Articles tagged with Urban Studies
Researchers analyzed crime statistics before and after sweep sites to find no change in most crimes, with only minor decreases in auto theft and public disorder. The study suggests that encampments cannot be linked to a rise in crime, challenging the effectiveness of sweeps in improving public safety.
Researchers at Rice University develop OpenSafe.AI, a system that leverages responsible AI and hazard models to provide timely insights for emergency response organizations and communities before, during, and after tropical cyclones and coastal storm events. The goal is to enable better preparation and navigation for severe weather.
A Kobe University research team analyzed conditions for access to nature across generations, finding that availability of green spaces, nature-relatedness, and childhood experiences drive visits. The study highlights the importance of effective environmental education and urban planning policies to address inequalities in nature access.
A new study estimates that cool roofs could have saved up to 249 lives in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer. If widely adopted, cool roofs would reduce the city's ambient temperature by about 0.8 degrees C on average.
A decade-long analysis of wildlife rescue records in NSW reveals a bias towards larger reptiles, with two species accounting for almost two-thirds of all rescues. Human behavior and environment play significant roles in shaping these interactions.
A new study reveals high levels of airborne plasticizers in Southern California, including phthalates known to cause reproductive harm and cancer. The study uses silicone wristbands to track exposure to these chemicals, finding that daily levels are both high and persistent.
A new study reveals the flood insurance program's effects differ greatly among communities, with higher-population and wealthier areas benefiting more from discounts on premiums. Lower-income communities also see benefits, but only in areas with less racial and ethnic diversity, realizing a gain of about $6,000 per household.
A study found that ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft mitigate the impact of driver racial discrimination on wait times, but systemic segregation persists. The research estimated that at least 3% of drivers must be discriminating based on race to produce cancellation disparities.
A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a moving particle simulation-aided soil plasticity analysis for earth pressure balance shield tunnelling. The study found that earth pressure is a reliable indicator for analyzing soil plasticity and proposed a computer-aided analysis system that precisely reflects e...
A new NIH-funded study found that children who experienced food insecurity during early childhood or whose mothers experienced it during pregnancy had a higher BMI and increased chance of developing obesity. Researchers explored how neighborhood food access affected child body mass index and obesity over time.
A new study shows that urban forests within walkable distance from residential areas are crucial in reducing heat-related health risks. Researchers found that nearby forests have a pronounced impact on reducing mortality risks, particularly those within 1 kilometre of residential areas.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that neighborhoods with poorer redlining scores have higher peak summer temperatures and reduced neighborhood walking time for older adults. However, affluent neighborhoods with more favorable built environments showed reduced walking in extreme heat due to alternative transportation options.
The integration of 5G technology with BeiDou Navigation Satellite System boosts RTK positioning accuracy, reducing errors and enhancing success rates in urban areas. This approach tackles common challenges like signal blockages and visibility issues, paving the way for more reliable urban navigation solutions.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health used a novel interview method to assess New Yorkers' perceptions on energy insecurity, a public health issue. The study found that energy insecurity is associated with health vulnerabilities and impacts nearly 30% of NYC residents.
A new study found that rural regions in Ontario have significantly higher rates of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. The researchers suggest that stigma and socio-cultural dynamics may contribute to these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as telehealth services.
A new study by Richard Boylan found that geographic disparities in US homicide rates have decreased since the 1970s, contradicting expectations. Economic and social inequalities between regions have grown, but violent crime rates have fallen, with possible explanations including improved policing and incarceration rates.
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that homes sold through free classified services received fewer clicks, sold more slowly, and at a lower price than identical homes sold through paid services. This resulted in an average net loss of about 3.5% to 3.8% of the transaction price.
A recent study by New York University reveals that nearly 90% of NYC transit workers have experienced harassment or assault, with women facing higher rates. The survey found that public-facing transit workers, including bus and subway staff, are disproportionately targeted.
This special issue of Criminology & Public Policy explores pressing topics in policing, including evidence-based practices and research-informed policy. The articles featured in the issue aim to guide police reform efforts and improve public safety.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
A new deep learning-based inverse design method allows for the optimization of complex acoustic metamaterials, reducing noise pollution while maintaining ventilation. The approach enables ultra-broadband sound attenuation across various peak frequencies.
A new study found that 45% of police shootings occurred in rural zip codes and 22% in suburban areas from 2015-2020. The study also revealed racial disparities in injury rates across urban-rural continuum, with Black and Native American residents disproportionately affected.
Researchers developed a method to reconstruct long-term backscatter coefficient data using Sentinel-1 and Landsat images. The technique accurately mapped changing building heights in Beijing and its surroundings over three decades, providing valuable insights into urban expansion and environmental issues.
A new study suggests that California's affordable housing crisis is driving increased development in and near wildlands, putting residents at higher-risk for climate-related natural disasters. The research aims to understand the drivers of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) growth and its impact on environmental dynamics.
Research on wind farms reveals their potential to slow tropical cyclone winds and reduce precipitation. Additionally, a study found that people experiencing homelessness are four times more likely to suffer temperature-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, than the general population.
A new study finds that exposure to particulate matter 2.5 microns or bigger rises by about 2.4 percent when daily travel patterns are taken into account. The research also reveals demographic disparities in exposure levels, with income and ethnicity playing a significant role.
A recent study found that e-bicycle injuries doubled every year from 2017 to 2022, while e-scooter injuries rose by 45%. The researchers also noted that e-scooter riders were more likely to suffer internal injuries and conventional scooter riders were more likely to experience upper extremity injuries.
Researchers developed a deep learning-based model to estimate rainfall intensity from surveillance audio, achieving a root mean absolute error of 0.88 mm h-1 and a coefficient of correlation of 0.765. This approach offers a new method for high-resolution hydrological sensing, contributing to environmental resilience and urban sensing.
A new study found that children who move multiple times between ages 10 and 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who don't move. This effect is stronger than growing up in an income-deprived neighborhood, suggesting a settled home environment may protect against future mental health issues.
Researchers from Pusan National University conducted a participatory planning process with children to improve walking safety in a school zone. Children successfully identified and ranked solutions, which were later presented to the local government and implemented as a policy.
A recent analysis found that nearly half of US counties lack a cardiologist, exacerbating rural-urban health disparities. Counties without cardiologists tend to be more rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and experience higher cardiovascular mortality rates.
Rural residents with head and neck cancer experience higher mortality rates due to factors like alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and lower HPV vaccination rates. This disparity widens the rural-urban mortality gap.
Black participants with greater access to green spaces had up to 35% lower odds of calcification, while those near a river had 32% lower odds. These findings highlight the potential benefits of environmental policies promoting public health and addressing racial and neighborhood-related health disparities.
Past-year Papanicolaou testing rates dropped in 2022 compared to 2019, highlighting the need to increase access to screenings. Rural-vs-urban differences indicate a focus on rural females requires attention.
The report highlights the benefits of developing transit station areas with a focus on housing, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased walkability. Researchers recommend policy approaches to mitigate gentrification outcomes and bridge the gap between demand for walkable communities and supply.
Research by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that converting vacant homes in old new towns into healthcare facilities can slow population decline. This urban transformation can enable older adults to remain in their communities, promoting healthy and connected living.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a highly effective and nontoxic way to kill western drywood termites using a pleasant-smelling chemical called pinene. The method involves releasing the scent of pinene, which attracts termites and guides them to a spot where insecticide is injected into wood.
A study by Imperial College London researchers shows that focusing on urban sources of fine-particle air pollution can reduce health inequalities in deprived areas. By targeting these sources, the UK population's exposure to PM2.5 air pollution can be reduced, benefiting everyone while alleviating the impact on the most vulnerable.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps soil-bearing layer distribution, enabling city planners to assess site suitability and optimize building design. The model improves prediction accuracy by combining geotechnical data and geographic coordinates.
A new study reveals that urbanization in Africa affects food security through dietary shifts, particularly rice consumption, leading to increased methane emissions and biodiversity loss. The research highlights the need for policymakers to adopt holistic approaches to address future sustainability challenges.
A recent study by Wayne State University researchers has demonstrated a connection between exposure to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in males and health problems in their offspring. The study found that PFAS mixtures can alter sperm methylation and affect the long-term reprogramming of offspring liver and fat tissues.
A recent study found highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in 6 city birds in New York City, collected through a community involvement program. The researchers found the virus belonged to two different genotypes and highlighted the critical role urban wildlife rehabilitation centers play in viral surveillance.
A new transit station in Japan significantly reduced average healthcare expenditures per capita over four years, with savings of approximately $929.99. The study used a causal impact algorithm and time series data to analyze the medical expenditure data gathered from a suburban city on the West Japan Railway line.
A new study found that communities with higher-than-average illegal market opportunities are more likely to be targeted by organised crime groups. Organised crime offenders tend to move into areas with similar socio-demographic profiles and target urban communities with higher levels of criminal activity.
Researchers found better-than-expected life expectancy in two disadvantaged English areas, which is likely due to population changes. Local residents and professionals attribute the gains to factors such as increased housing affordability and town centre improvements, despite rising costs for existing populations.
Pediatric opioid overdoses show a decreasing trend between 2008 and 2019, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. High-risk populations include young children and adolescents, particularly males and those in urban teaching hospitals.
Researchers developed a framework to measure plastic pollution emissions, estimating Toronto emitted nearly 4,000 tonnes in one year. The approach will help identify major contributors and inform strategies to reduce emissions worldwide.
A new study from Australian National University reveals that Pacific cities were established around AD 300, 700 years earlier than previously thought. This discovery sheds light on the indigenous innovation of urbanisation in the Pacific, which developed before Western influence.
A new study finds that remote work has changed urban transportation patterns in the U.S., with significant variation across regions. The research reveals that remote work has reduced vehicle miles driven by about 1% per 1% decrease in onsite workers, but had a more substantial impact on mass-transit ridership.
The study found that problem property interventions in Boston reduced crime and disorder at target locations and nearby properties for many years. The program incentivized property owners to manage their properties better or sell them to new owners who could maintain them.
A long-term study found that coronary heart patients who live in greener areas have a significantly lower risk of mortality after undergoing bypass surgery. The study, which followed over 3,000 patients for 14 years, found that living in a green environment was associated with better chances of survival.
A study predicts that climate change will lead to a major species turnover in North American cities by the end of the century. Cities with cooler and wetter climates are expected to gain new species, while warmer cities may lose many species.
A systematic review by Gogichadze et al. suggests that active pulmonary TB screening programs targeting vulnerable populations in low-TB-incidence countries are cost-effective. The authors conclude that screening immigrants and other high-risk groups is a viable approach to detecting latent infections.
A recent study found that urban hawks are vulnerable to a range of threats, including collisions with windows and direct killing by humans. The researchers used GPS transmitters to track the movements of 158 female Cooper's hawks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and found that 88 died over the course of 11 years.
The study found that patient outcomes for six critical conditions worsened at urban hospitals, while rural hospitals experienced smaller declines, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to reduce excess deaths in future crises.
A recent study suggests that nature experiences positively impact human time perception, particularly in temporal duration and perspective. This can lead to a sense of 'gaining time' and balance feelings of time scarcity. By reconnecting with nature, people may develop a more positive and balanced time perspective.
A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that unhealthy food retailers and advertisements dominate urban school neighborhoods in Greater Tunis, contributing to high rates of childhood obesity. The researchers analyzed over 3600 retailers and nearly 2100 advertisements, revealing that two-thirds were classified as unhealthy, w...
A new study from Columbia University finds that communities severed by roads and traffic in NYC experience a larger number of collisions, including pedestrian and cyclist injuries. The Community Severance Index developed for this study can help identify areas requiring targeted interventions.
High levels of air pollution have a significant negative impact on teams' ability to solve complex problems, such as developing clean energy technologies and vaccines. The study used escape-room games data to estimate that high-pollution days can lead to up to 5% longer completion times for teams.
A study of 5,279 children found that early-life exposure to air pollution significantly increases the risk of developing asthma by early and middle childhood. The study highlights the need for targeted environmental interventions and greater health equity in urban communities.