Heatwave hotspots linked to urban agglomerations in Africa
Due to global warming, heatwave events will likely cause severe damage to natural ecosystems and human society. Urban areas are at higher risk owing to the significant economic activities carried out there and the populations residing in them. As suc.....»»
Biodiversity in the city: Designing urban spaces for humans and animals
Animals and plants also live and thrive on public squares. This creates opportunities for greater biodiversity and well-being for the human population. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have studied at 103 locations in Munich ho.....»»
Study finds humidity diminishes daytime cooling gains in urban green spaces
Urban green spaces provide shade for city dwellers facing rising temperatures brought on by climate change, but how much relief from the heat island effect do they provide when humidity is factored in?.....»»
Decline in West African coastal fish stocks threatens food security and livelihoods
Small-scale fisheries play a vital role in providing food and livelihoods for millions of people around the world, particularly in low-income countries in Africa. However, there is limited statistical data on the composition, abundance, and distribut.....»»
Let African Communities Manage Their Climate Adaptation Plans
Outside groups often offer their solutions for climate adaptation in Africa. But the best people to manage the climate crisis are the people in those communities themselves. For climate adaptation to succeed in Africa, let communities and local leade.....»»
Are standing desks good for you? The answer is getting clearer.
Whatever your office setup, the most important thing is to move. Without question, inactivity is bad for us. Prolonged sitting is consistently linked to higher risks of cardiovasc.....»»
Study finds four global policies could eliminate >90% of plastic waste and 30% of linked carbon emissions by 2050
A study released in Science determines that just four policies can reduce mismanaged plastic waste—plastic that isn't recycled or properly disposed of and ends up as pollution—by 91% and plastic-related greenhouse gases by one-third......»»
FBI confirms China-linked cyber espionage involving breached telecom providers
After months of news reports that Chinese threat actors have breached the networks of US telecommunications and internet service providers, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have confirmed the success of the atta.....»»
The time is ripe to support urban agriculture: Experts urge Congress to fund new iteration of Farm Bill
As Congress reconvenes, a coalition of advocates has published a policy brief calling on representatives to provide more support for urban agriculture through a new iteration of the Farm Bill, which has been in a state of limbo since expiring in Sept.....»»
Is South Africa one of the most politically polarized countries in the world? No, it"s not, says sociologist
A number of reports have called South Africa a politically polarized society. This may seem uncontroversial, given the country's history of dispossession and discrimination during colonialism and apartheid, and their continuing legacy after 30 years.....»»
Agrivoltaics for sustainable food, energy and water management in East Africa
Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, a new study has shown......»»
This elephant figured out how to use a hose to shower
A younger rival may have learned how to sabotage those showers by disrupting water flow. Mary the elephant shows off her hose-showering skills. Credit: Urban et al./Curren.....»»
Four out of five people in Africa use wood for cooking. A transition would cut emissions and save lives
Four in every five people in Africa cook using wood, charcoal and other polluting fuels in open fires or inefficient stoves. This releases harmful pollutants and leads to respiratory illnesses and heart disease, particularly among children......»»
Rising student absenteeism may be hurting teacher job satisfaction
As student absenteeism reaches record highs in schools across the United States, new research finds that student absences are linked to lower teacher job satisfaction, raising concerns that this may exacerbate growing teacher shortages. The findings.....»»
Research uncovers how barred owls interact with urban areas and why it matters
Novel research published in Ornithological Applications has revealed noteworthy insights into how barred owls (Strix varia) interact with urban environments, with implications for both wildlife conservation and urban planning......»»
Satellite data analysis shows wildland-urban interface areas have grown by 35% over past two decades
A trio of environmental scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, working with a colleague from China's Ministry of Education, has found evidence via satellite analysis that global.....»»
Making Australia"s growing cities more sustainable
The way we organize our cities and regions creates problems everywhere. We're facing difficult and polluting drives to work, a lack of affordable housing, and urban designs that lead to car dependency and are bad for our health......»»
Leading up to the election, Trump voters trusted friends and family over traditional media, survey finds
Rural and urban. Blue and white collar. College and high school educated. There are many so-called "divides" in American politics......»»
Locally optimized urban form can reduce carbon dioxide emissions
Research suggests that urban areas could reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by optimizing their urban form. However, the relationship between urban form and emissions is highly context-dependent and generalizations cannot be made......»»
Mighty radio bursts linked to massive galaxies: New clues about how magnetars form
Since their discovery in 2007, fast radio bursts—extremely energetic pulses of radio-frequency light—have lit up the sky repeatedly, leading astronomers on a chase to uncover their origins. Currently, confirmed fast radio bursts, or FRBs, number.....»»
Food security in Africa: Managing water will be vital in a rapidly growing region
Sub-Saharan Africa's population is growing at 2.7% per year and is expected to reach two billion by the year 2050. The region's urban population is growing even faster: it was at 533 million in 2023, a 3.85% increase from 2022......»»