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Despite dwindling resources, many older adult Israelis exhibited impressive resilience during the initial period of the Israel-Hamas war, Bar-Ilan University study finds

A Bar-Ilan University study found that older adult Israelis showed remarkable resilience during the conflict, with lower rates of acute stress and PTSD symptoms compared to younger adults. The study suggests that life experience, emotional regulation capabilities, and coping mechanisms played a significant role in this resilience.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·DateMar 27, 2024

Truth and reconciliation: New study finds people less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media

A new study has found that people are less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media, citing fear of being stereotyped and judged. The research suggests that social media can be a barrier to post-conflict reconciliation, particularly when it comes to discussing the legacy of war.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Intervention and Statebuilding·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Exposure to Agent Orange damages brain tissue in ways similar to Alzheimer’s disease

A new study reveals that Agent Orange damages frontal lobe brain tissue in laboratory rats, causing molecular and biochemical abnormalities similar to early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This research has important implications for the long-term brain health of aging veterans and people exposed to biologically similar herbicides.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2024

Strong European backing for Ukraine leaves “little space” for exploitation of pro-Russian politics, study shows

A new study shows widespread European backing for Ukraine, with solid supporters in Germany, France, and Spain, and staunch supporters in the UK, Eastern European nations, Finland, and Sweden. However, opinions are mixed on NATO's approach and Ukraine's membership, reflecting differing perceptions of involvement in the Russia-Ukraine c...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Affairs·TypeSurvey·DateJan 31, 2024

Car accidents, accidental overdoses account for majority of accidental deaths among U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan/Iraq wars—but death rates differ by time since deployment, age, and gender

Rates of fatal motor vehicle accidents were highest among military members immediately following their return from deployment, while the highest rates of fatal accidental overdose deaths occurred later in postdeployment life. Younger soldiers between 18-24 years old were at highest risk for MVA and accidental overdoses.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 25, 2024

‘A ticking clock’: First ground-based survey of damage to Ukrainian cultural sites reveals severity, need for urgency

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame document extensive damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage sites, including churches, schools, and archaeological sites. The team found widespread devastation caused by missile strikes and underground trench systems, with many historical buildings and monuments affected.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAntiquity·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023

Civilian attacks and Ukrainian resistance

A recent survey of Ukrainian civilians found that those who have been more victimized by Russian violence are more willing to resist, particularly in military combat. The study suggests that the Russian strategy of targeting civilians is unlikely to deter Ukrainian resistance and may even strengthen it.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 12, 2023

Scientists develop method to predict the spread of armed conflicts

Researchers at the Complexity Science Hub developed a mathematical method to analyze armed conflict data, identifying causal links between battles and predicting future conflicts. The approach, inspired by physics and biophysics, reveals how violence spreads like avalanches across Africa and can be applied to other armed conflicts.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 1, 2023

Public support for militarily defending NATO allies

A recent study found that voters in NATO member states are more willing to defend another country if it joins the alliance, with benefits varying by country. NATO membership boosts support for military defense, particularly among non-member countries, and perception of the alliance's value plays a critical role.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 5, 2023

During Operation Guardian of the Walls, residents of the south suffered significantly greater physiological and mental harm than the rest of the population

Residents of southern Israel suffered significantly greater physiological and mental harm than others, with spikes in heart rate and stress, reduced sleep duration, and decreased physical activity. Women, young people, and those living near Gaza paid the heaviest price, with notable differences in screen time, mood, and quality of sleep.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalCommunications Medicine·DateJul 4, 2023

Sanctions on Russia’s businesses haven’t worked

New research on Russia's sanctions reveals that targeted firms temporarily suffered modest losses but eventually adapted by reorganizing subsidiaries, altering supply chains, or seeking government support. This suggests that economic sanctions are unlikely to deter or reverse aggressive actions by other countries.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Management Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 5, 2023

Disruption from war in Ukraine pushes highly contagious infectious diseases to alarming levels

New research reveals a worrying picture of rising infectious disease cases in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, with shigellosis and viral meningitis incidence significantly higher than the national average. Childhood vaccination coverage has also plummeted, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk of severe illness and death.

Targeting wealth managers would cripple Russia's oligarchs

A new study by Dartmouth College researchers finds that sanctions on wealth managers would be more effective than asset seizure in crippling Russia's oligarchs. The research uses network science to map the connections between wealthy individuals and their financial experts, revealing a vulnerable network that can be disrupted with targ...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 28, 2023

Blessing or curse? How the pandemic and the war impact energy transitions

The Covid-19 pandemic and European conflict have exposed the vulnerability of the global energy system, with reduced investments in clean energy projects and increased fossil fuel reliance. This is likely to create lock-in effects that could take decades to reverse, making a sustainable energy transition increasingly challenging.

US presidential narcissism linked to longer wars

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that US presidents who scored high on a measure of narcissism spent an average of 613 days at war, compared to 136 days for those below average. Narcissistic leaders tend to extend wars to declare victory and maintain their self-image.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Conflict Resolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2022

Only 1 in 5 Syrian children in refugee camps show resilience to mental health problems

New research reveals that only 1 in 5 Syrian children living in refugee camps exhibit resilience to mental health problems. The study found that factors such as the child's environment, caregiver interactions, and access to resources significantly impact their ability to recover from war trauma.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateAug 4, 2022

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine sheds light on the challenges of medical practice in wartime Ukraine

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine publishes a first-hand account of daily nuclear medicine practice in Kyiv, Ukraine, where physicians face constant bombing and shelling. Despite the challenges, Dr. Kmetyuk expresses gratitude for international support and hope for the future of Ukrainian medical professionals.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 1, 2022

Ukraine war and refugee health

The article highlights key health considerations for Ukrainian refugees in Canada, including timely access to care and trauma-informed approaches. Key gaps in the Canadian healthcare system include lack of universal access to interpreters and coordinated care across services.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 11, 2022

More digging needed to see whether bones of fallen Waterloo soldiers were sold as fertilizer, as few human remains have ever been found

A new study suggests that the bones of fallen Battle of Waterloo soldiers were likely sold as fertilizer due to the scarcity of human remains found on the battlefield. The research, published in the Journal of Conflict Archaeology, is based on original data and visitor accounts from the time period.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Conflict Archaeology·DateJun 17, 2022

Where the mind is without fear: Scientists discover mechanism behind the chemically induced suppression of fearful memories

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science identify brain regions and signaling pathways involved in fear extinction via delta receptor activation. The study suggests a potential therapeutic agent for post-traumatic stress disorders by suppressing fearful memories.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

Reservists, especially those with combat exposure, are at risk for alcohol misuse after military deployment: Study

A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that Army Guard soldiers who returned from deployment were at risk for heavy drinking. The rate of drinking among deployed Guard soldiers exceeded that of deployed military personnel, with combat exposure being a significant factor.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey·DateMar 9, 2022

Follow-up shows 'very high odds' of long-term disability for veterans with combat concussion

A study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that service members who sustained combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at high risk of long-term disability. The odds of being on a trajectory of worse long-term outcome were 49 times higher for those with blast TBI compared to those with no blast exposure.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateMar 8, 2022