Lifespan depends on month of birth

Month of birth influences adult life expectancy at ages 50+. Why? In two countries of the Northern Hemisphere–Austria and Denmark–people born in autumn (October–December) live longer than those born in spring (April–June). Data for Australia show that, in the Southern Hemisphere, the pattern is shifted by half a year. The lifespan pattern of British immigrants to Australia is similar to that of Austrians and Danes and significantly different from that of Australians. These findings are based on population data with more than a million observations and little or no selectivity. The differences in lifespan are independent of the seasonal distribution of deaths and the social differences in the seasonal distribution of births. In the Northern Hemisphere, the excess mortality in the first year of life of infants born in spring does not support the explanation of selective infant survival. Instead, remaining life expectancy at age 50 appears to depend on factors that arise in utero or early in infancy and that increase susceptibility to diseases later in life. This result is consistent with the finding that, at the turn of the last century, infants born in autumn had higher birth weights than those born in other seasons. Furthermore, differences in adult lifespan by month of birth decrease over time and are significantly smaller in more recent cohorts, which benefited from substantial improvements in maternal and infant health.

Subparsec-scale structure and evolution of Centaurus A (NGC5128).

We present a series of 8.4-GHz very-long-baseline radio interferometry images of the nucleus of Centaurus A (NGC5128) made with a Southern Hemisphere array, representing a 3.3-year monitoring effort. The nuclear radio jet is approximately 50 milliarcseconds in extent, or at the 3.5-megaparsec distance of NGC5128, approximately 1 parsec in length. Subluminal motion is seen and structural changes are observed on time scales shorter than 4 months. High-resolution observations at 4.8 and 8.4 GHz made in November 1992 reveal a complex morphology and allow us to unambiguously identify the self-absorbed core located at the southwestern end of the jet.

A viagem da U. S. Astronomical Expedition (1849-1852): observar estrelas e relatar a América do Sul

O trabalho analisa a expedição astronômica realizada pela Marinha norteamericana ao Chile, durante os anos de 1849 a 1852, comandada pelo oficial e também astrônomo James Melville Gilliss. O objetivo foi compreender os interesses científicos, políticos, geopolíticos e comerciais que motivaram a viagem, bem como as imagens e representações sobre a América do Sul, especialmente do Panamá, Peru, Chile e Argentina, construídas e divulgadas através do relatório oficial da expedição, com o título \"The U.S. Naval Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere during the years (1849- 1852). Esta pesquisa também procura examinar os diferentes dispositivos discursivos utilizados pelos oficiais que escreveram o relatório, James Gilliss e Archibald MacRae, discutindo dissensões e diferentes visões sobre o modo de veicular dados científicos, e também modos distintos de relatar a América do Sul.

Investigating the causes of the response of the thermohaline circulation to past and future climate changes

The Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) is an important part of the earth's climate system. Previous research has shown large uncertainties in simulating future changes in this critical system. The simulated THC response to idealized freshwater perturbations and the associated climate changes have been intercompared as an activity of World Climate Research Program (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project/Paleo-Modeling Intercomparison Project (CMIP/PMIP) committees. This intercomparison among models ranging from the earth system models of intermediate complexity (EMICs) to the fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) seeks to document and improve understanding of the causes of the wide variations in the modeled THC response. The robustness of particular simulation features has been evaluated across the model results. In response to 0.1-Sv (1 Sv equivalent to 10^6 ms^3 s^-1) freshwater input in the northern North Atlantic, the multimodel ensemble mean THC weakens by 30% after 100 yr. All models simulate sonic weakening of the THC, but no model simulates a complete shutdown of the THC. The multimodel ensemble indicates that the surface air temperature could present a complex anomaly pattern with cooling south of Greenland and warming over the Barents and Nordic Seas. The Atlantic ITCZ tends to shift southward. In response to 1.0-Sv freshwater input, the THC switches off rapidly in all model simulations. A large cooling occurs over the North Atlantic. The annual mean Atlantic ITCZ moves into the Southern Hemisphere. Models disagree in terms of the reversibility of the THC after its shutdown. In general, the EMICs and AOGCMs obtain similar THC responses and climate changes with more pronounced and sharper patterns in the AOGCMs.

Climate simulation for 125 kyr BP with a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model

The ECHAM-1 T21/LSG coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (GCM) is used to simulate climatic conditions at the last interglacial maximum (Eemian. 125 kyr BP). The results reflect thc expected surface temperature changes (with respect to the control run) due to the amplification (reduction) of the seasonal cycle of insolation in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere. A number of simulated features agree with previous results from atmospheric GCM simulations e.g. intensified summer southwest monsoons) except in the Northern Hemisphere poleward of 30 degrees N. where dynamical feedback, in the North Atlantic and North Pacific increase zonal temperatures about 1 degrees C above what would be predicted from simple energy balance considerations. As this is the same area where most of the terrestrial geological data originate, this result suggests that previous estimates of Eemian global average temperature might have been biased by sample distribution. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the estimated global temperature increase of only 0.3 degrees C greater than the control run ha, been previously shown to be consistent a with CLIMAP sea surface temperature estimates. Although the Northern Hemisphere summer monsoon is intensified. globally averaged precipitation over land is within about 1% of the present, contravening some geological inferences bur not the deep-sea delta(13)C estimates of terrestrial carbon storage changes. Winter circulation changes in the northern Arabian Sea. driven by strong cooling on land, are as large as summer circulation changes that are the usual focus of interest, suggesting that interpreting variations in the Arabian Sea. sedimentary record solely in terms of the summer monsoon response could sometimes lead to errors. A small monsoonal response over northern South America suggests that interglacial paleotrends in this region were not just due to El Nino variations.

World Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans, 1899 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Bathymetrical chart of the oceans, showing the "deeps" according to Sir John Murray. It was published by the Royal Geographical Society in 1899. Scale [ca. 1:100,000,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the 'World Gall Stereographic' projection with the central meridian at 20.00000 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hypsometric tints. Depths shown by gradient tints. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Atmospheric Temperature Isotherms (January), 1884 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Karte der Januar-Isotherme. It is part of a two map set: [Karten der Isothermen, von Alexander Supan]. It was published by Ed. Holzel in 1884. Scale [ca. 1:110,000,000]. Map in German. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 17.666 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, selected cities, shoreline features, and more. Isotherms are shown at 2 degree intervals for January. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Atmospheric Temperature Isotherms (July), 1884 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Karte der Juli-Isothermen. It is part of a two map set: [Karten der Isothermen, von Alexander Supan]. It was published by Ed. Holzel in 1884. Scale [ca. 1:110,000,000]. Map in German. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 17.666 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, selected cities, shoreline features, and more. Isotherms are shown at 2 degree intervals for July. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map Showing Geomagnetic Meridians and Parallels, 1849 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Wachsende Karte der Magnetischen Meridiane und Parallelen : Gegründet auf die Beobachtungen der Declination welche sämmtlich auf das Jahr 1825 reducirt worden sind, von dem Schiffs Kapitain L. I. Duperrey. It was published by Stablstich (diretion v. Kleinecht) aus der Schweinfurter Geographischen Graviranstalt de Bibliographischen Instituts in [1849]. Scale [ca. 1:190,000,000]. Map in German. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 180 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as geomagnetic meridians, parallels, and magnetic declination, selected cities and other human settlements, shoreline features, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map Showing Isodynamic Lines, 1849 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Darstellung der isodynamischen Linien : nach den Beobachtungen der magnetischen Intensität, die in den Jahren 1790 bis 1830 gemacht worden sind, Namen der Beobachter: De Rossel, A. v. Humboldt, Sabine, Hansteen, Duperrey, Keilhau u. Boeck, Keilhau, Litke, King, Due, Erman, Kupffer. Die vorlieg. Darstellung ist von Duperry, Kapitain der französ. Marine, entworfen. It was published by [Stablstich (diretion v. Kleinecht) aus der Schweinfurter Geographischen Graviranstalt de Bibliographischen Instituts] in [1849]. Scale [ca. 1:190,000,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 180 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as geomagnetic isodynamic lines, selected cities and other human settlements, shoreline features, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map, ca. 1774 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: An accurate chart of the world with the new discoveries : also a view of the general &c coasting trade winds, monsoons or shifting trade winds & the variations of the compass ; from the latest and best authorities by T. Kitchin, Geographer for the Lond. Mag. It was published ca. 1774. Scale [ca. 1:90,000,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the 'World Mercator' projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, trade winds, magnetic variations, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes text and notes. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map Showing Routes of Exploration and Discovery, 1853 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Planisphere : elémentaire et illustré indiquant la description géographique des parties connues de la terre, l'époque des grandes découvertes des navigateurs les colonies Européennes, les principaux parcours des paquebots, l'époque des départs, la durée du trajet, &c[a]., dreseé par Vuillemin, géographie ; gravé par Langevin. It was published by Fatout in 1853. Scale [ca. 1:50,000,000]. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the the 'World Mercator' projection. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Shows voyage routes of exploration and discovery. Relief shown pictorially and by spot heights. Includes historical notes, explanations, and ill. of sea vessels and scenes of exploration. Includes insets at lower margin: Costumes des différentes races qui peuplent la terre -- [Chart of Mt. heights in Europe] -- Hauteur des principales montagnes du monde -- [Chart of Mt. heights in Asia] -- Tableau faisant voir que le Planisphère n'est que le développement figure du globe sur une surface plane -- Longueurs sources et embouchures des principaux fleuves du monde -- Costumes des différentes races qui peuplent la terre. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map Showing Routes of Exploration and Discovery, 1850 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: The world, on Mercator's projection, by David H. Burr. It was published by J. Haven, 86 State St. in 1850. Scale [ca. 1:74,000,000]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 90 degrees west. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. "Showing the different routes to California, and distance by each, routes of different navigators, route of the contemplated Pacific R. Road, distances to China, Europe, & c." This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by abbreviated form lines. Includes historical notes, ship ill., tables of distances, "Nicaragua route" distances, and text on "Pacific Railroad." Insets: Map of the Nicaragua route -- Map of the proposed rail road from St. Louis to the bay of St. Francisco. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

World Map Showing the Voyages of the Vettor Pisani, 1882-1885 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Viaggio della R[a] Corvetta 'Vettor Pisani', negli anni 1882-1883-1884-1885 (comandante G. Palumbo). It was published by Stab. Lit. Bruno e Salomone in 1885. Scale [ca. 1:250,500]. World map showing the voyages of the Vettor Pisani. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to a non-standard 'Mercator' projection with the central meridian at 160 degrees east. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, ship route with dates, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection and the Harvard University Library as part of the Open Collections Program at Harvard University project: Organizing Our World: Sponsored Exploration and Scientific Discovery in the Modern Age. Maps selected for the project correspond to various expeditions and represent a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

Tambora 1815 as a test case for high impact volcanic eruptions: Earth system effects

The eruption of Tambora (Indonesia) in April 1815 had substantial effects on global climate and led to the ‘Year Without a Summer’ of 1816 in Europe and North America. Although a tragic event — tens of thousands of people lost their lives — the eruption also was an ‘experiment of nature’ from which science has learned until today. The aim of this study is to summarize our current understanding of the Tambora eruption and its effects on climate as expressed in early instrumental observations, climate proxies and geological evidence, climate reconstructions, and model simulations. Progress has been made with respect to our understanding of the eruption process and estimated amount of SO2 injected into the atmosphere, although large uncertainties still exist with respect to altitude and hemispheric distribution of Tambora aerosols. With respect to climate effects, the global and Northern Hemispheric cooling are well constrained by proxies whereas there is no strong signal in Southern Hemisphere proxies. Newly recovered early instrumental information for Western Europe and parts of North America, regions with particularly strong climate effects, allow Tambora’s effect on the weather systems to be addressed. Climate models respond to prescribed Tambora-like forcing with a strengthening of the wintertime stratospheric polar vortex, global cooling and a slowdown of the water cycle, weakening of the summer monsoon circulations, a strengthening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and a decrease of atmospheric CO₂. Combining observations, climate proxies, and model simulations for the case of Tambora, a better understanding of climate processes has emerged.