News

THE INEQUITY OF WILDFIRE RESCUE RESOURCES IN CALIFORNIA 

A new study finds that the most vulnerable communities are lacking state resources to reduce damages – and save lives – in a wildfire  EMBARGO until Dec 10, 3:30 pm (CST)     AUSTIN, TX, Dec 10, 2024 – Wildfires in California are intensifying due to warmer temperatures and dry vegetation – putting more residents at risk of […]

NATIONWIDE STUDY LOOKS AT WHEN AND WHERE EV OWNERS USE PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS 

Initial results show that demand during working hours is high in California  EMBARGO until Dec 10, 2024 1:30 pm (CST)  AUSTIN, TX, Dec 10, 2024 – Electric Vehicles (EVs) represent a promising mode of transportation that can help the United States reduce its carbon emissions. But barriers such as the high cost of installing and […]

LOWER-QUALITY PUBLIC HOUSING IS AT HIGH RISK OF FLOOD DAMAGE 

New research shows that lower-quality public housing in the United States is located in areas with high flood risk  EMBARGO until Dec 9, 2024 3:30 pm (CST)   AUSTIN, TX, Dec 09, 2024 – Hurricane Helene highlighted the increasing intensity of extreme weather events and the catastrophic flooding they can bring. A new study finds that many […]

EMPLOYEE VISITS TO ADULT OR GAMBLING SITES DOUBLES RISK OF INFECTION BY MALWARE 

Cybersecurity study calculates the odds of encountering seven kinds of malware  EMBARGO until Dec 9, 2024 3:30 pm (CST)  AUSTIN, TX, Dec 9, 2024 – Malware (malicious software) is a worldwide threat to network security for organizations. Individual users within those networks may inadvertently download or interact with malware like viruses and ransomware by browsing […]

WHAT MOTIVATES AMERICANS TO EAT LESS RED MEAT? 

New research looks at whether health risks or environmental impacts matter more  EMBARGO until Dec 9, 2024 1:30 pm (CST)    AUSTIN, TX, Dec 9, 2024 – Limiting red meat consumption is key to a sustainable and healthy diet, yet Americans are among the world’s largest consumers of red meat. A new study reveals the demographics […]

STUDENTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO FEEL SAFE AT THEIR SCHOOLS, COMPARED TO STAFF AND PARENTS

 New research also finds that high school students are least likely to report a school threat to authorities   EMBARGO until December 9, 2024 10:30 am (CST)       AUSTIN, TX, Dec 9, 2024 – School shooting incidents have doubled in the last three years, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, which tracks each time a firearm […]

TOXIC AIR IN TEXAS HIGH SCHOOLS  

Study finds that students and teachers may be exposed to semivolatile organic compounds released by furniture and building materials in schools  EMBARGO until Dec 9, 2024 1:30 pm (CST)    AUSTIN, TX, Dec 9, 2024 – Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are found in building materials and consumer products like carpeting, furniture and electronics. Gases released by […]

DOES LIVING IN AMERICA’S WEALTHIEST COMMUNITIES MAKE YOU SAFER?

Seven of 10 riskiest places are in California and Houston, Huntsville, Alabama and Oklahoma City  HERNDON, Va., July 10, 2024 — One of the privileges the wealthiest Americans enjoy is living wherever they want. But new research published in Risk Analysis suggests they should be cautious when choosing their Shangri-La.   In their nationwide analysis, Rutgers […]

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SOLAR-POWERED “RESILIENCE HUBS” IN CALIFORNIA COULD GENERATE UP TO 8GW OF POWER — PROVIDING EMERGENCY TO VULNERABLE RESIDENTS DURING OUTAGES.

OAKLAND, Calif., June 27, 2024 – Power outages are on the rise nationwide as climate change brings more frequent wildfires, heat waves, and severe weather events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of California have both recently established funding to help communities create “resilience hubs” that rely on solar+battery systems to provide […]

LONGER FREIGHT TRAINS HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF DERAILMENT, NEW STUDY SHOWS.

WASHINGTON, DC, June 7, 2024 – In February 2023, 38 cars from a 151-car, 9,300-foot-long freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, leading to the release of hazardous materials that required the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents. In recent years, such longer and heavier freight trains have become more common, primarily driven by fuel efficiency, […]