Articles tagged with Disaster Management
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A recent study by Anglia Ruskin University found that UK hospitals face significant challenges in maintaining capacity and vital services during extreme events, with an average staff capability of attendance at 61%. The research highlights the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies to mitigate against risks.
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.
Debra Laefer, a Professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, receives the Harry Schnabel Jr. Award for her novel approach to urban mapping and remote sensing technologies. Her work has led to projects in disaster mitigation and response, as well as protecting architecturally significant buildings from sub-surface construction.
The number of wildfires is projected to increase by 50% by 2100 due to climate change and land-use changes. Governments are called to radically shift their investments to focus on prevention and preparedness.
A new Stanford University study reveals that communities near the West's wildland-urban interface are vulnerable to wildfires due to drought-sensitive ecosystems. The research identifies 18 'double-hazard' zones where plant-water sensitivity and atmospheric dryness create high wildfire risks.
Climate change projections indicate a dramatic increase in extreme rainfall-surge events along the US East and Gulf coasts, with compound flooding events expected to worsen flood risks. Sea level rise and storm intensification are identified as key drivers of this phenomenon.
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.
Geosapiens receives major funding from the Canadian Space Agency to develop innovative approaches to flood mapping. The project aims to integrate satellite imagery data for real-time flood zone identification and risk assessment.
Researchers have designed a novel thermal armour that successfully inhibits the Leidenfrost effect up to 1,150°C and achieves efficient liquid cooling across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough has significant implications for applications in aerospace, space engineering, and next-generation nuclear reactors.
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.
New research from a University of South Carolina scientist reveals that rising rivers pose a danger to coastal communities and those farther upstream due to climate change. The study shows how river processes affect entire watersheds down to the coast, contributing to more intense flooding.
Researchers developed a tool to investigate cause of death when skeletonised remains are recovered, providing a breakthrough in forensic lightning pathology. The study identified unique markers of lightning damage deep within the human skeleton, allowing for recognition of lightning strikes even when only dry bone survives.
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 five-year project will focus on four themes: climate-informed planning, governance and collaborative capacity, extreme events, and climate justice. The program aims to help communities build resilience to climate-related challenges through research, tools, and knowledge.
A new study suggests microgreens can be grown in small spaces indoors with minimal inputs, providing a reliable source of essential nutrients and antioxidants. Microgreens offer great potential as an efficient food-resilience resource for addressing malnutrition issues and nutrition-security inequality.
Researchers developed DamageMap, an AI system that uses machine learning to identify building damage from post-wildfire images, achieving 92% accuracy. The system can analyze satellite and aerial photos to pinpoint damaged buildings, providing immediate results for first responders and fire victims.
Researchers developed WebFRIS, a web-based platform to provide socio-economic vulnerability analysis and simplify flood risk information. The tool can help formulate targeted solutions and enhance social capacity and resilience in flood-prone regions.
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.
A new study suggests that emergency management officials often lack the numeracy skills needed to make best evacuation decisions based on data. The most numerate officials provided additional evacuation times to their coastal communities, while less numerate ones gave less advance warning and over-evacuated tens of thousands more people.
New research from Edith Cowan University reveals responders to the 9/11 terrorist attacks are still suffering 20 years later, with many facing significant health issues related to the event. Cancer and mental health concerns are particularly prevalent among responders.
The conference, INGSA2021, aims to strengthen global coordination in science advice and promote open science. Key findings include the importance of digital technologies and AI in reshaping the profession and the need for partnerships to drive economic and social development.
A new paper proposes reconceptualizing the future using managed retreat, which involves moving people, buildings, and assets from areas vulnerable to hazards. This approach can create a wider range of futures by combining options in different ways.
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 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.
Researchers have designed a cloud-based autonomous system framework utilizing the standard messaging protocol for IoT. This framework maximizes network coverage area and increases speed of communication between unmanned sensors. The team plans to add computer vision and machine learning capabilities in future developments.
The world's largest informal settlement fire experiment found that fires can spread at an alarming rate, destroying homes in just five minutes. The study, published in Fire Technology, used advanced instrumentation and analysis to simulate the spread of flames through densely-packed settlements.
A new study by Brown University researcher Dr. David Dosa found that the actual death toll among Florida nursing home residents after Hurricane Irma was more than double the CDC's reported number, with 262 additional deaths in 30 days and 433 more deaths at 90 days
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.
Researchers developed tools to help emergency response and relief managers assign volunteers efficiently. The 'Largest Weighted Demand' (LWD) policy assigns volunteers to the task with the most work left, prioritizing importance. However, for tasks with unclear workloads, alternative policies like 'Largest Queue Clearing Time' (LQCT) m...
A recent study found that Wikipedia's coverage of natural disasters is biased towards wealthy countries, particularly the USA and Canada. The study analyzed 458 flood events and found a greater tendency to cover these events in middle- and high-income countries.
A new research project aims to improve natural disaster emergency preparedness and response in countries badly affected by earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The RESPOND-OR project will investigate issues relating to emergency response management of large-scale natural disasters in Indonesia and Sudan.
Researchers analyzed gravel samples from three tsunami events and found a common change in composition approximately 40% of the way inland. This 'Tsunami Gravel Inflection Point' helps estimate ancient tsunami sizes, expanding research on disaster mitigation and coastal planning.
Managed retreat can achieve societal goals like community revitalization, equity, and sustainability. However, barriers include financial constraints and psychological issues, which must be addressed through strategic planning and social programs. Implementing equitable relocation policies is crucial to ensure the most vulnerable house...
Research in Haiti highlights the need for longer-term approaches to rebuilding, focusing on local community empowerment and trust development. Locally-based social entrepreneurs like Steve and Gabi have successfully mobilized villagers to build new schools, toilet centers, and farmers' cooperatives.
A Stanford University study found that lack of transparency in US home buyout programs leads to lower participation rates and perpetuates social inequality. The research suggests increasing clarity on decision criteria, community involvement, and emphasis on equitable relocation can improve the program's effectiveness.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new model that quantifies the vulnerability of communities to fire spread. The AGNI-NAR model assesses the risk of fires spreading to homes and groups of homes, providing practical guidance for urban planners and emergency managers.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a framework to help victims of domestic violence before, during, and after disaster events. The framework integrates domestic violence services into disaster-related assistance, promoting empowerment for women and children.
Scientists have found that the North Anatolian Fault Zone can produce mega earthquakes of magnitude M8 exclusively in the east. In contrast, northwestern Turkey, including Istanbul, is not expected to experience such large earthquakes exceeding M7.5. The study suggests that the eastern region's older age and mature fault zone contribut...
A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers highlights the importance of social media in emergency situations. The public is often the first to adopt social media platforms during emergencies, creating a self-regulating environment where users can correct misinformation and share relevant information.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a three-year, $250,000 National Science Foundation grant to collaborate with AIDICO on disaster mitigation research. The project aims to develop quick solutions to infrastructure and technology problems that arise from natural disasters, improving the resilience of civil infrastructure.
The study highlights the effectiveness of traditional institutions like Fa'aSamoa and The Samoan Way in responding to natural disasters. These community-based approaches have strong social capital and can be leveraged in disaster management policies and programs, providing a 'win-win' scenario.
Unusual dry spell in Northern Sumatra triggers use of slash and burn method to clear fields. Seven hot spots identified in oil palm plantations and forest concessions, fueling fears about the connection between fires and agricultural practices.
Researchers found that donors prioritize fatalities over those affected when deciding how much to donate. However, a simple change in terminology can reverse this bias, prioritizing the number of homeless individuals. By diverting attention from fatalities to survivors, aid can be allocated more effectively.
PLoS Currents: Disasters is a new publication channel for sharing research and operational analyses on disasters. It supports timely publishing and revision-friendly article formats.
China's 2008 Wenchuan earthquake exposed significant shortcomings in emergency preparation, including inadequate risk awareness and disaster prevention plans. The country has made progress in forming coordination systems and providing effective medical care, but research is needed to improve response times and treatment procedures.
The Office of Naval Research has developed a web-based tool suite called TRACS to help first responders rapidly coordinate resources during disasters. The tool takes data from the United Nations' ReliefWeb and displays it on a map-based diagram showing the locations of various resources, such as food, shelter, and health supplies.
The Controlled Impact Rescue Tool (CIRT) rapidly rescues those trapped beneath concrete by creating a contained hole with high-energy jolts, making it up to four times faster than traditional methods. CIRT units have been distributed to various search-and-rescue teams across the US.
A new study will examine the value of using elevators as tools for attacking fires in tall buildings, building on previous national studies conducted by WPI and its national partners. The study aims to provide guidance that could influence codes for elevator design and placement in new high-rise construction.
Researchers found that role abandonment by first responders is unlikely if organizations are proactive in protecting their employees. The study suggests that employers should reach out to families and provide support and resources for spouses to alleviate role strain. Additionally, education on disaster threats and personal protective ...
Researchers have developed a model that simulates how disasters affect critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, water treatment services, and vital economic components. The model aims to identify vulnerable elements to take proactive measures or find alternatives.
A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that disasters disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities and mental disorders, with significant barriers to housing, transportation, and disaster services still present two years after Hurricane Katrina. Researchers recommend case managers knowledgeable about ...
The GEO-PICTURES project combines state-of-the-art satellite communication, navigation, and earth observation to provide accurate optical field observations and tagged position, transferred via satellite-optimized protocols. The platform will be developed in Oslo with several partners and hosted on the CERN campus in Geneva.
The study emphasizes the importance of including plastic surgeons in disaster-relief efforts, particularly in medical cases involving physical scarring and nerve damage. Plastic surgeons bring expertise in soft tissue trauma, facial trauma, burn management, and other areas that can be made worse by lack of quick attention.
Researchers at RIT and UB are developing real-time information products to help emergency responders during disasters. The lab will focus on technology, policy, and business-development to create potential business opportunities for industry.
The reports emphasize the need for a systems approach that considers both technical and sociological/psychological factors in crowd management. This includes training and familiarization with new systems, as well as involving front-line personnel in decision-making. The findings also highlight gaps in knowledge and areas where further ...
A new publication highlights the potential of index insurance to help manage climate risks and reduce poverty in poor areas of the world. Index insurance uses a weather index to determine payouts, allowing policy holders to access bank loans and other types of credit previously unavailable to them.
Researchers suggest 'age-responsive' actions should be integrated into risk assessments and disaster response plans to minimize harm to frail elderly people. The team proposes strategies to address the unique needs of this vulnerable group, including evacuation plans and shelter locations.
The HJF has released the Military Advanced Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Handbook, providing education on advanced battlefield regional anesthesia techniques and acute pain medicine. The handbook aims to manage the pain of combat trauma and is intended for use by deployed medical forces.
A new study by NYU Professor Mitchell Moss suggests that the Robert T. Stafford Act is out of date and requires revision to provide rapid financial assistance after a catastrophe. The act's failure to recognize 21st-century threats and its lack of distinction between rural and urban disasters are major concerns.