Researchers have developed a tiny, squishable robot called CLARI that can change its shape to pass through narrow gaps. The robot's modular design allows it to be customized and expanded with additional legs, enabling potential applications in search and rescue operations after major disasters.
A new study uses nonlinear partial differential equations to model the transportation of hydrogen-heterogeneous mixtures through pipeline systems, ensuring predictable operations. The research proposes injecting hydrogen gradually into existing natural gas pipelines to maximize their utility in reducing carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that natural selection can slow down evolution and keep similar traits across generations. Researchers used the wild radish plant as a model organism and selectively bred individuals with varying stamen lengths to test the influence of selection and constraint on this trait.
The University of Cambridge team warns that Africa's lack of hydromet infrastructure will lead to a surge in climate-related disasters and deaths. The continent has just 6% of the number of radar stations as Europe and North America, making it vulnerable to floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
A Monash University-led study proposes standardizing medical terminology to capture climate-driven disaster events impacting human health. The research highlights the need for comprehensive clinical terminologies, particularly those linked to environmental factors, to improve disaster preparedness and response efforts.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports found that search-and-rescue operations did not drive migrant crossing attempts in the central Mediterranean. Factors such as conflict intensity, commodity prices, and natural disasters appeared to be key drivers of migration across the region.
Researchers at the University of Reading have discovered a link between Indian weather forecasting techniques and predicting extreme rainfall in Sri Lanka. By analyzing wind patterns and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, they can identify areas prone to heavy rainfall, allowing communities to better prepare for deadly natural disasters.
Researchers advocate for NCI-designated cancer centers to bolster emergency preparedness and protect vulnerable patients from climate-driven disasters. Despite experience dealing with climate hazards, gaps in emergency preparedness were identified, including inadequate information for cancer patients.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and University of Milan-Bicocca have demonstrated the efficacy of curcumin in reducing coral bleaching caused by climate change. The study shows significant efficacy in preventing coral bleaching when tested under controlled conditions.
Rutgers researchers emphasize the importance of core disaster training for responders and workers prior to an emergency event. The inadequate provision of personal protective equipment remains a weakness in disaster response infrastructure. The authors recommend supplementing training with site-specific critical training and prioritizi...
Researchers found that experiencing traumatic events, such as natural disasters or loss of family income, in early life is associated with lower reading and vocabulary test scores over time. Children from rural households may face additional obstacles due to environmental shocks, leading to reduced food security and poorer health.
Researchers have developed a system to forecast localized flash floods based on rainfall radar data, taking into account regional flood characteristics. The system achieved an impressive 90.3% success rate in forecasting major flash floods about an hour in advance during pilot operations from 2019 to 2022.
A team of researchers created a deep learning system capable of detecting natural disasters using images from Twitter and Flickr. The system, trained on over 1.7 million photographs, was able to accurately identify incidents such as floods, tornadoes, and forest fires.
A team of researchers at UC Irvine has developed a freely available computer model to estimate the economic costs of hurricanes and typhoons. The model combines data from climate change science and household vulnerability information, providing return periods of asset losses and helping countries better prepare for these disasters.
A UC San Diego study reveals that industrial disasters like the Bhopal gas disaster in India may lead to higher rates of disability and cancer for children born to affected mothers. The research found a fourfold increase in miscarriage risk and increased stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University will investigate the links between multimodal transportation, climate adaptation and resilience. The center aims to promote transit access, sustainable communities and resilient development.
Researchers reconstruct bacterial genomes of Ice Age microorganisms, reviving ancient natural products and discovering new chemical diversity. The team uses synthetic molecular biotechnology to produce chemicals encoded by ancient genes, unlocking the secrets of Earth's past microbes.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that ridesharing platforms significantly outperformed traditional taxi systems during urban emergencies. The platforms' use of technology and elastic supply of vehicles and drivers enabled them to cope with uncertainties more effectively.
Penn State researchers found that complex and diverse supply chains can protect cities from shortages. The diversity of an ecosystem makes a system less vulnerable to natural disasters.
The global economic impact of biological invasions exceeds that of natural catastrophes, with $1208 billion in losses between 1980 and 2019. Biological invasions have a long-lasting effect, causing significant damage to infrastructure, crops, and ecosystems.
A study published in Nature Sustainability found that countries with wide income gaps have significantly higher mortality rates during large-scale flood disasters. The researchers analyzed data from over 500 major floods and found a median mortality rate of 26 times higher in countries with an unequal distribution of income.
A UFZ study shows that better communication and information can increase public support for nature-based flood prevention measures. People who feel connected to their community or informed about the measures are more likely to support them.
A study in Nature Communications Earth and Environment shows progress in Australia's nature-based rehabilitation efforts for sustainable environmental restoration. The research highlights the importance of adopting UN environmental goals as principles in river management to conserve river health and improve resilience.
A new study suggests that wildfires can actually increase species richness and biodiversity among birds and mammals in ecosystems where fire is a natural occurrence. The research found that the negative effects of fire on plant productivity are outweighed by its positive effects on animal diversity.
A new study reconstructs the history of floods in KZN since 1840s, confirming that the April 2022 floods were likely the most catastrophic natural disaster ever recorded. The floods had a significant impact on lives lost, homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and economic loss.
A new study found that the 2021 heat wave in Washington state contributed to an additional 159 injury deaths due to indirect causes such as drownings and violence. The researchers recommended increasing funding for cooling centers and mental health services to prevent injuries caused by heat waves.
A study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that climate change-related natural disasters have increased since 1980 and cost the US over $2 trillion in recovery costs. The analysis suggests that rising CO2 levels and temperatures will lead to more frequent and severe disasters, with exponentially increasing costs.
A new national study found that households facing housing insecurity score lower on disaster preparedness scales, highlighting the importance of secure housing for disaster resilience. Housing security is vital for people to be better prepared for disasters, according to researchers.
A global approach has been developed to survey the vast collections of world's largest natural history museums, estimated to hold over 1.1 billion objects. The initiative aims to inform responses to today's interlocking crises by providing a collective strategy for future conservation and sustainability efforts.
A new study by Linköping University reveals that climate change alters natural greenhouse gas fluxes from streams and lakes, making landscape carbon sinks less effective. The researchers found that increased precipitation and temperature affect the amount of carbon washed into streams and lakes, leading to greater emissions.
Researchers develop AI-designed synthetic polymers that mimic specific functions of natural proteins, working as well as the real protein and easier to synthesize. The polymers could be a game-changer for biomedical applications, including drug delivery and photosynthesis.
Researchers have developed a method to stabilize human blood clotting Factor VIII in a dry state using tardigrade proteins, enabling access to critical medicine in austere conditions. This breakthrough could lead to life-saving treatments available worldwide without refrigeration.
A UK study found that climate change beliefs increasingly predict opposition to natural gas extraction. Support for North Sea gas development decreased from 80% in 2019 to 70% in 2022 as concerns about climate change grew.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that older adults with dementia are at a higher risk of mortality after hurricane exposure due to disruptions in caregiving and daily routines. The analysis highlights the need for integrated preparedness and response strategies that address the special needs of people living with dem...
Researchers found that solar water disinfection (SODIS) was effective in inactivating Escherichia coli bacteria at both low and high altitudes. At high altitudes, bacterial inactivation increased by 1.7-fold after two hours, with no significant differences after six hours. The study highlights the potential of SODIS to improve global a...
A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed a Bronze Age debris deposit in Mycenae, Greece, revealing the types of animals that lived there and how they were used as a source of subsistence. The analysis of animal remains and associated artifacts provides clues to the social dynamics of ancient settlements and responses to natural disasters.
A CU Boulder study estimates that 1,182 animals were affected by the Marshall Fire, with most being fatally injured due to rapid-onset disasters and poor emergency notification systems. Researchers emphasize the need for pet owners to create evacuation plans and designate trusted contacts to help rescue pets in case of an emergency.
The new automated method, called HybridFlow, uses large-scale aerial images to produce precise 3D models of cityscapes and landscapes. This technology has potential applications in natural disaster risk assessment and mitigation, enabling informed decision-making and evaluation of risk-mitigating factors.
Pakistan's health challenges have been compounded by natural disasters, including the 2022 floods, which affected over 33 million people. The country is experiencing a slowdown in reducing maternal and child mortality, high fertility rates, and persistent gender disparities.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program invests $11M in solutions for vulnerable communities, with UMBC's Lauren Clay awarded $624K to develop the Food Index for Resilience. This index will measure food system functioning in communities and support disaster response and recovery.
Researchers from Brown and MIT developed a new framework that uses machine learning and sequential sampling to predict rare disasters like earthquakes and pandemics with less data. The framework, called DeepOnet, has been shown to outperform traditional modeling efforts in predicting scenarios, probabilities and timelines of rare events.
A large real-world study has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination is more effective than natural immunity in preventing death, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits for any cause. Vaccinated individuals had a 37% lower risk of all-cause death and hospital admission rates compared to those with natural immunity.
Researchers at Osaka University found that disasters and pandemics increase major non-communicable diseases and mental disorders, especially among certain age groups. The study highlights the need for improved post-disaster health policies and prevention strategies to mitigate these effects.
Jamie Padgett, a Rice University professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's BRITE Fellows program. With this funding, she will develop methods for infrastructure resilience modeling in response to uncertain, evolving conditions resulting from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters.
A national study found that Americans are moving to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat, despite climate change projections. The top migration destinations were cities in the Pacific Northwest, parts of the Southwest, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast, which already face significant wildfire risks.
Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology have deciphered the biosynthesis of benzobactins, a class of natural compounds with special biological activity. The study reveals that these compounds are widespread in diverse bacteria and could be excellent candidates for future drug therapy.
A team of UCF faculty will develop REACH hubs that provide critical services like cooling and broadband internet after disasters. The hubs will also serve as hazard-preparedness and STEM education centers.
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.
Researchers analyzed human characteristics, path risk elements, and path network configuration in flood evacuation route choices. Their findings suggest that residents rely on safety perception rather than spatial logic when selecting evacuation routes.
A survey by Osaka Metropolitan University found that disaster emergency wells complemented the Kumamoto city government's emergency water supply, speeding up water delivery and improving access. However, some welfare facilities did not use emergency wells despite being nearby, highlighting the importance of publicizing their locations.
The US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a massive geographic dataset, USA Structures, using deep learning to forecast potential damage and accelerate emergency response. The dataset provides critical information on building outlines and attributes, enabling FEMA to prioritize response efforts.
A new Concordia University study reveals that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, have failed to drive government climate action. Despite the devastating economic and human costs of these disasters, governments have remained slow to enact meaningful reforms.
The Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) has shown positive results in helping poor households develop proactive coping strategies before and during natural disasters. Researchers found that the existing program strengthened financial capital but had limited impact on human and physical capitals, highlighting the need for integrated social p...
Researchers found that changing gloves and instruments just before closing wounds can prevent as many as 1 in 8 cases of Surgical Site Infection. A new toolkit also helps hospitals prepare for pandemics, heatwaves, and natural disasters.
Scientists warn that climate change is at the door and pounding hard due to rising global temperatures, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. The report highlights urgent need to protect nature, eliminate fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to analyze how susceptible overhead transmission lines are to damage from back-to-back natural hazards. The study found that previous damage can have a significant impact on the fragility and reliability of power grids, especially when followed by a hurricane.
A study found that each 10% increase in natural space is linked to a 7% fall in early deaths among under 65s. Increased availability of natural space within local areas also reduced the disparity in years of life lost between deprived and non-deprived areas.
A study by University of Missouri researchers found that storytelling can help college students make sense of the pandemic and reduce stress. The study involved first-year college students who used stories to express personal growth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting less stress and more confidence in their schoo...
Researchers developed sustainable concrete by replacing synthetic reinforcement with natural fibres and industrial by-products, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. The new material exhibits superior strength and lower water absorption compared to traditional concrete.
Research at the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition found disparities in pediatric household preparedness for wildfires, particularly among less educated caregivers. Households with children having breathing issues were more likely to be prepared for wildfires.