Articles tagged with Population Dynamics
A new UBC study finds that southern resident killer whales have been in an energy deficit for six of the last 40 years, with three recent years (2018-2020) being particularly dire. The researchers attribute this decline to lower Chinook salmon abundance and size, which are the primary food source for these whales.
Scientists analyzed over 30% of populations in an ecological database and found evidence of chaotic dynamics, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that intrinsic limits exist to ecological forecasting and caution against equilibrium-based approaches for conservation and management, particularly for short-lived species.
A new study by Bocconi University researchers found that Google searches are an effective tool to track and predict domestic violence, especially in crisis situations. The study analyzed keywords related to domestic violence and found a positive correlation with calls to the Italian helpline and emergency number.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
Life expectancy increased more for Black populations, but significant disparities remain between groups. API and Latino populations had the highest life expectancy, while AIAN populations faced alarming trends.
Researchers found that flower shape is a key predictor of parasite transmission to bees, with wider, shorter flowers increasing the risk. The study suggests that identifying floral traits and species associated with lower parasite transmission rates could help create pollinator habitats with reduced disease risk.
Research from the University of Georgia shows that monarch populations have remained relatively stable over the past 25 years due to summer breeding growth. The study suggests that population growth during the summer compensates for losses due to migration, winter weather, and environmental factors.
A new study examines mathematical models designed to draw inferences about how evolution operates at the level of populations of organisms. The researchers conclude that such models must be constructed with care, avoiding unwarranted initial assumptions and weighing existing knowledge.
A study by TUM researchers found that warmth-loving insect species increased in population trends, while cold-adapted species declined. This is partly due to improvements in water quality benefiting dragonflies, which depend on aquatic habitats.
Researchers have found that stars in distant galaxies are typically more massive than those in the Milky Way, changing our understanding of astronomical phenomena like black holes, supernovae, and galaxy death. This discovery may also explain why galaxies die and stop forming new stars.
A new report from the InterAcademy Partnership highlights the severe impacts of climate change on human health, including increased risk of heat-related illnesses and food insecurity. The report calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen disease surveillance systems to mitigate these effects.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggests that eliminating air pollution emissions from energy-related activities in the United States would prevent over 50,000 premature deaths each year. The study also found that this action could provide more than $600 billion in benefits annually from avoided illness and d...
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that climate change is causing the pine beauty moth to shift its range northward 50 years ahead of earlier predictions. The larvae feed on pine needles, and their population size is linked to warmer temperatures and forest health decline.
A study of historical tiger shark jaws reveals a local southeastern Australian population has been extirpated due to shark control programs, emphasizing the need for regional management and conservation. Genetic diversity drives future evolution, and its loss can lead to reduced adaptability to environmental changes.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that unvaccinated individuals pose a significant risk to vaccinated people, even when vaccination rates are high. The research suggests that mixing between unvaccinated and vaccinated populations can lead to substantial new infections among the vaccinated.
Research reveals high rates of parasitic worm infections in ancient British populations, particularly during the Roman and Medieval periods. The study sheds light on the lives and habits of past populations, providing insights into public health measures.
Researchers found that favorable local climate change led to chronic warfare in ancient Peru, as neighboring regions experienced droughts and migrants put pressure on the agricultural economy. The study suggests that climate change can harm all populations, either directly or indirectly, through destabilization and refugee crises.
Researchers identified rural Georgia counties with high mortality rates from breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. These hotspots were concentrated in the eastern Piedmont to southern Coastal Plain regions, as well as southwestern and northern rural areas.
The American marten study found that monitoring the species has an 'umbrella effect' on 11 other mammals, detecting population declines. However, habitat loss and climate change threaten the marten's survival. The researchers developed a monitoring protocol for the winter season to detect protected species.
Researchers are combining optogenetics and fMRI to study the links between brain activity and behavior. This hybrid approach allows for targeted manipulation and monitoring of brain function in awake and behaving rodents, providing valuable insights into neural mechanisms.
A study reveals that red fox populations in Western Europe became larger than before the rabies vaccination campaign, only to decline since the 2000s. Higher numbers of foxes supported the outbreak of other diseases, while their impacts were limited.
A new study reveals that American Indian communities are less likely to benefit from recent downward trends in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the US. Average PM2.5 concentrations were higher in AI-populated counties compared to non-AI populated counties by 2018, contrary to previous declines.
Researchers from OIST found that Escherichia coli bacteria form lanes of genetically similar individuals when constrained to a channel, aligning parallel to the barriers. The study, published in PNAS, used microfluidic platforms and simulations to observe population dynamics over several generations.
A new analysis from Emory University reveals a significant increase in the parasitism rate of monarch butterflies over 50 years, with the O.E. parasite infecting up to 10% of eastern monarch populations. The rise in infection rates may endanger the mass migration of monarchs, threatening their survival.
A study reveals that new bird species arise in lowland habitats before moving higher into mountainous areas, where genetic differences accumulate. The research suggests that climate fluctuations, particularly during the Pleistocene era, contributed to the evolution of these high-altitude populations.
Researchers found that hunter-gatherer groups in southwest Ethiopia have a distinct genetic profile and are related to ancestors who lived 4,500 years ago. The study suggests that the transition to agriculture is more complex than previously thought, with varying responses from different groups.
A study found that lithium mining and climate change have caused a 10-12% decline in two species of flamingos in the Salar de Atacama lake. The birds can move to other lakes, but as demand for lithium increases, their habitats may be further threatened.
A landmark study published in JAMA reveals that hurricanes and tropical cyclones in the US are associated with increased deaths from various causes, including injuries, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. The study analyzed 33.6 million death records and found a significant increase in mortality rates after tropical cyc...
New research suggests that slow degradation of recreational fisheries is common due to changes in technology, infrastructure, and angler attitudes. Anglers and managers can stabilize and improve fisheries by embracing challenges, reducing fishing mortality, supporting monitoring funding, and managing high catch rates.
A study published in Ibis used machine learning to predict population trends of 801 bird species worldwide, estimating nearly half are declining. Fragmented populations, particularly non-migratory birds in tropical forests, were found to be the top predictor of population declines globally.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University used a new network model to simulate the spread of COVID-19 variants. The study found that a non-linear dependence between variant infectivity and existing strain exists, leading to a more nuanced understanding of disease dynamics.
Researchers found that kitchen sponges provide an optimal environment for microbial diversity by mimicking the separation and communal spaces found in healthy soil. This complex structure supports both solitary and diverse bacterial communities, leading to higher biodiversity levels.
Researchers found that epigenetic inheritance can affect the genetic composition of a population for multiple generations. Exposure to high temperatures accelerated the rate of evolution, increasing the spread of genes through mating.
A meta-analysis of 33 interventions targeting STI/HIV risk reduction found that including pleasure can improve knowledge and attitudes around sex, as well as condom use. The review suggests revisiting sexual education approaches that acknowledge the pleasurable aspects of human experience.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that birds with bigger brains relative to their bodies reduced their body size by only about one-third compared to smaller-brained birds. This suggests that cognitive power may play a role in helping certain species adapt to climate change.
A new study by the University of Southampton finds that skilled overseas workers with families face a higher risk of poverty than UK workers and their net incomes are lower under the UK's points-based immigration system. The researchers warn that this could make the UK less attractive for overseas workers who could fill skills gaps.
A new study found that pollutants can be transmitted over many generations in water fleas, persisting long enough to influence the evolutionary process. The effects of low doses of pollutants were detected even after switching to clean water, indicating stable epigenetic marks passed down through generations.
A new study reveals that climate had a significant influence on diet in the Central Andes between 400 and 7,000 years ago. The researchers found that population size had little impact on dietary variation, except during the Late Horizon (~480-418 yBP), when diets became more similar due to the Inca Empire's centralized power.
A nationwide study is exploring how genomic ancestry, genomic variation, and environmental variation interact to produce traits important for forest tree fitness. Researchers are using whole-genome sequencing data with large-scale networks of replicated common garden experiments.
A massive new dataset highlights the effects of human disturbances and pollution on contemporary evolution, with pollution driving the most rapid rate of phenotypic change. The study confirms that harvesting and invasive species also have significant impacts, while climate change alters traditional notions of a natural habitat.
Lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest are at risk of extinction due to population isolation and habitat fragmentation. The species' survival is threatened by hunting, highways, and lack of gene flow, with only a few viable populations remaining.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning from eating contaminated carcasses has reduced bald eagle population growth by 4-6% annually in the Northeast. The researchers emphasize the need for hunters to choose copper-based ammunition to mitigate this issue, which could impact other species as well.
Mathematical modeling can assess toxicants' impact on river populations without endangering the environment. A new model developed by Peng Zhou and Qihua Huang describes the interactions between a population and a toxicant in an advective environment.
A new chapter explores how bringing arts to STEM fields can help students explore their interests and understand representation in children's literature. The exercise, which paired picture book creation with first-year writing lessons, led to changes in students' views on diversity and inclusion.
A new study reveals that Indigenous communities in Canada are more vulnerable to flood-related hardship due to pre-existing socioeconomic factors. The research highlights the importance of considering social vulnerability when assessing flood risk in these communities.
Researchers are part of a five-year global study examining the behavioral and long-term health impacts of different regulatory approaches to e-cigarettes and other new nicotine products among youth and adults in seven countries. The study aims to inform US public policy based on evidence, maximizing population health.
A new epidemiological model, the stochastic social activity (SSA) model, combines real-world observations with mathematical equations to accurately describe COVID-19 wave and plateau dynamics. The model suggests that COVID-19 may become endemic in the global population, like the common cold or flu.
A new study by Ritsumeikan University reveals that whole-body dynamic balance training increases brain connectivity and improves motor learning. The research found significant changes in brain activity associated with offline learning, opening up new avenues for studying neural networks during natural tasks.
A new study analyzing ancient Iberian genomes uncovers genetic shifts and social transformations during the Copper Age to Bronze Age transition. The data suggests that incoming steppe-related ancestry mixed with local Iberian Chalcolithic ancestry, but the paternally inherited Y chromosome lineages show a complete turnover.
In a large commercially insured population, overall outpatient care usage didn't change significantly despite increased telemedicine use. Telemedicine appeared to substitute for in-person visits, suggesting its potential as a convenient alternative.
Researchers analyzed the genome of 300 individuals from 15 Mexican ethnic groups to understand their evolutionary histories and adaptability to global changes. The study found that Native Mexican peoples have biological characteristics influenced by their complex history, including susceptibility to certain diseases.
A study of 5,000 simulated undergraduates found that weekly surveillance testing was associated with a substantial reduction in infections. Even at low vaccine effectiveness rates, quarantine protocols were effective in reducing infections by up to 93.6%.
Researchers found that considering recidivism-free time can contribute to improved risk prediction and accurately predict recidivism among parolees. Annual assessments of parolee risk are more accurate than single pre-release risk scores, the study suggests.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis uncovered why hybridization among brown anoles is rare in their native range but common in new geographic territories. The study highlights the importance of environmental degradation in facilitating hybridization, which can contribute to biodiversity declines.
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.
West Virginia University researchers aim to create better connections with underserved populations to the blue economy, which defines sustainable use of ocean resources. They will analyze data and explore ways to package it in a way that encourages these traditionally underserved groups to utilize the blue economy.
A study by Brazilian researchers warns of extreme heat risks in northern Brazil due to savannization and climate change, posing a threat to human health and productivity. Approximately 12 million people may be exposed to extreme risk of heat stress by 2100, with severe economic implications.
Researchers found that great tits nesting near healthy oak trees advance their egg-laying timing more than those near unhealthy oaks. The variation in timing is linked to the health of nearby oak trees and reveals patterns masked by population-wide studies.
A new study reveals that male giraffes have higher social connectedness than females, with males forming more acquaintances and older males having shorter social paths. This complexity could impact conservation efforts for endangered giraffes.