Articles tagged with Warfare
A new report by Brookings Institution suggests the US can improve its role in partners' conflicts by clearly communicating goals and persuading allies to adjust their strategies. Dafna Rand's research identified missteps and misunderstandings that undermined America's ability to manage and influence allies' strategies.
A study of 193 countries finds that armed conflict leads to more measles cases, even a year after fighting ends. Socioeconomic decline is the strongest connection between conflict and measles, as it erodes health foundations and population vulnerability.
Researchers propose using terrain to deter conflict while delivering environmental benefits through restored forests, wetlands, and peatlands. These interventions support carbon storage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity recovery, acting as a form of deterrence by denial.
A new study reveals US and UK volunteer fighters in Ukraine experience high levels of mental and physical health difficulties, including PTSD, moral injury, and poor quality of life. Many struggle to access healthcare after deployment, instead relying on fellow volunteers for support.
A new report by Anglia Ruskin University and the University of York identifies key weaknesses in the UK's food system and recommends interventions to prevent disruptions from escalating into a crisis. The study suggests increasing energy security, diversifying food value chains, and promoting varied diets to reduce risks.
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
A 10-year follow-up study by PLOS reveals that Dutch servicemembers injured in Afghanistan maintained their quality of life. The findings suggest long-term stability for those affected by battle-related injuries.
A game theoretical model of cyberwarfare assesses Attacker and Defender costs, revealing that networks with fewer attack vectors benefit Defenders. Converging technological capabilities amplify conflicts, while centralized government control can provoke more aggressive attacks.
A new book by Peter Turchin analyzing data from over 800 societies reveals that warfare was the central driver of social complexity, leading to the development of institutions for cooperation and prosociality. The Great Holocene Transformation offers insights into the evolution of human societies over 10,000 years.
The study, published in The BMJ, provides detailed data on traumatic injuries and medical conditions seen by healthcare workers in Gaza. It highlights the urgent need for resilient surveillance systems to inform tailored interventions.
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is now assigning a dedicated diagnostic code to Gulf War illness, recognizing the condition's chronic nature and physical symptoms. This development aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for veterans affected by the Gulf War.
A three-year study found that smartwatches can detect early signs of PTSD among Israelis who watched extensive media coverage of the Oct 7 attacks. Participants who developed PTSD showed sharper increases in stress levels and declines in mood, physical activity, and sleep quality.
The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of EAET on nearly 700 war veterans across seven US Department of Veterans Affairs centers. Previous research by Dr. Brandon Yarns found that EAET provided significant pain relief compared to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy among older adults.
A new series published in The BMJ highlights the role of the arms industry in perpetuating conflict, injuries, and death, and argues that it should be seen as a commercial determinant of health. Health professionals are urged to advocate for a reorientation away from profit-driven design and deployment towards global priorities of heal...
Victims of enforced disappearances experience prolonged uncertainty and ambiguous loss, leading to chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental health professionals lack clear guidance on treating these cases, highlighting a need for evidence-based treatments and policy changes.
Researchers at UTA and UT Southwestern Medical School developed an adaptive spine board overlay that redistributes pressure more effectively than traditional evacuation surfaces. The device features sensor-driven pressure modulation and autonomously adjusts air-cell pressure to maintain optimal distribution for each patient.
A large observational study suggests that US general military service may actually lower, rather than heighten, the risk of depression. The study found a 22-23% lower risk of depression associated with military service, after adjusting for influential factors such as age, sex, and income.
A recent study by Chris O'Meara from the University of Exeter Law School argues that existing laws can be used to limit when and how states may lawfully target satellites using ASAT technologies. This could help address pressing international concerns regarding space militarization and the fear of wars between states.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a celestial navigation system that uses visual data from stars to provide an alternative means of nighttime navigation in environments where GPS is unavailable or unreliable. The system has been tested on a fixed-wing drone and demonstrated accurate positioning within fo...
A ground-breaking study found that war exposure causes adverse biological changes in children's DNA, leading to lifelong health impacts. The study discovered unique epigenetic responses to trauma, highlighting the need for further research into the long-term effects of war on children's development.
A pilot randomized controlled trial found that telephone-delivered therapy reduced mental health symptoms and improved treatment completion rates among refugee children. The adapted programme, called t-CETA, was delivered by local trained lay counsellors and showed significant benefits compared to in-person treatment.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people are more likely to assume unknown bystanders are enemy combatants than civilians, leading to a higher acceptance of collateral damage. The research suggests that this bias can result in civilian deaths and highlights the need for decision-makers to carefully evaluate their targets.
A new study reveals that Brazil's democracy has been weakened by authoritarian populism, which has undermined welfare systems and human rights protections. This has created an exclusionary view of citizenship and intensified social conflicts, posing a threat to the country's democratic future.
A study analyzing 1.6 million social media posts found that Ukrainian solidarity posts received significantly more online engagement than derogatory posts about Russia. After the invasion, posts celebrating unity gained a 92% increase on Facebook and a 68% increase on Twitter.
A recent study suggests that fear of conflict significantly impacted the development of prehistoric European societies, leading to population declines and concentrations in safer locations. The researchers' computational model matches archaeological evidence, providing context for future refinements to modeling.
Researchers discovered that the Dendra armour was flexible enough to permit full movement and resilient enough to protect the wearer from most blows. The findings shed new light on ancient warfare and its impact on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Researchers recruited Hellenic Marine volunteers to test the Dendra armor's combat suitability. The experiment revealed that the armor did not limit a warrior's fighting ability or cause severe strain on the wearer.
A new project investigates how and why groups of animals fight each other, with implications for human evolution. The study focuses on warlike species like mongooses and termites to understand the factors that lead to extreme aggression and peace.
A new study reveals that former Rwandan genocide perpetrators who returned to their communities articulating a 'narrative of redemption,' saying they were good people despite past crimes. The researchers found that many received warm welcomes from families and/or their communities, leading to an identity shift and a sense of belonging.
A nationwide prospective study found a sharp increase in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in Israelis following the October 2023 Hamas attack. The study nearly doubled the prevalence of these conditions, which were already higher than those reported in previous studies on terrorist events.
Researchers found that intense fires in the region were more likely caused by human activities like war than climate change. The study used sediment cores to analyze black carbon and soot deposits from Tianchi Lake, dating back 6,000 years.
A recent survey found that 18.5% of Ukrainian scientists had left the country since the start of the war, with those more productive and research-active being more likely to emigrate. The average time spent on research activities reduced from 13 hours to 10 hours, equating to a loss of about 20% of scientific research capacity.
A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.
A study of 288 skeletons and rock art reveals a surprising consistency in rates of violence over time, with an increase in lethal violence during the Formative Period. The absence of centralized political systems may have contributed to these violent tensions.
Researchers at the Complexity Science Hub found that periodic outbreaks of warfare can account for boom-bust patterns in population dynamics of early farming societies. The study suggests that social conflict played a crucial role in shaping the population dynamics of these societies, contrary to previous assumptions that climate chang...
The UCDP reported a 97% increase in deaths in armed conflicts to 237,000 in 2022, with Ethiopia and Ukraine being the deadliest conflicts. The number of active conflicts remains at a historically high level, with over 50 state-involved conflicts and 82 non-state conflicts.
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.
Researchers developed a mathematical model that accounts for variables such as helicopter resources and operational range to optimize air movement tasks. The model can perform planning functions in under an hour, saving commanders three to five hours compared to traditional methods.
Research finds military veterans exposed to low doses of chemical warfare agents have higher rates of mortality from genitourinary diseases and deaths attributable to alcohol. However, overall cancer incidence is not significantly associated with Porton Down attendance.
A multimodal knowledge-exchange platform was implemented to provide trauma critical care education to Ukrainian clinicians. The study found that simple tele-education interventions can rapidly share best practices for caring critically ill wartime casualties.
A new study from the University of Portsmouth reveals that 'war tourism' has evolved into online activities such as countering misinformation and raising awareness for Ukrainian refugees. Researchers analyzed data from the Subreddit forum 'volunteers for Ukraine', which had over 44,500 members just two weeks after Russia's invasion.
A study led by McGill University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that Ukrainians who engage in more analytic thinking are less likely to believe pro-Kremlin disinformation. Analytical thinking helps curtail belief in disinformation, according to the researchers.
An international research team applied a new dynamical model and exceptional historical data to examine major explanations for cultural complexity evolution. The study found little support for many influential theories, including the transition to agriculture and conflict theories.
A Georgia Tech researcher argues that AI cannot replace human strategy and judgment in warfare, citing the unpredictable nature of war and the need for human sense-making and moral decision-making. The research highlights the importance of human intervention in making tactical and strategic decisions.
An expert analysis of Russia's foreign policy statements since the USSR collapse finds Putin masking invasion policies with 1990s humanitarian propaganda. The study highlights how the Kremlin has used narratives from the 1990s to claim Russian minorities need protecting with military support.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new algorithm for autonomous underwater sonar imaging that significantly improves speed and accuracy for identifying objects such as explosive mines and sunken ships. The new approach, called informative multi-view planning, integrates information about object locations with sonar proc...
Researchers found that favorable local climate change led to chronic warfare in ancient Peru, as neighboring regions experienced droughts and migrants put pressure on the agricultural economy. The study suggests that climate change can harm all populations, either directly or indirectly, through destabilization and refugee crises.
Australian researchers have mapped the visual systems of hoverflies to detect drones' acoustic signatures, showing a 30-49% improvement in detection rates compared to traditional methods. The technology has potential applications for aviation safety and combatting IED-carrying drones.
The 'Prize Papers' Project has made available online court documents related to the capture of approximately 1,500 ships between 1793 and 1815. Researchers can access digital copies of case books, trial records, and other materials, providing unique discoveries on global maritime history.
Research suggests US hostility towards Chinese Communists in the early years of the Cold War was driven by President Truman's nationalist beliefs. The study found that Truman's view of China as a 'colony' led to economic and military support for local warlords, resulting in covert operations against the CCP.
A new study reveals that medieval warhorses were bred for success in various functions, including tournaments and long-distance raiding campaigns. The research, published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, found that breeding and training were influenced by biological and cultural factors.
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, built a massive siege ramp at Lachish using human chains and thousands of stone blocks. The ramp was constructed in about 25 days, allowing the army to breach the city walls and conquer the city.
The study of medieval gunpowder recipes reveals that the evolution of the perfect powder was a slow trial-and-error process. Researchers analyzed energies released during combustion and found that certain additives made gunpowder stronger, while others had no energetic advantages but might have served other purposes.
Researchers found a positive correlation between population pressure and higher levels of violence during the Middle Yayoi period in northern Kyushu, Japan. Despite peak population pressures in some regions, lower frequency-of-violence values were observed, suggesting other factors may have influenced violence levels.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has received a $1.8 million federal grant to develop legged robots that will assist sailors with shipboard firefighting and maintenance. The robots will be designed to prioritize personnel safety, particularly during fires, and reduce maintenance time.
Researchers reanalyzed the skeletal remains of 61 individuals from Jebel Sahaba cemetery, finding 106 previously undocumented lesions and traumas. Healed trauma suggests individuals fought and survived multiple violent assaults, rather than one fatal event.
The Rydberg sensor can analyze the full spectrum of radio frequency signals and detect AM and FM radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other communication signals. It offers unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy to detect a wide range of mission-critical signals, enabling new capabilities for soldier communications and electronic warfare.
Research reveals that female mongooses start fights to gain genetic benefits from mating with outsiders, while male group members and the entire group pay the costs. The study suggests that 'exploitative leadership' leads to frequent conflicts.
The NPS conducted a concept generation workshop to explore ways to augment the nation's resilience and ability to prepare for war. Participants presented nearly 30 conceptual solutions, including ideas on forward base defense, autonomous logistics systems, and artificial intelligence applications.
A new study uncovers patterns of perimortem trauma in a Southern Siberian nomadic community from the 2nd-4th centuries CE, suggesting violence beyond warfare, including ritualistic practices. The research found that 25% of individuals died from interpersonal violence, with evidence of throat-slitting and scalping on some skeletal remains.