Articles tagged with Beaches
Charles Meneveau and Johan Meyers develop a model to calculate optimal turbine spacing for large wind farms. They find that energy production depends less on horizontal winds and more on entraining strong winds from higher in the atmosphere, leading to an optimal distance of about 15 rotor diameters.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a promising new cancer treatment using magnetic fluid hyperthermia, which heats up magnetic nanoparticles to kill tumor cells. The treatment has shown no adverse effects on surrounding healthy tissue.
Researchers studied Chrysopelea paradisi snakes as they glided from a branch to the ground. The analysis revealed that the snakes never achieved equilibrium gliding state, but were instead pushed upward due to aerodynamic forces. This temporary effect would eventually cause the snake to hit the ground.
A team of researchers has built a robotic hummingbird wing to discover how these birds manage to hover in gusty conditions. The robotic wing replicates the figure-eight pattern of a hummingbird's wings, creating vortices on both the downstroke and upstroke.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a simple physical model that reproduces the characteristics of real bird song, using a stretched rubber tube to mimic the zebra finch's sounds. The device, which relies on minimal neural control, produces harmonics and patterns similar to those found in actual bird songs.
Researchers in California and South Africa re-designed an aircraft with a bird-inspired shape to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption. The study showed that a flying wing configuration can generate nearly wing-only levels of lift and drag, potentially making planes more energy efficient.
Researchers are presenting innovative air-flow technology to increase wind turbine efficiency, reducing costs and environmental impact. Tiny grooves on turbine blades also show promise in drag reduction.
Researchers are using magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the mixing of hot and cool air in jet turbines, aiming to optimize bypass design and reduce coolant usage. This technique could lead to significant energy savings and improved performance, potentially slashing development time from years to just hours.
Asymmetrical airflow affects vocal fold motion in individuals with paralysis, causing chaotic irregular vibrations and impaired intelligible speech. The discovery may lead to the development of implant materials that mimic voice apparatus properties to restore good vibrations.
Researchers build robotic jump rope device to control rope parameters, capturing motion with high-speed cameras. They find that air-induced drag affects the shape of the rope, reducing total drag. Insights from the study may inform other situations involving flexible filaments in engineered and natural systems.
Researchers at Mercyhurst College have identified fluoxetine, an anti-depressant chemical, in elevated concentrations at Presque Isle State Park. The presence of fluoxetine has been linked to a higher lethality to E.coli bacteria, which can pose health risks to humans.
Researchers deployed data loggers on leatherback females to study their diving patterns. The team found that the turtles dive at an average angle of 41deg and swim less hard as they descend. By varying the amount of air they inhale, leatherbacks regulate their buoyancy before diving.
A fungal infection caused by Fusarium solani has been found to be a major contributor to the decline of Atlantic sea turtles. The fungus can infect turtle eggs, causing high hatching failure rates and driving population numbers down.
Researchers study Chandeleur Islands' geological history via peat layers beneath the marshes, predicting their potential disappearance in decades due to sea level rise and local subsidence. On Grand Isle, a project documents beach changes since 2008, including effects of hurricanes and BP oil clean-up operations.
A population-based survey by Pitt's UCSUR found that African American seniors are twice as likely to be mentally abused and five times more susceptible to financial exploitation than elders of other races. The study collected data from face-to-face and telephone interviews with senior citizens in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County.
A team of UC Santa Barbara researchers successfully predicted the movement of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They developed a new approach that uses computational models to forecast sea surface conditions and predict where and when oil will wash ashore.
A new study reveals a clear link between high E. coli bacteria levels in inland Ohio lakes and increased risk of gastrointestinal illness among swimmers. The researchers argue that a reliable method to predict when bacteria levels are likely to be higher is needed to issue timely warnings.
Researchers found swimmers were 1.76 times more likely to report a gastrointestinal illness and 4.46 times more likely to report respiratory illnesses. The study recommends taking precautions like avoiding swallowing seawater, showering before entering the ocean, and washing hands with soap.
Tropical Storm Bonnie strengthened into a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall to south Florida. The GOES-13 satellite provides visible images of the storm's cloud-covered center, and forecasts indicate it will pass near the Florida Keys and southern Florida before moving over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, triggering warnings for the Bahamas and Florida. The system strengthened into a tropical depression on July 22, with maximum sustained winds of near 35 mph and an estimated minimum central pressure of 1008 millibars.
A recent study estimates that waterborne diseases like Legionnaires', cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis cost the healthcare system up to $539 million annually. The three diseases cause severe illness often requiring hospital stays of over a week, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that earlier school start times are associated with increased teenage car crash rates. Teen drivers who started school at 7:20 a.m. in Virginia Beach had 41% higher crash rates than those who started at 8:40 a.m. in Chesapeake.
The city of Cannon Beach is building a 9,800-square-foot structure designed to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis, with a cost of $4 million. The structure could shelter up to 1,500 people and serve as a model for other cities affected by tsunamis.
Researchers tracked a plume of contaminated groundwater flowing from a septic system to the ocean, revealing a potential source of pollution. The study's findings could inform conservation efforts and improve wastewater management in coastal communities.
Researchers from P&G Beauty & Grooming present studies on skin care science, including the impact of hexamidine on stratum corneum lipid metabolism pathways and its potential to restore aging skin's barrier function. Eleven posters will be displayed at the AAD Annual Meeting showcasing diverse research topics.
Engineers at UCLA have developed a rapid method to detect bacterial contamination in coastal waters, reducing testing time from days to under an hour. The new method uses magnetic beads and enzymes to analyze fecal bacteria levels in real-time, providing up-to-date data on water conditions.
Researchers at Temple University found that low oxygen and nutrient levels are slowing the biodegradation of oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. The study suggests that the oil is not disappearing at a rate of 70% as previously thought, but rather at a rate of around 4% per year.
The college has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program to further study contaminants in Presque Isle State Park's recreational waters. Researchers aim to quantify hazardous chemicals like Triclosan and Fluoxetine to ensure water quality and public health
Researchers found that organic fertilizer had a neutral or negative effect on plant growth, while mineral fertilizer showed mixed results. Dune grass performed well with the addition of fertilizer, but beach pea was negatively impacted. ATVs continue to be a major obstacle to revegetation efforts in the area.
A new USC study estimates that heavy traffic corridors in Long Beach and Riverside contribute significantly to childhood asthma cases, with 9% of cases in Long Beach and 6% in Riverside linked to air pollution. Ship emissions from the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex also exacerbate asthma symptoms.
A 7-year study found that South Carolina beaches can be preserved through a systematic approach and partnerships between government and local organizations. The research identified offshore sand sources that can be used for beach replenishment without exacerbating erosion.
Researchers at Stony Brook University found that rip currents at East Hampton Village Beach lasted on average a little over one minute, posing a risk to swimmers. The study's findings suggest that seismometers can be used to measure wave patterns that may lead to rip currents.
The Beach Museum of Art at K-State is receiving $20,000 in grants to support its programming for children, including arts-in-education tours and early childhood classes. These grants will enable the museum to provide arts integrated tours for school children and Growing up ARTSmart programs.
Mercyhurst College has received a $72,650 NSF grant to purchase an infrared imaging system to advance research on pathogenic bacteria in beach water samples. The new equipment will enable scientists to detect proteins at low levels, refining their investigation of beach water quality and informing recreational swimmers.
New research by USGS scientists finds that ingesting beach sand can lead to gastrointestinal illness, with children more susceptible. Hand washing or sanitizing significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Researchers will use optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques to determine the past thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet. They aim to understand how ice sheets respond to sea level and climate change by collecting samples from beach deposits along the coast.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new synthesis method to create highly pure and small nickel oxide nanoparticles for gas sensors. The material reacts quickly and reliably to various toxic industrial chemicals and biological warfare agents, enabling the detection of these substances.
Researchers find increasing risk of staph infections from ocean beach users, but also discover sponge and coral-derived chemicals that could break down antibiotic-resistant compounds. New tools to fight antibiotic resistance have been identified, including novel antibiotics and chemicals with potential for personalized medicine.
Research reveals swimmers using public ocean beaches increase their risk for staph organism exposure and potential infections. Taking precautions like showering before entry can reduce the risk of infection.
Researchers measured oxygen consumption rates of hatchlings swimming to safety, finding a rapid decline in energy expenditure over time. The findings suggest that young turtles can survive up to 14 days without food in the open ocean.
The study reveals that marshes lost elevation after Hurricane Ike, contrary to expectations. Damage to the coastline sparks debates around public access and private property issues. Researcher Dr. Rusty Feagin's findings highlight the importance of preserving natural processes to mitigate the effects of future storms.
A study found that beachgoers who intended to tan and used the least amount of sunscreen were at higher risk of skin cancer. The researchers identified three groups with distinct characteristics and sun protection behaviors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce UV radiation exposure.
Research from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management shows that consumers often gravitate towards the most similar remaining option when one attractive choice becomes unavailable. This phenomenon, known as the 'phantom decoy effect,' can have significant impacts on consumer preference and even election outcomes.
A study tracking leatherback turtles in the eastern Pacific Ocean has revealed a narrow corridor they consistently follow, potentially leading to fishing suspension and improved management. The turtles' movements are correlated with environmental features and fishing activity, providing new opportunities for conservation efforts.
A study by the University of Exeter reveals a disturbing rise in cetacean strandings off Cornwall's coast, with most incidents attributed to bycatch in marine fisheries. The researchers are calling for increased conservation efforts and regulations to safeguard the future of Cornish cetaceans.
The USGS Great Lakes Beach Health Initiative aims to enhance water-quality forecasting and provide decision-making tools for effective beach closure management. Scientists will focus on improving models, identifying pathogen processes, and evaluating rapid monitoring methods.
Scientists discovered that fecal bacteria survive better in sand than seawater, with higher counts in dry sand above the intertidal zone. This finding has implications for beach managers, who may need to sample water further from shore to avoid complications of bacterial run-off.
The spacecraft is equipped with sun shades to block stray light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon, allowing GLAST to accurately track its orientation. Thermal blankets protect GLAST from harsh space environment conditions.
Research suggests that Atlantic leatherback turtles have two separate foraging areas, one in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic and another in low latitudes off the African and Iberian coasts. This dichotomy has significant implications for the species' survival, as damage to either habitat could have dramatic repercussions.
Sea turtles are blocked by lost logs along Gabon's beaches, impeding nesting attempts and killing some female turtles. Logging practices pose a significant threat to critically endangered leatherback turtles.
Research from the University of Chicago Press Journals reveals that intense desires, like hunger, lead to a desire for more variety in choices. When hungry, participants preferred fewer familiar snacks over multiple new options.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2007 Conference & Exposition. Burt Rutan will be recognized as the AIAA Engineer of the Year for his innovations in access to space.
Researchers at Harvard University identified the genetic changes responsible for lighter fur coloration in beach mice, which helps camouflage them from predators. The discovery sheds light on how specific gene interactions can influence an organism's appearance and survival.
A recent study by Stanford scientists found that sand at beaches along the California coast contains fecal indicator bacteria, contradicting the common belief that they occur naturally. The researchers detected human-specific genetic markers in enterococci bacteria at a popular beach in Monterey, Calif.
Researchers have developed a 3D computer model to analyze the cranial mechanics and bite force of the Great White Shark. The study used high-resolution simulations to estimate the maximum forces that Great Whites can exert, with implications for protecting submarine cables and communication systems.
Researchers found that water quality is highest when beaches are busiest with swimmers, stirring up pathogens in the sediment. The studies recommend testing water for microorganisms like C. parvum and G. lamblia during peak usage hours to ensure safe recreational use.
A recent study reveals that oil levels in Prince William Sound's sands remain unchanged since tests five years ago, with oil seeping down 4-10 inches. Researchers will conduct field studies to understand the motion of water and effects of waves on beaches, focusing on micro-organism limitations and environmental factors.
Researchers have discovered that marine turtles use a relatively simple navigation system involving the Earth's magnetic field to return to the same egg-laying site. This allows them to correct any deflection caused by ocean currents, but may also cause them to wander at sea during adverse conditions.
Rising temperatures could lead to extreme infant mortality and declines in nesting beaches across the USA, according to a study analyzing 26 years of loggerhead turtle nesting and climate data. Conservation efforts are recommended for protecting northern breeding grounds, as male turtles are essential for population sustainability.
A survey conducted by University of Delaware researchers found that over 90% of Delawareans support offshore wind power, even with increased electric bills. The study suggests that increasing public awareness and concern about climate change may contribute to this strong support.