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Human mobility emerges as powerful lever for decarbonising wastewater treatment, study finds

Researchers found that tracking population movements using mobile location data can significantly cut emissions without expensive infrastructure upgrades. The study developed a new metric to measure treatment-inflow alignment, revealing that population dynamics can inform operational strategies to reduce emissions.

SourceChinese Society for Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·DateSep 1, 2026

UC3M study analyzes crime rates by nationality and debunks its link to immigration

A UC3M study finds that crime rates are not linked to immigration status, but rather to demographic factors such as age and gender. The research also highlights the need to standardize crime rates to make valid comparisons and concludes that regularization policies can be effective security tools.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalRevista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 2, 2026

Too hot to handle? Study explores how heat is reshaping US population shifts

A new study from Florida Atlantic University challenges the narrative that rising temperatures will drive Americans away, finding that heat alone isn't driving large-scale out-migration. Instead, population shifts are shaped more by economic opportunity, housing affordability and local quality of life than climate conditions.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalSustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 16, 2026

Rewriting our understanding of early hominin dispersal to Eurasia

A team of geoscientists and anthropologists has reconstructed a more precise timeline of H. erectus arrival in China, confirming the presence of the species at Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago. The revised timeline challenges long-held assumptions about early human dispersal and raises questions about alternative species that may h...

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

Limiting urban sprawl requires establishing clear targets and limits to expansion, new Concordia study proposes

Cities need clear limits on urban sprawl to achieve sustainability. A new Concordia study proposes combining greenbelts with densification policies to limit sprawl and promote sustainable development. The study found that without additional policies, greenbelts alone are insufficient to halt urban sprawl.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Management·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

The amount of time students spend on the school bus affects their academic engagement with the school, their classmates and their teachers

A study by Universitat Jaume I researchers found that long bus rides can lead to lower academic engagement among secondary and upper secondary students. The study, published in Revista de Educación, suggests that teachers can develop strategies to prevent disengagement by promoting positive attitudes and self-confidence.

SourceUniversitat Jaume I·TypeSurvey·DateNov 3, 2025

How nations balanced health and economy in the COVID-19 pandemic: A global review

Researchers analyzed multiple countries' performance in achieving infection control and economic recovery, highlighting the impact of risk attitudes, patience, and trust on policy decisions. Countries with high levels of trust and patience managed to limit deaths and resuming production, while those with low trust and higher risk toler...

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of Policy Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2025

New study sheds light on the effectiveness of measures to solve the 'migration crisis'

A new study by IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca analyzed the effects of the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement on irregular migration and mortality in the Mediterranean. The research found that the deal led to a surge in lives lost at sea, particularly on the Central Mediterranean route, with nearly double the death rate after the agreement.

SourceIMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2025

Smartphones reveal hidden impacts of people on wildlife

Researchers used anonymized GPS data from smartphones to monitor how wildlife reacts to people, highlighting the potential of human mobility data in tracking human-wildlife conflicts. The study's findings can inform conservation planning, help protect animals and wild spaces, and ensure that recreational activities are done responsibly.

SourceColorado State University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 30, 2025

University of Houston BRAIN, TIRR Memorial Hermann develop first wearable pediatric soft exoskeleton made of smart materials

The MyoStep project represents a significant advancement in pediatric mobility aids for children with cerebral palsy, addressing motor impairments that restrict participation in physical activities. The soft power suit provides a lightweight, discreet solution tailored to fit seamlessly into the lives of children and their families.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalIEEE Electron Devices Magazine·DateApr 29, 2025

How GPS helps older drivers stay on the roads

A new study published in PLOS Digital Health found that older drivers with GPS navigation systems tend to drive more frequently, suggesting these tools help maintain driving mobility. The research reveals that using GPS can alleviate spatial orientation difficulties and support older adults' independence on the roads.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2025

Study examines differences in strength by position among football players

A new study from the University of Kansas found significant differences in muscular power and strength among different football positions, with linemen having more body mass and quarterbacks having higher peak force. The research suggests position-specific training could optimize athletic performance.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2025

Traffic jams? Let's learn from ants

A team of researchers from UniTrento examined how ants manage traffic congestion using pheromone trails and observed individual ant movements. Their findings could provide a model for optimizing autonomous vehicle traffic flow, reducing congestion and emissions.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2025

Refugees face high housing instability

Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub found that refugees in Austria experience significantly greater housing instability, with an average of 3.8 moves within a year. This can lead to challenges such as financial strain, limited access to education and healthcare, and unstable relationships within neighborhoods.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalGenus·TypeCase study·DateNov 18, 2024

Extreme heat impacts daily routines and travel patterns, study finds

A new study reveals that extreme heat significantly alters how people go about their daily lives, reducing outdoor activities and shifting transportation choices. Vulnerable groups, such as low-income individuals without access to cars, face the biggest challenges in coping with extreme heat.

SourceArizona State University·JournalTransportation Research Part D Transport and Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2024

With the rise of global mobility, the topic of international employees’ adjustment needs attention

A recent study by KTU and Germany highlights the lack of research on international employee adjustment, particularly for self-initiated expatriates and migrants. The study proposes a future research agenda to address organisational support, individual factors, and demographics influencing adjustment.

SourceKaunas University of Technology·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 15, 2024

Backward walking speed reserve assessment offers improved clinical screening for risks and decline in MS patients

A new methodology, backward walking speed reserve, measures an individual's capacity to increase their walking speed on demand in the backward direction. This assessment is linked to disease severity, falls risk, and cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis patients.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateJun 25, 2024

Diagnosing damaged infrastructure from space

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a method of monitoring infrastructure using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing systems. This technology allows for early detection of issues, reducing the need for time-consuming repairs.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJun 6, 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

Aiding the displaced with data

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed a framework to analyze and visualize population mobility data, which could help in allocating resources and personnel effectively. The study used GPS data from displaced individuals in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, revealing patterns of migration that vary by socioeconomic status.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2024

Does getting out and about in the community affect cognitive function?

A new study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that greater community mobility is significantly associated with better cognitive function in individuals aged 52 and older. The association was strongest among those at low risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMay 15, 2024

Unveiling the impact of job loss on the health of immigrants

A recent study by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research found that job loss has a more severe impact on the health of immigrants compared to German-born individuals. Immigrants experience a decline in health that worsens with age, especially after experiencing detrimental life events like divorce and unemployment.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Demographic Research·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2024

Mobile device location data is already used by private companies, so why not for studying human-wildlife interactions, scientists ask

Researchers argue that mobility data can help understand human-wildlife interactions and inform policy decisions on sustainability-related issues. They propose aggregating datasets without personal identifiers to make them accessible to researchers, benefiting both conservation and private companies.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports Sustainability·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 26, 2024

Universal controller could push robotic prostheses, exoskeletons into real-world use

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, calibration, or adjustments. The system uses deep learning to autonomously adjust assistance levels for walking, standing, and climbing stairs, reducing user effort and metabolic expenditure.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

Prehistoric mobility among Tibetan farmers, herders shaped highland settlement patterns, cultural interaction, study finds

A new study reveals that the mobility of Tibetan farmers and herders in prehistoric times influenced the settlement patterns and cultural connections across the plateau. The research found a strong correlation between the routes used for subsistence-oriented mobility and the social network of shared technologies and ceramic designs.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 2, 2024

Sahmyook University researcher proposes more equitable subway stations for the elderly and mobility handicapped

A recent study suggests that more investments are needed to ensure equitable subway facilities, with 27 out of 257 stations scoring 1.00, mostly medium-sized stations. The researchers recommend allocating transport facilities based on each station's needs to enhance accessibility for the elderly and mobility handicapped.

SourceSahmyook University·JournalJournal of Public Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2024

Action plan for better data on migration and health

A new study reveals gaps in including migrants and refugees in national data collection systems, hindering their human rights and societies' well-being. The authors propose a roadmap for European health systems to improve data quality and promote equity in healthcare.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

In Prehispanic Cancun, immigrants were treated just like Maya locals

A study analyzing ancient Cancun Island remains found that immigrants from the Maya lowlands were treated similarly to locals in terms of food and burial practices. The findings suggest whole families moved residence across Mesoamerica and integrated into new societies, challenging previous assumptions about foreign treatment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023