Researchers found that Galapagos giant tortoises have a partial migration system, where only adult animals wander and move up to 10 kilometers into the highlands during the dry season. The younger tortoises remain in the lower-elevated areas all year round.
A Spanish study found that Telecinco's Sin tetas no hay paraíso is the most violent of five studied TV series, with a significant impact on aggressive behavior in youngsters. The show's portrayal of violence and aggression contributes to its detrimental effects, including learning and imitating negative behaviors.
Tropical Depression 25W formed over the western North Pacific Ocean and is affecting southern Vietnam. The depression has maximum sustained winds of 28.7 mph near its center, with moderate wind shear hindering its organization.
A new study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found that wearing helmets significantly reduces head injuries and saves lives among skiers and snowboarders. The research suggests that helmet use does not increase the risk of injury, contradicting long-held myths.
Climate change, fire suppression, and invasive species are threatening mountain meadows in the Pacific Northwest. These ecosystems, once carpeted with grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers, are declining rapidly, with some areas experiencing a 35% increase in tree occupation over just 57 years.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Ornithology discovered that testosterone regulates solo song in African white-browed sparrow weavers. In females, testosterone treatment induced male-typical solo song development. The study highlights a complex relationship between hormone concentration and song behavior in tropical birds.
A Northwestern University study found that black football players are more likely to be penalized for celebrations compared to their white counterparts. Participants rated arrogance levels equally regardless of race but suggested lower compensation for black celebrants. This 'hubris penalty' highlights racial bias in NFL rewards.
Tropical Storm Rosa is intensifying rapidly, with strong convection around its center hinting at heavy rainfall and powerful thunderstorms. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, and it's expected to strengthen before weakening by November 1.
Tropical Cyclone Anais has strengthened over the weekend of Oct. 13-14, packing sustained winds near 100 knots. The storm is expected to move past La Reunion Island while weakening due to cooler waters and increased wind shear in the coming days.
Tropical Storm Maria has a large area of moderate to heavy rainfall, with most rain occurring northeast of the storm's center. The TRMM satellite measured rainfall rates between 0.78-1.57 inches/hour and 2 inches/hour in a small area.
The 16th Atlantic tropical depression has formed northeast of the Bahamas and is expected to move southwest, potentially affecting the region. The National Hurricane Center tracks its movement and potential impact.
The 15th Atlantic tropical depression, TD15, has formed in the central Atlantic Ocean, moving northwest at 15mph. It is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Oscar and move north and northeast before weakening due to hostile atmospheric conditions.
Researchers analyzed DNA sequences of thousands of influenza strains to predict trends and understand the rules of flu virus evolution. This knowledge can help develop more effective vaccines against emerging strains.
A study of Medicare data found wide variation in antibiotic prescribing for older adults based on region and season, with the South having the highest use and West the lowest. The study highlights the need for targeted quality improvement initiatives to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Researchers have observed dominance relationships among adolescent male chimpanzees in the Ngogo community, a large chimp community in Uganda with over 150 members. The study found that pant grunts are used to calm hostilities and establish dominance hierarchies, which is rare for this age group.
Researchers used dynamic mapping to analyze hospitalization records for adults over 65 across the US during individual flu seasons. The analysis revealed variations in disease patterns, including shifts in geographic spread and timing of peaks.
Most English football teams don't comply with international concussion guidelines, which standardize the definition of concussion and require cognitive assessment before returning players to play. As a result, many clubs don't take concussion seriously enough, relying on subjective assessments that could be unsafe.
Tropical Storm Kirk intensified into a hurricane on Aug. 30, becoming the fifth of the season, while Tropical Depression 12 formed in the central Atlantic Ocean. TD12 is expected to strengthen over warm waters and potentially become a hurricane by Sept. 2.
Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Eastern Caribbean, according to NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. The storm has weakened slightly since its formation in August, but remains a tropical storm with sustained winds near 40 mph.
The Greenland ice sheet has broken the seasonal record for melting, with cumulative melting exceeding the 2010 record four weeks before the close of the melting season. The extreme melting detected in mid-July did not contribute to sea-level rise, but rather lubricated the base of the ice sheet and sped its slide toward the sea.
Tropical Storm Gilma has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph, expected to weaken due to vertical wind shear. A low pressure area formerly known as Tropical storm Ernesto has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical depression in the Eastern Pacific.
Tropical Storm Florence developed over the eastern Atlantic, strengthened briefly, and then weakened due to dry air and Saharan dust. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images of the storm on August 4 and 5, showing a larger spiraled storm with diminishing thunderstorms.
Scientists have recorded over 60 unique songs from critically endangered bowhead whales, with the variety of tunes surprising and comparable to that of songbirds. The findings also suggest that bowhead whales may have a repertoire of songs they sing during a season, making them the only known whales to do so.
A team of academics has developed an AI soccer manager that consistently ranks among the top 1% of players in the English Fantasy Football League. The software analyzes player statistics and performance to pick its team each week, outperforming human competitors.
Tropical Depression 21P developed in the South Pacific Ocean between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The TRMM Satellite captured rainfall data and cloud heights, revealing a small but organized tropical cyclone with intense convective storms dropping heavy rainfall.
A new study in Nature finds that the presence of lines of arrested growth (LAG) in dinosaur bones does not indicate ectothermy. Instead, LAGs provide insight into how animals adjust their metabolism in response to seasonal changes.
Researchers tracked elephant movement patterns in Kruger National Park, finding sharp changes at season thresholds. This approach offers a biologically relevant definition of seasons, distinct from arbitrary human-made boundaries.
Hurricane Chris became the first storm of the Atlantic season to reach hurricane strength on June 21, 2012, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Forecasters expect it to weaken as it moves into stable air and cooler waters, eventually becoming a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Guchol made landfall in Japan, bringing heavy rainfall to the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. The TRMM satellite detected a large area of rainfall over 500 km from the typhoon's center, highlighting the storm's impact on the region.
Tropical Storm Chris formed on June 19, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image just before it reached tropical storm strength. The storm exhibited a 'tail' shape due to a band of thunderstorms wrapping around its center, giving it a comma-like appearance.
Hurricane Carlotta has intensified, with powerful high thunderstorms almost 10 miles high, and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to Mexico. The storm is forecast to make landfall in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.
Scientists will analyze satellite pictures, airplane data, and tree core samples to determine how trees respond to longer growing seasons. This study aims to understand whether faster-growing trees are taking more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a positive factor in combating global warming.
NASA TRMM satellite data shows Tropical Depression Kuena experiencing weaker rainfall rates between June 6 and 7. The storm's intense rainfall rates were found in convective storms that reached heights above 15km.
Tropical Storm Beryl formed off the Carolina coast and was monitored by NASA satellites. The storm made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida, causing heavy rainfall and dangerous surf conditions in nearby areas.
NASA satellites captured Tropical Storm Bud in the eastern Pacific Ocean on May 21 and May 22, revealing a well-formed storm. Forecasters expect Bud to strengthen into a hurricane due to light wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
Tropical Storm Alberto formed on May 19, 2012, off South Carolina's coast, with NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites monitoring its development. The storm strengthened to 50 mph by Sunday, but then weakened to 40 mph by Monday morning.
A new study suggests that repeated head impacts in college athletes participating in contact sports can worsen their ability to acquire new information. The research found that 22% of contact sport athletes performed worse than expected on a test of new learning, compared to 4% of non-contact sport athletes.
A team of scientists from Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that during the mating season, female gobies become increasingly aggressive and eager to mate, while males become more coy. As a result, females assume the dominant role in courtship, with males often surrounded by harems of willing partners.
Research on Dunlins reveals that female birds divorce to upgrade their mate or territory, while males tend to stay with the same partner. Divorced females experience increased nest success when paired with new partners compared to those who remain single.
A multi-year study by WSU researchers found no significant differences in grape and wine quality due to grafting, with climate and vintage being the dominant factors. The experiment tested six commercial rootstocks against own-rooted vines for three popular varieties.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a novel procedure to assess plant species diversity in an area by analyzing vegetation information collected by satellites over time. This allows resource managers to evaluate biodiversity without collecting regionwide field data.
Research by Norwich BioScience Institutes and John Innes Centre identifies PIF4 as a control gene that activates flowering pathway in response to temperature. This discovery sheds light on why plants are flowering earlier due to climate change, with potential implications for developing temperature-resilient crops.
The 2012 Arctic campaign measures changes in polar ice using a modified P-3 aircraft equipped with various instruments, including lasers and radar. The campaign also features international collaboration and educational activities.
African farmers inaccurately perceive changes in climate and rainfall, highlighting the need for better climate information to improve farming practices. Researchers found variable precipitation concerns and changing seasonal patterns among survey respondents.
A new study reveals that the TOC1 protein plays a crucial role in dampening gene activity in the evening, helping plants stay dormant at night. This discovery contradicts previous understanding of the gene's role and has implications for plant growth and adaptation to environmental changes.
Canada's outdoor skating season has decreased significantly due to global warming, with the Prairies and Southwest regions experiencing the largest decreases. The research predicts a complete end to outdoor skating in British Columbia and Southern Alberta within a few decades.
Researchers found that only a few Canadian weather stations showed an earlier start date for the outdoor skating season, while most stations experienced a decrease in its length over the past half century. Climate change is projected to end outdoor skating in areas like British Columbia and Southern Alberta within decades.
Researchers at Iowa State University are organizing a symposium to explore the idea of using instant communications technology to distribute information about crops and climate change to farmers. The symposium aims to develop global systems that facilitate quick communication between farmers, researchers, and policymakers.
Researchers found that birds in changeable climates are more prone to infidelity and divorce. This may be because unpredictable weather conditions make it harder for birds to predict the environment during breeding season, leading them to seek new partners for increased genetic diversity.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
Climate researchers found that tree-ring reconstructions of temperature change may underestimate the climate response to past volcanic eruptions. The study compared tree-ring temperature reconstructions with model simulations and found a significant discrepancy in the response to three large tropical eruptions.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that football players who received more hits to the head over time showed brain changes, even if they didn't have concussion symptoms. The findings suggest that a concussion is likely caused by many hits over time, not just one blow.
Researchers argue that focusing on small groups of households at high risk of malaria transmission is an efficient way to reduce transmission. This approach prioritizes the most infected and diseased households, benefiting the entire community.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that high-ranking male bonobos were more aggressive and had higher mating success, but also invested in friendly relationships with females. These relationships correlated with lower male testosterone levels, challenging the common notion of masculine behavior.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new calendar system that eliminates year-to-year changes, making timekeeping and financial calculations more predictable. The Hanke-Henry Permanent Calendar features a 91-day quarterly pattern, which simplifies interest calculations and reduces economic uncertainty.
University of Pittsburgh researchers propose a new model to design better flu shots, balancing composition and timing decisions. The model considers multiple strains, production methods, and policy questions, aiming to increase the societal benefit of the flu shot.
A new study by Texas AgriLife Research found that artichoke yield and quality are optimized through differential irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilizer rates. The researchers recommend approximately 700 mm of water inputs and 120 kg/ha or less of N for high marketable yields and optimal nutritional quality.
A new study by Shane Frederick reveals that people overestimate the average willingness to pay for products, with a bias of +40% across various groups. This overvaluing bias may lead to sellers setting prices too high and difficulties in negotiation.
A 2010 temperature spike accelerated ice loss in southern Greenland, lifting bedrock an additional quarter of an inch. GPS measurements indicate that the amount of uplift differed by station location, with closer stations rising more.
A Princeton University study found that nighttime-lights imagery can pinpoint disease hotspots in urban areas with migratory populations. The technique accurately indicates fluctuations in population density, which is linked to the risk of epidemic.