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Are urban black males shortchanged in classroom?

A new study by Michigan State University scholar Chezare Warren found that over-supporting urban black males in high school can have negative consequences for their academic success in college. The research suggests that balancing instructional and social supports is crucial to preparing students academically for college

SourceMichigan State University·JournalTeachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education·DateAug 18, 2016

Energy-dense food consumption declines after Mexico's tax

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that Mexico's nonessential food tax led to a significant decline in energy-dense food purchases, primarily among low and medium SES households. The study showed a 5.1% decline in taxed food sales beyond pre-tax trends, with lower SES households experiencing an even greater reduction of 10.2%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 5, 2016

Greenery in neighborhoods may reduce adolescent aggressive behavior

A new study found that adolescents living in neighborhoods with more greenery have less aggressive behaviors. The researchers linked the adolescents' residential locations to satellite data, measuring the levels of greenery and associated it with reduced aggressive behaviors.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 28, 2016

The pizza slice that comes at a price

A recent study by University of Surrey researchers reveals that emissions from pizzerias and steakhouses using wood burners can have damaging effects on the urban environment. The findings highlight the need to consider unaccounted sources of emissions, including burning wood and domestic waste.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateJun 17, 2016

This week from AGU: More concentrated storms, methane emissions, and 4 research spotlights

Researchers study concentrated storms causing extreme flooding in urban areas and high methane emissions from the Bakken oil field. Scientists also investigate black carbon in oceans and its impact on marine life. Additionally, a new study reveals that half of streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2016

How urban living affects children's mental health

A new study from Duke University and King's College London found that urban children are at a higher risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms due to low social cohesion and high crime rates. The study, which followed 2,232 British twins, found that 7.4% of urban children had experienced at least one psychotic symptom by age 12 compared ...

SourceDuke University·JournalSchizophrenia Bulletin·DateMay 11, 2016

School breakfasts contribute to healthy weight, study finds

A new study published in Pediatric Obesity found that eating a second breakfast at school is associated with healthier weights and reduced risk of obesity among middle school students. The study, which tracked 584 students over two years, found that students who ate double breakfasts were less likely to be overweight or obese compared ...

SourceYale University·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateMar 17, 2016

Rat problems in poor neighborhoods linked to depressive symptoms

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Community Psychology·DateMar 16, 2016

NYU study defines social motivations of urban farms

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalBritish Food Journal·DateFeb 29, 2016

Pilot training program to improve transgender competency among medical staff in an urban clinic

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.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTransgender Health·DateFeb 2, 2016

Fewer than 1 in 25 Seattleites can really eat locally

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·DateJan 13, 2016

Penn Medicine study is first to map of paths of hundreds of urban males on violence risk

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.

Teaching problem-solving, leadership to young African-American girls lowers relational aggression

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...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalPsychology of Violence·DateNov 23, 2015

To feed or not to feed

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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAvian Conservation and Ecology·DateNov 19, 2015

New urban heat island study shows surprising variation in air temperatures across Twin Cities

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 18, 2015

Study: Small urban corner stores offer increased healthy food options

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...

Middle schoolers may benefit academically from extracurricular activities

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateOct 22, 2015

Heat waves hit heat islands hardest

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...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 28, 2015