A new study warns of devastating impacts from an oil spill in the Canadian Arctic, affecting vulnerable indigenous communities. The risk assessment model predicts socio-economic impacts of up to $7.5 billion over five years.
A new study suggests that cooperative strategies for providing emergency power during long-duration outages can cost up to 40 times less than individual generators. The analysis focused on two hypothetical communities in New Hampshire and found that shared generator costs were significantly lower, making collective options more accessi...
The special issue explores various aspects of risk sciences and resilience analytics to guide decision-making and operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Papers cover topics such as risk perception, human health and infection risk, and risk management strategies.
A study of 126 nations suggests that many lack the economic and institutional quality to deploy nuclear power, despite rising demand for low-carbon electricity. Countries like Malaysia and Qatar demonstrated above-median performance, while others require improved governance structures.
Researchers developed a COVID Risk Assessment and Mapping (CRAM) framework to identify city neighborhoods at highest risk of an outbreak. The framework uses GIS technology to create a zoned map with color-coded risk zones, helping officials place targeted restrictions in high-risk communities.
A new study suggests that volcano alerts issued during long periods of volcanic unrest can decline housing prices and other economic indicators. The greatest exception was Mount St. Helens, where volcano tourism and proximity to Portland may have mitigated the impact.
New research finds that social norms and experience with extreme weather events significantly influence professional action on climate change among East African natural resource managers. A study suggests that aligning climate services with social norms could offer a low-hanging fruit for designing more effective interventions.
A new study suggests that grandfathered rates in the National Flood Insurance Program could lead to losses for the NFIP as flood risk grows due to rising sea levels. Experts recommend replacing grandfathering with a gradual phase-in of risk-based insurance prices and providing means-tested assistance to lower-income households.
The global polio eradication initiative is facing setbacks due to ongoing outbreaks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite significant progress made since 2015. The recent special issue of Risk Analysis evaluates the GPEI strategies and finds that the initiative was off track even before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted immunization activ...
A new study found that people are more likely to assign blame and responsibility to a vehicle's automated system and its manufacturer rather than the human driver when a crash occurs. Researchers call this bias 'blame attribution asymmetry,' which may affect other cooperative situations involving humans and machines.
A new study published in Risk Analysis found that fear-based Virtual Reality films depicting violent collisions lead to increased risk-taking among young drivers. In contrast, positively framed VR films result in the greatest reduction in risky driving behavior. This suggests that a positive approach may be more effective in promoting ...
Researchers propose a Food Safety Monitoring System that uses text mining to analyze consumer comments on websites, flagging products associated with food-related illnesses. The system was tested on Amazon reviews and IWasPoisoned.com data, identifying specific brands of protein bars and herbal teas as high-risk products.
The Society for Risk Analysis awarded six scholarly and service awards, naming seven new Fellows for outstanding contributions to risk analysis. The recipients include Roger Flage, Ann Bostrom, Amber Jessup, Richard Forshee, Tom Burke, Anthony Fauci, and six others.
Research studies have detected microplastics in drinking water globally, particularly in California and New York. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardization of methods to analyze microplastics and implementation of regulations to mitigate their impact on human health.
Two new studies provide insights into preventing workplace accidents and injuries by analyzing human error and cognitive processes. Researchers have developed an error-detection framework that computes the likelihood of human error in occupational settings.
Research studies examine how media shapes public perceptions of COVID-19, including factors like cultural cognition, emotions, and risk perception. Findings reveal that people who experience fear and anger are more likely to support government responses, while those who trust scientific judgments have higher risk perceptions.
The pandemic is affecting various groups in unique ways, with farmers facing supply chain disruptions, office workers experiencing 'Zoom fatigue,' and children seeing an increase in domestic accidents. Researchers are exploring these individualized effects to inform public health solutions.
Research studies have found that 3D printer emissions can cause moderate toxicity in human lung cells and minimal toxicity in rats. The emitted particles can affect indoor air quality and public health, particularly for children who are more susceptible to the effects of these emissions.
A recent study published in Risk Analysis suggests that Effective Fiber Mask Programs (EFMPs) can help communities balance economy and curb community spread. By using non-woven materials like cotton batting, the effectiveness of cloth masks can be improved by up to 90% against aerosol particles.
The study concludes that a more holistic approach to poultry food safety is needed to better protect the public from foodborne pathogens like Salmonella. It highlights the limitations of current guidelines, which only consider pathogen prevalence and do not account for other risk factors such as serotype virulence and temperature abuse.
A recent study published in Risk Analysis suggests that breathing and talking may contribute to the spread of COVID-19 through the release of aerosol particles. These particles can remain airborne for extended periods, allowing them to travel significant distances and potentially infect others.
A modified Grunow-Finke assessment tool (mGFT) has been validated against previous outbreaks, outlining 11 criteria for determining if an outbreak is of unnatural origin. The tool helps identify unusual strain patterns, genetic manipulation, and peculiar geographic distribution, indicating potential artificial origin.
A study published in Risk Analysis analyzed the impact of increasing hand hygiene at top 10 airports globally. The researchers found that if hand washing mitigation strategies are implemented in these ten critical airports, pandemic risk can drop by up to 37 percent.
Studies use portable sensor technology and cellphone apps to measure air pollutant exposure, providing insights into reducing public health risks. Key findings include increased risks of respiratory diseases in children exposed to air pollution.
Several studies investigate how social media shapes consumers' perceptions of food technologies, including GMOs, and the resulting disinformation. Researchers analyze online articles, social media engagement, and brain responses to infographics about food technologies, highlighting the need for effective communication campaigns.
Several studies presented at the symposium use system dynamics, modeling and risk analysis to address human trafficking. NGO actions often fail to understand the context before taking action, resulting in ineffective policies.
New studies examine prescribed fires' effectiveness and explore wildfires' characteristics as predictors of firefighting resource demand. Researchers aim to improve wildfire risk assessments and optimize fire management resource allocation.
The Society for Risk Analysis announced the 2019 winners of Best Paper and Best Poster awards. Terje Aven, Sayanti Mukherjee, Christian Blanco, Edward Oughton, and others won top honors for their significant contributions to risk analysis theory and practice.
The Society for Risk Analysis has awarded six prestigious awards and named six new Fellows, recognizing 12 individuals for their significant contributions to the field of risk analysis. The awardees include experts in decision analysis, education, service, practice, achievement, and statistical methods.
Researchers propose frameworks to improve laws, civilian strategies, and police response in reducing violent crimes and gun violence. A study found that reducing law enforcement response time decreases civilian casualties by 10-15 percent.
New studies reveal a link between natural foodborne toxins and vaccine resistance, as well as increased risk of cancers, cardiovascular and neurological illnesses. Aflatoxin and lead contamination pose significant threats to public health worldwide.
A new study highlights the importance of personal protective equipment in reducing workplace injuries and deaths among seafarers. The research found that PPE availability is the most significant factor in decreasing injury probability, with proper training also playing a crucial role.
A new study found that perceived effectiveness of positive reinforcement and owner confidence are crucial factors in using such techniques. The researchers suggest that practical support and emotional well-being management are essential for owners to develop confidence in training their dogs.
A new study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal found that mothers who give birth at night, on weekends, or in teaching hospitals are more likely to experience delivery complications. The study analyzed over two million cases from 2005 to 2010 and found a significant increase in complications during night shifts, weeke...
A recent special issue published in Risk Analysis examines how attitudes and perceptions of risk affect the acceptance of autonomous vehicles. Studies found that most people prefer defaults to staying in their lane when faced with a collision, and social trust plays a significant role in public acceptance.
Researchers explore how scientific understanding of Zika developed over time and how North American agencies addressed public communication challenges. The special issue provides insights into the dissemination of information via traditional and social media and its effects on public knowledge and risk perception.
Preliminary findings from the Health Effects Institute's Energy Research Committee reveal potential exposure pathways to residents near UOGD operations. The literature review identified associations between UOGD and perinatal effects, asthma, cancer, hospitalizations, and self-reported health symptoms.
Researchers explore novel approaches to monitoring opioid use in municipal wastewater, offering a rapid, cost-effective solution to supplement existing data. The method can identify hot spots of drug use and predict shifts in consumption patterns, aiding in the development of effective intervention programs.
Studies found that at least one hormone or pharmaceutical contaminant was present in untreated groundwater at 6% of sites, with higher exposure risks for individuals using domestic wells. The presence of chemicals also threatens ecosystems, particularly through stormwater management practices.
The symposium presentation explores current topics in occupational risk analysis, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and dermal contact with solid metals. Studies have found a lifetime excess risk of CTE in NFL players to be unacceptably high, highlighting the need for regulations.
Research highlights the presence of harmful toxins in common food items and water sources, including rice, barbecued meat, tap water, and toilets. Studies estimate high levels of arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rice and heat-processed meat, respectively.
The article highlights the growing occupational health risks faced by workers in various industries, including nail salons and garment manufacturing. In these sectors, workers often bear the risk due to lack of regulation or inadequate training, leading to increased rates of asthma, miscarriages, and microbial infections.
The precision medicine initiative is shifting healthcare from population-based approaches to individualized care focusing on each patient's genetic makeup. This shift raises new legal, policy, and ethical issues, including liability, trust, governance, and data access and quality.
The Society for Risk Analysis awarded six scholarly and service awards and named three new Fellows at its Annual Meeting. The recipients were selected for their expertise in regulatory impact analysis, training of new risk analysis experts, and substantial achievements in science or public policy relating to risk analysis.
The Society for Risk Analysis has recognized several researchers with the 2018 Best Paper award for their significant contributions to the field of risk analysis. The awards honored papers that made a substantial impact on theory or practice, including works on probabilistic transmission models and risk communication strategies.
Researchers have developed new tools to help people identify fake news on social media, including a study that found structured introspection can aid in recognizing false climate change reports. Additionally, studies explored how terror attacks impact fear and anger levels on social media and the effects of media coverage on trust in s...
A recent study found that consumers' knowledge about toxicological principles is limited, leading to misconceptions about man-made versus natural chemicals. Emotions such as disgust also play a significant role in accepting new food technologies, with a negative association between willingness to eat and disgust responses.
Vaccines have been proven to be safe and beneficial for society, but misconceptions persist. The World Health Organization requires vaccination checks during medical encounters, but many cases are missed. Digital tools like VaccApp and ViVI Score aim to improve vaccine communication.
Recent studies highlight the need for updated adaptation plans to address severe weather events, with hard-adaptive measures like seawalls increasing long-term vulnerability. Increasing hazard awareness through education can reduce vulnerability, while effective communication strategies can mitigate flood damages.
A study found that people generally prefer self-driving cars to stay in their lane and perform an emergency stop, even if it means risking collision with pedestrians or bystanders. The research suggests that this default action is morally acceptable, even if it doesn't minimize expected loss.