The Stanford study used molecular techniques to survey the inhabitants of the lower digestive tract, finding a diverse range of bacterial species. The researchers discovered nearly two-thirds of identified bacteria were novel, highlighting the complexity of the intestinal ecosystem.
A massive Christmas week snowstorm broke records for snow intensity, size, and damages across the Ohio River valley. The storm dumped record snowfall, causing over $900 million in losses, including thousands of injuries and 17 deaths.
A warmer climate could lead to increased road salt use due to more precipitation falling as sleet and freezing rain, but this might also reduce ski traffic and winter economy. The study aims to model climate change impacts on salt and sand usage in the Adirondack Park.
A study on the geography of education found that homeschoolers represent a significant segment of the education universe, estimated at 20% of privately-schooled population in the US. The number of homeschoolers has grown in states with low to moderate regulation, but data is still limited due to varying reporting requirements.
A new global risk analysis reveals that approximately 20% of the Earth's land surface is exposed to at least one natural hazard, affecting over half the world's population. The study categorizes regions by their level of exposure to multiple hazards, highlighting countries with high mortality risks from two or more hazards.
Oaxacan migrants prioritize family and community over individual gain, using remittances to fulfill obligations and maintain social status. Most migrants return home for no more than a year to support households, construct homes, and pay for education.
Research shows that contemporary irrigation projects have diverted river basins, introducing excess fresh water that disrupts mangrove tree species composition and ethnobiological relationships. Early detection of such changes is essential for preventing further mangrove degradation and protecting vital ecosystems.
Forecasts project Illinois water use to grow faster than population, with increased demand for energy production. The Midwest region will need almost 17 billion gallons of water per day by 2025, mostly for electricity generation.
A UF paleontologist's research sheds new light on horse evolution, showing that size, diet, and range depended on geography and climate. The study's findings contradict previous notions of a simple evolutionary story.
The 2004 Midwest crop yields were record-breaking due to unique weather conditions, including an unusually high number of sunny days that aided photosynthesis. This anomaly in atmospheric circulation patterns contributed to the exceptional yields, which surpassed predictions and models.
Research suggests that geographic distance from East Africa is a strong predictor of human genetic diversity, supporting the Recent African Origin model. Populations further away from Ethiopia display lower genetic variability, indicating a progressive loss of neutral genetic diversity as new areas were colonized.
Researchers warn that economic models of climate change often neglect potential threshold responses, leading to biased policies. The development of observation systems that can detect early warning signals about these events could improve climate policies and have significant economic benefits.
Scientists have detected a 'whiff' of methane evaporating off the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, revealing insights into its geology and weather systems. The data from the Huygens probe also suggests that beneath the thin crust lies a material made of water ice grains.
Researchers analyzed eight Greenland ice cores to uncover the history of the North Atlantic Oscillation, a weather system controlling climate patterns in Europe and the eastern US. The study found that one core site matches historic records, providing a potential record of NAO behavior centuries earlier.
Researchers found significant variations in GCSE exam entries between schools, driven by subject departments' performance and social background of peers, rather than school type or socio-economic status.
A UH study reveals that lack of fresh produce in lower-income neighborhoods contributes to weight and health problems among these populations. The research highlights the need for improved access to healthy food options in underserved communities.
A study in the Royal Society journal explores genetic factors in social responsibility, finding that genes play a significant role in shaping attitudes. The research also examines the potential for Argentine ants to spread globally due to climate change, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.
A study of over 1,200 men who have sex with men found a 57% prevalence rate of anal HPV infection, which did not change with age or city. High-risk HPV types were present in 26% of infected men, suggesting a high risk for anal cancer.
Sea levels have been rising worldwide for at least 10,000 years. Rising ocean temperatures and glacial runoff could lead to a 90-centimeter increase by 2100, overwhelming coastal structures like barrier islands and tidal wetlands. Local geography and geology also play a role in estimating effects of rising seas.
Researchers found little appetite among South East politicians and business leaders for a regional assembly, citing concerns over regulation and the failure of previous attempts like the Greater London Assembly. The region's strong economy and lack of need for government intervention may be contributing factors to this reluctance.
Fishermen in North Sea face severe economic consequences from discarding unwanted fish and marine life back into the ocean. The study proposes restricting access to certain areas and adapting fishing gear to reduce discards, with allocated incentives for compliant fishermen.
Researchers estimate that the most recent common ancestor of humanity lived around 3,000 years ago, sharing ancestors who domesticated horses and built ancient structures. The study used realistic computer models to simulate human history over the last 20,000 years.
A Dartmouth College study found that groups are less segregated at work than at home in greater Los Angeles, with interracial contact increasing during the workday. Notably, African Americans remain highly segregated both at work and home, while immigrants from Mexico and whites disperse more during the day.
Researchers found that racial segregation patterns diverge between home and work life, with blacks being the most segregated, while whites and Mexican immigrants work over wider areas. Workplace diversity is increasing due to immigration, potentially leading to reduced residential segregation in the future.
The Lewis and Clark expedition successfully traversed the new frontier due to a favorable climatic window that allowed for abundant food sources. If they had traveled during an intense drought, their journey might have been significantly impacted, potentially altering the course of U.S. expansion into the West.
A new study reveals that history teaching in Northern Ireland is often sanitized to avoid conflict, with teachers in high schools being less likely to explore controversy and interpretation. The segregation of schools and geography also impact how teachers perceive their role.
A new modeling approach predicts how long pollutants will stay in soil by using a method developed by medicinal chemists to understand chemical interactions with natural organic matter. This tool could help environmental regulators and cleanup consultants make informed decisions about hazardous contaminant persistence and migration.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that riverbank filtration can significantly decrease bacteria and viruses in drinking water, as well as reduce the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. This technique involves passing river water through nearby sediment, which removes impurities and reduces treatment costs.
A recent study by Boston University researchers found that urban areas experience a longer growing season than surrounding rural regions, with the onset of spring and end of winter dormancy differing by up to eight days. The urban heat island effect plays a significant role in this phenomenon.
A survey in 2000 showed a decrease in tuberculosis prevalence of around a third compared to the original survey in 1990. China aims to reach the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving TB prevalence between 2000 and 2015 with its expansion plans.
A team of scientists led by a URI oceanographer will extract long sediment cores from Lake Bosumtwi to study West African monsoon dynamics and tropical climate linkages. The research aims to improve understanding of Earth's climate system.
Research by Boston University's Tigga Kingston and Stephen Rossiter found that large-eared horseshoe bats are diverging into three sizes and using distinct echolocation calls to locate insects. The findings suggest that sensory ecology may play a key role in speciation, with the harmonic differences affecting communication and mating b...
A study by Canadian scientists found high levels of pollutant films on windows in lower Manhattan six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, revealing concentrations up to 10 times greater than normal background levels. The findings suggest that urban areas like New York City have high levels of toxic organic pollutants.
A new computer model predicts that soybean rust, a highly aggressive form of the disease, has already spread to Brazil and Venezuela, putting the US at high risk. The model suggests that the disease will reach the US within the current growing season or no later than two years.
Phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea produce organic sulfur compounds as a defense mechanism against UV radiation, leading to increased cloudiness and mitigating global warming effects. The discovery provides new insights into the DMS-climate feedback hypothesis.
Researchers found that African Americans and whites with identical health care coverage experience no racial disparity in colon cancer survival. While subtle differences were seen in treatment options, the study suggests equal access to care can eliminate disparities
Researchers create maps of science from vast digital data collections, enabling exploration and analysis of interconnected scientific disciplines. The results provide insights into how scientists and their work are connected, with potential applications in education, funding, and industry.
The US is likely to see an increase in West Nile virus cases in California this year, thanks to a combination of mosquito population, agricultural methods, and bird migration patterns. The state's diverse geography and climate will also contribute to the spread of the disease.
The study reveals that people from different regions carry distinct strains of the tuberculosis bacteria, indicating sociological interactions play a key role in transmission. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development, potentially leading to region-specific vaccines.
A long-term ocean pattern, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), influences West Coast temperatures and precipitation up to a year in advance. The study reveals correlations between PDO patterns and temperature and precipitation trends on the West Coast.
Corn earworm moths travel at varying heights influenced by air currents, affecting their migration patterns. By analyzing wind patterns and weather forecasts, researchers aim to forecast the arrival of these pests and develop targeted insecticide strategies to reduce damage.
Researchers found that VR therapy with touch reduces anxiety and increases participants' comfort near real spiders. After three sessions, those who received touch-based therapy came within 6 inches of a live tarantula, compared to 5 feet for the control group.
A new report by Penn State highlights the importance of coordinated broadband service access and quality in Pennsylvania's rural areas. The report emphasizes that advanced telecommunications infrastructures are crucial for spurring entrepreneurial activity, creating jobs, and supporting telecommuting workers in rural areas.
A Dartmouth study analyzing Medicare data from 1998-2000 found that racial disparities in knee replacement surgery exist not only by sex but also by geographic location. Despite similar rates among African-American women and white women, black men were half as likely to undergo the procedure as their white counterparts.
A Pennsylvania inventory reveals that fossil fuels are the largest source of carbon dioxide, while motor vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The study also highlights the need for policy makers and others in the state to take action to reduce emissions.
Scientists verify King Hezekiah's role in constructing the Siloam Tunnel by dating organic material and stalactites within the tunnel. The findings refute a recent claim suggesting a much later date for the tunnel.
Research suggests that planets with high tilt angles may be habitable if they have suitable geography, such as large oceans or continents near the equator. While extreme temperatures would make it difficult for simple life forms to survive, advanced water-dependent life could thrive in these environments.
A new study has found that mobile magma plumes, rather than stationary hotspots, are responsible for the formation of islands and subsurface mountains in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery challenges traditional theories of tectonic movement and sheds light on climate changes recorded in ancient rocks.
A team of researchers from the Illinois State Water Survey and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that frequent droughts, lightning strikes, and fires are critical factors for the plains. Long-term data gathered since 1890 suggests that these extremes are key issues in addressing global climate change.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that women have higher levels of anxiety after a heart attack compared to men. The researchers also discovered that both men and women under age 60 reported higher anxiety levels, while older individuals experienced lower anxiety due to their expectation of illness.
Researchers found significant genetic differentiation among Anolis lizard populations on Caribbean islands, revealing unexpected dimensions of biodiversity. The study suggests that multiple species may be present within a single island's ecosystem, and factors such as geography and ecology could be driving the DNA evolution.
Researchers found that reporters use metaphors to describe gentrifying neighborhoods as living organisms needing salvation, while low-income areas are rarely mentioned. The study's findings suggest that reporters' representations 'legitimize gentrification at actual or anticipated sites of restructuring'.
A study by William Strange and Stuart Rosenthal found that start-up companies are strongly attracted to cities with similar companies nearby, diverse businesses, and outsourcing services. Cities play a vital role in providing new business growth and innovation for countries like Canada.
A new study links premenopausal breast cancer to where women were born and lived during early life. Researchers found clustering of cancer patients based on their place of birth and residence at the time of menarche in Western New York's Erie and Niagara counties.
A study by OSU researchers found that their weather forecasting tool, AMPS, outperformed competing models in predicting extreme weather conditions at the South Pole. This achievement has implications for extending the limited summer research season and improving polar forecasting skills.
A survey of 793 physicians found that doctors identified smoking status at 81% of visits but only provided counseling to quit 23% of the time. The study also found that geography and race played a role in whether smokers received counseling, with rural and southern physicians less likely to provide guidance.
A new study examines how much of the nation's population lives within a certain distance of each county's center, revealing that areas in the South and West are making inroads. The leading edge of top-tier accessibility has inched southward from the Midwest and Northeast to include significant portions of North Carolina and Tennessee.
A study found that economic growth often takes precedence over environmental concerns in local policy-making. However, there are examples of cities like Manchester where sustainability has become an integral part of urban development. Local authorities still play a crucial role in driving environmental and economic policies.
A new GIS tool called GeoWEPP can rapidly assess soil erosion and sediment delivery in streams after wildfires, allowing forest managers to quickly plan and implement conservation measures. The tool guides users to select the best and most cost-effective conservation measures to mitigate erosion and protect water sources.
A Penn State cartographer emphasizes the importance of careful color choices in visual representation to reveal relationships and patterns in complex data. An online web tool, ColorBrewer, provides pre-designed color palettes that cater to color blindness and are suitable for various mediums.