A recent study by the International Tobacco Control Project found that COVID-19 did not result in a significant increase in smoking among smokers. Despite nearly half reporting thoughts about quitting, most smokers continued their habits during the pandemic's early phase.
Scientists at ORNL developed a modular design for 3D printing power poles from bioderived materials, enabling quick restoration of electricity after natural disasters. Additionally, they demonstrated wireless charging technology on an autonomous electric vehicle, advancing the transportation industry towards a decarbonized future.
EarthLab aims to simulate physical climate, environmental, and ecological systems for better predicting natural disasters and understanding Earth's spheres. The facility will enable researchers to predict Earth systems on a vast time and spatial scale.
A massive rock and ice avalanche in February 2021 killed over 200 people in Uttarakhand, India. The disaster was exacerbated by exceptional avalanche height, rock-to-ice ratio, and downstream hydroelectric infrastructure, underscoring the need for sustainable planning.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a machine learning platform that can identify natural product drugs for treating various ailments. The platform, called NRPminer, uses genomic and metabolomics data to detect promising natural products, including four novel compounds with potential antimalarial properties.
This article provides an overview of sulfur-containing natural products from marine microorganisms, highlighting their molecular diversity and bioactivities. A total of 484 compounds were recorded, with 59.9% being thioethers, 29.8% being thiazole/thiazoline-containing compounds, and 10.3% being sulfoxides, sulfones, and thioesters.
Hurricanes of higher categories generate significantly more Twitter attention than lower-category storms, even in cases of similar damage and loss of life. The study highlights the importance of online attention in the aftermath of natural disasters.
A new study examines the antecedents of disaster preparedness in firms, finding that organizational experience with disaster is a powerful motivator, but also notes the importance of external learning and collaboration. Effective disaster preparation requires working with others to learn from best practices.
A recent study found that invasive Clavelina oblonga marine fouling species reduces diversity in communities it invades and interferes with their recovery following natural disasters. The study suggests that succession patterns do not hold true in the presence of invasive species.
A global review of natural disasters reveals a significant increase in violence against women and girls, with stressors like trauma and financial insecurity emerging as key triggers. The study emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive policies and inclusion of women in disaster management to prevent such violence.
In 2020, China experienced a warm and wet climate, with floods and droughts being the most prevalent types of disasters. The mean air temperature was 0.7°C above normal, and annual rainfall was 10.3% above average.
New research using Synthetic Aperture Radar data from Sentinel-1 satellites shows improved ability to detect, monitor, prepare for and withstand natural disasters like bushfires and floods. SAR data provides valuable insights for hazard mitigation and complementing existing Earth observation programs.
Researchers at UNIST propose a new drought monitoring method using Vector Projection Analysis (VPA), which can comprehensively investigate drought disasters. The approach captures varied climate and environmental characteristics, showing good agreement with surface-based indices and drought references across continental scales.
A new study reveals that women are choosing to go grey as a means of self-expression and authenticity, despite societal pressure. Despite potential negative consequences, many report feeling happier and more confident in their natural appearance.
The authors argue that a structural change to national Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) guidelines is needed to ensure inclusion of an Equity Officer and health equity specialists. This change could help mitigate inequities in hospital responses during disasters, particularly for historically marginalized populations.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijian small-scale fishers. The research highlights the need to prioritize vulnerable groups in economic recovery efforts, as they are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and natural disasters.
Historical disasters have widened wealth gaps, except in cases where ordinary people had strong organizational influence. The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on inequality depends on these factors.
Researchers at Colorado State University explored how health care systems might perform under multiple disasters and multiple waves of COVID-19. They found that optimizing resource allocation and implementing mitigation strategies can reduce disease spread and improve patient outcomes.
A new study builds a multilayered computer model of marine life's history over the last 500 million years, echoing J. John Sepkoski's work on sudden mass extinctions. The analysis reveals a fourth major evolutionary fauna driven by biological interactions between predators and prey.
A UTA civil engineering assistant professor is developing a multi-level dynamic model to measure the resilience level of transportation infrastructure networks in natural disasters. The project will create a decision-support tool and quantitative models to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure before disasters occur.
Researchers explore incorporating Earth observation data into flood forecast-based early action to reduce disaster risk and losses. The study identifies opportunities for using EO data in FbA, focusing on predefined triggers and impact-based forecasting.
A new comprehensive course has been developed to enhance disaster preparedness for healthcare personnel, incorporating an interdisciplinary approach. The training program, conducted at the World Bosai Forum, focuses on skills such as psychological first aid, public health intervention, and crisis communications.
The DOD has awarded NPS a $2.4 million grant to develop new theory and tools for understanding and preparing for future climate events that pose challenges to military operations. The project aims to advance resilience research and build tools for assessing and improving resilience across military installations.
A new study investigates how hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic affect each other and disaster response in southern Louisiana. Community-based organizations face new challenges, including reduced financial resources and service delivery constraints due to protocols to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread.
Researchers developed a direct cloning method, CAPTURE, to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products. The method allows for efficient cloning of large genomic fragments, including those with high-GC content or sequence repeats.
A study of over 1,700 young people exposed to major hurricanes found that most experienced recovery or low-decreasing post-traumatic stress symptoms. The trajectories among youth reflected a need for health surveillance systems and stepped care interventions after disasters.
A study by Hebrew University researchers found that natural disasters lead to a decrease in crime and an increase in charitable giving in directly affected areas. However, neighboring regions experienced a marked increase in philanthropy, driven by empathy and solidarity.
A study examined posttraumatic stress symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to major US hurricanes. The results found a significant association between exposure to natural disasters and the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms.
A new study by researchers from Linköping University suggests that long-term stress is a risk factor for heart attacks. Cortisol levels in hair samples were found to be statistically significantly higher in individuals who suffered a heart attack, even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.
A new study published in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory suggests that environmental pressures played a key role in the evolution of human tolerance. The research found that populations which shared resources were more likely to succeed and survive harsh environments, leading to long-term benefits for everyone involved.
Engineers at Rice University developed a model to quantify the spread of pollutants from failed storage tanks during natural disasters. The model shows that chemicals like benzene and toluene can evaporate and drift with the wind, posing health risks to downwind communities.
Research shows that sleep cycles in people oscillate during the 29.5-day lunar cycle, with people going to bed later and sleeping less in the days leading up to a full moon. This natural adaptation may have allowed ancestors to take advantage of available evening light.
A team of seismologists has discovered a new mechanism driving the separation of the Atlantic plates, with evidence of an upwelling in the mantle from depths of over 600 km. This finding provides greater understanding of plate tectonics and its role in natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers found stable rates of suicide deaths during the COVID-19 stay-at-home advisory in Massachusetts among those aged 10 and older. The study's findings parallel those of ecological disasters, suggesting a lack of significant impact on mental health during this period.
A new study found no link between countries' frequency of natural disasters and their propensity to take disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. Despite this, national variation was observed, with some countries responding with extensive changes while others made no action.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that worker attitudes towards procedure utility and quality are crucial in preventing incidents. The study suggests that procedures must be both effective and useful for workers to use them correctly, contradicting the traditional 'control paradigm' approach.
A new study finds that UN disaster aid is primarily driven by humanitarian need rather than strategic donor interests. The study provides the first estimation of UN climate-related disaster aid worldwide and highlights the importance of climate-related hazards in understanding aid disbursements.
A new study finds that more than half of doctors, nurses, and emergency responders involved in COVID-19 care are at risk for one or more mental health problems. The researchers found a comparable risk to rates observed during natural disasters, highlighting the need for evidence-based interventions.
A new study by Stanford researchers reveals that climate change has substantially contributed to the growing cost of flooding in the US. The analysis, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that changes in precipitation accounted for 36% of actual flood damages from 1988 to 2017.
An international research team proposes a 'glocal' approach to better predict and prevent flooding disasters by combining global forecasting with local observations. The proposed system, GHS-F, aims to provide highly detailed and consistent rain-flood information, which could help avoid some flooding damage.
Dr. Owen Gilbert introduces a novel concept in evolutionary theory, suggesting that natural reward acts synergistically with natural selection to drive the innovativeness of life over time. This framework offers new perspectives on long-standing biological mysteries and has been justified by existing data.
The NUS team has devised a method to convert natural gas into a non-explosive solid that can be easily stored and transported. Using a novel additive mixture, the conversion can be completed in just 15 minutes, which is faster than existing standards.
New research from Lehigh University explores the link between drought, food insecurity, and HIV among women in less-developed countries. The study finds that drought escalates food insecurity, leading to reduced access to education, healthcare, and autonomy, ultimately increasing the percentage of HIV cases among women.
A new high-resolution map of US land value reveals underestimates in existing cost estimates, highlighting the need for higher funding levels for environmental goals. The tool provides policymakers with realistic expectations for conservation funding, enabling more informed decision-making.
A new disaster database, DesignSafe, is changing how planners prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The database features over 293 published data sets, including insights on earthquake impact, hurricane damage, and more.
Researchers establish objective standards for defining and identifying binary tropical cyclones (BTCs), which can bring extreme precipitation and cause serious disasters. The study analyzed two best-track datasets and provides a main standard for defining BTCs, based on separation distance and coexistence time.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that effective governments are associated with fewer deaths from tropical cyclone disasters. Governments in areas with weaker public services are particularly deadly.
Scientists at the University of Turku discovered that titanium is key to hackmanite's glow and developed a material with a longer afterglow. The study reveals complex composition differences in natural minerals and their role in luminescence, offering valuable insights for synthetic materials development.
A $1.2 million NSF-funded project will study AI and smart technologies for emergency response and risk communication in Central Florida. The project aims to develop community partnerships and build a regional data-sharing platform.
Burt's Bees presents research on bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, with anti-inflammatory properties and improved skin health. The company also highlights the effectiveness of a natural lip balm containing turmeric in providing therapeutic benefits for dry or compromised lips.
Researchers have found a decline in sea turtle sightings off the coasts of the UK and Ireland over the past few decades. The study suggests that factors such as climate change, prey availability, and environmental disasters may be influencing this trend.
A new set of assessment tools shows promise in capturing how the COVID-19 pandemic affects patterns of criminal activity. The toolkit uses resilience theory to examine the impact of exceptional events on crime patterns, with preliminary evidence linking the pandemic to increased domestic violence and declines in other forms of crime.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live in areas at high risk of flooding. The study suggests that certain reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program could disproportionately negatively impact these groups.
A new study by UC Davis researchers incorporates natural capital into climate change cost models, revealing large implications for climate policy. The authors found that the social cost of carbon is likely too low, and rapid mitigation of climate damage to natural systems is warranted.
Researchers suggest using scientific data and predictive frameworks to identify risks of lead release, improving testing strategies and anticipating problems. Citizen scientists can aid in data gathering with mobile test kits, while AI and machine learning help identify relationships between water conditions and lead levels.
A new study reveals that environmental factors drive migration, particularly in regions with middle incomes and agriculture. Climate change impacts vary by hazard type and context, with changing temperatures having the strongest effect.
A study found that urban wood storks fared better than their natural counterparts during suboptimal conditions, exploiting urban resources to improve reproductive performance. They switched to anthropogenic food sources, including trash and amphibians, to supplement their diets.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing an AI-powered system to automatically identify buildings and assess damage using amateur drone videos. The system, called MSNet, can overlay masks on damaged areas and determine the severity of damage, enabling faster and more accurate damage assessments.
A new study from Oregon State University found that natural disasters alone are not enough to motivate local communities to engage in climate change mitigation or adaptation. Policy change appears to depend on a combination of factors, including fatalities, media coverage, and community politics.
A new study reveals that oil and natural gas pipelines are major contributors to carbon emissions, with seven out of eight pipelines being foreign-owned. The study prioritizes climate lawsuits targeting these facilities, which could lead to increased insurance costs for fossil-fuel companies.