Research on lakes and freshwater. Covers waterborne illness, AI algal-bloom technology, freshwater carbon, and cyanobacteria toxin detection.
A team of researchers identified factors contributing to recurrent patterns of diversity and similarity in cichlid fish. Habitat similarity is a key determinant of evolutionary predictability, with deeper lakes providing more ecological niches.
Researchers found that lawns in Salt Lake Valley up to 100 years old show no signs of being saturated with fertilizer nutrient nitrogen, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that natural processes may account for the unusual pattern, including storage in the soil and losses through groundwater leaching.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison used an innovative approach to study the Laguna del Maule volcanic complex in Chile, measuring average uplift of 8 inches per year. The team found that magma rising under the area is causing rapid uplift, but also has a potential impact on future eruptions.
A new imaging technique using bioinspired camera technology will measure changes in the UCL during loading, providing insight into damage accumulation. The technique aims to improve microstructural evaluation of soft tissues and study biological damage in rotator cuff tendons.
A new study estimates that 65% of global freshwater fish catch is underreported, with millions of people relying on these 'hidden harvests' for protein. Inland fisheries play a crucial role in food security, especially in low-income countries where they are dispersed across the landscape.
Researchers will study lake sediments in western Svalbard to identify sedimentary signatures of recent changes, potentially leading to more flash flooding and landslides. The study aims to provide a long-term perspective on modern climate conditions and their effects on the region.
Researchers from IGB and international colleagues found that energy efficiency in lake ecosystems is lower than assumed, with only 10% of energy remaining after each trophic transfer. This discovery opens new possibilities for investigating aquatic ecosystems using size distribution as a tool.
A lake sediment record near the Greenland Ice Sheet margin preserves sediments from past interglacial periods, including the Early Holocene and Last Interglacial Period. July air temperatures during these periods were estimated to be significantly warmer than modern temperatures.
Researchers found ancient lake mud and fly species that record two interglacial periods in northwest Greenland, revealing warmer temperatures than previously thought. This discovery could improve climate models and predictions of how the ice sheet might respond to man-made global warming.
The construction of hydroelectric dams on the Mekong River poses significant risks to fish migration, livelihoods, and regional food security in Cambodia. The Tonle Sap Lake's unique hydrological system is strongly influenced by the Asian monsoon, which could be disrupted by changes in water levels and flows.
Steelhead trout genetically adapted to Lake Michigan's freshwater habitat over 120 years, with changes affecting osmoregulation and wound-healing. Genetic diversity was lower in the new environment than in their native range.
A new study finds that male thyroid cancer survivors have a nearly 50% higher risk of developing heart disease than women. Additionally, thyroid cancer survivors with obesity have a 41% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have identified gulls as the major source of E. coli beach closings on Lake Michigan beaches in Indiana. The team found that trained dogs patrolled beaches with a dog deterrence program reduced gull abundance by nearly 100% and beach closures, resulting in improved water quality.
Montana State University's lidar technology can identify clusters of lake trout to a depth of 26 feet, allowing for more efficient removal. This tool could save time and money by detecting fish in shallow water, potentially reversing the decline of native cutthroat trout.
Researchers use LiDAR to locate invasive lake trout and identify spawning areas, offering a faster and more efficient way to manage the lake's ecosystem. The low-cost instrument can cover large areas of the lake, reducing labor costs and environmental impact.
Researchers at Nyiragongo volcano use a combination of seismic, infrasound, and satellite data to track the lava lake level, providing insights into magmatic system activity. The study helps improve eruption forecasting by understanding the relationship between pressure changes in the magmatic system and lava lake fluctuations.
The cuckoo catfish has evolved a clever method to smuggle its eggs into cichlids' nests, exploiting their brood care behavior. Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika have learned to defend themselves against the parasite's trick, but those without 'evolutionary experience' are vulnerable to its strategy.
A new study discovered a 'feedback loop' in freshwater lakes where organic matter from plants suppresses methane production, while debris from trees and aquatic plants promotes its release. The findings suggest that changes in vegetation could lead to a doubling of lake emissions and exacerbate climate change.
Researchers found a single species of bacteria in Laguna Caliente lake water, a toxic environment that resembles ancient Mars hot springs. This discovery may help scientists searching for signs of life on Mars.
Researchers found that Antarctic glaciers can experience surface melting during the winter months due to warm winds. The Larsen C ice sheet shows large meltwater lakes forming, which may affect ice-shelf stability and contribute to sea-level rise if ponds cause ice shelves to break up.
A new Yale study finds that global lake evaporation will increase 16 percent by the end of the century as a result of climate change. The specific mechanisms driving this phenomenon are not what scientists expected, with other factors such as shortened ice periods and changes in heat energy allocation playing a crucial role.
Research found that aquatic plants contribute significantly to long-chain n-alkanes in lake sediments, particularly in closed lakes. The study used hydrogen isotope composition to distinguish between terrestrial and aquatic sources, providing new insights into reconstructing ancient lake dynamics.
Research led by Dr. Soren Brothers found that Lake Superior absorbs atmospheric CO2 from May to October, but expels it during winter due to El Niño events and climate change. The study, published in Limnology and Oceanography, suggests a potential marine-atmospheric feedback loop with global warming.
A new study confirms desiccation cracks on Mars provide evidence of drying, revealing the shape of water on the red planet. The research sheds light on Mars' ancient climate and provides context to its lacustrine system.
Researchers used synthetic-aperture radar data from four satellites to analyze the Lake Urmia Causeway in Iran, finding accelerated deformation due to soil consolidation and human activity. They also developed a predictive model for future deformation, highlighting the potential of space-based monitoring for critical structures.
Researchers have found two new subglacial lakes in the Canadian Arctic, which are thought to be similar to potential habitats for microbial life on other moons in our solar system. The discovery could help scientists prepare for future missions, such as NASA's Europa Clipper mission.
Two newly discovered subglacial lakes beneath the Devon Ice Cap in the Canadian Arctic are thought to be the first isolated hypersaline lakes in the world. The lakes, containing water four to five times saltier than seawater, exist at temperatures below freezing and have the potential to support microbial life.
Rice University's RENEW technology will underlie a city-scale wireless test platform in Salt Lake City, enabling researchers and developers to conduct tests with up to 40,000 users. The platform aims to prepare for the future of wireless communications, where scalability is crucial.
A team of planetary scientists from MIT has identified large concentrations of sulfidic anions in shallow lakes on early Earth, which may have sped up the chemical reactions required to convert simple prebiotic molecules into RNA. This finding fundamentally changes our knowledge of early Earth and its potential role in the origin of life.
A multinational team led by Universidad de San Martin de Porres analyzed DNA of modern Inka descendants to reconstruct their ancestry. The study found two patrilineal clusters linked to the Lake Titicaca and Southern Cusco region, supporting long-held myths about the Incas' origins.
A one-degree temperature increase led to drastic changes in Lake Hazen's ecology, including increased glacial meltwater and fine sediment, affecting light penetration and biological productivity. The findings document an unprecedented shift in the lake's ecosystem, challenging scientists' expectations of its response to climate warming.
A recent study revealed a dramatic rise in extreme floods on the Mississippi River over the past century, largely due to human modifications such as artificial levees. The research also uncovered a link between flooding and natural fluctuations in Pacific and Atlantic Ocean water temperatures.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change and recreational activities have altered the ecology of Walden Pond, affecting water quality and plankton community. The research used sediment cores to track changes in phytoplankton levels and nutrient levels since the 1920s.
A team of researchers found that changes in sea levels during the Early Triassic period were caused by variations in the Earth's tilt, affecting ocean and groundwater volumes. The study suggests that this natural process may contribute significantly to future sea-level rise.
A study published in Frontiers in Environmental Science detected cadmium, mercury, and lead in high concentrations in plastic debris collected from Lake Geneva's beaches. The presence of toxic elements reflects the age of the plastic litter, which could be decades old.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Japanese scientists report developing new techniques for modeling tsunami risk in the Nankai Trough, a region predicted to generate a magnitude 8-9 earthquake within the next few decades. The team's GPS-based methods simulate tsunami inundation and validate previous findings.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences found that walleye production in Wisconsin lakes decreased by 27% between 1990 and 2012. Climate change, habitat degradation, and harvest rates are likely contributing factors to the decline.
A sediment core from Sluice Pond has identified a layer of light brown organic-rich mud deposited between 1740 and 1810, suggesting an underwater landslide possibly triggered by the 1755 Cape Ann earthquake. The discovery provides new evidence for historic seismic activity in New England.
A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography Letters shows that lake size and nutrients significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions from lakes into the atmosphere. The research found that methane, emitted from lakes in bubbles, is the dominant greenhouse gas coming from lakes globally.
A new study from the University of Guelph finds that climate change and environmental factors are more threatening to fish diversity than predators in freshwater lakes. The research highlights the importance of monitoring lake conditions, including warming temperatures and water quality impacts, to protect species diversity.
A recent study at Lake Abert found that low water levels and high salinity affect the availability of brine shrimp, a key food source for waterbirds. The lake's surface area has decreased by nearly 200 football fields since 1986, resulting in a 82% decline in bird sightings during periods of low water and high salinity.
A growing network of fast-draining lakes on the Greenland ice sheet triggers a chain reaction that speeds up ice flow, posing a new risk for the ice sheet's long-term stability. The research, led by the University of Cambridge, reveals that these 'drainage events' can temporarily accelerate ice flow by as much as 400%.
Researchers detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus in environmental DNA samples from lakes in California, providing an early signal of potential outbreaks and offering a non-invasive method to screen for the pathogen. The discovery could help save amphibian species around the world from extinction.
Researchers identified a bending fault line in the Pacific Ocean as the likely cause of the 7.1 magnitude Puebla earthquake, which caused significant damage in Mexico City. The study suggests that earthquakes like this one may be more common than previously thought in a region southeast of Mexico City.
A recent study published in Biological Conservation shows that eBird citizen science data accurately tracks trends in government bird surveys, filling data gaps in developing nations. The analysis, led by University of Utah researcher Joshua Horns, reveals significant declines for 48% of North American bird species over the past 20 years.
A new study found that patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement experienced significant improvements in their quality of life, ranking their healthiest possible score at 72.9/100 just 30 days post-procedure. This improvement was sustained up to one year after the procedure.
Researchers observed cooperative behavior in Neolamprologus obscurus fish, excavating stones to create shelter and increase food abundance. The study found that helpers played a crucial role in maintaining and expanding these shelters, leading to increased prey abundance and improved breeding success.
The U CO2 sensor network, the only multisite urban CO2 network worldwide with over a decade of continuous measurements, shows that suburban sprawl significantly impacts metro area CO2 emissions. The network reveals that suburban expansion increases CO2 emissions more than similar population growth in urban areas.
A two-year study of North Carolina's Jordan Lake found that multiple cyanotoxins are present in the water throughout the year, albeit at very low levels. The researchers used two different measurement methods to detect these toxins and found four types: microsystin, anatoxin-a, clindrospermopsin, and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine.
A new study at the University of Utah Health found that removing cost obstacles allows women to access more effective contraceptive methods. The HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative made all forms of contraception available, and participants could change methods at any time in the study, free of charge.
Research reveals two distinct periods of lake existence in the region, with increased precipitation driving formation during warmer periods. The study's findings suggest a potential analogue for future climate change and highlight the importance of understanding El Niño-driven precipitation patterns in arid regions.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study lake sediments, using moth scales to identify past and future insect outbreaks. This discovery can help improve knowledge of insect impact on forests, predictability, and links to climate change.
Researchers analyzed infrasound from Villarrica volcano to predict eruptions, finding a connection between sound waves and lava lake changes. The study suggests that infrasound could aid in forecasting volcanic eruptions hours or days ahead.
New research reveals that Lake Tahoe's shoreline has shifted due to volcanic activity, with three raised shorelines formed by subaerial lava flows and dammed lake outlets. The lake's level rose nearly 200m after each of these events, raising questions about future volcanic eruptions and their hazards.
A report suggests national parks adopt smart technologies, such as real-time environmental monitoring and sensor systems, to improve visitor experiences and conserve resources. The Smart Parks model demonstrates how high connectivity can benefit all stakeholders, from nature conservationists to park authorities and emergency services.
A study found that nursery stock availability and homeowner preferences significantly influence the diversity of tree species in the Salt Lake Valley. The researchers collected data from over 15,000 trees in six neighborhoods with different median home ages and household incomes.
New research from the University of Arizona contradicts the Toba catastrophe hypothesis by showing no significant negative impact on vegetation growing in East Africa after the 74,000-year-old volcanic eruption. The study found some die-off of mountain plants just after the eruption, but no massive die-off of vegetation at all elevations.
A new climate study found that recent temperatures across North America and Europe are unusually high, exceeding past decade highs by 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and have few natural precedents over the last 11,000 years. The research suggests that human activity has significantly contributed to this warming trend.
A team of researchers used wild rice as a 'canary in a coal mine' to discover sulfate's conversion into toxic sulfide, harming fish and ecosystems. Human activities like mining, sewage, and fertilizers release sulfate, which accelerates decomposition and increases mercury contamination.
Oceans contained plentiful oxygen long before its accumulation in the atmosphere, providing energy-rich habitat for early life. Researchers used computer models to simulate chemical reactions in ancient ocean sediments and compared results with data from ancient rocks and seawater.