Articles tagged with Urban Studies
A recent study by Rice University, Notre Dame, and Environmental Defense Fund reveals that COVID-19 exacerbated the economic and mental health consequences of Hurricane Harvey. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 participants, found a distinct distinction between acute effects and secondary stressors.
A new study reveals how Airbnb listings affect different areas, with increases in listings raising rents in apartment-heavy areas but reducing prices in low-density neighborhoods. The research highlights the need for designated zoning laws to manage short-term rental accommodation.
The Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) will investigate toxic mechanisms, exposure pathways, biomarkers, and strategies to prevent exposures. It aims to reduce toxic exposures and improve health outcomes through innovative methods such as phytoscreening and Internet of Things technology.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that rural Americans have a higher smoking prevalence and a harder time quitting than urban residents. The odds of quitting were 75% lower in rural areas compared to urban areas between 2010 and 2020.
Researchers found parotoid gland sizes were significantly smaller in urban toads compared to rural populations, while body mass was not different. Urbanization also caused increased sexual dimorphism in leg length.
A study found that better access to primary care physicians in disadvantaged neighborhoods improves high blood pressure awareness and control. The research used the Area Deprivation Index to assess socioeconomic status and analyzed data from over 5,000 predominantly African American adults.
A recent study published in One Earth explores the potential for utilizing urban tree waste to reduce global warming potential in the United States. The researchers found that adopting eco-friendly uses for urban tree waste could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities.
A severe decline in surgical procedure volumes was observed across various subspecialties during the COVID-19 peak. The overall volume failed to fully recover after the peak and vaccine release periods, with varying rates of recovery among different specialties.
A new University of Washington study found that bird behavior was not significantly affected by the reduced human activity during COVID-19 lockdowns. In fact, many birds were observed in highly developed urban areas, suggesting that green spaces may serve as important refuges for urban birds.
A monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, decreased asthma attacks in Black and Hispanic children and adolescents living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study identified three networks of genes associated with airway inflammation and asthma attacks that were reduced by the drug.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was extremely low at a large urban university with strict health measures in place. The analysis of 140,000 class meetings revealed negligible cases, indicating effective control of the virus.
A new study by Northwestern University predicts a worsening wave of opioid overdoses globally, with no geographic distinction between rural and urban areas. The lethal combination of synthetic opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines will be particularly deadly.
Research found significant geographic disparities in opioid overdose death rates between US counties, with rural areas experiencing much higher rates. Between 1999 and 2020, rural overdose deaths increased by 4.5-fold, while urban rates rose by only 2.3 times.
A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children who grow up near green spaces have better lung function. The research suggests that increasing exposure to vegetation close to home can improve lung health, especially when combined with other factors such as physical activity and reduced air pollution.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that allowing cross-border evacuations can reduce evacuation time by 14% and improve public safety. However, intermunicipal cooperation is required to make this approach effective.
A multidisciplinary study uses magnetometers to investigate the magnetic fields of metropolitan areas, finding that each city has a distinct magnetic signature. This unique characteristic can be exploited to analyze anomalies in city operation and long-term trends of urban development.
A recent study by Renmin University of China found that a good media reputation consistently reduces the risk of termination for administrative agencies. The research analyzed over 4.95 million articles published between 1949 and 2019 in the People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee.
Researchers examined law enforcement interactions with patients and clinicians in an urban emergency department, highlighting their impact on patient care. The study's findings suggest that effective communication between law enforcement officers and healthcare providers is crucial for safe and efficient patient treatment.
The new grant aims to address structural racism and discrimination affecting Asian-Americans with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer. Researchers will examine factors such as socio-historical hardship, segregation, and mistrust of the health system to improve quality of care.
A study finds that redlined neighborhoods are associated with increased risk of heart disease, comorbidities, and reduced access to healthcare. Residents of these neighborhoods face lower cholesterol screening rates, higher diabetes and obesity rates, and limited health insurance options.
A new study from NYU Tandon School of Engineering uses a spatio-temporal model to predict firearm prevalence on a state-by-state level. The researchers found that combining data from background checks per capita and suicides committed with a firearm in a given state can provide precise information regarding firearm ownership.
A new study reveals that population declines have been greatest among species that migrate to areas with more human infrastructure, habitat degradation, and climate change. The research identified 16 human-induced threats to migratory birds, including infrastructure associated with bird disturbance and collisions.
A recent study found that rural counties in the US experienced higher mortality rates during the Omicron wave of COVID-19, particularly among unvaccinated patients. Vaccination coverage was a significant factor in reducing patient outcomes.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...
The NIH has launched a clinical trial testing dupilumab, an approved treatment for moderate-to-severe asthma, in children with poorly controlled allergic asthma living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study aims to define the activity levels of gene networks associated with asthma attacks and improve lung function.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that traffic noise at schools is detrimental to working memory and attention in primary-school students. Children attending schools with higher levels of traffic noise showed slower cognitive development, with a 5 dB increase resulting in a 11.4% slower development rate.
The study reveals disparities in receiving smoking cessation assistance based on regional differences, with some areas having significantly lower access. The research highlights the importance of addressing these disparities to ensure equitable healthcare for smokers.
Researchers analyzed urban magnetic fields to understand city health and provide insights for preventative studies. They discovered differences between Berkeley and Brooklyn, with Berkeley reaching near-zero magnetic activity at night.
A recent study published in eLife found that wildlife living in urban environments have picked up some gut bugs from humans, leading to a 'humanization' of their microbiota. The researchers analyzed gut microbiomes in distantly related vertebrates from urban and rural areas and discovered significant differences between the two.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
A recent SFU study found that 79% of Vancouver residents have access to a grocery store within a 15-minute walk, while 99% can reach one via cycling. However, there are inequities in access across populations and neighbourhoods, disproportionately affecting children, older adults, and racialized populations.
A Colorado State University-led study found greater natural gas leak densities in communities with low-income or majority non-white populations compared to predominantly white neighborhoods. The research highlights the need for improved equity in gas distribution systems to enhance health and safety outcomes.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that relaxing concealed firearm laws led to a 12.9% increase in officer-involved shootings with civilian victims in 10 US states. Four states saw significantly higher rates, including Missouri and West Virginia.
A recent study led by Georgetown University researchers found that city wildlife may not be a significant threat for future pandemics. Urban-adapted animals host roughly ten times as many diseases, but after adjusting for sampling bias, the risk of human-infective viruses is no greater than in rural areas.
Researchers found that fruit bats use echolocation during the day despite having excellent vision, suggesting a combination of both senses for enhanced navigation. This study highlights the importance of integrating different senses, like humans using visual and auditory information when crossing streets.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A new study reveals rapid degradation in air quality and increases in urban exposure to hazardous pollutants in tropical megacities. The research found significant annual increases in pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particles, attributed to emerging industries and residential sources.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology present a framework for comparing e-scooter safety, highlighting the importance of analyzing rider behavior and identifying strategies for improving traffic safety. The study found that braking performance is superior on bicycles, while e-scooters excel in steering maneuvers.
A new study measures the happiness benefits of US city parks in the 25 largest cities, finding a powerful effect from urban nature on users. Park size and accessibility emerged as key predictors of happiness.
A study of 749 European cities found nearly 60 million adults subjected to unhealthy vehicle-generated noise, with compliance to WHO guidelines potentially preventing 3,600 annual deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Over 11 million adults were highly annoyed by road traffic noise, leading to increased stress and health problems.
A new study found that clinics with higher FIT completion rates had added staff to support patients, provided educational materials, and offered on-call support. This approach reduced disparities among low-income and racially diverse populations, improving colorectal cancer screening outcomes.
A study reveals that red fox populations in Western Europe became larger than before the rabies vaccination campaign, only to decline since the 2000s. Higher numbers of foxes supported the outbreak of other diseases, while their impacts were limited.
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A new study found that heavy traffic near roads is a significant contributor to water pollution, with contaminants from vehicle fluids, paints, and tires affecting nearby rivers. The study suggests that these pollutants come from road surfaces and are transported to watersheds through stormwater run-off.
Researchers in Brazil developed a computer program that locates swimming pools and rooftop water tanks in aerial photographs, using artificial intelligence to identify socio-economically deprived urban areas at risk for diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The innovation can be used as a public policy tool for dynamic socio-economic ...
A study from the University of California, Davis, found that reducing leaks in urban water systems can be a highly effective and cost-competitive method for saving water. The research suggests that leak reduction is the most cost-effective tool in an urban water manager's toolkit, with estimated savings of $277 per acre-foot.
A new analysis reveals that socioeconomic status amplifies underlying differences in the spatial patterns of how men versus women travel within cities. Women tend to travel shorter distances than men, but socioeconomic factors play a bigger role in shaping their mobility patterns.
A new study found that a higher minimum wage was associated with fewer people defaulting on their rent payments, particularly among those at the lower end of the housing expense market. However, landlords responded by increasing rent payments, offsetting some but not all of the increased income.
A study of over 1,600 Black women found that those who frequently experienced racism before age 20 were at higher risk of reporting depressive symptoms in adulthood. The research highlights the damaging effects of racism on mental health, particularly among young people transitioning into independence.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
GIST researchers propose a new strategy for crime prevention using artificial intelligence, trained on a large-scale dataset of deviant incident reports and corresponding images. The model, called DevianceNet, can accurately classify and detect deviant places, making it a useful tool in urban safety development.
The study reveals that seven indicators affect people's decisions, including ornament, material, and line, which influence heritage perception. A model can predict the heritage potential of a building by ordinary people.
A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.
A new study identifies COVID-19 hotspots in Canadian cities across four provinces, with concentrations of cases linked to social determinants of health such as income, housing and visible minority status. The study calls for city-specific public health supports tailored to communities at disproportionate risk of COVID-19.
A Surrey study found that babies and children in bike trailers breathe in more polluted air than their parents, but using trailer covers can reduce exposure by half. The researchers also discovered a significant reduction in air pollution during lockdown periods.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have published a comprehensive review of 50 fundamental traffic models using an extensive data set of 2.3 billion vehicle observations from 25 cities worldwide. The study found that a non-parametric model outperformed other traffic flow models, regardless of road type and congestion level.
A study by Portland State University found that only 16 transit-oriented developments across the US were fully affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The research highlights the need for policies and regulations to promote affordable housing in TODs, such as requiring a share of affordable units in public property projects.
Research finds that pregnant individuals living in walkable neighborhoods in NYC have lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain compared to those living elsewhere. High poverty rates in these areas are associated with increased risks of excessive GWG.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals that unique strengths and facilitators within American Indian and Alaska Native communities can help reduce food insecurity. The study found that cultural values such as sharing and supporting one another can improve healthy food access for older adults.
A new study found that rural patients rely on primary care physicians and nurses more often, leading to higher copays and out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. The usage gap narrowed over time, but quality and cost of care remained inequitable.