Articles tagged with Urbanization
A new study deployed unmanned ground vehicle systems to monitor and eradicate Aedes mosquitos in Taiwanese sewers. The system detected 20.7% of inspected sewers with mosquito traces, leading to a significant reduction in adult mosquito density after intervention.
The study provides a detailed map of Urban Heat Islands in Turin, Italy, identifying the population's risk and vulnerable areas. The researchers used an interdisciplinary approach to assess the heat-health nexus, considering factors such as demographic, socioeconomic, health conditions, and environmental context.
Researchers at York University found more pathogens and parasites in urban bee populations, leading to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity. Conservation efforts focused on green spaces and habitat connectors can help mitigate these effects.
Researchers found that corals within the Port of Miami's highly urbanized environment exhibit remarkable persistence despite poor water quality, excess nutrients, high temperatures, and low pH levels. The study demonstrates surprising resilience that can teach us about the future of coral reef ecosystems.
Since 1700, habitats suitable for Asian elephants have decreased by over 64%, resulting in a loss of 3.3 million square kilometers of land. The study suggests that historical land-use patterns and agricultural intensification in South Asia have contributed to this decline.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that social and educational indicators have a stronger impact on population decline rates than economic indicators. Increasing investment in education for children can help lower population decline rates, suggesting a potential solution to Japan's shrinking city problem.
ASU researchers have developed a method to regenerate biocrusts on arid lands by harnessing the power of solar farms. The approach, dubbed 'crustivoltaics,' has shown promising results in doubling biocrust biomass and tripling biocrust cover under photovoltaic panels.
Researchers found fish and bottlenose dolphins react differently to life in noisy shipping corridor of Charleston Harbor Estuary. Fish calls and choruses decreased with increasing anthropogenic noise, while dolphins ramped up their vocalizations. This study highlights the impact of human activities on marine wildlife.
Researchers found that black and turkey vultures ingest more plastic in landscapes with more developed landcover and higher densities of commercial food providers. They may eat plastic thinking it's nutritious bone fragments or intentionally to collect bulk for vomiting up indigestible parts of carrion.
A study found that urbanization favors winged insects over web-builders, with flies and spiders increasing in urban areas while web-building spiders decrease. This suggests an advantage of winged arthropods in cities due to their ability to move between isolated green spaces.
A study by MedUni Vienna's Center for Public Health used GPT-3 to analyze the potential of AI in addressing societal megatrends, including digitization, urbanization, and climate change. The findings suggest that AI can improve understanding of these complex issues and provide suggestions for solutions.
Researchers analyzed 183 million buildings in 6,000 African cities and found that a city's shape affects its energy demand. Double the population means triple the energy costs due to increased commuting distances and pollution.
A new study reveals that climate change and urbanization have dramatically impacted bird populations in Los Angeles and the Central Valley. In L.A., more than one-third of bird species have declined over the past century, while the Central Valley saw a mix of winners and losers. The study used current and historical bird surveys to ana...
Daurian redstarts move their nests closer to human settlements when cuckoos are around to protect against brood parasitism. This strategy has been observed in a population of Daurian redstarts in northeastern China, illustrating how urbanization affects interspecific interactions.
A study by MIT researchers found that chess players perform worse and make more errors when exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air. The probability of error increases by 2.1 percentage points, while the magnitude of those errors rises by 10.8%. Cleaner air leads to clearer heads and sharper thinking.
Researchers found parallel genomic signatures in urban Anolis cristatellus lizards, which also exhibit physical differences such as longer limbs and larger toe pads. These adaptations enable the lizards to thrive in cities.
A Tokyo Metropolitan University study reveals that smaller green areas surrounding large parks in urban environments can significantly affect biodiversity. The researchers found that mobile insect species benefit from these surrounding areas, while less mobile species do not.
A comprehensive analysis of 20 US cities reveals widespread failure to incorporate equity and justice principles in green infrastructure planning. The study highlights the need for fundamental transformation in planning processes to ensure that benefits are distributed fairly and marginalized communities are involved.
A new study by Concordia researchers finds that greenbelts are effective at slowing urban sprawl, particularly in larger cities. 90% of cities with greenbelts experienced decreases in sprawl, while just over a third without them did.
Researchers found that urban vegetation's carbon capture ability has increased, offsetting negative impacts of urbanization. The study suggests that urban management and climate factors play a crucial role in maintaining or increasing GPP in urban areas.
A study by Lund University found that cities negatively impact bird diversity in natural woodlands, with on average a quarter fewer species in urban forests compared to rural ones. This suggests that urban development can lead to biotic homogenization of woodland bird communities.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
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.
A study of 17 African coastal countries found that those farther from the coast have lower standards of living, with fewer owning radios, TVs, and vehicles. Access to education and infrastructure are key factors in increasing prosperity near ports.
Researchers found no significant change in Tokyo's consumption-based CO2 emissions, but increased emissions from imported thermal power. Local governments' reported emission data are underestimated due to this shift.
Cognitive impairment can lead to population declines, particularly for species relying on learning and memory. Infections can impact cognitive abilities differently across animals, depending on their survival strategy and pathogen manifestation.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
A new study published in Ecological Applications found that urban density has a stronger correlation with house sparrow health than other environmental factors like light pollution or noise levels. The researchers also discovered high lead levels in the birds' bodies, which could be linked to bioaccumulation from food sources.
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 University of Washington-led team found that people in China with higher socioeconomic status are more exposed to outdoor air pollution. The study discovered a unique correlation between socioeconomic status and ambient air pollution levels, which runs counter to existing studies conducted in the US.
A new study reveals that tidal flats in the southeastern US are under pressure from urbanization, leading to erosion and loss of these critical ecosystem guardians. The research highlights the need for sustainable management plans to mitigate the impacts of urban expansion on coastal environments.
A nationwide analysis found that local increases in green vegetation could have prevented between 34,000-38,000 deaths among adults 65 and older in large US metropolitan areas. The study also showed a significant increase in overall greenness in metro areas over the past two decades.
International meta-analysis finds that streams and rivers' efficiency in retaining nitrates is nearly five times lower for agricultural catchments than pristine ones. Wastewater, agriculture, and urbanization are the top stressors affecting ecological functions, highlighting the need for urgent action.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soils in the Walnut Creek watershed can absorb over 99% of precipitation events, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that urban planners address flooding problems by considering the amount and location of paved surfaces rather than soil composition.
A new study reveals that urban residents have a simplistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and are less likely to take pro-environmental actions. The research highlights an issue known as urbanized knowledge syndrome, which can harm natural ecosystems and undermine community resilience.
A new study by Yale University researchers reveals that urbanization is constrained by infrastructure inequality, which can persist due to the durable nature of infrastructure. The findings highlight the need for policymakers to address preferential biases when allocating infrastructure to minimize inequalities.
A study published in Animal Behaviour found that individuals from urban environments differ more in their behavior from each other than those from rural populations. This suggests that high spatial and temporal heterogeneity in urban environments may contribute to the development of distinct 'city personalities' among shrews.
Researchers found that urbanization increases hydrogen cyanide production in white clover as a defense mechanism against herbivores. The study, published in Science, reveals adaptive evolution due to urbanization is driving global-scale changes in plant species.
A long-term study reveals that urbanization disrupts natural biorhythms in corals, affecting their metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Despite healthy appearance, corals near urban areas show altered diel and lunar cycles, microbiome patterns, and decreased physiological performance.
A massive study on white clover found that urbanization leads to adaptive evolution at a global scale. RIT scientists collected over 110,000 samples from 160 cities across six continents to test a chemical defense compound's effect on stress tolerance.
A new study by MIT researchers analyzed hundreds of millions of social media posts to measure the emotional toll of the pandemic. The study found that the pandemic caused a huge drop in positive public sentiment, with a subsequent slow return to pre-pandemic levels. Countries most affected included Australia, Spain, and the UK.
Researchers develop liquid-gas absorption system to store thermal energy in chemical potential, achieving 33% greater energy storage density. The new method uses ionic liquids as absorbents, offering a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions from thermal energy.
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.
Urbanization in China has led to an increase in biomass and carbon stocks, both in rural areas and recently developed cities. The country's afforestation strategy and green policy initiatives have contributed to this positive effect on its climate balance.
Researchers found that forests' outermost edges can store more carbon than previously assumed. Trees on these edges grow faster due to reduced competition, taking in nearly twice as much CO2 as interior trees. Soils at forest edges also absorb more CO2, contradicting current ideas about conservation and urban forest value.
A study published in AGU Advances found that water depletion from rivers and lakes accelerates near urban centers due to factors like increased evaporation and groundwater exploitation. Researchers analyzed satellite imagery of the US from 1984 to 2018 and developed a model predicting surface water loss proximity to cities.
A review of over 500 studies on urban climate and weather reveals significant gaps in current understanding and modeling. The researchers emphasize the need for better observation-model integration, improved communication between scientists and end users, and standardized meteorological stations.
A field experiment in China found that people tend to increase activity when informed that others are themselves increasing activity, suggesting a low-cost intervention for promoting economic activity during the pandemic. The study suggests that social cues can be a useful signal for evaluating risks and making decisions about activities.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that nearly all soil samples in Chicago contain high levels of lead, with some areas reaching up to 3,000 ppm. The findings highlight the need for further monitoring and mitigation efforts to address environmental justice concerns.
Residents in eastern US cities experience up to 4.9 degrees Celsius increase in nighttime urban heat stress index, with extra 30 minutes of uncomfortable weather per degree C temperature increase. This effect is more pronounced in the southeastern US, where residents face up to five extra hours of uncomfortable weather during summer.
Researchers developed a framework to evaluate urbanization's impact on food and land use biodiversity. Urban areas can provide a range of approaches to increasing food diversity, including peri-urban agriculture and small farms. Strengthening food biodiversity among the urban poor can improve nutrition and security.
A new study reveals that by 2040, between 64 and 100 million households in India, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia will face cooling challenges, leading to potential discomfort. The study highlights the importance of considering household characteristics beyond income and climate in predicting air-conditioning adoption.
A new study reveals that compound hot extremes, where days and nights are simultaneously extreme, pose significant health risks, especially for female and older residents. Urban compound hot extremes have increased by 1.76 days per decade in eastern China, driven by anthropogenic emissions and urbanization.
Researchers found that tree-cover area, impervious surface area, and building density have a consistent impact on building energy use across cities. The study's results suggest that the relationship between urban form/density and energy use is city-specific and distance-specific.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that Airbnb units cause a mild decrease in long-term rental supply, including affordable housing, while expanding the rental market. The study suggests a new tax to alleviate resulting inequities and maintain social equality.
A new study finds that urban areas are up to 10 times more sensitive to variations in precipitation than rural areas, increasing landslide hazard. Human-made changes to topography and vegetation loss in urban areas weaken slopes and make them more prone to landslides.
A study by the San Francisco Estuary Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and the University of Illinois suggests that access to nature may contribute to lower COVID-19 rates, regardless of racial or socioeconomic identity. The research team found a strong correlation between green spaces and decreased COVID-19 incidence rates.
A new study reveals that city butterflies and moths have genetically adapted to the warmer urban environment, starting their overwintering state later in the year. This allows them to take advantage of a longer growing season, reproducing successfully before winter sets in.
A lidar mapping study of ancient Teotihuacan shows that the city's engineers reshaped the landscape for construction, rerouted rivers to align with astronomical significance, and identified hundreds of previously unknown architectural features. The study confirms how these modifications continue to influence modern activities in the area.
A team of researchers analyzed over 31 million iNaturalist records to find that highly active users primarily post observations of plants and insects, while large animals are underdocumented. The study provides insights into urban biodiversity and the distribution of biological data.