Researchers from Tsinghua University developed an innovative monitoring system for real-time flood inundation depth monitoring and prediction in subway tunnels. The system can quickly determine the flow rate and entry point of floodwater, forecasting future flood trends at a relatively low cost.
The impacts of natural disasters on plant health can be devastating, with the potential for direct effects from disasters like pathogen or vector dispersal. Human-driven disasters also create conditions favorable to the spread of plant pathogens, leading to crop loss and disease spread.
A new study suggests that California's affordable housing crisis is driving increased development in and near wildlands, putting residents at higher-risk for climate-related natural disasters. The research aims to understand the drivers of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) growth and its impact on environmental dynamics.
A team of researchers suggests creating a lunar biorepository to store cryopreserved samples of at-risk animal species, leveraging the Moon's natural cold temperatures for long-term storage. The facility aims to protect biodiversity from extinction threats and challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts.
A global assessment of scientific literature finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) are an economically effective method to mitigate risks from disasters such as floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, and landslides. NbS have been proven consistently cost-effective in mitigating hazards in 71% of the studied articles.
Researchers at Texas A&M University uncovered how domestic rabbits become feral in the wild through natural selection. They found that all European, South American, and Oceania rabbits had a mix of feral and domestic DNA, explaining why they quickly adapted to living in the wild.
The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) has issued a position paper emphasizing the importance of emergency-related food and nutrition education before, during, and after disasters. The paper highlights challenges in accessing safe, nutritious foods and beverages in post-disaster situations, particularly among historica...
Research reveals that residents of America's wealthiest communities face higher economic losses from natural disasters and exposure to air pollution, despite having more assets. In contrast, low-income municipalities have higher suicide rates, homicide rates, and firearm fatalities, but lower access to health services.
Researchers have identified over 3,700 species threatened by natural disasters, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. The study suggests strategies such as captive breeding programs and translocation to prevent extinctions.
This article reviews natural products used in cancer therapy, highlighting promising compounds and their underlying mechanisms of action. The review discusses the role of natural products in tumor therapy, from basic research to clinical perspectives.
The article emphasizes the importance of enhancing infrastructure resilience in resilient city construction. It highlights the need for whole-process, multi-factor, multisystem research on urban resilience as a crucial reference for planning and design.
Researchers from Texas A&M University developed a new mobile air monitoring technology that can quickly identify and assess air-borne contaminants produced by natural and man-made disasters. The study applied this method to a real-world disaster, a major industrial fire in Indiana, and found high levels of hazardous chemicals.
New research from the University of Illinois found that social networks can influence flood insurance sign-ups nationwide depending on how socially connected a county was to flooded areas. Exposure to disaster information through social media feeds prompts people to update their views on climate change risks, leading to changes in loca...
The article explores the evolution of resilient cities to bold cities, focusing on policies, actions, and hot trends. Key findings include multi-level governance, circular economy, nature-based solutions, equal opportunities, and open data capabilities.
A multidisciplinary team of Caribbean authors has developed innovative solutions to safeguard cancer patients from climate-driven disasters. The research highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure in developing regions.
Researchers propose forming a network of sister cities to track and raise awareness about the spread of climate-related impacts and responses to urban disasters globally. This network aims to foster ideas and best practices for coping with consequences of climate change, including extreme weather events.
Residents in a Seoul, South Korea neighborhood have developed a 'disaster subculture' due to frequent extreme heat and cold, showing social welfare has a role to play in addressing climate issues. The study highlights the importance of understanding the lived experiences of marginalized communities to address their specific needs.
Researchers monitored disaster risk caused by unstable coal pillars in multi-coal seam mining, finding that their failure can lead to mine earthquakes and collapse. The study provides insights for assessing stability and risk in residual coal pillar-rock formations, highlighting the need for customized application of findings.
A new study from King's College London found that environments with a diverse range of natural features are associated with stronger improvements in mental wellbeing. The research, published in Scientific Reports, used citizen science data from nearly 2000 participants and found that the benefits can last for up to eight hours.
Researchers at PolyU are using GeoAI to monitor and analyze environmental changes, detect disaster-damaged buildings, and optimize traffic flow. The technology has the potential to support sustainable urban development and improve public health.
A study analyzed over 2,000 tweets before and after Hurricane María made landfall, revealing insights into social media use during disasters. The research identified key categories of messages, including information about the disaster, emotional appeals for help, and solidarity efforts among marginalized communities.
A team of UConn researchers has developed a method to drastically cut the lag time for assessing disasters, bringing disturbance assessment closer to near real-time monitoring. By applying machine learning and retrospective chart review techniques, they can detect changes in remote sensing data much faster than current methods.
Researchers at University of Missouri are developing software that allows drones to fly independently, perceiving and interacting with their environment while achieving specific goals. This technology has the potential to assist in mapping and monitoring applications, such as 3D or 4D advanced imagery for disaster response.
Researchers found that oxygen depletion in the Pacific Ocean off California's coast is linked to nutrient levels, not just temperature fluctuations. The study uses ancient molecules to warn of potential ecosystem disasters and fisheries impacts from increased nutrient input.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed an origami system that can create load-bearing structures like bridges and shelters. The system uses a uniform thickness approach to bolster weight-bearing capacity. With this breakthrough, communities can quickly rebuild facilities damaged by natural disasters or construct in ch...
A novel AI-based noise suppression system has been developed to improve the effectiveness of search and rescue drones during natural disasters. The system uses Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to accurately learn UAV propeller sound data and eliminate noise, allowing operators to clearly hear and recognize human sounds.
A Texas A&M professor will lead a team in evaluating the distribution and potential hazard of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in East Palestine, Ohio, using a mobile platform. The research aims to inform response methods to measuring air quality following environmental disasters.
Researchers from Kyushu University and Harvard Medical School have identified proteins that can reprogram fibroblasts into cells with properties similar to limb progenitor cells. The new method simplifies the process of regenerating human limbs after amputation and could one day be used to give snakes back their legs.
A Mass General Brigham study found that emergency department visits and deaths rose by 1.22% and 1.4%, respectively, one week after major climate-driven weather events, with elevated mortality rates persisting for six weeks.
Research shows that invasive Asian honeybee population in North Queensland has overcome a genetic bottleneck to grow into a thriving colony. The study highlights the importance of this case for understanding population resilience and provides insights into how some species can adapt quickly despite low genetic diversity.
A recent Drexel University study found that high school students who experienced climate disasters had a 20% higher odds of developing mental distress. The research also discovered that the impact of climate change on mental health is strongest in the two years immediately following a disaster, with effects gradually weakening over time.
The 2019-2020 'Black Summer' bushfires in Australia resulted in a $2.8 billion loss to the tourism industry, with almost 7300 jobs disappearing nationwide. The study found that the impact of the fires was felt across the entire economy, with the Australian tourism industry being particularly vulnerable.
A new review of international research highlights the dangers of forced separation from pets in crisis situations like domestic violence, homelessness, or natural disasters. The study found a lack of support services puts people and animals at risk of distress and harm.
Scientists reconstructed the history of great floods in the lower Pearl River area, finding seven flood deposits with an average return period of approximately 855 years. The floods were triggered by weakening Asian summer monsoons and enhanced ENSO frequency.
New research shows that migrants can be a transformative force for sustainability, bringing energy and ideas to new locations. However, poorly managed migration deepens inequality and increases environmental harm. The studies emphasize the need for comprehensive policies that manage migration in the interests of people and the planet.
Two new studies show that renters living along the East and Gulf coasts experience rent increases, higher eviction rates, and less affordable housing after a hurricane. Renters often lack access to post-disaster government aid and benefits from federal mitigation programs.
The researchers developed an AI-based generative neural network called GAN that can generate highly resolved radar precipitation films from coarsely resolved maps. This higher resolution is required to better forecast heavy local precipitation and the resulting natural disasters in future.
Researchers developed a geoknowledge-guided GPT model that extracted location data from Hurricane Harvey tweets with an accuracy rate 76% better than default models. The model recognized complete location descriptions, enabling first responders to reach victims more quickly and potentially saving lives.
A new theoretical framework evaluates the utilization efficiency of mobile power sources in power grids, considering various failure scenarios and structural resilience. The study emphasizes deploying mobile power sources to improve grid survivability and rapid recovery capabilities during disasters.
The research highlights the need for improved disaster prevention strategies in response to droughts and floods on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The team proposed a method for predicting and warning of these events, as well as a technical framework for identifying risk-blocking points and adaptive regulation.
The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) was published today, with AGU congratulating its contributors. The assessment reports on record global temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and flooding disasters aggravated by human-driven climate change.
Researchers have discovered two new cofactorless oxygenases, TnmJ and TnmK2, which enable bacteria to produce compounds for targeting and breaking up DNA. This breakthrough offers a potentially easier way to study and manufacture complex natural chemicals, including those that could become medicines.
New studies presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting highlight the dangers of excess mold on individuals with asthma. Effective methods for getting rid of mold and airborne allergens include HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-based technology.
A study analyzing 17,490 Wikipedia articles found that articles about high-income countries receive more attention than those from low-income countries. Political events and disasters are disproportionately covered on Wikipedia compared to cultural and sports events.
Furst and Graham will evaluate the effect of extreme heat on disinfection efficacy and failure risk, using simulated distribution system studies for conventional chlorine and chlorocyanurates. They anticipate chlorocyanurate disinfection to be most resilient to high temperatures.
Researchers found that using natural hazards instead of disasters increases intentions to prepare and actual behavior, suggesting a potential solution to improve public response. The study suggests that the terms 'natural hazard' and 'natural disaster' have little impact on key perceptions.
A study of 110 Colorado facilities found that 74.5% are at risk of climate-related hazards, including wildfires, heatwaves, and floods. Incarcerated individuals from marginalized communities face added risk due to poor infrastructure and lack of agency.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a gaming strategy to strengthen vital infrastructure against malevolent attacks, aiming to ensure safety, health, and lives during emergencies. By identifying critical roads and intersections, they can reinforce them to minimize disruption.
A research project involving citizens in flood-prone areas improves data collection and increases resilience. The methodology shows a combination of digital technologies, participatory methods, and co-production of new understandings to enable just and sustainable transformations.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that mandated disaster plans have mediocre quality and modest improvements over time. Despite regular updates, the plans fail to address key issues such as public engagement and land use policies, leading to repeated mistakes in areas prone to natural disasters.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that social media engagement improves when national and local levels mismatch audiences during recovery phases, increasing user engagement by 29.6%. The study suggests a nuanced approach to content coordination, with national headquarters leading production and local accounts following.
The study reports that UK natural science collections hold over 137 million items and contribute significantly to scientific, commercial, and societal benefits. Digitalizing these collections can unlock a seven- to ten-fold economic return on investment.
Researchers have developed a novel method to estimate de facto population groups in disaster areas using mobile phone data. This allows for better evacuation planning, resource allocation, and emergency communication.
Recent state-sponsored infrastructure projects in Angola and Mozambique have been linked to climate-related humanitarian disasters. Research by Ruy Blanes highlights the need for local consideration in planning, as neglect can lead to devastating consequences.
A team led by Professor In Soo-Il at DGIST developed a high-efficiency photocatalyst that converts CO2 into methane using solar energy. The research improved the composition of nanoparticle co-catalysts and ruthenium doping to maximize optical and electrical properties, achieving enhanced CO2 adsorption and conversion efficiency.
A recent study found that over 70% of ALS patients and their caregivers are not disaster-prepared, highlighting the need for improved measures. The research also revealed significant gaps in equipment and knowledge among respondents, including ventilator users.
Research estimates that natural flood disasters correlate with increased cases and fatalities from neglected tropical diseases, malaria, respiratory infections, and tuberculosis.
The 1923 Kantō earthquake sparked devastating fires that killed 90% of Tokyo's population, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The study highlights the importance of fire prevention and response as part of earthquake mitigation plans for regions with strong seismic shaking and wood-framed buildings.
Researchers warn of devastating floods and droughts in Africa, where 37 weather monitoring systems exist compared to Europe's 345. A comprehensive study found that 50 million people will live in Oceania by 2050, while Africa's population grows to 2 billion with only basic infrastructure.
FAMU-FSU researchers developed a mathematical model to determine the most effective locations for field hospitals in the Florida Panhandle during times of disaster. The study aims to address regional inequalities and social vulnerabilities by optimizing resource allocation.