Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The rise of 'zoom towns' in the rural west

Rapid population growth in rural gateway communities poses significant planning challenges due to increased housing costs, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. The GNAR Initiative aims to help local officials prepare for these pressures through a webinar series on amenity migration.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateOct 14, 2020

Poor families must move often, but rarely escape concentrated poverty

Research shows that low-income families are forced to choose safest locations for immediate survival rather than taking time to find neighborhoods with great schools and job opportunities. Policymakers must reconsider assumptions about how families decide where to live and send their children to school.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCity and Community·DateOct 8, 2020

Researchers to study effects of landlord decisions during pandemic

A $60,000 NSF grant allows Iowa State University researchers to investigate landlord decision-making contributing to rental housing instability. The team will conduct surveys and interviews with landlords, property managers, local government officials, and policy stakeholders in Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Lexington.

SourceIowa State University·DateSep 16, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Machine learning models identify kids at risk of lead poisoning

A new machine learning model accurately identifies children most at risk of lead poisoning, equitably targeting resources to prevent poisonings. The model is about twice as accurate as previous simpler models and considers various factors such as housing, economic status, and sociodemographic data.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 16, 2020

As domestic violence spikes, many victims and their children have nowhere to live

A Rutgers study found that survivors of domestic violence often struggle to access safe housing and community resources, leading to instability and increased risk of re-victimization. The study's findings emphasize the critical need for supportive services and financial assistance to help families regain independence.

SourceRutgers University·JournalViolence Against Women·DateSep 14, 2020

As rural western towns grow, so do their planning challenges

A new study examines the planning challenges in rural gateway communities across the American West, where booming tourism and steady population growth pose unprecedented pressures. Housing affordability is a top concern, with nearly all survey respondents and interviewees citing it as an urgent issue.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateSep 1, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A government program that reduces mortgage defaults

A national study found that housing finance agencies' supportive services and loan structure significantly reduced mortgage defaults and foreclosures among low- and moderate-income households. The results suggest government programs can help low-income households afford and keep their homes, with potential impacts on local economies.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateAug 27, 2020

Terms in Seattle-area rental ads reinforce neighborhood segregation

A University of Washington study found that rental ads in Seattle's predominantly white neighborhoods often emphasize 'vintage charm' and history, while neighborhoods with more people of color focus on safety and security. The study suggests that these linguistic patterns can influence housing choices and perpetuate racial segregation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalSocial Forces·DateAug 26, 2020

Study shows demolishing vacant houses can have positive effect on neighbor maintenance

A recent study published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research found that demolishing dilapidated houses can lead to nearby property owners improving their own homes. The study examined changes to house conditions over time and found that properties near demolitions showed fewer signs of deterioration.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research·DateAug 3, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

81 million Americans lacking space or bathrooms to follow COVID quarantine recommendations

A study by Physicians for a National Health Program found that nearly 25% of US dwellings are unsuitable for isolation or quarantine due to lack of space and plumbing facilities. This is particularly concerning among minority and low-income households, which have faced high rates of COVID-19 illness and death.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 21, 2020

Carbon footprints of US residents

A study reveals that high-income neighborhoods emit significantly more GHGs for energy use due to larger homes and less dense communities. To achieve the Paris Agreement target, the authors suggest reducing floor spaces and increasing community density in low-carbon neighborhoods.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 20, 2020

When you're 84...What should life look like as we age?

Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz outlines his vision for a healthy longevity at 84, emphasizing the need for social connections, sense of purpose, and accessible healthcare. He envisions multigenerational communities with technology-enabled support, affordable housing, and community-based health services.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 16, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Stephen S. Fuller Institute updating Affordable Housing Master Plan

The Stephen S. Fuller Institute is updating Arlington County's affordable housing master plan using the latest available data from the American Community Survey. The researchers will analyze housing needs, affordability, and population forecasts to provide a comprehensive set of statistics for county officials.

SourceGeorge Mason University·DateJun 26, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Hormone systems can still be adapted in adulthood

Researchers found that male guinea pigs' hormone systems adjust after being transferred from colony housing to pair housing with an unfamiliar female. This adaptation allows them to exhibit more aggressive behavior in defense of the partner, similar to those in prior pair-housing conditions.

SourceUniversity of Münster·DateJun 16, 2020

New evidence on bed bug burden in urban neighborhoods

Researchers confirm strong association between bed bug infestations and socioeconomic factors like neighborhood income, eviction rates, and crowding. The study uses systematic data from Chicago's Department of Buildings to show that poorer neighborhoods face higher risk of bed bug infestations.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPeople and Nature·DateJun 2, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Public policies that target crime reduction around parks can directly benefit communities

A University of Illinois study finds that reducing crime near public parks can unlock significant environmental value, with estimated gains of almost $7 billion in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. This highlights the importance of safety in unlocking park amenities for communities, particularly in high-crime neighborhoods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateApr 14, 2020

NEH award will help researchers expand work on architect fay jones

Researchers at the University of Arkansas will expand their current prototype for a touch-based kiosk and interactive website, A House of the Ozarks, using a $250,000 National Endowment for the Humanities grant. The project, Housing the Human and the Sacred, will also include five additional structures designed by Jones.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·DateApr 13, 2020
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Housing insecurity may increase risk of kidney disease

A study found housing insecurity is associated with a 3.2-fold higher odds of albuminuria, a sign of kidney disease, but not rapid kidney function decline. Housing insecurity was linked to delayed healthcare visits and compromised health in urban-dwelling adults.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalKidney360·DateMar 31, 2020

Beyond your doorstep: What you buy and where you live shapes land-use footprint

A new study finds that individual consumption habits have a significant impact on land use, with rural residents using up to 10 times more land than urban counterparts for their homes. The researchers suggest simple choices like reducing food waste and buying fewer clothes can significantly reduce one's indirect land footprint.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 23, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New guideline provides pathway to end homelessness, with housing as the foundation

A new clinical guideline aims to inform clinicians about evidence-based interventions to treat homeless and precariously housed people. The guideline recommends integrating housing support, income assistance, case management, opioid agonist therapy, and harm-reduction services to address the complex needs of vulnerable populations.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCMAJ Open·DateMar 9, 2020

Biodiversity offsetting is contentious -- here's an alternative

Target-based ecological compensation provides a framework for linking compensatory requirements to biodiversity targets, ensuring no net loss of species habitats. This approach resolves uncertainty and promotes better outcomes for the planet and people.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalConservation Letters·DateFeb 12, 2020

Build it and they will come

Researchers found that residents of smaller cities are more likely to buy apartments in Moscow region suburbs due to affordability. In contrast, city dwellers prioritize central locations. These findings highlight the impact of regional inequality on urban development and migration patterns.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·DateFeb 7, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Novel intervention in senior housing communities increases resilience and wisdom

A new study found that Raise Your Resilience program, focusing on gratitude and positive attitude toward aging, increased resilience and wisdom among seniors. The program, delivered by non-licensed staff, reduced daily stress and improved overall well-being in senior housing communities.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalInternational Psychogeriatrics·DateFeb 5, 2020

Take-home' exposures are public health hazard: BU and Harvard researchers

A review by Boston University School of Public Health researchers calls for recognition of 'take-home' exposures as a public health hazard. The authors propose a multi-tier intervention approach to prevent chronic, low-level exposures that harm developing children.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Work Exposures and Health·DateJan 29, 2020

Racial discrimination in mortgage market persistent over last four decades

A Northwestern University analysis finds that racial disparities in the mortgage market have persisted over the last four decades, while housing discrimination has decreased. Black and Hispanic borrowers are more likely to be rejected when applying for a loan and receive high-cost mortgages.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalRace and Social Problems·DateJan 23, 2020

Participants in environmental health studies vulnerable to re-identification

Researchers at Silent Spring Institute found that anonymized environmental health data can be traced back to individuals. The study highlights the need for greater protections for participants in human research studies, particularly with the proposed federal rule by EPA requiring scientists to make their data public.

SourceSilent Spring Institute·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJan 13, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Lonely in a crowd: Overcoming loneliness with acceptance and wisdom

Researchers identified three main themes that shape people's experience of living with loneliness, including individual differences, social isolation, and lack of meaningful activities. The study suggests that effective interventions can be developed by understanding the underlying causes of loneliness in senior housing communities.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAging & Mental Health·DateJan 10, 2020

The Lancet Public Health: One in two people who are homeless may have experienced a traumatic brain injury in their lifetime

A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that one in two homeless people have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in their lifetime, with almost one in four experiencing moderate or severe TBI. The findings highlight the need for healthcare workers to be aware of the burden of TBI in this population.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateDec 5, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

$1M grant goes to asthma prevention research

A UMass Lowell professor has received a $1 million grant to advance his work on reducing asthma among low-income seniors. The program will install portable air filtration units in apartments with gas stoves to improve health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·DateNov 22, 2019

House developers could be the secret weapon to improving air quality

A University of Surrey study suggests that clear guidelines for green infrastructure can maximize benefits and reverse air pollution effects. The researchers argue that housing developers, urban planners, and politicians need easy-to-follow guidelines to create healthier built communities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnvironment International·DateOct 30, 2019

Urbanization costs Edinburgh over 11 hectares of green land each year

A new report by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology reveals that Edinburgh is losing around 15 football pitches of green land each year. Urban creep and expansion are major contributors to this loss, with homeowners adding features like conservatories and driveways that harm vegetation.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·DateOct 15, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Building water-efficient cities

A study led by the University of Arizona found that city design factors such as housing density, lot size, and vegetated land cover significantly impact residential water use. Researchers estimated models for annual and summer water use in four cities, including Austin, Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake City.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateSep 5, 2019

UA institute tackles homelessness among LGBTQ young adults in Tucson

The University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) has launched the Lighthouse Project, a five-year initiative providing trauma-informed services to unstably housed LGBTQ young adults in Tucson. The project aims to target 300 homeless individuals and offers a range of services, including mental health support, ...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateAug 27, 2019

The case for managed retreat

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...

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateAug 22, 2019

Comparing your house to your neighbors' can lead to dissatisfaction

A new study by Iowa State University researcher Daniel Kuhlmann found that people are more likely to be dissatisfied with their homes if they are smaller than their neighbors'. This phenomenon, known as positional housing concerns, suggests that people's perceptions of their own homes are influenced by the size of their neighbors' houses.

SourceIowa State University·JournalHousing Studies·DateAug 19, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Social isolation stresses rodents

A new study found that social isolation in mice and rats causes higher stress and anxiety levels, leading to more severe seizures in epileptic rodents. This highlights the importance of housing conditions in experimental design and data analysis.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJul 22, 2019

Older adults' independence is most significant factor for vulnerability in hot weather

A new assessment reveals that older adults' independence is the most significant factor in their vulnerability to extreme heat. The study found that individuals with limited financial and physical assets are more susceptible to temperature extremes, highlighting the need for tailored support strategies.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Health Research·DateJun 26, 2019