Articles tagged with Geography
A study by University of Vienna researchers clarifies cycads' origin and geographic distribution, revealing a dynamic evolutionary history with key lineages becoming extinct or spreading. The findings provide valuable insights into biodiversity research and have implications for conservation efforts.
A national study in Canada found that snowmaking requires 17,000 homes' worth of annual energy and 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow. Collaboration between ski operators, policymakers, and environmental organizations is needed to develop sustainable practices.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists conducted a comprehensive study to understand the sources and sinks of plastic debris in the Southern North Sea. Local citizen scientists played a crucial role in tracking the distribution pathways of plastic particles, revealing that two-thirds were washed ashore within 25km of their release site.
The study found that only 28% of US youth-serving mental health facilities offered LGBTQ-specific services, highlighting the need for expansion of these services, particularly in underserved areas. Public mental health facilities were less likely to provide such services due to cost concerns.
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
Researchers investigate whether pregnant mothers' exposure to toxic metals affects kidney development in their babies, which may set the stage for chronic kidney disease. The team aims to identify key combinations of metal mixtures that could have detrimental effects on developing kidneys.
A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Scientists have discovered weak, fossilised sediments beneath the seafloor of Antarctica's eastern Ross Sea, which led to massive underwater landslides. These layers made the area susceptible to failure due to past climate change.
Satellite imagery revealed a rupture zone of approximately 75 km in length, with surface features showing a gradual widening and decrease in horizontal dislocations. The study found secondary hazards such as liquefaction mainly occurring in low-lying terrain.
A recent study published in Nature challenges traditional views on human origins in Africa, proposing that modern humans emerged from the interaction of multiple populations across the continent. By analyzing genomic data from diverse African groups, researchers found evidence of gene flow and mixing over hundreds of thousands of years.
Dengue infection prevalence in US territories highlights need for improved control measures. Novel vector control methods and vaccine development hold promise for combating the disease.
A study found that declines in racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates were largely due to increases in mortality among White individuals, rather than decreases in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations. The shift from urban to rural areas also contributed to the decline.
A recent study found that COVID-19 mortality disparities widened between the initial and Omicron waves, particularly among non-Hispanic white adults. The authors suggest continued prioritization of racial health equity in pandemic response efforts to address these persistent disparities.
The Ortiz site in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, has yielded five adult human remains with ages dating back to 1800BC, challenging simplistic assumptions about ancient culture. The mortuary practices and Strontium isotope analysis suggest standard burial practices over many centuries.
A new study found six suicide clusters, four overdose clusters and nine alcohol-related liver disease clusters in the US west, southeast and Appalachia/rust belt. These co-occurring clusters suggest specific regions at increased risk for deaths of despair warranting public health intervention.
A study of 5,000 patients with breast cancer found that women from disadvantaged neighborhoods had shorter breast cancer-specific survival rates compared to those from advantaged areas. The findings suggest potential unaccounted mechanisms, including social determinants of health and access to care.
The study highlights the importance of language documentation and revitalization to preserve human communication, culture, and cognition. Grambank reveals that language loss is occurring unevenly across major linguistic regions, with indigenous languages in northeast South America, Alaska, and northern Australia at highest risk.
A recent study published in Demography found that analyzing birthplace instead of residence reveals significant geographic disparities in mortality. The research suggests that interstate migration reduces regional inequalities, making them less visible in previous studies.
The study reveals that the African penguin's geographical range has shrunk significantly over the past 22,000 years due to rising sea levels, leaving only a few small islands as suitable nesting habitats. This decline has been exacerbated by human pressures such as climate change, habitat destruction, and competition for food.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
A recent genetic study found that antibiotic resistance is driven by geographic, demographic, diet, and lifestyle factors. Researchers analyzed the microbiome of a large Finnish population sample and discovered associations between food consumption, geographical location, and ARG abundance.
A new study reconstructs the history of floods in KZN since 1840s, confirming that the April 2022 floods were likely the most catastrophic natural disaster ever recorded. The floods had a significant impact on lives lost, homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and economic loss.
The LSU Health New Orleans Louisiana Tumor Registry released the sixth report of statewide cancer incidence rates by census tract, finding that 81% of tracts met criteria for all cancers combined. Census tracts with statistically higher incidence rates were found in parishes including Orleans, Lafourche, and St. Bernard.
Researchers are developing cartographic visualisations that tap into internal brain processes to enhance spatial orientation skills. The project, funded by the European Research Council, involves adding distinctive lines or graphic patterns to maps to stimulate grid cell activity in the brain.
A team of researchers from Simon Fraser University has produced a state-of-the-art 3D recording of the Temple of Isis in Philae, Egypt. The project uses advanced methods like photogrammetry and laser scanning to document hundreds of graffiti found on the temple's columns, walls, and roof.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.
A comprehensive European allergy atlas has been compiled, revealing regional and climate-related differences in sensitisation to allergens. The study found varying sensitisation patterns across Europe, with certain regions having lower sensitivity to house dust mites and higher sensitivity to peanut and fruit allergens.
A record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in June 2021 was attributed to a strong high-pressure ridge, which intensified when an atmospheric river moved into Alaska, releasing massive amounts of moisture. The air was exceptionally hot when brought down to the surface due to its temperature aloft.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.
A virtual care team consisting of physicians and pharmacists improved the adoption of life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure, leading to increased use of evidence-based treatments and better patient outcomes. The strategy was safe and effective, with comparable length of stay and safety events between the groups.
A new snake family, Micrelapidae, was identified through an international study led by Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Shai Meiri. The family includes only three species, two in Africa and one in Israel, and diverged from the rest of the evolutionary tree about 50 million years ago.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and NASA have developed a method to map several billion trees and their carbon uptake in Africa's Sahel region. The method can help monitor whether climate credit purchases have a positive effect on tree numbers and nature restoration.
A team of researchers has identified the importance of rifted margins in the transition to a green economy. These continental margins harbor vast accumulations of rocks and hydrocarbon reserves, making them a potential location for new resources needed for a carbon-neutral economy. The study provides an overview of the processes that s...
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that people's use of popular websites and social media platforms differs significantly based on their location and language. The study analyzed data from 124 countries and found that YouTube and Twitter are used in distinct ways across regions.
Humans have added approximately 900 square miles of land to urban coastlines since 2000, primarily for industrial ports and luxury residential areas. The study found that coastal wetlands are particularly hard-hit, with more than half of tidal flats lost in the Yellow Sea due to reclamation.
A global assessment identifies areas most vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, highlighting the need for targeted risk management actions. The study reveals 9.3 million people in High Mountain Asia are at highest risk, with India and Pakistan accounting for nearly half of the global total.
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that countries closer to the equator have higher suicide rates due to decreased sunlight exposure. The prevalence of suicide increased with latitude, and was found to be higher in men than women, with age also being a significant factor
Researchers used sophisticated models to estimate the peopling of Sahul, revealing a 10,000-year journey across the continent. The ancestors of Aboriginal people first entered the continent 75,000-50,000 years ago from Timor, expanding southward and northward to settle all parts of New Guinea and Australia.
A study published in the American Journal of Sociology found that urban Black youth living in segregated neighborhoods spent a substantial amount of time in areas with mostly white residents. They often traveled to predominantly white neighborhoods to access better-resourced schools, stores, and organizations.
A study of nearly 2 million Tweets in London and San Francisco identified specific events and locations associated with different emotions. The analysis showed that certain locations, such as hotels and restaurants, were linked to higher levels of joy, while train stations and transportation sites were linked to disgust.
A Rutgers researcher has analyzed data from Mexico's Ministry of Health to identify dengue fever hotspots, highlighting areas where severe outbreaks occur. The study found that lower socioeconomic status increases risk of dengue fever and that DENV-2 is the deadliest serotype.
A study of breast cancer patients in North Carolina found that Black patients experienced longer treatment delays than non-Black patients, with those living in higher-risk regions facing twice the risk. The researchers suggest that healthcare system structure, rather than patient characteristics, may be to blame for these delays.
Researchers identified geographic, racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics as key contributors to the elevated suicide risk among cancer patients. Timely symptom management and targeted psychosocial interventions are crucial for preventing suicide in individuals diagnosed with cancer.
Establishing ecological corridors among western US national parks can enlarge mammal populations and allow species to shift geographic ranges in response to climate change. This could increase the long-term persistence time of mammal species by a factor of 4.3, compared to fragmented individual parks.
A new study found that living in neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability can lead to lower mean BMI trajectory and lower risk of obesity in children. The study suggests that investing in neighborhood environments could help mitigate future chronic disease risk, particularly for marginalized communities.
A study of 38,000 child homicides from 1999 to 2020 found declining rates in some groups, but recent increases across several subpopulations. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address firearm violence and racial disparities.
A new study reveals that second-generation Indian American adolescents face discrimination as early as preschool, influencing their development of identities. The research found that these adolescents experience hate crimes, discriminatory comments from peers, and difficulties balancing their Indian identity with their desire to be see...
A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde found that the Dutch cycle around twice as often as Germans during winter months due to differences in mobility culture. This is attributed to a cycling culture in Germany that only encourages seasonal cycling, whereas the Netherlands promotes year-round cycling.
A team of researchers from McGill University and the Montreal Botanical Garden used photogrammetry to create 3D models of flowers, shedding light on their evolution and interaction with pollinators. The technique has the potential to revolutionize research in plant biodiversity.
A joint research team reconstructed the mid-range paleoelevation sequences of the northeastern Tibet Plateau since the middle Miocene. The study reveals that the region underwent strong uplift about 11 to 7 Ma, exerting significant environmental effects. This uplift had a profound impact on climate and biodiversity in the region.
Research in tropical forests reveals that nitrogen-fixing trees are vulnerable to herbivory by insects, limiting their growth and survival. This constraint could undermine reforestation efforts and the role of these trees in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A review of 75 publications found significant knowledge gaps on health inequities affecting the LGBTQ+ community and minority groups, including American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. The study emphasizes the importance of investigating barriers to clinical studies and medical trainee recruitment in under-resourced areas.
A case of a 14-year-old girl who had a cardiac arrest at an overnight camp emphasizes the need for preparation and training for rare but often fatal events. The survival of the patient is attributed to the quick response of emergency medical services and bystander CPR.
A study of 1.1 million firearm fatalities in the US from 1990 to 2021 found increasing disparities in rates between men and women, as well as by racial and ethnic group. These findings highlight the need for public health approaches to address underlying demographic trends and geographic differences in reducing firearm violence.
A team at the University of Tokyo has discovered that analyzing the ratio of argon-40 to helium-3 in magma gases can indicate the risk of different types of eruption. By monitoring these gas ratios, scientists hope to develop a portable equipment for real-time, on-site measurements, enabling early warning systems and potentially saving...
A study of 3,110 US counties found that residential segregation is associated with increased cancer mortality. The findings highlight opportunities for targeted cancer prevention and control efforts at the county level.
A study reveals that porcini mushrooms have evolved in different ways across the globe, with local ecological factors playing a stronger role in maintaining genetic distinctiveness than genetic flow. The findings challenge traditional notions of species development and suggest multiple evolutionary strategies for this organism.
Researchers have detected five emerging tick-borne pathogens in Central Canada, including those causing Lyme disease and babesiosis. Climate change and habitat fragmentation contribute to the spread of these pathogens, highlighting the need for increased awareness and protection measures.
Researchers modelled relationship between plant diversity and environmental conditions, capturing how diversity varies along environmental gradients. The models predict highest concentrations of plant diversity in environmentally heterogeneous tropical areas like Central America and the Amazonia.
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.