A macroecological study found that giant tree properties, such as trunk circumference and age, are strongly correlated with climatic factors. The probability of a tree being an object of faith tends to increase with lower annual precipitation, highlighting the impact of climate change on spiritual ecosystem services.
George Mason University researchers are developing a digital twin system to provide farmers with real-time data on crop conditions, soil, weather, and markets. The CropSmart Digital Twin (CSDT) aims to support the USDA's goal of increasing U.S. agricultural production by 40% while reducing its environmental footprint by half by 2050.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
Researchers at University of Delaware examine transnational agricultural land acquisitions and forest loss, revealing threats to biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The study uses largest global dataset of georeferenced agricultural land investments to quantify the impact of these investments on forest cover.
A new species of pterosaur has been identified with over 400 tiny, hooked teeth, offering insights into its extraordinary feeding mechanism. The discovery suggests the pterosaur likely fed on tiny shrimp and copepods while wading through shallow lagoons.
The fellowship will study the uneven nature of the UK economy across regions and their responses to global economic changes, including Brexit and the cost of living crisis. It will provide impartial knowledge about these issues, grounded in social scientific research.
A team of researchers suggests a global mineral supply agreement to ensure green energy infrastructure development. The US, with its current metal shortage, particularly relies on China for mineral supplies, which could hinder the green transition.
A £1m project aims to develop a biodiversity credit standard to measure and value biodiversity for market trading and investment. The research team will test a potential methodology and assess industry uptake of new innovation.
A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.
A Dartmouth study found that severe heat waves resulting from climate change have already caused massive economic losses worldwide. The research estimates $16 trillion was lost to the effects of high temperatures on human health, productivity, and agricultural output.
A team of WVU researchers is studying how people bounce back after disastrous flooding, using lessons learned from the 2016 West Virginia flood. The project aims to create a more effective framework for flood response and community recovery in West Virginia, with a focus on identifying gaps in organizational capacity and improving floo...
Researchers from UC Berkeley used rock analysis to determine that the valley's impressive depth was formed since 10 million years ago, with most of it carved in the past 5 million years. The study employed a novel technique called helium-4/helium-3 thermochronometry to reconstruct the temperature history of the rocks.
Researchers have made a detailed study of the oldest map of the Coatzacoalcos river, showing its feasibility as a corridor between Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec was used to shorten the journey by two-thirds along the river and one-third overland.
A new paper published in Global Strategy Journal argues that understanding locational strategy can give businesses an edge over competition. Locational decisions affect branding, human resources, and research and development. The study authors refine their approach to the topic by merging corporate strategy with economic geography.
Researchers found that individuals who received naloxone were nine times more likely to survive an overdose, but access to the drug varied greatly across counties. The study suggests that increasing distribution of naloxone, training emergency responders, and expanding take-home programs could help combat the opioid epidemic.
A new study using cellphone location data found that visits to Black-owned restaurants dropped off after initial spikes and were inconsistent across 20 US cities. The study raises questions about the effectiveness of labelling campaigns and how tech companies can better support communities of color.
A new study of coastal geography and a medieval map proposes that two islands in Cardigan Bay, Wales, which are no longer exist, could have come into existence and disappeared due to erosion. The research, published in Atlantic Geosciences, suggests the islands may be remnants of a low-lying landscape underlain by soft glacial deposits.
New research from the University of Waterloo confirms speculation taxes have little impact on controlling Ontario house prices. Municipalities struggle to regulate markets due to factors like geography and governance, leading to ineffective tax measures.
New research from the University of Georgia found at least 479 people were injured and 28 died worldwide in more than 130 bounce house accidents due to weather events. Basic precautions such as securing bounce houses could have prevented many accidents.
A new study by Northwestern University predicts a worsening wave of opioid overdoses globally, with no geographic distinction between rural and urban areas. The lethal combination of synthetic opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines will be particularly deadly.
A new study by the Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton estimates that 80,000 people have left employment due to Long Covid. The research warns of a potential lasting impact on labour supply, with workers in lower-paid jobs particularly affected.
A Dartmouth study provides a scientific basis for climate liability claims between individual countries, linking national emissions to global economic losses and warming. The research estimates $6 trillion in cumulative losses attributable to the world's top emitters from 1990 to 2014.
A study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that companies purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) are overstating their climate mitigation claims. The researchers found that firms reported a 31% reduction in emissions, but the actual drop was only 10%, three times lower.
The research highlights the importance of social science in engaging people and societies, ensuring a green transition that promotes wellbeing, equity, and fairness. The study suggests that both profound societal change and technical improvements are needed to meet climate goals.
A recent study reveals that climate change has driven shifts in European grain production, with Eastern Europe taking on a greater role. The shift is attributed to technological advancements and global climate change, which have increased crop yields in the region.
Researchers analyzed over 240,000 Google Street View images to find that streets with more visible sky, roadway, and signs have 48% more crashes than residential areas. The study highlights the dangers of 'open road' segments in urban areas, which drivers often perceive as highways, despite being near pedestrians and human activity.
A paper co-authored by Prof. Ruben Gaetani of the University of Toronto explores how unconventional innovation occurs in high-density locations, challenging common beliefs about its concentration.
A new model, named FIG, has been developed to measure the impact of regional geographic features on speciation, extinction, and dispersal rates. The model successfully predicted the movement and diversification of neotropical anole lizards.
Researchers warn permafrost peatlands in Europe and Western Siberia are close to a climatic tipping point due to high carbon emissions. Strong action can preserve suitable climates for these ecosystems.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that people exposed to more green space reported less depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also found that spending time in green spaces had a protective effect on mental health, even in times of extraordinary stressors.
A new study reveals that fewer rainy days are leading to an earlier arrival of spring for plants in northern climates. The researchers found that as rainy days decline, spring arrives earlier due to increased solar radiation and clearer skies.
A new study found that Australian bushfires are linked to British colonisation and climate change, with forests becoming denser and more flammable due to the increase in woody biomass. Indigenous burning practices ceased after colonial settlement, leading to an increase in shrub cover and unprecedented wildfires.
A new study found that rural counties had 2.4 times more infections per 100,000 people than urban areas during the third wave of COVID-19 in summer 2021, driven primarily by the delta variant. Low-vaccination areas experienced a more intense surge of new cases.
Researchers found that glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere lost a total area of 390 km² per year, with 60% attributed to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Only 3% of glaciers advanced during this period. The study highlights the impact of climate change on marine-terminating glaciers.
Researchers in Ohio identified five distinct types of rural communities, each with unique characteristics and attracting different demographics. The study found that rural areas near metropolitan cities are experiencing growth, while more remote areas are losing residents.
A recent review highlights the devastating impact of permafrost thaw on infrastructure in the Arctic region, with damages ranging from less than 10% to as high as 80%. The region's transport and pipeline networks are particularly vulnerable, with costs projected to exceed 30 billion euros by 2060.
A recent Ohio University study provides the first complete estimate of total Antarctic sea ice extent back through the 20th century, revealing unique changes in climate patterns. The research shows a regime shift with increases in sea ice since 1979 and sudden declines throughout the early and middle 20th century.
The study reveals Himalayan glaciers are shrinking far more rapidly than glaciers in other parts of the world, losing around 40% of their area and massive amounts of ice. The accelerating melting threatens the water supply of millions of people in Asia.
A Dartmouth team compiled a global-scale dataset to show how uncertainties over determining snow depth can actually improve predictions of water availability. The approach leverages observational and definitional uncertainties to make better assessments of snow droughts and their impacts.
Researchers found that 1.5 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa face a one-hour drive to the nearest health facility, with many more struggling due to limited resources. Expanding healthcare access is crucial for reducing HIV incidence and addressing COVID-19.
Researchers found that illegal human settlements have surged to over 50,000 in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary, posing a significant threat to the remaining 250 elephants. The team believes that addressing environmental, poverty, and security challenges jointly is crucial to restoring the sanctuary's integrity.
Concordia researcher Seth Wynes estimates that permanent adoption of lockdown-era schedules could cut carbon dioxide emissions from team travel by 22%, reducing overall annual emissions. Implementing these changes could also have co-benefits, such as reduced injuries and improved player rest.
A University of Utah team analyzed woodrat gut bacteria and found that evolutionary history plays the greatest role in shaping microbiome structure. Diet and geography also influenced microbiome composition, but host relatedness was the strongest predictor in both wild and captive populations.
A new species, Brighstoneus simmondsi, with a distinctive bulbous nose has been identified by University of Portsmouth and Natural History Museum scientists. The discovery was made through meticulous analysis of Iguanodon bones found on the Isle of Wight, which revealed subtle differences indicating a new species.
The IPCC has endorsed new communication recommendations for addressing climate change, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and dialogue. The organization is keen to engage with experts and audiences in a two-way conversation to ensure effective information dissemination.
Staffordshire University researchers investigate the impact of melting snow and ice on ski tourism. Despite environmental changes, tourists prioritize mountains, scenery, and hiking opportunities, highlighting the need for adaptation and diversification in the industry.
Researchers led by NUS found that climate change is increasing fluvial sediment loads in the high mountains of Asia, with implications for hydropower, food, and environmental security. The study reveals that sediment fluxes could more than double by 2050 under an extreme climate change scenario.
Researchers found that tiny pterosaur juveniles, known as flaplings, dominated the Late Cretaceous period due to their exceptional growth rates and feeding ecology. These findings suggest that the smaller species of pterosaurs were overshadowed by their giant parent's offspring.
A new Penn State study explores how climate change affects rain in the U.S. Corn Belt, finding that air humidity plays a crucial role. The research suggests that high near-surface humidity is most important for convective precipitation or rain, contrary to previous expectations that soil moisture would be the key factor.
A new study reveals that incorporating lateral groundwater processes into forest models can significantly impact predictions of tree survival in drought conditions. By accounting for the sideways flow of water through soil, scientists can better understand how riparian forests will respond to future climate change.
A new methodology creates a watershed-scale flood model based on LiDAR data, providing precise elevation readings and riverbed depth information. The system can predict flood conditions and provide warnings to area residents, making it applicable to large rivers and smaller streams.
A cross-sectional study found a correlation between rural geography and easy access to handguns, leading to higher risks of suicidality among Colorado teenagers. The findings can inform the allocation of educational firearm safety and suicide prevention resources in the state.
The study found that lack of knowledge about debris flows contributed to a false sense of security among residents. Public awareness programs can help keep residents and emergency management offices informed about rare but potentially lethal natural events in their area.
The UTSA-Glasgow model analyzed nearly 100 American cities to understand the relationship between city design and traffic congestion. It found that high-intensity urban land use and polycentric city shapes are associated with higher levels of congestion, supporting the long-held belief that traffic congestion is tied to urbanization.
New research from the University of Leicester shows that macroplastics travel much slower through river systems than previously believed, remaining in place for significant periods. The study suggests existing estimates of riverine plastic flux to the ocean may have been overestimated, highlighting the need for further research.
MacBean aims to develop advanced predictive tools using satellite remote sensing, field experiments, and process-based models to understand dryland ecosystems' response to climate change. Drylands support 38% of the world's population but are sensitive to moisture availability.
A new study by Portland State University assesses strategies for the Hood River watershed to adapt to climate change. The researchers found that a combination of water banking, infrastructure improvements, and reflexive feedback mechanisms can achieve overall resilience.
A new study reveals that the global demand for sand and gravel is in direct conflict with nearly half of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, primarily affecting health, environment, and society in low- and middle-income countries. The research highlights the need for effective management plans and policies to balance the pros an...
A new article examines polycentric development in the Wasatch Front Region, Utah, finding that moderately compact urban design fosters trip generation through walking and biking. The study also highlights the importance of public transit connections to reduce vehicle miles traveled and combat urban sprawl.
A new study suggests that COVID-19 made unequal access to food worse, especially for low-income people of color. Despite the pandemic, dollar stores and small local grocers saw only a small decline in customer levels compared to large grocery stores.