A new study suggests that China should conduct national conservation horizon scanning to identify potential environmental problems that have not yet been noticed by society. This could help prevent large-scale environmental disasters, such as the serious haze caused by heavy air pollution in northern China and across the Yangtze River ...
A new study by IIASA researchers highlights the importance of education in reducing disaster fatalities and enhancing adaptive capacity. Education plays a crucial role in improving knowledge, risk perception, socioeconomic status, and social capital, making it a vital investment for climate change adaptation efforts.
Researchers divert a Chinese river to mitigate environmental disasters and propose an integrated approach to manage water resources, ecological health, and economic development. This study provides a potential model for sustainable development of other inland river basins.
A study found that 80% of kidney dialysis patients were not adequately prepared for emergencies or natural disasters. However, after receiving individualized education from a multidisciplinary team, 78% of these patients became adequately prepared, according to a Loyola University Medical Center study. The educational sessions made a s...
A study analyzing Twitter data from over 700,000 tweets found that New Yorkers resumed normal mobility less than 24 hours after Hurricane Sandy. The researchers observed similar geographical and statistical distributions of locations before and after the hurricane, suggesting resilience in human movement during the disaster.
A University of South Florida-led team has discovered that subtle shifts in the earth's offshore plates can predict the size of future disasters. The researchers used high precision GPS to measure slight shifts on a fault line in Costa Rica, finding that slow slip events can release stress and strain before major earthquakes and tsunamis.
A study found that 26.3% of dialysis patients missed sessions after Hurricane Sandy, while 95% were interested in learning about emergency preparedness. Another study showed a positive effect of distributing an 'emergency information packet' to patients.
Researchers develop computer-based method to predict mechanism of action of natural substances, identifying potential target structures for 210,000 compounds. The software breaks down molecules into smaller fragments, discovering essential parts for the mechanism of action, which can be used to design less complex and easier-to-synthes...
A new analysis identifies 15 distinct social media uses during disasters, including providing preparedness information and reconnecting community members. The proposed framework aims to standardize and organize disaster social media practices, potentially protecting lives and aiding recovery
Zoos and aquariums are vulnerable to disasters, but experts say preparedness training and planning can minimize risks. The University of Illinois veterinarian Yvette Johnson-Walker brings emergency training to accredited institutions, focusing on scenarios like avian influenza and hurricane floodwaters.
First responders trained in simple integrative medicine approaches like acupuncture and biofeedback can provide adjunctive treatment to help relieve patients' pain and stress. The article highlights the potential benefit of modifying these techniques for use in natural disasters and battle zones.
A recent study found that expanding global natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Instead, it could displace lower-emitting energy sources and accelerate economic growth.
A recent study found that increased natural gas production will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as market effects dominate. The global deployment of advanced natural gas technology could even lead to up to 10% higher CO2 emissions by the middle of this century.
Researchers will explore interactions between natural gas and electricity systems, power and communication networks, healthcare and cyber infrastructure. The goal is to develop computational models that predict complex behavior in the face of disruptions or disasters.
A new study reveals that news coverage of environmental disasters like the Exxon Valdez 2014 oil spill calms consumer anxieties instead of driving change. The media coverage creates a 'disaster myth' that directs attention to the company responsible, providing a dramatic closure, and distracting from systemic risks.
Sonja Schmid, an assistant professor at Virginia Tech, has won a CAREER Award to develop a global nuclear emergency response plan. Her research will address how to create international cooperation and mobilize effective responses to future nuclear disasters.
Engineers used tweets from the 2013 Colorado floods to study infrastructure damage, providing insights into damage distribution, geographic scope, and time progression. This study demonstrates the potential of social media for reconnaissance by non-emergency professionals after disasters.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released a consensus statement providing evidence-informed suggestions for preparing and managing the critically ill and injured during large-scale disasters and pandemics. The document aims to guide ethical decision-making, coordination of care, resource conservation, and research in crises.
Melanoma cells that have spread to the lungs can be killed by highly specialized immune cells called natural killer cells. The discovery reveals a new target for boosting or depleting these immune cells to treat disease.
Researchers found that natural hydraulic fractures formed over time spans of 33 to 35 million years, driven by the slow generation of natural gas. These fractures play a crucial role in modern hydraulic fracturing production, connecting pores in reservoir rock to the hydraulic fracture and wellbore.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a three-year, $250,000 National Science Foundation grant to collaborate with AIDICO on disaster mitigation research. The project aims to develop quick solutions to infrastructure and technology problems that arise from natural disasters, improving the resilience of civil infrastructure.
A Princeton University study of 7,000 Indonesian families found that increasing temperatures, rather than natural disasters, lead to permanent migration. The researchers discovered that a one-degree increase in temperature can result in a significant decline in household assets and economic wellbeing.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia argue that natural resources worth more than US$40 trillion must be accounted for. The value of these 'natural capital' elements is largely excluded from GDP and corporate accounting, but using them has an impact on the natural world and future living standards.
Researchers propose that domestic dogs assisted early humans in killing mammoths, explaining the sudden appearance of massive mammoth kill sites. The hypothesis suggests that dogs' hunting skills and ability to guard carcasses increased human success rates.
Researchers develop a new framework for risk assessment that incorporates sociological perspective and human risk perception, leading to more effective mitigation plans. The framework helps decision-makers understand public perception of natural hazards, resulting in better policy decisions.
A team of scientists has developed a model that uses open data and network science to evaluate the logistics of disaster relief. The proposed tool can quantify the reachability of critical loci within a geographic area and assess the effects of infrastructure destruction scenarios.
A new study questions the Environmental Protection Agency's emergency water treatment guidelines, suggesting they may be too harsh and impractical to carry out. The researchers found that using more chlorine bleach than necessary can kill disease-causing pathogens, but is often not feasible due to lack of proper equipment and supplies.
A new study by McGill University professor Shaun Lovejoy uses statistical analysis to determine the probability that global warming since 1880 is due to natural variability. The study concludes that the natural-warming hypothesis can be ruled out with confidence levels greater than 99%, and most likely greater than 99.9%.
A new study reveals that rapid development of new towns in Asia, Africa, and Latin America exposes low-income workers to natural disasters, diseases, and health risks. The research highlights the need for urban planners to consider the needs of poor communities when designing these cities.
The University of Liverpool will fund 76 PhD students researching areas like financial crashes, nuclear disasters, and environmental crises over eight years. The Centre for Doctoral Training offers a multi-disciplinary approach with industrial partnerships and placements.
A US study found clusters of 'broken heart' syndrome in Vermont and Missouri after major natural disasters, suggesting stress as a trigger. Researchers call for greater awareness among emergency responders to improve diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
A study by Simon Fraser University ecologist Anne Salomon warns of a declining natural history research and use in academia, government agencies and non-government organizations. Natural history collections have stopped expanding since 1990, but it remains vital for making wise management and conservation decisions.
The study of natural history provides essential knowledge for various fields, including human health, food security, and conservation. However, support for this field has declined in developed countries, resulting in costly mistakes such as the collapse of fisheries and forest fire suppression.
Support for natural history study appears to be in decline in developed countries, despite its importance for human health, food security, and conservation. Experts are now calling for a revival of the practice to reclaim its role in understanding organisms and their interactions with the environment.
Researchers propose using shale formations as a potential solution for storing spent nuclear fuel due to their impermeable properties. This would minimize the risk of water contamination and ensure safe storage for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.
Scientists at Brigham Young University discovered a new way to convert natural gas into upgraded liquid alcohol fuel, reducing dependence on petroleum. The breakthrough uses ordinary metals like thallium and lead to trigger the conversion process at lower temperatures.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London used mathematical models to analyze the resilience of European natural gas networks. They found that countries in Eastern Europe are less resilient to crises than their counterparts in Western Europe, with Ukraine and Belarus facing significant challenges.
A new study conducted by Brigham Young University professor Niwako Yamawaki found that nearly half of Hirono's survivors experienced clinically concerning PTSD symptoms. Eating right and exercising regularly were identified as key factors in fostering resilience among disaster survivors.
New algorithm assesses risks and determines safest locations for cloud data refuge, mitigating impacts of disasters on networks. Integrated wireless-optical system enables temporary emergency networks with high-speed wireless technology.
A research team from Michigan State University studied the recovery of forests and bamboo groves in the Wolong Nature Reserve, China, after a devastating earthquake. They found that many areas were on the road to recovery, with replanting efforts helping in areas with poor soil conditions.
A study comparing post-traumatic stress symptoms among children exposed to disasters and identifying risk factors for resiliency. The article discusses the importance of recognizing similarities and differences in how children and adults react to traumatic events.
A recent study published in Science reveals that methane emissions from natural gas systems can have a significant impact on the climate benefits of switching to natural gas. The research suggests that more efforts should be made to reduce methane leaks and improve measurement tools for policy-making. Additionally, the study identifies...
Geophysicist Seth Stein warns that humans are often outsmarted by nature during disasters, causing unnecessary damage despite expensive mitigation measures. Stein advocates for a thoughtful approach to disaster preparedness, integrating science, economics, and policy formulation to make informed decisions.
The study highlights the effectiveness of traditional institutions like Fa'aSamoa and The Samoan Way in responding to natural disasters. These community-based approaches have strong social capital and can be leveraged in disaster management policies and programs, providing a 'win-win' scenario.
A new analysis confirms the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) underestimation of US methane emissions from natural gas systems. The study found that even small leaks from the system are important due to methane's potency as a greenhouse gas.
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a new genetic platform that enables efficient production of natural molecules, including a novel antibiotic compound called taromycin A. The study demonstrates the potential for this technology to unlock the drug discovery potential of countless new microbes.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that the clymene dolphin, a small marine mammal, arose through natural hybridization between two closely related dolphin species. The research provides insights into the mechanisms of evolution and highlights the importance of continued monitoring for this threatened species.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation saves significantly more water than the additional consumption required for hydraulic fracturing. Water savings can be up to 25-50 times greater, making Texas less vulnerable to drought.
Researchers used geological evidence to derive a natural background pattern of sea-level rise. Based on this, they found that modern sea-level rise is fast but within the 'natural range', with only half of observed changes expected by natural standards.
A new study finds that consumers donate less when focused on distant future but more when abstract thinking is used. Brands can leverage this by emphasizing the fun experience of a product, rather than its unpleasant side effects.
Researchers are using past natural disasters to develop models of potential future events, highlighting the importance of local community resilience. By analyzing geological and social parameters, scientists aim to create a more robust framework for disaster preparedness.
International experts call for a broader definition of poverty to account for risks to the unborn child, which can have devastating consequences. The World Health Organisation estimates that 200 million conceptions occur annually, mostly in disadvantaged areas, posing significant risks during pregnancy.
Researchers at Stanford University's Natural Capital Project used Flickr data to assess the value of natural tourist attractions, finding a reliable indicator for visitation rates and values. This approach revolutionizes study methods, providing insights into what attracts people to natural areas and informing better land management.
A Henry Ford Hospital study found that 84% of Michigan emergency departments are better prepared to handle disasters than they were seven years ago. They've added decontamination rooms, stockpiled antidotes, and improved respiratory protection supplies.
Scientists discover two types of bacteria that can convert hydrocarbons into fatty acids, which form along the cell membrane. Oleispira antarctica is well-suited for cold polar seas and deep sea environments, while Alcanivorax borkumensis excels in processing alkanes with specific carbon chain lengths.
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that China's planned synthetic gas plants would produce massive greenhouse gas emissions, using up to 100 times the water as shale gas production. The plants' carbon dioxide emissions would be seven times higher than traditional natural gas plants and lock in high emissions for decades.
Researchers found that donors prioritize fatalities over those affected when deciding how much to donate. However, a simple change in terminology can reverse this bias, prioritizing the number of homeless individuals. By diverting attention from fatalities to survivors, aid can be allocated more effectively.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University are investigating new methods to preserve tissue samples and speed up the DNA identification process after mass disasters. The goal is to improve DNA preservation and processing, enabling faster victim identification and closure for families.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an internal combustion engine that achieves fuel efficiency of less than 2.4l per 100km while emitting less than half the CO2 compared to traditional engines. The natural gas-diesel hybrid engine uses sophisticated control engineering and innovative electronic combustion control.
This special issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment brings together diverse perspectives on addressing global environmental challenges. The issue highlights socio-ecological drivers of environmental injustice, explores ways to encourage behavioral change, and emphasizes the role of religion in promoting Earth Stewardship.