The 2020 fire season marked a turning point in the history of high-elevation forests in the Rocky Mountains. Researchers found that fires are now burning nearly twice as much area on average compared to the last 2,000 years. This increased frequency and severity pose significant risks for forest resilience and regeneration.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution reveals that root traits can explain plant species distributions across the planet, challenging the nature of ecological trade-offs. The research found that thick and dense roots are more common in warm climates, while thin and low-density roots are more common in cold climates.
A team of researchers identified an unusual belt of igneous rocks stretching over 2,000 miles from Canada to Mexico, defying expectations of volcanic activity. The rock formation, dated to 80-50 million years ago, originated deep underground and lacks evidence of volcanoes.
A five-year study reveals that only deer migrating long distances and matching peak green-up timing successfully synchronize birth with forage availability. Conversely, shorter-distance migrants gave birth earlier, out of sync with green-up.
A recent discovery in Potocani, Croatia, has revealed the oldest documented site of an indiscriminate mass killing, dating back 6,200 years. The DNA analysis indicates systematic violence and execution-style killings of 41 individuals from an early pastoralist community.
Political polarization affects consumer welfare by influencing financial decisions, relationships are hindered by polarization, and health suffers due to social isolation. Societal interests also suffer as individuals prioritize their party affiliation over evidence-based decision-making.
Research reveals that abusive bosses may 'fake nice' after outbursts instead of making genuine amends, reinforcing the cycle of abuse. Bosses focus on superficial steps to repair their images, rather than genuinely repairing damage.
A University of Wyoming research team has resolved the controversy over the energy gap of chromium tribromide, a van der Waals material, revealing an energy gap value of around 0.3 electron volts. The study uses scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to measure atomic resolution images and electronic properties.
A study by the University of Wyoming reveals that climate and erosion rates significantly impact the relative importance of physical and chemical weathering in rock breakdown. Anisovolumetric weathering, a previously underrecognized process, is now recognized as a common occurrence, influenced by environmental conditions.
A study published in Nature Communications found that wildfire smoke is more cooling than current models assume. The research team used observations from around the world and compared them to climate model results, revealing a significant difference.
A study found that nonnative birds in Oahu, Hawaii, dominate seed dispersal networks, with most seeds coming from nonnative plants. This shift has significant implications for the island's ecosystems and biodiversity.
University of Wyoming researchers have successfully converted raw coal powder into nano-graphite using a one-step metal-assisted microwave treatment method. This method has the potential to provide an alternative source of high-value materials, reducing environmental concerns and ecological impact.
Researchers found that the nucleus accumbens recruited by cocaine use are largely distinct from those recruited by sucrose, offering a potential solution for treating substance use disorders without affecting biologically adaptive seeking of reward. The study identified specific neuronal ensembles and cell types involved in each response.
A study led by University of Wyoming researcher Dulcinea Groff found that seabird populations in the South Atlantic are shifting their habitats due to climate change, with many species moving to new breeding grounds. The research also highlights the importance of nutrients from seabird guano for maintaining tussac grasslands.
A cross-continental team of researchers found that deer migration patterns are influenced by the progression of springtime plant growth, with slow and long green-ups correlating to resident strategies. The study suggests that conservation efforts should be tailored to local patterns of forage availability.
Researchers studying Western bumblebee decline identify multiple factors contributing to the species' decline. The study provides critical information on the species' range, gaps in knowledge, and conservation strategies.
A new University of Wyoming study reveals that drought reduces the availability of key food resources by shortening the duration of spring green-up, altering the progression of the "green wave" across the landscape. As a result, the benefits of migration for mule deer and other migratory herbivores are likely to decrease.
A new study found that mule deer migrations are limited when surface disturbance exceeds 3 percent, but can continue through areas with lower disturbance. Researchers hope to expand this work to understand how migratory animals respond to disturbed landscapes.
Researchers found high gene flow among herds with shared translocation sources, and distinct population clusters aligning with current management units. Despite historical losses and translocations, bighorn sheep maintained a unique genetic structure in Wyoming.
A study found that great gray owl populations in California and Oregon have lower genetic diversity due to range discontinuity, leaving them susceptible to diseases and environmental stressors. The researchers propose that conservation efforts may be necessary to protect these vulnerable populations.
A study published in the Journal of Mammalogy found that Wyoming pronghorn exhibit high levels of genetic connectivity across the state, contradicting previous research suggesting barriers to gene flow. The researchers suggest periodic monitoring of genetic structure and diversity as part of management strategies.
Researchers surveyed US citizens before and after the 2014 Ebola outbreak, finding relative complacency regarding pandemic threats. Their study suggests policymakers should not rely on public perception when it comes to disease threats.
A new study found that households with children emit over 25% more carbon dioxide than childless households. Parents' concerns about the environment do not translate to a reduction in carbon footprint, but rather increased transportation and food consumption. This disparity is likely due to time constraints and the need for convenience.
University of Wyoming economists find that aggressive social distancing policies are economically justified as lives saved substantially outweigh projected losses. The analysis suggests the benefits of social distancing will outweigh economic costs by $5.2 trillion.
University of Wyoming researchers contributed to the first quantifiable observation of cloud seeding using radar and gauges, which demonstrated significant snowfall increase in a western U.S. region. The study, dubbed SNOWIE, used modern technology to track seeding plumes and isolate snow added through cloud seeding.
Researchers found that geomorphic reclamation, a novel approach mimicking nearby undisturbed lands, outperforms traditional practices in restoring plant diversity and wildlife habitat. The study suggests that this method may be a practical solution for landscape-level restoration in post-mining sites.
Research suggests that southern Arizona was a high-elevation plateau with elevations over 10,000 feet, similar to Tibet, due to its thick Earth's crust. The study provides insight into mountain formation and distribution of natural resources like copper.
A recent study found that people who pray before donating tend to give less than they would have otherwise. However, simply thinking about the victims had no significant effect on donation levels. The research suggests that prayers can act as a substitute for material help in some contexts.
Bison in Yellowstone engineer the range to their benefit by manipulating the landscape through grazing, affecting plant growth patterns. This allows them to maintain high-quality diets despite not following the broader pattern of spring green-up.
Researchers found that planning self-control strategies in advance is more effective than responding to temptation. The first four strategies - situation selection, modification, distraction, and reappraisal - were generally more effective than response inhibition.
A team at the University of Wyoming has successfully used the spin Seebeck effect to detect light across a broad optical range. This breakthrough technology has implications for novel spin current-based devices, which could transmit energy and information without significant loss.
A team of researchers led by Ben Wilkowski analyzed goal-related words used by English speakers to categorize human goals. They identified four components: prominence (social status), inclusiveness (acceptance of diversity), negativity prevention (avoiding negative outcomes), and tradition (upholding cultural institutions).
Researchers at the University of Wyoming have developed an automated system to align single-wall carbon nanotubes, producing higher alignment and precise control over filtration flow rate. This breakthrough enables various tech applications, including electronics and optics.
Research found that offspring of obese rat mothers showed impaired mitochondrial function, leading to early signs of diabetes and increased susceptibility to heart disease. Exercise improved these outcomes, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit.
Researchers discovered that rock expansion, rather than chemical decomposition, is the primary cause of subsurface porosity in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This finding has significant implications for water resource management in the US, as saprolite can store large volumes of water and maintain forest health during droughts.
The University of Wyoming has received a $15.8 million NSF grant to modify and certify its new King Air research aircraft, as well as develop new instrumentation for atmospheric remote sensing. The grant will enable the aircraft to support high-end research in areas such as air quality, wildfires, and severe storms.
A study by University of Wyoming economists found that Christian hurricane victims value prayers from religious strangers, while atheists and agnostics believe they are worse off. The research suggests that thoughts and prayers should be employed selectively to maximize their impact on recipient welfare.
Researchers found that memory plays a crucial role in guiding mule deer migrations, with past migration routes and seasonal ranges having a significant influence on their choice of path. This cognitive map helps animals navigate tens to hundreds of miles between seasonal ranges.
A study by University of Wyoming scientists found that energy development leads to a significant loss of deer forage due to human disturbance, with indirect losses exceeding direct habitat loss. Deer favor areas with high sagebrush growth but avoid areas near oil and gas infrastructure, resulting in a 10.5% decrease in forage use.
Scientists found that ice on Greenland's ice sheet slides across hard bedrock at high speeds, moving more ice than previously thought to the ocean. This discovery suggests the ice sheet can efficiently respond to climate change and potentially increase melting.
Research reveals sagebrush's response to 2017 solar eclipse showed significant reductions in photosynthesis and transpiration. The study also found that the circadian rhythm was interrupted by sudden changes in sunlight, triggering a response beyond what happens when clouds block sunlight.
Research shows that warming climate alters microbial diversity in alpine streams, with colder streams having less diversity than warmer ones. Icy seeps, insulated by rock glaciers, offer hope as they are less susceptible to climate change and may support cold-adapted species.
Research by Caroline Ng'weno and colleagues suggests that strategic placement of cattle corrals can create glades that attract zebras, reducing encounters between lions and hartebeest. This approach could lead to an increase in hartebeest populations, while lions focus on their primary prey.
Researchers found that introduced bird species on Oahu are selecting certain non-native plants to interact with, similar to native-dominated ecosystems globally. This suggests that these novel communities can be as stable as native ones, despite being composed of invasive species. However, the study highlights the importance of caution...
Researchers question the predictability of ecosystem changes when apex predators are reintroduced, citing climate change and invasive species as complicating factors. The study's findings have big implications for wildlife conservation in places like Yellowstone National Park.
A team of researchers developed a computer model called NarcoLogic to assess cocaine interception scenarios and predict how drug smugglers react. The model demonstrated that narcotics trafficking is widespread and difficult to eradicate due to law enforcement intervention.
A new study reveals that arctic warming contributes to drought in mid-latitude regions by reducing precipitation and weakening wind patterns. Researchers analyzed geological evidence from lakes and glaciers to estimate past dry conditions, finding that Wyoming experienced several thousand years of drought-like periods.
The introduction of lake trout in Yellowstone Lake has altered the numbers, diet, and behavior of organisms from microscopic zooplankton to large animals such as bears and bald eagles. The study found that the impact of lake trout on native cutthroat trout has cascaded across the ecosystem.
New research from University of Wyoming scientists found that hungry moose are less likely to change their behavior to avoid wolves as winter progresses. Moose movements increased in early winter following encounters with wolves, but only when wolves were within a specific distance.
A recent study by University of Wyoming researcher Bryan Shuman found connections between Atlantic Ocean changes, centuries-long droughts, and forest transformations over the past 8,000 years. The study's predictability framework helps anticipate future climate-driven weather and ecosystem shifts.