The authors propose a metacoupling framework to uncover complexities in the real world, providing an integrated way to analyze human-nature interactions globally. This approach recognizes that global catastrophes have broader, faster impacts than traditional lenses can capture.
A massive landslide in Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area flattened an area larger than downtown Cincinnati, covering over 7 square miles. Geologists studied the landslide to better understand its dynamics and predict future landslides, which are a growing concern in areas with significant topography.
Research found that sleep deprivation dampens activity in social cognition brain network and is associated with reduced altruism. A 10% drop in donation amounts was observed after losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time.
A recent study found that US animal shelters experienced a surge in dog and cat intake following climate-linked disasters. The influx of animals lasted for up to a year, highlighting the need for preparedness and resources for affected facilities.
Researchers at UCLA create edible particles that help lab-grown meat with natural muscle-like texture, potentially revolutionizing the food industry. The process could be scaled up to produce large amounts of meat quickly and cheaply.
A collaborative university/community model evaluates the impact of disasters on local business owners and identifies actions to increase resiliency. The study found that most businesses took few concrete actions in terms of mitigation and preparedness, highlighting the need for increased awareness and confidence in disaster planning.
A team of researchers developed a unified model to predict human movement during large-scale extreme events. The model reveals 'spatiotemporal decay' and 'temporal decay,' showing people limit their mobility near disaster zones and exhibit faster changes in lower income areas.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that allowing cross-border evacuations can reduce evacuation time by 14% and improve public safety. However, intermunicipal cooperation is required to make this approach effective.
A new study reveals that the volume and rate of carbon dioxide emitted from supervolcanoes controlled the severity of past environmental crises. The research found that enormous super volcanic eruptions made a comparatively small dent in our environmental and biological cycle, whereas rapid releases of massive amounts of CO2 led to sev...
A University of California San Diego study finds that importers highly dependent on Japan increased total imports of those products after the 2011 earthquake, intensifying offshoring rather than reshoring. Global supply chains are difficult to untangle following a crisis, and firms opt for offshore production to keep costs down.
A new national study found that households led by women, those with children under age 18, renters, low-income individuals, and minority groups are less likely to be minimally prepared for disasters. The researchers recommend targeting these vulnerable groups with disaster preparedness resources.
Scientists argue that system thinking can better understand the world's rapidly changing dynamics, considering both social and ecological factors. The article highlights the importance of this approach in addressing climate change-induced natural disasters, such as increased frequency and danger of wildfires.
The study highlights the risks of natural gas infrastructure expansion, including underestimated methane emissions and economic climate risks. The researchers propose five measures to avoid these risks, including a timely and consistent natural gas exit.
A new Boston-area study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that natural gas used in homes contains varying levels of volatile organic chemicals. The research found that even small amounts of hazardous air pollutants could impact indoor air quality and degrade outdoor air quality when gas leaks occur.
A new analysis demonstrates that mangrove and coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective solution for coastal flood reduction. The study found that the benefits from reduced flood damage exceed the costs of restoration, making nature-based solutions an attractive option for funding.
A UCI-led study found that repeated exposure to hurricanes is associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and fear. Repeated threat exposure disrupts the natural healing process, potentially leading to a mental health crisis.
A new 3D comprehensive observation network has been successfully established over the Tibetan Plateau, covering various landscapes and devices. The network aims to understand climate change impacts by monitoring water cycle intensity and variation.
The study found that feral cat predation is a significant threat to the critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart, which has only around 500 individuals left due to habitat loss and bushfires. The research highlights the need for control of feral cat populations in areas with threatened species.
A Rutgers study found that sales of cigars labeled as 'natural' increased at a faster pace than those without the label from 2017 to 2021. This trend is concerning as it suggests that consumers are perceiving these products differently due to the 'natural' descriptor.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
Research finds human activity is behind the warmest and wettest winter on record in northwest Russia, raising flood and drought risks. The North Atlantic Oscillation's impact is reduced compared to greenhouse gas emissions.
A new online tool, HazardAware, provides disaster readiness reports for 13.3 million addresses in 196 counties along the Gulf of Mexico, including all of Florida. The tool assesses a property's resilience to hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, and offers customized mitigation information to reduce future hazard loss.
A Texas A&M University study found that employee and company resiliency may be enhanced through remote work during natural disasters. Despite initial concerns, employees' work behaviors returned to pre-hurricane levels after working remotely for seven months.
A new study reveals that urban residents have a simplistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and are less likely to take pro-environmental actions. The research highlights an issue known as urbanized knowledge syndrome, which can harm natural ecosystems and undermine community resilience.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
A new study developed a way to use satellite imaging data to create 3D images that can quickly detect changes on the Earth's surface. The tool could be used to detect significant natural disasters in remote regions, giving first responders accurate information about the needs of the affected region.
A University of Oklahoma research team is exploring ethical AI methods specifically in environmental sciences. They aim to develop trustworthy AI tools to help mitigate weather and climate disasters. The team's work seeks to address biased AI algorithms that favor areas with higher populations.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that medication treatment services are often not located in the most vulnerable communities, leaving them at risk of disrupted access to treatment during disasters. The study suggests that preparedness for natural disasters should prioritize those placed at highest risk.
A study found that natural disasters, such as floods, can lead to increased discrimination against women and other cultural changes in the affected region. The research also shows a preference for sons over daughters and lower female employment rates in the area.
A Brazilian study proposes a methodology to involve secondary school students in mapping natural disaster hazards and impact prevention. The students, aged between 2019-2021, were trained to identify areas prone to flooding and landslides using aerial photographs taken by drones.
A novel framework for improving scientific understanding of 'recurrent acute disasters' (RADs) has been developed to account for legacy conditions that leave people vulnerable in the wake of repeated disasters. The framework proposes a holistic view of the 'human ecosystem' and trends in legacy conditions.
A research team at Leibniz-HKI has developed a new method to produce complex natural products, including the precursor to THC, in amoebae. By leveraging the natural properties of the amoeba, they were able to produce a functional inter-kingdom hybrid enzyme that produces olivetolic acid without additives.
A team of researchers has developed a DNA-based data storage platform with an expanded molecular alphabet, enabling the storage of vast amounts of digital information. The new system uses nanopores to distinguish between natural and chemically modified nucleotides, increasing storage density and sustainability.
A new, high-quality natural streamflow dataset for China has been developed, achieving high skill metric values and reducing biases in hydrological simulations. The dataset covers all 330 catchments from 1961 to 2018 and has important implications for understanding hydrological processes and river management activities.
A study found that rural residents are more satisfied with their communities' problem-solving and civic engagement after a disaster. Urban residents, however, perform better in community preparedness, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to enhance resilience in different communities.
A new study found that businesses run by minorities, women, and veterans were more likely to experience negative effects from the pandemic than non-HUGO businesses. The researchers analyzed responses from over 1,350 businesses and found that demographic factors played a significant role in determining a business's resilience during the...
A new study warns that co-occurring droughts could place an unprecedented strain on the global agricultural system, threatening water security and exacerbating food insecurity. The researchers' analysis shows a ninefold increase in agricultural and human population exposure to severe co-occurring droughts by the late-21st century.
A new radiocarbon dating method has been developed to accurately date tsunami deposits, offering insights into past disasters and their frequency. Researchers have found that giant tsunamis have occurred at intervals of 100-200 years since the 1611 Keicho Oshu Tsunami.
A Brazilian study found a correlation between dealing with COVID-19 and environmental disasters, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and community resilience. The study also identified a lack of continuity in funding for disaster relief and pandemic response.
A recent study from Texas A&M University found that repeated exposure to major disasters can lead to reduced mental health scores, with cumulative impacts being more significant. The study highlights the need for public health interventions targeting individuals and communities affected by hazards.
A new catalytic approach directly converts solid biomass into natural gas with a low carbon footprint, achieving nearly complete conversion of various agricultural and forestry materials. This process reduces fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 26% and 34%, respectively.
Researchers found that tropical cyclone inland impacts have increased by 30km-190km over the past four decades. By the end of the 21st century, Asian inland regions may experience almost doubling in destructive power due to climate change.
The Gulf Coast is expected to experience more frequent sequential landfalls, with Louisiana and Florida being the most at risk. This will lead to intensified stresses on infrastructure, ecosystems, and people, as well as reduced recovery time between disasters.
A new high-resolution climate system model has improved the accuracy of simulating tropical cyclones, capturing more realistic features and reducing biases. The model's performance was evaluated using the CAS FGOALS-f3-H model, which showed excellent results in depicting global TC activities.
A new study found that couples in the Houston area experienced a significant increase in relationship satisfaction after Hurricane Harvey, despite previous research suggesting stress spillover would decrease satisfaction. The researchers discovered that those who were unhappy before the hurricane saw the largest jumps in satisfaction.
A study by University of Cincinnati professor Michael J. Fry found that a single large warehouse would be the most cost-efficient approach for disaster relief supplies, but a single location is vulnerable to destruction. The research suggests cooperation between government and relief organizations can improve response effectiveness.
The emergency food management sector is ill-prepared for digital disaster management due to the lack of effective digital tools. A recent study found that existing digital strategies have not been proven effective or tested, leaving personnel with no guidance on potential best practices and the impact of digital tools.
The study found that lack of knowledge about debris flows contributed to a false sense of security among residents. Public awareness programs can help keep residents and emergency management offices informed about rare but potentially lethal natural events in their area.
The Three Gorges Region experienced its second-highest average precipitation on record, with heavy rainstorms and floods dominating the summer of 2020. The region's ecological environment improved, with a significant weakening trend in acid rain over the past decade.
Researchers have created a global database of 63 tailings flows since 1928, revealing catastrophic events occur every two to three years on average. The study highlights the importance of understanding water-to-solids ratios and downstream terrain in preventing mass casualties and environmental damage.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a synthetic diiron-containing porphyrin that can efficiently catalyze the conversion of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy. This breakthrough has potential applications in creating non-fossil-based fuels and electrochemical cells for renewable energy storage.
The World Climate Research Programme has made efforts to improve climate prediction, but many problems remain, including predicting extreme weather events. The Center for Climate System Prediction Research (CCSP) aims to tackle these challenges through research on ENSO, extended-range weather forecasting, and interannual-to-decadal cli...
A new study reveals that public opposition to disaster spending is driven by a lack of knowledge about the benefits of preparedness rather than personal experience with natural disasters. The study found that investing in disaster preparedness yields significant cost savings compared to relief efforts, but many Americans remain unaware...
Researchers found extreme precipitation events are the primary contributor to total precipitation in Northwest China. The region's westerly and plateau zones have seen a significant increase in EPE frequency and occurrence, starting earlier and lasting later. In contrast, monsoon regions of Southeast China experience opposite trends.
A new machine learning tool developed by Stanford researchers can accurately predict extreme precipitation events in the Midwest, accounting for over half of all major US flood disasters. The approach uses atmospheric circulation patterns to identify factors responsible for recent increases in Midwest extreme precipitation.
Researchers say surprise is a key factor in disastrous river floods, with improved flood warnings and protection measures contributing to declining casualties. Asia is the worst-hit region, with over 125 million people affected annually by such disasters.
A newly discovered fat 'shield' protects natural killer cells from their own deadly biological weapons, but also allows some cancer cells to evade an immune system attack. The shield is made of lipids and reinforces the cell membrane before an attack, preventing the toxic substances from penetrating the membrane.
A new study found that climate-related disasters have surged since 2019, with devastating floods, heat waves, and wildfires. The study calls for a phase-out of fossil fuels and strategic climate reserves to address the climate crisis.
Scientists warn of unprecedented climate-related disasters and environmental degradation, highlighting the need for drastic reductions in greenhouse gases and transformational system changes. They advocate for a globally implemented carbon price, phase-out of fossil fuels, and strategic climate reserves to safeguard biodiversity.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a framework to assess community resilience after natural disasters by analyzing location-based data from essential establishments. The study found that communities with low resilience experienced more flooding, but the level of impact did not necessarily correlate with recovery time.