NUS launches Centre for Environment and Ageing Well to design living environments that foster well-being for people of all ages

Established through a generous philanthropic gift of S$5 million, the new centre adopts place-based approaches to address age-related challenges in Asia

National University of Singapore

 

image: 

The Centre for Environment and Ageing Well (ENgAGE), a research centre at NUS College of Design and Engineering, was launched by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, and Second Minister for Finance and National Development (third from the right). 

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Credit: College of Design and Engineering, NUS

The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has established the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well (ENgAGE) to take the lead in enhancing living environments that foster the physical, psychological and social well-being of individuals across all age groups, particularly in response to the challenges brought about by demographic shifts and climate change.

 

ENgAGE will enhance Singapore’s ongoing efforts to explore innovative ways to support older adults, as the nation prepares for an increasingly ageing population. By 2030, about one in four Singaporeans is expected to be above the age of 65, and approximately 83,000 older persons will be living alone and around 100,000 older persons will have mild disabilities. Creating inclusive living spaces that meet the diverse needs, preferences and aspirations of older persons is, therefore, crucial.

 

The Centre will leverage robust research capabilities, including urban planning, architecture, social sciences, medicine and engineering, to coordinate and consolidate place-based, ageing-related research, education and resources locally and internationally. 

 

ENgAGE was officially launched today by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development. The launch event also featured a keynote speech by Dr Hiromasa Okayasu, Director of the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations at the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, as well as a panel discussion focusing on the built environment and ageing in Asia.

 

Professor Heng Chye Kiang, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) of NUS CDE, said, “The launch of ENgAGE represents a pivotal step in our commitment to improving quality of life and well-being for all. By deepening our understanding of how ageing impacts communities across Asia, ENgAGE will lead the way in creating environments that promote health, independence, and dignity throughout all stages of life. The Centre’s core team from the Department of Architecture is already actively collaborating with researchers from various departments across NUS, as well as external partners, to bring together the diverse perspectives necessary to address these complex issues.”

 

Creating inclusive living environments

 

To achieve its aim of creating sustainable and inclusive living environments in Singapore, ENgAGE will focus on four key areas:

 

• Research: To be a premier research hub focusing on the connection between ageing and the built environment, conducting extensive studies and formulating practical solutions.
• Education: To coordinate specialised courses and modules focused on ageing-related issues, for students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges surrounding ageing.
• Global Collaboration: To leverage global expertise and perspectives to enrich ENgAGE’s research and educational initiatives through partnerships and collaborations with international institutions.
• Community Resources: To create an Information Resource Centre to provide professionals and the public with easy access to research findings, expert insights and resources.

 

The research activities of ENgAGE are organised under three pillars:

 

• Ageing in Place in Asia: Understanding the cultural, social and environmental factors influencing the desire and ability of older adults to age in their homes within an Asian context.
• Design for Brain Health: Investigating how environmental design impacts cognitive health and exploring innovative design strategies to promote brain health in ageing populations.
• Climate Change and Ageing in Asia: Addressing the implications of climate change on ageing populations, especially in Asia, and developing resilient and sustainable living environments.

 

Please refer to the Annexe for details of the research projects that ENgAGE’s researchers will be involved in.

 

Co-designing living spaces with the community

 

ENgAGE recognises that tackling the complex challenges of ageing requires collaboration across sectors. Strategic partnerships with government agencies, private industry, healthcare providers, non-profit organisations and community members are essential to translating research into actionable solutions. By uniting diverse stakeholders, ENgAGE fosters innovation, informs policy, and drives impactful community programmes that enhance the well-being of older persons.

 

Most importantly, integrating voices from communities is central to ENgAGE’s approach. By involving older adults, their families, and caregivers directly in the research process, the Centre ensures that its work reflects the real needs and experiences of those it serves. This not only strengthens the relevance of research outcomes but also empowers communities to adopt and sustain the solutions developed, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient society.

 

"Being part of the co-design process for the Tentacles projects has been a most valuable and meaningful experience," shared Ms Tan Chia Chia, a long-time Queenstown resident who is currently participating in one of ENgAGE’s research projects with her mother. "The value comes from knowing our voices from the ground matters, are listened to and will be acted upon by the relevant authorities. As a community, it takes both top down and ground up actions to co-create a conducive and supportive environment that we will be happy living in with our loved ones."

 

The Tentacles project aims to improve pedestrian connections between Alexandra Hospital, Queenstown MRT station and the Mei Ling/Stirling neighbourhood, and to enable ageing-in-place while enhancing the overall well-being of Mei Ling/Stirling residents. Please refer to the Annexe for more details.

 

“The complex societal challenges we face today cannot be solved by a single discipline. At the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well, we recognise older persons as valuable assets to our community and believe that the integration of their voices will be critical in improving the everyday lives of not only the ageing population, but for all generations,” said Associate Professor Emi Kiyota, Director of the Centre for Environment and Ageing Well at NUS CDE. Assoc Prof Kiyota has a joint appointment in the Department of Architecture at NUS CDE and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

 

“ENgAGE is dedicated to advocating for a collective approach to co-designing a future where ageing is celebrated, and where the potential for meaningful growth throughout life is embraced by all. We are very happy to have our community members join our launch ceremony today,” added Assoc Prof Kiyota.

 

Transforming our environment to support healthy longevity

 

The establishment of ENgAGE was made possible through a generous S$5 million gift from Mrs Lee Li-ming, spouse of the late Associate Professor Lee Kip Lin, an architect and professor at NUS, who had devoted many years documenting Singapore’s architectural heritage.

 

“Many older adults in Singapore continue to face significant daily challenges, despite support efforts. We must address problems like limited resources, inadequate accessibility, and extreme temperatures, which pose significant barriers. To do so, we must hear their voices and incorporate their experiences into designing their living environments. Through ENgAGE, I am privileged to make a positive impact on fellow Singaporeans' lives and committed to amplifying older citizens' voices for meaningful change," said Mrs Lee Li-ming.

 

This is the latest gift from Mrs Lee, who had also supported the establishment of the Lee Kip Lin Bursary, which provides financial assistance for NUS undergraduates pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, as well as the Lee Li-ming Scholarship for Ecological Design, which supports students from ASEAN countries who are pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at NUS.

 

Kamikaze termites protect their colony with the help of a special enzyme. Its secrets have been uncovered by scientists from IOCB Prague

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)

 

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Dr. Jana Škerlová (in front) & Assoc. Prof. Pavlína Maloy Řezáčová, head of the Structural Biology group at IOCB Prague

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Credit: Photo: Tomáš Belloň/IOCB Prague

Researchers from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with colleagues from the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience of the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, are unravelling the mysteries of the life of termites. Colonies of the species Neocapritermes taracua boast a unique type of defence, which is provided by worker termites at the end of their lives. When attacked, they sacrifice themselves by setting off an explosive chemical reaction, the result of which is a toxic liquid that immobilizes and poisons their adversary. Dr Jana Škerlová and her colleagues from the scientific group of Assoc. Prof. Pavlína Maloy Řezáčová has been able to describe in detail the mechanism by which the mysterious enzyme which termites carry on their backs works. Her latest article on the topic has been published in the scientific journal Structure.

The termite species Neocapritermes taracua has evolved a peculiar defence mechanism that is unparalleled in the insect world. Worker termites play a key role in it. Over their lifetime, they gradually amass a particular enzyme, blue laccase BP76, in special pockets on their backs. When their colony finds itself in danger, older individuals tear this ‘rucksack’ apart. The enzyme is then almost immediately mixed with another substance stored in the termite body, which up to this point is relatively harmless, creating a sticky liquid containing highly poisonous benzoquinones. Although this kills the kamikaze termite itself, it also immobilizes or kills the attacker.

How this potentially explosive enzyme stays active in a solid state on the backs of insects was a true scientific riddle. Scientists from the Structural Biology research group at IOCB Prague have solved the puzzle with the help of X-ray crystallography. Jana Škerlová was intrigued by the fact that the blue laccase borne by termites contains an unusually strong bond between two amino acids—which are the building blocks of proteins—near the active site of the enzyme, to which the target molecule binds and where it reacts. She explains: ‘Unravelling the three-dimensional structure of laccase BP76 revealed that this enzyme uses a variety of stabilization strategies, which make it not only highly durable, but also fully functional even in the harsh conditions of tropical rainforests.’ Due to its unique structure, laccase BP76 not only remains intact, but also active even though it rests on the back of a termite over the course of its entire life. This is crucial for the enzyme’s role in the defence mechanism, because in the event of an attack on the colony, the reaction must be immediate.

Termites of the species Neocapritermes taracua can live a whole lifetime with this suicidal load. Young individuals, which are still capable of doing a lot of work for their colony, carry only small amounts of the enzyme in their back pockets. The blue ‘rucksack’, in which the explosive material accumulates, grows larger over time as the insect loses strength. Its last service to the termite mound is that it is prepared to sacrifice itself for the good of the colony.

The fact that Neocapritermes taracua termites have solid packets of an active enzyme tucked into pockets of their raincoats, which they do not hesitate to use as a weapon in an emergency, was first observed by researchers in French Guiana some years ago. That research, published in the journal Science, also bears the IOCB Prague seal. One of the researchers that collaborated on the seminal study was Professor Jan Šobotník, who is also a co-author of the present paper, currently works at the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience of the Czech University of Life Sciences.

‘Our discovery is an excellent illustration of the irreplaceable role of structural biology. Just as knowledge about individual components of an instrument sheds light on how it works, knowing the three-dimensional structure (i.e. the positions of individual atoms) of a molecule helps us understand a biological process. In this case it is a unique defence mechanism of termites,’ emphasizes Pavlína Řezáčová, head of the laboratory from which the research originates.

See the explanatory video: https://youtu.be/y4TUf8OOMHs

Original article: Škerlová, J.; Brynda, J.; Šobotník, J.; Zákopčaník, M.; Novák, P.; Bourguignon, T.; Sillam-Dussès, D.; Řezáčová, P. Crystal structure of blue laccase BP76, a unique termite suicidal defense weapon. Structure 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2024.07.015

IOCB Prague / The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (www.uochb.cz) is a leading internationally recognized scientific institution whose primary mission is the pursuit of basic research in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and materials chemistry, chemistry of natural substances, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. An integral part of the IOCB Prague’s mission is the implementation of the results of basic research in practice. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research gives rise to a wide range of applications in medicine, pharmacy, and other fields.

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Journal

Structure

DOI

10.1016/j.str.2024.07.015 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Article Title

Crystal structure of blue laccase BP76, a unique termite suicidal defense weapon

Termites of the species Neocapritermes taracua with a blue body on the back formed by laccase BP76.

A termite of the species Neocapritermes taracua with a blue body on the back formed by laccase BP76.

Credit

Photo: Dr. Aleš Buček

Graphical abstract: A termite of the species Neocapritermes taracua with a blue body on its back formed by laccase BP76. Top right: the chemical reaction catalysed by the enzyme. The increasing blue colour indicates the formation of toxic products.

Credit

Škerlová, J. et al. Structure 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.str.2024.07.015

Metal baseball bats still help Little Leaguers hit a little better

WHO DO YA WANT ME TO HIT BOSS?

Washington State University

PULLMAN, Wash. – While meant to simulate wood bats, regulation USA Baseball metal bats are more forgiving than wood for young players who might not connect with the ball on a bat’s optimal “sweet spot.”

After testing wood bats and two types of metal bats with youth players, Washington State University researchers found that the exit speed of a hit ball was as much as 5% faster with metal bats over wood. Analyzing the data, they found that the performance of the USA Baseball metal bats at the sweet spot was similar to wood. It was when the hits were on less optimal areas that there was a bigger difference.

“There’s more of a penalty when you’re not on the sweet spot with wood bats than with the other metal bats,” said Lloyd Smith, director of WSU’s Sport Science Laboratory and lead author on the study published in The Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology.

Smith’s team has been working with USA Baseball to develop a new wood-like metal bat standard. This study further investigated the performance of the bats designed to meet that standard with lab and field studies—in comparison to wood bats as well as the metal bats previously used in youth baseball, known as BPF 1.15.  

The researchers had 52 players, with an average age of 12, take several swings with each type of bat in a batting cage for a total of more than 1,500 swings. The players, bats and balls all had motion sensors attached to measure speed of the swing as well as the balls’ exit speed.

As expected, baseballs hit with the BPF 1.15 metal bats had higher exit speeds than the wood bats, since these metal bats were discontinued in youth leagues because of their performance advantage. For the USA Baseball standard bats, the exit speeds were closer to that of wood but were still on average higher. The data analysis revealed that the difference was in hits that were outside the highest performance spot on the bat.

Metal bats were adopted in amateur baseball leagues back in the 1970s in part because wood bats break and can be costly over time. Soon players noticed the hollow metal bats conferred an advantage from their “trampoline effect” –an advantage that grew as companies competed to make a better bat. Seeing potential hazards and changes to the game from these metal bats, league officials tried to reign this in starting in the 1990s, ultimately restricting the use of metal bats to those that performed in a similar way to wood.

As this study shows, a small performance advantage remains even with the USA Baseball bat, but it is one that is acceptable to officials. There are also good reasons for leagues and coaches to use them over wood bats, Smith said. Namely, that performance advantage and their lighter weight can mean better batting averages for young players which can help leagues keep kids more excited about the game.

“Wood is still heavy. Part of baseball is hitting the ball far, but the other part is just hitting the ball,” he said. “If you have a heavy bat, you're going to have a harder time making contact because it’s harder to control.”

Notably, despite the bat performance differences in this study, the skill of the hitters was still the biggest factor in how fast the ball came off the bat. Smith emphasized that if players really want to improve their batting average, the best thing to do is not to improve their bat, but themselves.

“If you’re really trying to hit the ball far, you’re going to get a much bigger payoff by working out and getting stronger, especially if you’re a young kid and growing fast. That’s going to have a much larger effect on how hard you hit the ball, then on what bat you buy,” he said.

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Journal

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology

DOI

10.1177/17543371241260098 

Article Title

The effect of baseball bat properties and participant ability on youth hit ball speed

 

Urban noise pollution may impact cardiovascular risk prediction and prognosis after a heart attack

European Society of Cardiology

London, United Kingdom – 27 August 2024: Research from two studies in different European cities1,2 highlights that urban noise pollution has a significant negative impact on heart health, according to data presented at ESC Congress 2024. 

“The DECIBEL-MI study shows that young patients aged 50 years or less who had a myocardial infarction (MI) had been exposed to higher levels of noise than the general population. The study demonstrates that urban noise could significantly increase the risk of early-onset MI in young people with low traditional risk factors. Including noise exposure in risk prediction models helps accurately identify at-risk individuals, leading to better-targeted prevention.  

The DECIBEL-MI study included 430 consecutive patients living in Bremen, Germany, aged 50 years or younger with acute MI who were admitted to a local heart centre. When levels of residential noise exposure were calculated, the researchers observed a higher incidence of noise exposure compared to the general population in the same region. Patients with MI and a low LIFE-CVD score (≤2.5%), indicating a low level of traditional risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, exhibited significantly higher noise exposure compared to those with a high LIFE-CVD score. This is crucial because traditional risk assessment models might underestimate the cardiovascular risk in young individuals who are otherwise considered low risk. By incorporating noise exposure into these models, it is possible to more accurately identify those at elevated risk for MI, allowing for better-targeted preventive measures and interventions. 

A separate study in France assessed the impact of environmental noise exposure on prognosis after a first MI. “In the ENVI-MI study, we found a strong association between urban noise exposure, particularly at night, and worse prognosis at 1 year after a first MI,” explained study investigator, Professor Marianne Zeller from the University of Burgundy and Hospital of Dijon, France. 

Data from the French observatory database (RICO) were collected for 864 patients hospitalised for an acute MI who survived at least 28 days after the MI. At 1-year follow-up, 19% presented with a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; cardiac death, rehospitalisation for heart failure, recurrent MI, emergency revascularisation, stroke, angina and/or unstable angina). The daily noise exposure levels measured at each patient’s home address (average noise level in A-weighted decibels [dB(A)]: 56.0 over 24 hours and 49.0 at night) were considered as moderate and representative of a large part of the European population. Of note, there was a 25% increased risk of MACE for each 10 dB(A) increase in noise during the night (hazard ratio 1.25; 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.43), independent of air pollution, socio-economic levels and other confounding factors. 

“These data provide some of the first insights that noise exposure can affect prognosis. If confirmed by larger prospective studies, our analysis could help to identify new opportunities for environment-based secondary-prevention strategies, including noise barriers for high-risk MI patients,” added Professor Zeller. 

ENDS 

 

Notes to editor 

Funding: The DECIBEL-MI study was supported by the Bremer Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufforschung, Bremen. The ENVI MI study was supported by a grant from Fondation Coeur et Recherche. RICO survey is supported by the University Hospital of Dijon, the Association de Cardiologie de Bourgogne, Fédération Française de Cardiologie, and by grants from the Conseil Régional de Bourgogne Franche-Comté. 

Disclosures: Hatim Kerniss has no conflicts of interest to declare. Marianne Zeller reports research grants from Amarin Corp and lecture fees from Amgen, Pfizer and Organon. 

 

References and notes 

The ESC recognises noise pollution as an important factor contributing to the burden of cardiovascular disease3 and is advocating for European and national cardiovascular health plans4 to be created, which include strategies to address environmental issues including lowering noise exposure. The health benefits of reducing pollution are being increasingly realised, as detailed in the World Heart Report 2024 from the World Heart Federation.5 Population-level approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease occurring, such as tackling pollution, are a key way to reverse the impact of the world’s biggest killer.    

1‘Influence of urban noise exposure on early-onset myocardial infarction risk prediction’ will be presented at the session ‘Cardiovascular risk factors and risk prediction’ on Friday 30 August 2024 at 13.00 to 13.50 BST at Station 4. 

2‘Environmental noise exposure is associated with one-year survival after a first myocardial infarction’ will be presented at the session ‘Assessment of residual risk in cardiovascular conditions’ on Friday 30 August 2024 at 17.00 to 17.50 BST at Station 4. 

3Knuuti J, Wijns W, Saraste A, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes: The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2020;41:407–477. 

4Improving cardiovascular health in Europe: the case for EU and national CVH plans. Hungarian Ministry of Health in collaboration with the European Society of Cardiology.  

5World Heart Federation. World Heart Report 2024. Clearing the air to address pollution’s cardiovascular health crisis. Last accessed August 2024. 

 

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About ESC Congress 2024  

It is the world’s largest gathering of cardiovascular professionals, disseminating ground-breaking science both onsite in London and online – from 30 August to 2 September. Explore the scientific programme. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.  

About the European Society of Cardiology  

The ESC brings together healthcare professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people to live longer, healthier lives.  

 

Wood charcoal reveals the existence of a variety of woody plants around early millet sites and people started pruning, protecting and managing Prunus fruit trees as early as 8000 yr BP.

Science China Press

 

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(a) percentages of the woody plants; (b) tree-ring curvature of main woods; (W), (M), and (S) represent weakly, moderately, and strongly curved rings.

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Credit: ©Science China Press

This study is led by Hui Shen, Keliang Zhao, Xinying Zhou, Xiaoqiang Li from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhenwei Qiu from National Museum of China. The researchers have reconstructed how early millet farmers explored and shaped local woody plants, and the protection and management of Prunus fruit trees to acquire more food resources since 8000 yr BP.

Wood charcoal identification at Xinglong revealed a variety of woody plants, including Prunus, Populus, Ulmus, Acer, Juniperus, Rhamnus, and Tamarix, showing the presence of large-scale woodland distributions around the site. The abundance of Prunus wood likely correlates with an importance of fleshy fruits at ancient Xinglong. On the basis of the habitats of identified plants, Xinglong people appear to have made full use of available wood resources, including riparian woodlands, shrubs on sunny slopes, and sparse forests in mountain valleys. Populus and Ulmus were the main sources of fuel. During 8000–7000 yr BP, the warm and humid climate promoted the emergence of Acer, Juniper, Tamarix, and Rhamnus plants, and the expansion of riparian Populus woodland, contributing to the increased harvesting of poplar woods.

The measurement of tree-ring curvature indicates that people mainly collected trunks or large branches of Ulmus, Populus, Acer, and Juniperus plants. Meanwhile, Xinglong people probably had mastered the knowledge of how to protect and manage Prunus woodlands via pruning and increasing the cutting of nonfruit trees to increase food supply, demonstrating the active response and adaptation of early millet cultivators to their environments.

See the article:

Shen H, Qiu Z, Zhao K, Zhou X, Li X. 2024. Wood use and forest management by Neolithic millet farmers at the Xinglong site, northern China.

Science China Earth Sciences, 67(6): 1910–1921, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-023-1330-6

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Journal

Science China Earth Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s11430-023-1330-6 

 

How can wealthy nations respond to the baby bust?

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

In recent decades, fertility rates in high-income countries have steadily declined. A new study analyzed demographic trends, patterns, determinants, and consequences. The authors emphasize that despite the significant economic challenges posed by low fertility, a strategic and consistent policy response can effectively mitigate most adverse consequences. 

Across all 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Member countries – spanning from North and South America to Europe and Asia-Pacific – the total fertility rate, which indicates the average number of children a woman is expected to have based on current age-specific fertility rates, has fallen. With the exception of Israel, the total fertility rate in 2019 is below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.

Below-replacement fertility, leading to a shrinking population, is also a major issue for China, where the total fertility rate was 1.50 in 2019. It is also expected to become significant for India, other South and Southeast Asian countries, and many Latin American countries.

“Low fertility and its economic challenges will become a global trend in the coming years. While ecologically beneficial, shrinking populations raise concerns about sustaining economic growth and social security. Some policy discussions on this topic are confused and exaggerated – our analysis aims to clarify the debate by compiling recent research and evidence,” explains study coauthor Michael Kuhn, IIASA Economic Frontiers Program Director.

The study, published in Annual Review of Economics, shows that fertility decline can be attributed to a variety of factors. These include income and educational growth, shifts in social norms and behaviors, the evolution of family roles away from traditional insurance mechanisms for old age, and the uncertainties of a complex modern world. Biological factors may also play a role: recent research shows that over the past 50 years, human sperm counts appear to have fallen by more than 50% around the globe. These drivers often interact, and their impact varies greatly depending on the context. This variability suggests that in different regions, these factors may influence fertility trends differently or even in opposing directions.

“One insight that becomes evident from compiling diverse fertility research is that fertility is influenced by a mix of biological, social, economic, and behavioral factors, shaped by uncertainty and emotions. While fertility decline poses economic challenges rather than environmental ones, economic systems can adjust to these changes through robust and thoughtful policies,” notes Kuhn.

For example, expanding education helps stabilize the economy by boosting productivity through skilled workers and fostering innovation. Additionally, lower fertility often results in increased savings, allowing for investment in capital and automation technologies like robots to offset the declining workforce.

Given the complexity of fertility, attempting to directly "stir" or "stimulate" it through targeted policy initiatives may seem challenging or even impractical. Instead, it is crucial to design economies that allow individuals to freely choose their fertility based on preferences rather than constraints. This involves creating nurturing environments where children can thrive in a sustainable world focused on wellbeing, rather than solely on economic performance. It also means fostering socially responsible individuals and adapting economic systems to accommodate long-term demographic changes.

The authors emphasize that the decline in fertility, coupled with population aging and potential depopulation, should not serve as excuses to delay urgent climate and environmental transitions; instead, they should be addressed through decisive and coherent policymaking.

Reference
Bloom, David E., Kuhn, M., Prettner, K. (2024) Fertility in High-Income Countries: Trends, Patterns, Determinants, and Consequences Annual Review of Economics DOI: 10.1146/annurev-economics-081523-013750

 

About IIASA:
The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an international scientific institute that conducts research into the critical issues of global environmental, economic, technological, and social change that we face in the twenty-first century. Our findings provide valuable options to policymakers to shape the future of our changing world. IIASA is independent and funded by prestigious research funding agencies in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

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Journal

Annual Review of Economics

DOI

10.1146/annurev-economics-081523-013750 

Article Title

Fertility in High-Income Countries: Trends, Patterns, Determinants, and Consequences

Article Publication Date

23-Aug-2024

 

Petrogenesis and geodynamic process of Hemler, Vlinder, and Il’ichev seamount lavas in NW Pacific

Science China Press

 

image: 

 (a) Ages of Hemler, Vlinder, Pako, Ioah, and Il’ichev seamount lavas in the Magellan seamount area and the predicted ages of the Ratotonga (white dashed outline) and Samoa (yellow solid outline) hotspot tracks (after Finlayson et al., 2018). Pb-Nd isotopic compositions of (b) Hemler, (c) Vlinder, (d) Pako and Ioah, and (e) Il’ichev seamount lavas. (f) In the mid-Cretaceous, as the Pacific plate passed over the Rarotonga plume, direct melting of the Rarotonga plume formed the Magellan seamount trail - Vlinder (main-shield stage), Pako, and Ioah. Upon reaching the lithosphere base, the Rarotonga plume would spread laterally and disperse plume materials into the surrounding asthenosphere with mantle convection. Decompression melting of the diffuse Rarotonga (and possible Samoa) plume materials and enriched heterogeneities beneath lithospheric fractures will form the pre- and post-shield Vlinder, Hemler, and Il’ichev lavas.

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Credit: ©Science China Press

This study was led by Drs. Xun Wei and Xue-Fa Shi from the First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China. The researchers presented 40Ar-39Ar age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data of lavas from Hemler, Vlinder, and Il’ichev seamounts in the West Pacific, to elucidate their petrogenesis and geodynamic process.

Oceanic intraplate volcanoes with linear age progressions are usually accepted to be derived from melting of an upwelling mantle plume. Many seamount groups, however, show complex age-distance relationship that are difficult to explain using the classic “mantle plume hypothesis”, and thus their origins are controversial. New 40Ar-39Ar age data of lavas from Hemler, Vlinder, and Il’ichev seamounts in the West Pacific do not lie on the old tracks of Macdonald, Arago, Rarotonga, and Samoa hotspots. They, however, have similar Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions to Rarotonga and Samoa plumes. The researchers proposed that in the mid-Cretaceous, when the Pacific plate passed over Rarotonga hotspot, melting of Rarotonga plume formed the Vlinder (main-shield stage), Pako, and Ioah seamounts. The Rarotonga (and possibly Samoa) plume materials would have been dispersed into the surrounding asthenosphere by mantle convection. These diffuse plume materials would undergo decompression melting beneath lithosphere fractures that are widely distributed in the Magellan area, generating non-hotspot related Hemler, pre- and post-shield Vlinder, and Il’ichev lavas.

This study indicates that hotspot volcanic rejuvenation along pre-existing fracture zones that caused melting of diffuse plume materials beneath the mid-Cretaceous lithosphere, and preferential channeling of magmas through pre-existing structural weaknesses or volcanic conduits together control the complex age-spatial-geochemical relationships of seamounts with plume-like compositional signatures in the West Pacific.

See the article:

Wei X, Zhang Y, Shi X, Zhang H. 2024. Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis and geodynamic process of Hemler, Vlinder, and Il’ichev seamount lavas in NW Pacific. Science China Earth Sciences, 67(6): 1856–1871, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1327-0

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Journal

Science China Earth Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s11430-024-1327-0 

 

Coastal cities must adapt faster to climate change

A new study investigating the status of climate change adaptation in coastal cities worldwide discovers progress and shortcomings.

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Coastal cities play a key role in the global economy and have important functions for society at large. At the same time, they are severely affected by the impact of climate change. That is why their role in global climate adaptation is crucial. To find out how coastal cities are adapting, an international team led by Professor Matthias Garschagen, a geographer at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), has now analyzed the current state of adaptation.

Based on studies of 199 cities across 54 countries, the researchers investigated whether and how cities take certain risk factors into account in their adaptation efforts. Climate factors like rising sea levels, storms, flooding and heat were among the key parameters considered. Other aspects were also taken into account in the analysis, such as the exposure and vulnerability of the population, the infrastructure and the ecosystems in the respective region.

Climate measures are mostly inadequate

Most of the measures taken to adapt to climate change relate primarily to sea level rise, flooding and, to a lesser extent, storm surges, cyclones and erosion. Technical and institutional measures such as large-scale levees or urban planning innovations are more common in wealthier regions like North America and Europe. In less prosperous regions such as in many parts of Africa and Asia, behavior-related measures are the dominant type, with affected households and companies being largely left to their own devices.

Overall, the LMU researchers found that most adaptation measures are inadequate in their depth, scope and speed — regardless of the region or its prosperity. The researchers also found little evidence of a sustainable reduction in risk as a result of the measures taken.

“Our findings reveal that there is plenty of work still to be done on all levels,” explains Prof. Matthias Garschagen. “There has been little truly far-reaching change involving a fundamental rethink of risk management. Cities often attempt to optimize their disaster management on the basis of past experience without fundamentally questioning whether these approaches are still going to be viable in the future,” says Garschagen.

Global research on climate change needs to be done in all regions of the world

The research also found that it is rare for adaptation planning to be based on quantifiable factors. Although cities do take future natural risks such as flooding and heat into account, they rarely consider socioeconomic factors such as future trends in societal vulnerability or spatial growth and exposure. “But those trends those are important,” says Garschagen, “because the Lagos or Jakarta of today is not the same as it’s going to be in 20 years’ time. There are certainly big research aps and we need better scenarios and better modeling methods. Another important question is about when it makes more sense to abandon coastal protection measures and consider resettling the population instead.”

Matthias Garschagen is therefore calling for a major increase in research activity in the Global South. Most of the research activity to date has been concentrated on cities in the Global North. “Global climate change research that covers all regions of the world would enable us to fight the climate crisis faster and more effectively,” says Matthias Garschagen.

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Journal

Nature Cities

DOI

10.1038/s44284-024-00106-9 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Progress and gaps in climate change adaptation in coastal cities across the globe

Article Publication Date

26-Aug-2024