Articles tagged with Mountains
Research reveals that desert dust accelerates snowmelt in Colorado alpine meadows, changing how plants respond to seasonal climate cues and affecting their annual growth cycles. This could lead to increased competition for resources among plants and potentially alter the composition of alpine meadows.
A new study reveals that Michigan mammal species are rapidly expanding their ranges northward in response to climate change. This shift is replacing historically northern species with southern equivalents, which could have significant ecological implications.
Research by Charles Horowitz at Indiana University reveals that the crusts of neutron stars are 10 billion times stronger than steel or other earth's strongest metal alloys. The findings have significant implications for understanding surface irregularities, star quakes, and magnetar giant flares.
Researchers predict Yucca Mountain crest erosion due to local geology, potentially affecting repository stability. The study used a numerical landscape evolution model to explore the rate of erosional decay.
A study published in Northwest Science has verified the origins of a California wolverine through genetic analysis. The animal, photographed in 2008, is most closely related to Rocky Mountain populations and shares unique genetic characteristics with other North American wolverines.
UC Davis establishes Mountain Gorilla One Health Program to conserve gorillas & address human health, livestock, and agricultural issues. The program aims to improve gorilla health & prevent disease from affecting human populations.
Scientists investigate possible tectonic cycling of serpentized peridotites in the Mariana forearc, connect Saddle Mountain and Seattle faults, and improve fractured carbonate-reservoir characterization with remote sensing. Seismic reflection profiles also define Grenville-age rift system and foreland basins beneath Phanerozoic sediments.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that rocks become better insulators and poorer conductors as they heat up, triggering crustal melting. This finding provides new insights into how magmas are formed and will lead to more accurate models of continental collision and mountain belt formation.
A study by University of Calgary researchers found that mountain caribou populations are remnants of a blending between two major subspecies of caribou during the last ice age. The analysis of DNA and tracking data showed that they are hybrids with genetic expressions of migratory behavior.
New research found that tropical insects have shifted their habitats by an average of 67 meters over the past 42 years due to climate change, posing a major threat to global biodiversity. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for the impacts of climate change on these crucial species.
A University of Colorado study predicts dramatic changes for Rocky Mountain ski areas due to climate warming, including shortened ski seasons and higher snowlines. To adapt, resorts must expand operations to higher elevations and invest in gondola transportation systems and increased snowmaking efforts.
Research by Vladas Griskevicius found that activating a desire for status can trigger aggression, which indirectly boosts an individual's ability to attract a mate. Higher status men tend to have more sex or better-quality partners.
Entomologist Dave Kavanaugh finds that climate change has altered the habitats of his beloved beetle species, forcing them to seek new rocky patches above tree-line. He documented 85 North American Nebria beetles, many of which were previously unknown or absent due to habitat shifts.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals the devastating impact of increased nitrogen deposition on Slovakian soil acidity, compromising plant fertility and surface water quality. Researchers warn that many soils are already susceptible to this process due to decades of human-influenced pollution.
Researchers at the University of Denver are conducting a groundbreaking study to improve teaching methods for young children with Down syndrome. The study aims to compare two early literacy intervention approaches and will involve parents implementing an at-home program for approximately 10 months.
Global warming may threaten tropical plant and animal species living in mountainous regions, forcing them to move uphill in search of suitable climates. This could lead to the extinction of half of the studied species in Costa Rican lowlands unless they develop tolerances for higher temperatures.
Researchers used a genetic technique pioneered at Stanford to analyze Y chromosomes from men in Tanzania and southern Africa. They discovered a novel mutation shared by some men in both locations, implying a common ancestor, and found that pastoralists first tended sheep and cattle in southern Africa around 2,000 years ago. This new ge...
Research highlights eruptive processes in Colorado's San Juan Mountains and unique features of West Antarctica's ice record. In Colombia, climate-driven erosion rates reveal interactions between faults and mountain asymmetry. Magela Creek in northern Australia shows branching and growth patterns.
Climate change could drastically alter California's plant diversity, with many endemic species facing extinction. The researchers project that some plants will migrate northward and toward the coast, while others may disappear from central California due to changing climate conditions.
Researchers found that unverifiable observations can lead to the overestimation of rare species' ranges and abundance. A 'sliding scale' of evidentiary standards was developed to help managers determine the suitability of evidence in conservation decisionmaking, prioritizing physical evidence for extinct or highly rare species.
Research from the American Museum of Natural History shows that global warming is causing species in Madagascar's mountainous north to move up tropical mountains as their habitats shift upward. The study found an average shift of 19-51 meters over a decade, linked to temperature increases of 0.1°C to 0.37°C.
Researchers have found a human virus in chimpanzees in Tanzania's Mahale Mountains National Park, which may be transmitted from visiting scientists and tourists. The discovery highlights the need for more research to establish a comfortable level of proof and protect the region through science-based changes.
A new geomorphological index has been created to study active tectonics in mountains, identifying four classes of activity and using six geomorphological indicators. The index is based on land forms and direct evidence of active faults, with applications in regions like southern Spain where studies are not widely distributed.
A team of international scientists mapped and analyzed geologically young faults in Sichuan Province, finding clear evidence of slip during the last few thousands of years. The faults showed rates of slip varying between fractions of mm per year to possibly many mm per year.
Preliminary results from DNA analysis of wolverine scat samples collected on the Tahoe National Forest do not match those of historic California wolverine populations. The animal is identified as a male wolverine that does not genetically match populations in Washington or Southern Sierra Nevada.
Researchers found a significant decline in per capita visits to U.S. national parks since the late 1980s, correlating with an increase in sedentary activities like video gaming and watching movies. This shift, known as 'videophilia,' has far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, particularly in children.
The newly discovered grey-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is a large, rare species found only in two high-altitude forest blocks in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains. Its unique features include a distinctive grey face and jet-black lower rump, highlighting the region's exceptional biodiversity.
Researchers have identified a newly discovered active fault under the Adriatic Sea that is actively building more of the Dalmatian Islands and Dinaride Mountains of Croatia. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that these geological formations stopped growing 20-30 million years ago.
Researchers have identified potential habitats in the central and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains for reintroducing California fishers, a rare and elusive carnivore. The study suggests caution in implementing reintroduction efforts due to limited connectivity and distance from existing populations.
Researchers argue that the accelerated uplift of mountains and highlands in East Africa blocked ocean moisture, favoring human ancestors who adapted to walking on two feet. The 'Wall of Africa,' spanning from Ethiopia to South Africa, played a significant role in shaping climate and vegetation.
Scientists discover two new mammal species, a tiny possum and giant rat, in the remote Foja Mountains. The region is also home to numerous rare and little-known bird species, including the 'lost' Bird of Paradise.
A MSU Ph.D. candidate is tracking up to four wild pandas in the Sichuan Province of China using advanced global positioning systems to map their habitat preferences, providing crucial data for conservation efforts.
Climate change is projected to cause significant bird extinctions, with up to 30% of land bird species predicted to go extinct by 2100. Habitat shifts and topography play a crucial role in this process, as species are forced to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A new study published in the International Journal of Climatology found that urban snow conditions significantly impact skier activity in New England. Researchers discovered that attendees are more likely to visit ski areas based on Boston weather patterns rather than local conditions.
New research at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, limits potential ground movement to 3.6 meters per second, reducing earthquake risk. Small earthquakes may serve as predictors for large ones, contradicting conventional seismology theories.
A Washington University team led by Douglas A. Wiens will install seismographs in east and west Antarctica to study the earth beneath the ice. The region has never been visited by humans before, but research may reveal information about glaciers, mountains, and ice streams.
A team of researchers has found that the Indian plate is only about 100 km thick, whereas the other parts of Gondwanaland are about 200 km thick. This discovery explains why India moved faster and further than the other parts of the supercontinent during its break-up.
Chemical engineers discovered a fundamental flaw in the conventional view of how liquids form bubbles that grow and turn into vapors. The new findings apply to homogeneous nucleation and suggest multiple possible pathways for phase transition, potentially leading to practical safety benefits for industry.
Research found that older climbers (60+) have a sharply higher chance of dying if they reach the summit compared to younger climbers. The overall chances of reaching the summit dropped to 13% for those in their 60s, and the death rate more than tripled to 5%.
A new study finds that climate change is isolating groups of alpine butterflies in the Canadian Rockies, leading to population decline and increased risk of local extinction. The expanding forests and reduced prescribed burns are limiting the butterflies' ability to fly and reproduce, threatening their survival.
Scientists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory report that the Transantarctic Mountains formed from the remnants of a gigantic high plateau. The study reveals that the adjacent land sank, and glaciers accentuated the topography, leading to peaks up to 4.5 kilometers high.
A recent study has found that Bernese Mountain Dogs are more susceptible to Borrelia burgdorferi infection than other breeds. More than half of the dogs tested were infected, with antibodies against B. burgdorferi found in 58% of those studied.
Researchers developed a new way to predict when vegetation dries to its most vulnerable state to large-scale fires in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. The study found that global warming has not caused any apparent long-term trend toward early fire seasons in the area.
A University of Colorado study reveals wind-blown dust from desert droughts can shorten mountain snow cover by a month, impacting water supply and agricultural resources. The study found seasonal snow coverage in the San Juan Mountains disappeared 30 days earlier due to heavy dust deposition.
A study by Dr. Joel Berger found that prey animals like moose and elk only fear predators they regularly encounter. The research demonstrated that the loss of wolves led to a decrease in vigilance and fear responses in these species.
A UVM study found ski resort development increases water volume, chloride, and sediment levels in watersheds. Researchers analyzed data from two side-by-side watersheds on Mount Mansfield, showing greater hydrologic effects from resort development than traditional resource extraction.
A new grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will support the development of an interactive Web site and a published Cultural Atlas of the Ancient Mongolian Altai. The project aims to document the region's archaeology, geospatial data, and cultural significance in the face of threats from mining, tourism, and climate change.
The UCSD system uses a clever image indexing technique that allows it to cover larger collections of images at a lower computational cost. It outperforms existing approaches in terms of annotation and retrieval accuracy, as well as efficiency.
A study by Akiko Matsumoto-Oda found that female chimpanzees do not synchronize their reproductive activities, reducing opportunities for less-desirable males to coerce them into mating. This strategy allows females to mate with higher-ranking males who possess desirable social and physical characteristics.
Brookhaven researchers have learned how to grow better samples of LBCO, allowing for extensive studies on its properties. The study reveals that the high-temperature superconductor has distinct insulating-like properties and a characteristic energy gap.
A new study found that grizzly bears in the foothills of Alberta have a varied diet, eating everything from ants to moose and berries. The research team identified 40 different food items, with moose being the most common prey, and found that the bears' activity patterns vary depending on the season and environment.
Researchers from WCS discover Jackson's mongoose, a rare and poorly-known carnivore, in Matundu Forest, Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting nearby forests to conserve this unique species.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed a map that incorporates environmental and human factors to pinpoint areas most vulnerable to devastating wildfires. The map highlights the critical role humans play in causing fires, particularly near wildland-urban interfaces.
Research by Andreas Hemp reveals a host of rare plants in Kilimanjaro's forests, contrary to previous thought, and explains the mountain's unique bamboo zone absence due to elephant lack. The complex links between plants and animals are showcased, highlighting human impact on forest diversity.
A new study analyzing western hemlock distribution in North America's Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountains reveals that climate alone cannot explain species range. Spatial analysis suggests hemlock adapts better to drier summer conditions in the Rockies than coastal regions.
A recent study using DNA analysis from giant panda feces found the population underestimated by over 50% in previous surveys. The findings suggest a better chance of long-term viability for the species, but warn against complacency due to still-perilously low numbers.
Recent research using genetic data analysis and simulation software challenges the common assumption that modern residents of a region are direct descendants of their earlier inhabitants. The study suggests that the Etruscan population may have been more diverse or socially elite, leading to little overlap with modern Tuscans.
The Rwenzori Mountains, home to one of four remaining tropical ice fields outside the Andes, are experiencing substantial reduction in glacial cover due to increasing air temperature over the last four decades. Glaciers are receding tens of meters each year, with less than one square kilometer of glacier ice remaining.
The Rwenzori Mountains' glaciers are receding at a rate of tens of meters per year, halving their area between 1987 and 2003. The researchers expect the remaining ice to disappear within twenty years due to increased air temperature without significant changes in precipitation.
Researchers have developed a computer model to help conserve the Mount Graham Red Squirrel, which is isolated in a small area of Arizona desert. The model will identify areas where conservation efforts can be focused to address threats such as grey squirrels and habitat damage.