Articles tagged with Seasonal Changes
Researchers develop model to calculate ideal learning rate based on environmental change and life cycle. The optimal pace of learning increases in the same way regardless of environmental changes, suggesting a generalizable phenomenon underlying learning in various ecosystems.
A new study by MIT researchers shows that climate change will significantly impact outdoor activities in the US, with Florida and other Southeastern states experiencing major drops in
Researchers found that the El Niño oscillation persisted at least 250 million years ago, with more intense temperature swings. The study suggests that atmospheric noise from ocean surface winds plays a key role in the oscillation's magnitude.
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
Researchers developed a model to project Italy's energy storage needs for a renewable energy system, accounting for daily and seasonal fluctuations. The model suggests that increasing short-term energy storage capacity is critical for decarbonizing the power sector.
A new study led by University of Illinois Chicago scientist Akintomide Akinsanola found that most Americans can expect wetter winters in the future due to global warming. Winter precipitation and extreme weather events are expected to increase across most of the country, with six regions experiencing more frequent very wet winters.
A new study published in PLOS Mental Health found a relationship between daily sunlight exposure, physical activity, and depressed state. The research used wrist-based activity sensors to collect data from individuals with depression and those without, revealing that more depressed states were associated with lower daytime activity.
The unique polar light environment creates conditions for circumpolar hybrid zones, increasing reproductive synchrony among species. Microbes play a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity by adapting to light-sensitive environmental cues.
Snowmelt rates vary by slope orientation and receive varying amounts of solar radiation. The study found that burned south-facing slopes accumulate less snow and melt earlier than other aspects due to increased solar radiation absorption. This understanding will improve models and tools for water managers.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A century-old experiment has pinpointed the genes behind barley's adaptability, enabling its continued survival in rapidly changing environments. Researchers identified key genes that enable flowering at optimal times, allowing crops to thrive despite increased temperatures and droughts.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
Charles Darwin's work on biological rhythms dates back to 1838, when he observed plant leaves closing in response to touch. He also noted seasonal and daily changes in animal behavior, hibernation patterns, and tidal rhythms, demonstrating a profound engagement with chronobiology.
A uniquely powerful geomagnetic storm led to unprecedented changes in the upper atmosphere, including location and spread of particles, composition, and temperature. These changes may pose significant risks to satellites and GPS systems, as well as impact navigation and communication technologies.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that warmer, drier springs account for almost 70% of the discrepancy between predicted and actual streamflow in Colorado. The team's findings suggest that plants rely more on snowmelt during dry springs, leaving less water to flow into nearby streams.
The State of Wildfires report found that carbon emissions from wildfires globally were 16% above average, with Canada and Amazonia experiencing unusually high numbers of fires. Climate change increased the likelihood of extreme wildfires in these regions by at least three times and up to six times.
Researchers developed a new metric, R_AOD, to detect climate change using aerosols as tracers. They analyzed long-term satellite data and found significant temporal variations in aerosol transport, highlighting shifts in transboundary pollution pathways due to global warming.
Researchers from MARUM and the National Oceanography Centre analyzed sensor data over four years to determine seafloor currents in deep waters. The study found that currents sped up, slowed down, reversed direction, and were steered by seafloor relief, contradicting previous steady models.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have found that altering GABA receptor density affects circadian rhythm amplitude and synchrony among SCN cells. Reducing or mutating these receptors decreased the mice's daytime wheel-running and reduced nocturnal activity.
MSU researchers developed a new cotton quality module as part of the GOSSYM application, simulating plant growth and yield. The tool can predict crop growth, yield, and fiber quality, providing valuable insights for farmers to maximize income and resiliency in the face of climate change.
Researchers found that people who enjoy holidays like Christmas or Ramadan are more likely to feel they come quicker, and those with better social lives also report a faster pace of time. The study suggests that our experience of time is influenced by both our attention to its passage and our plans for the future.
Researchers used Flora Incognita data to identify plant rhythms and ecological patterns year-round. The algorithm accounts for user observational tendencies, revealing synchronized responses among plants and ecological shifts with the seasons.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that early-onset El Niño leads to warm winters in East Asia due to anomalous warming of the tropical Indian Ocean. Late-onset El Niño, on the other hand, results in colder winters. This study aimed to improve climate modeling and prediction during El Niño events.
Research shows that ocean warming and acidification could lead to catastrophic shark embryo survival decline by 2100. Monthly temperature variation plays a significant role in mortality rates.
A Pusan National University study finds that heatwaves significantly impact public health among individuals with disabilities, increasing the risk of hospitalizations by 1.07 times. This results in a substantial economic burden, highlighting the need for well-informed public health policies to address these vulnerable groups.
A genetic study found that early summer fishing in the Baltic Sea targets larger salmon, leading to smaller fish and reduced population diversity. The study suggests that intensive fishing in the early season can cause evolutionary changes, affecting the age and size of Atlantic salmon before maturity.
Scientists have found that declining snowfall is boosting chances of water shortages in the summer, as seasonal flows are changing. This change in seasonal patterns affects ecosystem health, food security, and hydropower generation.
Researchers discovered that killifish embryos co-opted ancient genes, originating over 473 million years ago, to enable diapause during the annual dry season. The team found significant overlap in gene expression patterns between killifish and other animals, including house mice, suggesting a common mechanism for diapause evolution.
A recent study published in Communications: Earth & Environment found that wildfires covered 70% of California during the largest fire seasons on record. The study measured the impact of wildfire smoke on lakes and found changes in temperature, light, and oxygen levels, affecting lake productivity and health.
Research found that during severe droughts, agricultural reservoirs in Korea's southern region experienced increased total organic carbon concentrations. The study suggests that these reservoirs may shift from carbon storage to carbon sources, emitting carbon into the atmosphere. This finding highlights the need for integrated environm...
A study published in JAMA found that hospitalization for COVID-19 increased the risk of death more than seasonal influenza during the fall-winter 2023-2024 season. The research also highlights the importance of vaccination and public health measures to mitigate COVID-19-related mortality.
A UCL-led team of researchers warn that climate change will aggravate brain conditions such as stroke, migraine, and dementia. The study, which reviewed 332 papers, found that extreme temperatures and weather events can disrupt sleep, exacerbate cognitive impairment, and lead to increased hospital admissions and mortality.
Daily tracking of ice melt has been made possible with a new method developed by researchers at DTU using 61 national GPS stations in Greenland. The study provides significant advancement in monitoring ice mass loss and understanding the processes behind the ice melting.
A study found that gene expression in a tropical starfish fluctuates between the seasons, revealing reproductive and stress-related transcriptional systems. The research suggests that these changes may help the starfish adapt to seasonal environmental conditions.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that saturated soils in upland regions could negatively impact the survival rates of young oak saplings and acorns. The research highlights the importance of considering soil conditions when creating temperate rainforests to combat climate change.
A study found that heavy snowfall and rain contribute to earthquake swarms in northern Japan by altering underground pressure. Climate conditions are linked to seismic activity, with the timing of intense precipitation events correlating with the start of quakes.
A study of hand sanitizer sales before, during and after the H1N1 swine flu pandemic found that supply and demand balances quickly, with retailers adapting to stockpiling behaviour. The research suggests there is no need for panic-buying and price gouging.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new vaccine strategy that targets the portion of the flu virus surface with less variability, aiming for universal and long-lasting protection. The experimental vaccine elicits an immune response focused on the stalk region, which remains consistent despite viral mutations.
A study by the University of Córdoba finds that climate change is lengthening and intensifying the blooming of holm oak and other Quercus species, resulting in a prolonged and more intense pollen season. This shift has significant implications for allergy sufferers, as they will be more exposed to pollen during longer seasons.
Researchers created new maps that accurately describe phosphorus levels in Amazonian soil using artificial intelligence, revealing the region's low concentration of the mineral. This information is crucial for understanding how tropical forests will react to climate change.
A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.
The year 2023 saw unprecedented extreme weather events globally, with a record-breaking temperature increase of 1.45°C above pre-industrial times. Emerging features include earlier onset of heatwaves and increased simultaneous events in different parts of the world.
A recent study by the University of California - Riverside found that carbon dioxide is driving an increase in the severity and frequency of wildfires by fueling the growth of plants that become kindling. This process occurs because plants use the extra CO2 to make carbohydrates, leading to an increase in biomass that burns.
A study by Concordia researchers analyzed data from 13 Canadian utilities covering 26,000 km of pipes and 62,000 failures. They found age, material, and diameter were the most associated factors with breaks, but also revealed less well-known effects of pipe protection methods, soil types, and seasonal variations.
Over five RSV seasons, researchers found that nearly one-quarter of hospitalized adults aged 50+ experienced an acute cardiac event, mostly heart failure. The risk of severe outcomes was nearly twice as high in patients with cardiac events compared to those without.
A team of UConn researchers has developed a method to drastically cut the lag time for assessing disasters, bringing disturbance assessment closer to near real-time monitoring. By applying machine learning and retrospective chart review techniques, they can detect changes in remote sensing data much faster than current methods.
Zooplankton biomass and behavioral patterns have been altered by human-driven changes in water temperature and food webs. The study found that warming temperatures and invasive species modify the timing of certain events in their life cycles.
The study highlights the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens due to climate change. The medical community must update their education and training to combat global warming and its impact on disease behavior.
International research led by CSU suggests studying root function in tropical forests can improve climate change predictions. Tropical forests contain 30% of global soil carbon, with roots acting as 'carbon banks' that can help mitigate climate change.
The Zero-Energy Switchable Radiative Cooler (ZESRC) is a temperature-responsive solution that balances building temperatures sustainably. Field experiments demonstrate its effectiveness across seasons, reducing energy consumption by 14.3% compared to other devices.
Research published in Science found that 21% of rivers worldwide showed significant alterations in seasonal water levels due to climate change. This threatens freshwater biodiversity and water security as river flow seasonality weakens.
A new study reveals that walleye are struggling to survive in warming waters of the Midwestern United States and Canada. Climate change is disrupting the historical pairing of ice-off and walleye spawning, which threatens the persistence of walleye populations across the Upper Midwest.
Scientists have discovered that tiny crustaceans, such as amphipods, prey on both living and dead jellyfish during the Arctic polar night. The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, found that these crustaceans shift to an omnivorous diet during this period, utilizing jellyfish as a key food source.
Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute have found that jellyfish serve as a vital food source for amphipods during the Arctic winter. DNA metabarcoding analysis revealed a diverse range of jellyfish species in the stomachs of amphipod species, highlighting the importance of these gelatinous organisms in the polar night diet.
A recent study found that polar bears, closely observed by scientists, struggled to maintain weight when their preferred seal prey was out of reach during longer ice-free seasons. Despite trying various strategies, including resting and foraging, nearly all the bears lost weight rapidly, highlighting their vulnerability to climate change.
Researchers found that coastal trapped waves and tidal mixing control primary production in the tropical Angolan upwelling system. Productivity peaks occur seasonally, with strong fluctuations during austral winter.
Research by University of Exeter scientists found that females with warmer temperatures have fewer spots, challenging long-held views on the reason for this variation. The study suggests that butterflies adapt their camouflage based on temperature, which could lead to a decrease in spotting over time.
A new Dartmouth study finds that seasonal snowpacks have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change. The sharpest global warming-related reductions are in the Southwestern and Northeastern United States, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.
Researchers used data from Hubble Space Telescope to determine the true colors of Neptune and Uranus, revealing they are a similar shade of greenish blue. The main difference is that Neptune has a slight hint of additional blue due to a thinner haze layer on that planet.
Researchers discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.