Articles tagged with Urban Populations
A new UBC study reveals that single parents and male gay couples are nearly 25% and 15% more likely to be rejected by landlords, respectively. The study found geographic variation in discrimination rates, with certain neighborhoods exhibiting increased levels of bias towards single parents.
A meta-analysis predicts that cities will expand by 590,000 square miles globally by 2030, threatening biologically diverse areas. Rising incomes in China drive half of urban land expansion, while population growth drives expansion in India and Africa.
Researchers used models to estimate the impact of urban land development on Coho salmon populations, predicting a significant decline in numbers due to spawner mortality syndrome. The study suggests that toxic chemical contaminants in urban storm water runoff may be the primary cause of the recurrent fish kills.
A new study at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center reveals high rates of chronic hepatitis B infection among pregnant minority and immigrant women in NYC, with many not receiving standard care. The study highlights the importance of targeted screening and education for this vulnerable population.
Cities worldwide are failing to protect residents from climate change impacts, despite billions of people being vulnerable to heat waves, sea level rise, and other changes. Fast-growing urban areas are particularly at risk, with many cities lacking effective strategies to safeguard their residents.
A new study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found no significant impact of the Great Depression on mortality rates in urban US populations. The study suggests that government responses to economic crises can affect health outcomes, with protective effects observed during periods like the New Deal.
The Global Human Settlements Layer (GHSL) uses advanced algorithms to automatically analyze medium resolution satellite data, providing fast and precise mapping of built-up areas worldwide. This enables regular monitoring of human settlement changes and improved damage analysis in disaster-stricken areas.
A new study by Kate Mulligan examines the connection between cities, water, and health, finding that even in wealthy cities with excellent public services, dengue fever still spreads due to environmental factors. The research suggests that traditional links between poverty and water-related diseases may be overstated.
Researchers discovered that bright light from sports stadiums and urban street lights can boost daytime ozone levels, a key air pollutant in many areas. Cities may need to consider the unexpected effects of night-time lighting on air quality.
A significant portion of the US population lacks easy access to trauma care within an hour's drive. Vulnerable groups such as African Americans and foreign-born populations face difficulties in accessing trauma centers due to geographical constraints.
The new book, Illinois Birds: A Century of Change, explores the evolution of bird populations in Illinois over the past 100 years. Key findings include declining grassland birds like pheasants and meadowlarks, as well as increasing wood ducks and house finches.
A team of researchers proposes a new way to measure urban exceptionality, suggesting that traditional per-capita measures are flawed. They found that cities tend to be persistent in their performance, with features like wealth and safety pairing up, and highly exceptional cities being smaller and more monocultural.
A genetic variant reducing disease susceptibility is more prevalent in urban populations, suggesting exposure to TB led to its evolution. The study analyzed DNA samples from 17 populations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, revealing a link between city history and genetic resistance.
Man-made features restrict birds to certain areas, leading to isolation and inbreeding. The study also explores natal dispersal, the time interval between when a bird moves from its hatching location to an area where it will breed.
Researchers found that white population shifted from central city to outer ring suburbs, but minority representation was relatively flat across suburban rings. The study suggests a radial pattern of minority movement out from the central city rather than filling in inner suburbs.
The study found that stroke incidence rates in urban Tanzania were almost three times higher than in rural areas, with crude yearly rates of 94.5 per 100,000 in rural Hai and 107.9 per 100,000 in urban Dar-es-Salaam. The authors suggest that undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke i...
New research published in Public Health found that deprivation is only one factor contributing to Glasgow's poor health outcomes. The study revealed that additional factors, such as alcohol and drug use, may also play a role in the city's high mortality rates.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found that mortality rates from alcohol-related diseases are over four times higher in deprived areas compared to less deprived areas. Deaths from such diseases are increasing despite public awareness campaigns, highlighting the need for targeted policies to reduce harm caused by alcohol.
A new study suggests that painting building roofs white could reduce urban heat island effects by 33%, cooling cities by an average of 0.7 degrees F. However, the authors caution that actual use of white roofs would depend on various factors and may not be feasible due to wear and tear.
Green roofs can capture more than 55,000 tons of carbon per urban area of one million people, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change. The study found that green roofs not only absorb CO2 but also reduce heating costs and retain stormwater.
A new study found that completed and attempted suicides occur at greater rates in rural communities with higher bar densities. Completed suicide rates were lower among blacks and Hispanics, but higher among low-income, older whites living in rural areas.
Poor air quality in megacities, driven by pollution and urban metabolism, has severe consequences on residents and global climate. The urban metabolism model reveals how megacities consume energy, release wastes, and pollute, impacting climate change on regional and global levels.
A Tanzanian study found that using larvicides to complement existing malaria interventions can dramatically reduce malaria risk, especially in urban areas. The approach is cost-effective and could help control the disease in cities where it poses a significant problem.
Scientists report significant pressure on Mediterranean-climate regions' biodiversity due to urbanization and agriculture, impacting plant and animal species. The study highlights the need for accelerated conservation action to outpace threats in this unique ecosystem.
African cities are experiencing rapid growth, transforming natural resource use and affecting rural areas. The main driver of deforestation is not fuel wood demand but rather agricultural land clearing in peri-urban areas to feed growing urban populations.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that US-born black adults are more likely to have asthma, with 30% diagnosed compared to 11% of those born outside the US. The study also found higher asthma rates among children born in the US.
A study has found that several people in South and Southeast Asian countries have been infected with simian foamy virus, a primate virus that has not been shown to cause human disease. Researchers tested about 300 people who live or work closely with monkeys and found eight participants positive for the virus.
The number of general surgeons per 100,000 Americans has declined by over 25% since 1981, mainly due to an aging population and a lack of rural training opportunities. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, with urban areas experiencing a slightly greater decline.
A new report by the University of Alberta links urban surroundings to obesity rates, highlighting economic and built environments as key factors. Lower-income neighborhoods tend to have greater access to high-calorie foods and lower access to healthy options.
Cities face significant sustainability challenges, but urban ecologists can help by applying ecological principles to design and develop projects. By integrating biodiversity and ecosystem function into urban planning, researchers aim to create sustainable environments that support human well-being.
Researchers address questions about future city shape and population growth's effects on the environment, highlighting cities as substantive ecosystems with complex human-environmental interactions. Cities' growing footprints contribute to global biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.
A study published in JAMA found that rural patients are less likely to be wait-listed for heart, liver, and kidney transplants, with disparities of up to 15% in transplantation rates. The researchers suggest that differences in disease burden or access to specialty care services may contribute to these disparities.
A Comment in The Lancet calls for global investment in civil registration to improve data on population and health trends. This would enable countries to make informed decisions on governance and healthcare policies.
Researchers found barred owls thriving in Charlotte's urban areas due to open understories and birdfeeders attracting prey. The study suggests that suburban neighborhoods can serve as an 'uber-forest' for owls, contradicting previous assumptions about their habitat needs.
Researchers estimate a significant increase in summer heat-related deaths in New York City due to climate change, with a 47-95% rise projected by the 2050s. The urban heat island effect and population vulnerability will exacerbate this risk.
A recent study found that immigration can significantly lower the prices of food, clothing, furniture, and appliances. The study used data from Israel's immigrant population in the 1990s and found that an increase in immigrants led to a decrease in prices by an average of 0.5 percentage points.
Increasing cigarette taxes is an effective strategy for reducing tobacco use, but it can also reinforce smoking and undermine cessation efforts in low-income minority communities. The study found that illegal street sales of untaxed cigarettes increased after the price hike, making cessation programs less attractive.
Climate change poses significant threats to public health in developing countries, where urbanization and rapid economic growth are concentrated. The article highlights the need for action towards fairness and equity in urban development processes to mitigate these effects.
A new study by Brown University economist Nathaniel Baum-Snow reveals that the American highway system played a significant role in causing population declines in central cities. The research, published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, suggests that one new highway passing through a city reduces its population by about 18 percent.
A study of 10 Northeastern urban forests found no common urban park plant complex, but shows that population levels impact native and nonnative species diversity. The research suggests that urban park managers should consider the ratio of native to nonnative species when implementing vegetation restoration projects.
A new model developed by Arizona State University researchers predicts patterns of urban sprawl and their implications for natural systems and quality of life. The model aims to provide decision-makers with insights to plan growth that minimizes negative environmental consequences and protects the well-being of city-dwellers.
New research reveals that the US crime rate declined dramatically in the 1990s, falling 40% across cities and states. Policing improvements, including increased workforce and aggressive tactics, are credited as key factors in this unexpected drop.
Two studies by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers predict a regional nuclear war could produce as many fatalities as World War II, disrupting the global climate for decades. The conflict could also lead to unprecedented climate change, with smoke emissions potentially exceeding 5 million metric tons.
Researchers used a systematic review process to identify 10 key indicators of activity-friendly communities, including land use policies and clean environments. These findings represent an important first step in assessing and improving community support for routine physical activity.
A mathematical model predicts that voluntary household-based quarantine and isolation can substantially reduce the number of infected individuals and deaths from pandemic influenza. The study estimates a 27% reduction in symptomatic cases and a corresponding decrease in deaths, with potential benefits for cities worldwide.
Researchers found that urban coyote populations are larger than expected, live longer, and are more active at night. They help control Canada goose populations by eating eggs from nests and burying them for later consumption.
Brown Wilson, president of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, will receive the award for her work in developing assisted living projects serving diverse populations. Her innovative programs demonstrate excellence in translating research into practical application and policy.
The UN model predicts 60.8% of people will live in towns and cities by 2030, but a new model suggests this number is lower at 49.2%. Most population growth between 2025-2030 will come from 10 large developing countries.
Urban areas affect climate, with satellite data showing changes in surface properties like thermal conductivity and vegetation cover. NASA satellites capture these changes, enabling improved simulation of urban effects in climate models.
A comprehensive review of subway systems reveals potential for health and safety hazards, including terrorism, transmission of infectious diseases, and high noise levels. The study highlights the need for risk assessment studies to mitigate these risks and improve subway safety.
A study found a significant association between short-term ozone exposure and an increase in daily death rates, particularly among older adults. The researchers estimated that a 10-ppb increase in ozone was associated with an additional 3,767 premature deaths annually in urban communities.
A recent study by Scott W. Allard found that the welfare-to-work system is struggling to meet the needs of growing areas of poverty, which are increasingly geographically dispersed. The mismatch between service providers and populations in need may worsen under work-first welfare policies.
A recent study found that acute diverticulitis occurs as often in younger age groups as older adults, with frequent severity in both. The disease may become a greater health problem if it starts developing at an earlier age, leading to more recurrent attacks and surgical resection.
A NASA-funded study analyzed urban growth among 30 mid-sized cities using Landsat satellite data, revealing three common spatial patterns of land development. The research provides current global assessments of urbanization, including growth in Africa, and highlights the need for updated maps to inform climate modeling and social scien...
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) survey shows physician assistants are steadily expanding into various medical settings. The latest findings demonstrate a growing trend of PAs working in primary care fields and specialized medical offices.
The Egyptian Mediterranean Sea fishery has recovered due to increased phosphorus and nitrogen in urban waste water, changing the ecosystem's productive engine. This shift has important consequences for lower food web structure and larval fish.
A year-long study on Texas A&M University campus found that male urban squirrels are more likely to die on roads, with males darting about through streets more frequently. In contrast, female squirrel death was mostly attributable to predation, highlighting the need for effective wildlife management strategies in urban landscapes.
A study of 15 community parks found that bird diversity and abundance are linked to neighborhood income, not park size or vegetation. However, the correlation between trees and bird populations is weak, suggesting other factors, such as cat populations or urban planning, may be at play.
A new set of patient interview questions has been developed to improve understanding of Hmong culture and traditions. The study found that many patients use both shamans and physicians for their health care, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to patient care.
Researchers found that Hispanics are increasingly targeted due to language barriers and stereotyping. The team developed educational materials, including a photographic storybook and videos, to educate people about ways to reduce crime victimization.