Six Architectural Strategies Alternative to Tree Planting for Urban Shading

The environmental party of Uzbekistan has put forward a proposal to change the approach to designing public transport stops in Tashkent. The initiative involves launching a pilot project that will make waiting for buses more pleasant under conditions of intense summer heat.

Urban Infrastructure Problems

Despite the active development of dedicated bus lanes (BRT) in the capital, which has helped speed up movement and partially reduce traffic jams, environmentalists believe that the development of the transport system must go hand in hand with ensuring comfortable conditions for all passengers.

The problem of insufficient protection from sun and shade at many recently installed stops has become particularly evident this summer. This creates serious difficulties for the elderly, children, and citizens with weakened health.

Concept of 'Green Stops'

As a solution, the party proposes implementing a pilot project that will initially cover 10–20 locations to test modern and ecological solutions. Planned elements include sun shelters, installation of solar panels, use of energy-efficient lighting, as well as planting drought-resistant plants and creating structures with natural ventilation.

Furthermore, the possibility of integrating bicycle parking and rainwater harvesting systems is being considered. It is expected that such stops will not only increase user comfort but also contribute to improving the city's ecology by reducing dust and increasing the number of green areas.

Appeal to Authorities

The Eco-party has appealed to the city authorities, demanding a review of the process for installing new stops, ensuring that local residents' opinions are taken into account and that advanced ecological technologies are actively implemented. It should be noted that the first stop with workout elements was previously installed in Tashkent, located near the Sergeli car market.

Meghalaya, a region known for some of the wettest places on the planet, regularly experiences heavy monsoon rains. However, local residents have been using a unique rain shield for over a hundred years.

The Structure of the Traditional 'Knup'

Unlike modern plastic canopies or metal frames, the traditional Meghalayan 'knup' is made exclusively from bamboo and palm leaves. A notable feature is the absence of a handle; instead, it is worn on the back of the carrier, protecting the head, shoulders, and upper body.

Thanks to this design, 'knups' allow both hands to remain free, enabling people to work comfortably, transport goods, and move around during heavy downpours. These natural rain shields are deeply integrated into the culture of the Khasi people and appear in folk songs, stories, and legends related to agriculture.

Manufacturing Process and Features

Local materials are used to create 'knups'. For instance, in places like Mawlynnong, artisans use a local variety of bamboo called slow. The palm leaves are first dried and flattened under heavy objects before being carefully shaped into the characteristic conical form of the shield.

The frame is woven from strips of cane bamboo in an open hexagonal pattern, and then two layers of palm leaves are added to ensure waterproofing. The edges are fastened with thin bamboo splints and secured with bamboo pins, providing a sturdy structure capable of withstanding seasonal changes.

Application and Eco-friendliness

The elongated shape of the 'knup', resembling an inverted drop, can reach almost to the ankles, protecting owners from intense rain in rice fields and on farms. This umbrella is particularly useful for women working on the steep slopes and terraced farms of Meghalaya, where both mobility and protection are important. Furthermore, due to its wide shape, the 'knup' also protects against the scorching sun, making it useful throughout the year, not just during monsoons.

Since the 'knup' contains no plastic or metal and uses only natural materials, a century-old example from Meghalaya remains a prime example of eco-friendly innovation.

Taking nicotinamide, which is vitamin PP, is statistically associated with a reduced probability of developing open-angle glaucoma in individuals with elevated intraocular pressure. This conclusion was reached by American researchers after analyzing data from electronic health records collected from nearly three thousand patients.

Impact on Treatment and Pathogenesis

Furthermore, the vitamin helps decrease the likelihood of needing local treatment aimed at lowering intraocular pressure, and it also reduces the need for laser trabeculoplasty. The results of this study were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Open-angle glaucoma is characterized by impaired outflow of intraocular fluid, leading to increased intraocular pressure and subsequent damage to the optic nerve and other eye structures. Ophthalmologists usually prescribe therapy to control pressure, but a significant portion of patients develop optic neuropathy.

Metabolism and Prevention

Recent scientific investigations indicate that a disruption in the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide—one of the key coenzymes in the redox processes of all living cells—may be the cause of this disease. This coenzyme participates in processes such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid beta-oxidation. For example, a deficiency of this substance in retinal ganglion cells can cause a failure in energy metabolism and metabolism.

Cohort Study at the University of Utah

To test the potential preventive effect of influencing this part of the pathogenesis, a research group led by Iqbal Ayka Ahmed from the University of Utah conducted a cohort study using electronic health records of 2920 patients with elevated intraocular pressure. The researchers studied the effect of systemic nicotinamide intake (vitamin PP, vitamin B3), traditionally used to combat pellagra, on the risk of developing glaucoma. Initially, participant characteristics were carefully balanced across all variables after matching procedures.

During the average observation period of 3.7 years, nicotinamide use correlated with a reduction in the incidence of open-angle glaucoma. Diagnosis was made in 51 patients (3.5 percent) in the treatment group compared to 132 patients (9 percent) in the control group (risk ratio was 0.34; p < 0.001), demonstrating an absolute risk reduction of 5.5 percent. It was also found that fewer patients in the nicotinamide group required local therapy to lower intraocular pressure (risk ratio 0.57; p < 0.001).

The frequency of laser trabeculoplasty, a method to improve the outflow of intraocular fluid through the trabecular meshwork, was also lower in the systemic nicotinamide intervention group (risk ratio 0.38; p = 0.003). Furthermore, refraction indices and the frequency of ophthalmologist visits showed no differences between the studied groups. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the previously identified associations.

Conclusion and Future Steps

The study authors believe that taking nicotinamide may serve as an accessible additional strategy for preventing the development of open-angle glaucoma in people with high intraocular pressure. However, practical implementation of this method requires prospective clinical trials to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Additional Analysis of Global Burden of Disease

It is also worth noting the work of Yuanyuan Du from Chongqing Medical University and her colleagues from China, Singapore, and the UK. They analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) collaboration for the period from 1990 to 2023. Their findings showed a continuous increase in the prevalence of infertility among women aged 35–49, with a projection of nearly a one-and-a-half-fold increase by 2036. The study utilized the GBD 2023 dataset, covering 204 countries and territories, and a forecast up to 2036 was made using multilevel trend analysis and Bayesian modeling. These results were published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health.