A new grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will support the development of an interactive Web site and a published Cultural Atlas of the Ancient Mongolian Altai. The project aims to document the region's archaeology, geospatial data, and cultural significance in the face of threats from mining, tourism, and climate change.
A new census confirms the Amur leopard's precarious survival, with fewer than 35 individuals remaining in the wild. The species is threatened by encroaching civilization, poaching, and climate change, highlighting the need for expanded protected areas and conservation efforts.
Eugenio Schuster, a controls engineer at Lehigh University, has received a five-year NSF CAREER Award to develop active control systems for nuclear fusion reactors. The goal is to regulate the density, current, and temperature of plasmas in fusion reactors to achieve self-sustaining fusion reactions.
A recent study by Phil Howard and Kris Erickson found that 60% of breached-record incidents between 1980 and 2006 were caused by organizational mismanagement, such as missing or stolen hardware. The number of reported incidents more than tripled in 2005 and 2006 after California's pioneering Notice of Security Breach law took effect.
Researchers discovered that ants in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, have adapted to higher temperatures. The findings suggest a link between urban heat islands and the physiological adjustments of species.
A large study found that living in greener neighborhoods or close to grocery stores is associated with reduced risk of childhood overweight. Increased green space was closely tied to decreased risk for children in higher population density areas.
A new computer program, WaterSim, simulates the effects of environmental and policy factors on future water availability in central Arizona. The program allows users to adjust various factors and see how they impact water supply, helping bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers.
Researchers found that Antarctic temperatures did not increase as predicted by climate models, despite a global warming trend. The continent's vast size and limited data availability contribute to the discrepancy.
Smithsonian researchers discovered that chili peppers were cultivated and traded as early as 6,000 years ago across the Americas, contributing significantly to our understanding of ancient agricultural practices. The findings provide a new window into the past, allowing researchers to trace the history of chili peppers in the Americas.
A study by Durham University found that nearly two-thirds of English mortgage holders have almost all their savings tied to their home. This means nearly a quarter are taking a diversified approach, balancing investments between home ownership and other financial portfolios.
In semi-arid environments, trees have evolved to access moisture from bedrock fractures and quickly recover when heavy rains occur. Understanding these surface-atmosphere interactions is crucial for predicting water supplies and managing scarce resources.
A new tree-ring study links episodic fire outbreaks in the past five centuries with periods of warming sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic. The study suggests that warmer waters in the North Atlantic correspond with episodes of drought and subsequent fires in the West.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study finds that small glaciers and ice caps are the largest contributors to global sea rise, with over half of the estimated 650 billion tons of ice lost annually coming from these sources. The study's results run contrary to public perception focusing on Antarctica and Greenland.
New research suggests that changes in midge communities provide evidence of global warming. Midge populations shifted dramatically over the last three decades, with warmer-water midges outcompeting cooler-water species.
New satellite data show that ocean warming is reducing phytoplankton growth, imperiling ocean fisheries and marine life. Phytoplankton are responsible for about the same amount of photosynthesis as all plants on land combined, making their decline a significant threat to the food chain.
A new study reveals that immigrants' neighborhood choices are largely determined by their partners, contradicting the traditional notion of clustering with countrymen. The research found that those who partner outside their native group are less likely to live near their countrymen.
A recent study by Yale University researchers highlights substantial global health inequalities influenced by economic, social, and health-sector variables. Countries with low income and high mortality rates have lower investment in human and physical resources, more health risks, and worse educational outcomes.
Geologists have developed a new theory explaining how and when the Appalachian Mountain range was created. The study reveals that the complex was originally attached to Gondwana before colliding with North America, closing the Rheic Ocean and forming Pangea.
The study reveals substantial global health inequalities influenced by geography, with countries like sub-Saharan Africa and Afghanistan facing higher child mortality rates. The authors found a four-fold difference in poverty levels and less investment in human resources between these countries and their low-mortality counterparts.
Researchers analyzed ocean water samples from four regions, identifying over 91% new DNA sequences not present in existing databases. The study found that regional differences in geography and environment select for distinct viral communities.
Researchers found that northern peatlands released massive amounts of methane gas, contributing to global warming after the ice age. The study suggests a more complex relationship between climate change and natural processes.
Researchers created a 'Poverty Atlas' using geographic information system applications to visualize poverty-related indicators. The maps provide a visual context for understanding the connection between poverty and geography, including factors like climate, soil fertility, and access to transportation networks.
A new generation of cartographers is emerging, thanks to innovative software programs that simplify map-making tasks. Dr. Mark Harrower's tools, such as Color Brewer and Map Shaper, empower users to create accurate and visually appealing maps, bridging the gap between scientific validity and artistic expression.
Climate scientists analyzed data to determine that global warming is increasing Atlantic hurricane intensity. Additionally, the water cycle is changing, with seasonal trends shifting into spring. The study also found a connection between atmospheric tides and weather in the tropics influencing the equatorial ionosphere.
Florida State University geography Professor Mark W. Horner is developing new spatial models for disaster relief using satellite images and GIS to improve the allocation of disaster relief goods. His research aims to reduce errors in assessments and provide more accurate representations of factors such as response and travel time.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Scott Sheridan at Kent State University found that almost 90% of residents aware of heat warnings took no action to avoid health issues. The study suggests that heat warning systems may need to be revised to better target vulnerable populations.
Researchers study the impact of changing river hydrology, exotic pests, land development, and sociopolitical and economic factors on tupelo honey production. Beekeepers face difficulties in producing honey, with some colonies losing up to 50% due to infestations.
A study predicts Alpine glaciers could disappear within the century due to rising temperatures and precipitation changes. The majority of glacier cover is expected to be lost if summer air temperature increases by three degrees Celsius, with only the largest glaciers surviving in the 22nd century.
A K-State geography professor is researching how land use and land cover changes affect human health and food security. He uses remote sensing technology to monitor the spread of infectious diseases, such as hantavirus, and identify ecological context factors contributing to disease emergence.
The American Society of Agronomy is presenting several awards to distinguished soil scientists, including the Dokuchaev Basic Soil Science Award and the Liebig Applied Soil Science Award. The winners include Dr. Victor Targulian, Dr. Rattan Lal, and Dr. Herman Mücher, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
A recent study has shown that human activities such as land use, aerosols, and irrigation in arid cities like Riyadh and Phoenix can alter the natural system and affect monsoon flow and mountain convection. These findings have significant implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency, and urban planning.
Researchers use digital maps to examine flood landscapes and calculate energy and mechanisms needed to generate shapes. Outburst floods pose a major hazard in mountainous areas, with global warming expected to alter flood sizes and frequencies.
Researchers found genetic markers revealing the origins of two major rice types grown today: Oryza sativa indica from India and Myanmar, and Oryza sativa japonica from southern China. The study's findings provide insights into improving the crop's nutritional value and disease resistance in Asia.
The Rwenzori Mountains, home to one of four remaining tropical ice fields outside the Andes, are experiencing substantial reduction in glacial cover due to increasing air temperature over the last four decades. Glaciers are receding tens of meters each year, with less than one square kilometer of glacier ice remaining.
The Rwenzori Mountains' glaciers are receding at a rate of tens of meters per year, halving their area between 1987 and 2003. The researchers expect the remaining ice to disappear within twenty years due to increased air temperature without significant changes in precipitation.
Researchers from Kansas State University develop a low-cost remote sensing tool that can collect high-resolution images and reliable data on small ecosystems. The tool, made available to climate scientists, aims to provide flexible and affordable data collection for environmental research.
Virginia Tech and two other universities partner to analyze codes, practices, and policies of 31 counties within the James River Basin. The project aims to encourage environmentally friendly development practices, promoting a cleaner and healthier river ecosystem.
A team of researchers recreated climatic conditions 130,000 years ago using a climate model, which showed that it can accurately simulate extreme conditions similar to those caused by man-made carbon dioxide emissions. This study provides more confidence in the reliability of future climate change projections.
Research in East Africa highlights the dual nature of land use, with positive impacts on local economies but negative consequences for native plants and wildlife. LUCID project explores links between social systems and environmental changes, aiming to understand why some communities maintain biodiversity despite agricultural expansion.
Experts from climate change, terrorism, sociology, politics, and geography come together to discuss how to effectively translate information into useful policy. The session aims to identify common issues with scientific content, weigh values, and communicate risk and science-based solutions to the public.
The state-and-transition model better explains ecosystem changes, but outdated science can cause serious problems. Scientists need to learn how to spread new knowledge widely through cooperative extension efforts and early adopters.
A new malaria forecasting tool developed by scientists at the University of Liverpool can predict epidemics of malaria up to five months in advance, using climate variability. The model will assist doctors and health care providers in preventing and controlling the disease.
A study found that hazard mitigation grants can save up to $14 billion over 10 years by reducing property damage and loss of life. The grants also help reduce tax revenue losses due to economic disruption caused by natural hazards.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and the Berkeley Geochronology Center date ancient rocks containing 'footprints' to 1.3 million years old, suggesting an earlier human migration than previously believed. The findings contradict claims of 40,000-year-old footprints in England.
A new 12-point plan provides guidance on conducting email-based health research, emphasizing the need for informed consent, identity protection, and confidentiality safeguards. The plan aims to maximize technical knowledge and secure the research process.
A new report by Boston College researchers reveals that states previously labeled as 'stingy' have higher generosity levels than reported. Massachusetts moves from 49th to 11th in terms of charitable giving when cost of living and tax burden are taken into account, contradicting the Generosity Index.
Researchers have confirmed that Gigantopithecus blackii, a gigantic ape weighing up to 1,200 pounds and measuring 10 feet tall, roamed the same region as early humans in southern China. The species is believed to have co-existed with humans during a time of major evolutionary change.
Climate change is expected to shift the suitable ranges of blue oak and valley oak in California, with potential habitats shrinking by nearly half, posing a challenge for conservation planning. The study highlights the importance of regional climate models for accurately predicting species' responses to climate change.
A Dartmouth researcher studied immigrant households to find that generational status, not income, has the most effect on immigrant dispersion. The study challenges current ideas about where immigrants live and suggests that states with multi-generational households may have easier socio-cultural and economic adjustments.
A Dartmouth professor warns that GIS technology can be used to manipulate election results, as state legislatures have incentives to use partisan information but few incentives to respect communities of interest. Nonpartisan redistricting commissions may offer a solution, but clear rules are needed to ensure fair representation.
Airborne LiDAR technology has been successfully used to monitor and protect rare species such as California spotted owls and Delmarva fox squirrels. The system provides detailed measurements of forest canopy, tree height and biomass, enabling researchers to identify suitable habitats for endangered species.
A University of Cincinnati team is interviewing Inupiaq elders to better understand and predict future environmental changes, combining western science with traditional knowledge. The research focuses on climate and environment on Alaska's North Slope, with unique findings on the impacts of global warming.
Researchers have discovered thousands of years-old plant remains exposed by the Quelccaya ice cap, suggesting that the region may not have been as warm as it is today in over 500 centuries. The findings are significant, as they provide a unique perspective on ancient climate change.
The study found that 70% of teachers incorporated computers into their classroom practices after working with researchers. Effective use of ICT enhances the teacher's role, improves the learning environment, and increases student engagement. However, many teachers lack confidence in using technology due to limited training.
The study found that farmers who participated in workshops made better decisions in response to good information, resulting in improved crop yields. The researchers also found that the workshops increased the use of forecast information among farmers, particularly those in subsistence farming.
Estimates for the number of living species on earth range from 3.5 million to over 30 million, but only 1.9 million have been classified and described. A new study uses the species-area effect to estimate historical biodiversity in the fossil record, finding a strong relationship between species richness and geographic area.
Two scientists outline China's environmental impact on the world, including pollution, resource consumption, and human health dangers. They recommend education, environmental law enforcement, market tools, and lifestyle changes to address these issues.
New guidelines suggest that bystanders performing CPR should focus on continuous chest compressions, even if they're not familiar with mouth-to-mouth procedures. This approach aims to increase the chances of saving lives by making CPR more accessible and easier to perform.
A study by Debarchana Ghosh found extreme inequality in health care resource availability, with western and southeastern Kansas counties facing significant challenges. The research identified 'high health care resource regions' and 'low or very low health care resource regions,' highlighting the need for policy-makers to address these ...
Researchers found that soil quality played a crucial role in shaping Polynesian farming patterns, with farmers adapting their agricultural system to optimal zones for sweet potato cropping. The study suggests that the emergence of warrior classes was linked to surplus agriculture and the ability to produce basic foodstuffs.