Articles tagged with Urban Studies
A nationwide study found a sharp increase in skin infections, with abscesses and cellulitis rates nearly quadrupling in safety-net emergency departments and tripling among children. The study suggests community-acquired MRSA is the main cause of this rise, affecting all populations but those over 45 less severely.
Children's physical activity significantly decreases between the ages of 9 and 15, with only 31% meeting guidelines by 15 years old. The decline in physical activity is associated with an increased risk of obesity and chronic diseases among youth.
Rice University will establish its first Ph.D. program in sociology, focusing on Houston's social environment and its implications for modern cities. The graduate studies will integrate academic and public sociology through explorations of human society in major urban environments.
Firms in rural areas are less likely to issue equity than urban firms, with rural firms using lower-quality underwriters. This is due to the marginal investor being located far away, creating an information disadvantage for insiders.
Unsafe abortions are common in Latin America and Africa, with 3.7 million and 4.2 million reported annually, respectively. The lack of access to safe abortion services exacerbates maternal mortality and social injustice. Feminist groups and civil organizations advocate for decriminalization, but conservative positions hinder progress.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of persistently elevated serum ALT levels among Iranians, associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and urban lifestyle. NAFLD also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by up to 2 folds.
A 20-year study by NOAA reveals a positive trend in reducing contaminant levels in U.S. coastal waters, despite ongoing concerns about metals and industrial chemicals. The report highlights decreasing trends for pesticides like DDT and industrial chemicals PCBs, but notes continued issues with oil-related compounds and flame retardants.
A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of naltrexone alone and in combination with sertraline among Alaskans living in rural settings. The study found that naltrexone significantly improved abstinence rates compared to placebo, with 35% of participants remaining abstinent for the entire 16-week treatment.
A study by UT researchers found a strong dose-response relationship between exposure to tobacco advertising and promotions and tobacco use among Indian youth. The study revealed that 37% of youth had seen tobacco advertising in more than four places, with those exposed being more likely to have ever used or be currently using tobacco.
A UMCES-led research team has developed a new technology to quantify the environmental benefits of urban stream restoration, showing that stream restoration techniques can double nitrogen removal rates by microbes and reduce nitrogen levels in ground water. This breakthrough will help improve water quality in urban environments.
A Brazilian study found that urban slums are a source of leptospirosis transmission due to poor sanitation and rodent-borne disease. The study identified households with Leptospira antibodies clustering in squatter areas, highlighting the need for social factors-based prevention strategies alongside improved sanitation.
Researchers found that people admitted on weekends after cardiac arrest are more likely to die due to lack of resources and improved resuscitation efforts outside hospitals. The study also revealed men tend to survive better than women and cardiac arrest patients are getting younger.
Studies found that people living in deprived areas had significantly worse cognitive function and higher mobility problems compared to those in less deprived areas. The research highlights the importance of adequate healthcare and social care in poorer communities.
A study of 36 freshmen at Auburn University found that students gained an average of 1.9 pounds during the first semester and 4.8 pounds for the entire freshman year, with some losing weight altogether.
A meta-analysis of over 50 studies found that bird feeding can lead to immediate positive outcomes, such as increased chick survival, but also creates ecological traps and disrupts natural selection. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive research on the impact of bird feeding on ecosystems.
A new study found that references to illegal drug use in rap music increased dramatically between 1979 and 1997, depicting marijuana as a positive activity. Rap music's shift towards glorifying drugs was linked to commercialization and social factors, distorting the reality of African American communities.
A recent study from Temple University's School of Medicine found that regular communication with doctors can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. By using an internet-based health reporting system and regular clinic visits, participants were able to improve their blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and cardiovascular...
Researchers found PTSD associated with increased mental healthcare utilization and hospitalizations in urban primary care patients. Trauma exposure was also linked to substance dependence and depression, but not necessarily to increased healthcare use apart from mental health visits.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that neighborhoods with higher levels of poverty, lower education, and more female-headed families tend to have lower exercise levels. Social and economic factors outside of individual control can impact physical activity.
A research team led by Walter Dodds found that microorganisms in small streams filter out nitrogen, reducing its entry into larger rivers and oceans. The study, published in Nature, suggests that preserving small streams' natural filtration process is crucial for maintaining water quality.
A national study found that healthy streams can filter out 40-60% of added nitrogen within 500 meters, while denitrification accounts for about 19%. Maintaining healthy riparian areas and complex stream channels is essential to prevent eutrophication.
A recent study published in Nature has found that small streams and rivers are crucial in removing excess nitrogen pollution from watersheds before it reaches the oceans. The research, led by Arizona State University scientists, used a rare nitrogen isotope to examine the effects of nitrogen loading in streams.
A University of Minnesota study suggests that adolescents who use alcohol are less receptive to prevention programs, highlighting the need for earlier intervention. The researchers recommend a prevention program prior to sixth grade with parent involvement to delay alcohol use and provide tweens with skills to refuse alcohol.
A 18-month study explores the relationship between environment perception and physical activity in Hispanic fifth graders, examining how moms' views influence child behavior. The UH-PEAK study uses innovative technology to track daily activity and gather data on safe spaces for play.
A study published in JAMA found that rural patients are less likely to be wait-listed for heart, liver, and kidney transplants, with disparities of up to 15% in transplantation rates. The researchers suggest that differences in disease burden or access to specialty care services may contribute to these disparities.
A new study published by Temple University found that adding a brisk walking routine can reduce psychological symptoms like anxiety, stress and depression in postmenopausal women. The research suggests moderate-paced exercise can help maintain mental health throughout the menopausal transition.
A study by Nicholas M. Perry found that urban women have denser breasts and are nearly four times more likely to develop breast cancer than rural women. Regular breast screening with digital mammography is advised for all women, especially those with dense breast tissue.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that rural patients are diagnosed at an earlier stage for colorectal and lung cancer compared to urban patients. The study controlled for various factors, including age, race, and education level. Rural-urban differences in cancer presentation may inform targeted screening efforts.
Researchers found that urban colorectal and lung cancer patients present at later stages of disease than their rural counterparts. This study highlights the need for improved screening efforts in both rural and urban populations to address disparities in cancer diagnosis.
A new study published in The Lancet has shown that urban sanitation is a highly effective health measure in reducing cholera and diarrhoeal diseases in developing countries. The research found that city-wide sanitation programs can reduce the prevalence of diarrhoea by up to 43% in high-risk areas.
Using CPR combined with bystander use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) significantly increases the chances of surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study found that when bystanders provided CPR and attached an AED, survival increased to 36 percent – approximately four times that of CPR alone.
A University of Alberta study found that farm children are less likely to develop asthma compared to those living in non-farm rural or urban environments. The two-year cumulative incidence of asthma was 2.3% among farm kids, significantly lower than other groups.
A study found that hepatitis C and B virus infections are spreading less quickly among injection drug users in San Francisco. This decrease is attributed to reduced needle-sharing, a common method of transmission.
A new study found that pill box organizers significantly improved HIV patients' adherence to medication, leading to better viral suppression and reduced risk of disease progression. The inexpensive tool was associated with a 4% improvement in adherence and an estimated 11% reduction in the risk of clinical AIDS.
A three-year study measured lung function growth in 3,170 eight-year-old children in Mexico City, finding significant deficits in children exposed to higher levels of air pollutants. The effects of long-term exposure on lung health are associated with increased risk of chronic obstructive lung disease and cardiovascular morbidity.
Researchers found that urban air pollution increases indices of cardiovascular risk, including inflammation, oxidative stress, coagulation, and autonomic dysfunction, in healthy Taiwanese college students. The study suggests a link between air pollution and systemic inflammation/oxidative stress in young adults.
A new perspective on the origin of civilization is proposed in Science, suggesting many urban centers existed 5,000 years ago in an arc across Middle Asia. Archaeological findings indicate shared trade, iconography, and culture among civilizations.
A Johns Hopkins study found that many Baltimore inner-city homes lack essential safety devices, putting infants and toddlers at risk of fires, falls, and poisoning. The study highlights the need for improved home safety measures, including stair-blocking gates, fire detectors, and medication storage, to protect young children.
A new study by researchers at CU-Boulder finds that reactive gases, not direct emissions of particulates, form the bulk of organic haze. The study reveals that aerosols formed chemically in the air account for about two-thirds of total organic haze in urban areas and over 90% in rural areas.
A survey of 700 surgical residents found that over half failed to report needle-stick injuries involving patients with bloodborne pathogens. Residents claim they are too busy or fear disrupting their work, but early reporting can prevent infection in up to 90% cases.
A study of over 3,700 middle school students found that most obtain alcohol from their parents' homes, with one-third of users getting it from family members. The research highlights the importance of parental involvement in preventing underage drinking.
Research found telephone-guided treatment with clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to be safe and effective for rural stroke patients. The study, the largest of its kind, showed improved outcomes compared to a large national study published in 1995.
A study of 119 Iowa hospitals found that rural hospitals do not have higher death rates for heart attack care, contrary to previous research. The study used a more sensitive analytic method to control for biases and found comparable patient outcomes.
A new study confirms the US Census Bureau provided information on persons of Japanese ancestry to US surveillance agencies during WWII. The researchers call for the bureau to disavow its denials and set the record straight.
New research suggests that living in rural areas can lower the risk of heart disease, possibly due to easier access to fresh produce and outdoor exercise. Meanwhile, urban residents are more motivated to get healthy but lack knowledge about heart-healthy eating.
A new study challenges the World Health Organization's idea that schizophrenia is relatively more benign in developing societies. The research compares biological and cultural indicators of schizophrenia in urban, Western societies with data from Palau, which has one of the highest rates of schizophrenia diagnosis in the world.
A study published in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that children under ongoing family stress have more fevers with illness than other children. Interestingly, the immune system's natural killer cell function in these children also increases, unlike adults who experience decreased function.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that living in densely populated, pedestrian-friendly areas is associated with lower body mass index levels. Researchers discovered that access to public transit, proximity to commercial goods and services, and population density are inversely related to BMI levels.
The RAND Corporation is conducting a $12 million study to improve understanding of the factors that influence children's educational and social development in Los Angeles County. The study, which has already yielded insights into neighborhood influences on children, aims to enroll 1,000 additional families across 60 neighborhoods.
A study by Teachers College, Columbia University found that telephone outreach significantly increased the incidence of colorectal cancer screening among an urban minority population. The intervention resulted in a 27% increase in screening rates compared to those who received printed materials.
A new study reveals that immigrants' neighborhood choices are largely determined by their partners, contradicting the traditional notion of clustering with countrymen. The research found that those who partner outside their native group are less likely to live near their countrymen.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that Manchester commuters inhale their biggest daily dose of harmful traffic fumes during the morning rush hour. The air pollution traps particles near ground level, which can be toxic to human health.
A study found that children with higher intelligence at age 6 were less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by age 17, even if they experienced traumatic events. Children with anxiety disorders and conduct problems at age 6 were more likely to develop PTSD.
The Boston College Urban Ecology Institute is developing an urban environmental science curriculum, textbook, and multimedia system for use in America's urban high schools. The project aims to promote the stewardship of healthy urban ecosystems through improved science education.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that gun store reforms led to a 44% decrease in new guns sold to criminals in Milwaukee. The change resulted in a 96% reduction in small, inexpensive handguns and 42% fewer other types of guns recovered from crimes.
Dr. Gene E. Likens and Dr. Steward T.A. Pickett are honored by the Botanical Society of America for their groundbreaking research on acid rain, freshwater ecology, and urban ecology. Their work has informed national legislation and transformed the Institute of Ecosystem Studies into a global leader in ecological research.
Two studies evaluate health effects of dental amalgam fillings in children, finding no detectable loss of intelligence or kidney function. Children with mercury exposure showed low and stable levels without correlation to symptoms.
A multicenter study found no significant difference in survival rates between automated LDB-CPR and manual CPR after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, another study showed improved outcomes with the use of an automated device, including higher survival rates to hospital discharge.
A study of 169 Caucasian women aged 10-70 found that skin tone and luminosity significantly impact perceived attractiveness and age. Even skin tone was associated with higher ratings for health and youthfulness, while uneven tone added years to perceived age.
Penn State researcher Karen Bettez Halnon finds middle class embracing muscles, motorcycles, and tattoos as new form of gentrification. This symbolic takeover relegates lower classes to the periphery, with extreme measures taken by disaffected groups to defend against encroachment.