Articles tagged with Seasonal Changes
A new study from the University of Portsmouth suggests that implicit practice methods can help football players improve their penalty kick accuracy. The research found that using these methods, which encourage independent decision-making, results in higher kicking accuracy compared to explicit training methods.
A new tool called DesignSafe is helping researchers improve their ability to predict hurricanes, move people out of harm's way, and build homes that can survive the worst nature can throw at them. The platform provides critical information about natural hazards and enables engineers to design safer structures.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati studied wolf spiders' color vision, finding they are sensitive to green light but don't have a favorite color. Their eyes adapt to changing seasons, allowing them to see contrast against colored backgrounds.
Researchers found that recreational scallop harvesting disrupts native sea turtle behavior, causing them to change their distribution and habitat use. The study suggests that reducing boat density and implementing measures to avoid turtle collisions could minimize ecological damage.
A recent study analyzed NFL injuries from 2007-2016 and found that the increase in injuries occurred faster after practice restrictions took effect, not as a result of them. The study also showed no significant differences in injury rates for different muscle groups or types of injuries.
Home run numbers increased significantly between 2016-2017 due to a drop in vertical break of pitches, suggesting pitchers aimed to reduce home runs. However, this strategy failed to work as other factors contributed more to the surge.
A key statistic in baseball, Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP), has been found to not accurately measure player quality due to the game's unique nature. The analysis revealed that team performance is more indicative of a team's quality than individual player value.
Researchers have identified a human 'fingerprint' in the troposphere, indicating significant effects of anthropogenic climate change on seasonal temperature cycles. The study used satellite data for nearly 40 years to isolate the signals of human activity from natural variability.
Young baseball players who exceed pitch count limits are more prone to elbow injuries. Researchers found that throwing high numbers of pitches per day and games played were associated with an increased risk of pain.
Researchers found that over 80% of natural vegetation began growing in response to pre-rain green-up signals, with woodlands leading the way. The study challenges traditional assumptions about rainfall's role in African plant growth and highlights the need for further research into environmental cues driving this phenomenon.
Tropical Depression Six-E strengthened into Tropical Storm Emilia after being tracked by NASA's GPM satellite, producing heavy rainfall and powerful storms. The storm is moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
Tropical Storm Daniel formed on June 23 and strengthened into a tropical storm by June 25. NASA's analysis showed a small area of strong thunderstorms around the storm's center, indicating potential for heavy rainfall due to cold cloud tops.
Researchers found that dogs can effectively sniff out infected avocado trees well in advance, providing a potential solution to the devastating impact of laurel wilt disease on the industry. The study's results show that dogs can detect agricultural diseases like laurel wilt with high accuracy, even in harsh weather conditions.
Hurricane Aletta strengthened after passing over NASA's Aqua satellite on June 7, with coldest cloud top temperatures reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to intensify to Category 4 status before weakening begins this weekend.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech found that mucus and airway secretions protect the flu virus when it becomes airborne, regardless of humidity levels. The study refutes previous findings that suggested the virus degrades and is inactivated at higher humidity levels.
The 2017 US wildfire season was exacerbated by a series of extreme events, including a wet winter, hot summer, and dry fall. Climate change likely played a role in fueling the fires, while human activity contributed to ignition, with nearly 90% of wildfires sparked by people.
A study found that serum NF-L concentrations showed promise as a biomarker for brain injury due to repetitive subconcussive head impacts, but further research is needed. The researchers also observed fluctuations in tau protein concentrations, which did not show significant differences between starters and nonstarters.
Researchers found that boldness in male and female yellow-spotted monitor lizards was associated with higher mating success. However, this boldness came with a cost: exposed individuals were at a higher risk of being eaten by predators during the wet season.
A study by University of Cincinnati professor Jeremy Koster found that NBA stars on losing teams are less likely to follow teammates on Twitter compared to those on winning teams. This suggests that elite performers may distance themselves from their teammates in an attempt to escape responsibility for poor performance.
Researchers identify best irrigation methods for cotton in water-limited situations, challenging common assumption that producers should irrigate early and often. By reducing watering after plant emergence, yields and fiber quality can be maintained or even improved.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara community ecologist Keenan Stears examines how hippos shape the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. The research found that high-density hippo pools with excess nutrients cause dissolved oxygen levels to decline, leading to a decline in fish diversity and abundance.
Researchers found that high hippopotamus densities increased eutrophication and biodiversity loss in river pools during the dry season. However, no changes were observed in water chemistry or biodiversity during the wet season, highlighting human influence on watershed ecology.
A study mapping 2016-2018 cholera epidemics in Yemen suggests a causal link between rainfall and cholera incidence, with over 13.8 million people at risk of infection. The study's findings have been used to inform mitigation efforts and prioritize vaccination campaigns and WASH interventions during the rainy season.
Hoary bats exhibit unusual silent behavior during their fall mating season, potentially to avoid eavesdropping from competitors and mates. The study suggests that this 'inconspicuous echolocation' may provide an advantage in the mating game but poses a deadly risk when encountering obstacles like wind turbines.
Researchers found that nearly half of a pitcher's total throws are unaccounted for in teams' pitch counts. This can lead to excessive pitching and increased risk of elbow and shoulder injuries. The study suggests that counting all pitches, including warm-ups and bullpen activity, can help reduce injury risk.
A new study found higher cortisol levels in medical students during the summer months than in winter. The research contradicts traditional notions of increased stress in winter and relaxed ease in summer.
A new study reveals that at least 114 plant species from around the world are capable of prolonged dormancy as adult plants, enabling them to survive through difficult times. This behaviour allows them to overcome short-term disadvantages and extend their lives.
Research tracked changes in Arctic arthropod populations in response to warming temperatures, finding more plant-eating and parasitic insects, and fewer detritivores. The study suggests that water availability will play a key role in determining which bug species can thrive in a warming Arctic.
Peatland initiation coincided with warming and increased precipitation, forming globally important carbon sinks. The study's findings have implications for future changes in peatland distribution.
Research from Florida State University found that urban areas in Florida experience shorter and more intense wet seasons compared to rural areas. The study indicates a trend of decreasing wet-season length by 3.5 hours per year in urban areas.
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.
Scientists found that common ragweed can drastically reduce soybean yield by 76% in some cases, highlighting its potential threat to soybean production. The study suggests that early detection of weed growth is crucial to predict crop yield losses and inform pesticide application decisions.
Researchers found that a football coach's extreme overconfidence has a positive influence on the team's result. The study analyzed the behavior of coaches in the Russian Football Premier League and concluded that high levels of charisma associated with overconfidence can motivate players, leading to better team performance.
The eastern Mediterranean region will experience a significant change in seasonal duration, with summer lasting six months and winter only two, by the end of this century. Climate changes are expected to cut winter by half, posing major challenges for regional ecosystems and human health.
Researchers found that increased experience with ratings makes the process easier, resulting in upward trends and rating inflation. This effect emerges across different tasks, including grading, dancing, and evaluating photos or short stories.
Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that homebuilding near wild areas since 1990 has greatly increased homes at risk from wildfires, leading to higher costs in fighting fires. The study found that the wildland-urban interface, where homes and wild vegetation meet, has grown rapidly across the US.
Two studies found that acetaminophen use increases during cold/flu season, with a 24% increase in high-dose intake. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used analgesic in France, but its use can lead to liver harm if not taken correctly.
A new study reveals that seasonal skin changes are caused by climatic and humidity fluctuations, which affect the skin's barrier function. The research suggests that individuals should protect their skin with emollients in winter and sunscreen in summer to manage skin disorders such as eczema.
A new study has developed an automated approach to select and seed teams for the NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments, providing an objective and unbiased starting point. The algorithm achieved high accuracy rates, matching 24 of 38 top teams in seeding and 89.6% being within two seeds of committee rankings.
Researchers found that viewers' parasocial bonds with Trump formed through his reality TV shows contributed to his election, making voters more likely to like him and believe his promises. The study suggests that this phenomenon can explain the surprise of many Trump voters who crossed party lines.
Studies reveal that football players face an elevated risk of heart rhythm disorders later in life due to structural changes in the heart. College and professional players showed significant changes in cardiac structure and function, including enlargement of the aortic root and increased systolic blood pressure.
The study found that top-performing soccer teams exhibit greater total sprint distance, possession in the opponent's half, and entry passes in the final third of the field. This suggests that ball possession is a key determinant of success in soccer.
Researchers deployed 12-foot metal poles with sensors to capture sun-induced fluorescence, allowing them to rapidly monitor crop photosynthetic performance. This technology has the potential to transform phenotyping into an efficient, automated process.
A study has identified areas where animals can adapt to changing climates through a process called evolutionary rescue. These zones, known as polymorphic zones, allow both brown and white individuals to coexist in winter, promoting rapid evolution towards winter brown coat colors.
NASA is developing a planetary wind lidar called MARLI, which will provide detailed information on winds on Mars and Titan. The instrument will use laser pulses and detect returning backscatter signals to measure wind velocities and aerosol distribution.
Scientists developed a lightning-based approach to predict short-duration rainfall, using sharp increasing rates of lightning flashes to provide early warnings. The new method was tested over the Beijing Metropolitan Region and showed encouraging model performance, with successful early warnings for 67.8% of moderate and 87.0% of inten...
Researchers tracked polar bears during spring hunting season and found their metabolism increased by 1.6 times, with 4 bears losing 10% or more of body mass over 8-11 days
New research from the University of Lincoln found that jet stream changes are significantly associated with UK regional rainfall and temperatures. The study suggests that using predictions of jet stream changes can produce more accurate seasonal weather forecasts on a smaller, regional scale.
Researchers at Western University found that female rugby players experience brain changes during the regular season comparable to those caused by concussions, with glutamine levels reduced and potential implications for recovery. The study's authors suggest these metrics may be more sensitive to brain injury.
Researchers found that emperor penguins from colonies close to the sea-ice edge can dive before laying eggs, suggesting shorter fasts compared to inland birds. They also observed these penguins feeding during pre-nuptial activities.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that daily food tracking on a smartphone app was influenced by day of the week, but not season of year. Participants reported fewer foods tracked on weekends and as time in the study progressed.
Tropical Depression Bolaven is being weakened by persistent vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures as it approaches Vietnam. The storm will track west across the South China Sea before making final landfall in southern Vietnam on Jan. 4.
Tropical Depression 01W formed just west of the Philippines on January 2, 2018, according to NASA's Terra satellite imagery. The depression is forecast to strengthen and make landfall in Vietnam, impacting the South China Sea region.
Researchers at UMass Amherst, in collaboration with teams from Carnegie Mellon and Columbia universities, aim to predict regional flu outbreaks. By combining forecasting models and past performance data, they hope to provide better information for decision-makers.
A global analysis of human birth-rate cycles found that post-holiday 'baby boom' persists across cultures, with Christmas and Eid-al-Fitr being key drivers. The study used data from Google searches and Twitter posts to reveal a correlation between online interest in sex and births nine months later.
A new study found that 35% of young singers in an elite choir exhibited tics during a performance. This discovery may indicate a relation between ticcing and exceptional motor skills, potentially leading to a reevaluation of the perception of tics as a disorder.
Farmers in the Northeast are adapting to longer growing seasons and warmer climate conditions, but may face financial losses due to delayed planting and increased disease problems. The region has seen a 71% increase in extreme precipitation events, which can lead to crop failures and reduced yields.
High-resolution climate models project significant changes in US temperature patterns, including extreme heat events and altered growing seasons. The southeastern US will experience maximum summer temperatures every other day by late-century.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 NBA players have abnormal electrocardiogram findings, some linked to athletic training. The research aimed to assess athlete-specific criteria for distinguishing normal from abnormal ECG patterns.