A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill seems to indicate that some human weather-related behavior also is being influenced by global warming.
Researchers found peak attendance in U.S. national parks that have experienced climate change is happening earlier, compared to 30 years ago. According to the study, of the nine parks that experienced significant increases in mean spring temperatures since 1979, seven also saw shifts in the timing of peak attendance.
For example, peak attendance at Grand Canyon National Park shifted from July 4 in 1979 to June 24 in 2008. Over the same period of time at Mesa Verde National Park, peak attendance changed from July 10 to July 1. In contrast, of the 18 parks without significant temperature changes, only three exhibited attendance shifts.
"While the public continues to debate whether global warming is real, it appears that they are already adjusting their behavior," said Lauren Buckley, an assistant biology professor.
The report was recently published in the International Journal of Biometeorology.
"We can't say for sure that global warming is causing this swing in visitation trends," Buckley said. "But this discovery does complement rapidly accumulating evidence showing how other organisms have had to alter their behavior in response to climate change."
Santa-ology: Here's one for your kids
On his blog, N.C. State's Larry Silverberg, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has a series of posts called "Science of Santa" ( web.ncsu.edu/abstract/tag/ science-of-santa ) he says is based on attending a program last year for visiting scholars at Santa's Workshop-North Pole Labs (NLP). Silverberg says, for example, cell-technology listening antenna, when combined with EKGs, is what allows St. Nick to pinpoint children's location and know their wish lists.
One aim of Silverberg's "findings" is to explain scientific concepts to kids and spur their interest in science and technology. From staff reports
Computing educators honor Clemson prof
Joseph Turner Jr., an emeritus professor of computer science at Clemson University, has received the highest award bestowed by the accrediting body for university science and engineering programs.
Turner received the Linton E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award at the 2011 annual meeting of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The nonprofit, non-governmental organization accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
Turner, a creator and founding chairman of the Seoul Accord for worldwide computing accreditation, was cited for "outstanding leadership in computing accreditation worldwide ... and for being a catalyst behind the growth of computing accreditation in the United States over the last 25 years."
The Seoul Accord, a multilateral agreement among agencies from eight nations, established mutual recognition for accreditation of undergraduate computing and IT-related programs.
From staff reports
