Showing 20 articles starting at article 561

< Previous 20 articles        Next 20 articles >

Categories: Biology: Zoology, Geoscience: Geography

Return to the site home page

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography Paleontology: Climate
Published

Evolution of the most powerful ocean current on Earth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays an important part in global overturning circulation, the exchange of heat and CO2 between the ocean and atmosphere, and the stability of Antarctica's ice sheets. An international research team has now used sediments taken from the South Pacific to reconstruct the flow speed in the last 5.3 million years. Their data show that during glacial periods, the current slowed; during interglacials, it accelerated. Consequently, if the current global warming intensifies in the future, it could mean that the Southern Ocean stores less CO2 and that more heat reaches Antarctica.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology
Published

The behavior of ant queens is shaped by their social environment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The queens in colonies of social insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, are considered the veritable embodiment of specialization in the animal kingdom. The common perception is that the queen's only task is to lay eggs -- and that this attribute is an inherent trait, not influenced by external factors. In contrast, recent research has demonstrated that in certain ant colonies the social environment can play a crucial role in shaping the behavioral specialization of the queens.

Biology: Botany Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: General Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Research Ecology: Trees Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Geography
Published

Researchers find energy development and tree encroachment impact Wyoming pronghorn      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

While Wyoming is home to some of North America's most abundant populations of pronghorn that have largely been stable in recent years, a new analysis shows that many herds are experiencing long-term declines in fawn production.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Paleontology: General
Published

In paleontology, correct names are keys to accurate study      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When the skeletal remains of a giant ground sloth were first unearthed in 1796, the discovery marked one of the earliest paleontological finds in American history.

Biology: Botany Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography
Published

New maps help decision-makers factor albedo into tree-planting decisions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study provides a global analysis of where restoration of tree cover is most effective at cooling the global climate system, considering not just the cooling from carbon storage but also the warming from decreased albedo. The researchers provide a tool practitioners and land managers can use to determine just how much of a problem albedo is for any reforestation or afforestation project on the globe.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Sea Life Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Two coral snakes recorded battling for prey in a scientific first      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Two red-tailed coral snakes have been observed competing over a caecilian in the first documented wild case of kleptoparasitism within the family Elapidae.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Bees use antennae to decode hive mates' dances in the dark      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered how honeybees can decipher dances by their hive mates that relay directions to food.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Global study of coastal seas as carbon dioxide reservoirs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Coastal seas form a complex transition zone between the two largest CO2 sinks in the global carbon cycle: land and ocean. Ocean researchers have now succeeded for the first time in investigating the role of the coastal ocean in a seamless model representation.

Biology: Zoology
Published

How many fish constitute a school?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Physicists are also interested in fish -- above all when they are researching the formation of structures. A research team has examined the schooling behavior of zebra danio (Danio rerio, also known as 'zebrafish') using methods from the field of multi-particle physics. They explain that groups of just three fish already move in a similar way to large schools while, by contrast, two fish display completely different behavior.

Geoscience: Geography
Published

Greener streets linked to better sleep      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Living on a greener street or having views of blue spaces from your home may help you sleep for longer. New research across 18 countries found that living on greener streets -- those with visible grass, trees, and vegetation -- is linked to better sleep.

Anthropology: Cultures Anthropology: Early Humans Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Geoscience: Geography
Published

Persian plateau unveiled as crucial hub for early human migration out of Africa      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study combining genetic, palaeoecological, and archaeological evidence has unveiled the Persian Plateau as a pivotal geographic location serving as a hub for Homo sapiens during the early stages of their migration out of Africa. It highlights the period between 70,000 to 45,000 years ago when human populations did not uniformly spread across Eurasia, leaving a gap in our understanding of their whereabouts during this time frame.

Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Better phosphorus use can ensure its stocks last more than 500 years and boost global food production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

More efficient use of phosphorus could see limited stocks of the important fertilizer last more than 500 years and boost global food production to feed growing populations. But these benefits will only happen if countries are less wasteful with how they use phosphorus, a study shows. Around 30-40 per cent of farm soils have over-applications of phosphorus, with European and North American countries over-applying the most.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Chemistry: Biochemistry Ecology: Sea Life Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Caller ID of the sea: Tagging whale communication and behavior      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Biologists use a novel method of simultaneous acoustic tagging to gain insights into the link between whale communication and behavior

Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Droughts in Europe could be avoided with faster emissions cuts      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Models suggest summer rainfall in southern Europe could decline by up to 48% by the year 2100 if emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise rapidly.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Wild bird gestures 'after you'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A small-bird species, the Japanese tit (Parus minor), uses wing movements as a gesture to convey the message 'after you,' according to new research. When a mating pair arrives at their nest box with food, they will wait outside on perches. One will then often flutter its wings toward the other, apparently indicating for the latter to enter first. The researchers say that this discovery challenges the previous belief that gestural communication is prominent only in humans and great apes, significantly advancing our understanding of visual communication in birds.

Geoscience: Geography
Published

Scientists explore complex pattern of tipping points in the Atlantic's current system      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New mathematical modeling of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation -- a system of ocean currents -- shows greater complexity than previously thought. Researchers have revealed a hierarchy of irreversible 'tipping points.'

Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Enormous ice loss from Greenland glacier      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Ground-based measuring devices and aircraft radar operated in the far northeast of Greenland show how much ice the 79 N-Glacier is losing. According to recent measurements, the thickness of the glacier has decreased by more than 160 meters since 1998. Warm ocean water flowing under the glacier tongue is melting the ice from below. High air temperatures cause lakes to form on the surface, whose water flows through huge channels in the ice into the ocean. One channel reached a height of 500 meters, while the ice above was only 190 meters thick.