A new study published in Nature Geoscience finds that human activities such as large-scale farming can cause erosion at rates comparable to the world's largest rivers and glaciers. This is contrary to previous scholarship, which suggested that glaciers were more erosive than rivers.
A new study by LSU professor Patrick Hesp and USGS scientist David Rubin suggests that Titan's linear dunes could be formed by single-direction winds due to cohesive sediment. This alternative hypothesis has significant implications for studying Titan's composition, origin, evolution, and surface features.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have discovered that the Amazon river and its transcontinental drainage are approximately 11 million years old. This finding has significant implications for understanding South American paleogeography and the evolution of aquatic organisms in Amazonia and on the Atlantic coast.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that California newspapers closer to the Mexican border tend to report a more negative slant on immigration in general news reporting and opinion pieces. Corporate-owned newspapers are more likely to adopt this approach, prioritizing profits over providing diverse views.
A study by Indiana University found that geography knowledge among college freshmen has not improved despite increased K-12 support. The test scores were two percent lower in 2002 than in 1987, reflecting a national trend.
Dr. Scholten recognized for pioneering work on GIS and spatial analysis, with over 100 articles and nine books published. He received the award at the ESRI User Conference in San Diego, CA.
A new study by researchers at the University of Georgia suggests that drought conditions in an area's fall and winter may lead to a statistically significant reduction in tornado activity during the following spring. In contrast, wet autumns and winters were found to have nearly twice as many spring tornado days as drought years did.
A NASA-funded study is predicting land abandonment in Russia by incorporating population trends, cultural factors, and climate change. The research aims to determine which lands are most likely to be abandoned in the future, with ethnic groups playing a key role in this trend.
A new IUPUI study finds that living near a fast food outlet has little impact on childhood weight, contrary to traditional assumptions. Residing near recreational facilities, however, is associated with lower body mass indexes.
The University of Leicester has launched G-STEP, a business-facing service that harnesses space technology for earth-bound benefits. Researchers are working with businesses and public sector organisations to provide value-added services exploiting environmental data from the GMES system.
A recent MSU-led study found that Brazil's protected areas within the Amazon can buffer the forest from climate change even if the remaining area is deforested. The researchers used atmospheric computer modeling to simulate a worst-case scenario and found rainfall levels would not decrease significantly.
Researchers have discovered a direct relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, allowing for the estimation of climate change based on cumulative carbon emissions. The study suggests that limiting total carbon emissions is crucial to avoid dangerous climate change.
A new study led by CU-Boulder found that only 11% of fuel-reduction activities took place within 1.5 miles of the wildland-urban interface, where fires pose the greatest risk to homes and people. The research suggests federal wildfire treatments are minimally effective at mitigating wildfire threat.
A new study suggests that genetic variations in humans are more closely tied to geographical and historical factors than previously thought. The research found that gene variants tend to be distributed throughout the world in patterns reflecting ancient population movements and other aspects of population history.
A new climate-based model predicts Dengue fever epidemics up to 40 weeks in advance with 83% accuracy, providing crucial time for public health authorities to mobilize resources. The model can be expanded to include Latin America and the Caribbean, where disease incidence has increased dramatically over the past 25 years.
Researchers found that Phragmites delivers a one-two chemical knock-out punch to its victims, with the poison becoming even more toxic in UV-B radiation. The study highlights the persistence of phytotoxins and their enhanced effects against native species.
A new software system is being developed to improve flood forecasting and risk analysis, addressing the need for reliable warning systems and uncertainty assessment. The project aims to provide benefits to industries, governments, and citizens in the UK and China, particularly in light of climate change's impact on extreme floods.
The Arctic Ocean's ownership is disputed due to varying assumptions about its geography, with countries like Russia and Canada viewing it as land with water on top, while the US sees it as just water. This misunderstanding can lead to large-scale disputes over resource extraction.
Researchers found that Sulfolobus islandicus populations are more diverse than thought, with variable genomes evolving rapidly and adapting to local environments. The findings suggest a limited genetic reservoir stored in viruses and other elements, contradicting the idea of a universal gene pool.
Scientists estimate that the collapse of West Antarctica's ice sheet would raise global sea levels by 3.3 meters, not five or six as previously thought. The region's unique below-sea level topography makes it more prone to instability.
Researchers found that oil spills from petroleum seeps in the Santa Barbara Channel are mostly deposited on the ocean floor, with most of it being biodegraded. The study provides insights into the life cycle of oil spills and their impact on the environment.
A new study from the University of Leicester warns that government efforts to widen participation in UK universities may be overstating the value of higher education at the expense of other ambitions. Dr Gavin Brown found that policies focus on 'raising' aspirations, but should instead broaden young people's horizons and consider emoti...
The Lancet report warns that climate change will exacerbate traditional diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as well as heat-related mortality. The authors propose three action points: emphasizing the health threat, focusing on health systems, and developing win-win solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
A new study published in the American Cancer Society found that people living in urban areas are more likely to develop late-stage cancer than those in suburban and rural areas. The research suggests a need for more effective urban-based cancer screening and awareness programs, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Climate change, fishing, and commercial shipping are major threats to the ocean off the US West Coast, with every spot affected by 10-15 human activities annually. A new study provides critical information for evaluating where certain activities can continue with little effect on the oceans.
Experts warn that the buy-to-let market will survive the recession, but smaller private landlords will struggle to compete. The report suggests that lenders will favor established properties over new builds in city centers, limiting geographical access for investors.
The 2007 Solomon Island earthquake highlighted an increased tsunami risk caused by the unusual tectonic plate geography and rapid change in direction. The event showed a localized increase in tsunami heights, potentially creating near-trench islands.
A study published in HortTechnology found that consumers' floral purchase decisions are driven by sensory hedonics for men and emotion conditioning for women. Consumers from rural areas prioritize curiosity fulfillment and monetary worth, while urban consumers value emotion conditioning.
International experts propose MEDQUARG guidelines to study counterfeit and poor-quality medicines globally. The guidelines aim to improve the effectiveness of treatment policies by providing a standard for medicine quality surveys.
A new decade-long database of aerosol measurements over land has been compiled, revealing a global decline in clear sky visibility from 1973 to 2007. This trend is indicative of increases in airborne pollution and its impact on climate change research.
Researchers successfully used satellite images to monitor the extent of saltcedar leaf beetle defoliation on tamarisk. The study suggests that controlling tamarisk through beetle release may have unexpected environmental repercussions.
Sarah Keenan Jacobi, a Lincoln Park Zoo researcher, has been awarded the prestigious Smith Fellowship to develop a framework for efficiently allocating resources for conservation. The fellowship program will support her research on managing habitat and controlling invasive species such as reed canary grass.
A new study forecasts the likelihood of climate factors matching at geographically distant airline departure and destination points, enabling more efficient detection and interception of invasive species. The model uses recent forecast data for climate change and air traffic volumes, predicting a peak risk in June 2010.
The first issue of Lithosphere features studies on Holocene surface ruptures in New Zealand, a fluid factory in solid Earth, and the erosion of the Wasatch Mountains. Researchers found evidence of five surface-rupturing earthquakes in New Zealand and proposed a new model for fluids in Earth's interior.
A new study forecasts when climate factors will match at geographically distant airline departure and destination points, helping to detect and intercept invasive species. The findings provide a framework for monitoring airline flights and planning more efficiently.
A two-year study found that reducing calories leads to weight loss regardless of carbohydrate, protein, or fat content. Participants who attended counseling sessions lost more weight than those without, supporting the importance of continued support in achieving weight loss goals.
The ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Study reveals significant differences in breast cancer risk factors between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. Hispanic women are at a higher risk of triple-negative breast cancer due to family history, while those born in Mexico exhibit increased risk due to geography and environment.
A new study finds clear links between abrupt climate changes and fire activity during the transition between the last Ice Age and the warm interglacial period. Biomass burning tracked general climate changes closely, increasing as conditions warmed and decreasing during the cool interval.
New research reveals that white eyes in the Zosteropidae family form new species at a faster rate than any other bird, with the fastest known rate among birds being around 2.24-3.16 species per million years. This supports the 'Great Speciator' hypothesis, suggesting intrinsic traits of sociability and adaptability drive the system.
Using metagenomics, Yale scientists linked environmental factors to molecular changes in marine micro-organisms, revealing adaptations to temperature and salinity.
A new study has found that tree deaths in the West's old-growth forests have more than doubled in recent decades due to regional warming and related drought conditions. The research team measured tree deaths in all sizes at varying elevations, including tree types such as pine, fir, and hemlock.
Paul M. Torrens, an associate professor at Arizona State University, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his work on crowd behavior modeling using 3-D computational modeling. His research has been recognized as a pioneer in the emerging field of geosimulation.
A new technology has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and neonatal deaths worldwide. The technology employs a panel of biomarkers found in the placenta and could lead to earlier detection and targeted intervention.
Researchers found that quiet bison bulls sire more calves than their louder counterparts, challenging conventional wisdom on animal vocalizations. By monitoring 325 wild bison over two summers, the team discovered a correlation between lower volume and increased reproductive success.
A University of Colorado study predicts dramatic changes for Rocky Mountain ski areas due to climate warming, including shortened ski seasons and higher snowlines. To adapt, resorts must expand operations to higher elevations and invest in gondola transportation systems and increased snowmaking efforts.
Researchers found that hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program increased adherence to national recommendations, with a significant increase in guideline-based care. The study showed that all hospitals improved, regardless of size or geography, and there is still room for improvement.
Researchers monitoring Greenland's glaciers report a nearly three-fold increase in ice loss this summer compared to the previous record year. The total ice loss since 2000 is 10 times the size of Manhattan Island.
Studies reveal Greenland's ice sheet is thinning due to warming temperatures, while Arctic sea ice loss increases phytoplankton growth. Meanwhile, data from Mars Express spacecraft indicates a comet-like ion tail forms when solar wind sweeps ions into the Martian atmosphere.
A new study by NIU researchers highlights the danger of nighttime tornadoes, which are 2.5 times more likely to kill than daytime events. The study suggests that current warning systems may not be adequate for overnight events, particularly in mobile homes where nearly 61% of fatalities occur at night.
According to University of Miami professor Ira M. Sheskin, the strength of the Jewish-American vote is not measured by its numbers but by its geographic concentrations. The Jewish population has shifted from Northeast and Midwest to South and West, maintaining a significant influence on US politics.
The University of Illinois is receiving a $2 million NSF grant to develop sustainable biofuels infrastructure. Researchers will examine the engineering, social, environmental and economic constraints of building a sustainably-supporting bio-economy.
A new forecasting method published by UGA scientist could help pilots chart new courses around clear air turbulence, reducing the risk of injury claims. The method uses gravity waves and a single, consistent theory to predict turbulence location.
Researchers studied a new apple germplasm collection from Kazakhstan to determine disease resistance to blue mold. The study found greater genetic diversity among the Kazak apples, including immune and resistant accessions that may serve as a source of resistance in breeding programs.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some US cities make it harder to reduce commuting miles than others. Cities with sprawling suburbs like Las Vegas and Miami showed promise, while cities with compact geography, such as the Northeast Rust Belt, faced more challenges.
A new study by the University of Oregon suggests that climate change has been the main driver of global biomass burning for the past two millennia. Human activities such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era also contributed to a significant decline in wildfires worldwide between 1870 and 1970.
A new study identifies six key factors driving Colombia's violent conflict, including economic forces, state weakness, and geography. The research highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses these complex issues to achieve lasting peace.
A new study led by FSU researcher James B. Elsner found that the strongest tropical cyclones are getting stronger, particularly over the North Atlantic and Indian oceans. Ocean temperatures play a role in driving this trend, consistent with the 'heat-engine' theory of cyclone intensity.
Researchers monitoring daily satellite images of Greenland's glaciers have discovered break-ups at two of the largest glaciers, including Petermann and Jakobshavn. The expected disintegration of the Northern hemisphere's longest floating glacier will continue within the next year.
A recent study found significant racial, age and geographic disparities in the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a treatment for heart failure. The research examined nearly 34,000 hospital admissions and discovered that CRT was underutilized in certain populations, such as older patients and those from the Northeast.
Aeroecology is an emerging field exploring how airborne organisms depend on the lower atmosphere closest to the Earth's surface. This research has significant implications for understanding behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary responses of organisms in complex meteorological conditions.