Articles tagged with Urban Studies
Research reveals that urban pollution from Manaus significantly impacts cloud production and rainfall in the Amazon, with far-reaching consequences for regional and global climate patterns. The study found an average increase of 200% in secondary organic aerosols, leading to a 400% boost in aerosol formation.
A new study found that African American men are more likely to visit a doctor's office or clinic for healthcare due to higher threat sensitivity and having insurance. In contrast, those with lower threat sensitivity and no usual place for healthcare were more likely to frequent the emergency room.
A new PSU study finds that children's disability statuses depend on their school and peer group. The study discovered inconsistent disability classifications across schools and highlighted the subjective and socially rooted nature of these determinations.
A study on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's RAD program found mostly positive results among residents at three conversion sites in Central California. Residents reported improved unit conditions, safety, and resident resources, but also safety concerns and pest infestations that were not fully resolved.
A novel method of embedding child psychiatric care in an urban pediatrics clinic increases access to and engagement in psychiatric care among primarily Latino patients. The study found that nearly two-thirds of referred patients completed evaluations, with younger children and those with a history of therapy more likely to do so.
A recent study has found that rural areas are experiencing a faster rate of obesity growth than cities, with an average increase of 2.1 kg/m2 in women and men since 1985. This trend is driven by factors such as increased income, better infrastructure, and changes in food consumption patterns.
Researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed models to assess pollution exposures at the neighborhood level, but propose advancing to individual-level assessments using data from environmental sensors, mobile, and wearable devices. This could provide evidence-based arguments for change, particularly impacting indivi...
A new study from the University of British Columbia found that teenagers prefer harm reduction messaging when discussing substance use, instead of traditional 'don't do drugs' approaches. The study's findings suggest that a non-judgmental approach to talking about substance use can help preserve family relationships and promote youth h...
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that over half of residents on housing estates want to move away due to economic constraints. Involuntary staying is linked with perceived poor health, stress, and cramped residential arrangements.
Green roofs have been found to improve indoor air quality by reducing ozone levels, according to a PSU study. The research involved comparing air quality between a green roof and a conventional white membrane roof on a retail store in North Portland.
A study by Sara Vinyals found that cultural attractions and gastronomy are critical elements in competing urban destinations. The analysis of official websites from twelve European cities revealed a significant presence of strategies focused on leisure and culture.
A new study suggests that reflective roofs can reduce peak daytime temperatures in cities by up to 3oC during a heatwave. This could offset around 25% of heat-related mortality associated with the urban heat island effect.
A study by Lerman and D'Amico found that less frequent lawn mowing in suburban areas has no detectable effect on blacklegged tick populations. In fact, the researchers documented 111 bee species across 16 lawns, highlighting a viable habitat for native bees.
A recent study suggests that trees are essential for mitigating the urban heat island effect, with 40% canopy cover required to trigger significant cooling effects. The research found that even small increases in tree density can lead to substantial reductions in temperatures, making tree planting a key strategy for city planners.
A study in Madison, Wisconsin found that urban air temperatures decrease with increasing canopy cover during the day but exhibit limited cooling at night. The results suggest that effective heat mitigation strategies involve both increasing canopy cover and decreasing impervious surface cover.
A global study reveals that modern coal-fired power stations emit more ultrafine dust particles than road traffic, modifying and redistributing rainfall patterns on local to regional scales. This can lead to extreme weather events, including intense rain and dry conditions.
A joint study by King's College London and Airparif found that air pollution in both cities has improved since 2010, but not enough to meet legal limits. Newer diesel cars and buses have led to declines in particle pollution, while nitrogen dioxide levels from traffic in London have deteriorated.
Researchers observed coyote families at a Utah facility during breeding seasons and found that parental influence plays a major role in shaping their behavior. Coyotes become bolder when parents are more fearless, and this trait is passed on to their offspring, which can lead to negative interactions with humans.
Researchers analyzed honey from urban beehives to detect pollutants like lead and zinc. The study found higher element concentrations near downtown areas with heavy traffic and industrial activity, suggesting potential manmade sources of pollution.
A new study found that urban children with poorly controlled asthma experience higher school absences and lower academic performance. Ethnic minority children, particularly Latino kids, face greater disparities in academic outcomes due to unique stressors related to their background and migration experiences.
A new study finds that urban African-Americans are significantly more likely to live in trauma deserts with limited access to advanced emergency medical care. The introduction of UChicago Medicine's Level 1 Trauma Center has reduced Chicago's disparity sevenfold, but racial disparities persist in New York City and Los Angeles.
A new study by the University of Waterloo found that green spaces and colourful urban design elements increase happiness, trust of strangers, and environmental stewardship. Simple interventions like adding greenery or rainbow crosswalks can enrich public spaces.
Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that spending 20 minutes in an urban park can boost happiness and reduce mental fatigue. The study suggests that time spent in a park is more important than physical activity for emotional well-being.
Researchers have long debated the causes of Angkor's demise, but new evidence suggests that land use declined gradually over 100 years before the supposed collapse. The study shows that forest disturbance and soil erosion decreased, and the moat was eventually covered in floating vegetation, indicating a lack of maintenance.
A new study and web application reveal that climate change will impact urban areas, with 540 cities expected to shift hundreds of miles from their current climate by 2080. Scientists used a statistical technique called climate-analog mapping to match future climates with existing ones.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that people living in drafty homes in low-income, urban communities are at a higher risk of respiratory health issues such as asthma. The study revealed that residents in homes with the highest air-exchange rates were more likely to report chronic cough and asthma-like symptoms.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that grocery store-based nutrition counseling was effective in changing dietary habits of patients with hypertension. The program improved intake of fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, while reducing sodium and saturated fat consumption.
A new study published in Science found that people with prior dengue infections have lower risks of contracting Zika. The research, conducted in a poor neighborhood in Brazil, suggests that cross-protective antibodies from dengue may provide protection against Zika.
A study conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health found that alcohol use intersects with spatial dimensions, influencing young people's likelihood of using condoms. Young people prefer convenient spaces for sex after drinking, but may engage in 'rushed' sex due to cost constraints.
A new study from the University of Adelaide found that people who suffered bullying or sexual abuse have a lower quality of life similar to those living with chronic conditions. Those who experienced these traumas are more likely to display harmful behaviors like smoking dependence and binge eating.
Solar panels can generate significant amounts of energy on snow-covered mountains with steep tilt angles. This study suggests shifting a large fraction of electricity production from summer to winter months without compromising total annual production.
Urban gardens in Australia achieve high yields comparable to commercial farms, yet face challenges due to higher material and labor costs. The study emphasizes the need for judicious management of inputs to ensure sustainability.
A study by Radboud University ecologist Luca Santini found that mammals living in urban environments produce more young, which is likely due to high mortality rates. Different groups of mammals use various strategies to adapt, such as producing larger litters, having brains and bodies better suited for their environment.
A recent study suggests that limiting contact in football practice can reduce head impacts, but the correct approach involves adjusting practice methods such as reducing speed and improving tackling technique. The researchers found that full-speed tackling and blocking drills resulted in the highest head impact severity and frequency.
A recent NUS study reveals that lower-income households in Singapore use more water to cool down during hot weather, whereas higher-income households rely heavily on air-conditioners, increasing their electricity demand.
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.
Researchers used the NIST Dragon to simulate ember attacks on thatched-roof buildings, revealing ignition occurred within 90 seconds and flames penetrated completely through the roofing assembly. The study's findings will help Japanese fire services develop effective counter measures and mitigate damage from large outdoor fires.
A citizen science project in Vienna analyzed fox sightings and found that encounters were more likely in gardens with low building density, parks, or squares. The level of education also influenced reported fox sightings, with higher levels of education leading to more sightings.
A study led by the University of California, Davis tracked over 230 Anna's and Allen's hummingbirds around urban feeders, providing insights into their interactions and health. The research found that females stayed longer at feeders than males and males overlapped their visits with other males more frequently than with other females.
A Marshall University study found significant differences in umbilical cord blood metal levels between urban and rural newborns. Copper and molybdenum were higher in urban samples, while no marked differences occurred for other elements. The study suggests a potential link between prenatal exposure to toxins and neonatal outcomes.
Researchers discovered hypoxic dead zones in urban streams, caused by erosion and nutrient runoff. The study highlights the vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems to pollution and climate change.
Researchers found isolated habitat patches with high conservation value are critical for rare and threatened species. Small habitats pose greater risks to biodiversity than large ones due to land clearing and degradation.
A new algorithm developed by Yale Ph.D. student TC Chakraborty creates a more comprehensive and consistent estimate of urban heat islands worldwide. The Global Surface UHI Explorer map uses urban agglomerations instead of administrative city boundaries, providing surface UHI intensity estimates for over 10,000 urban clusters.
A study by Washington State University found that rural children with mild traumatic brain injuries receive less care and have significantly higher healthcare costs compared to urban youth. This disparity is attributed to limited access to specialized services and a shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, leading to longer tra...
A new Ohio State University study of 617 tobacco users found that vaping did not boost quit rates, and dual users were no more likely to stop smoking. Researchers say the results suggest that for heavy smokers, tried-and-true methods like medication and nicotine replacement are still the best approach.
Researchers found that using low-cost portable air purifiers at home significantly lowered urban seniors' fine particulate matter exposure and blood pressure. The study showed a 40% reduction in air pollutant exposure and an average of 3.4 mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure.
This study examined the impact of neighborhood characteristics on the growth of alcohol outlets from 2000 to 2013 in 53 California cities. It found that lower-income areas with larger populations and higher incomes experienced greater growth in bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.
Researchers analyzed charcoal and pollen remains to infer a long history of human occupation at Koh Ker, contradicting traditional abandonment theory. The study suggests the region was occupied from the late 7th century CE, continuing for seven centuries or more after the royal seat's departure.
A new approach for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been proposed, increasing physical activity levels by over 900 steps per day. The Urban Training intervention, developed by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, combines tailored components to address individual social and cultural factors.
A study found that city-dwelling blue tits lay larger eggs than forest-dwelling birds, likely due to the urban environment's higher calcium availability. The researchers also observed a trade-off between egg size and clutch number, with urban birds producing fewer but larger eggs.
Increasing job accessibility can reduce carbon emissions and social inequities, but tradeoffs between these outcomes exist. Low-income residents often lack benefits from increased job accessibility, exacerbating existing social and environmental disparities.
A new study by Michigan State University finds that party polarization is at its worst level since the early 1970s. The research analyzed publicly available data on who sponsors bills in Congress and found that politicians co-sponsor legislation only about 200 times, viewing nearly half of their colleagues as opposition.
Researchers monitored microchipped rats in the presence of feral cats, finding that rats avoided cats and spent more time in burrows, contradicting popular opinion about cat-rat interactions. The study adds to growing evidence that releasing cats to control city rats is outweighed by threats to urban wildlife.
Researchers found that private healthcare providers in urban India deliver inadequate TB care, with only 35% adhering to national and international standards. The study highlights the need for improved training and protocols to enhance TB management in the country's private sector.
A survey of 6,082 racially/ethnically diverse high school students in California and Florida found associations between nonconforming gender expression and mental distress. The study highlights the need for more research on the topic, particularly among adolescents independent of sexual orientation.
Researchers found that giant jararacas are more abundant in an urban park with fewer predators than a nearby nature reserve. The study suggests that the lesser presence of predators is the key factor explaining this phenomenon.
USC research reveals that air pollution alters thyroid development in fetuses, increasing the risk of health impacts later in life. Thyroid hormone levels were found to increase with exposure to particulate matter, highlighting a potential link between air pollution and fetal growth and metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are developing a system that combines drones with existing ride-sharing vehicles to provide synergetic delivery service. The goal is to reduce delivery costs by solving the complex problem of the 'last mile' of delivery, which accounts for 50% of all delivery costs.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital examines health-care interventions to support patients seeking work and identifies key features of successful interventions. These include multidisciplinary teams, packages of services, one-on-one tailored services, comprehensive views of social needs, and communication with employers.
A study published in The Lancet found that telemedical interventional management reduced unplanned hospitalizations by 44% and increased life expectancy for patients with heart failure. Patients who received remote patient management interventions also showed significant reductions in all-cause mortality, regardless of their location.