Articles tagged with Beaches
A new study reveals that female leatherback sea turtles choose nest sites based on sand pH and conductivity levels, with slightly higher pH and milder conductivity being preferred. This knowledge will aid in protecting the species' nesting habitat and boost ecotourism incentives.
A University of Washington study reveals that young chum salmon thriving in Elliott Bay's restored beaches have access to a more diverse range of prey. This shift could provide a nutritional boost for the fish, but may also come at an energy cost as they adapt to changing food sources.
A landmark paper recommends monitoring beach sand to safeguard human health. The study, based on data from beaches in the US, UK, Portugal, and other countries, identifies key indicators and methods to assess public health risks from pathogens in the sand.
Sand fleas change color to match their surroundings, a remarkable adaptation to evade shorebirds and crabs. The research used cutting-edge camera technology to simulate the view of predatory birds, showing that individual animals can tune their camouflage.
Researchers Alyson M. Thibodeau and colleagues used lead and strontium isotopic ratios to distinguish geological sources of turquoise, shedding light on pre-Hispanic mining practices in the region. The study provides a new approach to investigate turquoise provenance, enabling scientists to better understand ancient mining activities.
Researchers developed a new model to predict harmful bacteria levels on beaches, using information on waves, tides, and rainfall. The model provides beach managers with an easily accessible computer tool to identify when closures are required to protect human health.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have developed a new technique to estimate and cancel out interference in radio transmission, allowing for full-duplex communication on a single channel. This innovation has the potential to double Wi-Fi capacity and increase data rates in cellular systems.
Ana made landfall north of Myrtle Beach, SC with sustained winds of 45 mph, transitioning to a tropical depression as it moves northward. Heavy rain and storm surges are expected in the storm's wake, posing dangers for beachgoers.
Ana, a subtropical storm, tightens up and becomes more organized overnight, transitioning to a full tropical storm. The storm's winds increase to 50 knots with gusts reaching up to 60 knots (57-69 mph), posing significant damage risks for the Carolinas.
Archaeologists discovered ancient clam gardens in the Pacific Northwest, revealing a sophisticated marine management system. The findings challenge the notion of First Nations living in wild environments, instead showing they were farmers who cultivated productive clam habitats.
Research suggests Catalina Island is sinking approximately one foot every thousand years, disappearing in three million years. The island's subsidence may pose a small tsunami risk for Los Angeles if landslides occur along active faults.
The Centre for Operations Excellence at UBC Sauder School wins the prestigious UPS George D. Smith Prize for its effective and innovative preparation of students in operations research practice. The prize aims to emphasize the importance of operations research practice and encourage programs worldwide to focus on preparing students.
INFORMS awards Chevron its annual INFORMS Prize for its long history of applying analytics and O.R. to various aspects of the energy company, enabling data-driven decisions that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and resource recovery.
The study found that reality TV shows like Jersey Shore and The Real World feature idealized bodies, with two-thirds of women and three-quarters of men having little body fat. In contrast, only one in every three Americans is at a healthy weight.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that ending federal beach nourishment subsidies could lead to a rapid and dramatic adjustment in coastal property values. Values could erode by up to 17 percent in towns with high property values and almost 34 percent in towns with low property values.
A new study from the University of Hawaii predicts that coastal erosion in Hawai'i will double by mid-century, threatening thousands of homes and infrastructure. The model takes into account historical changes and projected sea level rise, indicating that shorelines will retreat an average of 16-20 feet by 2050 and nearly 60 feet by 2100.
Scientists studied the impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on Pensacola Municipal Beach's microbial communities, finding that generalist microbes were most successful in expanding their populations. After a year, microbial populations buried in beach sands looked similar to pre-spill levels, with some unexplained differences.
Researchers found that green turtles tend not to bask when local winter sea surface temperatures stay above 23 degrees Celsius. The scientists project that global warming trends could lead to the end of beach basking globally by 2102, with Hawaii's green turtles possibly stopping by 2039.
A University of Central Florida study warns that climate change is eroding beach habitats critical to sea turtle survival, threatening a 30-year conservation success story. The study suggests that armoring beaches with hard structures could harm wildlife, including sea turtles.
Researchers found a strong association between sea turtle nesting sites and subtle shifts in the Earth's magnetic field. Turtles pack themselves along shorter stretches of coastline when magnetic signatures diverge, and lay eggs fewer and farther between.
Researchers found that sea turtles imprint on the unique magnetic field of their natal beach as hatchlings and then use this information to return as adults. The study suggests that tiny magnetic particles in the turtles' brains respond to the Earth's field, providing a basis for their magnetic sense.
Researchers studied gift-giving, focusing on picky recipients, who are less motivated to shop for. Gift cards hit a sweet spot as a flexible alternative to cash. Personalized gifts can be problematic if they're not versatile; givers should focus on recipient preferences rather than traits.
Researchers at UC Irvine found that small drainpipes at enclosed ocean bays produce high fecal counts during summer months, impacting calmer waters. The team suggests green remedies like bioswales and drought-inspired reductions in irrigation runoff to capture urban slobber before it reaches drains.
The study reveals that social resources and connections play a critical role in shaping a neighborhood's resilience. Residents who have strong social ties are more likely to report their neighborhood is well-prepared for future disasters, indicating higher confidence in long-term recovery.
A study found that thousands of youth caregivers in the US face significant challenges, including school failure and poor health. The caregivers, who are often girls between 12 and 15 years old, spend up to 4 hours per day caring for family members with physical or mental illnesses.
A new study by University of New Hampshire sociologists found that coastal residents' views on environmental issues are deeply divided along party lines, with Democrats expressing greater concern about environmental problems than Republicans.
Certain sunblock ingredients, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, can become toxic when washed off skin into ocean water. This toxicity affects phytoplankton, the microscopic algae that feed small fish and other marine animals.
Scientists at ANU have created a technique to control water flow patterns with simple wave generators, enabling them to move floating objects. The team discovered complex three-dimensional waves generate flow patterns on the surface of the water.
The number of green turtles nesting at Ascension Island has increased by over 500% since the 1970s, with an estimated 24,000 nests laid every year. The Island's main beaches have been protected through new legislation, which also creates seven new nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
A new study has found that the dispersant compound DOSS, used in the Deepwater Horizon spill, persists in the environment for up to four years, remaining associated with oil and affecting marine ecosystems. The persistence of DOSS in deep-sea sediments, corals, and sand patties on Gulf beaches indicates a need for further research into...
Researchers found that dog-treated beaches had significantly lower E. coli counts than control beaches due to reduced gull presence. Border collies effectively excluded gulls from beaches, improving beach water quality.
A new paper in Physics of Fluids provides a more consistent way to describe the forces acting on waves and undertows. The researchers found that different approaches were due to incorrect handling of weak forces, not methodology. This advance enables better models for predicting beach erosion and can help preserve shorelines.
Researchers discovered that ancient clam gardens made by Aboriginal people produced quadruple the number of butter clams and twice the number of littleneck clams as unmodified clam beaches. This study provides practical insights into sustainable ancient marine management techniques for local food security strategies.
Bacterial community composition at two beaches shows distinct differences but also similarities, suggesting regional human impact variations. Higher bacterial diversity at one site indicates better ecological health and resiliency to sewage contamination.
Twenty-five years after the Exxon Valdez spill, beaches on Alaska's Alaska Peninsula harbor unchanged oil pockets, suggesting stable boulder protection. Researchers found remarkably preserved oil similar to 11-day-old oil, offering insights into oil durability and persistence.
Increased tourism has led to a 70% decrease in mollusk shells during the tourist season and a 60% decrease in other months. Shell removal can cause significant damage to natural ecosystems and organisms that rely on shells.
A new study reveals that favorable climate conditions in the year prior to nesting and the number of returning female turtles significantly impact loggerhead sea turtle nesting activity. The research suggests that protecting older juveniles and sub-adults is crucial for population recovery, and may be more important than protecting hat...
Researchers have used a novel imaging technique to study the interaction between an antimicrobial peptide and cell membranes, gaining insights into how it kills bacteria. The findings suggest that the peptide creates nanometer-sized pores in the cell membrane, leading to its disintegration and death.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new way to produce better barrier films using atomic layer deposition, which can protect electronics in harsh environments such as salt water for months. The new coatings can extend the lifetime and reliability of electronic devices.
Scientists have identified promising new materials that can encase uranium-bearing fuel, reducing the risk of high-temperature oxidation and failure. These materials may eventually replace traditional zirconium alloys, which have been used for 50 years, if they prove safer in the event of a nuclear disaster.
Researchers have developed a new method to extract energy from bacteria, which can convert carbon dioxide in seawater into fuel and electricity. This process involves the use of electrode reactions catalyzed by microorganisms, resulting in highly efficient energy production.
Researchers developed a new forensic technique to identify textile materials based on surface chemistry, bypassing visual characteristics. The method uses X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with argon-ion cluster beam technology to analyze surface layers, enabling the identification of fabrics and distinguishing treated fibers.
Researchers are developing novel systems to accurately redefine the kilogram using vacuum technology, promising a more precise and reliable measurement. The current kilogram definition relies on the International Prototype Kilogram, which has increasing discrepancies with national prototypes every 100 years.
Researchers have discovered a new breed of materials with properties unlike those of their parent compounds, including conductive interfaces and topological insulators. These interfacial materials offer potential applications in tiny devices that consume less power.
Researchers use TopoChip platform to test thousands of surface patterns and catalog cellular responses, revealing the 'Braille code' of cells. The approach has potential applications in improving medical device performance and reducing negative reactions to artificial implants.
A long-term study of box jellyfish abundance reveals a strong positive relationship with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation index, primary production, and small zooplankton abundance. The study confirms predictable timing based on the moon cycle but shows no net increase or decrease in numbers over 14 years.
Research shows that bacteria living in Gulf of Mexico beaches can thrive on a diet of oil by fixing nitrogen from the air, opening doors to more sophisticated cleanup techniques. However, some bacteria play an important role in the ecosystem experienced a sharp decline following the contamination.
A study from the University of Hawaii – SOEST found that sea-level rise is a primary driver of shoreline change in Hawaii, with historical rates of erosion being about two orders of magnitude greater than SLR. The research highlights the importance of targeting SLR impacts in coastal zone decision-making and planning.
Researchers Thuc-Doan T. Nguyen and Russell W. Belk found that Vietnamese consumers achieve harmony by considering the needs of others while also prioritizing their own interests. Through a series of interviews, they discovered that Asian values such as long-term mutuality and family loyalty promote social harmony in wedding planning.
Two species of small beach critters, cousins of the roly-poly, are suffering localized extinctions in Southern California. Their disappearance suggests a looming threat to similar sand-dwelling animals across the state and world. The research highlights the impact of development, climate change, and sea level rise on these ecosystems.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered a relic seawall in Bay Head, NJ, that played a crucial role in protecting homes from Hurricane Sandy's storm surges. The 1882 structure, buried beneath the beach, provided significant dampening of waves and prevented widespread destruction.
A USGS study reveals that threatened loggerhead sea turtles in the northern Gulf of Mexico require broader habitat protection to recover. The research shows that female turtles visit multiple beaches, sometimes hundreds of miles apart, during their reproductive periods.
Denormalizing smoking is fostering lower smoking rates by banning cigarettes in public settings, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The paper analyzed the evidence for bans and found that government acting in the name of public health can restrict smoking to protect smokers themselves.
A new study found that installing storm drain diversions at 26 beaches in Santa Monica Bay and Malibu increased attendance by 350,000 to 860,000 annually. The installation of these diversions improved the environmental quality of coastal areas, leading to a direct correlation between increased attendance and reduced beach closures.
The Esther B. O'Keeffe Charitable Foundation has donated $250,000 to The Scripps Research Institute to fund neuroscience training programs and public outreach initiatives. This gift will support the training of next-generation neuroscientists and raise community awareness of brain diseases.
The Springs Fire has reached the beach in Ventura County and is pushing toward the upscale city of Malibu due to howling Santa Ana winds and dry vegetation. As of early Friday morning, the fire had grown to 10,000 acres and was 10% contained, with over 2,000 homes under threat.
Spanish scientists have developed a formula that accurately calculates an individual's speed based on stride length, with a margin of error of 10-15%. The equation was tested using data from professional athletes and students, demonstrating its applicability in various environments.
A new study reveals how social class influences men's attitudes towards DIY home improvement. Upper-class men use DIY to experience physical labor and feel fulfilled, while lower-class men treat it as a chore to assert their masculinity and provide for their families.
A new rapid water-quality test could prevent unnecessary beach closures while better protecting the health of swimmers. The test's same-day results can help managers across the country determine whether beaches are safe for recreational use.
Researchers from NC State University have developed low-cost filtration systems that filter out most bacteria in stormwater runoff by 96 percent. The systems, installed beneath sand dunes, show minimal impact on groundwater levels and effectively limit bacterial pollution.