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Hurricane resilience in the Bahamas

A Stanford-led study predicts a tripling of storm-related damages in the Bahamas if protective ecosystems like coral reefs and mangrove forests are degraded or lost. The research is being used by the Bahamian government to pinpoint key areas for investment in natural ecosystems.

SourceStanford University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateSep 24, 2019

Economists find mixed values of 'thoughts and prayers'

A study by University of Wyoming economists found that Christian hurricane victims value prayers from religious strangers, while atheists and agnostics believe they are worse off. The research suggests that thoughts and prayers should be employed selectively to maximize their impact on recipient welfare.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 16, 2019

Data assimilation method offers improved hurricane forecasting

A new approach developed at Penn State's Center for Advanced Data Assimilation and Predictability Techniques can accurately forecast the intensity and trajectory of Hurricane Harvey. The method uses data from the GOES-16 satellite and Penn State's all-sky radiance technique, which more accurately models hurricanes.

SourcePenn State·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateAug 15, 2019