A study found that rock glaciers in the Teton Range persist ice longer than exposed glaciers and snowfields due to insulation from debris. This provides a sustained cold-water streamflow, contrasting with rapid melting of exposed ice glaciers and snowfields.
A new study suggests that early humans in North and South America relied heavily on hunting large mammals, such as mammoths and giant ground sloths, for food and sustenance. The researchers estimate that at least 98% of their diet came from these large animals.
A new study suggests that aiming for the 'average plus' rather than the highest possible outcome can lead to better results in business, politics, and personal endeavors. By setting a finite satisfaction threshold above average but not too high, individuals can strike a balance between being ambitious and avoiding disappointment.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers links volcanic activity in the Andes to a cooling of the Earth between 5.4 and 7 million years ago. The increased nutrients from volcanic ash stimulated an increase in marine life, leading to a drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Lauren Kim's research has made it possible to characterize surface local chemical ordering of high-entropy alloys, a class of materials with great potential in modern engineering and energy applications. This breakthrough could lead to exciting advances in controlling the properties of alloys to yield custom materials with superior str...
The Monte Verde archaeological site in southern Chile is now believed to be 4,200-8,200 years old, rather than 14,500 years old as previously thought. This new age estimate supports an initial interior migration into continental North America as a viable colonization hypothesis.
A study by McKenna Litynski reveals that ancient needles and awls enabled humans to survive in cold climates through tailored leather clothing and provided a range of purposes beyond clothing production. The research, published in PLOS ONE, shows that needles and awls were widely used for medical suturing, fishing, tattooing, and cerem...
Research led by University of Wyoming scientists identifies a potential new subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse in south-central Wyoming. The population found in southern Carbon County and northwest Colorado is not Columbian or plains sharp-tailed grouse, but rather potentially a distinct subspecies isolated for years.
Archaeologists have discovered that early North Americans made needles from the bones of fur-bearers, including foxes, hares, and cats, which were likely used to create garments for warmth. The findings provide strong evidence for tailored garment production using bone needles and fur-bearing animal pelts.
A recent study led by University of Wyoming scientists found that managing free-roaming horses within the Bureau of Land Management's maximum appropriate management levels would benefit sage grouse populations. Grazing by wild horses can reduce shrub density, vegetation cover, and abundance of key forbs used by sage grouse.
A recent study found that tree species can sustain life in temperatures higher or lower than where they are currently growing. The research revealed that trees have overlapping potential niches that extend beyond their realized niches, allowing them to expand their ranges. This new understanding challenges current methods for predictin...
Researchers estimate the expected outcomes in long-term expenses as those hydrogen production pathways evolve. The study concludes that experience from deploying blue hydrogen projects will help lower future costs, while extended tax incentives for carbon sequestration can significantly reduce costs further.
Researchers developed a device controlling tiny magnetic states in ultrathin magnets using tunneling currents, enabling probabilistic computing. This breakthrough could lead to advanced memory devices and entirely new types of computers solving complex problems efficiently.
Despite rising temperatures in the region, Yellowstone Lake's ice cover has not changed over the past century, according to new research. Increased snowfall has acted as a buffer against warmer weather, delaying ice break-up and protecting the lake's unique ice phenology.
Research shows that long-term declines in pronghorn productivity are associated with increased oil and gas development and woody encroachment. Manual removal of trees and controlled burning could help protect iconic rangeland species like pronghorn.
Researchers have discovered that introducing tardigrade proteins into human cells can slow down molecular processes, making them potential candidates for slowing the aging process. This new study provides evidence that these proteins can be used to induce biostasis in cells, enhancing storage and stability.
A study by researchers at the University of Wyoming and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that migrating animals refine their behavior with age, suggesting experiential learning plays a crucial role in successful migration. As young birds explore new places during migration, they gradually adopt more direct routes, resultin...
Researchers discovered a 4,750-year-old circular plaza with monumental megalithic stones in northern Peru's Callacpuma archaeological site. The structure dates back to the Late Preceramic Period and is one of the earliest examples of such architecture in the Americas.
Researchers found that honey bees can fly in temperatures ranging from 77 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit without overheating, by lowering their wingbeat frequency and increasing stroke amplitude. This adaptation helps the bees conserve water and improve their heat tolerance.
A team of archaeologists led by University of Wyoming Professor Todd Surovell has discovered a 12,940-year-old bone bead made from hare bone at the La Prele Mammoth site in Converse County. The finding represents the first secure evidence for the use of hares during the Clovis period.
Research in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy reveals invasive big-headed ants have reduced lions' effectiveness at killing zebras. Lions now primarily target African buffalo instead, maintaining population stability.
Archaeologists have discovered that early human diets in the Andes Mountains were composed of 80 percent plant matter and 20 percent meat. This finding updates our understanding of earliest forager economies and the pathway to agricultural economies in the region.
A recent study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reveals that both conservatism and liberalism have unifying values such as tradition and inclusiveness, but also divisive vices like elitism and rebellion. These findings suggest that these ideologies are not mutually exclusive, but rather interconnected concepts.
Environmental regulators should use scientific experimentation to inform natural resource policy, according to an international group of economists. By conducting experiments and analyzing results, policymakers can create more effective programs and reduce uncertainty about what works and what doesn't.
University of Wyoming researchers found that trout in Wind River Mountains lakes have adapted to their environment, showing rapid evolution. The study reveals a change in gill rakers, likely related to food sources, and highlights the importance of eco-evolutionary interactions.
A nine-year experimental study found that mowing and herbicide application did not benefit sage grouse populations in central Wyoming. In fact, reducing Wyoming big sagebrush cover may negatively impact the birds' food sources and nesting sites.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers found that regular diagnostic testing and self-isolation can deliver higher net benefits than physical distancing strategies in combating infectious diseases. The study took into account the concept of superspreading, which made the testing-isolation approach even more effective.
Brackish groundwater has the potential to replace fresh water for cooling coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, but treatment can be energy intensive. The study found that retrofitting power plants to use brackish water could nearly eliminate fresh water usage, but increase electricity generation costs by 8-10%.
The US federal government's management of wild horses is flawed due to conflicting societal views, leading to unsustainable population growth. A clear definition of feral equids is needed to implement effective management plans that balance ecosystem health and fiscal responsibility.
Researchers have developed a method to stabilize human blood clotting Factor VIII in a dry state using tardigrade proteins, enabling access to critical medicine in austere conditions. This breakthrough could lead to life-saving treatments available worldwide without refrigeration.
Researchers have found that glaciers advanced three times over the past 1,500 years in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula, coinciding with evidence from other studies. The study uses radiocarbon dates from black mosses to constrain past glacier behavior and provides insights into climate history.
A study found that the decline of black-tailed prairie dogs due to sylvatic plague, combined with abnormally high precipitation, led to dramatic ecosystem changes. The loss of prairie dog habitat caused declines in associated species such as birds, swift foxes, and coyotes.
A new study suggests that frequent mandatory COVID-19 testing can lead to increased riskier behavior among participants, particularly women. Students who believed the testing reduced their risk of contracting the virus attended more indoor gatherings and frequented restaurants and bars.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming used NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission to collect high-resolution forest data, which improved their understanding of habitat relationships between forest carnivores and their prey species in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. The study paired GEDI data with other re...
A study published in Scientific Reports shows that individuals with extensive experience performing inverted movements, such as vertical dancing, can overcome the inversion effect in perceiving biological motion. This ability is crucial for survival and social interaction, but is impaired when movements are performed upside-down.
Tardigrades can survive drying, freezing, heat, and space due to their unique trehalose-protein combination. Researchers discovered that trehalose works synergistically with another tardigrade-specific protein called CAHS D.
A new study found that a rare Wyoming sagebrush species, Laramie chickensage, is primarily pollinated by bees. The research, led by University of Wyoming graduate student Madison Crawford, shows that 61% of viable seeds produced by the plants were from insect pollination.
Researchers compare fossilized leaves with modern plant material, finding marked increases in insect damage to plants; human activity, including climate change and urbanization, are suspected causes.
A 14-year study by the USGS and University of Wyoming found that energy development in mule deer corridors reduces their ability to match foraging with spring green-up. As a result, deer lose out on the best food resources during critical migration periods.
Researchers found that boldness, dominance, and obstinacy are key factors in problem-solving success for zebra finches. Over two years, consistent personality traits predicted innovation in novel foraging tasks, supporting the 'necessity drives innovation' hypothesis.
Researchers have discovered deep underground magma containing 8-20 weight percent water, far wetter than previously thought. This find sheds light on the role of water in explosive volcanic eruptions and the formation of economic ore deposits.
The Powars II site in eastern Wyoming has been confirmed as the oldest documented red ocher mine in North and South America, dating back nearly 13,000 years. The excavation uncovered thousands of Paleoindian artifacts, including projectile points and shell beads.
A recent study published in PLOS One suggests that humans arrived in the Americas by at least 14,200 years ago in Beringia and approximately 13,000 years ago in temperate latitudes. The researchers' findings are based on an analysis of buried archaeological deposits using a new statistic called the Apparent Stratigraphic Integrity Index.
A team of researchers found that animals with strong site fidelity, which is returning to the same places to eat, travel, and raise their young, may not survive or reproduce as well in changing landscapes. This can lead to population declines, especially in species like mule deer affected by human development.
Research found mixed effects of hunting regulations on sage grouse populations, with some areas experiencing increased growth rates after discontinuing harvest. State wildlife agencies have adjusted hunting seasons to conserve the species, but more work is needed to understand patterns and focus conservation efforts.
Scientists discovered that recurrent neural networks (RNNs) play a crucial role in the frontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, expressive language, and voluntary movement. The research also found that RNNs are more complex than previously thought, with a unidirectional structure.
Computer modeling suggests giant blobs of subducted sediment floated up through deep Earth, forming enormous diapirs. These rocks are now found in places like the Mojave Desert and western Arizona.
A recent study by University of Wyoming economists suggests that public health messages focusing on the personal health benefits of COVID-19 vaccines are most effective in increasing vaccination intentions. The researchers found that such messages increased intended vaccinations by 16 percentage points, significantly more than other ty...
Research reveals that smaller-bodied ruminants prioritize high-energy intake by foraging at optimal vegetation maturity, while equids focus on areas near surface water. This study challenges the 'forage maturation hypothesis,' suggesting ungulate species adapt to their body size and digestive systems to optimize resource utilization.
Researchers found that elephants' personality traits, such as aggressiveness and activity, were important predictors of problem-solving success. However, the personality traits measured did not significantly predict learning ability. The study used a comprehensive approach to assess elephant personalities and solve novel problems.