What causes decline of tropical seagrass meadows?
Seagrass, a group of aquatic angiosperms, grows in shallow waters in the coastal sea and contributes most of the primary production while participating in many important ecological processes. Heat stress threatens the survival of seagrass, but its da.....»»
Are American voters really as polarized as they seem? Research suggests "yes"
A new study of American voters by researchers at Rice University and Stanford University shows that while response rates to political surveys are on the decline, people are more polarized than ever......»»
New species of pirate spiders discovered on South Atlantic island
On a remote tropical island in the Atlantic Ocean, a pair of marooned pirates have been discovered. While they lack eyepatches and cutlasses, the two new species of pirate spider certainly live up to their nautical name, which refers to their habit o.....»»
How bananas can be used to fight the plastic waste crisis
Bananas are one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits in the world. They are also the fourth most grown crop in the world, trailing only rice, wheat and corn. What could this tropical fruit have to do with fighting the ongoing plastic waste.....»»
Study finds oxygen rise in the tropical upper ocean during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Oxygen is fundamental to sustaining life on Earth. The ocean gets its oxygen from its uppermost layers in contact with the atmosphere. As our planet continues to warm, the ocean is gradually losing its capacity to absorb oxygen, with severe consequen.....»»
Researchers identify human activities as drivers of biodiversity decline in central Mexico"s reserves
New research shows the diversity of plant and animal life in 14 tropical reserves in Mesoamerica has plummeted since 1990 as roads and cattle ranches have expanded into protected areas. Large mammals, birds, and reptiles are disappearing, while disea.....»»
Researchers identify a decline in microbial genetic richness in the western Arctic Ocean
The Arctic region is experiencing climate change at a much faster rate than the rest of the world. Melting ice sheets, runoff from thawing permafrost, and other factors are rapidly changing the composition of the Arctic Ocean's water. And that change.....»»
Struggling seabirds thrown a lifeline by new commercial fishing ban in the North Sea—but it may not be enough
With their bright, orange feet and colorful beaks full of glistening fish, puffins are really charismatic seabirds. But puffin populations are in decline, largely due to their struggle to catch enough of these shiny fish: sandeels......»»
AutoNation Q4 net income drops 25%
AutoNation Inc.'s net income dropped 25 percent in the fourth quarter, another double-digit percentage decline for the company. Revenue was up 1 percent; new-vehicle sales jumped and used-vehicle sales dropped......»»
Nearly half of the world"s migratory species are in decline, UN report says
Nearly half of the world's migratory species are in decline, according to a new United Nations report released Monday......»»
Security Bite: Ransomware payments hit record $1.1 billion in 2023 despite previous year’s decline
It was a landmark year for ransomware in 2023 and a well-publicized one following the MOVEit and MGM Resorts beaches that shook the security industry. Not only did threat actors collectively pocket a record-breaking $1.1 billion from victims, but a n.....»»
Dial it up to Category 6? As warming stokes storms, some want a bigger hurricane category
A handful of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6......»»
Small adjustments can reduce nitrogen loss in peat meadows, says researcher
Relatively simple adjustments can reduce nitrogen losses on dairy farms in peatland areas. That's the conclusion of the Ph.D. research by Leiden environmental scientist Jeroen Pijlman at the Louis Bolk Institute. Protein-poor grass species and narrow.....»»
Scientists point the way to advance conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows
In a new study, an international team of academics have identified the most important questions that must be answered in order to advance the conservation and restoration of seagrass meadows in Europe......»»
Uncovering the green miracle of urbanization
Between 1990 and 2005, the national average urban fractional vegetation cover (FVC) decreased from 0.38 to 0.35 due to the increase in floor area ratio and impervious surface in urban areas. The decline is particularly pronounced in megacities, small.....»»
Tropical cyclone genesis projected to move toward the poles
In a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers unveil a poleward shift of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis on a global scale as a result of climate change. Led by Dr. Xi Cao from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, the resear.....»»
The motherhood pay gap: Why women"s earnings decline after having children
Inequalities between men and women persist in many areas, with women still earning less than men on average. An even more striking difference is the "motherhood pay gap" that happens when women have children. Also known as the "family gap" or child p.....»»
Secondary eyewall formation in upper- and lower-layer vertical wind shear simulated in idealized tropical cyclones
About 80% of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) possess concentric eyewalls—namely, the primary and secondary eyewalls. The intensity of the TC can vary considerably during secondary eyewall formation (SEF) and eyewall replacement, posing a great chal.....»»
Wedbush remains bullish on Apple after "bumpy" China results
Investment firm Wedbush says its expectations for Apple are "firmly unchanged" as earnings showed a strong holiday quarter despite a decline in China.Tim Cook at a game tournament in Apple Taikoo Li, Chengdu Wedbush has been consistently pro-Apple si.....»»
Expected lower interest rates, pent-up demand driving 2024 vehicle purchases, survey finds
If interest rates decline as expected this year, many consumers are interested in buying a new vehicle, according to a report from Kaiser Associates and Dave Cantin Group......»»
US center"s tropical storm forecasts are going inland, where damage can outstrip coasts
The "cone of uncertainty" produced by the National Hurricane Center to forecast the location and ferocity of a tropical storm is getting an update this year to include predictions for inland areas, where wind and flooding are sometimes more treachero.....»»