Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a framework to help victims of domestic violence before, during, and after disaster events. The framework integrates domestic violence services into disaster-related assistance, promoting empowerment for women and children.
Researchers explored non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma treatment to improve natural dyeing of leather, reducing environmental impacts. The study successfully demonstrated the activation of functional groups on goat hide surfaces, leading to significant improvements in coloration with commercially available natural dyes.
A new study finds that 40% of economic losses and deaths result from secondary effects rather than shaking. Key findings include the importance of preparing against disasters such as tsunamis, liquefaction, fires, landslides, and flooding.
A new study across Austria, England, and Romania finds that both public and private schemes can improve risk reduction behaviors and reduce losses in future disasters. The study suggests that insurers and governments need to better coordinate their efforts to design efficient, socially just, and politically feasible solutions.
A University of Michigan study found that hospital admissions for older adults rose an average of 4 percent in the 30 days after a tornado outbreak in 2011. This increase was significant even when excluding the initial three days following the disaster.
A study projects that two-thirds of Europeans will be affected by extreme weather events annually by the end of the century. Heat waves are expected to cause 99% of all future weather-related deaths, increasing from 2700 deaths/year in 1981-2010 to 151500 deaths/year in 2071-2100.
A study by Hirojuki Hikichi and colleagues found that group relocation increased informal socializing and social participation among older adults. Nearly three years after the disaster, respondents who relocated with their community showed increases in meeting with friends and participating in sports clubs.
The project aims to strengthen resilience in under-resourced communities by testing two approaches: providing technical resources or supporting community planning. The research will also investigate mobile phone-based applications to enhance skills to cope with stress and develop policy recommendations.
The Gulf Research Program and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded $10.8 million to support four projects enhancing community resilience in Louisiana and Alabama. The projects will increase understanding of community attributes influencing resilience and develop tools for strengthening community capacity.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a systematic method for comparing the accuracy of different types of simulation models for predicting extreme events. The study found that nonparametric methods are more flexible but limited to small dimensions, while parametric methods can handle higher-dimensional problems but are sensitive to errors.
Berkeley Lab awards $4.6 million for two projects to mitigate risks in California's natural gas system, focusing on risk management and ground deformation monitoring. The projects will help facility operators detect leaks early and prevent catastrophic events.
A new study led by Penn State Smeal College of Business researchers assesses the capacity of humanitarian response systems following disasters. The research proposes new metrics based on optimization models to guide individual decisions toward system improvement and aid in real-time assessment of stockpile capacity.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre presents the state-of-the-art in disaster risk management, highlighting the importance of science in preventing disasters and saving lives. The report identifies knowledge gaps and needs for further research to improve responses to natural hazards.
A new study finds that countries most affected by weather-related disasters do not necessarily spend more on commercial weather and climate information services. Developing countries actually commit a higher percentage of their GDP to these services, recognizing their value in mitigating risks.
A study by researchers at Binghamton University found that women who experienced higher levels of flood-related stress and displayed decreased pupil dilation to emotional faces were more likely to experience increases in depressive symptoms following the flood. This suggests that pupil dilation analysis could be used to identify those ...
A new study warns that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis could wipe out the world's only population of Javan rhinoceros. The authors urge establishing additional rhino populations away from disaster zones to increase survival odds for at least part of the population.
The global wine industry suffers over $10 billion in losses annually from natural disasters and extreme weather events. A new risk index for wine regions reveals the most vulnerable areas, with Argentina's Mendoza and Georgia's Kakheti being top-risk zones.
The report highlights the need for improved medical responses to toxic inhalation disasters, citing challenges such as limited research data and high costs of FDA approval. The panel recommends developing new laboratory models, extrapolating pathophysiologic mechanisms from similar lung diseases, and creating a robust global infrastruc...
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced a $462,000 grant program to support disaster preparedness and response in agricultural communities. The program aims to educate farmers, rural youth, and communities on emergency preparedness and response through targeted projects.
A study analyzing Wikipedia articles about airline crashes between 2008 and 2016 found that recent events trigger past memories, with a short-term attention span for recent crashes. Aviation disasters with large numbers of deaths are more memorable than reported events with fewer fatalities.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that high methane levels in well water are likely from shallow natural gas deposits, not hydraulic fracturing. The study used chemical and geographic evidence to tie elevated methane levels to these natural sources.
A study published in the Journal of Food Science found that consumers expect higher quality and are willing to pay more for products labeled as 'all-natural'. The researchers used virtual reality technology to simulate a grocery store taste-test, where subjects preferred the all-natural product with a label.
The 2011 Norway attacks highlighted the limitations of traditional emergency work, which emphasizes fixed procedures and strong leadership. Experts now argue that local decision-making power could help limit the scale of disasters.
A new project from Liverpool John Moores University is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to help identify endangered species, such as rhinos and orang-utans. The technique involves analyzing thermal heat profiles to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each animal, allowing for more efficient conservation efforts.
The new Cheyenne supercomputer provides a major tool for advancing understanding of the atmospheric and related Earth system sciences. Scientists will use it to study phenomena such as wildfires and seismic activity, leading to better protecting society from natural disasters.
Researchers created a solar still that converts water to vapor very efficiently, with only 12% of available energy lost during evaporation. The device can produce 3-10 liters of water per day, making it an ideal solution for small communities in developing areas and regions affected by natural disasters.
An international team of researchers published seafloor maps revealing current activity at a plate boundary off Sicily and Calabria. The study provides new insights into the geological processes in the region, which has been hit by devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in the past.
The frequency of meteorological disasters has increased due to global warming, causing severe social and economic losses in China and globally. The Collaborative Innovation Center on the Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters aims to resolve key issues related to these phenomena through joint research.
A Rutgers University research project aims to integrate critical infrastructures into a unified smart city, making them resilient and sustainable. The goal is to encourage behavioral changes through psychological influence, reducing waste and mitigating environmental impacts.
Researchers developed an efficient process to rapidly discover new 'enediyne natural products' from soil microbes that could be further developed into extremely potent anticancer drugs. The study highlights microbial natural products as abundant sources of new drug leads, saving time and resources compared to traditional approaches.
A UNIST research team led by Professor Joonbum Bae received a commendation from the Minister of Public Safety and Security for their groundbreaking collaborative rescue robots. The award recognizes their work on humanoid avatar robots with a teleoperating system that can be deployed in disaster response.
Researchers from Uppsala University developed computational tools to predict large-scale collective motion in simulated mass gatherings. They found that densely packed crowds are at risk of emergent structural mechanisms leading to disasters.
Researchers sequenced coral genomes to model population histories and show that corals can recover after environmental disasters. The study confirms fossil evidence and suggests that current reef deterioration can be reversed by reducing environmental stresses.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that elderly people displaced by disasters may experience increased symptoms of dementia. Those who lost touch with neighbors and reported depression had the highest levels of cognitive decline.
Researchers at USC Fertility found modified natural cycle IVF to be a cost-effective fertility method, saving up to $7,000 per live birth compared to conventional IVF. This approach takes less time and is gentler on the body, making it more accessible to younger patients.
The survey found that Americans fear government corruption, terrorism, and health concerns, with a shift towards more personal anxieties. Beliefs in conspiracy theories also emerged as a significant concern, with nearly half of respondents believing the government is concealing information.
New research from Lehigh University reveals that women's economic status is a key predictor of disaster outcomes, with economically empowered women reducing the number of people affected. They also enhance health resources in their communities, leading to decreased suffering and death.
The UW RAPID facility will provide next-generation tools for collecting post-disaster data, including laser scanning equipment and mobile devices for social surveys. The center aims to reduce physical damage and socio-economic losses from future events by analyzing complex data sets and improving mathematical models.
The grant aims to create partnerships in disaster-prone regions to enhance national capacity for children's and families' post-disaster response. It adapts the National Child Traumatic Stress Network model, including a digital application for information sharing after disasters.
Researchers from UK universities are launching a project to digitally reconstruct archaeological sites destroyed or damaged due to conflict, cultural vandalism, and natural disasters. The 'Curious Travellers' initiative aims to collect publicly donated content to recreate 3D models of monuments and ancient sites.
A study of 355 World War II veterans found that those who experienced intense combat were more price-sensitive and less brand loyal. This research provides insights for store owners and aid providers on what items to stock in stores after a disaster, such as practical and affordable options like off-brand variety.
A study published in Frontiers found that social media can unite disaster victims during recovery efforts by disseminating critical information and fostering a sense of community. The platform provides a personalized resource for individuals, enabling them to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Research by Salk Institute scientists reveals phaseic acid's unexpected role as a plant hormone crucial for drought resistance and survival traits. The study suggests that phaseic acid may inform the development of new, hardier crops to weather climate change-induced natural disasters.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that climate disasters like heat-waves or droughts enhance the risk of armed conflicts in countries with high ethnic diversity. The research analyzed data from the international reinsurance market leader Munich Re and a conflict dataset establishe...
The study reveals significant productivity losses due to heat stress, with potential GDP losses of up to $2 trillion by 2030. Climate change exacerbates health risks from disasters like floods, cyclones, and landslides, affecting millions in the Asia Pacific region.
Trauma researchers emphasize the importance of increased funding to develop evidence-based interventions and enhance disaster preparedness. The US is experiencing a surge in mass casualty events, including natural disasters and gun violence incidents.
Researchers have developed a new risk assessment tool to aid in strategic planning for security, focusing on natural disasters, terrorist events, and major accidents. The Deliberative Method for Ranking Risk has been tested on 26 individuals and found that pandemic influenza, hurricanes, and earthquakes prompt the highest concerns.
Researchers developed a visual cloud computing architecture to streamline data processing in disaster situations. The system helps first responders and law enforcement make informed decisions by providing critical visual data, such as suspect tracking and hazardous material detection.
A collection of studies investigated the effects of Hurricane Sandy on public health, highlighting factors contributing to community resilience and healthcare system impacts. Research also explored the effect on at-risk individuals, with funding allocated through the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The first wave of low-cost weather stations have been installed in Zambia, providing critically needed information for farmers and residents. The stations, built with 3D-printed parts, transmit temperature, rainfall, wind, and other weather parameters.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center use computer models to study tropical storms and hurricanes. Improved models can lead to better predictions and warnings for natural disasters like flooding and property loss.
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have identified a protein 'brake' that controls Natural Killer cell activity, revealing a potential therapeutic target. The study showed that removing this brake improves Natural Killer cells' ability to fight metastatic melanoma, offering hope for new immunotherapies.
The Wilderness Medical Society has released comprehensive guidelines for preventing and treating drowning, with a focus on rescue, resuscitation, and clinical management. The new recommendations aim to reduce the 10 daily US fatalities and 3,800 annual drownings, emphasizing importance of water safety measures.
A new study from Michigan State University found that local perceptions of illegal biodiversity exploitation and environmental insecurity can help predict buy-in for risk-management strategies. Understanding local attitudes and behaviors is crucial to addressing wildlife crime and its ramifications.
A survey of 185 professionals found only 11% felt their academic training provided necessary natural history exposure. Experts now advocate for citizen science to keep natural history relevant and empower public participation in environmental conservation.
Researchers compare odor of human remains with dead animals to identify signature smells. They hope an artificial nose can help rescuers find bodies and aid law enforcement search for homicide victims.
A CU Denver study reveals that many communities fail to incorporate historic preservation into their disaster management plans, putting cultural resources at risk. The study identified numerous historic sites in hazardous areas, including those in Florida's National Register of Historic Places in a 100-year floodplain.
Researchers from Penn Medicine warn that labelling public health initiatives as 'natural' could lead to harmful decision-making by some parents. They argue that this messaging undermines important health practices, such as childhood vaccination.
Researchers found that replacing coal-fired power plants with natural gas can reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent. Replacing old oil-burning furnaces for residential heating also yields emissions savings of up to 48 percent.
Researchers have found a way to activate natural killer cells, which hunt and destroy cancer cells, by targeting the 'switch' protein ID2. This discovery could lead to new treatments for breast, colon, and melanoma cancers.