Scientists have developed a new polymer-type material that exhibits biocidal activity toward MRSA and other Gram-negative bacteria when exposed to light, making it suitable for antibacterial countertops. The conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) material has shown promising results in killing bacteria without harming mammalian cells.
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study reveals that intense, passionate feelings of love can significantly alter mood and impact pain perception. The research found that love-induced analgesia involves primitive aspects of the brain, activating deep structures to block pain at a spinal level.
Scientists have mapped the unexplored offshore Northern San Andreas Fault, revealing deep rifts and high walls with areas supporting animal life. The study aims to understand past earthquakes and their impact on biological diversity.
A new paper in Nature suggests that a sudden cooling event in Northern Hemisphere oceans between 1968 and 1972 played a key role in the observed hiatus of global warming during the mid-20th century. The research found that this cooling event was most pronounced in the northern North Atlantic.
Research shows that artificial night lighting impacts dawn song in forest-breeding songbirds, causing them to sing earlier and females to lay eggs a day and half earlier. This can lead to lower-quality offspring, as females may mate with lesser males.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared imagery showing two areas of strong convection north and south of Fiona's center, with cloud tops as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is intensifying, bringing tropical storm conditions to the Northern Leeward Islands with potential rainfall accumulations of 1-3 inches.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast found that Northern Ireland's lizard population is under threat from agricultural intensification, which may lead to their disappearance from the landscape. The researchers highlight the need for a new ecological network to preserve heath and boglands, essential habitats for the species.
A new study suggests that a massive reduction in green pastures and the spread of forests may have been the primary cause of the decline of mammals like the woolly mammoth. The research found that climate change and habitat changes made grazing difficult for large mammals, leading to their extinction.
A new US survey reveals that many Americans underestimate the impact of switching to efficient technologies on saving energy. The study found that turning off lights is often cited as the best approach, despite its minimal effect, while more significant changes like buying efficient cars and appliances are underutilized.
Research finds that ambient lighting in cars enhances space perception, perceived quality of materials and design, and makes drivers feel safer. However, excessive brightness leads to driver complaints of distraction and discomfort.
Researchers found that e-cigarettes need more suction to produce smoke compared to conventional brands, with aerosol density dropping after the first ten puffs. This decrease in density may lead to compensatory smoking and unpredictable nicotine delivery.
Scientists studied ancient bird migration and found that northern birds had the ability to cross the land bridge, while southern species were restricted. The study reveals an uneven species migration pattern, with many New World oscine species breeding in South America despite having northern origins.
Tropical Storm Conson has been downgraded to a typhoon after interacting with the northern Philippines' land surface, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph. The storm is now expected to continue weakening due to increased wind shear and interact with southern China.
Researchers found that ferns in the northern end of the redwood forest ecosystem are better equipped to absorb fog water than those in the southern region. This has important implications for the structure of plant communities and how ecosystems function during drought periods. The study suggests that native ferns may be able to acclim...
A new study published in Energy Policy suggests that reducing electricity consumption can have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions from power stations, with some studies showing rates as high as 0.69 kilograms of CO2 per kilowatt hour, 60% higher than the current estimated figure.
A report by Queen's University Belfast finds that Northern Ireland's social housing provision is inadequately funded, violating international human rights standards. The report recommends increasing funding for new social housing and tackling land banking practices to address the housing crisis.
New research suggests that liquid water existed all over Mars during its early history, with studies of minerals found in craters revealing a global alteration by water. The discovery provides clues about the planet's potential habitability and suggests sites for future landers.
A team of researchers proposes a chain of events linked to the melting of northern hemisphere ice sheets, which reconfigured planet's wind belts and led to rapid southern hemisphere warming. This shift triggered a series of cold spells in Greenland and Europe, but also amplified global warming by resetting the planet's thermostat.
A new study found that SLE patients from Northern Europe tend to have photosensitivity, while those from Southern Europe experience more arthritis. The research highlights the impact of genetics on disease manifestations.
A team of UMCES scientists will study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on plankton and fish communities in the northern Gulf. They aim to shed light on the environmental consequences by comparing data from previous research cruises.
Researchers use radar and camera data to reconstruct the formation of two enigmatic features in Mars' northern ice cap: a massive canyon and spiral troughs. Wind erosion is found to be the primary force shaping these complex structures, revealing a detailed climate history.
Researchers have reconstructed the formation of two curious features in Mars' northern ice cap, including Chasma Boreale and spiral troughs, revealing that wind shapes polar ice caps over millions of years. The study provides new evidence of climate change on Mars and vindicates an early explanation for the spiral troughs.
The Northern Indian Ocean cyclone season has begun with two tropical storms forming within a day of each other. Tropical Storm 02A had maximum sustained winds of 39 mph and was expected to track west-northwest and bring rains and wind to Yemen.
Research found that forestry access roads can negatively affect walleye populations in remote lakes, with lakes containing the species needing more protection. The presence and location of roads also impact lake fishing quality and accessibility.
A new guide from the USDA Forest Service provides a tool to calculate the benefits of urban trees in Northern California. The study found that large-stature trees produce the highest benefit-to-cost ratio and can provide $516,800 in benefits over 40 years.
Researchers successfully trained northern quolls to associate the taste of toxic cane toads with nausea, allowing them to survive up to five times longer in areas infested with these invasives. This approach could provide a vital new weapon in the fight against invasive species.
Cyclone Paul intensified slowly and became a Category 2 cyclone with wind gusts of up to 140 kph. TRMM data showed a deep convective tower penetrating up to 9 miles high, associated with intense rain in the northwestern eyewall.
A University of Montreal student is tracking the decline of frog species in Quebec, finding a slight decrease in frogs near Phragmites australis growth, but intact northern leopard frog populations. Experimental research aims to understand pH levels, oxygen, and temperature effects on amphibians in controlled water basins.
Cyclone Tomas, a Category 4 cyclone, has caused damage to residents in the northern Fiji islands with heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm's eye is cloud-filled, with very high, cold thunderstorms surrounding it.
Researchers from Germany have developed a way to encode wireless broadband signals using desk lamps, exploiting synergy between illumination and information. The system uses visible-frequency wireless with all the bandwidth one could want, achieving record speeds of up to 230 Mbit/s with commercial LEDs.
Purple loosestrife, a destructive invasive plant, may face a reproductive penalty in northern climates. Northern populations have adapted by flowering earlier but suffer reduced seed production and smaller size.
Recent research suggests that dust storms in the Arctic, possibly caused by receding glaciers, may be depositing soil in northern Europe and North America. This phenomenon could impact local climates and potentially affect human health due to the presence of small particles in the air.
NASA satellite imagery shows Tropical Storm Olga regaining strength in the Gulf of Carpentaria, with estimated sea level pressure near 989 millibars. Residents in Northern Territory and Queensland are under tropical cyclone warnings and watches due to expected landfall on January 30.
Tropical Storm Olga has maximum sustained winds near 39 mph and is moving northwest near 4 mph. It is expected to turn north and enter the Gulf of Carpentaria, where it will strengthen before making another landfall near the Queensland border.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that northern forests are unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions, with established trees' mortality promoting evolutionary adaptation. This means older trees will survive in a warmer climate but prevent genetically better adapted individuals from thriving.
Despite being over land, Tropical Cyclone Laurence is still bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to northern coastal areas of West Australia. The cyclone has downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
Tropical Cyclone Laurence made landfall in northern West Australia as a Category 2 hurricane, but its winds are waning, and it is expected to weaken further. The storm's maximum sustained winds near 103 mph (90 knots) were revealed by TRMM's Precipitation Radar instrument.
Monsoon rainfall has decreased over the past 50 years in rural areas with increased irrigation in northern India, while urban areas have seen an increase in heavy rainfall. This shift is attributed to landscape changes and cooling effects on low-pressure systems necessary for monsoons to progress.
Tropical Storm Laurence is forecasted to make its second landfall in Australia, impacting the northern Kimberley coast and potentially causing heavy rainfall and beach erosion. Residents in the affected areas are advised to take action in preparation for the cyclone's arrival.
Researchers in northern Canada analyzed tree rings for accurate past climate information, finding strong correlations between temperature data and carbon and oxygen isotopes. This new method reduces lab costs and allows for more affordable climate change research.
Researchers suggest that the planet's oblong orbit exposes different areas of Titan to varying amounts of sunlight, affecting precipitation and evaporation cycles. This leads to an uneven distribution of lakes in the northern and southern polar regions.
A UK survey of 1500 respondents found that those who own their own home are more likely to separate rubbish than renters, while switching off lights in unused rooms is the most popular green behavior. The survey also shows that taking fewer flights and car sharing are less common.
A new study reveals a more extensive valley network on Mars, indicating the presence of an ancient ocean. The findings suggest that rainfall and precipitation played a major role in shaping the Martian landscape.
Scientists will investigate hypoxia's development and impact on Gulf fish populations, including shrimp and croaker. The research aims to refine management strategies for the dead zone, a critical threat to commercial and recreational fisheries.
Heavy rainfall is already affecting sections of central and northern Philippines due to Typhoon Mirinae's approach. The storm's strong convection and thunderstorms bring moderate to heavy rainfall over eastern sections.
Typhoon Lupit is already affecting the northern Luzon region with heavy rainfall, while its center moves westward at 8 mph. The storm's large size and slow movement are expected to cause more flooding in the Philippines, which has already suffered from Tropical cyclones Ketsana and Parma.
Typhoon Melor is affecting southern Japan with gusty winds, heavy rains, and high waves, while Tropical Storm Parma continues to rain on Luzon in the northern Philippines. The storms are expected to bring soaking rains, dangerous surf, and gusty winds to two different locations.
NASA's infrared satellite images showed Typhoon Ketsana dumping heavy rains on northern Philippines and Vietnam with thunderstorm cloud tops as cold as -63F. The storm brought record rainfall, deadly flooding, and mudslides, affecting over 2 million homes.
A team of researchers developed an intelligent surveillance system to detect incorrect behavior by drivers and pedestrians crossing pedestrian crossings. The system, based on multi-agent artificial intelligence, can identify abnormal movements and potentially penalize such behaviors.
A University of Toronto study reveals climate change will reduce UV radiation in northern high latitude regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia and northern Canada, while increasing it in other areas like the tropics and Antarctica.
NASA's Aqua satellite revealed extremely high thunderstorms in Typhoon Choi-Wan as it approached the island of Sai-Pan. The typhoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the area, with storm surge and inundation possible along shorelines.
Research reveals that parasitic worm infections are prevalent in Northern Rwanda, with those infected more likely to be underweight. The study also found a link between parasite infections and anemia, but not significant growth stunting.
A new study reveals Arctic temperatures have reversed from a long-term cooling trend, becoming the warmest they've been in at least 2,000 years. The reversal is attributed to human-generated greenhouse gases overwhelming the natural climate system.
New research suggests that pollution from Asia, Europe and North America may contribute to recent Australian rainfall changes. Human-generated aerosols from the northern hemisphere are thought to drive changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation, leading to increased rainfall in north-western and central Australia.
A recent study using satellite data has found that groundwater in northern India has been receding by up to 1 foot per year over the past decade, primarily due to human consumption for irrigation. This depletion poses a significant threat to the region's agricultural output, potable water supplies, and social stability.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside are developing a five-year project to harness the communication capabilities of LED lights. The project aims to create low-cost wireless communication systems using LED lights, which could revolutionize navigation and directions in areas where radio frequencies are limited.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded grants to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to conduct long-term monitoring of environmental conditions in Central and Northern California. This funding will support protecting marine life and habitat, as well as provide easier access to regional real-time data.
Using NASA satellite data, scientists found that groundwater levels in northern India have been declining by as much as one foot per year over the past decade. Human activities such as irrigation are being blamed for this loss, which is equivalent to filling Lake Mead three times.
Researchers at Queen's University have created eye movement tests to aid in understanding childhood brain development, healthy aging, and the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson's disease. The study found that children scored low on these tests, while those with ADHD showed decreased normal brain ...
Researchers found that populations at the northern edge of a species' range experienced problems when exposed to warmer conditions, contradicting the assumption that they would increase. The study used two butterfly species and found that interactions among species could change under climate change.