Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Arizona State University


Bait and switch

A study by Arizona State University found that approximately 3.4% to 4.3% of consumed seafood is mislabeled, with substituted species coming from fisheries performing worse in terms of population impacts 86% of the time.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2020

Mapping corals from the sky guides reef conservation

A new study mapped the geographic distribution of live corals across Hawaiian waters, revealing areas of degraded reef and 'refugia' where corals show resilience to human-driven environmental stressors. The detailed maps will inform conservation efforts and help protect coral reefs from critical threat levels by 2050.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2020

'Oasis effect' in urban parks could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, ASU study finds

Researchers at Arizona State University found that urban parks experience a significant increase in evaporative losses during the night due to the oasis effect, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. This can have important implications for water conservation and greenhouse gas emission management in desert cities like Phoenix.

SourceArizona State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Study shows geographic shift in U.S. social mobility

A recent study on US social mobility found that regions have shifted unevenly over the last century, with some areas scoring high in social mobility while others score low. The study, led by Arizona State University's Dylan Connor, tracked 2 million children from childhood to adulthood and found that urban Midwest areas have struggled ...

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2020

How rain can move mountains

Researchers used cosmic clocks to measure river erosion rates in the Himalaya, finding that rainfall plays a critical role in shaping mountain landscapes. The study's findings provide valuable insights into natural hazards and have important implications for land-use management and infrastructure maintenance.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 19, 2020

Watching your waste

A recent study led by ASU researcher Chris Wharton found that a values-based intervention can reduce household food waste by an average of 28%. The intervention used clear plastic bins to track food waste and highlighted the impact of cost, health, and environmental concerns. Participants reported that watching their waste build up pro...

SourceArizona State University·JournalResources·DateOct 5, 2020

Scientists sound alarm on plastic pollution

A new study finds that global plastic emissions may exceed reduction targets by 2030, requiring a fundamental transformation of the plastics economy. To mitigate this issue, experts suggest reducing unnecessary plastics, establishing global limits for new production, and improving waste management.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2020

New fossil ape is discovered in India

A 13-million-year-old fossil unearthed in northern India belongs to a previously unknown genus and species, providing new evidence about the migration of great apes and lesser apes from Africa to Asia. The discovery pushes back the oldest known fossil record of gibbons by at least five million years.

A new twist on DNA origami

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new type of meta-DNA structure that can be used to engineer sophisticated nanoscale structures and devices. The meta-DNA self-assembly concept has opened up new possibilities for optoelectronics, including information storage and encryption, as well as synthetic biology.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2020

ASU climate study looks at humans' exposure to extreme temperatures during 21st century

A recent ASU climate study forecasts a substantial rise in human exposure to extreme temperatures in the US during the 21st century. By the end of the century, the annual heat exposure is expected to increase nearly 30-fold, with major metropolitan regions like New York and Los Angeles facing significant changes.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020

Why hydration is so important when hiking in the heat of summer

A recent study found that hikers' performance during hot weather conditions was impaired, resulting in slower speeds and increased risk of heat-related illness. The researchers also discovered that most hikers did not bring enough fluid to compensate for sweat loss, with less fit participants being most negatively affected.

SourceArizona State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 14, 2020

Yes, your dog wants to rescue you

A recent study by Arizona State University's Canine Science Collaboratory found that pet dogs will attempt to rescue their owners if they know how. Approximately one-third of the dogs in the experiment rescued their owners, suggesting that motivation alone is not enough, but rather a combination of understanding and ability are required.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 28, 2020

A lost world and extinct ecosystem

Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered the earliest evidence for symbolic behavior, complex pyrotechnology, and projectile weapons in South African archaeological sites. The study reveals that a vast plain, now submerged undersea, was a key foraging habitat for early modern humans during glacial phases.

SourceArizona State University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateMay 14, 2020

Street smarts required in heat mitigation

Researchers measured pedestrian heat exposure over regular asphalt roads, reflective coated roads and sidewalks next to the roads. The study found that the surface temperature of coated asphalt road was up to 6 degrees Celsius cooler than the regular road in the afternoon, but the radiant heat over coated asphalt was higher.

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2020