Articles tagged with North America
A study by Colorado State University and others found that fast-moving forest fires burn more area severely, leaving fewer trees to reseed the landscape. This can lead to long-term ecological change rather than recovery.
The COSPAR Awards 2026 recognize Angela Bazzano, Gary P. Zank, Guenther Reitz, David Gary Sibeck, WANG Jinsong, Carlos Gabriel, John D. Rummel, Pascal Willis, Annapurni Subramaniam, ZHANG Keke, and others for their distinguished contributions to space science.
The US retains its scientific edge but is losing the race to translate discoveries into cures, warns a new report from Cure Innovation Index. Without immediate renewed investment and policy changes, the US scientific edge will not hold.
A cohort study of over 1.8 million Canadian adults found that shorter prescription courses, single medication, and short-acting agents are associated with lower rates of long-term benzodiazepine use. This study provides valuable insights for informing prescribing practices to reduce reliance on these medications.
A 20-year study in the UK, Australia, and US reveals a significant increase in menopause-related search patterns focused on commercial products and services. This shift indicates a growing need for non-clinical guidance and support beyond traditional clinical encounters.
A long-term study found that invasive Burmese pythons led to a dramatic decline in woodrat populations, while cotton mouse populations surged following Hurricane Irma's landfall. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of invasive predators on endemic ecosystem engineers and underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts.
Scientists analyzed vast botanical data to understand why some exotic plants become invasive pests. They found that the timing of flowering is crucial and depends on climate conditions, with native species adapting to local environments and invasive species thriving in milder regions.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that Latin America and southern Europe favor 'mutualism' while the US and Canada prioritize 'domination'. This divergence in views is linked to European colonization centuries ago. The research emphasizes the importance of considering cultural differences in wildlife management policies.
A Canadian study found that seasonal COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced the risk of illness in 2025/26, with vaccine protection extending beyond its target strain. The vaccine was particularly beneficial for people aged 65 or older, offering 53% effectiveness against severe COVID-19.
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
A new study found that male, married Canadians with social support, healthy habits, and excellent health are more likely to experience high levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Social support was a key factor associated with flourishing mental health among older adults.
A new study reveals that the ancient reptile Sonselasuchus, a relative of the crocodile, began life on four legs before learning to walk on two. The discovery was made by analyzing the proportions of the limb skeletons of different animals, suggesting that the creature's bipedal stance may have resulted from differential growth patterns.
The North American wild mountain sheep is losing its habitat to industrial mining, human activity, and climate change. The book highlights the risks faced by this species, which nearly collapsed in previous decades but now faces grave risks from disease and habitat loss.
Shadrack Byfield's autobiography offers insight into the suffering and resilience of Britain's homecoming soldiers. The new evidence shows Byfield's tenacious pursuit of veterans' benefits, struggles with pain, poverty, and police, and his determination to design a custom prosthesis after losing his arm.
The partnership aims to develop solutions for emerging digital threats through joint research initiatives in cryptography, AI security, and blockchain technology. The collaboration will facilitate researcher mobility and identify opportunities for collaborative funding.
Eleven researchers have earned the Advanced Science Young Innovator Award for their outstanding and innovative work in materials science, physics, chemistry, medical and life sciences, and engineering. The award recognizes scientists whose research is bridging fields and accelerating practical applications.
A Chicago Quantum Exchange-led coalition, Quantum Connected, has advanced to the final stage of the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program. The coalition aims to build critically needed quantum-based cyber security and could receive up to $160 million over 10 years.
A recent study analyzing data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Surveys (2016-2023) found that cardiovascular disease risk increased in Mexico between 2016 and 2023. The average 10-year CVD risk was estimated at 9.5% using region-specific tools, highlighting the need for accurate models to predict local disease burden.
A national study has found that LGBTQIA+ college students living in conservative US states experience poorer mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Colleges are urged to implement inclusive policies and provide resources to support these students.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
A comprehensive study found dementia rates were 25% higher in the Southeast compared to the Mid-Atlantic. The Northwest and Rocky Mountains had 23% and 18% higher rates respectively. These differences remained even after accounting for factors like age, race, and cardiovascular disease.
Himanshu Jain, Lehigh University professor of materials science and engineering, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pardubice in the Czech Republic. The recognition honors his influential research on glass materials and leadership in advancing graduate education.
Researchers have identified three new Pleurothallis orchid species endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama, showcasing unique adaptations for asexual reproduction. The discovery sheds light on the importance of conserving these cloud forests, which are home to over 67 recognized species of Pleurothallis.
Researchers found cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) infecting plants in southern US states as early as 2006, contradicting the assumption that it emerged more recently. The study used modern data-mining tools to uncover hidden threats and highlights the importance of maintaining accessible databases for disease surveillance.
A group of elasmosaur fossils has been formally identified as belonging to a new genus, Traskasaura sandrae. This ancient marine reptile, measuring 12 meters long and having heavy, sharp teeth, likely hunted prey from above using its strong swimming capabilities.
The University of Texas at Arlington's McNair Scholars Program has selected 23 students to pursue academic research careers. The program provides opportunities for students to work with internationally recognized researchers and gain essential skills for graduate studies.
A groundbreaking expedition aims to validate hypotheses about the origin of freshened groundwater in offshore aquifers. Researchers will collect sediment and water samples from beneath the ocean on the New England Shelf, shedding light on the dynamics of these systems and their influence on nutrient and element cycling.
Cigarette smoking prevalence is expected to decrease in the US by 2035, primarily among young adults in historically high-prevalence states. This trend is likely to slow health consequences, particularly for older adults.
Researchers found that melting ice sheets in North America and Greenland may have increased horizontal motion of plates by 25% and up to 40% at the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Ridge. This could lead to an increase in volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
A study of 50-90 year olds across 29 countries found that middle-aged Americans experience high levels of loneliness, unlike other countries. The reasons for this vary by country, but factors like unemployment, depression, and poor health contribute to the problem.
A study found that respondents who received information about democratic backsliding in the US had a less favorable view, but policy support remained unchanged. The research team also discovered that an economic downturn did not influence global public opinion, highlighting the complexities of soft power and US foreign policy.
Researchers have discovered that the underside of the North American continent is experiencing 'cratonic thinning', a phenomenon where the continent is slowly losing its stability and rock layers. This process, driven by the subduction of the Farallon Plate, may eventually stop as the plate sinks deeper into the mantle.
A recent study reveals that shifts in paleogeography and climate change have shaped the spring rainfall pattern. Spring persistent rainfall has prevailed in East Asia since the Miocene epoch, whereas in North America, it only flourished during the Eocene epoch. Climate warming is expected to be a dominant driver of future changes.
Research reveals that Eurasian Steppe grasslands are more susceptible to drought than North American Great Plains due to lower plant diversity. The study found a 43% reduction in annual productivity in Eurasia compared to a 25% reduction in North America under similar extreme drought conditions.
A new study finds nearly half of northern Central America is suitable for growing coca, a lucrative cash crop. The region's favorable climate and soil conditions make it an attractive location for criminal groups seeking to expand their operations.
Researchers found the US can meet its entire seafood demand through domestic production, but current exports and imports limit self-reliance. Increasing consumption of lesser-exported species like herring and anchovy could strengthen the domestic supply and contribute to a more sustainable food system.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln examines fossil records going back 66 million years, tracking changes in mammalian ecosystems and species diversity. The research reveals that following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, mammalian communities experienced a surge in functional diversity for 10 million years.
Lokiceratops rangiformis, a plant-eating dinosaur with large horned frill and asymmetrical caribou-like antlers, has been discovered in Montana. The species' unusual features may have played a role in mate selection or species recognition.
New research from the University of Notre Dame reveals that protest movements against political parties can inadvertently empower politicians who use them to disrupt the status quo. The study analyzed 12 case studies across Europe, Asia, and North and South America between 2008 and 2016, finding varying outcomes including factional cha...
This year's winners include Professor Neil Kelleher, Dr. Tamir Gonen, Professor Margaret Sunde, and more, recognized for their pioneering research in top-down proteomics, membrane proteins, amyloid studies, and human health applications.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
A new discovery in Panama has uncovered the oldest known leaf-nosed bat fossils, preserved 20-million years ago. The findings suggest that these mammals may have originated in North America, contradicting previous theories that they came from South America.
ECOTIP presented recommendations to enhance biodiversity monitoring in Greenlandic fisheries, focusing on data analysis and animal tissue samples. The recommendations aim to improve biodiversity monitoring in the Arctic region.
A recent study found that Kenyan patients who spend more than three days in hospitals are more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The research team identified three risk factors associated with colonization, including hospitalization for extended periods and intubation.
A recent international study of over 745,000 adolescents from 41 countries found a decrease in those who overestimate their weight and an increase in those who underestimate it. This shift could reduce the effectiveness of public health interventions aimed at weight reduction in young people, as they may make unhealthy lifestyle choices.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control highlights the rapid spread of avian influenza viruses worldwide, affecting wild bird populations and mammals. The authors warn that human infections with A(H5N1) can be severe and increase the risk of reassortment with mammalian viruses.
A recent study by the University of Exeter has confirmed the widespread trading of critically endangered European eels in international markets. The research found that about 40% of North American unagi samples contained European eel, suggesting a significant role for illegal trade in their supply chain.
A groundbreaking study finds that horses were raised, fed, and ridden by Indigenous Peoples on the American Plains over 700,000 years ago. Genetic analysis reveals a strong Iberian ancestry, contradicting the prevailing narrative of European introduction after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
New research suggests brown widow spiders actively seek and kill nearby black widows, displacing them in parts of the southern US. Brown widow females are also larger and more fertile than black widows, with a higher reproductive success rate.
A fossil plant from California has shed light on the evolution of flowering plants, pushing back their origins by 80 million years. The discovery indicates that structurally complex rainforests may have existed as early as the Cretaceous period.
Researchers found two distinct climate intervals where sea ice and ice-free summer conditions likely supported early human migration along the Pacific coastal route. These conditions, occurring from 22,000 to 24,500 years ago and again from 14,800 to 16,400 years ago, may have facilitated movement by providing a more traversable surfac...
A new study by the University of East Anglia finds a significant association between low literacy and poor mental health outcomes across multiple countries. People with lower literacy skills are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of addressing literacy as part of mental health services.
A global study reveals that antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria are driven by various factors, including geographic regions and hosts. The research identifies key genes conferring resistance to critically important drugs, shedding light on the mechanisms of transmission and the need for collaborative interventions.
Researchers evaluated the prediction of a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, finding that forecasts were able to accurately predict the event. The study highlights the importance of trust, preparedness, and early action when extreme weather is forecasted.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that plants flowered and leafed out earlier in contemporary years than in the early 19th century, coinciding with a warming trend. The accelerated timing poses risks for some species' survival and informs conservation efforts.
The IU-led AMPATH Global network is expanding to Ghana and Mexico, building on a successful collaboration that has played a crucial role in combating HIV, social determinants of health, and COVID-19. The partnership aims to improve public-sector healthcare systems and promote well-being in underserved communities.
A global study found that death rates for people with type 2 diabetes are declining in high-income countries, including Asia. The study showed a narrowing life expectancy gap between those with and without diabetes in many jurisdictions.
Researchers sequenced ancient DNA to understand lion and bear movement between continents. The study found that warm temperatures before the last Ice Age may have caused a change in plant abundance, affecting herbivores and predators.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California has a complex history, with two distinct periods of formation. The ancient range was formed around 100 million years ago as a volcanic chain, but was later dwarfed by a vast plateau. Volcanic activity around 40 million to 20 million years ago lifted the Earth's surface, forming new mountai...
Ancient Italian writings suggest that Genoese sailors were aware of North America 150 years before Columbus' famous voyage. The discovery, made by Professor Paolo Chiesa, refers to an area known as 'Markland'/ 'Marckalada', mentioned in Icelandic sources and identified as part of the Atlantic coast of North America.