The researchers studied how the length of solar cycles and the frequency of spotless days can predict solar activity better than just counting sunspots. They found that longer solar cycles lead to more spotless days, and shorter rise times to a solar maximum result in more sunspots. Flare activity is stronger in the northern hemisphere and in areas with leading sunspots in positive polarity. This suggests that magnetic polarity influences flare activity, and the period from one solar maximum to the next defines a solar cycle.