Articles tagged with Urban Populations
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that over 60% of urban expansion since 1970 came from agricultural land, posing serious concerns for fertility and food security. The trend, driven by small- and medium-sized cities in India, China, and Nigeria, threatens the livelihoods of millions of small farmers.
Research suggests that urban horticulture can provide a significant portion of the local population's 'five a day' by growing fruit and vegetables in domestic gardens, allotments, and public green spaces. This could feed approximately 709,000 people per year if all space is utilized.
A new NASA/university study uses satellite data to track carbon dioxide emissions in 20 major cities worldwide, revealing that densely populated cities tend to emit less CO2 per person. However, exceptions exist, such as cities with major power generation facilities and affluent areas with high rates of driving.
Researchers identified two genetically distinct 'urban' and 'rural' fox populations in Berlin, influenced by physical barriers and human activity levels. Foxes from the city population are bolder but prefer to avoid areas of high human activity, highlighting their risk management strategies.
New research shows that seagulls are more likely to peck at food that has been handled by humans. This suggests they use human actions when deciding what to eat. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, also found that gulls' preference for food is not just based on the sight of food.
A study by CCNY researchers found that flying foxes are dwindling in population due to overhunting, with potential consequences for human health and ecosystem conservation. The findings highlight the critical role of islands in species evolution and diversity.
Researchers have created a 'Rosetta stone' for urban scaling, mapping out common ground between cross-sectional and temporal approaches to study city growth. The framework reveals new insights about a city's behavior, including superlinear growth in socioeconomic properties.
A new study predicts 13 million US residents will be forced to relocate due to rising sea levels by 2100. Cities like Atlanta, Houston and Denver are expected to experience significant population growth, with effects on jobs, housing prices and infrastructure.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that people who live in areas with more natural exposure are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors. Urban greening initiatives could play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability.
A new study analyzes UK cities' air pollution concentrations, revealing some perform better than expected due to dispersal. Cities like Milton Keynes and Stoke-on-Trent benefit from spacious layouts, while densely populated areas like Luton struggle with pollution concentration.
Researchers analyzed customer movement patterns in Tesco supermarkets to develop a method to reduce congestion. Placing popular goods near store perimeters was found to be effective in decreasing aisle crowding.
The study found that suburban expansion is the predominant pattern in cities worldwide, driving inefficient and unsustainable development. Notable exceptions exist in East and Southeast Asia, where high-rise construction is on the rise.
A new study projects that urban expansion will trigger 'extra' warming due to the urban heat island effect, increasing extreme heat risks for half of the world's future urban population. The study forecasts temperatures may rise up to 3 degrees C in some locations, particularly in tropical regions.
Studies found that urban emergency department patients who face unemployment and food insufficiency are more likely to smoke. Socioeconomic stressors also affect the likelihood of smoking among men and women, with certain groups showing different patterns.
Researchers discovered that chinampas, a raised field system on artificial islands, can provide fresh produce year-round with low irrigation needs. The system's high productivity and sustainability make it an attractive solution for modern megacities.
A new study published in Geosphere uses GIS-based analysis to reveal the complex geometry of the Rose Canyon fault zone beneath downtown San Diego. The researchers compiled data from hundreds of individual reports and created a centralized geodatabase to examine the fault zone's shape and potential hazard.
A recent study found that certain types of crime, such as robbery and car theft, increase at a faster rate than the population in larger cities. In contrast, rape grows only linearly with city size. The researchers suggest that social interactions play a key role in the growth of these crimes.
Cities with high rainfall can achieve cooler temperatures through targeted planting, while extremely dry regions benefit from increased wind circulation and shade. The study provides a preliminary classification of cities for urban heat island mitigation, highlighting the importance of regional climate characteristics.
A new model suggests that planting more vegetation may be more effective in drier regions to cool cities, while wetter cities require alternative approaches such as shading or ventilation. The study's findings can provide guidance for climate-sensitive city design and planning heat mitigation efforts.
The UNT Health Science Center has been awarded a $3.75 million federal grant to expand its WE HAIL geriatric training program, which aims to prepare healthcare professionals to treat older adults with unique and complex needs. The program, already recognized for its success in serving older Texans, will now be expanded to include addit...
Researchers collected data from 0.63 million restaurants and combined it with mobile phone location data to predict population size and number of firms. The study found that models trained on different cities' restaurant data can achieve population prediction power across cities.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that cities grow in parallel, revealing a widening urban-rural divide and increased regional inequality. The research uses Swedish population registers to analyze city growth trajectories, finding that smaller cities face significant economic shocks and structural changes.
Researchers studied an ancient water system in Huamantanga, Peru, and found it could reroute 35% of wet season water, equivalent to 99 million cubic meters per year. The method could extend the wet season, providing more drinking water and longer crop-growing periods for local farmers.
By 2060, rural Northeast counties will experience record-breaking heat for three weeks a year, with those in low-income areas most affected. The study finds that vulnerable counties will see a decline in population while the poor population grows, highlighting the need for heat adaptation strategies.
Rutgers researchers analyzed 90 retail pharmacies in 10 New Jersey cities and found that naloxone was available in 60-70% of more affluent communities but less than 25% of lower-income areas. The city's population, affluence, and opioid-related hospital visits over five months were correlated with naloxone availability.
A professor at Binghamton University analyzed Quebec's criticism of Justin Trudeau's French, finding it stems from linguistic purism and a bias towards monolingual French speakers. Bosworth argues that language is used to position Trudeau as an outsider in Quebec, despite his strong identification with French.
A global review of water reallocation from rural to urban regions found that 69 cities receive significant amounts of reallocated water, mainly driven by North America and Asia's growing populations. The practice is expected to rise further, with 2.5 billion more urban dwellers projected by 2050.
A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that people in rural communities are more vulnerable to both hot and cold temperature extremes than those living in urban areas. The disparity was greater for women, older adults, and those with poor public health system coverage.
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School used a new model-inference system to estimate population susceptibility and demographical characteristics in three key locations in China. The study found that catch-up vaccination targeting migrant populations may be an efficient means of controlling current epidemics in big cities, wh...
Researchers at Linköping University found that big cities feed on their hinterlands to sustain growth, driven by the selective migration of highly productive individuals. This phenomenon fuels urban growth while exacerbating regional inequality.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11.8 million by the UK government to support people living in informal settlements in low and middle-income countries. The grant will help precarious individuals claim their rights to health and well-being, and improve access to services.
Researchers linked health factors like access to public transit, grocery store variety, and food prices to major diseases. The study found significant differences in environmental factors across Canada's provinces, urban-rural communities, and regions.
A new generation of farmers is shifting towards the outskirts of cities with high demand and purchasing power, driven by a desire for healthier food systems and authentic rural identities. The movement, identified by Purdue University researcher Andrew Flachs, thrives in hotspots like central Texas, Oklahoma, and the Great Lakes region.
A recent study suggests that Sydney's urban structure is shifting from a monocentric city to a polycentric model, with populations aggregating around existing major urban areas. The study found that social cohesion and residential suburb attractiveness are key factors in driving this change.
A team of Penn State researchers analyzed the water footprint of 65 mid- to large-sized U.S. cities and found that larger cities consume less water per capita. This shift is attributed to changing economic activities, with larger cities becoming more service-oriented and shifting water-intensive industries to less populated regions.
Researchers analyzed weekly flu incidence data from over 600 US regions to determine how city density and climate impact flu seasons. They found that cities with higher population density experience longer flu seasons, even in unfavorable weather conditions, due to the spread of infection through organized movement patterns.
The Central Africa region is experiencing rapid urbanization and economic growth, making it more vulnerable to explosive infectious disease outbreaks. The authors note that efforts to build up health care infrastructure are critically needed to mitigate or prevent a large outbreak of Ebola or other infectious diseases in the region.
A new study by UCL academics found that people from smaller cities are twice as likely to migrate than those from larger cities. The research revealed that the size of origin and destination cities significantly impact migration behavior.
Researchers used social media images of cultural events to create a model that predicts neighborhoods with high wellbeing and gentrification. The study found a correlation between cultural capital and neighborhood growth, providing insights for city planners to prevent displacement.
A new study surveyed the carbon footprints of 13,000 cities worldwide, finding that the top 100 highest-footprint cities contribute to approximately 20% of global emissions. By targeting these concentrated emission hotspots, local mayors and governments can significantly reduce national total carbon footprints.
The Wayne State University College of Nursing is expanding its BSN training program with a $2.6 million HRSA grant to address the growing need for nurses working on community-based primary care and public health teams. Students will participate in immersive clinical experiences alongside RNs in Detroit's community settings.
A USDA Forest Service study projects that urban land will more than double between 2010 and 2060, affecting forest and agricultural lands. Urban forests are expected to provide billions of dollars in benefits through improved air quality, climate change mitigation, and reduced energy use.
The University of Guelph researchers have developed a dynamic population model that predicts overall cat numbers in a community, accounting for owned cats, unowned strays, and shelter cats. This tool enables municipalities to tackle factors influencing cat populations and improve cat welfare.
The new database shows that the world has become more urbanized than thought, with population growth doubling in Africa and Asia. The database also tracks environmental factors like greenness, soil sealing, and air pollution, revealing promising signs for sustainability.
Lymphatic filariasis treatment programs in urban areas face difficulties due to the high cost and challenges of mass drug administration. The study suggests re-examining the effectiveness of MDA in densely populated towns and cities.
Suburban areas in the US face barriers to healthcare access, including limited community health centers and free clinics. Poor suburbanites have higher odds of being uninsured and having unmet healthcare needs compared to higher-income adults.
A large international study found that any physical activity can prevent heart disease and death, with 38% of participants meeting the 150 minutes a week guideline through activities like commuting or household chores. The study showed significant benefits from incorporating physical activity into daily life, regardless of intensity.
A study published in Health Affairs found that China's New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) increased health insurance coverage to 100% of counties by 2012. However, the scheme was not significantly correlated with reductions in mortality rates among people aged sixty and older.
A four-year program led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) increased modern contraceptive method use by 10 percentage points and desire for fewer children in six Nigerian cities. The program's successes were attributed to its coordinated campaign to create demand for family planning services.
A nationwide survey found high levels of antimicrobial-resistant genes in urban sewage across China, with over 381 distinct resistance genes detected. The study suggests municipal sewage as a major conduit for transferring antibiotic resistance into the environment.
A new study suggests that India's planned 'smart' cities could have a detrimental impact on the environment if adequate infrastructure is not provided. The study analyzed the environmental implications of medium-rise housing replaced with high-rise towers, predicting significant extra demands on resources and increased waste output.
The City Health Dashboard is a nationwide expansion of an innovative health data visualization tool, enabling hundreds of US cities to accurately identify their most pressing health needs. The dashboard provides 26 key measures of health and drivers of health status at the neighborhood level.
A study from North Carolina State University found that common wild bee species decline as urban temperatures rise. The researchers used a lab test to predict how whole populations will fare at higher temperatures in urban areas, finding that the least heat-tolerant species are most affected.
A new study reveals that nearly all Indonesian children in urban areas are infected with the dengue virus by childhood. The researchers found that 69.4% of children tested positive for dengue antibodies, with infection rates increasing from 33.8% of 1-4 year olds to 89.0% of 15-18 year olds.
A new study found that hunting by humans significantly reduces bird and mammal populations, with declines ranging from 53% to 82% in tropical forests. The research highlights the need for sustainable wildlife management strategies to avoid further defaunation.
Researchers found that adult male common wall lizards exposed to humans become habituated and hide less, with yellow lizards being the most tolerant. In contrast, red lizards exhibit increased sensitivity to potential attacks, suggesting a relationship between coloration and antipredator response.
A study from UC Berkeley found that Zika's decline before the Olympics was foreshadowed by seasonal patterns of similar diseases. Despite this, vulnerable populations in urban slums continue to be affected, highlighting the need for targeted public health efforts.
A new study by Arizona State University reveals that population density is associated with people adopting a
A recent study by Michigan State University finds that US households may struggle to afford water services due to rising rates and aging infrastructure, impacting 11.9% of households currently and potentially tripling to 35.6% in five years.
The University of Notre Dame's Global Adaptation Initiative is assessing the climate vulnerability and readiness of over 250 US cities with a population over 100,000. The Urban Adaptation Assessment integrates social equity analysis to investigate how vulnerable groups are disproportionately harmed by climate hazards.