Cities Use Spikes to Keep Birds Away. Birds Are Using Them in Nests
Researchers across Europe have found bizarre nests bristling with the sharp metal stakes cities use to repel birds.....»»
Another US state repeals law that protected ISPs from municipal competition
With Minnesota repeal, number of states restricting public broadband falls to 16. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Yuichiro Chino) Minnesota this week eliminated two laws that made it harder for cities and towns to build.....»»
ShotSpotter improves detection and response to gunfire, but doesn"t reduce crime, research finds
ShotSpotter gunfire detection technology has delivered as promised in terms of enabling police to quickly detect and respond to gunshots in two American cities, research from Northeastern University finds......»»
Birdsong and human voice built from same genetic blueprint
Humans have long been fascinated by bird song and the cacophony of other avian sounds—from coos and honks to quacks and peeps. But little is known about how the unique vocal organ of birds—the syrinx—varies from species to species or its deeper.....»»
Climate change will reduce streamflow in the upper Colorado river basin as groundwater levels fall, study finds
The Colorado River makes life possible in many Western cities and supports agriculture that sustains people throughout the country. Most of the river's water begins as snowmelt from the mountainous watersheds of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and a war.....»»
Successful city parks make diverse communities feel safe and welcome—this Minnesota park is an example
What makes a city a good place to live? Practical features are important, such as well-maintained streets, good public transit and reliable trash collection. So are amenities that make cities attractive and interesting, such as museums and public par.....»»
Farm wastewater modeling shows footbaths are source of antimicrobial resistance
New research has mapped wastewater flows on farms and revealed where spikes in antibiotic resistant bacteria in slurry occur, showing that water from copper and zinc footbaths used by dairy animals can cause fluctuations......»»
Wild birds possess genetic predispositions to learn population-specific songs, study finds
Genetic predispositions guide population-specific song learning in wild birds, shows new research from Stockholm University. By studying adult pied flycatchers that had been translocated as eggs from the Netherlands to Sweden, the researchers found t.....»»
How do birds communicate? Network science models are opening up new possibilities for experts
Nature lovers will know the scene well. A flurry of birdsong, a shake of a tree and out pops a flock of birds flying away in unison together......»»
Green infrastructure plans need to consider historical racial inequalities, say researchers
Urban planners increasingly are interested in green infrastructure projects for the health and climate benefits they bring to cities. But without attention to historical development patterns and existing power structures, such projects may not benefi.....»»
Municipal broadband advocates fight off attacks from “dark money” groups
"Social welfare" groups spread industry talking points against public broadband. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Cities and towns that build their own broadband networks often say they only considered the.....»»
Homo sapiens facilitated establishment of Bonelli"s eagle in the Mediterranean 50,000 years ago, study finds
Spanish and Portuguese scientists have unraveled the ancestral history of one of the most iconic birds of prey in the current Iberian fauna, the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). The work, published in the journal People and Nature, integrates evide.....»»
East Coast has a giant offshore freshwater aquifer—how did it get there?
For water-stressed cities, undersea aquifers could be a submerged solution. Enlarge / An oceangoing scientific drilling vessel may be needed to figure out how huge undersea aquifers formed. (credit: Credit: IODP) One-qua.....»»
Ancient DNA from an extinct native duck reveals how far birds flew to make New Zealand home
Ask a bird lover if they have heard of the extinct giant moa or its ancient predator, Haast's eagle, and the answer will likely be yes. The same can't be said of New Zealand's extinct, but equally unique, mergansers—a group of fish-eating ducks wit.....»»
Denser housing can be greener, too: How NZ can build better for biodiversity
Cities across Aotearoa New Zealand are trying to solve a housing crisis, with increasing residential density a key solution. But not everyone is happy about the resulting loss of natural habitats and biodiversity......»»
Comparative research on resilience-related policies and local practices in five cities worldwide
In the context of urban studies and urban planning, future cities' development and prosperity is highly related to their capacity to adapt and recover from shocks and changes caused by diverse types of hazards. Hence, resilience has emerged as a fund.....»»
Novel research sheds light on Amazonian birds" thermoregulatory strategies in a changing environment
A pioneering study published in Oikos has revealed novel insights into how a select group of birds in the Amazon rainforest, known as terrestrial insectivores, is coping with the ever-increasing threats posed by global climate change......»»
Avian flu detected in New York City wild birds
A small number of New York City wild birds carry highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, according to a study published in the Journal of Virology,. The work highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infe.....»»
Preventable loss: A billion birds die each year from window strikes
University of Cincinnati ornithologist Ron Canterbury displayed dozens of birds that died from striking glass windows in the city......»»
The Earth Is About to Feast on Dead Cicadas
Two cicada broods, XIX and XIII, are emerging in sync for the first time in 221 years. They’re bringing the banquet of a lifetime for birds, trees, and humans alike......»»
City Trees Save Lives
Green spaces significantly cool our ever-hotter cities. New research suggests more trees could cut heat-related ER visits in LA by up to two-thirds......»»