Articles tagged with Water Resources
Scientists warn that limited resources on the moon could lead to overcrowding and conflict as site selection and extraction become reality. A framework for managing these challenges already exists, drawing from analogs on Earth like common-pool resources.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1.18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study abiotic carbon dioxide (CO2) dynamics in dryland systems through irrigated pecan orchards. The project aims to understand the conditions that enhance CO2 production and develop methods to model and predict its impact.
GAIN4CROPS project uses nature-inspired approaches to enhance photosynthetic efficiency in sunflowers, promoting climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture. The research could lead to decreased land, nitrogen, and water usage, aligning with efforts to conserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers found that feeding animals is the strongest influence on animal activity in yards, with species like squirrels and raccoons being most common. The study confirms the urban-wildlife paradox, showing that suburban areas can have an abundance of wildlife compared to wild areas.
A new study reveals that countries relying heavily on global trade are more vulnerable to resource scarcity, especially in the face of climate change. The research highlights the need for a systemic approach to examining pressures on water, energy, and land resources.
Climate change may lead to increased sedimentation (39-69%) and higher peak streamflows carrying more pollutants into the Bay-Delta. The added sediment could also support wetland habitats and native species as sea levels rise.
Researchers study how SMEs successfully commercialize inventions, identifying key factors such as clear clients and open innovation culture. The project aims to develop interventions like training programs to increase licensing of external solutions.
Researchers explored ways to ensure power supply in Spain, considering the scarcity of interconnection with neighboring countries. They found that flexible management of hydropower plants could alleviate supply shortages due to renewable energy's intermittency.
A new study suggests that farmland requiring irrigation could increase to 1.8 billion hectares, far exceeding current projections, with potential consequences for water resources, biodiversity, and climate change.
Researchers analyzed sediment yield data from 14 rivers in the Middle Volga Region to assess erosion trends over 50 years. The study found a decrease in erosion activity and volumes of its products, as well as reduced unevenness in river water flow, prompting practical applications for land use planning and resource management.
Research by WEARE at University of Córdoba reveals methods to sustainably manage groundwater, such as monitoring systems and high-added value crops, that can help recover over-exploited aquifers. Governance is also crucial in ensuring sustainable use.
The UK Water Resources Portal brings together up-to-date data on river flows, rainfall, soil moisture and groundwater levels, providing insights into floods and droughts. The portal also offers historical records for comparison with previous significant events.
Researchers developed a biodegradable film from fish scales to create flexible electronic displays. The film was found to be transparent, flexible and environmentally friendly, dissolving in hot water and degrading within 24 days.
The World Karst Spring hydrograph dataset (WoKaS) offers a comprehensive collection of over 400 karst spring discharge data, providing valuable insights into the world's fastest-flowing groundwater. This database supports trend analyses, impact studies, and model evaluations for sustainable water management.
Climate-driven farming in 'frontiers' could pollute downstream water resources and decrease biodiversity, threatening 1.8 billion people and accelerating global warming.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University have developed a new reagent to combat hydrate formation in Arctic oil production, reducing environmental harm. The chitosan-graft-Polyacrylamide reagent slows down hydrate formation and ensures safe transportation of products in optimal temperature ranges.
Research reveals sand mining on the Mekong River is causing significant erosion, with riverbanks collapsing when lowered by just two meters. Excessive sand mining poses environmental and social risks, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations to protect communities.
A new model of animal energy budgets reveals that resource variation is a key mechanism driving evolutionary body size. By considering factors such as metabolism, reproduction costs, and offspring energy delivery, the model shows that larger bodies provide more room for energy storage, helping animals survive uncertain environments.
New research from the University of Adelaide reveals that climate and economic factors are driving farmers out of their properties in the Murray-Darling Basin. The study found no significant association between reduced water extraction and farmer numbers.
A Rutgers study found that creating a sustainable neurosurgical program in Santarém, Brazil requires recruiting and training local doctors, who can navigate healthcare barriers with limited resources. The five-year residency program has improved conditions and access for patients.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to analyze the performance of pore-filled ion-exchange membranes in reverse electrodialysis. The 'Conductive Traveling Length' concept enabled accurate prediction of ion transfer and performance, impacting commercialization of salinity gradient power technology.
The Permafrost Discovery Gateway provides a detailed picture of Arctic change, combining satellite data with air temperature and precipitation maps. The platform helps inform policies and management in the Arctic by offering a user-friendly tool to explore rapid climate changes.
Researchers discovered the water conditions that drive snakeheads onto land, where they can survive for up to 20 hours. The study's findings can inform natural resources agencies' population management strategies.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that positioning employees in different units enables them to learn from innovative colleagues and adopt new skills. This approach promotes organizational learning for sustainability without the need for top-down hierarchy or extensive training.
A study by University of Queensland researchers found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where adoption is slow initially but grows quickly as early adopters connect with potential adopters. The research aims to help designers create initiatives that reach scale and have a lasting impact on biodiversity.
A new study published in Icarus suggests that the majority of ice deposits at the lunar south pole are likely billions of years old, while some may be much more recent. The researchers used data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine the ages of large craters and found evidence for both ancient and fresh ice deposits.
A new study suggests that a majority of lunar ice deposits are likely billions of years old, but some may be more recent, posing implications for exploration and resource utilization.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more adopters connect with potential adopters. This understanding can help policymakers design and promote effective conservation programs.
Researchers found that applying normal tap water to the chest, arms, back, legs, and face with a sponge lowered cardiovascular strain and halved dehydration rates compared to just drinking water. Immersing feet in water was also effective, but not as effective as self-dousing.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified key factors for successful conservation initiatives, including facilitating contact between adopters and potential adopters. Most initiatives followed a slow-fast-slow model, where initial adoption is slow but grows quickly as more early adopters connect with potential adopters.
A new mathematical model developed by Fan et al. suggests that environmental taxes can stimulate economic growth, decrease emissions, and improve resource utilization in China. The model's findings support the use of carbon taxes as an effective strategy to promote environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers developed a new method to measure pore structure and water flow in soil, providing more accurate estimates of contaminant movement. This approach has implications for efficient resource use and understanding environmental toxins.
Wild African elephants demonstrate distinct movement patterns in response to environmental changes, with some targeting resources while others avoid them. The study found that landscape conservation efforts should consider the diverse tactics employed by individual elephants.
A new analysis suggests that migration can promote cooperation among individuals by creating heterogeneous patterns in their spatial distribution. This allows populations to thrive despite the threat of exploitation, as defectors avoid cooperators or form communities with public goods.
A University of Queensland study found that environmental defenders are being killed at an alarming rate due to conflict over natural resources. The research highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from corporations and governments in protecting these defenders.
A workshop at the University of Texas at Arlington aims to develop a holistic approach to urban watershed management in North Texas. The event will bring together experts from various disciplines to discuss the environmental impacts of infrastructure, climate change, and economic growth on the Trinity River Watershed.
Researchers discovered a tree stump that remained alive due to grafting with nearby trees, exchanging water and resources. This finding suggests a reevaluation of trees as individuals towards understanding forest ecosystems as superorganisms.
Oregon State University researchers developed a new model to calculate snowpack water content, utilizing snow depth data and climate normals. The model performed better than existing ones against validation datasets, providing a valuable tool for vast areas lacking weather instrumentation.
Researchers at KIT develop a new process to quantify groundwater state/level using tidal effects, reducing costs and increasing coverage of subsurface properties. The method uses automated water pressure data loggers and can be applied globally to manage resources more sustainably.
Researchers from the University of Granada developed a new forest treatment technique that helps trees adapt to extreme climates by reducing competition for resources. The method, based on measuring tree trunk diameters, has been shown to improve forest growth and resilience in Mediterranean areas.
Researchers developed a micelle-type nano-container that can be switched between assembled and disassembled states via light irradiation. The system demonstrated the release of guest molecules in water, showcasing its potential for non-invasive drug delivery.
A recent study by Elic Weitzel found that humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture in response to changes in their environment, including declining food sources and shifting climates. The research analyzed animal bones and pollen data from Eastern United States sites, revealing a link between population growth and ...
Scientists propose a new benchmark skill to improve decadal prediction of terrestrial water storage. The study suggests that incorporating decadal climate prediction significantly improves baseline skill over major river basins at various lead times.
A recent study published in BioScience analyzed international food trade data from 1986 to 2010 to assess its impact on equitable access to food. The researchers found that trade plays a significant role in distributing food more equitably across the planet.
A team of researchers developed an online survey tool to assess the reproducibility of published research in hydrology studies. The tool evaluates data availability, result reproducibility, and replicability of findings, providing insights into the low rates of reproducibility in this field.
A new study found that giraffes living near human settlements have larger home ranges than those living far from towns, while areas with more rain have smaller home ranges. This suggests that humans are impacting giraffe habitat and forcing them to travel longer distances to access critical resources.
A UCF study found that high general intelligence is not enough to stop ecological disasters, highlighting the importance of social intelligence in managing shared resources. The research used a digital game to simulate an ecosystem and found that teams with high social intelligence were more effective at optimizing resource use.
Sera Young, a Northwestern University anthropologist, has developed the first scale to measure household water insecurity, a universal need bounded by disciplinary and geographic silos. The 12-question HWISE Scale will transform how we understand the prevalence, causes, and consequences of water insecurity on maternal and child health.
A recent study published in Ursus highlights the significance of water holes not only as drinking water sources but also as sites for Andean bears to communicate with each other. The locations of rubbed trees and shrubs near water holes were concentrated on trails, indicating potential conflicts between humans and bears.
Researchers found that elephants prefer locations with better past forage conditions over current availability, especially during the dry season. They also showed a preference for walking along roads to conserve energy and access food sources.
Dr. Panos Diplas, a Lehigh University professor, has been elected as an ASCE Fellow for his distinguished work in civil engineering and research on river phenomena such as scour and meandering. His team's studies aim to improve bridge stability and mitigate the effects of river movement on ecosystems.
A team of Penn State researchers analyzed the water footprint of 65 mid- to large-sized U.S. cities and found that larger cities consume less water per capita. This shift is attributed to changing economic activities, with larger cities becoming more service-oriented and shifting water-intensive industries to less populated regions.
A new study highlights the need for policy changes to allow private capital to invest in US water systems with aging infrastructure. The Journal of the American Water Resources Association article notes that public-private partnerships and loan guarantees are hindered by existing federal budgetary policies.
Researchers identified a specific brain region linked to reduced appreciation of one's own rewards when a partner receives a reward, providing insight into the emotion of envy. This finding has implications for understanding social behavior and valuation of resources.
The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) has launched an online knowledge bank with resources for educators on the health impacts of climate change. The platform features links to publicly available online courses, curricular guidance, and information on upcoming events.
The new California Climate Tracker tool provides more than 120 years of historical climate data, allowing users to analyze trends and patterns in temperature and precipitation. The updated version incorporates a user-friendly web interface, improved accuracy using PRISM data, and access to archived maps and data dating back to 1895.
Researchers developed a novel way to analyze poor urban communities, revealing obstacles between unplanned areas and infrastructure. The models identify distinctions between informal and formal neighborhood structures, enabling the creation of people-centered urban planning solutions.
Scientists developed a new mathematical model using game theory to explain the biodiversity paradox, which predicts that hundreds of plankton species can coexist in open sea water despite limited resources. The model shows that biodiversity increases exponentially with the number of resources, leading to a large number of potential spe...
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method to monitor water levels in underground aquifers using seismic noise. They were able to measure the water depth of an aquifer in California to within a centimeter, and estimated that half a cubic kilometer of water was pumped out during a drought. This technique has the poten...
The Household Water Insecurity Research Coordination Network (RCN) aims to develop a geospatial perspective on water insecurity, which affects vulnerable households worldwide. The team will create a water security metric and engage with stakeholders in the international water sector.