Articles tagged with Urban Populations
A new study reveals that medieval cities in Western Europe had statistically indistinguishable community grouping patterns compared to younger European cities. The research suggests that social dynamics enabled by medieval cities were fundamentally similar to those of contemporary cities.
A new study suggests that squatters can have a positive impact on neighborhoods. Residents often welcome responsible squatters to occupy abandoned homes, as it helps maintain the property and reduces crime. In urban areas with population decline, squatters can help bring about improved neighborhood conditions.
A six-person research team will observe four differently-organized social housing projects in downtown Rio de Janeiro, including state-planned and self-managed cooperatives. The study aims to understand the impact of affordable housing models on low-income residents' lives.
Despite living in close proximity, Peregrine falcon pairs in Chicago remain monogamous through the years, with only one case of infidelity detected. Researchers used DNA testing and observations to study the birds' mating habits, contradicting initial assumptions about their behavior.
Research reveals urban hedgehogs can survive with smaller nightly ranging areas and adjust activity levels to human disturbance. They show similar hibernation patterns to rural populations, highlighting the importance of access to undisturbed habitats for their entire hibernation season.
A Yale-led study provides a spatially explicit dataset of urban centers from 3700 BC to A.D. 2000, offering insights into long-term historical urbanization trends and patterns. The dataset allows researchers to map and visualize city-level population changes through time, shedding light on human interactions with the environment.
A new study suggests that large groups practicing the advanced TM-Sidhi program of Transcendental Meditation are associated with significant reductions in U.S. homicide and urban violent crime rates. The total drop in the homicide rate was 21.2% over a four-year period, resulting in an estimated 8,157 homicides averted.
Research predicts increased suitability for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in southern and eastern US cities, leading to potential Zika outbreaks. Warm weather conditions facilitate mosquito populations, especially in April, June, July, August, and September.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds a significant link between rodent infestations and depressive symptoms in low-income residents. Residents in neighborhoods with rats are more likely to experience acute depressive symptoms, despite having similar perceptions of rats as those in other neighborhoods.
Researchers estimate potential Zika virus risk in 50 US cities due to warm weather and travel patterns. Cities with favorable mosquito conditions, such as southern Florida and impoverished areas in Texas, may be particularly vulnerable to local transmission.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that residents of high-rise buildings living on lower floors had better survival rates from cardiac arrests. Notably, survival was negligible for people living above the 16th floor. The researchers suggest several solutions to improve time to patient contact and increa...
A University of Washington study found that Seattle's urban crops can only feed between 1 and 4 percent of the city's population, even with extensive backyard and public green spaces converted to farming. To meet the nutritional needs of an adult vegetarian diet, it would require a 58-mile expansion around the city.
A £5.5m research project aims to tackle air pollution in Beijing, which poses a serious threat to human health, particularly among China's 500 million urban residents. The five four-year projects will investigate the concentrations and sources of urban air pollution, its effects on health, and potential solutions.
Cities are facing bigger challenges than ever before, including rural-urban migration, optimizing housing conditions, health and education. Digital technology has the potential to overcome many of these challenges, but concerns remain around privacy and cybersecurity.
Researchers from University of Alberta engaged citizen scientists to investigate the effects of bird feeders on bird-window collisions. The study found that the presence of a bird feeder does indicate collision risk, but other factors like vegetation and house characteristics also play a role.
Researchers at the University of Georgia are studying the effects of feeding wildlife at public parks on the health and ecology of white ibises in south Florida. The study found that being fed by humans is changing the behavior of the birds, making them more susceptible to disease.
A University of Missouri researcher found a strong correlation between rural-to-urban migration and negative environmental effects on Chinese cities. Despite negative impacts, the study suggests that policymakers should encourage population redistribution to less-dense urban areas.
A recent study found that pregnant women in Brooklyn have the highest levels of methyl paraben and propyl parben, preservatives commonly used in cosmetics. The researchers detected these substances in human cord blood samples and raised concerns about potential health effects on fetal development and child health.
Researchers reconstructed population history of New York City using genetic data, ancestry information, and electronic health records. They identified hidden patterns of relatedness among Puerto Rican residents with Steel syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by short height and spinal issues.
Global health experts highlight critical actions and investments to impact the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. The new Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health aims to prevent deaths and improve the health of millions.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to support research projects developing novel approaches to integrate networked computer systems and physical devices for smart city applications. The projects aim to improve public safety, transportation, and health in cities across the US and globally.
Research suggests that children who focus on their possible future selves and have strategies to attain these possibilities perform better academically and emotionally. In contrast, children who dwell on difficulties without planning for the future experience a negative impact on their optimism and fatalism.
Researchers in Spain are developing hypoallergenic parks to combat seasonal allergies, which affect millions worldwide. The study found that common trees in green spaces can cause unhealthy air quality.
A study by Emory University researchers found that large barges in the Amazon River are heavily infested with disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever and other diseases, highlighting the need for mosquito control programs on aquatic transportation.
Researchers develop spatial microsimulation model called Local Demographic Simulations (LDS) to forecast population distribution and slow urban sprawl. The study found that housing availability affects residential mobility and local population size.
The report highlights key diagnostic challenges in women, including atypical symptoms and the need to understand sex-specific differences underlying CAD. It emphasizes the importance of genomic approaches to diagnosis and the potential benefits of these new advances for improving accuracy and avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures.
A study on ancient settlements in the Basin of Mexico found that larger settlements were more productive and efficient, exhibiting similar urban scaling trends as modern cities. The research team analyzed data from over 2000 years and four cultural eras to estimate populations and site use intensity.
Researchers found that European wild rabbits construct smaller, more densely packed burrows in urban areas than in rural settings. This suggests that cities provide a more suitable habitat for these animals, leading to concerns about their potential impact on rural populations and the preservation of the species.
A new study found that urban areas are experiencing a significant increase in heat waves, with extreme temperatures rising by over 50% per year. The trend is more pronounced at night due to the heat island effect, which traps heat in buildings and infrastructure.
The ORNL model provides unprecedented county-level predictions of future US population growth, with implications for urban planning and climate change adaptation. The study finds that counties in California and Arizona are projected to experience high levels of sprawl growth by 2030 and 2050.
A team of scientists evaluated native fine-leaved Festuca species for potential use in urban landscapes. The study found that tall-statured, multicolored Festuca germplasm shows promise as low-input ornamental grasses in the western United States.
A special issue of Journal of Public Health Management and Practice presents 15 articles on urban public health leaders' efforts to design new approaches to make cities healthier places to live. The strategies include comprehensive plans, health promotion, injury prevention, and collaboration with community players.
Researchers analyzed NYC lot data to conclude the city has a significantly smaller rat population than previously believed. The estimated 2 million rat count is a more conservative assessment than the widely-cited 8 million figure.
The Urban Dynamics Institute at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is applying Big Data analysis to improve polio vaccination efforts in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria. The institute will help estimate vaccine needed and target areas of priority, saving time and money.
A new method predicts the optimal number and location of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places to prevent out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The study suggests that approximately 350 AEDs are needed in Paris to achieve optimal prevention, with a focus on geographic optimization modeling.
A new study reveals striking disparities between urban First Nations individuals and the general population, highlighting elevated emergency room use, multiple barriers to healthcare access, and significant rates of chronic disease. The findings also show that geography is not the only health care barrier for First Nations people.
A new study of Brazil's indigenous societies finds most experience catastrophic decline after first contact, but some populations recover and even grow. Population viability analysis suggests contacted and uncontacted societies could recover from as few as 100 individuals.
Urban neighborhoods vary significantly across cities, affecting experiences of poverty and access to resources. Studying a single city's poor neighborhoods in-depth can lead to inaccurate generalizations.
Researchers found that mathematical models describing urban growth apply to ancient societies as well. The study suggests a continuum of human settlements in time and place, allowing for more accurate population estimates and insights into social networks.
Etienne Benson's research reveals that squirrels were intentionally introduced to cities in the 19th century as part of a parks movement aimed at beautifying urban landscapes. The presence of squirrels in cities is linked to the idea that nature in the city is essential for human health and sanity.
The WorldPop website provides open access to global demographic data, helping charities, policy-makers, and researchers tackle challenges like poverty and public health. The project combines country-specific data with satellite imagery to create detailed population distribution maps.
A growing body of evidence suggests a causal link between traffic-related air pollution and the development of asthma in children and adults. The authors highlight four strategies to mitigate its effects, including reducing vehicle emissions and modifying current infrastructure.
Researchers found significant regional differences in the relationship between population and air pollution, particularly in Europe and India. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations more than doubled when cities increased in population from 1 million to 10 million people.
Researchers found that cities with higher social-tie density experience increased productivity due to face-to-face interactions. This concept was previously attributed to 'superlinear scaling', but the new study provides a more nuanced explanation. Cities with poor transportation infrastructure and megacities may not benefit from this ...
A study by University of Utah researchers found that cities with strong urban cores have the most positive effect on social interaction. Decentralization has a negative impact on socializing, 10 times more than fragmentation and 20 times longer commute times.
Researchers examine the effects of human activity on land modification, finding over 50% of Earth's surface has been transformed. This transformation influences local and global food production, leading to concerns about planetary resources and population overshoot.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health links impulsivity in first grade to problem gambling in late adolescence. The research found that high-impulse boys were twice as likely to meet criteria for at-risk and three times more likely to meet criteria for problem gambling.
A new study reveals that improving water supplies in rural African villages can lead to higher birth rates, larger family sizes, and increased household shortages. As a result, young adults are more likely to migrate to cities, exacerbating poverty and urbanization issues.
Researchers propose that cities link together to create a network of sustainable cities, analyzing how resources consumed within a city are sourced and transported. This approach aims to provide long-term resource security for cities while contributing to planetary stewardship.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences predicts that rapid urban expansion will have significant impacts on global biodiversity hotspots. By 2030, urban areas are expected to expand by over 463,000 square miles, coinciding with infrastructure development that will transform land cover and cities globally.
The Euro-26 study examined health, life expectancy, and lifestyles of 26 European cities, identifying major differences within individual urban areas. Key priority areas were found for each city, including depression and anxiety, cancer, and respiratory disease.
A Yale study found that safety-net hospitals in urban metro areas provide quality care comparable to non-safety-net hospitals. The study's findings suggest that expanding insurance coverage can help safety-net hospitals achieve better outcomes for patients with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia.
A cluster-randomized trial found that urban women's groups in Mumbai slums discussed perinatal health, resulting in behavior change. However, there was no measurable impact on population-level perinatal health or mortality rates.
A new study found that longer commutes by automobile are associated with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness, increased weight, and other indicators of metabolic risk. Commuting distances greater than 10 miles were linked to high blood pressure.
The rapid urbanization of China has led to a significant increase in disease rates and healthcare disparities, particularly among rural-to-urban migrants. These individuals face unique health risks due to gaps in healthcare coverage and exposure to pathogens associated with both rural poverty and crowded urban environments.
A UW geographer argues that China's urbanization is largely driven by impoverished laborers moving to cities for employment, limiting their prospects of joining the middle class. The country's 'hukou' system restricts rural citizens' upward mobility, creating a significant income gap between rich and poor.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that short-term exposure to major air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. The study suggests three possible mechanisms for this association: inflammation, abnormal cardiac autonomic system regulation, and increased blood viscosity.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that nearly 30 million Americans have severe hearing loss, with prevalence doubling every decade. The finding suggests that many more people than previously thought are affected by this condition, which has significant consequences for cognitive decline and physical functioning.
The study found that integrating a coach-led neuromuscular warm-up prior to sports practice significantly reduced the risk of lower extremity injuries in adolescent female athletes. The intervention group experienced 50 lower extremity injuries, compared to 96 in the control group.
By 2030, urbanized land worldwide will grow by 590,000 square miles, posing threats on environmental and economic levels. Cities tend to have better access to healthcare, water, and sanitation facilities, driving innovation and business opportunities.