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Immigrants and military service

Research from the University of Utah suggests immigrants express a greater willingness to serve in the armed forces of both countries. This contradicts harsh narratives perpetuated by some Republicans who characterize immigrants as parasitic.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalArmed Forces & Society·TypeSurvey·DateOct 21, 2024

Immigrants to the United States still assimilate

Research suggests that immigrant assimilation patterns have remained consistent over the past century, with immigrants still working low-paying jobs and their children entering the middle class. Attitudes toward immigration are more positive than ever before, but also more polarized by political party.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 1, 2024

An overlooked side-effect of the housing crisis may be putting Californians at increased risk from climate disasters

A new study suggests that California's affordable housing crisis is driving increased development in and near wildlands, putting residents at higher-risk for climate-related natural disasters. The research aims to understand the drivers of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) growth and its impact on environmental dynamics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2024

Archaeologists report earliest evidence for plant farming in east Africa

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of early plant farming in east Africa, revealing a pattern of gradual introductions of different crops that originated from different parts of the continent. The study found domesticated cowpea, sorghum, and finger millet seeds dating back to around 2,300 years ago.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJul 9, 2024

The rise of horse power ~4,200 years ago

Researchers found that domestic horses were produced in large numbers around 4200 years ago, marking the start of a new era in human history. This led to unprecedented exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures across Eurasia.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 6, 2024

Swiss study of Portuguese immigrants looks into the impact of citizenship on identity

A Swiss research team surveyed 400 Portuguese immigrants to understand how their desire for citizenship influences their attachment to home and host cultures. The findings suggest that acquiring citizenship can lead to a decrease in attachment to the immigrant's original group, while increasing identification with the host culture.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateMay 31, 2024

How do migrants choose their destinations?

A new mathematical model developed by researchers at the Complexity Science Hub shows how diaspora size affects migration flows. The study reveals that people migrate to smaller destinations if their diaspora is present, highlighting the importance of social influence in shaping migration patterns.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2024

Excavation reveals ‘major’ ancient migration to Timor Island

Researchers have re-evaluated the route of early human migration to Australia, finding that ancient humans arrived on Timor Island at least 50,000 years ago. The discovery of thousands of stone artefacts and animal bones in a deep cave in Timor Island suggests that humans used New Guinea as a stepping stone for their crossing.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2024

A diaspora-based model of human migration

A new diaspora-based model of human migration explains how migrants choose their destinations, with a focus on social connections and repeated factors. The model predicts specific migration flows, revealing surprising differences in migration patterns between cities and regions.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 21, 2024

Migrants can be ‘transformative force’ for sustainable development

New research shows that migrants can be a transformative force for sustainability, bringing energy and ideas to new locations. However, poorly managed migration deepens inequality and increases environmental harm. The studies emphasize the need for comprehensive policies that manage migration in the interests of people and the planet.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

People, not the climate, caused the decline of the giant mammals

A new study from Aarhus University confirms that human activity, not climate change, caused the dramatic decline of giant mammals over the past 50,000 years. By analyzing DNA data from 139 large living mammal species, researchers found that populations fell dramatically around 50,000 years ago, coinciding with the spread of modern humans.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2023

‘A ticking clock’: First ground-based survey of damage to Ukrainian cultural sites reveals severity, need for urgency

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame document extensive damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage sites, including churches, schools, and archaeological sites. The team found widespread devastation caused by missile strikes and underground trench systems, with many historical buildings and monuments affected.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAntiquity·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023

Childhood in medieval Bavaria: What teeth reveal about nutrition and migration

Researchers analyzed medieval Bavarian teeth to understand childhood nutrition and migration. The study found that people of non-Bavarian origin migrated to the region, and women from south-eastern Europe had unique dietary patterns and artificially modified skulls. Long breastfeeding periods were also common among these women.

SourceStaatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·DateNov 22, 2023

Study reveals the European public's attitudes about refugees have remained stable over time

A study by Stanford University reveals that European public attitudes towards refugees have remained stable over time, with support for asylum seekers and preferences for certain traits increasing from 2016 to 2022. The research found that Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion were welcomed due to their demographic profile, but ...

How larger body sizes helped the colonizers of New Zealand

Researchers developed a model to estimate energy expenditure for thermoregulation on the first voyages from Tahiti to New Zealand. Results showed that larger body sizes helped colonizers survive harsher conditions, with males losing up to 13.3 pounds and females losing 5.9 pounds during a 25-day trip.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 12, 2023

Lower risk of severe illness and death in newborns of low-income immigrant than Canadian-born females

Research found that newborns of low-income immigrant mothers had a significantly lower risk of severe neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to those of Canadian-born mothers. The study suggests that immigration status may influence birth outcomes, with healthier immigrants possibly being more likely to migrate.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2023

Privately sponsored refugees likely to receive better prenatal care than government-assisted refugees in Canada

A new study published in CMAJ found that privately sponsored refugees were more likely to receive adequate prenatal care than government-assisted refugees in Ontario. The study analyzed data from over 5000 pregnant women and found a significant difference in the use of prenatal care services between the two groups.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Changing climate conditions likely facilitated early human migration to the Americas at key intervals, research suggests

Researchers found two distinct climate intervals where sea ice and ice-free summer conditions likely supported early human migration along the Pacific coastal route. These conditions, occurring from 22,000 to 24,500 years ago and again from 14,800 to 16,400 years ago, may have facilitated movement by providing a more traversable surfac...

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2023

Remapping the superhighways travelled by the first Australians reveals a 10,000-year journey through the continent

Researchers used sophisticated models to estimate the peopling of Sahul, revealing a 10,000-year journey across the continent. The ancestors of Aboriginal people first entered the continent 75,000-50,000 years ago from Timor, expanding southward and northward to settle all parts of New Guinea and Australia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Mired in silence

A UC Riverside study found that farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley lack information and means to advocate for better public health due to language barriers, job insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. The study highlights disproportionate respiratory illness affecting Latinx children living near the Salton Sea.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateDec 22, 2022