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University of Southampton


Why did the dinosaur cross the equator...but choose not to live there?

Triassic dinosaurs failed to populate the tropics due to a highly unpredictable hot and dry climate, with extreme wildfires and elevated CO2 levels, making vegetation scarce. This study sheds light on the interplay between climate change and ecosystem evolution at low latitudes, providing new insights into the rise of dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Can diet and exercise prevent muscle loss in old age?

A recent review of combined diet and exercise training trials found that the effects differ across studies, suggesting more research is needed to determine their benefits for older people. Exercise training and diet supplementation have been shown to be effective in preventing muscle loss, but little is known about their combined effects.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalClinical Interventions in Aging·DateMay 12, 2015

Did ocean acidification cause marine mollusc extinction?

A new study led by University of Southampton researchers suggests that ocean acidification may not have caused the mass extinction of ammonites and other planktonic calcifiers. The research found that the asteroid impact was the primary cause of the extinctions, but not due to ocean acidification levels being too weak.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2015

Study reveals sexual appeal of war heroes

A study published in Evolution and Human Behaviour found that women are more attracted to war heroes than regular soldiers or men who display heroic traits in other fields. The researchers also discovered that heroism in combat increases women's levels of sexual attraction towards male soldiers, but not in disaster zones.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalEvolution and Human Behavior·DateMar 11, 2015

The tides they are a changin'

Scientists at the University of Southampton found that ocean tides have increased by 1-2 mm per year globally, with some sites experiencing changes comparable to global mean sea level rise. This has significant implications for energy extraction, coastal flooding and erosion, navigation and sediment movement.

Mapping seascapes in the deep ocean

Researchers from University of Southampton develop new automated method for classifying hundreds of miles of the deep sea floor, creating broad-scale maps to estimate biodiversity hotspots. The maps cover approximately 125 miles across, using information on topography and sediment type to identify distinct 'geomorphological terrains'.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMarine Biology·DateFeb 17, 2015

Large scale study warns of unsustainable ecological decline in rural China

A large-scale study by University of Southampton researchers has found that the agricultural development of a region in eastern China is ecologically unsustainable, with losses of ecosystem services and declining water quality. The study suggests that economic development has created a trade-off between gains in agricultural productivi...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 16, 2015

Improving health before pregnancy could be key to the prevention of childhood obesity

A new study suggests that a child's early environment, including maternal factors during pregnancy and breastfeeding duration, can predict their chance of becoming obese later in life. The research found that children with four or five identified risk factors were 3.99 times more likely to be overweight or obese at age four.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateFeb 1, 2015