Latest news with #InVEST
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Stressed in the city? This 15-minute habit can rewire your brain
A recent Stanford University study reveals that spending just 15 minutes in urban nature can significantly improve mental health, particularly for young adults. The research, analyzing data from nearly 5,900 people, found urban forests especially effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Researchers suggest creating accessible green spaces like pocket parks and street trees. Are you a city dweller? Well, then this simple habit could transform your brain for the better. By 2025, 70% of people are expected to start living in cities. Among the urbanites, mental health is a growing concern, with more and more people facing challenges such as anxiety and mood disorders. A recent study has found a solution to this. A new study by Stanford University's Natural Capital Project (NatCap) found that practising a certain habit for 15 minutes can significantly improve mental health. The findings are published in Nature Cities . This 15-minute activity could improve mental health According to the new study, spending even a little time in nature can significantly benefit a broad range of mental health conditions. The results of the study offer guidance to urban planners, policymakers, and others on how to use green space as a mental health solution. Along with that, such spaces also lower temperatures and sequester carbon. 'We are working to translate the effect size we found through this analysis to more intuitive indicators that would be useful for decision-makers by way of a new mental health-focused InVEST model. For example, we could run scenarios like: if a city currently has 20% green space or tree cover, how many preventable cases of mental health disorders could be avoided if that were increased to 30%? We will also be working to include estimates of the potential avoided healthcare costs associated with such improvements in urban nature,' Yingjie Li, lead author and postdoctoral scholar at NatCap, said in a statement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why is everyone rushing to get their hands on this new air cooler? News of the Discovery Undo The InVEST, NatCap's flagship mapping and modeling tools, are already being used to map and quantify ecosystem services across the globe. 'Previous studies have documented strong links between contact with nature and mental health. But with most studies, you either can't infer a causal link, they can't be easily generalized, or they aren't designed to distinguish the effects of different types of nature. This analysis helps fill that gap,' Anne Guerry, senior author and chief strategy officer and lead scientist at NatCap, said. The study The researchers analyzed data from nearly 5,900 people across 78 experiments and found that spending time in urban nature improves mental health. While all types of urban nature were beneficial, they found that urban forests were especially effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Young adults were the ones who benefited the most. This was crucial because most mental health issues start before age 25. Interestingly, just sitting in nature reduced depression more than being active. These benefits were stronger in Asian countries, possibly due to cultural ties to nature. The researchers also stressed that while larger city parks and forests are critical, it is also important to create smaller 'pocket parks' and additional street trees to increase access throughout cities. Li expressed that, at a personal level, this study improved his lifestyle. He started walking to the office more frequently and became more curious about the birds and plants he encountered along the way. 'I also talk to my friends about thinking this way and encourage them to notice how even small moments with nature can make a difference. This work has helped me see that urban nature isn't just good for cities – it's good for us.' Li said. 'Kahin Bada, Kahin Chhota': Ravi Kishan Uses Samosa Analogy To Demand Regulation Of Food Prices So if you are feeling a little under the weather today, maybe spend 15 minutes in nature, and see how it works out.
Axios
09-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Cancer research foundation to start seeding startups
Andy Rachleff is funding startups again, more than two decades after stepping down as a founding partner of legendary venture capital firm Benchmark. Why it matters: His new mission is curing cancers instead of generating profits for limited partners. Driving the news: Rachleff tells Axios that he's spearheading a new investment program for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, where he chairs the board. It's called InVEST and will automatically provide $50,000 equity checks to any Damon Runyon-sponsored scientists who secure at least $500,000 in seed funding for their startups. For the scientists, it's a way to prove to venture firms that they're "fundable." For Damon Runyan, it's a way to create a philanthropic flywheel — as its alumni have founded such companies as Moderna, Juno Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, and Arbor Biotechnologies. Zoom in: Damon Runyan focuses exclusively on young scientists, or at least scientists who are relatively early in their careers. Rachleff and CEO Yung Lie argue that most major scientific breakthroughs come from this cohort, but that most funding goes to older colleagues. "The average age where people get their first individual NIH grant is over 40, but the average age of a Nobel Laureate in medicine is just 36 at the time they conceive of their breakthrough," Rachelff explains. By the numbers: Damon Runyan backs around 70 new scientists per year, has 1,400 alumni, and spins out between 10 and 20 startups per year. It had initially considered creating some sort of investment program whereby the startups would pay royalties but decided that could impede growth. All investments will come from the foundation's endowment.
