Articles tagged with Beaches
A new study finds that warmer temperatures are turning the majority of sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef population female, with some beaches having as few as 1% male turtles. This shift could threaten the long-term sustainability of the colony.
A US study estimates that 90 million cases of waterborne illnesses occur each year through recreational activities, costing $2.9 billion annually. The most common illnesses are gastrointestinal and respiratory in nature, with adults aged 20-54 experiencing mild illness and children under 10 experiencing moderate illness.
A study published in Geomorphology identifies areas with high cliff erosion rates and introduces a new hazard scale to predict impending collapses. The research provides accurate erosion rates for 680 miles of the California coast, highlighting the need for improved models and planning strategies to protect critical facilities.
A recent study by Tara C. Smith, Ph.D., found a higher-than-expected prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at beaches around Lake Erie. The study revealed that MRSA levels were more than 40% higher in the summer when beaches are most heavily used.
A University of Queensland study found that goanna raids on loggerhead turtle nests increased since feral fox control in the 1980s. Researchers observed up to 400 disturbed nests annually at Wreck Rock beach.
A global survey found that 91% of entangled marine turtles were dead, with serious wounds from entanglement and maiming. The study highlights the risk of plastic pollution to marine turtles, particularly young hatchlings and juveniles.
Researchers discovered that adult sea turtles like Eleanor can survive and even thrive during tropical storms. The study found that sea turtles like Eleanor drastically change behavior when the storm strikes, using more energy than usual but still surviving without injury.
A new review in Marine Geology reveals that slightly warmer temperatures and moderate CO2 concentrations over 100,000 years ago led to dramatic superstorms and sea-level rise in the Bahamas and Bermuda. The study emphasizes that strong climate forcing is not required to yield major impacts on the ocean and ice caps.
Scientists have developed a computer model that uses past wave observations and beach assessments to forecast coastal erosion and/or accretion over the coming year. The new tool provides a traffic light system based on storm severity, highlighting the level of action required to protect particular beaches.
Scientists have discovered a way to create and control skyrmions at will in specific locations, paving the way for a new form of data storage. This breakthrough enables the storage of vast amounts of data in a tiny area, potentially extending Moore's Law.
Researchers found high levels of radioactive cesium-137 in beach sands and brackish groundwater beneath beaches up to 60 miles away from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The study suggests that this new pathway for radionuclide release should be considered in managing coastal areas near nuclear power plants.
Researchers sampled radiocesium at 8 beaches up to 100 km from Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant, finding highest levels in brackish groundwater beneath the beaches. The concentrations do not pose public health risks but have implications for nuclear power plant management.
A team of UC Santa Barbara geologists used ground-penetrating radar to study the effects of a massive tsunami that hit Northern California 900 years ago. The researchers found that the wave removed three to five times more sand than any historical El Niño storm, with erosion extending up to 360 feet inland.
NASA satellite images reveal Hurricane Irma's structure and strengthening as it approaches southern Florida. The storm re-strengthened from a Category 3 to a Category 4 hurricane after passing over warm waters in the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, with higher gusts.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of Hurricane Irma's eye along Cuba's northern coast, revealing coldest temperatures surrounding the storm. The hurricane is expected to strengthen once it moves away from Cuba and then re-strengthen again as it approaches Florida, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall.
Tropical Depression Emily consolidated along the central west coast of Florida on July 31 before tracking east into the Western North Atlantic Ocean. The storm's circulation has become elongated, with limited convection near the center due to dry mid-level air, and is expected to turn toward the northeast later in August.
A new study synthesizes research on coastal armoring and its ecological effects, revealing gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for more studies. The study evaluates a conceptual model that predicts ecological responses to armoring across various soft sediment ecosystems.
A major stormfront study reveals shifting storms bring unprecedented danger from climate change, damaging waterfront areas once thought safe. The study found 11.5 million cubic metres of sand eroded in just three days, equivalent to filling the Melbourne Cricket Ground seven times.
Climate change projections indicate that Japan's coastal zones will experience significant beach erosion due to rising sea levels and increased wave heights. The study suggests that beach-loss rates may reach as high as 83% by 2100, posing a significant threat to coastal management.
UCSB scientists compared decades-old data with new field observations to evaluate multidecadal change in sandy beach biodiversity. They found that local processes exerted a stronger influence on intertidal biodiversity than regional factors.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms initiate beachrock formation, providing a natural coastline stabilisation strategy for vulnerable sandy beaches on coral reef cays. This finding could help protect unique habitats and prevent erosion of these critical ecosystems.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Henderson Island, a remote UK territory, is heavily polluted with an estimated 37.7 million pieces of plastic. The island's beaches have the highest density of plastic debris reported anywhere on the planet, posing significant threats to marine life.
A recent earthquake swarm in Bombay Beach, California, has demonstrated the difficulties in predicting the duration and impact of such swarms. The event, which consisted of approximately 100 small earthquakes between magnitude 2 and 4.3, highlights the challenges in modeling swarms and communicating their risk to the public.
Research by the University of Exeter found that logging debris on beaches in Colombia is impacting breeding turtles' movement and survival. The study revealed that females with high amounts of debris were more likely to be wounded or have eggs at risk due to flooding.
Researchers from the University of Warwick have developed a new theory explaining how raindrops and spilt coffee splashes occur. A minuscule layer of air trapped between the liquid and surface can prevent the liquid from spreading, leading to a splash.
Researchers have obtained the first images of a calf and underwater video of True's beaked whales, revealing new coloration patterns and helping to identify the species. The study highlights the importance of accurate species identification for conservation efforts.
A newly analyzed fault system off California's coast is capable of producing earthquakes with magnitudes up to 7.3. The Newport-Inglewood/Rose Canyon faults are part of a single, continuous fault system that runs from San Diego to Los Angeles. This realization has significant implications for the state's densely populated urban areas.
A new study found that severe El Niño events can cause unprecedented coastal erosion in California, with the 2015-2016 event resulting in 76% above normal winter beach erosion. The study highlights the need to understand and manage coastlines to conserve beach ecosystems and mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.
Researchers assess seasonal beach behavior for 29 beaches along the Pacific coast, finding 76% above normal erosion during the 2015-16 El Niño winter. The study highlights the increasing vulnerability of California's coastline to coastal hazards as climate events intensify.
A new study examines marine pebble tools from an Upper Paleolithic burial site in Italy and finds that flat, oblong pebbles were brought up from the beach, used as spatulas to apply ochre paste, then broken and discarded. The intent may have been to 'kill' the tools, thereby discharging their symbolic power.
The study found that 87% of respondents agree that body-worn cameras would improve police officer behavior, while citizens with more positive views of police had the most support for BWCs. West Palm Beach residents reported less favorable perceptions on police-community encounters and issues of crime and safety.
NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) estimated record-breaking rainfall totals over the western United States from January 17 to 24, 2017. Rainfall of almost 4 inches in one day was reported in Long Beach, California, causing flooding and mudslides.
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that neither a beach umbrella nor SPF 100 sunscreen alone prevented sunburn completely, with 78% of those under an umbrella and 25% of those using sunscreen developing sunburn. The study highlighted the importance of combining sun protection practices for optimal protection against UV rays.
Researchers found that loggerhead turtles spend an average of seven years and 16 years in the waters off Baja California before migrating to Japan. The study provides crucial information for developing conservation plans and reducing bycatch rates, which can be as high as 1,000 turtles per year.
Researchers found eelgrass population stable across Puget Sound basin despite increased human population and shoreline development. Localized declines have been observed at individual beaches, with other shorelines showing healthy eelgrass growth.
Scientists at Monash University have discovered a new mechanism by which algae in sand survive under conditions of constant mixing. They found that these organisms ferment, producing hydrogen and other compounds like oleate, a component of olive oil. This breakthrough has significant implications for the biofuels industry.
New research led by the University of Plymouth reveals beaches along the UK's Atlantic coastline have not recovered from severe winter storms in 2013/14. Sediment losses of up to 200 m3 for every 1m strip of beach indicate potential for dramatic changes in beach equilibrium.
Researchers discovered that breaking waves across a rip channel can close the channel and stop currents from traveling far offshore. However, when waves cease to break, rip currents flow far offshore, posing a greater hazard to swimmers.
Researchers are developing an early-warning system for Pseudo-nitzschia phytoplankton, which produces a potent toxin causing amnesic shellfish poisoning. The new forecast system aims to protect human health and reduce economic disruption from algal blooms on the US Pacific coast.
NASA's CloudSat and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellites tracked Hurricane Matthew's powerful winds and clouds. The storm maintained Category 3 status with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph, affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Hurricane Matthew regained Category 4 status with sustained winds near 140 mph and a minimum central pressure of 940 millibars. The storm is expected to cross the northwestern Bahamas today and approach the Florida coast, potentially strengthening further before landfall.
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to be a category 4 hurricane as it approaches the east coast of Florida. The storm has already made landfall in western Haiti and is moving through the Bahamas.
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to make landfall in Haiti and then move toward the Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph. The storm's minimum central pressure is 962 millibars, and it is expected to remain at category 3 or stronger while moving through the Bahamas and approaching Florida.
Tropical Storm Hermine strengthened and organized in the Gulf of Mexico, with intense storms detected by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. Rainfall rates reached over 9.9 inches per hour in powerful storms southwest of the storm's center.
A new study reveals that beach salinity is increasing due to evaporation, affecting invertebrates such as mussels and crabs. The findings suggest that temperature rise and relative humidity are the primary drivers of this change, with implications for animal migration and survival.
A new rare species of beaked whale, smaller and darker than Baird's beaked whale, has been identified with a range in the remote North Pacific Ocean. The elusive whale is about 25 feet long and rarely seen, even by Japanese whalers.
Researchers discover that high densities of nests on Raine Island limit hatching rates due to oxygen depletion and bacterial buildup. Pumping air into the nests may boost hatching rate, explaining similar phenomena in other turtle species.
Research reveals that king penguins can distinguish between dangerous and benign sounds while sleeping on the beach. They react with alarm to predator calls, but not to unfamiliar sounds like a dog's growl.
A study by researchers at University of California - San Diego suggests that a larger sand grain size improves nourishment performance. Beaches with coarser sand experienced less erosion during El Niñ events, highlighting the importance of this factor in effective beach replenishment efforts.
Researchers found that organosolv lignin enhances sun protection factor (SPF) in sunscreens, with one percent increasing SPF from 15 to 30 and 10 percent reaching almost 92.
A University of Adelaide study found that males with large claws on one side are more gregarious and attractive to females. The left-clawed males tend to disperse more rapidly and occupy more habitats, increasing their chances of encountering a female.
A new University of Florida study proves removing beach debris significantly increases the number of sea turtle nests. The study shows that clearing beaches of flotsam and jetsam increased nest numbers by as much as 200 percent, while leaving detritus decreased them by nearly 50 percent.
A study by Michigan State University found that residents with ocean views experience significantly lower levels of psychological distress compared to those with green space. The researchers suggest that blue spaces may have a calming effect on the mind, while human-made areas in green spaces may not.
Researchers from Michigan State University and USGS have developed buoys that gather real-time data on water quality using statistical models. The technology provides instant feedback on water cleanliness, helping authorities make informed decisions about beach closures.
Tropical Cyclone Amos is affecting the Southwestern Pacific Islands, particularly Wallis and Futuna and American Samoa. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to 90 knots, with forecasters predicting intensification before a weakening trend begins.
A new University of Washington study shows that bulkheads and seawalls along Puget Sound's shores have a cumulative impact on the ecosystem, shrinking beaches and reducing habitat for invertebrates and fish. The study provides crucial information for improving management approaches to shorelines.
The University of Bristol's Communication Systems and Networks group is leading international research on 5G wireless networks, with a focus on capacity enhancement and data rates. The team will showcase their work at the NetWorld2020 Annual Event and General Assembly in Brussels and the Brooklyn 5G Summit.
Programs to prevent inappropriate medication use, reduce unnecessary medical procedures, and link vulnerable adults to Medicare are highlighted at the AGS16 meeting. These initiatives aim to improve quality of care and address population growth needs for older adults.
A new University of Miami-led study found significant increases in flooding frequency in Miami Beach over the last decade due to accelerated sea-level rise. The researchers suggest using regional sea-level rise projections to better prepare for future flood hazards in South Florida.
A study by UC San Diego biologists found that beach replenishment with offshore sand can lead to a twofold reduction in the abundance of intertidal invertebrates after 15 months. The researchers also discovered that some species, such as sandhoppers and bean clams, recovered within a year, while others declined sharply.