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The early bird may just get the worm

A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCurrent Research in Behavioral Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 4, 2022

UK waters are home again to the bluefin tuna

Atlantic bluefin tuna numbers appear to be increasing in UK waters after a long period of decline. Researchers have documented this growth using data from citizen scientists, eco-tourism vessels, and fisheries records, revealing that these fish arrive in May and stay until January, with peak sightings between August and October each year.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateApr 19, 2021

Which factors trigger leaf die-off in autumn?

Researchers at ETH Zurich identified a self-regulating mechanism that limits the productive period of trees, leading to earlier leaf fall. Global warming previously expected to delay senescence, but photosynthesis in spring and summer actually accelerates it.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateNov 26, 2020

Nature is widely adapted to current climate -- making it harder to adjust to a new one

Researchers analyzed a massive dataset of seasonal events across the former Soviet Union and found that species' activities fail to keep up with their cues due to past evolution. Local adaptation patterns result in a massive imprint on nature's calendar, making geographic variation in seasonal timing more pronounced in spring and less ...

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2020

Season of birth may be linked to risk of heart death

A large US study found that women born in the spring and summer had a slight but significant increase in cardiovascular death compared to those born in autumn. The researchers suggest that seasonal fluctuations in diet, air pollution levels, and sunlight may contribute to these differences.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 18, 2019

Monarch butterflies bred in captivity may lose the ability to migrate, study finds

A new study by scientists at the University of Chicago found that commercially bred monarch butterflies do not fly southward even in offspring raised outdoors. This suggests that captive breeding disrupts the monarch's migratory behavior and genetic differences between captive and wild populations may be to blame.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2019

Men sometimes act less interested in sex -- in order to get it

A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that men tend to act less interested in sex when they want it, whereas women initially show less interest but can become more engaged if the man is attractive. The researchers suggest that this 'tactical game' allows individuals to assess each other's quality withou...

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEvolutionary Behavioral Sciences·DateApr 12, 2019

How will the winds of climate change affect migratory birds?

A new study from Cornell University suggests that climate change could have both positive and negative impacts on migratory birds. The research estimates how wind assistance is expected to change during this century under global climate change, with stronger winds from the south expected in spring and fall migration periods.

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 10, 2018

More people miss NHS appointments when the clocks go forward

Research finds that people are 5% more likely to miss NHS hospital outpatient appointments following the clock change in spring. The study, published in Chronobiology International, analyzed over 2 million appointments in Scotland from 2005 to 2010, revealing a significant increase in missed appointments after the clocks go forward.

SourceLancaster University·JournalChronobiology International·DateMar 23, 2018

How migratory birds respond to balmier autumns?

A study on songbird migrants reveals that temperature plays a crucial role in their migratory decisions, as milder autumns trigger restlessness and delay migration. The results have significant implications for the future of bird migration, highlighting the potential impact of changing environmental conditions.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalAnimal Migration·DateFeb 22, 2017

Prehistoric caribou hunting structure discovered beneath Lake Huron

A 9,000-year-old caribou hunting drive lane has been found beneath Lake Huron, revealing distinct seasonal approaches used by Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic caribou hunters. The complex structure, known as Drop 45 Drive Lane, features stone lanes and blinds that suggest a larger cooperating group of individuals was involved in the hunt.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2014

Southern Hemisphere becoming drier

Research by CSIRO scientists reveals a southward shift in the subtropical dry-zone is driving autumn rainfall decline across south-eastern Australia. The expansion also affects southern-coastal Chile and southern Africa, with some regions experiencing increased rainfall during April-May.

Migratory moths profit from their journey

A new study reveals that migratory insects, such as the Silver Y moth, can survive and thrive in Northern Europe during the summer, thanks to abundant food supplies. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about insect migration and highlights the importance of monitoring these species for pest control and ecosystem balance.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2012

New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a novel antimicrobial catheter that can kill most urinary bacteria, including Proteus bacteria, for up to twelve weeks. This innovation has significant advantages over existing solutions, offering a solution to recurrent infections in long-term catheter users.

Cold winters caused by warmer summers, research suggests

A new study found that warmer temperatures in the autumn can lead to colder winters due to increased snowfall at lower latitudes. The researchers observed strong warming in the Arctic during July-September and its impact on precipitation over Eurasia, resulting in an increase in average snow coverage.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 12, 2012

Crowd-sourcing the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak

Crowd-sourcing efforts identified key disease-causing genes in the E. coli O104:H4 strain, which carries a high number of genes involved in disease. The outbreak, affecting over 16 countries, has been linked to contaminated beansprouts and resulted in thousands of cases and multiple deaths.

MRSA infection shown to be seasonal

A new study from Rhode Island Hospital found a significant increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections during the summer and autumn months, particularly among pediatric patients. The researchers attribute this seasonal variation to high temperatures and humidity promoting microbial growth on the skin.

SourceLifespan·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 24, 2011

Older survivors of mechanical ventilation can expect significant disability

Patients over 65 who survive hospitalization with mechanical ventilation are more likely to suffer from long-term disabilities compared to those without ventilation. Researchers found that these patients experience greater mobility difficulties and activities of daily living (ADL) disability, even when their pre-hospitalization disabil...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 8, 2010