans from the Amazon region, which were taken by John Thomson in 1911. The images depict the subjects naked to the waist and are part of a broader tradition of imperial photography that sought to document human 'types'.
Researchers found that both the Southwest and Southeast have insufficient water resources to support human needs, leading to a reliance on imported virtual water. The study highlights the need for new strategies in water storage and conservation across the US, particularly in regions with inland metropolitan areas.
Research reveals that early settlers rapidly cleared New Zealand forests with fires within 200 years of initial colonization, replacing native forests with grasslands and shrublands. The findings support the idea that human activity was the main cause of these fires, which were not related to unusual climate conditions.
A team of scientists predicts continued death of forests in the southwestern US due to climate change, with more severe fire events, higher tree mortality rates, and insect infestation. The study finds that warmer temperatures are negatively impacting tree growth, particularly in the spring and summer months.
A new study suggests that a 60-year drought like the one in the 12th Century could occur in the Southwest, with devastating impacts on ecosystems and water systems. The team analyzed past temperatures and droughts to identify plausible worst-case scenarios, highlighting the need for improved water management planning.
A team of researchers has used a large database to create a new map of Great Britain, dividing the country into smaller regions based on human interactions. The analysis reveals unexpected patterns, such as a 'western crescent' centered on high-tech activities and Wales being well-integrated with its English neighbors.
A recent study has found that high blood pressure is more common among black women in the southeastern US compared to white men. The researchers analyzed data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study and discovered significant geographic, racial, and gender differences in hypertension risk.
University of Alberta researchers found a mysterious link between an ancient African lizard and the Komodo dragon. The unique vertebrae shape suggests a shared ancestry, challenging prevailing theories about migration patterns.
A team of researchers proposes a new way to measure urban exceptionality, suggesting that traditional per-capita measures are flawed. They found that cities tend to be persistent in their performance, with features like wealth and safety pairing up, and highly exceptional cities being smaller and more monocultural.
A recent study by Innsbruck glaciologists and climatologists reveals regional differences in the contribution of glaciers to water supply, with high-mountain communities dependent on glacier melt but relatively low population density. The research highlights the need for a differentiated discussion on climate change's impact on water a...
The three-year project aims to investigate blowout dynamics and their role in climate change, providing insights into how these landforms develop on other planets. The research will also improve management of coastlines and provide public outreach through posters and booklets.
Researchers found that transporting severely injured patients directly to trauma centers results in a significantly lower mortality rate. The study analyzed 11,398 patients and discovered that 24% more patients die if taken to non-trauma centers first.
Researchers used mathematical models and maps to estimate malaria elimination feasibility in countries with the deadliest form of the disease. The data suggest that Plasmodium falciparum malaria could be eliminated in most areas in 10-15 years if transmission is reduced by 90%.
The project aims to create a comprehensive software framework that combines cyberinfrastructure, GIS, and spatial analysis and modeling capabilities to tackle complex problems in various fields. CyberGIS has the potential to advance scientific breakthroughs with broad societal impacts, particularly in disaster preparedness and response.
Heather Hollen, a University of Oklahoma senior majoring in geography and electrical engineering, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship by astronaut William Pogue. The award recognizes Hollen's exceptional academic achievements and her passion for engineering and geography.
Researchers are pioneering the use of wireless sensors to study a little-known phenomenon that affects glacier movement. They aim to measure the 'stick' and 'slip' phases of stick-slip motion, which cause ice sheet movement in glaciers.
Despite extensive research, fossil pollen from Central and West Africa provides no definitive evidence for communities of rainforest trees at the beginning of the Cenozoic. Paleobotanist Bonnie F. Jacobs and her colleagues have mapped out the limited fossil record, which consists of only 82 sites, most dating back to 50 million years ago.
Researchers found that old logging practices led to unprecedented soil erosion in southern Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains, which remains a threat despite improved practices. The study analyzed charcoal, pollen, and sediment cores to understand the impacts of fires over the last 2,000 years.
Scientists use rock hyrax urine to study long-term climate change, providing unique terrestrial records. Biomarkers in the urine reveal insights into ancient environments and potential climate drivers.
The University of Nottingham leads a new knowledge exchange network focusing on Earth observation technology for various scientific applications. The cluster aims to develop and promote cutting-edge technologies to monitor environmental changes and their implications.
The Census of Marine Life has completed a ten-year initiative to describe ocean life distribution and diversity, with UAF scientists contributing significantly. New species have been discovered in the Arctic Ocean and coastal regions, shedding light on climate change impacts.
A new study examines how river flow affects sediment movement, aiming to predict erosion and deposition in rivers. By using an innovative combination of measurements, scientists will improve understanding of sediment transport and develop techniques to prevent damage to infrastructure.
A new study suggests that current climate change targets are unsafe, as global temperatures appear to be comparable to projections for the end of this century. The analysis of geological records reveals that sea levels will rise significantly higher than anticipated, with a rate of rise more than double recent observations.
The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) supports the administration of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis by trained non-medical professionals in emergency situations. This practice is recommended for organizations with staff who provide first aid, particularly those working with students at risk for anaphylaxis.
A new NASA-funded study reveals that increased desert dust caused by human activities is cutting Colorado River flow, resulting in reduced water availability. The study shows peak spring runoff now comes three weeks earlier than before, with annual runoff lower by more than 5 percent.
Scientists at the University of Calgary found that available area is the most important factor driving flower diversity, with family traits coming in second. The study suggests that geography and morphology play a significant role in shaping biodiversity patterns.
Scientists have discovered that Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), an ancestor of HIV, is thousands of years old, challenging previous estimates. The research suggests SIV may be even older than a million years and has implications for understanding the origin of HIV.
The Arctic sea ice cover reached its minimum extent for the year in September, marking the third-lowest recorded since satellites started measuring sea ice extent in 1979. The 2010 minimum ice extent is significantly below the long-term average and outside natural climate variability.
Eric Lambin's research integrates remote satellite imagery with door-to-door interviews to understand the complex conditions giving rise to land-use challenges. He has uncovered the political, economic, and social forces driving deforestation and reforestation trends worldwide.
The discovery of Balaur bondoc, a large theropod dinosaur from Late Cretaceous Europe, reveals an animal with advanced adaptations and fused bones. Its presence indicates that the region had intermittent faunal connections with the mainland up to the end of the Cretaceous period.
Researchers discovered a relict coral reef in the southern Pacific Ocean that thrived thousands of years ago, providing insight into how reefs adapted to sea level changes. Additionally, heavy snowfall in the US and Europe was caused by the collision of El Niño and negative North Atlantic Oscillation weather patterns.
A study found that geographic variation plays a key role in disparities in liver transplantation among racial and ethnic groups. Hispanics and Asians experience lower transplant rates compared to Caucasians, particularly at high MELD scores.
Despite high burden of disease, many cancers are preventable or treatable with generic drugs, education, and training. Initiatives like vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B virus can significantly impact cancer mortality. GTF.CCC aims to support existing initiatives and improve health systems in LMICs.
Research suggests that economic systems influence cooperation and trust, with societies prioritizing cooperation experiencing higher levels of trust and cooperation. Climate also impacts behavior, with violent-crime rates increasing during warmer months and prosocial behaviors enhanced by sunny weather.
Researchers developed a Hurricane Risk Calculator to estimate extreme wind speeds at specific locations in Florida. The calculator found that cities like Miami are more vulnerable to strong winds due to their geography and location.
Researchers reconstructed summer temperatures on the Kola Peninsula and found a rapid temperature rise since 1990, contradicting previous cooling trends. The data suggest that solar activity may have been a significant factor contributing to Arctic temperature fluctuations until 1970.
Researchers are collecting high-tech sensing data from various sources to create a reliable early-warning system for train operators. The goal is to predict natural disasters and possible terror attacks on rail lines.
A new study reveals that regional variation in health-care spending and utilization is two to three times more pronounced in Medicare than the private sector. Adopting private-sector utilization management models could help improve efficiency in the Medicare program.
The vizLib project analyzed data from 450,000 library users in Leicestershire, revealing unprecedented insights into the behavior of service users. The graphic partnership informs policy decisions and inspires greater interest among policymakers and the public.
Researchers developed a new easy-to-use table to quantify vehicle temperature changes, helping public officials and parents understand the deadly consequences of leaving children unattended in hot weather. The table provides clear warnings of the risks involved, shedding light on the dangers of hyperthermia in closed cars.
Scientists present new data estimating motion of the Sagaing fault and study river deposits to understand flood frequency and magnitude. Researchers also explore enigmatic volcanism and find evidence for cryogenic origin of brine in southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
A study published in Science reveals that the Northern Pacific and Southern Atlantic's subpolar regions have played a crucial role in shaping tropical climates. This research provides empirical evidence that high-latitude oceans can influence tropical climate patterns, with potential implications for future global warming scenarios.