International research reveals that children will face a disproportionate increase in lifetime extreme event exposure due to climate change. The study, led by Prof. Wim Thiery of VUB, quantifies the impact of climate change on children born between 1960 and 2020, showing they will experience more heatwaves, droughts, crop failures, riv...
Researchers found that predators play a crucial role in regulating small mammal populations, contradicting previous assumptions about the importance of herbivore-plant interactions. The study's unique Arctic vole ecosystem provided a simple model to test predator-prey dynamics, shedding light on population cycles and climate variability.
Research by Binghamton University Assistant Professor Zeynep Ertem found that early social-distancing measures resulted in smaller initial death tolls, but led to larger second waves. The study suggests that different population characteristics, such as urban vs. rural areas, affect disease spread.
A new study reveals that climate change will affect Antarctic seals, such as crabeater and Weddell seals, in distinct ways. Crabeater seals are more vulnerable due to their specialized diet and breeding on unstable pack-ice, while Weddell seals are less affected.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst scientist suggests that rising social stress may contribute to the projected global population decline starting in 2064. Stress from social media and other social interactions may be leading to changes in reproductive behavior and physiology, resulting in decreased reproduction rates.
A national study shows that reducing US jail populations leads to community-wide public health benefits, as overcrowded facilities become 'infectious disease incubators' for COVID-19. Decarceration reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2, benefiting both those released and communities nationwide.
Researchers used flight efficiency estimates from museum specimens to predict bird dispersal distances, revealing that species with elongated wings can disperse farther. This study has applications in biodiversity conservation, as reduced flight capabilities may threaten bird populations.
A study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment reveals that ʻopihi age, growth, and longevity are influenced by the Hawaiian intertidal environment. The research team found that ʻopihi species grow rapidly, reaching maturity within 8-9 months, and can live up to 5 years old.
Researchers have helped fill gaps in the rhino evolutionary family tree by analyzing genomes of living and extinct species, finding that African and Eurasian lineages separated 16 million years ago and that low genetic diversity is a natural state for rhinoceroses, not a consequence of recent population declines
A review article published in the Endocrine Society's journal Endocrinology predicts a peak in population numbers in 2064 followed by a 50% drop by the end of the century. Stress from less quality social interactions is believed to suppress sperm count, ovulation, and sexual activity, contributing to declining reproduction rates.
A new study predicts that the population of San Nicolas Island foxes will remain at a low risk of extinction due to their isolated habitat and relatively dry environmental conditions. The researchers suggest strategies such as biosecurity, restoration of habitats, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict to increase the foxes' resilience...
A new study reveals that deforestation and population growth have greatly increased landslide risk in the Kivu Rift, leading to thousands of fatalities each year. The research, conducted over six decades, shows that smallholder agriculture and mining activities also contribute to landslides.
Researchers found a positive correlation between population pressure and higher levels of violence during the Middle Yayoi period in northern Kyushu, Japan. Despite peak population pressures in some regions, lower frequency-of-violence values were observed, suggesting other factors may have influenced violence levels.
Long-term simulations show that smart land management, such as organic farming and protected refuge areas, can help stabilize threatened bumblebee species. Climate change is expected to have the strongest total effect on bumblebees, threatening many species.
Researchers sequenced DNA from plant specimens collected nearly 50 years ago to analyze genetic diversity and its response to climate change. The study found that several species restricted to the Guadalupe Mountains had surprisingly high amounts of genetic diversity, which could help them adapt to changing conditions.
The July 2021 nTIDE report shows minor declines in employment-to-population ratios for people with disabilities, but strong labor force participation rates remain. Employment numbers for working-age individuals with and without disabilities also show slight changes, indicating a potential chilling effect from COVID-19 restrictions.
Researchers found a 40-meter fall in sea level increases eruption likelihood at Santorini and possibly other volcanoes worldwide. Climate change impacts volcanic activity, particularly as ice sheets retreat and global sea levels rise.
A new study from Oregon State University found that climate conditions significantly affect the reproductive success of mature female Antarctic krill. The researchers discovered a relationship between the condition of these females during spawning season and the proportion of juvenile krill in the population the following year.
The poor are unlikely to obey strict lockdowns due to lack of nutrition, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. African policymakers need to prioritize social and economic measures over stringent lockdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
A recent study led by Michigan State University ecologists reveals that changing climate has nearly seven times more significant impact on eastern monarch population decline than other contributors. The team analyzed data from over 18,000 surveys of monarchs in the midwestern US, central Mexico, and southern Canada between 1994 and 2018.
A new study suggests that Easter Island's demographic collapse did not occur, but rather experienced steady population growth until European contact. The researchers used Approximate Bayesian Computation to analyze radiocarbon dates and environmental changes, revealing that the islanders' resilience strategies were successful despite a...
Research reveals that Asian houbara birds use internal temperature cues to fine-tune their migration departure times, adapting to annual temperature variability without genetic changes. Temperature cues are more consistently used than other environmental factors like daylight length or wind velocity.
A new study using fecal stanols found that the Maya population in Itzan declined due to both droughts and wet periods, showing a link between climate extremes and population changes. The research provides insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental issues like soil degradation and nutrient loss.
A new study led by Fernando Colchero reveals a strong link between human life expectancy and lifespan equality. Researchers analyzed data from nine human populations and 30 non-human primate populations, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and baboons, to explore the invariant rate of ageing hypothesis.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from 25 humans, revealing that the population dynamics between 40,000-9.5 ka were influenced by Ice Age climatic fluctuations. The study provides evidence for an Asian-specific variant associated with anthropogenic traits.
Research found that human management of the Amazon rainforest peaked around 1200 AD, leading to a decline in some societies before European settlers arrived. Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to this population drop-off.
A study in Wisconsin found that wolf introduction reduced deer-vehicle collisions by 24%, with an economic benefit of 63 times the harm caused by livestock predation. The study suggests that wolves' impact on prey behavior is a key factor in collision reduction.
A recent study revealed a small yet healthy white shark population along the Central California coast, consisting of around 300 individuals. The researchers identified and tracked individual sharks using unique dorsal fin patterns, showing modest growth in the adult population.
Researchers explore how complex community patterns in Rapa Nui helped the isolated island survive from its settlement to European contact. Small communities maintained cultural separation, potentially shielding against random drift, which could lead to lost technologies and survival strategies.
The global human population is projected to lead to food and water shortages, pollution, poverty and social tension. A new mathematical model suggests that intrinsic factors, such as Turing instability, may drive heterogeneous population distribution, regardless of geographical heterogeneity.
Researchers found that populations of great tits can switch from one behavior to a more efficient alternative when group members are replaced with new birds. Fluid social groups were more likely to adopt the new behavior, allowing them to adapt to changing environments.
Researchers propose that plants evolved for long-distance seed dispersal and rapid growth as adaptations for megafaunal mutualisms. These traits allowed them to thrive in human-dominated landscapes, contributing to the global dominance of certain plant families. The study suggests that exaptation traits played a key role in the domesti...
Researchers analyzed COVID-19 hospitalization trends in 22 states to assess severity and spread of the virus in pediatric population. The study found significant variations in hospitalization rates across states, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to prevent further transmission.
In ecological networks, synchronization and transients are unified through symmetry and stochasticity. Cluster synchronization emerges due to intrinsic symmetries of the network, exhibiting transient behavior with intermittent switching among distinct patterns.
A long-term study reveals that barnacle geese are resilient to environmental changes, despite a 10% decrease in body weight, which doesn't seem to affect population numbers. The researchers found that other factors like earlier springs and fox predation play a more significant role in shaping the geese's survival.
A University of Maine-led team developed a model, Power Theory, which suggests that demography played a crucial role in the transition from egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies to centralized authority. The researchers found a correlation between population density and size, and the change in power dynamics in early Peruvian societies.
A study found that nearly half of the global population lacks knowledge about climate change's effect on infectious diseases. The survey revealed marked differences in awareness among nationality and educational background. Knowledge of climate change is unrelated to educational level, indicating a need for increased public awareness.
A new study models trade-offs in COVID-19 testing, suggesting that rapid turnaround times and frequent testing have high epidemiological value for effective surveillance. The study found that delays in diagnosing infections had a significant impact on surveillance plans, emphasizing the importance of fast results.
Researchers at the University of Chicago challenged a popular theory on neural population dynamics, finding different activity patterns in the motor cortex for reaching and grasping behaviors. The study, published in E-Life, revealed less orderly neuronal activity patterns during grasping motions compared to reaching movements.
A new study uses transnational genetic monitoring to track population dynamics of brown bears, wolves, and wolverines in Norway and Sweden. The approach reveals evidence of recovery and highlights the impact of humans on apex predator populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in non-COVID health care use among commercially insured US populations, particularly in preventive services and nonelective services. Researchers found significant decreases in orthopedic surgery and labor and delivery care during March and April 2020 compared to the same periods in 2018 and 2019.
New research suggests fin whales sing multiple different songs, which may be picked up by migrating individuals and spread to different parts of the ocean. This complex behavior provides new insights into how fin whale populations move and change over time.
A new study reveals that CRISPR-induced immune diversification in host-virus populations leads to the emergence of weighted-nestedness immunity structure, enabling hosts to control virus diversification. This structure is crucial for understanding eco-evolutionary dynamics and designing stable microbial populations.
The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its corals in the past three decades, with small, medium, and large coral populations declining by more than 50 percent. This decline is driven by climate change, which is causing record-breaking temperatures to trigger mass bleaching events.
As Denmark's population ages, hospital care will face increasing demands, with the number of days spent in hospitals approximately doubling by 2050. The study highlights the need for a healthcare workforce trained in geriatrics to address the rising demand for geriatric care.
Research found that changes in cell populations and circulating inflammatory proteins are already partly present in older healthy individuals. The study identified markers that explain the high susceptibility of older individuals to severe COVID-19 and inform efforts to prevent and treat the disease.
A new study found that DUI arrest rates in California increase as distance to the southern border decreases, likely due to greater availability of alcohol. The study also reveals sociodemographic factors contributing to higher DUI rates, including Hispanic population density and age groups.
The study found that three species had been genetically isolated for at least 3.52 million years, while the other three were isolated for less than 2 million years. The results suggest a correlation with large-scale changes in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet affecting arthropod dispersal and population mingling.
A new study reveals that European migratory bird populations are most affected by changes in climate on breeding grounds, while land cover changes have a greater impact on their migration routes. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors in conservation efforts to mitigate population declines.
Researchers studied 3100 house sparrows from eight islands in northern Norway to examine the effects of inbreeding. The study found that inbred birds had shorter lives and reproduced poorly, with less genetic variation across their genomes.
Researchers analyzed intrinsic water-use efficiencies in two populations of the drought-deciduous shrub Encelia farinosa. The study found that individual shrubs exhibit significant plasticity in response to climate change, rather than population-level adaptation.
Researchers from OIST Graduate University discovered the crown-of-thorns starfish's evolution, shedding light on its population changes and potential threats to coral reefs. The findings suggest complex ocean currents in the Ryukyu Archipelago may aid the survival of the larvae.
Ornithologists at the University of Utah found that community science bird data shows different trends in bird populations than professional surveys, especially in developing countries. The researchers hope to encourage more conscientious recording and connection between birders and professionals to fill data gaps.
Researchers correlated poisoned red kites with local extinction and declining breeding populations in Spain between 1994-2014. Wildlife poisoning from pesticides and lead ammunition may contribute to species declines across the country.
A recent study found that protected areas in Finland do not harbor higher densities of large carnivores than unprotected lands, with wolverine populations declining within some areas. However, the study also suggests that protected areas can support seasonal habitats and prey for these mobile species.
New research highlights the importance of legally protecting large indigenous territories in Brazil to preserve biodiversity, traditional livelihoods, and cultural heritage. Almost 90% of indigenous territories retain higher native vegetation cover than their surroundings, safeguarding over 100 million hectares of forests and savannahs.
A meta-analysis of 166 long-term surveys across 1,676 sites worldwide reveals highly spatially variable global insect population trends, showing an average 9% per decade decline in terrestrial insects. In contrast, freshwater insect abundance increases by 11% per decade, possibly due to successful clean water efforts.
A new study found that the effective population size of the first Samoans was small, ranging from 700 to 3,400 people, with population growth starting around 1,000 years ago. The research highlights the importance of population history and size in understanding health conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois constructed synthetic microbial communities to study their dynamics and predict behavior. The study found that increasing variability in microbial interactions drives community structure, and that characterizing this variation can empower predictions of ecosystem succession.
A study published in Science Bulletin finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would reduce precipitation extremes in China, particularly in southeastern regions. The research highlights the social impacts of climate change, with heavy rainfall events intensifying across the country and dry extremes increasing in South China.