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Whale shark shipping collisions may increase as oceans warm, predict researchers

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Whale shark shipping collisions may increase as oceans warm, predict researchers


Whale shark shipping collisions may increase as oceans warm
Whale shark with injury to the dorsal fin, likely to be caused by collision with a vessel. Credit: Gonzalo Araujo.

Global warming could increase the threat posed to whale sharks from large ships, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change, titled “Climate-driven global redistribution of an ocean giant predicts increased threat from shipping.”

Researchers from the University of Southampton and Marine Biological Association (MBA) predict that increased ocean temperatures will see this already endangered species driven into new habitats crossed by busy shipping lanes.

The study predicts that the co-occurrence of whale sharks and large ships could be 15,000 times higher by the end of the century compared to the present day.

Lead author Dr. Freya Womersley, University of Southampton and MBA Postdoctoral Research Scientist said, “These shifts in the whale sharks’ habitat were most extreme under high emission scenarios. A global reshuffling could lead to core habitat losses in some areas as well as increased co-occurrence with shipping traffic as oceans warm and other variables change.”

Whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, are highly mobile and responsive to changes in temperature. Recent evidence suggests they are also particularly vulnerable to ship strikes—where large marine animals are struck and injured, often fatally, by large vessels in the global fleet.

Researchers used whale shark satellite-tracking data coupled with global climate models to project the distribution of whale sharks under three different future climate scenarios.

The models project core habitat losses of over 50% in some national waters by 2100 under high emissions (where we continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels), with the greatest potential losses in Asia. Under a sustainable development scenario (in line with the target of no more than 2°C of global warming), some areas showed a gain in core habitat, notably in Europe.

Whale shark shipping collisions may increase as oceans warm
A whale shark swimming. Credit: Gonzalo Araujo

“The shifts we predict are likely to be less extreme if we are able to slow warming and mitigate climate change, suggesting that even complex, multi-factor impacts of climate change can be somewhat alleviated by our actions,” says Professor David Sims, co-author and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southampton and MBA.

The team paired the distribution maps with information on shipping traffic density to determine if these habitat shifts would see whale sharks move into more heavily trafficked areas in future, potentially increasing the likelihood of ship strikes.

They found that some newly suitable habitats overlapped with busy shipping routes. This was the case in the US part of the North Pacific Ocean, the Japanese part of the Eastern China Seas, and the Sierra Leonian part of the North Atlantic Ocean, among many other sites globally.

Some areas, such as the Mexican part of the Gulf of Mexico, saw reductions in co-occurrence, where core habitats shifted into more coastal waters, away from the busy shipping routes in the center of the Gulf.

Professor Sims says, “Overall ship co-occurrence increased under all future climate scenarios, even if shipping remained at current levels, rather than its anticipated expansion of up to 1,200% by 2050.”

Womersley added, “We show that climate change has the potential to indirectly impact highly mobile marine species through interacting pressures of humans and the environment. This highlights the importance of factoring climate change into discussions around endangered species management.”

More information:
Freya Womersley et al, Climate-driven global redistribution of an ocean giant predicts increased threat from shipping, Nature Climate Change (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02129-5. www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02129-5

Citation:
Whale shark shipping collisions may increase as oceans warm, predict researchers (2024, October 7)
retrieved 7 October 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-whale-shark-shipping-collisions-oceans.html

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Near-Earth asteroid data help probe possible fifth force in universe

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Near-Earth asteroid data help probe possible fifth force in universe


Asteroid data probes possible fifth force in universe
Bennu and other nearby asteroids. Credit: NASA

In 2023, the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission returned a sample of dust and rocks collected on the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. In addition to the information about the universe gleaned from the sample itself, the data generated by OSIRIS-REx might also present an opportunity to probe new physics. As described in Communications Physics, an international research team led by Los Alamos National Laboratory used the asteroid’s tracking data to study the possible existence of a fifth fundamental force of the universe.

“Interpreting the data we see from tracking Bennu has the potential to add to our understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the universe, potentially revamping our understanding of the Standard Model of physics, gravity and dark matter,” said Yu-Dai Tsai, lead author on the paper. “The trajectories of objects often feature anomalies that can be useful in discovering new physics.”

Given the implications for planetary defense, near-Earth asteroids are closely tracked. The team applied that ground-based tracking data collected before and during the OSIRIS-REx mission to a probe of extensions of the Standard Model of physics, which describes three of the four known fundamental forces of the universe.

Optical and radar astrometric data has helped constrain—or establish to a degree of precision—the trajectory of Bennu since it was discovered in 1999. The OSIRIS-REx mission contributed X-band radiometric and optical navigation tracking data.

“The tight constraints we’ve achieved translate readily to some of the tightest-ever limits on Yukawa-type fifth forces,” said Sunny Vagnozzi, assistant professor at the University of Trento in Italy, and co-author on the paper. “These results highlight the potential for asteroid tracking as a valuable tool in the search for ultralight bosons, dark matter and several well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model.”

Asteroid data probes possible fifth force in universe
Constraints on the strength and range of fifth forces. Credit: Communications Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42005-024-01779-3

Anomalies lead to discoveries

The trajectory of a celestial object is impacted by gravity and other factors. Understanding the physics of trajectories can reveal mysteries, especially where there are anomalies in the trajectory. Famously, long before it was actually observed, the planet Neptune was inferred by observations of irregularities in the orbit of nearby planet Uranus.

Using trajectory data and resulting modeling from the tracking of Bennu, the teams’ analysis established constraints on a possible fifth force and the role of a potential mediating particle, such as an ultralight boson, in that fifth force. The presence of a mediating particle that might act upon a fifth force would show up in the altered orbit of an asteroid like Bennu, which is why studying the tracking data is so significant for physics.

A new particle such as an ultralight boson might represent an extension of the Standard Model to include dark matter and dark energy, which are strongly suggested by cosmological and astrophysical observations but have not yet been incorporated into the general framework. While dark matter is thought to make up perhaps 85% of the total matter in the universe, science remains unsure as to what particles and forces make up dark matter.

Next stop: Apophis

Tsai and others first explored the probing of fifth-force physics with asteroids with research published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics in 2023, before tackling Bennu. The team plans to build on their Bennu work in the future with the tracking of the Apophis asteroid, which will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029.

NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will approach the asteroid and kick up dust. That and observations of the impact of Earth’s gravity on Apophis as it sails by will provide data to continue the search for fifth-force physics.

The team is considering new space quantum technologies and dedicated space missions to improve tracking precision or directly search for dark matter.

More information:
Yu-Dai Tsai et al, Constraints on fifth forces and ultralight dark matter from OSIRIS-REx target asteroid Bennu, Communications Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42005-024-01779-3

Citation:
Near-Earth asteroid data help probe possible fifth force in universe (2024, October 7)
retrieved 7 October 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-earth-asteroid-probe-universe.html

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part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





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Emphasizing the need for worker engagement

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Emphasizing the need for worker engagement


car manufacturing
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The growing use of collaborative robots in the workplace may pose significant psychosocial risks to workers’ mental health and their job security, but there are ways for organizations to smooth the transition, according to research from the Monash University Business School.

Once confined to science fiction, collaborative robots, or cobots, are rapidly reshaping the Australian workplace, handling everything from heavy machinery to delicate surgical tasks.

Automation, including cobots, is predicted to increase annual productivity growth in Australia by 50% to 150%. These technologies have the potential to add a further $170–600 billion per year to GDP by 2030, according to the National Robotics Strategy.

While cobots are often portrayed as increasing efficiency and speed, and providing a safe and reliable means to reduce physical workplace risk, less is known about the hidden psychosocial risks employees may be facing.

Monash Business School Professor Herman Tse and his research team found psychosocial hazards, such as job insecurity and role ambiguity, are common issues that affect workers as part of the growing use of collaborative workspace technologies, such as cobots.

“Workers often perceive cobots as potential threats to their job stability, especially when collaboration between humans and machines is minimal; lower collaboration may be perceived as a strategy to automate work and replace operators with machines. This perception can lead to increased stress and decreased trust in new technologies,” Professor Tse said.

To support a smooth transition of cobots in the workplace, and reducing these risks, the study emphasizes the urgent need for organizations to consider employees’ perception of collaborative robots and the stresses that arise from their growing use. It is hoped this would lead to a broader organizational understanding about the importance of involving workers in the implementation process of cobots.

The research team found engaging employees through participatory change management and consultation can significantly reduce psychosocial hazards and improve overall acceptance of new technologies.

Recommendations for Organizations:

  • Engage workers: Involve employees from various units in the planning and implementation stages to address concerns and gather feedback.
  • Enhance consultation: Provide clear communication about how cobots will impact job roles and responsibilities, and include workers in decision-making processes.
  • Conduct risk assessments: Develop comprehensive risk assessments to identify and address potential psychosocial hazards associated with cobots.

The global cobot market is booming, reaching a staggering US $50 billion since 2018.

“This growth is being driven by increasing automation needs in sectors like manufacturing, automotive, electronics, health care, and food and beverages,” said Professor Tse.

“Cobots enhance productivity and address labor shortages, making them attractive for both large and small businesses, and advancements in cobot technology will further boost their adoption in Australian workplaces.”

The team’s findings underscore that while cobots offer significant benefits, including reducing physical strain and enhancing productivity, their introduction must be handled with care to avoid unintended psychosocial consequences.

By prioritizing worker engagement and consultation, organizations can ensure a smoother transition to collaborative robotics and safeguard employee well-being.

Provided by
Monash University


Citation:
Psychosocial risks of collaborative robots: Emphasizing the need for worker engagement (2024, October 7)
retrieved 7 October 2024
from https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-psychosocial-collaborative-robots-emphasizing-worker.html

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Diverse forests better at capturing planet-warming carbon dioxide, study finds

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Diverse forests better at capturing planet-warming carbon dioxide, study finds


forest color
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Forests with a greater diversity of trees are more productive—potentially leading to greater efficiency in capturing planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a new study reveals.

Researchers found that trees that grow quickly, and capture carbon faster, tend to be smaller and have shorter lifespans, leading to lower carbon storage and faster release back into the atmosphere.

Slower growing species live longer and grow larger, tending to capture more atmospheric carbon—particularly in the setting of more diverse forests.

Analyzing 3.2 million measurements from 1,127 species of trees across the Americas—from southern Brazil to northern Canada—an international team of experts mapped life expectancies for trees ranging from 1.3 to 3,195 years.

In an article published Oct. 3 in Science, an international group including researchers from South America, Central America, Europe and North America—led by ETH Zurich, Switzerland—further identify four main types of tree life-cycles: Fast-growing species with shorter lifespans and low maximum sizes, plus three clusters of slow-growing species.

At one end of the three conservative growth clusters are tree species with high life-expectancies and small maximum sizes, while at the other end are species with low life expectancies and large maximum sizes.

Co-author Dr. Adriane Esquivel-Muelbert, Brazilian researcher based at the University of Birmingham, commented, “Tree growth and lifespan trade-offs are crucial for the planet’s carbon balance. The positive relationship between trait diversity and productivity suggests that maintaining diverse forests is crucial for ecosystem health and climate change mitigation.

“Forests with diverse tree species can capture carbon more effectively, meaning that promoting forest biodiversity in forests can help capture more carbon. Understanding how these factors are linked can guide restoration and conservation projects.

“By selecting the right mix of tree species, we may be able to maximize carbon storage and develop strategies that enhance forest resilience to climate change.”

The researchers mapped life history traits of tree species across the Americas, finding a strong connection between temperature and tree growth with colder climates associated with slower growth. Tropical forests exhibit higher diversity compared to temperate and boreal forests.

Lead author Dr. Lalasia Murphy, from ETH Zurich, commented, “This study provides a broad-scale assessment of tree life expectancy for species across the Americas, with estimates ranging from tens to thousands of years.

“We also find that more diverse forests, which include a wider range of fast-growing, short-lived, and slow-growing, long-lived species, tend to sequester more carbon. These findings provide new insights that can be used to inform biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.”

They found that tropical regions retain the full range of four demographic functional types, while tree species found in non-tropical areas fall into two clusters of predominantly slow-growing species. Mean life expectancy tends to be higher outside the tropics.

Experts used the largest dataset of dynamic tree information to date—calculating the mean life expectancy and maximal lifespan for a wide range of trees from Northern Canada to Southern Brazil.

“Such large-scale analysis is only possible with large collaborative efforts involving hundreds of researchers monitoring these forests for many years,” commented Dr. Thomas Pugh, co-author of the study from the University of Birmingham and Lund University.

Data also included long-term records from an international network of researchers, including members of the Global Forest Dynamics, ForestPlots, and ForestGeo networks, as well as the United States and Canadian forest inventory programs.

More information:
Lalasia Bialic-Murphy et al, The pace of life for forest trees, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk9616

Citation:
Diverse forests better at capturing planet-warming carbon dioxide, study finds (2024, October 7)
retrieved 7 October 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-diverse-forests-capturing-planet-carbon.html

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How celebrity CEOs affect risk-taking behavior for restaurant businesses

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How celebrity CEOs affect risk-taking behavior for restaurant businesses


How celebrity CEOs affect risk-taking behavior for restaurant businesses
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Celebrity chief executive officers (CEOs) do not necessarily take more business risks than other CEOs in the restaurant industry, but restaurants with celebrity CEOs can take more risks when celebrity status is combined with other factors, according to findings from researchers in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.

The team found that restaurants with celebrity CEOs may exhibit more risk-taking behavior—in this case, the risks are financial and related to a restaurant’s investments—when these CEOs are hired from outside the company or if the business is increasingly active in franchising. Led by Seoki Lee, professor of hospitality management at Penn State, the researchers published their findings in Tourism Economics.

In context of this research, a celebrity CEO is not necessarily a movie star or someone with international recognition, but rather someone who acquires a lot of media attention in tandem with their restaurant. The researchers determined celebrity CEO status by the number of media mentions that included both a CEO’s and their company’s name.

“This has been an underexplored topic in hospitality and restaurant management,” Lee said. “When we think about the restaurant industry, we believe that this issue is more pronounced because CEOs in this industry exert more managerial discretion and have greater influence on strategic decisions and overall performance than CEOs in other industries.”

To learn the impact of celebrity CEO status on risk-taking behavior in the restaurant industry, the researchers gathered data from FACTIVA, a business information and research platform, that included 51 unique publicly traded restaurant companies and 108 distinct CEOs within the United States.

The researchers then examined the effects of celebrity status on risk-taking behavior via generalized estimating equations (GEE) modeling, a way to computationally analyze correlated data. The research team also investigated whether risk taking was associated with hiring celebrity CEOs from outside the company and expanding franchises of the restaurant chain.

The researchers used capital investment, research and development, and acquisition metrics to measure risk-taking behavior.

“CEOs are making a bet when it comes to dollars spent toward capital investment, research and development, and acquisition—not all that investment money will turn out to be beneficial to the business,” Lee said, explaining that the higher the capital investment, research and development spending, or acquisition levels, the higher the potential risk to the company.

When the researchers separated the sample into two groups—CEOs hired from outside of a company and CEOs promoted from within a company—they found that celebrity status aggravated risk-taking behavior for companies who externally hired CEOs.

Franchising also produced a significant moderating effect between celebrity status and risk-taking behavior. Restaurants typically franchise to help reduce risk, as this provides multiple income streams and reduces agency costs, according to Lee. Accordingly, increased franchising likely helps companies to absorb more risk-taking behavior from a CEO.

“If investors want to take more risks, they can use this franchising, outside hire status and celebrity CEO information to develop their own investment portfolio or modify their current investment portfolio.” Lee said. “They can gain insight into which restaurants may act with more risk than others.”

Lee said companies should consider their strategies and how risk averse they want to be in the hiring process for CEOs. For example, if a company wants to potentially lessen risk-taking behavior from its CEO, it could look to hire internally rather than externally.

“Shareholders, a board of directors or the hiring committee should have their own process and preference regarding risk-taking behavior when hiring for a CEO position,” Lee said. “When companies hire a CEO, especially one from outside of the company, then they should look at candidates’ celebrity status to make sure it matches their preferred risk-taking behavior.”

More information:
Bora Kim et al, Restaurant celebrity chief executive officer and risk-taking: The moderating role of chief executive officer origin and franchising, Tourism Economics (2024). DOI: 10.1177/13548166241264595

Citation:
How celebrity CEOs affect risk-taking behavior for restaurant businesses (2024, October 7)
retrieved 7 October 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-10-celebrity-ceos-affect-behavior-restaurant.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





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