Articles tagged with Seasonal Changes
A new study published in Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases demonstrates that the serum of white-tailed deer blood is lethal to the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. The researchers hope this discovery may lead to new strategies for preventing and treating Lyme disease.
A study of bird poop reveals a unique relationship between birds and their microbiomes, which differ from those found in mammals. The researchers found that the types of bacteria present in the birds' gut microbiomes change over short time periods, rather than being tied to specific host species.
A recent study found an unusual peak in RSV hospital admissions in the third quarter of 2021, nearly doubling typical annual numbers. The surge in cases was unexpected, with low hospitalizations reported in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study of tree rings from the region shows that the event was almost certainly the worst in at least the past millennium. The research established a year-by-year record of summer average temperatures going back to 950, revealing scores of abnormally hot summers.
A study from Ohio State University reveals stark differences in avian functional diversity between the US East and West. Functional diversity patterns are highest in the West during breeding season, while in the East they are lowest despite high species richness.
Researchers propose a novel approach to analyzing microplastic particles, highlighting the importance of particle size and shape in determining environmental impact. Studies show that even samples with similar numbers of particles can have varying levels of plastic pollution based on mass, volume, and specific surface area.
Climate change is disrupting Pakistan's natural system, making it challenging to predict future changes. A recent study found that streamflow timing in the country's four major rivers will decrease significantly, with a range of -5 to -20 days in the near future.
A three-year effort to conserve bee populations showed positive effects, with increased bee abundance and diversity in studied areas. However, quality of the habitat played a key role in these positive effects, and its impact on maintenance over time was also significant.
Daurian redstarts move their nests closer to human settlements when cuckoos are around to protect against brood parasitism. This strategy has been observed in a population of Daurian redstarts in northeastern China, illustrating how urbanization affects interspecific interactions.
Researchers found that patients undergoing polysomnographies experienced longer REM sleep in winter than summer, but less deep sleep in autumn. The study suggests that humans may need more winter sleep to adapt to seasonal changes.
A new technique maps the effects of fire-induced permafrost thaw in Alaska, revealing widespread topographic change and vegetation shifts. The study used a machine learning-based approach to quantify thaw settlement across 3 million acres of land, with results showing a significant loss of evergreen forest and shrubland encroachment.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University found that the brown lemur is responsible for regenerating large fruit trees in Madagascar's Ankarafantsika National Park. The study shows that lemur seed dispersal can lead to a 1.5% survival rate of seeds, contributing significantly to forest diversity.
Researchers at Cornell University found that wild bumblebee queens are being killed in commercial hives due to their attractive colors and smells. The study used queen excluders to test the hypothesis that these hyper-attractive cues are attracting usurping wild queens, leading to their deaths.
Researchers from DRI and partners find that urbanization and climate change are changing the timing and intensity of flood risk in Las Vegas. Flood intensity has increased since the mid-20th century, with an abrupt shift occurring in the mid-1990s.
A study found that climate change threatens reproductive success of songbirds in California's Central Valley due to increasing rainfall and extreme heat. The researchers analyzed data from the Nestbox Highway project, which showed a decline in bird fitness amidst extreme precipitation or temperatures.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from Homo erectus and great apes to reveal annual cycles in tooth enamel, providing insights into their diets and seasonal food supplies. The study shows that humans and great apes had distinct dietary patterns, with humans exhibiting less pronounced peaks and lower Sr/Ca values.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
A recent study found a significant decrease in influenza activity in China during the 2020-2022 COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in winter and spring. The observed reduction in influenza seasonality may be attributed to everyday COVID-19 public health interventions.
A nationwide cohort study in Sweden found that elite male football players have a lower risk of alcohol and drug related disorders compared to the general population. This protective effect was seen only for those who first played in the 1960s and later, while players from earlier eras had similar risks as men from the general population.
By analyzing satellite imagery and tracking net primary productivity, researchers aim to predict how ecosystems will respond to climate change. Their model suggests that the rate at which ecosystems adapt to changing conditions is a critical component to reducing uncertainty about future projections.
A government policy that pushed back the sowing of rice in northwest India led to a delay in harvests and agricultural burning, exacerbating air pollution. Without this delay, cities like New Delhi would have seen an average of 11-21% less smoke-related air pollution between 2008 and 2019.
Researchers found that students fell asleep later and woke up later in winter due to limited daytime light exposure. Daytime light exposure had a greater impact on circadian rhythms than evening light exposure.
The Aztecs tracked seasonal variations in weather by watching the sunrise against the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Their agricultural system accurately fed a population of up to 3 million people before the Spanish arrival.
A new analytical method has been developed to map climatic and environmental processes at high temporal resolution, revealing an abrupt intensification of seasonality in the tropical ocean during the last period of global climate change. This provides evidence of how global climate changes affect local, seasonal temperature variations.
Rondaxe Lake's experience is just one of thousands worldwide as lakes lose oxygen due to warming, leading to conditions like hypoxia and anoxia. This phenomenon, exacerbated by seasonal stratification, threatens aquatic life and ecosystems.
Researchers at Rutgers University simulated climate change's impact on allergenic pollens, finding significant increases in airborne pollen loads by 2050. The study predicts earlier start times and longer durations for pollen seasons across the US, with notable regional shifts.
The proportion of hamstring injuries and associated lay-off days among male professional European footballers has doubled over the past 20 years. Nearly one in five injuries were recurrences, occurring within two months of return to play, with most injuries being structural and resulting in more lay-off days.
Research found that North American wildflower timing is more sensitive to warmer temperatures than surrounding tree growth, threatening the flower's ability to grow. In contrast, European and Asian forests show a synchronized shift in tree and wildflower phenology, potentially leading to increased light for wildflowers.
Researchers used weather radar to track bird movements and found peak roosting stages shifting earlier due to warmer temperatures. This shift may lead to a shortened pre-migratory season, impacting birds' survival during migration.
A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that pollen levels are lowest during early morning hours, with lower counts occurring between 4:00 a.m. and noon. This information can help individuals with pollen allergies plan their outdoor activities accordingly.
Researchers found a 22,000-year cycle in the Earth-sun distance affecting the Pacific cold tongue, impacting El Niño/La Niña events and North American weather. The study suggests that the changing distance may have long-term historical effects on other weather systems.
Researchers used drones to monitor Waikīkī Beach, finding that wave energy from south swells and trade-wind generated waves drive erosion and accretion. The studies provide insights into beach behavior and help inform management of the coastline for ecological, societal, and economic sustainability.
A study by the University of Washington suggests that adopting permanent daylight saving time would decrease deer-vehicle collisions due to brighter evening skies. The researchers estimate a reduction in 2.3% deer-vehicle collisions over a full year, potentially preventing 36,550 deer deaths annually.
Researchers found that closely-related rhododendron species in China's Hengduan Mountains coexist by bursting into bloom at different times of the season. This diversification allows them to reduce competition for resources and pollinators, enabling their survival.
Researchers found a significant association between extreme heat exposure and emergency room visits for acute kidney injury, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. The impact of extreme heat exposure lasted up to a week, with stronger effects during transitional months.
A new study at the Turku PET Centre discovered that shorter daylight hours increase opioid receptor levels in brown fat of rats. This complements previous findings on day length modulating opioid receptor levels in brain emotional circuits.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
A new study predicts that the frequency of rainy days in the Arctic could roughly double by 2100 as a result of rapid warming. This shift is expected to increase permafrost melt and speed up the loss of sea ice cover, with far-reaching consequences for Arctic ecology and Indigenous communities.
A new study suggests that climate change is favoring La Niña events in the Pacific Ocean. The researchers found that temperature patterns at the ocean's surface have changed, with the Pacific off South America cooling and the western Pacific warming more than elsewhere. This has led to a strengthened temperature difference between the ...
Researchers at Washington State University identified eight proteins that regulate insulin sensitivity and resistance in hibernating bears, similar to human genes. The discovery could lead to the development of treatments for human diabetes.
A new study reveals that European moles reduce their brains by 11% in winter and regrow them by 4% in summer to conserve energy. This phenomenon, known as Dehnel's phenomenon, is driven by cold conditions rather than food shortage alone.
Researchers found that HPV vaccination rates rose significantly during the pandemic, particularly among younger children and adolescents. The study suggests that the increased vaccination rates may be attributed to changes in healthcare access and scheduling.
A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.
Research from the University of California - Davis recommends cleaning nest boxes in fall months to avoid disturbing American barn owl breeding pairs. Land managers can install nest box networks to attract barn owls and benefit agricultural operations by controlling pests.
Scientists at UC San Diego have illuminated the role of key neurons that alter function in response to seasonal changes in light exposure. The study found that neurons change expression of neurotransmitters in response to day length stimuli, triggering behavioral changes.
A Japanese research group discovered that the leaf area index of mixed-forests influences seasonal changes in the formation of a nocturnal cold-air pool at a small mountain basin. The study found that weakening of the nighttime temperature inversion occurred during leaf expansion, while strengthening occurred after leaf fall.
New research from the University of Ottawa finds that climate change is waking bumblebees earlier from winter hibernation, putting the species at risk. The study found that this early emergence timing puts bees out of sync with their food sources, leading to smaller colonies and lower survival rates.
A UBC Okanagan researcher suggests changing fur trapping practices to prevent accidental grizzly bear toe amputations. By delaying the start of the trapping season from November 1 to early December, trappers can avoid catching bears during their hibernation period.
Researchers found a lower concussion rate in Florida, where headgear was mandated, compared to states without. The rate was 0.39 concussions/1000 athlete exposures with mandatory headgear, vs 0.44 without. This suggests that headgear may be worth considering for high schools and other levels of play.
Climate change affects European agriculture in distinct ways across regions, with southern Europe experiencing the highest number of initiatives and adaptations. Northern Europe expects a longer growing season, while central and southern Europe struggle with drought and erratic rainfall.
Researchers found that non-growing season nitrous oxide emissions in the Midwest can account for up to 60% of annual emissions. Environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature drive these emissions, with more intensive freezing causing increased emissions in the southeastern Midwest.
A new study found a correlation between colder temperatures and northern regions in the US and an increased risk of diabetes diagnoses in dogs. Diabetes diagnoses were more common in winter and in the North compared to other seasons and regions.
Research shows higher concentrations of pathogenic dust landing at lower elevations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, carrying fungi and bacteria that can cause crop failures and human respiratory disease. The study highlights the increasing threat of microbe-laden dust as the Earth dries out.
Researchers aim to uncover information on blotchy bass syndrome's prevalence, distribution, and potential risks through data collected by citizens. The study will help determine which bass species are susceptible and which seem immune.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that counties with moderate-to-high wildfire risk are more likely to have higher poverty rates. The researchers identified 14 states in the lower 48 with the highest wildfire risk, including Arizona, California, and Texas.
Climate change is intensifying Western US wildfire activity, resulting in taller smoke plumes and more aerosols injected into the atmosphere. The study models 4.6 million smoke plumes and finds that maximum plume height increased by an average of 320 ft per year in four regions, with some areas experiencing a 750 ft per year increase.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that plants flowered and leafed out earlier in contemporary years than in the early 19th century, coinciding with a warming trend. The accelerated timing poses risks for some species' survival and informs conservation efforts.
A new University of Maine study reveals that temperatures are rising at different rates in various locations across the state's wild blueberry fields, particularly during the fall, winter, and summer. The findings suggest that warmer daytime and nighttime temperatures increase carbon dioxide production and alter the carbon cycle.
A study found that COVID-19 disrupted RSV's seasonal pattern, leading to a 'collapse' of existing strains and emergence of new ones. The pandemic also accelerated the spread and evolution of other viruses like influenza.
Researchers found that Mars' extreme energy budget imbalance can contribute to dust storms. The team analyzed four years of data from NASA missions and found a correlation between the planet's orbits and temperatures, suggesting that the energy excess may be one of the generating mechanisms of Mars' dust storms.