Research on lakes and freshwater. Covers waterborne illness, AI algal-bloom technology, freshwater carbon, and cyanobacteria toxin detection.
Researchers found a significant increase in wind speed and current strength on Lake Superior, but a decrease in chlorophyll levels due to temperature stratification. This affects the lake's ecosystem and may impact airborne pollutants and nearby communities.
Researchers have discovered hidden glacial valleys in Alberta that contain valuable resources, including loose rock and natural gas, posing risks of accidents and environmental damage. The valleys were found using a combination of seismic and electrical mapping data, highlighting the importance of advanced underground mapping practices.
Researchers will drill through the Whillans Ice Stream and Ross Ice Shelf, sampling rivers, lakes, and microbial communities. The study aims to understand how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to past climate changes and potentially discover new organisms that can produce beneficial compounds.
A study published in Science reveals that airborne nitrogen from fossil fuels and fertilizers affects alpine lakes, altering the balance of phosphorus and nitrogen. This shift limits phytoplankton growth, affecting food webs and potentially biodiversity.
The University of Utah has celebrated the 'first light' of its new research telescope at 9,600 feet elevation on Frisco Peak. The 32-inch reflecting telescope took initial pictures on Oct. 15 and will be used for scientific observations starting next spring.
Scientists at Michigan State University are developing robotic fish that use advanced materials to swim like fish and monitor water quality. The robots will carry sensors recording temperature, dissolved oxygen, pollutants, and harmful algae, providing a high spatial and temporal resolution of data.
A study found that living near a variety of restaurants and supermarkets lowers the risk of obesity. In contrast, residents who live far from any food outlets are more likely to be overweight. The researchers also found that access to healthy grocery options in low-income neighborhoods significantly reduces obesity rates.
The University of Nevada, Reno has received an $890,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to establish a national community-user facility for environmental sensing. This facility will provide state-of-the-art fiber-optic distributed temperature (DTS) instrumentation and equipment to researchers nationwide.
A PNAS paper reveals that dramatic changes in the Arctic began after the midpoint of the 20th century and are unprecedented. The unique sediment cores contain rare paleoclimate information about the past 200,000 years, providing a longer record than most other sediments.
A new research project will drill through a half-mile of ice to penetrate subglacial Lake Whillans, studying hidden processes that govern the dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet. The team aims to develop predictive models of polar melting and understand how subglacial lakes influence ice motion.
A new study finds that glacial melting is releasing persistent organic pollutants into lakes, despite decreased use of these compounds in products. The pollutants were deposited earlier and preserved over decades, with the flow increasing sharply since the late 1990s.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from a remote Arctic lake, finding unprecedented biological and chemical changes since the 1950s. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions have overridden natural cooling processes, resulting in warming and altered ecosystems.
A team of researchers led by Queen's University scientists has discovered significant ecological changes in an Arctic lake, which extends the record of climate change back 80,000 years. The study found that human activities are overpowering natural processes, leading to dramatic ecosystem shifts.
Researchers mapped the sex chromosomes of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi and identified a mechanism for evolving new sex chromosomes. A genetic conflict over color patterns led to the emergence of new sex determining functions, resulting in distinct sex chromosomes among related species.
A new laser technique called L.I.F.E. imaging successfully detected bacteria in frozen Antarctic lakes, potentially paving the way for discovering signs of life on Mars.
Recent studies published in the November/December 2009 GSA Bulletin reveal insights into the Cenozoic tectonics of Nicaragua and the Median Trough, as well as the stratigraphic signature of late Cenozoic Antarctic Ice Sheets. The research also explores bivergent thrust wedges surrounding oceanic island arcs in the northeastern Caribbea...
A new model of Britain's Ice Sheet reveals it reversed its flow back up valleys, creating unique 'drumlins' along the A66 road through Eden Valley and Lake District lowlands. The ice sheet flowed downhill initially but complex flow directions switched significantly over short timescales.
Researchers will drill through Lake Vida's thick ice cap to study the brine and sediment below, aiming to understand the ecosystem's history and its survival strategies in extremely cold conditions. The project, funded by a $1.1 million grant, may reveal insights into life on Earth dating back thousands of years.
A team of experts will dive into the sacred pools of Cara Blanca in central Belize to investigate their cultural significance and environmental history. The expedition aims to determine if these cenotes have similar sacred qualities as other Maya sites.
Scientists have reconstructed Arctic summer temperature over 2,000 years using lake sediments, tree rings, and glacier ice. The study shows the last half-century was the warmest of the past 2,000 years, reversing long-term cooling trends.
Researchers found Arctic temperatures were cooler for 8,000 years before warming around 1900, reversing a natural cooling cycle. The study suggests human-caused climate change is the main cause of recent warming in the Arctic.
Researchers used NASA's ICESat satellite data to create the most comprehensive inventory of Antarctic lakes that actively drain or fill under ice. The study revealed a continental plumbing system more dynamic than previously thought, with 124 active lakes identified and linked to nearby and distant locations.
Prokaryotes can exchange genes and merge without losing their cell membranes, a process called endosymbiosis. UCLA molecular biologist James A. Lake discovered the first exclusively prokaryote endosymbiosis, which led to the evolution of double-membrane prokaryotes that produced oxygen through photosynthesis.
A University of Michigan study found that banning phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers led to a significant decrease in phosphorus levels in the Huron River. Phosphorus levels dropped by an average of 28% after Ann Arbor adopted the ban, suggesting that ordinances can be effective in reducing pollution.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded grants totaling $21 million to support ocean observing efforts in the Great Lakes. These grants will improve real-time data accessibility, facilitate environmental monitoring, and enhance decision-making for severe weather and emergencies.
A team of scientists from the University of Toronto identified a drastic invasion of round goby into many Great Lakes tributaries, including areas known as 'species-at-risk' hot spots. The impact on native fish and mussel species is likely to be serious, with up to 89% of fish species and 17% of mussel species affected.
Research at the ESA annual meeting reveals that urban stream pollution can be beneficial to mosquitoes, while lakefront development reduces food supplies for fish. Greenroofs, on the other hand, can absorb significant amounts of stormwater, saving cities millions of gallons of water.
A UC Riverside-led study found that ancient lake deposits in South China harbor the first animal fossils, dating back 600 million years. The discovery raises questions about where early animals lived and how they adapted to their environment.
Biologists discovered that parasites drive snails to reproduce sexually, increasing genetic diversity and resistance to infection. The study supports the Red Queen Hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory, showing that host species can adapt to avoid parasite coevolution by producing genetically variable offspring.
Research finds freshwater snails reproduce more when infected with trematode parasites in shallows, supporting the Red Queen hypothesis and Geographic Mosaic Theory. Parasites enhance sexual reproduction by increasing selection on species interactions over small spatial scales.
A team at UC San Diego School of Medicine may lead to a contraceptive for female sea lampreys, a jawless fish considered an invasive pest species in the Great Lakes. The researchers' findings suggest that compounds could bind specifically to the lamprey estrogen receptor, potentially acting as contraceptives.
Researchers developed a mini projector that can be integrated into a cellphone or PDA, producing monochrome images with high brightness, and projecting them onto flat surfaces using plastic lenses made of embossed material
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered the first definitive evidence of shorelines on Mars, indicating an ancient lake that was up to 1,500 feet deep. The lake appears to have formed around 3.4 billion years ago and provides a prime target for future landing missions searching for signs of past life.
Researchers at McMaster University found two types of males in the invasive round goby, including nest-guarding males and sneaker males that parasitize conventional males. This discovery may help scientists understand how to tackle the infestation of Great Lakes watersheds.
Research by Suzanne Peyer reveals that zebra mussels' ability to produce strong 'byssal threads' enables them to attach securely in fast-moving waters, outperforming quagga mussels. This adaptation allows zebra mussels to thrive in rivers and streams, whereas quagga mussels are more commonly found in calm lake waters.
Researchers have identified caribou-hunting structures and camps used by early hunters in the Great Lakes region. The discovery sheds light on the Paleo-Indian and Archaic periods, which are poorly known due to lost sites beneath the lakes.
Researchers have discovered evidence of pre-industrial mercury pollution in the Andes, dating back to 1400 BC, and challenge current thinking on the rise of mining societies. Mercury pollution was initially caused by mine dust from vermillion production, but later increased with Inca control of mines.
Recent research includes the documentation of Holocene rupture on major faults in Lake Tahoe Basin and evidence for a large paleolake in Western Desert, Egypt. A study on groundwater system in southern Colorado Plateau-Arizona Transition Zone also sheds light on seismic hazards in western Washington State.
A network of 120 sensors is monitoring Lake Wivenhoe's environmental conditions in real-time, enabling early detection of contaminants and high rainfall events. The system uses CSIRO's FLECK smart wireless sensor technology to collect detailed data on water quality, event flows, and weather patterns.
A pilot project led by RIT scientist aims to verify a model using geographic information systems technology to select optimal resting locations. The study focuses on Neotropical migrants and will inform the conservation of migratory bird species.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to identify specific genes using rarefaction, reducing the need for normalization in DNA sequencing technology. This method can help sort through thousands of genes to find those with unique functions, shedding light on biological processes associated with all forms of life.
A warmer, wetter climate poses a significant threat to Lake Baikal's biodiversity, with declining ice cover affecting iconic diatoms at the base of the food web. Stepped-up monitoring and international action are necessary to mitigate the impact of climate change on this unique ecosystem.
New studies by Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggest a magnitude-7 earthquake occurs every 2,000 to 3,000 years in Lake Tahoe's basin. The largest fault in the basin, West Tahoe, appears to have last ruptured between 4,100 and 4,500 years ago, capable of producing nearly 500m of overlying water tsunami waves.
Researchers found that largemouth bass vulnerability to being caught by anglers is influenced by genetic factors. The study showed that repeated catches increase an individual fish's susceptibility to angling, making it more vulnerable to future catches.
Researchers found that 58% of Isle Royale wolves exhibit congenital malformations, including lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. The condition can cause paralysis and back pain, with all dead wolves displaying bone deformities over the past 12 years.
A UBC study has shown that different species of three-spine stickleback fish can significantly impact their aquatic ecosystems within 11 weeks. The researchers created mini-ecosystems in tanks with varying species and found substantial differences in dissolved organic carbon levels, affecting plant growth and sunlight penetration.
A new NOAA report reveals widespread contamination of US coastal waters with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), a common flame retardant used in commercial goods since the 1970s. Elevated levels were found near urban and industrial centers, posing health concerns to humans and aquatic life.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cell Biology found that Vangl2, a protein involved in planar cell polarity, controls asymmetrical cell division and developmental fate of progenitor neurons. In Vangl2-lacking mouse embryos, large numbers of early-born neurons were observed, suggesting premature differentiation.
Dr. Dan Bolnick and Dr. John Wallingford, two UT Austin biologists, join the HHMI Early Career Scientist program to explore innovative ideas in evolution and development. They will receive a six-year appointment with a $1.5 million research budget to investigate species coevolution and tissue morphogenesis.
Removing non-native trout from mountain lakes reverses their impact on aquatic insect populations. Aquatic insect abundance increases quickly after trout removal, but suspension of stocking alone is ineffective in restoring insect numbers.
UIC researchers are conducting a study to determine the health effects associated with recreational activities on Chicago's waterways. The CHEERS study will establish water quality standards for people who enjoy activities on the waterway and measure actual pathogens in the water that cause disease.
A study of Aboriginal Canadians found that those with metabolic syndrome are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The 10-year incidence of diabetes was 17.5%, increasing with age from 10.5% among young adults to 43.3% in older adults.
An international team will explore subglacial Lake Ellsworth in Antarctica for unique life forms and clues about climate change. The five-year project aims to acquire technologies needed to sample water from the lake and extract sediment from its bed, shedding light on life's existence in extreme environments.
Research shows B cells produce critical regulatory chemicals called cytokines and amplify T cell dependent immune responses to protect against intestinal parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus. B cells also promote the production and long-term maintenance of essential T helper 2 cells, which are crucial for protection from this pathogen.
Researchers have discovered unique ecosystems in Great Lake Huron's sinkholes, featuring brilliant purple mats of cyanobacteria and pallid, floating pony-tails of microbial life in dense, salty water. The unusual environments are similar to those found at the bottoms of permanently ice-covered lakes in Antarctica.
The rapid decline of Diporeia due to quagga mussel invasion in Lake Michigan has significantly impacted the lake's food web. Fish populations are facing reduced food options as quagga mussels displace more energy-rich prey sources.
Scientists analyze Lake Kråkenes sediments to detect short-term climate fluctuations. They attribute these changes to glacial melt runoff driven by the Gulf Stream's variability. The findings reveal a period of high-frequency climate oscillations during the Younger Dryas cold period.
A University of Alberta biologist is sounding the alarm on Canada's neglect of crucial research on climate change's effects on its lakes, reservoirs, and carbon cycles. Studies reveal that lake water levels are depleting at a rate of less than one percent per year, posing a significant threat to emergency water supplies.
A team of Danish researchers has discovered the origin of the Baikal Rift Zone, a 2000km long crack in the Earth's crust that created the world's deepest lake. The study shows that the bottom of the crust is flat across Lake Baikal, contrary to previous models, and is instead thinning due to magma intrusion.
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are drawn to products near a winning streak, regardless of whether luck actually plays a role. This phenomenon, known as 'contagiousness,' influences product choice and advertising persuasiveness.