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A greener, more effective way to kill termites

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateMay 31, 2024

Rapid urbanization in Africa transforms local food systems and threatens biodiversity

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.

Detroit researchers find connection between PFAS exposure in men and the health of their offspring

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.

New transit station in Japan significantly reduced cumulative health expenditures

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.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 14, 2024

Areas with more illegal market opportunities more likely to be targeted by organised crime, study shows

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalTrends in Organized Crime·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 9, 2024

Is active screening for tuberculosis among vulnerable populations cost-effective?

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.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 22, 2024

Unhealthy food environments may play a role in increasing rates of childhood obesity in low- and middle-income countries

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...

SourceArnold School of Public Health·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateMar 5, 2024

Communities severed by roads and traffic experience a larger number of collisions in New York City

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.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironment International·DateMar 4, 2024

How air pollution can harm team performance

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·DateFeb 28, 2024

Researchers find three companies own more than 19,000 rental houses in metro Atlanta

A new Georgia State study reveals that Invitation Homes, Pretium Partners, and Amherst Holdings control over 11% of single-family homes available for rent in metro Atlanta's core counties. The three companies own tens of thousands of properties in select neighborhoods, allowing them to exercise significant market power over tenants.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalAnnals of the American Association of Geographers·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2024

Entrepreneurship on the periphery: between precarious work and the search for a meaningful life

A Brazilian study analyzed how low-income communities deal with the effects of the economic crisis in São Paulo city. The research found that entrepreneurship is a main strategy used by members of poor communities to participate in the economy, with over 15 million people registered as micro-entrepreneurs nationwide.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Urban and Regional Research·DateFeb 16, 2024

Joro spiders well poised to populate cities

Researchers found Joro spiders can thrive near busy roads, attacking simulated prey 59% of the time, despite slight differences in attack rates, without compromising their health or body mass. The species' ability to tolerate urban vibrations and sounds is likely a key factor in its exponential growth

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalArthropoda·DateFeb 13, 2024

Quality of care for patients who call 911 varies greatly across the United States, study finds

A new study from the Icahn School of Medicine of Mount Sinai reveals significant variations in emergency medical service (EMS) performance across the United States. The research found that EMS agencies in rural areas were less likely to provide optimal care, including treating low blood sugar and pain for trauma patients.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPrehospital Emergency Care·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 13, 2024

How a city is organized can create less-biased citizens

Researchers found that larger, more diverse, and less segregated cities experience decreased implicit racial biases due to increased social interactions. This is attributed to a lack of cosmopolitan public spaces where people can interact with others from different groups, creating barriers to equity.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

Illustrating the relationship between pedestrian movement and urban characteristics using large-scale GPS data

This study uses large-scale GPS data to assess pedestrian movement around Tokyo's stations and its relationship with urban characteristics such as density, diversity, and design. The findings highlight that TOD attributes significantly impact pedestrian count, distances, and durations, but the impact varies across different metrics.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·DateFeb 6, 2024

Pedestrian injuries from falls versus motor vehicle collisions: are we lacking critical policy and interventions?

A recent study found that pedestrian injuries from falls exceed those from motor vehicle collisions in the US, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed EMS data and found that pedestrians over 50 years old were 3.9 times more likely to experience severe injuries from falls compared to motor vehicle collisions.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJan 31, 2024

Risk of death during heatwaves in Brazil linked to socioeconomic factors

A new study found that heatwaves in Brazil are disproportionately affecting female, elderly, Black, Brown, and low-education individuals, resulting in a staggering 48,075 deaths between 2000 and 2018. The research highlights the need for targeted efforts to reduce mortality rates during future heatwaves.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2024

Supports help keep Aussie firefighters safe

Research from University of South Australia shows professional firefighters have lower movement quality as they age, which could put them at greater risk of injury. Functional strength training can help maintain a fit and healthy workforce.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2024

Smartphone use differs between urban and rural areas

Smartphone usage patterns differ substantially between urban and rural populations, with urban users favoring social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. In contrast, rural users tend to use Facebook and Snapchat, suggesting that environment influences smartphone behavior.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateNov 28, 2023

Rural counties showing steeper decline in health measures compared to urban counties in 2015 versus 2019—though all areas showed declines in health measures over time

A recent study has found that rural US counties have worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts, with declines in health measures accelerating over time. The researchers developed a publicly available dashboard to visualize health disparities and identify areas for policy interventions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 3, 2023

Researchers identify important strategies for diabetes care and quality improvements in the primary care setting

High-performing primary care practices use similar strategies to manage change and improve diabetes care, including standardizing the care process, enhancing care teams, and engaging staff and clinicians. These practices also focus on proactive care, pre-visit planning, and improving patient relationships.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 25, 2023

Atmospheric scientists reveal much of Houston’s ozone exceedance due to air flows from the north

A University of Houston study found that most of Houston's ozone exceedance is due to transported pollutants from the central and northern US, while local photochemistry contributes to elevated ozone production. The research highlights the importance of reducing emissions at the Houston Ship Channel to mitigate future ozone pollution.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateSep 11, 2023