ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News

Introverts prefer mountains Posted: 27 Feb 2015 03:13 PM PST In a series of three studies, researchers tested whether there is a link between personality and an aspect of physical ecology: flat terrain versus mountainous terrain. The study found that only one of the Big Five personality traits predicted terrain preference -- extraversion.

How were fossil tracks made by Early Triassic swimming reptiles so well preserved? Posted: 27 Feb 2015 10:10 AM PST That swim tracks made by tetrapods occur in high numbers in deposits from the Early Triassic is well known. What is less clear is why the tracks are so abundant and well preserved. Paleontologists have now determined that a unique combination of factors in Early Triassic delta systems resulted in the production and unusually widespread preservation of the swim tracks: delayed ecologic recovery, depositional environments, and tetrapod swimming behavior.

Cryptochrome protein helps birds navigate via magnetic field Posted: 27 Feb 2015 10:10 AM PST Researchers have found one one possible explanation for some birds' ability to sense the earth's magnetic field and use it to orient themselves: a magnetically sensitive protein called cryptochrome that mediates circadian rhythms in plants and animals.

Sun has more impact on the climate in cool periods Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:27 AM PST The activity of the Sun is an important factor in the complex interaction that controls our climate. New research now shows that the impact of the Sun is not constant over time, but has greater significance when the Earth is cooler.

Modern logging techniques benefit rainforest wildlife Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:26 AM PST The value of a modern logging technique has been revealed for maintaining biodiversity in tropical forests that are used for timber production. The most comprehensive study of Reduced-Impact Logging (RIL) to date has been completed, surveying wildlife communities over a five-year period before and after timber harvesting.

Submarine data used to investigate turbulence beneath Arctic ice Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:25 AM PST Using recently released Royal Navy submarine data, researchers have investigated the nature of turbulence in the ocean beneath the Arctic sea-ice. Recent decreases in Arctic sea ice may have a big impact on the circulation, chemistry and biology of the Arctic Ocean, due to ice-free waters becoming more turbulent. By revealing more about how these turbulent motions distribute energy within the ocean, the findings from this study provide information important for accurate predictions of the future of the Arctic Ocean.

The biobattery: Turning sewage sludge into electricity and engine oil Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:25 AM PST Sewage sludge, green waste, production residue from the food industry, straw or animal excrement – with the biobattery‘s modular concept a much larger range of biomass can be utilized for energy recovery than previously. Researchers show that they can convert organic residues into electricity, heat, purified gas, engine oil and high quality biochar using this process.

Strait of Georgia: Salish Sea seagull populations halved since 1980s Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:47 AM PST The number of seagulls in the Strait of Georgia is down by 50 per cent from the 1980s and researchers say the decline reflects changes in the availability of food.

Newly discovered algal species helps corals survive in the hottest reefs on the planet Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:47 AM PST A new species of algae has been discovered in reef corals of the Persian Gulf where it helps corals to survive seawater temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius -- temperatures that would kill corals elsewhere.

Wind-powered freighters Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:45 AM PST To make ships more eco-efficient, engineers have been working with alternative fuels. A Norwegian engineer is currently pursuing a new approach: With VindskipTM, he has designed a cargo ship that is powered by wind and gas. Software will ensure an optimum use of the available wind energy at any time.

DNA evidence shows surprise cultural connections between Britain and Europe 8,000 years ago Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:45 AM PST DNA evidence shows surprise cultural connections between Britain and Europe 8,000 years ago. Researchers found evidence for a variety of wheat at a submerged archaeological site off the south coast of England, 2,000 years before the introduction of farming in the UK.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs EU billions annually Posted: 26 Feb 2015 05:44 AM PST Human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) likely contributes to a number of diseases and health conditions in the EU, with costs estimated between €150-260 billion per year (1.2-2.0% of Gross Domestic Product), according to a new series of studies.