Browse Articles

Presence of Vegetation in Relation to Slope in Yosemite Valley, California

Saltzgaber et al. | Sep 11, 2021

Presence of Vegetation in Relation to Slope in Yosemite Valley, California

This study examined the relationship between the slope of a terrain and vegetation, measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). It was hypothesized that lower slope ranges would be more supportive of vegetation growth than higher slope ranges. Analysis showed that no slope (even as extreme as 85–90°) prohibits the growth of vegetation completely; even the steepest slopes examined contain plant life. Knowing that steep slopes can still support plant life, agriculturalists can begin to explore and start planting additional crops and plants at these extreme slopes.

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Extroverts as Materialists: Correlating Personality Traits, Materialism, and Spending Behavior

Jackson et al. | Feb 19, 2017

Extroverts as Materialists: Correlating Personality Traits, Materialism, and Spending Behavior

The authors investigated the relationship between personality traits and adolescent materialism, as well as how materialism relates to spending habits. Results indicate that extroversion was positively correlated with materialism, and that adolescents' purchases were affected by the purchasing behaviors of their friends or peers. Moreover, materialistic youth were more likely than non-materialistic youth to spend money on themselves when given a hypothetical windfall of $500.

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A multi-dimensional analysis of NFL red zone efficiency

Kim et al. | Mar 16, 2026

A multi-dimensional analysis of NFL red zone efficiency
Image credit: Ben Hershey

Here the authors investigated the relationship between offensive play-calling styles and scoring success within the NFL's red zone by analyzing play-by-play data and expected points metrics. Their findings suggest that a conservative approach to play design and execution is more strongly associated with maximizing efficiency and point-value gains than aggressive strategies.

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An evaluation of the trends in U.S. maternal deaths based on abortion policies from 2018 to 2021

Haq et al. | Feb 18, 2026

An evaluation of the trends in U.S. maternal deaths based on abortion policies from 2018 to 2021

Here the authors evaluate the relationship between state-level abortion policies and maternal mortality across the United States from 2018 to 2021. Their findings reveal that states with restrictive abortion laws consistently experienced higher maternal mortality ratios than those with protective policies, culminating in a 72% increase in deaths within restrictive states by the end of the study period.

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Implication of education levels on gender wage gap across states in the United States and Puerto Rico

Dash et al. | Apr 16, 2025

Implication of education levels on gender wage gap across states in the United States and Puerto Rico

Here the authors examined the relationship between education levels and the gender wage gap (GWG) in the US and Puerto Rico from 2010 to 2022, hypothesizing that higher education would correlate with a lower GWG. Their analysis of income data revealed an inverse correlation, where higher education levels were associated with reduced gender wage disparities, suggesting that policies aimed at closing the gender gap in higher education could promote socioeconomic equality.

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Fitness social media is positively associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs among young men

Tamaki et al. | Feb 01, 2024

Fitness social media is positively associated with the use of performance-enhancing drugs among young men
Image credit: Samuel Girven

Here the authors investigated the relationship between fitness-related social media and the high usage of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) specifically by men in the US age 18-35. In a survey with 149 participants they identified that young men that use fitness-related social media are more likely to use PEDs. Their results suggest the necessity to consider potential risk behaviors which may be related to social media consumption.

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The Prevalence of Brain-Eating Roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis in Merrick County, Nebraska

Reeves et al. | Sep 20, 2018

The Prevalence of Brain-Eating Roundworm <i>Baylisascaris procyonis</i> in Merrick County, Nebraska

The authors investigated an important parasite-host relationship between the raccoon roundworm and the raccoon to understand how parasite prevalence is affected by location. They found that the parasite infection was more prevalent in raccoons found closer to human dwellings, though the number of roundworm eggs was not significantly different. These results are important human health, since roundworm infection is lethal to humans and can be transmitted from raccoons to humans - the authors suggest that more research into this parasite and awareness of its prevalence is needed to prevent disease.

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