News

WHAT MOTIVATES NATURAL RESOURCE POLICYMAKERS IN AFRICA TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE?

New research finds that social norms and experience with extreme weather events influence professional action on climate change in East Africa Climate services are vital tools for decision makers addressing climate change in developing countries. Science-based seasonal forecasts and accompanying materials can support climate risk management in agriculture, health, water management, energy, and disaster risk […]

HOW COULD RISING SEA LEVEL IMPACT THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM?

Experts analyze the impact of sea level rise on flood insurance for a New York City neighborhood Insurance policy premiums from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) allow policyholders to maintain a lower, grandfathered rate even when the risk escalates. But as coastal flooding increases due to rising sea level and more intense storms, new […]

CAN THE WORLD AVOID ANOTHER GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS?

New research suggests that rising social inequality must be addressed to reduce risk within the world’s financial system More than a decade later after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers triggered a global economic crisis, experts still debate the question: How could one incident endanger the world’s entire financial system?  In new research published by the […]

TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF DRIVER EDUCATION

New research shows that a positive approach works best to promote safe driving New drivers between the ages of 15 and 25 account for nearly half of the more than one million road deaths that occur worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. Educational programs often use fear-based messaging and films of crash […]

PEOPLE BLAME A VEHICLE’S AUTOMATED SYSTEM MORE THAN ITS DRIVER WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

A new study looks at the public perception of blame and responsibility in semi-AV crashes Experts predict that autonomous vehicles (AVs) will eventually make our roads safer since the majority of accidents are caused by human error. However, it may be some time before people are ready to put their trust in a self-driving car. […]

NEW RESEARCH: MONITORING ONLINE POSTS BY CONSUMERS COULD HELP IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY

Computer scientists use text mining of online consumer reviews to identify foods that pose health risks An estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illness are contracted in the United States every year, causing about 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In some instances, the source is well known, such […]

Two New Studies Offer Ways to Avert Accidents and Workplace Injuries for American Workers

Human error is a causal factor in up to 80 percent of workplace accidents. A new study measuring the eye movements and cognitive processes for at-risk workers, sheds new light on the potential to avert accidents and possibly prevent workplace injuries. The study “Measuring attention, working memory, and visual perception to reduce risk of injuries in the construction industry,” by […]

Drinking Water Significant Source of Microplastics in Human Diet

Emerging environmental contaminants, both chemicals and particulates, have been a concern for risk scientists for many years. Methods for reducing health and environmental risks from particles are still evolving. Micro/nanoplastic particles are one environmental contaminant that has recently received research and media attention, and scientists are only beginning to study their potential for adverse environmental and […]

Fourteen Honored by Society for Risk Analysis

Over the course of its virtual Annual Meeting, the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) awarded six prestigious scholarly and service awards and named seven new Fellows. These awards recognize 14 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the society and to the science of risk analysis. The recipients were nominated by their peers, selected by a […]

Who’s to Blame? How the Media Has Shaped Public Understanding of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. has been characterized by rapidly changing information, a high degree of uncertainty, and conflicting information about transmission, vulnerability and mitigation methods. Several studies focused on public perceptions of the pandemic and the impact of media will be presented during two sessions on December 15, from 2:30-4:00 during the Society for Risk Analysis virtual Annual Meeting, December 13-17, 2020.   In the first of a pair of […]