A CU-Boulder-led study found that Maasai pastoralists hunt lions for multiple overlapping reasons, including predation on livestock and political discontent. Conservation efforts have either failed or incited more hunting in some cases.
Researchers found a strong correlation between high altitude and spoken languages that use ejective consonants. Ejectives are absent in the English language, but were found in languages spoken on or near five out of six major high-altitude regions.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that cities with strong urban cores have the most positive effect on social interaction. Decentralization has a negative impact on socializing, 10 times more than fragmentation and 20 times longer commute times.
Research by UC assistant professor Amy Townsend-Small found that intensive lawn care can negate soil's natural ability to store atmospheric toxins, despite improving its carbon-quelling capacity. The study compared urban lawns in Los Angeles and Cincinnati, revealing stark differences in their ecological impact.
University of Cincinnati student researcher Bo Yang develops method to combine thermal data from separate satellite systems, creating detailed maps of regional temperature fluctuations. This technique simplifies the process of analyzing parallel data, allowing geographers to derive daily surface temperature and emissivity information.
A UC student researcher used satellite imagery to calculate ice flow velocity in Antarctica, predicting potential climate change impacts. The study aims to understand the process of ice motion and estimate influence on sea levels.
Researchers discovered three new, previously unknown clam species that diverged from a common ancestor over 10 million years ago. A climate-cooling event may have played a role in their evolution, leading to the creation of distinct biogeographic provinces along Australia's coastline.
A new study led by the University of Arizona has found that monsoon failure plays a significant role in prolonged droughts in the Southwest. The researchers used tree-ring analysis to reconstruct summer precipitation patterns over a 470-year period, revealing that dry summers coincided with severe winter droughts.
New UCLA research finds global warming will make Arctic shipping routes accessible due to melting sea ice, allowing ordinary vessels to navigate previously inaccessible areas. By mid-century, ships will be able to traverse the Arctic Ocean without icebreakers, and even the Northwest Passage may become viable for commercial shippers.
Researchers found that hourly temperature data provides a more accurate estimate of malaria parasite development rate than mean monthly temperatures. This approach has implications for understanding and predicting malaria transmission risk in different climates and regions.
A new study claims that forest canopy structure is a more important factor in infrared reflection than leaf nitrogen levels. The researchers found that the complex arrangement of leaves within a forest can mask the effect of individual leaf nitrogen levels on infrared radiation.
Seven University of Minnesota faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking research and innovative efforts in science. They were recognized in four different sections, including geology, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, and biological sciences.
Researchers applied infectious disease control principles to track 2,366 homicides in Newark, NJ, finding patterns that evolved over time. The study identified areas with no homicide clusters, suggesting community resistance factors that can be targeted to reduce violence.
Six Penn State faculty members have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Peter Hudson, Soundar Kumara, Andrew Read, Nitin Samarth, Matthew Thomas, and Karl Zimmerer. They were recognized for their research in various fields, including wildlife disease ecology, interdisciplinary indust...
A study examining attitudes towards government responses after extreme weather events found that perceptions of helplessness can lead to a lack of personal action to prevent flooding. The research, led by the University of Exeter, highlights the need for governments to adapt to climate change and invest in flood resilience.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a method to predict environmental collapse by identifying 'flickering' signs in ecosystems, which may also warn of crises in agriculture and social systems.
Spatial cognition researchers will form a virtual institute to collaborate and advance the field of spatial intelligence and learning. The Thematic Network in Spatial Cognition aims to establish spatial cognition as a scientific discipline, with relevance to education in STEM fields and professional areas.
Students Sangkyun Cho, Jay Hyug Choi and Victor Hyun Oh developed a plan to convert farm waste into paper for under-equipped schools in developing nations. Their design uses no electricity and can be built by impoverished villagers, addressing the lack of basic supplies like paper.
Researchers from SDSU will examine the effect of payments for ecosystem services on the conservation of the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in China. The project aims to understand the environmental and socio-demographic changes initiated by these payments and their sustainability.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder team analyzed extensive climate datasets and violent conflicts in East Africa, finding moderate increases in temperature reduce conflict risk slightly, while very hot temperatures increase it. Socioeconomic factors have a much greater impact on conflict risk than climate change.
Researchers emphasize that connectivity is complex and requires understanding animal behavior, genetics, adaptation, and habitat. Managing wildlife sanctuaries involves trade-offs and adapting to climate change, which can cause unpredictable species movements.
Dr. Mary E. Northridge is leading a five-year, $3.7 million NIH grant to analyze how racial and ethnic older adults overcome barriers to accessing oral health care services. The research will examine the effects of social networks, community support, and healthcare attitudes on oral health outcomes.
Researchers at Durham University found that channel width plays a crucial role in controlling ice stability and rate of mass loss from ice sheets and glaciers. The study's simulation of past ice-sheet retreat and collapse over a ten thousand year period in Antarctica provides new light on what makes ice stable or unstable.
A University of Tennessee study suggests recent droughts may be the new normal, posing significant threats to the nation's forests. The researchers found that the US has experienced several mega-droughts in the last 1,000 years, and projections indicate worsening drought and increased tree mortality by 2050.
A team led by Assistant Professor Noah Molotch will identify thresholds of change in land use, forest management, and climate that may compromise the sustainability of trans-basin water diversions. The project aims to provide projections on future water supply and demand changes due to climate change.
A Yale University study found that most Northern conifer species emerged within the past 5 million years, with mountainous environments driving the formation of new species. The researchers also discovered significant differences in conifer evolutionary dynamics between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
Researchers have used tree rings from cedar trees in Bolivia to record a 100-year history of rainfall across the Amazon basin. The study found that lowland tropical cedar trees provide a natural archive of data closely related to historic rainfall, allowing for a detailed understanding of past climate variability.
The incidence of invasive cervical cancer has declined dramatically over the past several decades, thanks to increased use of Pap smears and prevention programs. However, disparities persist, particularly among underserved racial and ethnic minorities, rural areas, and low-income women.
A study of Medicare data found wide variation in antibiotic prescribing for older adults based on region and season, with the South having the highest use and West the lowest. The study highlights the need for targeted quality improvement initiatives to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Scientists predict that climate change will rehabilitate the ecosystem of around 2.5 million years ago on Bylot Island in Nunavut, Canada. The island's fossilized forest is between 2.6 and 3 million years old, with wood samples preserved in peat and permafrost.
Researchers found that droughts exacerbated by warming temperatures are causing plants to experience stressful growing conditions, especially in low to middle elevations. The study used a growing season index to model and map potential plant responses to droughts under past, present, and future conditions.
Researchers calculated wind power potential worldwide, accounting for climate impacts and found it exceeds global energy demands. The maximum theoretical potential is over 250 terawatts globally and 80 TW over land and ocean areas.
A new study suggests that wind power has plenty of potential to meet half the world's power demand by 2030, with a capacity to exceed demand by several times. Researchers used a sophisticated climate model to calculate the theoretical maximum wind power potential on Earth.
Researchers used dynamic mapping to analyze hospitalization records for adults over 65 across the US during individual flu seasons. The analysis revealed variations in disease patterns, including shifts in geographic spread and timing of peaks.
The American Society of Agronomy has recognized outstanding professionals with various awards. Jerome H. Cherney, Thomas A. Doerge, and David A. Zuberer were honored for their contributions to agronomic education, industry, and research.
Researchers at the University of Delaware found that beneficial bacteria in soil can signal plants' stomata to close, preventing disease infection. This discovery highlights the potential for probiotics to bolster plant immunity naturally.
The Greenland ice sheet has broken the seasonal record for melting, with cumulative melting exceeding the 2010 record four weeks before the close of the melting season. The extreme melting detected in mid-July did not contribute to sea-level rise, but rather lubricated the base of the ice sheet and sped its slide toward the sea.
Stephen M. Golant has received the prestigious award for his innovative publication on the emotional and theoretical aspects of older adults' experiences in their living environments. His work proposes a new framework to understand how aging individuals optimize the fit between themselves and their physical and social environments.
A team of University of Georgia researchers has developed a technique combining LiDAR and satellite imagery to create precise coastal maps. The new website provides access to high-resolution data on beach availability, tidal ranges, and erosion for policymakers, conservationists, and tourists.
A study by Michigan State University scholars reveals that poor urban residents travel long distances for healthy food due to inadequate access to amenities. The research highlights the disproportionate impact of urban planning on low-income communities, leading to higher rates of obesity and related health problems.
Researchers developed visual data mining software to detect subtle city-specific features in Google Street View images. The software identified unique elements such as cast-iron balconies in Paris and fire escapes in New York City, which can be used for computational geography tasks.
A new Ohio University-led study suggests that the rise of the Rocky Mountains and a major seaway in North America triggered the evolution of new dinosaur species. The researchers found that changes in geography led to isolation, facilitating rapid speciation and increased diversity in duck-billed and horned dinosaurs.
A new University of Utah-led study suggests that global cooling, rather than population collapse, was the primary driver of reduced wildfires globally. The research analyzed charcoal samples spanning 2,000 years and found a significant decline in fires post-1500 AD, which coincided with the onset of the Little Ice Age.
A new study by UCSB researchers refines the tool kit for sustainable fisheries, finding that a mix of spatial management approaches can substantially increase fishery profits. Strategically placed MPAs and nuanced zoning systems can also boost profits, but careful placement is crucial.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati discovered a massive ancient dam built by the Maya, stretching over 260 feet and holding 20 million gallons of water. The dam, constructed from cut stone and earth, was part of a sophisticated water management system that allowed the city to thrive despite periodic droughts.
The MU researcher's network model can analyze complex networks to identify the most damaging cyber attacks, protect critical infrastructure, and halt disease epidemics. By understanding network resilience, officials can prevent future problems and make informed decisions for conservation projects.
Researchers from Germany, Finland, and beyond create a high-resolution temperature reconstruction of the Roman and Medieval Warm periods, revealing a previously unseen long-term cooling trend. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, suggests that this cooling trend may have been underestimated by previous climate reconstructions.
The next generation of Digital Earth seeks to address issues with current digital globes by incorporating local perspectives, temporal information, and open-source partnerships. This shift aims to improve accuracy and inclusivity while maintaining scientific standards.
Researchers in the Yangtze basin region have created a long-term record of ecosystem health, measuring past condition and predicting future trends. The study highlights the decline in ecosystem services due to intensive farming techniques, posing a threat to local livelihoods.
New research by Richard Wright and colleagues found that while racial diversity is increasing in major US cities, highly diverse neighborhoods are still rare. The study also showed that many African Americans remain concentrated in segregated neighborhoods despite immigration, which has led to more racially diverse tracts.
Research on nano-pesticides is crucial for understanding their fate and toxicity, as well as assessing potential benefits and drawbacks. The development of new pesticides products based on nanotechnology holds promise for reducing environmental contamination, but concerns about human health risks persist.
New research suggests that Arctic forest growth could lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions, contrary to previous predictions. This is due to the stimulation of soil decomposition by trees, releasing previously stored carbon into the atmosphere.
A study by a CCNY-led team found correlations between the spread of obesity and food marketing and distribution patterns. The researchers suggest that collective behavior plays a significant role in the spread of the epidemic, not individual factors such as genetics or lifestyle choices.
A continent-wide assessment of Antarctica's biogeography proposes dividing the landmass into 15 distinct conservation regions to safeguard native species. The 15 identified areas will serve as a basis for biosecurity measures to prevent invasive species transfer.
Scientists have found that woolly mammoths' extinction was caused by a combination of climate warming and habitat change, with human-induced climate change mirroring the same pressures. The researchers used radiocarbon dating to create detailed maps of changes in plant species, forest development, and human settlements over time.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a mathematical system used by ancient Egyptians to measure the volume of spherical jugs. By linking units of length to units of volume, merchants could precisely determine the quantity of liquid within, allowing for accurate pricing and trade.
A new study uses mathematical modeling to predict burglary patterns in urban areas, identifying hotspots and potential preventive measures. By analyzing spatio-temporal patterns of crime, the authors provide a method to track social and economic conditions of neighborhoods over time.
Researchers analyzed 80-year-old photo plates and found that glaciers were melting faster today than in the 1930s, with most glaciers retreating at an average of 20 meters per year. A brief cooling period in the mid-20th century allowed new ice to form before accelerating again.
Researchers have restructured their virus-tracking software to allow for modular development and integration with other applications. The new implementation enables public health scientists to update maps on the evolution and spread of pathogens, facilitating better deployment of resources to protect citizens and forces in the field.
A study by Johns Hopkins University and The National Aquarium found that captive dolphins have lower levels of mercury in their systems compared to wild dolphins. This difference was attributed to the diet of the captive animals, which consisted mainly of small fish from North Atlantic waters with lower mercury pollution levels.