University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have found that a basin-wide circulation pattern drives Atlantic hurricane activity. The study reveals that Atlantic hurricanes will be more sensitive to climate changes than storms in other ocean basins, with warmer oceans indicating ideal conditions for development. Understanding this relati...
A Queen's University study confirms Darwin's controversial theory that different species can arise unhindered in the same place. Researchers found that tropical seabirds time-share breeding sites, differing genetically over long periods of time, shedding light on species divergence.
African elephants led by older, more dominant matriarchs travel significantly fewer miles to seek food than subordinate groups. During the dry season, dominant groups trek an average of 4-5 kilometers per day, while subordinate groups cover 8-11 kilometers.
The 2007 Arctic sea ice season saw a remarkable decrease, with record losses shown in NASA satellite images. This drastic change has significant implications for the environment and climate, highlighting the impact of global warming on the Arctic region.
Biologists have found that the influenza A virus migrates globally and mixes with other viral strains during the summer off-season before returning to the Northern Hemisphere as a genetically different virus. The research suggests widespread viral traffic across the equator, contributing to new epidemics in both hemispheres.
A study on Gambel's white-crowned sparrows reveals that the brain regions controlling singing behavior shrink rapidly after testosterone withdrawal, leading to neuron loss and apoptosis. This natural phenomenon may hold potential medical implications for understanding age-related degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia.
Assistant Professor Michael Fry and student Andrew Lundberg developed a model to help fantasy football players make informed decisions during drafts. The team's approach uses a combination of player value, available players, and team need to identify the best players to select.
Sea surface temperatures are crucial for tropical cyclone formation, and recent data shows warming in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and eastern Atlantic. This warming contributed to Hurricane Dean and Tropical Storm Erin, with forecasters warning that the upcoming hurricane season will be a mixed bag.
A study published in Journal of Evolutionary Biology found that penduline tit parents frequently abandon 1 in 3 clutches of eggs to pursue new mates. This unique breeding strategy allows for improved reproductive success but also poses risks for the young.
Researchers are setting up observatories to examine changes under the Arctic ice cap, investigating water properties in the upper layers of the Arctic Ocean. The goal is to understand annual change and measure mechanisms that lead to ice melting from below.
Zimbabwean smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions face food shortages due to limited fertilizer use. Research by Bongani Ncube found that nitrogen availability is the key factor improving cereal yields. Crop rotation also showed promise, with leguminous crops doubling sorghum yields.
A Brandeis University study shows that the circadian neuronal network in fruit flies functions as a dynamic system that enables insects to adjust their behavior according to seasonal changes. The researchers discovered that two groups of neurons, morning cells and evening cells, alternate as master clocks depending on day length and se...
A NASA study suggests that tiny dust particles may have contributed to the relatively calm 2006 Atlantic hurricane season by cooling ocean waters. The research found that Saharan dust concentrations played a major role in shaping the season, potentially even initiating pre-existing conditions due to El Niño.
A new coaching intervention, known as the Mastery Approach to Coaching, was found to reduce sport anxiety and improve personal achievement goals in young athletes. The program, which emphasizes effort and supporting teammates over winning at all costs, also showed positive effects on academic motivation.
A recent study found that women conceiving in spring are most vulnerable to preterm birth, with rates increasing from summer (8.4%) to winter and fall. The research analyzed data from over 75,000 deliveries and suggests that seasonal variations in immune system exposure may play a role in preterm birth risk.
The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season had near-normal activity with nine named storms, including five hurricanes, due to cooler sea surface temperatures and the shift of the Bermuda High. This resulted in stronger winds and reduced thunderstorm formation.
A study by University of Illinois researcher Patrick Weatherhead found a direct correlation between the North Atlantic Oscillation and the decline in red-winged black bird population. The population decreased by 50% due to warmer, wetter winters in the southeastern United States.
Researchers are urging more study on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing and hand washing during annual flu season. The lack of comprehensive data on community epidemiologic data hinders the design of effective interventions, making it crucial to prepare for potential pandemic flu.
A study of 50 years of remotely sensed imagery reveals dramatic reductions in arctic ponds in Alaska, linked to recent climate warming. The shrinking ponds may impact waterfowl production and climate regulation, highlighting the need for land managers to address these changes.
The Arctic Ocean's perennial sea ice shrank by 730,000 square kilometers between 2004 and 2005, replacing it with more vulnerable seasonal ice. The loss of perennial ice raises concerns about future ice retreat and its impacts on the environment and marine transportation.
A recent analysis suggests that limiting flights after 9/11 delayed the onset of the 2001-2002 U.S. flu season and slowed flu spread. By analyzing real data on influenza mortality and air travel volume, researchers found a strong correlation between reduced airline activity and delayed flu peaks.
Researchers have uncovered a genetic 'snooze button' that regulates when plants bloom in the spring, allowing them to compete for resources. The study's findings offer hints at precise control over flowering, essential for agriculture and plant reproduction.
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals reveals that consumers perceive price hikes differently for material goods and services. Consumers consider fair price increases when costs associated with production or provision increase, but not when service costs and vendor profits are linked.
Florida State University will use a $6.2 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to build a more accurate hurricane prediction model. The new model, developed using FSU's supercomputer, aims to improve long-range hurricane forecasts and estimate the number of tropical storms in a season.
A new study published in Science finds that rising temperatures are exacerbating the number of large and costly wildfires in the western United States. The research, led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, analyzed a database of recent large western wildfires since 1970 and compared it with climate and land-surface data from the re...
Research reveals improved treatment outcomes for individuals with anorexia nervosa, including increased fertility and reduced long-term mortality. The study highlights the importance of biologically driven avoidance behavior in the development of the disorder.
Scientists have found that temperature variations are more intimately linked across time scales than previously thought. The researchers used measurements from corals, ice cores, and sediment cores to estimate past temperatures, revealing a stronger connection between annual and decadal cycles.
The study aims to improve the ability to observe and simulate monsoons over North America. Researchers gathered extensive atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface observations in the core region of the North American monsoon, providing insights into warm-season convective processes.
A 10-year study of wild finches reveals that female birds choose mates based on genetic diversity, not flashy traits. This helps explain why elaborate ornaments evolve despite potential inbreeding risks.
The Amazon rainforest grows in greenery and lush vegetation during the dry season, contrary to the general pattern of plant growth. This phenomenon is observed only in undisturbed forest areas, where trees' deep roots allow them to reach water even during dry periods.
Researchers found that tap roots in deep-rooted plants transfer rainwater to reservoirs underground, redistributing water upwards during dry periods, increasing photosynthesis and transpiration. This effect can increase carbon uptake by 40% and impact global climate globally.
The study found no new or unexpected adverse events, including rare events, reported to VAERS during the first two post-licensure seasons of intranasal flu vaccine use. The researchers identified some potential risks, such as anaphylaxis and asthma exacerbation in individuals with prior asthma history.
The study finds that unit bias affects how people perceive and consume food, with smaller portions being just as satisfying. The researchers believe this bias is culturally derived and plays a significant role in the French eating less than Americans.
A study by Lalwani and Monroe found that frequently fluctuating prices cause consumers to perceive a product's average price as lower than when the price is reduced by a larger amount but less often. This suggests that frequent discounts may be more effective in driving sales.
Researchers Rebecca Sparks and David Abrahamson developed a formula predicting starting pitchers' top three finishes in Cy Young voting. Their analysis found that wins carry significant weight, while ERA and strikeouts have more importance than winning percentage or losses.
The chemistry job market remains challenging due to rising costs, particularly in the wake of a record-breaking hurricane season that has battered refineries in the Gulf Coast region. Despite this, median starting salaries for chemists have increased, with bachelor's level chemists earning $32,500 and Ph.D. chemists earning $65,000.
The new NASA animation shows the tracks of all 21 named storms, including Arlene and Wilma. The video is available for download in various formats, including MPEG-1 and JPEG.
By mid-century, air quality in the Western United States is expected to decline due to climate change, with a doubling of stagnant days in the region. In contrast, the Midwest may see improved air quality thanks to increased cloud cover, which could offset warming temperatures.
A new study has tracked the evolution of the H3N2 influenza virus in New York over five flu seasons, revealing at least three distinct subpopulations of the virus. The research demonstrates the potential for genomics to inform vaccine development and improve public health by understanding the dynamics of flu virus evolution.
Researchers sequenced over 200 human flu strains, revealing a surprisingly large degree of genetic diversity and dynamic evolution. The study provides insights into why the 2003-04 flu vaccine provided partial protection against that season's flu.
Increasing summer temperatures in northern Alaska are lengthening the snow-free season, allowing shrubs and trees to migrate northward. The region's vegetation change is accelerating global warming by absorbing solar radiation, leading to a positive feedback loop.
Recent changes in Arctic snow-free seasons have triggered feedbacks that amplify future rates of summer warming. The study found that changes in season length, rather than vegetation increases, explain this observation. This mechanism could further amplify atmospheric heating by up to 2-7 times.
A study using satellite observations found increased photosynthesis and growing season length in Canadian tundra, while forests declined in photosynthetic activity. The decline is linked to long-term warming and drying, challenging initial predictions of predictable forest changes.
Scientists at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found a lag in freshwater and saltwater inflows and outflows related to seasonal water table changes. Seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers may occur several months after precipitation, affecting nutrient and contaminant transport.
Researchers have developed a new model that accurately forecasts US hurricane activity, enabling skilful seasonal predictions to benefit individuals and decision-makers. The model uses height-averaged winds as a predictor, exhibiting significant linkages to US landfalling hurricanes.
Patients who had surgery in the summer months with high vitamin D intake showed better disease-free survival rates (83% vs. 46%) and overall survival rates (72% vs. 30%) compared to those with low vitamin D intake or winter surgeries. The study suggests a potential link between vitamin D and improved cancer outcomes.
A study found that individual transferable quotas decreased discard rates for most species, contrary to economic models. In British Columbia waters, the system reduced marketable fish discards to negligible amounts due to 100% observer coverage. The US West Coast fishery, however, experienced higher discard rates despite trip limits.
The 2004 Midwest crop yields were record-breaking due to unique weather conditions, including an unusually high number of sunny days that aided photosynthesis. This anomaly in atmospheric circulation patterns contributed to the exceptional yields, which surpassed predictions and models.
Research by Dr David Voas reveals that the people of Hereford are the strongest Christmas churchgoers in Britain, with more than 10% taking to the pews during the festival. In contrast, Manchester and Guildford have much lower attendance figures, with fewer than 2% of people attending Anglican services at Christmas.
New research reveals that children from post-divorce families are not necessarily better off with equal parenting time. Step-families are growing rapidly, with nearly 20% of dads aged 34 being step-fathers. Caribbean families in Britain increasingly celebrate Kwaanza as a holiday tradition.
A study by Dr. David V. Day and colleagues found that NHL players who held the captaincy position outperformed their peers without such responsibilities. The researchers attribute this improvement to the culture of leadership promoted in the league.
Researchers found that small fluctuations in transmission rates can lead to regular, annual epidemics due to interactions between the evolving virus and changing immunity levels. The underlying cause of seasonal fluctuations may be too small to measure.
Researchers found that tropical birds are more susceptible to global warming due to their sensitivity to environmental cues, which can disrupt the timing of breeding. The study suggests that changes in rainfall, temperature, or food availability may drive breeding behavior in these birds.
The study estimates over 200,000 annual respiratory and circulatory hospitalizations associated with influenza in the US. Influenza rates increased among elderly over two decades due to population aging.
TRMM has provided significant scientific research data over seven years, aiding NOAA and other agencies in monitoring rainfall and storms. NASA will continue to operate the satellite through the 2004 hurricane season to capture additional storm data.
A recent study by Boston University researchers found that urban areas experience a longer growing season than surrounding rural regions, with the onset of spring and end of winter dormancy differing by up to eight days. The urban heat island effect plays a significant role in this phenomenon.
Researchers found that cholesterol levels peak in the winter and decrease in the summer, with women experiencing greater seasonal variability. The study suggests that changes in plasma volume explain the observed increases in cholesterol levels during the winter months.
A recent study by mathematicians and economists found that National League pitchers are more likely to throw inside pitches, increasing the risk of hitting batters. This 'moral hazard' theory suggests that the rule's impact is not due to lower costs for NL pitchers, but rather their fear of retaliation when stepping up to bat.
Researchers developed a simplified formula to predict team winning percentages, using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The new linear function works almost as well as the original Pythagorean theorem in predicting team performance.
A study by Bruce Patterson found that lion attacks increase during wet seasons when traditional prey disperses, making livestock more vulnerable. Implementing a seasonal stocking plan can reduce losses by quartering livestock only during the dry season and taking them to market before the rains.