A new study by researchers from the UK found a link between living in river valley areas and an increased frequency of COPD symptom exacerbations. The unique climate in these areas, with high humidity and low dew point, retains particles and pollutants that can worsen lung symptoms.
A chance viewing of a new channel forming in the Wabash River provided researchers with a rare opportunity to study dynamic river cutoffs. The event delivered massive amounts of sediment into the river system, changing its landscape and raising concerns about its impact on sediment transport and deposition processes.
By 2030, urbanized land worldwide will grow by 590,000 square miles, posing threats on environmental and economic levels. Cities tend to have better access to healthcare, water, and sanitation facilities, driving innovation and business opportunities.
The Arctic sea ice extent fell to 1.67 million square miles in September 2011, the second lowest recorded since satellites began measuring it in 1979. Scientists attribute this decline to rising temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which is expected to lead to ice-free summers by around 2030 or 2040.
A new study predicts that California beach towns will experience significant economic losses due to sea level rise, with visitor hotspots like Venice Beach facing up to $440 million in tourism revenue losses. The study also found that accelerated erosion could cause up to $540 million worth of damage at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.
SAFEPED is a computer simulation that integrates robotics and statistics on driver and pedestrian behavior to determine the environmental features leading to dangerous intersections. The model allows traffic planners to analyze and fix black spots, test and redesign junctions for optimal safety.
A study analyzing hundreds of millions of names reveals global 'naming networks' that bind people to cultural, ethnic and linguistic communities. The researchers used forenames and surnames to create a representation of population structure around the world.
Researchers paired agent-based land-use models with stakeholder interviews to better understand the impact of human activities on landscapes. The study highlights the potential benefits of involving local communities in decision-making processes for more effective and sustainable solutions.
Researchers investigate the cause of the Permian-Triassic extinction, finding that ocean acidification may have played a significant role. Additionally, studies suggest that reforestation on historically productive, snow-free land could contribute to climate change mitigation even in northern latitudes.
Researchers found that wastewater recycling plants emit significantly more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, due to dense populations of bacteria. Despite this, they argue that wastewater recycling remains an essential component of urban water resources.
A new NASA study disputes previous claims that droughts led to reduced global plant productivity and threatened food security. The research found that modeling errors and the use of corrupted satellite data contributed to exaggerated claims.
A Louisiana State University researcher is leading a multi-university team to investigate how disaster-impacted communities cope with disruptions and recover from past calamities. The study aims to identify traditional elements of resilience that enable coastal societies to bounce back after traumatic events.
Researchers study paleo-hurricane records from South Carolina marshlands and find that spatio-lateral continuity of hurricane deposits is poor. High-precision geochronology of the Chinle Formation provides new insights into early dinosaur evolution and temporal constraints on their evolution.
A 10-year study of people living around Kibale National Park in Uganda found that most households became better off, with improved access to clean drinking water, livestock, and shelter. However, 10% sold or lost their land, highlighting the importance of land as a productive asset for poor communities.
A new CU-Boulder study finds that a major climate oscillation in the Southern Hemisphere is expected to increase wildfire activity in southern South America. The research team used tree rings dating back 500 years to track past wildfire activity, revealing widespread fires in Patagonia during periods of positive SAM phase.
A decade-long study of people living near Kibale National Park in Uganda found that most households improved their prosperity, despite conventional wisdom suggesting parks contribute to poverty. The study suggests that parks provide a source of insurance for poor families, allowing them to hunt or sell park resources.
A team of researchers has found that Greenland's Mittivakkat Glacier is melting at an unprecedented rate, with two consecutive record losses in mass observations for 2010 and 2011. The findings suggest that the glacier's mass balance has been negatively affected by higher surface temperatures and low precipitation.
A team of researchers from Michigan State University is working on a five-year project to develop tools to help farmers cope with climate variability. The study will focus on corn and soybean growth and profits across 12 states, using models to predict the impact of climate scenarios.
Climate change is causing significant changes in polar ecosystems, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost thawing affects land and water ecosystems. This can lead to increased nutrient levels, altered stream networks, and changed habitats for plants and animals.
A new study provides a detailed account of the natural carbon cycle in agriculture, revealing that regions dependent on others for food release more carbon than they take in. The researchers developed a national crop carbon budget, finding that the crops absorb and return about 37% of the US's total annual carbon dioxide emissions.
A University of Florida team applied GIS and spatial analysis to show where clusters of diseased coral exist. They found significant disease clustering at Buck Island National Monument, which can help scientists derive better hypotheses on coral disintegration.
A study by Michigan State University found that farmers are more likely to reenroll their land in a conservation program if they talk to their neighbors about it. Farmers who interacted with each other were willing to reenroll more land, with over 15% more land being reenrolled after 10 interactions.
A new study by UC Merced professor Anthony Westerling predicts a significant increase in large wildfires in Yellowstone by 2050, leading to changes in forest composition and wildlife habitats. The projected increase could result in fewer dense forests and more open vegetation, with some forests failing to regenerate after repeated fires.
A new study projects that Yellowstone National Park will experience dramatic shifts in forest vegetation and fire patterns, with large fires occurring annually by 2050. The research suggests that a warming climate could lead to a fundamental change in the ecosystem, affecting wildlife, hydrology, carbon storage, and aesthetics.
A team of ecologists models climate change effects on fire occurrence and composition of Yellowstone forests, finding a tipping element that may alter the flora, fauna, and ecosystem quality. The researchers predict frequent fires will become the norm in parts of the landscape by 2050.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a method called "passive sampling" to measure the affinity of contaminants to carbon nanotubes. This method provides reliable results for realistic applications and can remove pollutants from contaminated water, making it a promising technology for water filtration.
A Tel Aviv University researcher says current testing for pharmaceutical waste isn't going far enough, as drugs can break down into different forms and still be present in the environment. The researcher has identified nine degradation products of a common antibiotic, including two potentially toxic compounds.
A new framework for the evolutionary analysis of the mind proposes that humans cannot be accurately portrayed as being adapted only to a Stone Age environment due to recent selection of genes. Experimental evidence suggests that humans utilize general learning rules rather than a modular account of cognition.
A study by Kansas State University researchers linked increased soybean and biofuel crop production in Brazil to significant deforestation in the Amazon. Reducing soybean production by 10% could decrease deforestation by nearly 40%.
A University of Michigan study found that breast cancer patients may be underreported for radiation treatment after breast-conserving surgery, with discrepancies in the SEER database affecting up to 1 in 5 cases. The study highlights the need for improved data accuracy to inform clinical decision-making and policy.
A University of Leicester geography lecturer will investigate transnational solidarity activism with a Leverhulme Trust award. The project aims to provoke debate about the value of this type of activism in understanding and informing current and future movements.
Isoscapes, a mapping technique using isotopes as 'fingerprints,' helps track the geographical origins of illicit goods, human remains, and even luxury items like whiskey and cheese. By analyzing isotope ratios in tissue samples and objects, scientists can pinpoint their origins and aid in investigations.
A study of nine cities worldwide reveals that people are less likely to walk when temperatures drop below zero, during heavy rain or excessive snow. In contrast, warmer temperatures and sunshine increase pedestrian traffic.
Researchers from UGA found a significant relationship between autumn snow extent in specific regions of Eurasia and temperatures across North America during the subsequent winter. Years with extensive autumn snow in northwest Eurasia were associated with winter temperatures seven degrees lower near the center of North America.
A new €3.5 million EU-funded research project will examine the impact of climate policies on human health in seven cities across Europe and China, with a focus on integrating data from various sources to inform key policy decisions.
A study by McGill University found that socio-economic status affects Canadians' health-related quality of life from a young age. The research analyzed data from 17,000 Canadians and found that poorer individuals start out less healthy than their wealthier counterparts and remain so over their lifetimes.
Researchers mapped anemia risk in preschool-age children in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mali using national cross-sectional surveys. The maps indicate the geographical risk profile of anemia, allowing for targeted control measures such as nutrient supplements and fortified foods.
A study found that infection with influenza likely increases the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Influenza infection may increase the short-term risk of bacterial invasion in individuals already colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes IPD. This suggests that some cases of IPD could be attributable to inf...
Researchers are working closely with indigenous communities to develop interventions to address the health impacts of climate change. Pilot projects include medicinal herb gardens, online traditional health knowledge banks, and agricultural training programs.
A new study predicts that global warming will limit access in certain Arctic areas but increase it in others, particularly for coastal communities and shipping concerns. Inland mining, timber, and small communities may be negatively affected by reduced road accessibility.
Researchers found that freshwater from melting ice sheets can weaken climate-controlling ocean currents, leading to dramatic climate change. The study's results suggest a future ice sheet collapse would have significant climatic consequences.
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among African-American patients with MS, largely due to regional UV exposure and geographic factors. Low vitamin D levels were found in nearly 77% of MS patients compared to 71% without the disease.
Patrick Hesp will conduct a detailed drilling and dating program on two coastal barriers in southern Brazil for three months. This research aims to provide a record of climate and coastal change over the past 7,000 years.
Researchers found that removing all road-side salt pools can reduce moose-vehicle collisions by as much as 79 percent. Moose are attracted to the high sodium concentration in salt pools, posing a significant risk to human and vehicle safety.
A Durham University-led study reveals that some less deprived coalfield areas are faring relatively well in terms of health, suggesting that regeneration efforts and resilience of local communities may be helpful. The research emphasizes the need for increased government assistance, particularly in poorer, predominantly rural coalfield...
A recent study by Queen's University researchers reveals that the Arctic coastline is experiencing ecologically unprecedented impacts from global climate change. The team found that saltwater surges caused by rising sea levels have led to widespread die-off of coastal shrubs and dramatic changes in aquatic life.
A team of scientists found that reptiles and mammals lived in separate areas due to differences in water availability, with reptiles thriving in drier temperate zones and mammals in water-rich tropical regions. This study helps predict the impact of climate change on mammal species distribution.
Arizona State University will lead a consortium to develop clean energy training programs worldwide, benefiting thousands of people in several countries. The program aims to create curricula around decentralized clean energy technologies, including solar and micro-grid systems.
A recent study published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution found that reducing unemployment does not decrease insurgent attacks against government and allied forces. The researchers tested this prediction in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Philippines using survey data on unemployment and two newly available measures of insurgency.
The updated studies will provide long-term projections and help researchers identify new trends using 2010 census data. This living resource will be available online and continuously updated to inform policymakers.
A new study using satellite tracking has found that adult male sea turtles are exposed to high levels of manmade chemicals, including organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. This exposure may put them at risk of toxic effects and cumulative poisoning through the food chain.
Research into fracking in Pennsylvania reveals industry neglect of local communities, chemical cocktail risks, and environmental concerns. The study's findings have sparked a national debate on balancing economic benefits with public health and environmental safety.
The American College of Gastroenterology published a new evidence-based systematic review on the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), grading treatment options for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A comprehensive meta-analysis highlights the importance of diet, gut microbiome, and immune system in IBD causes.
Researchers employ helium-4/helium-3 thermochronometry to reconstruct the landform history of Fiordland in New Zealand from 2.5 million years ago, finding that most valley-making occurred at downstream mouths of glaciers for the first million years and later at glacier heads.
Researchers explore why large, successful Maya communities were built near wetlands, finding that ancient environments and agricultural practices contributed to their success. The project sheds light on the Maya's 'edge farming' technique, which created fertile soils along the interface between uplands and swamps.
Recent UC research on ancient Maya agroforestry and water-management systems at Tikal reveals that the forests were insufficient to meet the needs of Late Classic Maya populations, highlighting the importance of sustainable management techniques. The study also sheds light on how the ancient Maya built their water management systems, u...
Jason Julian, a University of Oklahoma geography professor, has been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to research the impact of land use changes on optical water quality in New Zealand rivers. His study will explore connections between landscape characteristics, land use, and water clarity over the past 20 years.
A study of over 5 million Medicare beneficiaries found that hospital regions with a higher frequency of diagnoses have a lower case-fatality rate for chronic conditions. The analysis suggested that increased diagnosis frequency leads to better patient outcomes.
A new study in Honduras found that climate-related weather disasters can lead to increased land wealth and earnings for the rural poor. The poorest residents of a small village were able to recoup their losses and even triple their average holdings after Hurricane Mitch devastated their village in 1998.
ChesapeakeView consolidates various datasets on land use, habitat changes, and biodiversity for research and planning purposes. The project makes these datasets available to the public via its website.