The grant will support the development of leaders in geriatric medicine and teaching programs, as well as new training opportunities for medical students and residents. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine will also establish a curriculum for specialty physicians to integrate geriatrics principles into their teaching programs.
A study published in Ecosystems reveals that elevated fire levels outweighed harvest reductions in the loss of older forests in the Pacific Northwest. The NWFP helped stabilize large-diameter forest numbers, but fire was the main reason for their decline.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that roads in Central Africa's Congo Basin are creating 'siege mentality' among forest elephants, forcing them to become isolated and confined. This reduces their ability to find suitable habitat and increases the risk of poaching.
Researchers found that trees in the Yasuni forest use distinct strategies to survive, challenging the neutral theory of biodiversity. The study supports an alternative explanation that individual species characteristics play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity.
The journal has been included in the Social Science Citation Index due to its exceptional awareness of current issues affecting the field of management accounting. Management Accounting Research features original research, case studies, and empirical work on topics such as management change, risk management, and corporate governance.
A new study found that wildfires lead to significant losses of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, with over 10 tons per acre of carbon lost and between 450-620 pounds per acre of nitrogen lost. This can negatively impact soil productivity and contribute to global warming.
Research shows that recognizing local rights and tenure systems is cost-effective and can secure carbon credits, while indigenous communities prove to be good forest stewards. Poorly designed initiatives could fuel corruption and conflict.
Researchers at Wake Forest University are using nanotechnology to screen millions of chemicals simultaneously for cancer-fighting properties. The 'Lab-on-Bead' process uses tiny plastic beads to identify potential drugs faster and more efficiently than current methods.
A US Forest Service study reveals that most homeowners in fire-prone areas have taken steps to protect their homes, but barriers such as financial constraints and physical limitations persist. The study also found that residents are concerned about fires and think they know how to reduce the threat.
The J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been renewed as one of 11 nationwide Claude D. Pepper Older American Independence Centers. The center will receive almost $1 million each year to support clinical research in aging and promote functional independence among older adults.
Tropical lianas are becoming more abundant with rising CO2 levels, potentially choking out trees. Lianas thrive during droughts, growing seven times faster than trees, raising questions about their role in forest dynamics.
Forests provide natural filtration and storage systems that process nearly two-thirds of the U.S. water supply. Preserving and managing forests may help sustain water supplies, but forest management is unlikely to increase water yields.
Reduced carbon emissions from tropical deforestation and degradation can be achieved through improved forest management techniques. Studies show that better logging practices can minimize ecological impact by up to 50% and reduce carbon losses by approximately 30%.
A new study found that palm oil plantations supported few bird and butterfly species, despite efforts to increase biodiversity. Preserving natural forests was more effective in increasing species richness, but even this approach had a limited impact.
Researchers emphasize the importance of forest dynamics in understanding and predicting climate change, citing a need for improved forest modeling. New studies suggest that realistic forest models can significantly improve predictions of environmental change and help manage the world's forests.
The Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology is developing a database of plant chemical and remote sensing signatures for tropical forest species with a $1.8 million MacArthur grant. This 'Spectranomics Project' will enable large-scale inventory and tracking of rainforest vegetation globally, enhancing satellite observations.
Scientists found that tree canopy levels affect nitrogen fixation rates in feather mosses, regulating forest productivity and carbon consumption. High nitrogen deposition from pollution reduces moss nitrogen fixation rates.
Research reveals that forest canopies influence nitrogen fixation rates by controlling the amount of nitrogen deposited on mosses. High canopy nitrogen levels reduce nitrogen fixation, while low levels increase it.
A team of 23 scientists examined the effects of controlled burns and forest thinning on western Ponderosa pine ecosystems. They found that tree growth increased after thinning, but with a single canopy layer, while controlled burns had little impact on large trees but harmed smaller ones.
A study by the USDA Forest Service found that Indianapolis street trees annually intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall, valued at $1.98 million, and reduce electricity use by over 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000. The trees also improve air quality and increase property values.
Preliminary results from DNA analysis of wolverine scat samples collected on the Tahoe National Forest do not match those of historic California wolverine populations. The animal is identified as a male wolverine that does not genetically match populations in Washington or Southern Sierra Nevada.
Researchers and volunteers have intensified the search for wolverine evidence in the Tahoe National Forest after a recent photograph was captured. Genetic analysis of scat and hair samples is underway to determine the animal's origin and sex, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
USDA scientists have developed a method to grow high-value koa trees faster while maintaining biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and scenic beauty in native Hawaiian forests. The study's findings show that low-impact silvicultural treatments increase wood production without harming native understory vegetation or bird habitats.
Researchers are developing a new method for measuring forest carbon stores on a large scale using the ECHIDNA instrument. The technique combines ground-based LiDAR data with airborne and spaceborne sensors to provide accurate estimates of forest biomass.
A photograph taken by a wildlife biology student in 2008 may depict a California wolverine, sparking further analysis and investigation. The animal's presence has not been confirmed since the 1920s, but forest service scientists believe it is a rare sighting.
A group of stakeholders, including forest wood-product businesses, environmental groups and public land agencies, worked with scientists to identify the potential volume of wood resources available from more than 2 million acres of Arizona forests. The analysis estimates a potential supply of up to 850 million cubic feet of wood and 8 ...
Protected forest strips need to be at least 400m wide to conserve bird and mammal species in the Amazon rainforest. The current width of 60m is deemed insufficient, according to a new study by University of East Anglia researchers.
The Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda will become the country's first national conservation park, focusing on restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and promoting local economic development through ecotourism. The project aims to create a model for Africa's ambitious forest restoration efforts.
A study investigated intensive forestry's effects on water quality in eastern Texas. Fertilization resulted in small increases of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds, but these losses were a fraction of what was applied. Streamside buffers and natural regeneration helped minimize impacts.
Scientists used detection dog teams to study a Pacific fisher population in the Sierra National Forest, finding dogs three and a half times more successful than cameras. The method also only needed one visit per site, aiding land management decisions by providing insights into ecosystem health.
A recent paper suggests that reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) could be key to addressing climate change. By including REDD in the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries can claim compensation for sustainable forest management, potentially earning $630 million annually.
A recent study found that forest fires in boreal forests have a greater direct impact on carbon emissions than climate change. The researchers used a computer model to simulate the carbon balance of one million square kilometers of Canadian forest over the past 60 years, determining that fires are the primary driver of carbon emissions.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) has awarded Stevens education partners, Boeing and Novations Group, the Professional Development Provider of the Year Award. The partnership offers Boeing employees training in project management through Novations University Series, resulting in a joint Master's Certificate upon completion.
A new study reveals that parasites play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. Red colobus monkeys were found to be infected with more human or livestock parasites than their black-and-white cousins, due to their varied diet and increased travel range.
A new book by Stevens Institute of Technology showcases the importance of leadership and people skills in project management. The book features three studies on the impact of leadership, project spirit, and conflict management on project success.
Despite predictions of collapse, Amazon forests in drought-stricken regions grew more vigorously during the 2005 drought, indicating a positive response to drought conditions. This finding contradicts global climate models and suggests a negative feedback loop that could slow down global warming.
The Brazilian Atlantic forest has lost 95% of its original size, but researchers have found 'refugia' where the forest is still thriving. These regions may hold the secrets to regenerating the ecosystem.
A recent study documents significant increases in El Salvador's wooded areas since the 1990s, driven by population movements and remittances. The research found that households receiving foreign funds felt less need to maintain existing fields, resulting in reduced land clearing and forest regrowth.
A new study from the University of Colorado at Boulder found that fireproofing houses in forests can significantly reduce wildfire sizes. By insulating homes, fire risk is reduced, protecting not only structures but also neighboring forests and communities.
New research from UCLA finds that fireproofing homes dramatically reduces the spread of forest fires. By fireproofing not just their own homes but also those of their neighbors, individuals can help limit the damage and preserve entire neighborhoods.
A new analysis by Oregon State University and U.S. Geological Survey suggests that dense conifer forests may be harming dozens of animal species dependent on shrubs, herbs, and broad-leaf trees. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented to require non-coniferous vegetation, which is often scarce in managed forests.
A new study by Conservation International and colleagues warns that 11 countries with high forest cover and low rates of deforestation are at risk of being left out of a carbon market intended to promote rainforest conservation. The study calls for 'preventive credits' to incentivize protection of intact tropical forests.
A regional study of Peru's Amazon found that land-use policies have kept large-scale rain forest damage in check, but recent disturbances increased near roads, with forests protected by the government being more secure than those without conservation designations.
A study found that mature forest produces almost 10 times as much sugar per hectare than recently logged forest, but overall honey yields are still high due to extensive flowering. Nectar production in young trees regrowing after logging is not significantly affected, contradicting beekeepers' concerns.
Researchers found rove beetles declined significantly after clear-cutting, while diversity increased. The study suggests that mature forest species are threatened by habitat loss, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to preserve old forests.
The study reveals that areas with well-defined property rights show substantial forest regeneration, while insecure property rights lead to deforestation. The research highlights the complex relationship between human population density and deforestation in Madagascan tropical forests.
Scientists at the Woods Hole Research Center are expanding a two-year pilot phase to create a national biomass and carbon dataset for US forests. The dataset will improve current methods of determining carbon flux between vegetation and the atmosphere.
The discovery of a 300-million-year-old rainforest fossil has transformed our understanding of the ecology of the Earth's first rainforests. The fossilized forest, covering over 10,000 hectares, provides a unique snapshot of tropical rainforests 300 million years ago.
The study reports on a case-based approach to managing forest ecosystems before and after hurricanes, considering risk assessment and outcome mitigation strategies. Key findings include the importance of stand spacing, tree height, and species selection in reducing hurricane damage, as well as the need for long-term recovery plans.
Researchers have pushed the efficiency of plastic solar cells to over 6%, a significant milestone in developing sustainable energy solutions. The new record is attributed to creating nano-filaments within light-absorbing plastic, allowing for thicker absorbing layers and increased sunlight capture.
The study, known as CLAMS, examines ecological, economic, and social consequences of forest policies in the Coast Range. The research found that maintaining current policies will lead to increased old-growth forests and habitat for old-forest species, but may result in declines in diverse early-successional and hardwood forests.
The invasive grass Microstegium vimineum can impede the regeneration of woody species in southern US forests by blocking sunlight and seeds. Researchers found that M. vimineum biomass increased significantly after forest canopy disturbances, leading to a decline in native species richness.
Researchers from Oregon State University found a high level of naturally-regenerating tree seedlings in burned forest lands. The density of surviving conifers was similar to that of traditional old-growth forests, with some plots already having larger trees considered 'free to grow' by forestry standards.
A new study reveals that forest elephants are being pushed into remote depths of national parks due to heavy poaching for ivory near roadways. Protected areas, however, are critical to elephant survival, with some areas experiencing increased abundance despite road access.
A new study warns that forest elephants are facing intense poaching pressure due to the illegal ivory trade. The researchers found only 1,900 elephants remaining in Salonga National Park, with the probability of encountering them increasing with distance from roads.
A Smithsonian-led research team has won a scientific prize for their study on the impacts of habitat fragmentation on the Amazon ecosystem. The team found that tree communities are rapidly changing in forest fragments due to ecological changes near the margins, posing a significant threat to Amazonian biodiversity.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will expand its research capability with a new Global Earth Observatory system, increasing the quality of scientific data across 20 large-scale research plots in 17 countries. The grant will enable the Center for Tropical Forest Science to compare climate change and forest carbon data.
A recent study published in Science has found that the size of Amazon forest reserves is crucial for protecting bird species. The research, led by Gonçalo Ferraz, used a 13-year data set of over 40,000 bird captures to show that larger areas are more important than isolation in maintaining biodiversity.
A University of Michigan study has found that forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized. The research, led by Doctoral student Abir Biswas, estimates that wildfires and prescribed burns account for approximately 25 percent of human-generated mercury emissions in the United States.
Research reveals that Amazonian forests are undergoing a rapid transformation as a result of fragmentation, leading to the loss of rare and slow-growing tree species. The study found that small, fast-growing trees store less carbon, contributing to global warming.