Articles tagged with Fire
A team of ecologists models climate change effects on fire occurrence and composition of Yellowstone forests, finding a tipping element that may alter the flora, fauna, and ecosystem quality. The researchers predict frequent fires will become the norm in parts of the landscape by 2050.
Researchers found that reduced forest harvest levels led to increased carbon sequestration, making public lands a significant carbon sink. This discovery highlights the importance of forests in addressing global warming concerns.
A Baylor University study reveals that some desert bird species are more resilient to wildfires and climate change due to changes in their habitat. The research found that three bird species will benefit from the drying of grasslands, reducing the likelihood of intense wildfires, and allowing for easier prey foraging.
A study by Spanish researchers found that spur-thighed tortoises in Mediterranean environments can withstand fires if they occur every 30 years. However, young tortoises are more susceptible to fire and disappear after each fire due to their limited shell development.
The NASA Aura satellite measures pollution 'butterfly' formed by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from agricultural fires in central Africa. High concentrations of NO2 were detected over the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola, posing a threat to air quality and health.
Researchers found a significant association between indoor air pollution and increased blood pressure among older women. Exposure to small-particle air pollution can cause premature death and lung disease, while cleaner fuels and stoves could cut cardiovascular risk by up to 22%.
Researchers at NIST and UMD demonstrate that well-dispersed clay nanofillers in polymers significantly improve fire resistance. The study reveals that dispersed clay plates form a network structure, slowing degradation and reducing flammability.
A future climate is likely to lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, according to CSIRO's Dr Melita Keywood. The complex relationship between fire and climate change requires closer scientific attention to predict fire occurrence and understand its impacts on atmospheric chemistry.
The Sun weighs 333,000 Earths and sustains a core temperature of 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. Berman explores the Sun's impact on climate change, human behavior, and our daily lives.
The NASA Aura Satellite has tracked the spread of nitrogen dioxide from New Mexico and Arizona wildfires, providing critical data on air quality. The satellite's Ozone Measuring Instrument (OMI) detected high levels of NO2 near the Las Conchas fire in New Mexico and the Wallow Fire in Arizona.
A recent study found that people in neighborhoods adjacent to public forest lands trust natural resource managers due to the severity of wildfire risks. Local, personal relationships play a crucial role in coming to agreement on management plans and policies.
Researchers evaluate the U.S. National Fire Plan's effectiveness in restoring western U.S. forests and its impact on native lizard populations, including the return of the eastern collared lizard to the Ozarks. The study also examines historical fire records and sediment cores to better understand the Arctic Tundra's fire regime.
The Wallow North and Horseshoe 2 fires in eastern Arizona have burned over 487,016 acres, with the Landsat 5 satellite capturing images of the blazes. The satellite's false-colored imagery helps emergency managers plan containment strategies.
In June 2011, the Mississippi River reached historic levels, causing widespread flooding, with water remaining high in the floodplain. By early June, flooding had receded around Vicksburg, but the river's level was forecast to continue falling.
Researchers at Northwestern University recreated ancient copper artifact-making techniques used by prehistoric Native Americans of Cahokia. They analyzed small pieces of discarded copper and determined that the coppersmiths likely hammered the copper with a heavy rock, then heated it in a wood fire to create thin sheets.
Researchers at Northwestern University recreated ancient copper artifact-making techniques using large stones, fire, and elbow grease. They analyzed discarded copper pieces found on the ground of a 'copper workshop house' in Cahokia and determined that coppersmiths likely hammered and heated copper to create thin sheets.
The University of Arizona has received a $2.95 million grant to study the ecological processes influenced by the monsoon phenomenon. The five-year project will use advanced computer modeling approaches to understand how summer rains affect plant growth and spread invasive grasses, as well as explore connections between lower elevation ...
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that fire stations are contaminated with MRSA, with the most common areas being medic trucks and kitchens. The research suggests that transmission between personnel and environmental surfaces may be occurring, highlighting the need for further studies.
Researchers discovered isocyanic acid, a chemical linked to cataracts and inflammation, in smoke-related environments. The findings highlight the need for more extensive measurement of HNCO in tobacco smoke and indoor biomass burning.
A new University of Georgia study found that cultural factors in the firefighting profession contribute to line-of-duty fatalities, with cardiovascular events being the leading cause. The research also identified under-resourcing, inadequate preparation, and incomplete adoption of incident command procedures as contributing factors.
NIST has broken ground on three new facilities: a net-zero energy residential test facility, an expanded National Fire Research Laboratory, and over 2,500 solar energy modules. The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility will serve as a testbed for new home-scale energy technologies, while the National Fire Research Laboratory expans...
Researchers reconstructed a 226-year fire history in southern Illinois by analyzing fire scars on post oak trees. The study found that repeated fires dating back to early European settlement permanently altered the region's ecology.
A new study reveals that Neanderthals consistently used fire for approximately 400,000 years in Europe, contrary to previous assumptions about their abilities. The findings, based on scores of ancient archaeological sites, show evidence of sustained fire control through the presence of charcoal, heated stone artifacts, and burned bones.
An Australian study found that 78% of school-aged children slept through a smoke alarm sounding for 30 seconds. The study highlights the importance of child evacuation in domestic fires, as only half of waking children recognized the alarm's sound. Younger children (5-10 years old) are significantly more at risk.
Fire, cattle, and prairie dogs play a crucial role in maintaining the diversity of vegetation on the western Great Plains. This mosaic of diverse vegetation supports various wildlife species, including declining populations of grassland birds and ground-nesting birds.
A new University of Florida study has identified the southern US as the origin of invasive red imported fire ants worldwide. The research used molecular genetic markers to track the ants' movements and found that all but one invasion came from the southern US.
A group of scientists argue that prescribed burning may cause more problems than it solves, as there is little evidence that Mediterranean-climate plants are fire-adapted. The researchers suggest alternative management practices to prevent increased fire frequency.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute are developing multi-hazard and multi-channel technologies to create trend-setting warning systems. The PRONTO project uses automatic information collection and assessment to support rescue services in crisis situations.
Researchers analyzed 40 years of safety training studies to find that highly interactive training is most effective for improving safe work behavior in hazardous jobs. Less engaging training can also be effective when the risk of death or injury is low, according to the American Psychological Association.
Researchers used PET scans to evaluate cognitive dysfunction in children with fever-induced refractory epileptic encephalopathy (FIRES), finding significant brain impairment. The study identified frontotemporal dysfunction as the cause of cognitive deterioration, paving the way for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Research reveals that early settlers rapidly cleared New Zealand forests with fires within 200 years of initial colonization, replacing native forests with grasslands and shrublands. The findings support the idea that human activity was the main cause of these fires, which were not related to unusual climate conditions.
The fire disaster in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa is a typical example of climate change effect and a taste of the future, says Dr. Guy Pe'er. The frequency, intensity, and extent of the fires would increase due to prolonged droughts, increased water evaporation, and intense heat waves.
A new study reveals that climate change is causing northern wildfires to burn more fiercely and release more carbon into the atmosphere than previously thought. The research found that fires in Alaska's interior have become more severe over the past decade, pumping out more greenhouse gases and accelerating permafrost loss.
Scientists studied ice cores to find evidence of biomass burning fluctuations in Southern Hemisphere. Biomass burning trends differ from Northern Hemisphere records, suggesting changes for climate models.
Climate change threatens tropical rainforests, requiring a new approach in forest management and conservation. Strategic planning is crucial for linking existing national parks into larger protected areas to preserve biodiversity.
A new technique predicts fire spread using sensor data, giving firefighters minutes of warning to contain blazes. This technology could save lives and minimize damage by providing realistic forecasts of fire dynamics.
A new study reveals that tundra fires in Alaska's North Slope are linked to rising Arctic temperatures and nonlinear climate conditions. The research found a dramatic relationship between temperature and frequency of fires, with temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius increasing fire occurrence.
Purdue University researchers are studying the effects of fire on steel structures using a one-of-a-kind heating system. The testing focuses on how building components behave in extreme temperatures, with results comparing computational models to real-world experiments.
MIT neuroscientists identify a 'chain reaction' of brain activity that controls the timing of song in birds, with individual neurons firing at precise intervals to produce a stereotypical song. The study's findings support the 'synfire chain' model, where each neuron triggers the next, like falling dominos.
Researchers found that old logging practices led to unprecedented soil erosion in southern Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains, which remains a threat despite improved practices. The study analyzed charcoal, pollen, and sediment cores to understand the impacts of fires over the last 2,000 years.
Researchers used Landsat data to map areas hardest hit by mountain pine beetles and found that large fires do not appear to occur more often or with greater severity. Beetle-killed forest swaths may actually be less likely to burn due to the breakdown of flammable volatile oils, and standing dead tree trunks can act as natural fire logs.
A new national study confirms that children who have experienced both disaster exposure and victimization are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, and aggression. The study highlights the need for community organizations and first-responders to provide support to children in need.
A study found that fuel treatments can reduce fire severity and protect older trees desirable for their timber, wildlife, and carbon-storage value. The results showed nearly 60% of trees survived in stands with thinning plus fuel treatment, and three-quarters of larger trees survived.
Recent research found that forest fires stimulate the conversion of ammonia to nitrates, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle. This process is triggered by charcoal deposition and can continue well after the fire has passed, benefiting coniferous forests in the inland Northwestern US.
Research by Tracy Langkilde reveals that stress hormones increase energy mobilization in lizards, enabling them to flee from fire ants. Elevated glucocorticoid levels in affected species facilitate adaptive responses, improving survival rates and reproductive success.
Researchers studied plant toxin detection in bushbabies, lizard defense from invasive fire ants, and antioxidant defenses in barn swallows exposed to radiation. These studies highlight the importance of understanding animal behavior and adaptations to environmental changes.
A recent study conducted by a University of Iowa professor and his colleagues found that increasing the ratio of black carbon to sulfate in the atmosphere increases climate warming. Black carbon from diesel engine exhaust and cooking fires was found to be more efficient at warming than biomass burning plumes.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed methodological protocols to improve information flow during wildfires, enabling more efficient and effective responses. The study found that sharing information is essential to avoid injury or loss of life, protect assets, and maintain vital services.
Carnegie Mellon University has launched a $7 million initiative to increase U.S. enrollments in computer science and STEM fields by leveraging students' interest in robots. The program, called Fostering Innovation through Robotics Exploration (FIRE), will develop new tools and competitions to attract more young people to these careers.
In European mountains, burning has become a common tool for managing scrubland, but its impact on bird populations is varied. The study found that some species, such as the Dartford warbler, recover more slowly after fire at higher altitudes.
New research suggests that reduced deforestation rates in the Amazon may lead to increased fire incidences, potentially offsetting carbon savings from the UN's REDD programme. Sustainable land management practices are needed to prevent this.
Researchers at NC State are creating a comfortable and functional leather HazMat boot that meets both criteria. The new boots use special materials that repel toxic chemicals, making them easy to clean and decontaminate.
Martu hunter-gatherers' traditional practices have reshaped Australia's Western Desert habitats, creating biologically diverse areas. The use of fire in their hunting grounds encourages the growth of diverse vegetation, allowing small mammals to thrive.
Research at University of Toronto Scarborough found that the human brain is more reactive to people of one's own race, producing significantly more motor-cortex activity, whereas observing others from a different race results in reduced activity. The study suggests that this phenomenon may contribute to prejudice and limited empathy.
A new 4,000-year study reconstructing fire history in the southern Appalachians supports the use of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health. The study found that fires became more frequent about 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of Native Americans.
The Applied Forensic Sciences Department at Mercyhurst College conducted a mock fire event in Montgomery County, Pa., to simulate fatal fire scenes and test new methodologies for recovering and analyzing burned human remains. The team aims to strengthen protocols for assessing trauma in forensic cases.
Scientists reconstructed a 3,000-year fire history in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park using giant sequoia tree rings. The research found that the years from 800 to 1300 had the most frequent fires during this period, and that climate change may subject the trees to similar conditions again.
A new study finds that prescribed burns can reduce fire emissions of carbon dioxide in the West by an average of 18 to 25 percent. Prescribed fires are designed to burn underbrush and small trees, reducing the chances of subsequent high-severity wildfires and protecting large trees and keeping more carbon locked up in the forest.
Research suggests that frequent fires can promote forest composition and structure more consistent with historical conditions. This approach to land management may help save money and improve forest health.
Researchers found that land gastropod fauna are a good indicator of forest recovery following fires, with some species surviving in closed refuges. The study's findings suggest that post-fire forestry operations must consider the impact on these sensitive species to ensure their survival and habitat diversity.