Articles tagged with Noise Pollution
The UN Environment Programme's latest Frontiers Report identifies three critical environmental issues: urban noise pollution, wildfires, and phenological mismatches. These issues pose significant risks to public health and ecological systems, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
Researchers used owl wing characteristics to inform airfoil designs and significantly reduce trailing-edge noise in aeronautical and turbine engines. The study found that asymmetric serrations reduced noise more than their symmetric counterparts.
A recent study reveals that narwhals are highly affected by noise pollution from ships and seismic airgun pulses, triggering stress and altering their behavior. Researchers hope that better management of noise pollution will protect these unique Arctic animals.
A study by Penn State University and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that electric vehicle sounds can improve pedestrian safety, but with some cases of false negatives at close ranges. Adding sound to electric vehicles increases detection distances beyond minimum safe detection ranges.
High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that long-term exposure to air pollution and road traffic noise may be associated with an increased risk of developing heart failure. The correlation appears to be greater in people who are former smokers or have high blood pressure.
A new study found that birds across the continental US tend to avoid backyard feeders in louder areas, while even more species stay away when both light and noise pollution are present. Common bird species such as American goldfinches and cedar waxwings avoid areas with excessive noise.
Researchers at Boston University found that sound levels increased substantially in Blue Hills Reservation after pandemic lockdowns reduced commuter traffic. Faster-moving cars generate more noise, disrupting wildlife and human health benefits of nature recreation.
A University of Washington study found that aircraft noise impacts the Olympic Peninsula at least 20% of weekday hours, affecting wildlife and residents. The researchers also found most military aircraft noise is intermittent and comparable to Seattle's air traffic.
A new study found that noise and light pollution alter bird nesting habits and success in North America. Birds responding to increased light may track climate change better than those in darker habitats. Noise pollution affects birds differently, with forested environments being more sensitive to noise.
Air pollution and noise exposure are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers recommend reducing air pollution limits to prevent thousands of excess deaths. They also suggest strategies for mitigating road traffic and aircraft noise, such as quieter tires and better flight routing.
Researchers at Lehigh University have identified a causal link between high-level noise exposure and low birth weight. The study found that mothers living close to Newark Liberty International Airport, exposed to noise levels over 55 dB threshold, had a 22% increased risk of having a low birth weight baby.
Researchers found that ship noise weakens shore crabs' ability to change shell color and respond to danger. The study shows that even for animals not primarily using sound, noise pollution can impact survival behaviors.
Scientists have observed a rare instance of interspecific feeding among songbirds, where an adult male Eastern bluebird is caring for the young of another species, the tree swallow. The unusual behavior is thought to be caused by the bluebird's confusion and 'place-based decision' to care for the wrong chicks.
Researchers used playback experiments to assess harbour porpoise echolocation click detection ranges for underwater acoustic loggers. The maximum distance captured was 566m, but effective detection ranged from just under 200m to 72m, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.
The European Union is requiring hybrid and pure electric vehicles to be equipped with acoustic vehicle alerting systems, which could lead to increased noise pollution. René Weinandy, head of Noise Abatement in Transport for the German Environment Agency, expressed concerns about the potential harm of these systems.
A study published in The BMJ found that air pollution from road traffic in London is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight babies born at full term. Exposure to PM2.5 pollutants was linked to a 2-6% increased odds of low birth weight and 1-3% increased odds of being small for gestational age.
Researchers found that oysters rapidly closed their shells at sound frequencies between 10 and 1000 hertz in response to high-acoustic energies. This behavior suggests that oysters may 'hear' tidal cues, triggering appropriate behavior as the tide rises.
A new US study reveals that noise pollution is most prevalent in black neighborhoods and segregated cities, with a strong correlation between noise levels and race. The research found that neighborhoods with higher proportions of black residents had higher median night-time noise levels.
A new study found that long-term exposure to noise above 55 dB, equivalent to a suburban street, is significantly linked to male infertility. The researchers analyzed data from 206,492 men and found that those exposed to higher levels of noise had a greater chance of being diagnosed with infertility.
Researchers introduce a new pedestrian-friendly car-horn sound that immediately alerts pedestrians of danger while reducing unpleasantness. The study, led by Myungjin Bae, uses the Mean Option Score (MOS) to evaluate candidate horn sounds, ranking them on a scale from bad to excellent.
A recent study reveals that human-related noise is doubling background sound levels in 63% of US protected areas, with significant impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. This increase in noise pollution is attributed to the growing presence of manmade disturbances in previously remote regions.
A study by Colorado State University found that noise pollution was twice as high as background sound levels in a majority of US protected areas, causing harm to wildlife and visitor experiences. The research highlights the need to protect natural acoustic resources from human activities such as roads, aircraft, and development.
A survey of nearly 500 large US cities reveals no standard approach to preserving peace and quiet. Decibel levels are used in 55% of ordinances, while nuisance standards prevail in 85%, often relying on subjective interpretation.
Experts call for new international standards and mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of seismic surveys on vulnerable marine life. The proposed measures aim to reduce risks from sound pollution, protect important habitats, and promote coordinated planning across industries and nations.
Research shows that male bluebirds change their songs to be heard over increased background noise caused by human activities such as traffic. The birds adjust their songs immediately after noise levels intensify, making real-time adjustments to produce louder and lower-pitched sounds.
Fine-particle air pollution and nighttime traffic noise pollution independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. Researchers found strong associations among younger participants, those with coronary artery disease, and statin users.
A new study found that 9.5% of the population is at risk of high annoyance from road traffic noise, while 2.3% experience highly disturbed sleep. Long-term exposure to noise can increase risks of heart attack and high blood pressure.
A growing body of evidence shows that man-made noise is bad for birds, particularly bigger birds with low-frequency songs. These species may be forced out of noisy sites because they can't hear each other over the din.
Research found that inhaling low levels of CO reduces the impact of environmental stress, including noise pollution, in city living. The study suggests that CO can have a narcotic effect that counters stress caused by noise and crowd density.
Researchers found that closely related species respond similarly to noise by tweaking their songs in different ways, with plumbeous vireos raising the pitch of their lowest note and grey vireos adjusting the highest part of their song. The study provides insight into how birds cope with increasing noise levels in their environments.
Researchers found that low frequency sound causes severe lesions in cephalopod sensory organs, including statocysts. This damage can affect balance, spatial orientation, and other critical functions.
A study found that brief exposure to noise playback caused three-spined sticklebacks to make more foraging mistakes and be less efficient in consuming food. The researchers suggest that noise pollution could have a wider range of detrimental effects on fish behavior than previously thought.
A region-wide study found that toxic pollution falling onto Puget Sound's waters has significantly decreased since 1991, with some pollutants decreasing by as much as 99%. However, industrial areas like Tacoma still have high air-deposited contamination levels, with the Port of Tacoma site recording the highest deposition rates.
A CU-Boulder study shows that noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird populations, with declining species richness at noisy sites. However, some bird species, such as black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches, prefer noisy areas due to reduced predation by western scrub jays.
Research finds that certain bird species can thrive in noisy areas due to a common predator's avoidance of noise, while others avoid nesting in noisy spots. The study suggests that mitigating noise pollution through better infrastructure design could help preserve bird diversity.
The BBVA Foundation is funding 12 research projects in Ecology and Conservation Biology, focusing on climate change's impact on shorebird populations and mercury pollution in biodiversity hotspots. The projects also include studies on noise pollution's effect on tropical birds and the conservation status of the monito del monte marsupial.
Researchers at Harvard University and BBN Technologies are creating a city-wide wireless sensor network called CitySense, the world's first of its kind. The network will focus on monitoring air pollution and weather conditions, collecting data on a scale never before attempted.
A national team of over 150 researchers will study air pollution in the Houston region, combining data from six research aircraft and 60 ground-based monitoring stations. The goal is to identify cost-effective ways to control pollutants and protect public health.
The EPA has chosen Washington University in St. Louis to monitor fine particle matter air pollution in the St. Louis metropolitan area, as part of a comprehensive and collaborative program. The project aims to investigate relationships between pollutants and human illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and pulmonary illnesses.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to measure pollutants produced by combustion, using laser-induced fluorescence. This technique has the potential to significantly reduce nitric oxide production in next-generation jet engines, designed for lean direct injection.