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Sex, flounder and donuts

Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully produced all-female cultured stocks of Southern flounder using controlled-breeding methods and warm water temperature manipulation. This method has significant economic potential, as female flounder can grow up to two times larger than males within two years.

Antarctic ice seals life's fate

Researchers find liquid lake beneath 62 feet of ice, containing seven times the saltiness of normal seawater. The isolated brine is believed to harbor life due to its chemical composition, with microbes returning to life after gradual melting.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2002

Visceral reality

The Navy is using immersive simulation training, known as 'visceral reality,' to challenge fresh recruits through realistic and intense scenarios. This new approach aims to better equip sailors to deal with combat situations, providing a more effective training evolution.

Lakeshore development affects birds

A study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that lakeshore housing development affects breeding bird communities in ways that conventional methods may miss. The study suggests that property owners can take steps to lessen the effects, such as keeping lawns small and encouraging native vegetation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJun 11, 2002

U.S. Navy answers olympian call

The U.S. Navy has deployed a mobile communications center to Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympics, offering reliable satellite links and connectivity. The system, developed by the Office of Naval Research, can provide telephone and data connectivity anywhere and even handle streaming video.

Men with higher levels of PCBs more likely to father boys

A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that men with higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were more likely to father boys. Researchers analyzed data from 208 children born to 101 families, where PCB levels were detectable in both fathers and mothers.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJan 28, 2002

A fish named Wayne-Wanda?

Low levels of estrogen hormones in water may be responsible for the feminization of wild fish, according to a recent study. Researchers found that very low concentrations of estrogenic compounds released from sewage treatment plants were causing intersex and altered sex ratios in aquarium fish.

Sea of Galilee yields clues for weather forecasting

Scientists analyzed the physical response of the Sea of Galilee to external forcing and found intense mixing occurred closest to shores, which could improve ocean forecasts. This understanding is crucial for predicting currents, temperatures, and other oceanic issues like fish development.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·DateSep 19, 2001

Climate, not CO2, may drive make-up of plant communities

A new study suggests that climate change, particularly drought, plays a key role in shaping plant communities. The research found that grasslands thrive in dry conditions, while trees and shrubs prefer wetter environments. This challenges the long-held assumption that CO2 levels are the primary driver of vegetation changes.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateAug 30, 2001

Survival of quaking aspen groves a complex problem

A study by Penn State researchers found that quaking aspen groves have declined by 30% in the last 50 years due to environmental changes such as fire suppression, livestock grazing, and increased herbivore populations. The unique history of the Lake Tahoe Basin also plays a role in this decline.