Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Declines in racial disparities in COVID mortality in 2021 were largely driven by increases in white mortality and changing pandemic geography

A study found that declines in racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates were largely due to increases in mortality among White individuals, rather than decreases in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations. The shift from urban to rural areas also contributed to the decline.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Abundance of urban honeybees adversely impacts wild bee populations, according to new Concordia research

A new Concordia University study found that the rapid growth of urban honeybee-keeping is adversely affecting nearby wild bee populations. The researchers compared bee population data collected from sites around Montreal in 2013 and 2020, finding a decline in wild bee species richness associated with increasing honeybee abundance.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPeerJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2023

Income inequality may not be reliable predictor when it comes to population health outcomes, new URI study shows

A new URI study reveals that the association between life expectancy and income inequality is not as clear-cut as previously thought. In high-income areas, life expectancy was higher in regions with higher income inequality, suggesting that income inequality may not be a reliable predictor of population health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJournal of Health Population and Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Most plastic eaten by city vultures comes straight from food outlets

Researchers found that black and turkey vultures ingest more plastic in landscapes with more developed landcover and higher densities of commercial food providers. They may eat plastic thinking it's nutritious bone fragments or intentionally to collect bulk for vomiting up indigestible parts of carrion.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateApr 12, 2023

Study shows involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness may cause significant spikes in mortality, overdoses and hospitalizations

A new model shows that encampment sweeps, bans and move-along-orders contribute to 15-25% increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness over a 10-year period. Involuntary displacement is linked to increased overdose deaths, hospitalizations, injection-related infections and hindered access to medications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2023

Study shows families making choices that perpetuate segregation in city with school choice policy

Research from the University of Kansas shows that families in Washington D.C.'s school choice policy are making choices that perpetuate segregation. Despite having more opportunities for integration, white families are returning to city centers and using tactics such as gaming the lottery system to secure spots in desirable schools.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalUrban Education·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 10, 2023

Increasing education opportunities for girls could help reduce preventable deaths in children under five

A recent study by IIASA researchers found that maternal education, especially secondary education, significantly reduces under-five mortality rates in both rural and urban areas of India. The study analyzed data from the Indian National Family Health Survey and discovered a protective effect of maternal education on child mortality.

Pregnancy-related deaths spiked for second consecutive year during COVID-19

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals a 104% increase in pregnancy-related deaths among American Indian/Alaska Native people, with rates nearly doubling from pre-pandemic levels. The Delta and Omicron variants contributed to the worsening burden of mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

Patients with high blood pressure who partnered with community health workers more likely to achieve blood pressure control

Researchers found that community health worker partnerships led to significant improvements in blood pressure control among South Asian patients, who face unique social and cultural barriers to healthcare. After six months, 68% of treatment group participants had controlled blood pressure, compared to 42% of the control group.

Urban birds prefer native trees

A long-term study from Lund University in Sweden found that native trees are preferred by urban birds due to their availability of resources. Non-native trees lack an evolutionary history with the local ecosystem and have fewer insects, leading to a shortage of food for insectivorous birds.

SourceLund University·JournalOecologia·DateFeb 13, 2023

Genomic methods aid study of Seattle 2017-2022 Shigella outbreak

A genomic study of the Seattle 2017-2022 Shigella outbreak revealed its origin as international travelers from areas where Shigella was common. The study also found that multi-drug resistant Shigella has become a growing global health concern, primarily affecting men who have sex with men and those experiencing homelessness.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateJan 31, 2023

THE LANCET: Planting more trees could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures in cities by a third, modelling study suggests

A modelling study suggests that increasing urban tree cover to 30% could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures by a third. The study found that tree cover reduced urban temperatures by an average of 0.4 degrees during the summer, resulting in 6,700 premature deaths attributable to hotter urban temperatures.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 31, 2023

Warm days are contributing to gun violence surge across the US

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Washington School of Social Work found a consistent relationship between higher temperatures and higher risk of shootings in 100 of the country's most populated cities. Nearly seven percent of shootings can be attributed to above-average daily temperatures.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 2022

How selfish genes succeed

A study published in PLoS Genetics reveals the mechanism by which a selfish gene in yeast, wtf4, enables its function using a poison-antidote strategy. This strategy involves the production of poison protein that can kill spores, but is countered by an antidote protein produced only by those spores that inherit the drive allele.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

World’s first open access dashboard revealed Tempe, Ariz. neighborhood-level trends of COVID-19 from wastewater-based epidemiology

The City of Tempe and Arizona State University have developed a unique partnership to track COVID-19 using wastewater-based epidemiology, providing early warning data for municipalities. The system has been shown to reliably predict SARS-CoV-2 levels in city ZIP codes up to 11 days ahead of clinical testing results.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022

Great Britain’s city centers ranked on “greenness”

A new study ranks Great Britain's city centers based on their green attributes, including tree cover, vegetation, and parks, revealing disparities in urban biodiversity and human health. The top five cities are located in southern England, while the bottom five relate to industrial areas in northern Britain.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2022

Study: Pandemic disrupted city sustainability efforts, yet increased focus on initiatives

A new study from the University of Kansas found that while the pandemic disrupted city sustainability efforts in some cases, it also increased focus on certain types of initiatives. Nearly half of cities reported negative effects on program implementation, but 75% said sustainability staffing was not affected.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalState and Local Government Review·TypeSurvey·DateNov 8, 2022

In the transition to high school, eighth graders who move to a new building were less delinquent than peers who stayed in the same setting

A study found that students who moved to a new school location reported significantly less delinquency after the shift, with fewer delinquent friends and less unstructured socializing. The transition to a new academic setting might reduce levels of juvenile delinquency in the long run.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology·DateOct 20, 2022

Study shows how urban environment influences physical activity in COPD patients

The study found that higher population density was associated with fewer steps taken by patients, more sedentary time, and worse exercise capacity. Longer pedestrian street lengths were associated with more steps and less sedentary time, while steeper terrain was linked to greater exercise capacity.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 14, 2022

CityAccessMap: Addressing urban inequalities with open-source data

The CityAccessMap tool assesses urban infrastructure distribution and identifies areas for improvement, helping policymakers address socio-economic disparities. Disadvantaged communities face lower access to urban services, which can hinder social mobility and exacerbate inequalities.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2022

Risk of urban tree falls is influenced by building height and neighborhood age, Brazilian study shows

A Brazilian study of 26,616 tree falls in São Paulo found that building height and neighborhood age are key factors influencing the risk of tree failure. Sidewalk width and tree height were also found to be significant variables. The research provides valuable insights for urban planning and tree management in the city.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·DateSep 29, 2022