A new study finds that illness rates increase with proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a site contaminated with radioactive and chemical waste. Wealthier residents, who were expected to take more action to protect themselves, were actually driven by fear to take precautions.
A new study found that nearly a third of culverts studied are single points of failure, cutting off entire neighborhoods from hospitals. Disconnection can leave up to 30% of the population without access to emergency care.
A recent study found that people with a strong connection to place are more likely to take protective actions and heed local officials' recommendations during hurricanes. The study also revealed that maps can be misleading, with participants judging their own risk lower even if their home is located just outside the forecasted flood zone.
A new study found that individuals in Los Angeles County are more likely to visit pharmacies in low-income areas, despite having one nearby, highlighting the role of sociodemographic factors in healthcare access. The research suggests that geographic access is necessary but not sufficient for healthcare needs.
A new study found that websites providing PFAS information, including government and news sources, often fail to provide actionable advice on reducing exposure. The researchers recommend clear language about known threats and improved depiction of audience susceptibility levels to effectively communicate with the public.
A new study reveals that natural disasters lead to a 69% spike in public protests across Latin America. Smaller communities tend to face the longest economic recoveries, with damage persisting for up to four months.
A new study has developed biologically plausible dose-response models to better protect pregnant people from Listeria, a leading cause of foodborne illness in the US. The models, built on data from guinea pigs and gerbils, found that fetal brain infection is a more precise indicator of stillbirth risk than direct stillbirth outcomes al...
A new study found significant disparities in Maryland's rural communities, with many cases of Alzheimer's disease remaining undiagnosed. The research highlights the impact of hospital accessibility and poverty rates on health outcomes, particularly for older populations.
New research reveals heightened anxiety and declining optimism among young Americans, who perceive risk everywhere they turn due to factors like Covid-19 lockdowns and school shootings. Gen Z is increasingly cynical about changing the world, viewing politics and protests with skepticism.
A new computer model, GeoFlame VISION, uses AI and satellite imagery to produce a dynamic wildfire risk map for the entire US. The model shows that California's eastern, southwestern, and northwestern parts are at high risk due to Santa Ana winds.
Research reveals that exposure to addictive drugs like fentanyl and ketamine affects the behavior and survival rates of oyster larvae. The study found that after two weeks of exposure, survival declined in all treatments and doses, with benzoylecgonine causing the greatest reduction.
A nationwide study found that water treatment methods using chlorine as a primary disinfectant increase the risk of Legionnaires' disease. Chlorine used as a secondary disinfectant also increases disease rates, whereas monochloramine reduces the risk.
A new statewide spatial analysis of Alzheimer's disease reveals significant disparities in rural Maryland, with many cases remaining undiagnosed due to limited access to care. The study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions to address healthcare accessibility gaps in underserved areas.
Researchers analyzed thousands of ways PCOS machines could have process or security vulnerabilities to identify and mitigate risks. The study highlights the importance of securing every link in the process, not just the machines themselves, to prevent procedural gaps from having large consequences.
A study finds that most people trust doctors more than AI for health diagnoses, but have a positive view of AI's potential in cancer diagnosis. The research used two nationally representative surveys to assess public attitudes toward AI in healthcare, including trust, understanding, and excitement.
A new study reveals that Virginia's current approach to managing septic system failures misses a critical factor: the time-varying relationship between hydrological stressors and septic system performance. This gap limits the state's ability to proactively identify and intervene in high-risk areas before failures occur.
A new study introduces a conceptual model for improving animal disease surveillance, highlighting the link between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. The findings show that human-driven ecological change exacerbates chronic diseases in animals, such as obesity and cancer, with potential implications for human health.
Residents and government officials in a flood-prone community have differing views on adapting to climate change, with economic concerns top priority. Long-term residents support voluntary buyouts and nature-based solutions, while local officials prioritize rebuilding high-value properties.
A nationwide study reveals that methane leaks from energy-intensive states like Texas lower air quality for people in neighboring states. Strong environmental regulations are shown to reduce hazardous gas leaks and improve safety.
Experts Cary Coglianese and Colton Crum argue that management-based regulation, or using
A new study projects that wind losses for homeowners in the Southeast will increase by 76% by 2060 and 102% by 2100. Texas is expected to experience the highest increase in losses, followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
A global survey of over 30,000 people found that those from the Global South are more hopeful about climate change, leading to increased support for climate interventions. Meanwhile, European countries express strong anger and sadness towards climate change, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives in addressing the crisis.
A new study developed a computer model to predict household displacement duration in US communities after disasters, accounting for socioeconomic factors. The model combines physical damage estimates with socioeconomic characteristics to help inform risk mitigation strategies.
Researchers found that squat toilets release higher concentrations of bacteria than bidet toilets, but ventilation fans significantly lower these levels. Installing efficient exhaust fans can effectively reduce bioaerosol concentrations and exposure risks for the public.
A new study finds that California's wildfire response is biased towards wealthier communities, leaving marginalized populations without access to necessary resources. The analysis of over 500 wildfire incidents revealed a significant disparity in resource allocation based on socio-demographic factors such as race and economic status.
Researchers analyzed real-time data from over 50,000 public EV charging stations to understand demand and peak times. The study found high demand during working hours in California and identified potential inequities in access to EV charging facilities across diverse communities.
The study found a significantly higher proportion of racial and ethnic minority children in 'higher exposure risk schools' compared to the rest of schools. Hispanic and Latino children make up a larger share of these schools, with a greater number having disabilities.
A new study reveals that US adults who choose not to eat red meat are more concerned with environmental impacts than health risks. The survey of over 7,500 adults found that demographics such as age, education level, and income also played a role in red meat consumption.
A new study reveals that lower-quality public housing units are disproportionately located in areas with high flood risk, putting residents at risk of catastrophic damage. The research also highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color and those with limited ability to recover from flooding.
A recent study by the Society for Risk Analysis found that employees who visit adult or gambling sites are more likely to encounter seven types of malware, including coinminers and ransomware. Visiting these types of websites increases the risk of infection by two-fold.
A nationwide study found that students are significantly less likely to feel safe at school than staff and parents, with high school students being the most pessimistic about a threat occurring. Students were also the most likely to believe an attack would happen in each scenario, highlighting barriers to reporting threats.
A recent study of Texas high school indoor air revealed the presence of phthalates and PBDEs, linked to cancers, reproductive disorders, and nervous system damage. Researchers found correlations between SVOC concentrations and building characteristics, such as flooring type and classroom design.
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.
A new study suggests that strategically placing solar-powered resilience hubs in California could generate up to 8 GW of solar energy and reduce the state's carbon emissions by 5 million tons per year. These hubs provide critical services such as phone charging, cooling, and powering medical devices for at-risk populations.
A new study by the Society for Risk Analysis explores the impact of AI-driven cyberattacks on global economies, supply chains, and trade. The research found that these attacks can cause significant declines in real GDP, trade prices, and volumes, as well as disruptions to trade routes, particularly among heavily reliant digital economies.
A new study published in Risk Analysis has found that longer freight trains are more likely to experience derailments, with a 100-car train being over twice as likely to derail than a 50-car train. This increase in risk could lead to higher rates of accidents and greater safety concerns for the rail transport system.
Island nations like New Zealand could reduce dependence on imported fuels by producing biofuel from locally grown crops like canola. This would ensure a supply for the country's bare minimum agricultural liquid fuel needs, even in the event of a major disruption.
A new study published in Risk Analysis found that COVID-19's origin is unlikely to be natural, using a modified risk assessment tool. The researchers suggest an unnatural origin, potentially from a laboratory, cannot be easily dismissed.
Researchers have developed a new web-based software platform called Wildfire Safe Egress (WISE) that allows emergency planners to design custom-made evacuation plans. The tool uses data on demographics and road networks to simulate wildfire scenarios and calculate safe evacuation probabilities. By analyzing the Camp Fire disaster, rese...
A recent study analyzing US wildfire events from 2014 to 2022 found that low-income and black populations receive less personnel and funding during wildfires. High-income neighborhoods, on the other hand, receive more attention and resources in disaster response and recovery efforts.
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.
Two studies found moderate to high risk scores for cancers and non-cancer health effects associated with lead, arsenic, and cadmium exposure. Exposure to these heavy metals through contaminated food is linked to increased risks of various types of cancer, including lung, bladder, skin, and prostate cancers.
A national food choice experiment found that labeling a meat-free and dairy-free food basket as 'vegan' or 'plant-based' leads to lower appeal, whereas labels like 'healthy' or 'sustainable' result in higher preference. This study suggests using these alternative labels can encourage healthier and more environmentally sustainable eatin...
Researchers have discovered that sex toys can release microplastic particles, with anal toys and beads emitting the highest amounts. The study highlights the need for informed consumer decisions to mitigate potential health risks associated with phthalates, endocrine disruptors present in all tested sex toys.
Scientists estimate annual probability of a mass shooting in every US state and public places like schools, using statistical methods and computer simulations. The study finds that mass shootings are low-probability but high-consequence events.
A new study found that 39 out of 43 California's coastal airports have assets exposed to projected flooding by 2100. Sixteen airports have assets within their boundaries, while 23 have assets outside their jurisdiction at risk from flooding. The study highlights the need for collaborative climate adaptation plans to address this issue.
A study published in Risk Analysis found that individuals who endorse libertarianism and anti-egalitarianism attitudes are more likely to disregard COVID-19 risks. This suggests that simply identifying as liberal or conservative may not capture the full scope of political ideology's impact on attitudes toward science issues.
A recent study published in the journal Risk Analysis found that increased voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic did not jeopardize election safety. The research analyzed potential risks identified in a mail voting attack tree and concluded that expanding mail voting increases voter access and reduces adversarial interference.
A new study analyzes millions of Twitter posts during three major hurricanes to develop a method for measuring social cohesion. The researchers found that monitoring social media chatter can help decision makers understand how communities communicate during disasters and identify areas for improvement.