Articles tagged with Urban Studies
Researchers propose a system where high-tech vehicles communicate with each other to maintain safe distances and speed up traffic flow. By removing traffic lights, they create a more efficient system that allows for consistent flow at an optimal middle speed.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds a significant link between rodent infestations and depressive symptoms in low-income residents. Residents in neighborhoods with rats are more likely to experience acute depressive symptoms, despite having similar perceptions of rats as those in other neighborhoods.
Researchers find that companies with women on their boards are valued more highly by stock markets, but only because the best women have worked harder to get there. The study suggests that firms should apply equal standards for both men and women to select board members.
A study by The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice found that large, urban hospitals are more likely to participate in ACOs, which involve managing hospital care to improve quality and lower costs. Teaching hospitals and those with more services also tend to join ACOs.
A study found that nearly 80% of rural fracture patients avoided traveling to an urban medical center through remote care, which also provided significant savings in transportation and healthcare costs.
A new NYU study reveals that three out of four top reasons urban farmers grow crops are driven by social motivations, including food security, education, and community building. The research also finds that many urban farms operate as nonprofits, shifting financial focus from sales to donations and grants.
A Kansas State University study found that food stores are largely unavailable in inner-city, low-income neighborhoods of smaller urban cities. The study used U.S. Census tract data to map neighborhoods according to racial composition and income, revealing a correlation between lower incomes and fewer food stores.
Drs. D'Onofrio and Fiellin's study found that ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment significantly increased successful addiction treatment initiation and reduced opioid use outcomes among opioid-dependent patients. The study's results suggest a promising intervention for addressing opioid dependence in general medical settings.
A pilot training program implemented in an urban clinic significantly improved attitudes and clinical skills towards transgender individuals. The evaluation showed a notable change in awareness of transphobic practices and readiness to serve transgender patients, indicating potential for broader healthcare equity.
A University of Washington-led study finds that the benefits of locally produced vegetables in cities outweigh any risks from gardening in contaminated soils. Compost can dilute lead levels and make it less hazardous to eat, especially for root vegetables like carrots.
A Baltimore-based study found that teens experiencing fear of violence, observing violent events, or being victims of violence are more likely to engage in sex and use condoms. The study suggests that reducing high levels of violence in neighborhoods may help young people process experiences and learn coping skills.
A University of Washington study found that Seattle's urban crops can only feed between 1 and 4 percent of the city's population, even with extensive backyard and public green spaces converted to farming. To meet the nutritional needs of an adult vegetarian diet, it would require a 58-mile expansion around the city.
A study by Simon Fraser University reveals that the number of homeless individuals with psychiatric comorbidities migrating to Vancouver's DTES has increased significantly over the past decade. Despite increasing involvement with public services, these individuals remain exposed to serious health and social risks associated with poverty.
The study found an increase in the nutritional quality of foods chosen by students and a decrease in energy density after implementing the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. Meal participation rates remained unchanged at 46 percent before and after implementation.
A new Berkeley Lab study found that cool roofs in Guangzhou, China, can lower average urban midday temperatures by 1.2 degrees Celsius during heat waves, a 50% increase over typical summer conditions. This reduction in temperature also decreases the intensity of the urban heat island effect.
A York University study found that vaccination strategies should be adjusted based on region-specific characteristics, such as age demographics and virus transmission rates. Early vaccination leads to better public health outcomes, including reduced infection rates, hospitalizations, and stress on healthcare systems.
An analysis of over 1.3 million emergency department visits found that the presence of medical students was associated with a statistically significant increase in patient length of stay. However, this effect may be too small to have clinical relevance.
A study by University of Missouri researchers shows that telehealth services are well-received by patients, with 83% satisfied with skilled care received during their visit. Providers also report high satisfaction levels, with 86% finding the service easy to provide care via.
A new Penn Medicine study outlines how an individual's location and activities influence their risk of being assaulted, with areas of neighborhood connectedness showing lower rates of gun and non-gun related assaults. The research highlights the importance of changing urban environments to make them safer and reduce violence.
A Drexel University study found that introducing healthier options to restaurants and supermarkets can increase consumer demand for nutritious foods, particularly in rural communities. The 10-month intervention program resulted in high levels of satisfaction among participating businesses, indicating the feasibility of such campaigns.
A new CHOP study finds that teaching problem-solving skills and leadership opportunities to elementary school-aged African-American girls can lower relational aggression. The Friend to Friend program improved social problem-solving knowledge and decreased relational aggression in urban minority girls, with positive effects lasting at l...
Researchers from University of Alberta engaged citizen scientists to investigate the effects of bird feeders on bird-window collisions. The study found that the presence of a bird feeder does indicate collision risk, but other factors like vegetation and house characteristics also play a role.
A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that gunshot wound patients in urban areas with high crime rates were more likely to die within five years, mainly due to homicide. The research tracked patients after discharge from hospital and showed a significant risk of early death among these survivors.
A study found that lowering China's air pollution to 2008 Olympics levels could prevent 304,000 stroke deaths and 619,000 coronary heart disease deaths by 2030. Achieving the World Health Organization's pollution goal would yield greater life year gains.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that federal policy changes led to an increase in healthy food availability at smaller urban corner stores in Baltimore. The researchers found that stores in neighborhoods with a majority of black residents showed the greatest improvement, suggesting that boosting hea...
Homeowners with smart irrigation controllers are generally satisfied, but experience challenges with SMS-based systems. A tutorial may not be sufficient to increase familiarity with the devices.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that participating in extracurricular activities can be protective for low-income youth academically. Community engagement and sports were the most highly associated with better academic performance, while school-based activities had little effect.
A radical shift is needed in how heart medicines are provided and preventive care is organized in healthcare systems to improve rates of use. Generic versions of medicines should be made available for free in developing countries, while non-physician health workers can improve uptake and adherence.
Estimated electricity production from African urban waste could reach 122.2 TWh in 2025, alleviating energy poverty for millions. However, poor waste management limits actual potential to 83.8 TWh, affecting 27 million families.
A new study documents the fatal connection between urban stormwater and coho salmon survival, but also finds that inexpensive filtration through columns of sand and soil can completely prevent toxic effects. The research demonstrates that coho salmon are an ecological sentinel for urban runoff's harmful effects.
Research from the South Asian Birth Cohort study suggests that South Asians may be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes immediately after birth due to higher levels of adipose tissue and waist circumference.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that extreme temperatures affect urban heat islands more intensely than their nonurban surroundings. This can lead to uncomfortable summers, increased health risks, and higher energy bills for city-dwellers. Climate change projections indicate that cities will be especially vulnerable to th...
Researchers found that burrowing owls colonizing cities exhibit the same levels of stress as rural populations, suggesting a high tolerance to human disturbances. Urban individuals with intermediate levels of corticosterone hormone have better survival rates.
Current harmful alcohol use increases risk of various health issues, including cancers and injuries. The study supports health strategies to reduce harm, especially in low-income countries.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that women discharged from rural hospitals had higher readmission rates than urban hospitals. The researchers attributed this to a lack of family support, disease burden, and limited obstetrician availability in rural areas.
A statewide study in Indiana found that fewer than a quarter of men and women with osteoporosis or fragility fracture received treatment between 2005 and 2012. The study also found disparities in treatment rates among different groups, including racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
A community-based prospective study in Blantyre, Malawi found that HIV self-testing (HIVST) was widely accepted and accurate, with 94.6% of participants reporting high satisfaction. The study also showed that HIVST led to a low incidence of partner violence and suicides, and agreed with repeat HTC results in 99.4% of cases.
A study of 20 young women found five major unexpected sexual events linked to alcohol use, including sex with new partners and unprotected sex. The findings suggest a disconnect between what women expect when drinking and what actually happens, emphasizing the need for better interventions to promote safer behaviors.
Researchers found that natural sunlight triggers release of smog-forming nitrogen oxide compounds from urban grime, leading to greater ozone creation and potentially significant contributor to air pollution in cities. The study confirms laboratory findings using field studies in Leipzig, Germany, and Toronto, Canada.
A study published in Medical Care found that rural Medicare beneficiaries have lower rates of follow-up care after leaving the hospital, which may lead to higher risks of emergency department visits and repeat hospitalizations. The research also highlights the need for policies to improve access to care for patients in rural areas.
A new study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business finds that movie house owners can maximize ticket sales by understanding the preferences of their local audience. The research reveals that urban markets with highly educated consumers prefer wider screens, while other regions favor more showtimes.
A new study from Rice University finds that living in areas with lower socio-economic resources but higher social acceptability of smoking increases the likelihood of pregnant women smoking. Counties with higher socio-economic status have lower odds of women smoking during pregnancy, while neighboring counties' smoking prevalence signi...
A new study found that a Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood's community revitalization project led to an increase in physical activity among residents. Residents' expectations of improved safety and access to green spaces were key factors in their increased exercise habits.
A study of 50 years of marine biodiversity data found that human activities like pollution and sedimentation led to diminishing biodiversity in developed areas. However, protected or restored sites showed increases in species diversity, particularly among lower-level food-web organisms.
A study by Emory University researchers found that large barges in the Amazon River are heavily infested with disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever and other diseases, highlighting the need for mosquito control programs on aquatic transportation.
Researchers used remote sensing technology to study the impact of foreclosure on urban yards in Phoenix, Arizona. They found that foreclosed homes can become either greener or browner due to changes in yard management.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that large urban hospitals in densely populated regions of Washington DC, New York State, California, Maryland, and New Jersey have lower patient satisfaction scores due to demographic bias. The authors propose an adjustment formula to mitigate this bias, which, when applied to New York Stat...
A new school-based program helps reduce absenteeism among urban minority children with asthma. The program, called Building Bridges for Asthma Care, identifies children with inadequately controlled asthma and provides support to help manage their disease and stay in school.
A Yale University study found that increasing public toilet availability can decrease the risk of sexual violence by nearly 30%. The study, published in PLOS ONE, also estimates a significant reduction in social costs to society. Implementing more toilets could save $40 million annually in South African townships.
A new study reveals that monk parakeets invading Europe and North America share similar genetic patterns, indicating they originated from the same small area in Uruguay. The invasive populations have lower genetic diversity compared to native populations, which is unusual for species with successful invasions.
A study by biologists and public health experts finds that nature exposure is linked to improved human health, but the optimal dose of nature is unclear. The researchers propose a new approach to studying nature exposure through dose-response modeling, which could help develop recommendations for enhancing human health in urban areas.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that rural African-American women had lower rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and mood disorder compared to their urban counterparts. In contrast, rural non-Hispanic white women had higher rates of MDD and mood disorder. The findings suggest the need for further research into the correl...
Residents in both cities value bird enjoyment more than most, spending over average on bird food and supporting activities. This has a positive impact on local economies as residents invest in bird-friendly structures.
A randomized clinical trial found that chef-enhanced meals led to increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among elementary and middle school students. After seven months, the odds of students selecting vegetables increased significantly in schools with chef-enhanced meals.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that rural youth suicide rates are significantly higher than urban rates, with firearm deaths being the leading cause of death in both sexes. The study analyzed national mortality data from 1996 to 2010 and found that rural areas had nearly twice the number of suicides as urban areas.
Research shows that eviction from housing can result in multiple negative consequences, including depression, poorer health, and higher levels of stress. Evicted mothers are more likely to experience depression, poor child health, and material hardship, highlighting the need for eviction-prevention initiatives.
A study by University of Miami researchers found dengue virus circulating in urban areas of Ghana, with 21.6% of malaria patients tested positive for long-lasting dengue IgG antibodies, indicating lifetime exposure. The findings suggest that up to one-third of all outpatient visits could be misdiagnosed as malaria.
Hospitals participating in ACS NSQIP improve surgical outcomes, including reduced death rates, complications, and surgical site infections. Over time, these improvements continue to accumulate, enabling hospitals to prevent significant patient harm.
A UCLA-led study analyzing over 270,000 Chinese-language books found rising individualism in concert with growing urbanism, increasing wealth and higher education levels. Words like 'choose,' 'compete,' and 'innovation' demonstrated a growing prevalence of individualistic values.