Articles tagged with Deserts
Research reveals that desert bighorn sheep have begun crossing Interstate 40, potentially increasing genetic diversity among populations but also risking disease transmission. The ability to cross may be attributed to individual animals discovering a new route.
Research found that geckos can survive and even thrive in the hottest years, despite high temperatures and drought. They prefer hiding places with a temperature range of 30-35 degrees Celsius to digest their food properly.
Researchers recover intact human mitochondrial DNA from common type of plant-based artifact, providing insights into the genetic ancestry of Native Americans in the Desert Southwest. The study also sheds light on the Numic Spread event, a contentious debate among scientists.
Researchers found that desert ants look back precisely at the nest entrance while performing pirouetting motions, suggesting they use the magnetic field as an orientation cue. The ants' ability to integrate this information with other navigational cues like the sun and landmarks is still unknown.
Researchers at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics successfully predicted terrestrial water storage beyond 2-5 years in semiarid regions using a set of global land model ensemble simulations. The study improves near-term climate change projection and water resource management by incorporating low-frequency climate information.
The Sahara Desert has expanded by about 10 percent since 1920 due to a combination of human-caused climate change and natural climate cycles. The expansion is linked to increased greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, posing devastating effects on African people who depend on agriculture-based economies.
A new UMD study reveals the Sahara Desert has expanded by 10% since 1920, primarily driven by human-caused climate change. The research also suggests other deserts may be expanding, posing significant implications for global food security and ecosystems.
Researchers at MIT have developed a device that can extract potable water from even the driest of desert air, with relative humidities as low as 10 percent. The system uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and can be powered solely by sunlight.
Researchers from University of Texas at El Paso discover that high desert winds disperse small invertebrates and colonize hydrologically disconnected basins. The findings have large implications for understanding the wind-aided dispersal of freshwater organisms, which are crucial to the food web.
New research from the University of Washington reveals that glaciers in extreme climates can behave differently than expected. In some cases, glaciers in dry environments grew after the last ice age ended, while others shrunk due to intense cold and dry conditions.
This study characterizes the monofloral honey of Zygophyllum album L from El-Oued, Algeria, revealing high acidity, conductivity, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant activity. The results suggest this dark honey has potential therapeutic properties and warrants further investigation.
Researchers have discovered an active microbial community in the Atacama Desert's most arid zones, which becomes metabolically active following periodic moisture increases. The findings have implications for the search for life on Mars, suggesting that past conditions may have supported life that could endure hyper-arid environments.
Researchers found evidence of microbial life in the hyperarid Atacama Desert through metagenomics and DNA analysis. The discovery suggests that similar microbes may exist on Mars, adapting to dry conditions.
Researchers have discovered that specialized bacteria can live in the soil of the Atacama Desert, going dormant for decades without water before reactivating and reproducing when it rains. This finding suggests that life could be lurking on Mars, where similar conditions exist.
Researchers have discovered an ancient irrigation system in northwestern China that allowed farming communities to cultivate crops in one of the world's driest desert climates. The system, built around 3rd or 4th century A.D., used check dams, irrigation canals, and cisterns to feed small farm fields and support livestock production.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that a new supermarket in a low-income neighborhood can improve residents' economic well-being and health. Researchers surveyed 831 residents and reported improvements in economic benchmarks, such as reduced food insecurity and lower rates of high cholesterol.
The project investigates the camel's ability to conserve water in a desert environment, using a molecular dialogue between the brain and kidney. By analyzing the camel's genome and gene expression, researchers aim to understand how animals adapt to deserts and climate change.
Tropical Cyclone Ockhi is battling increasing wind shear and dry air as it moves north, weakening the storm. The cyclone is expected to become a remnant low pressure area by Dec 6, near Gulf of Khambhat.
Researchers have found microorganisms in Atacama Desert soils that can potentially be used to create new treatments for HIV and combat antibiotic resistance. The discovery highlights the vast untapped resource of 'dark matter' microbes in extreme environments.
Research shows desert ants can evaluate cue reliability, using unambiguous cues like odors to navigate. This ability helps them compensate for accumulated path integration errors while searching for food.
Climate change poses a major threat to desert wildlife in central Australia, with feral animals such as cats and foxes exacerbating the issue. Removing introduced predators could boost rodent populations by nearly one in 10, according to new research from the University of Sydney.
Researchers at UC find that certain spadefoot toad species regulate hormone production to adapt to environmental changes, speeding up development and shortening larval periods. This process enables them to survive in warmer and drier climates.
A team of researchers from Osaka University has developed new methods for proliferating and breeding drought-resistant jojoba. These innovations enable the efficient production of high-quality clones and genetic transformations using agrobacterium, resulting in improved screening indices.
Research finds that individuals living in low-income neighborhoods with poor food access have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, regardless of their access to healthy food. Personal income is the most significant driver of this risk.
Climate change may alter desert locust distribution and behavior, potentially increasing agricultural threats in southern Africa. The study suggests maintaining existing monitoring capacities and reviewing prevention strategies to address changing environmental conditions.
Przewalski's horses have shifted their diet from desert shrubs and leaves in winter to herbaceous plants at all seasons, unlike their ancestors in the past. This change occurred after humans expelled them from steppe communities and forced them into near-desert habitats.
A recent study reveals that the Gobi Desert is a significant contributor to East Asian dust concentrations, with approximately 35% of its emissions transported to remote areas. In contrast, the Taklimakan Desert's dust particles are less likely to be transported due to its geographical location and wind patterns.
A new study shows that bipedal desert rodents use unpredictable movements to evade predators and gain a competitive edge. The jerboas' unique gait use, including hopping, skipping, and running, allows them to outmaneuver their quadrupedal neighbors.
New research documents a 192-year series of volcanic eruptions in Antarctica that coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These halogen-rich eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
Researchers matched microscopic quartz grains to their desert source using cathodeluminescence spectral analysis. This method revealed the heterogeneity in grains, shedding light on the pathways and effects of long-distance airborne dust.
A team of Polish astronomers identified a new class of variable dwarf stars with shorter oscillation periods and higher surface temperatures than known classes. The newly discovered BLAPs are hotter and more compact than previously thought, posing an enigma in the field of astronomy.
Researchers found that desert tortoises often overheat and die when encountering fencing meant to keep them safe from roads. The study suggests that designing and installing barrier fencing to minimize pacing and heat stress is crucial to prevent tortoise deaths.
Researchers found high sodium and selenium levels in soil and airborne particulate matter from the Salton Sea, posing negative ecological and health risks. The study highlights the need for monitoring and remediation efforts to mitigate dust emissions from the shrinking lake.
Researchers have discovered that the Sahara's dust supply fluctuated in millennial-scale phases during the decline of the African Humid Period. The study suggests that Saharan dust phases may reflect aridity at a trans-Saharan scale, with implications for vegetation cover and wildlife.
A researcher tracked Sahara mustard's spread through California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, finding it adapted to local conditions by shifting germination timing. The plant's rapid growth and self-fertilization enabled its successful invasion, but eradication may be possible with targeted efforts.
Air quality has deteriorated in Dunhuang due to increased human activities, shifting from dust aerosol alone to a mixture of coarse and fine particles. Seasonal characteristics show significant variations in aerosol optical properties, with dust aerosols dominating during spring and fine urban aerosols during summer.
The discovery provides insight into the society and copper production in the Timna region during the time of David and Solomon. The wool and linen pieces suggest a deeply hierarchical society dependent on long-distance trade to support its infrastructure.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that woodrats' livers are less efficient at breaking down toxins at higher temperatures, potentially affecting their diet and ecosystem. The reduction in liver function may be due to a tradeoff between thermoregulation and detoxification, leading to changes in gene expression and metabolism.
Researchers from Arizona State University have decoded the Mojave Desert tortoise's genome, which could aid in its survival by understanding genetic adaptations to disease and harsh environmental conditions. The study's findings may also inform conservation strategies to preserve this threatened species.
Reduced natural dust from the Gobi Desert leads to increased man-made pollution over eastern China due to reduced temperature differential between sea and land, resulting in weaker winds and air stagnation. This has a profound effect on climate and air quality, with cleaner air observed two to three days after wind-borne dust arrives.
Researchers discovered surface runoff in megadunes of Badain Jaran Desert, recharging lake water. This finding explains the source of lake water in the desert region.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that sociodemographic factors have a stronger association with unhealthy food consumption than the food shopping environment. Being younger, male, and lacking a college degree were linked to greater intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and discretionary fats.
New research suggests that Australia's desert region has huge potential for growth and development, particularly with investments in renewable energy, housing, and transport. The team aims to create a more livable and prosperous area for existing and new residents, in concert with the preferred lifestyles of Aboriginal peoples.
A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer is proposed, improving the accuracy of land surface radiation models by determining surface albedo and transpiration. The method reveals a relationship between direct and diffuse radiation, treating them separately in previous studies.
The Namib Desert relies heavily on groundwater and soil water to sustain its unique biodiversity, with non-ocean-derived fog accounting for over half of the total fog
Researchers found that ocean-derived fog accounted for more than half of total fog events in the Namib Desert. Soil water and groundwater-derived fog were also unexpected sources of moisture.
A new study finds that financial resources are the primary factor limiting diet choices in so-called 'food deserts', where residents often have to travel long distances and spend more time and money to shop at supermarkets. The study suggests that improving affordability is crucial to addressing public health concerns in these areas.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures in US deserts will put songbirds at greater risk of dehydration and mass die-offs. The study found that smaller species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration, with the lesser goldfinch facing a 25-day-per-year risk by the end of the century.
Researchers observed two bee species using green plastic to construct brood cells, a novel behavior that may reflect adaptive traits for survival. The study highlights the innovative nesting strategies employed by bees in response to environmental changes.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that cooperative breeding is driven by genetic bonds in family groups, rather than a survival strategy. Species with close familial ties are more likely to form cooperative groups and thrive in harsh environments.
Desert ants have an internal navigation system that allows them to measure distance by recording steps taken and orient themselves using the sun. In a lab experiment, researchers created a spherical treadmill for the ants to navigate on, showing high precision in their navigation skills.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified a Martian valley with evidence of recent flooding, indicating water may have been present near Mars' equator in the not-too-distant past. This finding makes this location a potential geological target for detecting past life forms on the Red Planet.
Small species of birds are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration in extreme heat, with the risk increasing four-fold by the end of this century. Conservation strategies are needed to conserve diverse plant and animal communities that supply shelter and water to desert birds amid future climate warming.
Scientists propose a theory that large-scale vegetation patterns in arid ecosystems result from local interactions among plants and animals, rather than a single cause. Insect nests create visible clues for territory boundaries, influencing vegetation patterns.
A new theory suggests that termite engineering and vegetation self-organisation jointly create the distinctive patterns, leading to a more nuanced understanding of ecosystem interactions. The findings provide insights into regular vegetation patterns observed globally.
Researchers found that livestock can have both detrimental and beneficial effects on rare wildlife, such as argali and wolves. While livestock reduces available pasturage for argali, it also serves as an alternative prey source for wolves, relieving predatory pressure. In contrast, herding dogs pose a threat to argali populations.
Researchers discovered nine new species of Perdita bees in the American Southwest, filling an important role in natural ecosystems. The 'ant-like' males have a unique form and may spend time in nests, while females collect pollen to nourish their young.
Scientists discovered remnants of freshwater plants and animals in the Atacama's salt flats, indicating the presence of lakes and wetlands between 9,000 and 25,000 years ago. The findings suggest an alternative path for early settlers through the desert, potentially providing homes and sustenance.
Researchers found that the Anthophora pueblo bees use water to excavate sandstone, creating durable shelters that protect them from erosion and parasite buildup. This unique adaptation allows the bees to survive in drought-prone desert ecosystems.
Children who live at least half a mile away from a grocery store have higher rates of asthma, with 21% vs. 17% for those closer to a store. Limited access to fresh produce increases asthma risk.