Our Research

Check Out Some of Our Recent Publications

2024

  1. Dong, J., Browning, M., Reuben, A., McAnirlin, O., Yuan, S., Stephens, C., Maisonet, M., Zhang, K., Hart, J. E., James, P. & Yeager, R. (2024). The paradox of high greenness and poor health in rural Central Appalachia. Environmental Research, 118400. Abstract

  2. Browning, M. H. E. M., Hanley, J. R., Bailey, C. R., Beatley, T., Gailey, S., Hipp, J. A., Larson, L. R., James, P., Jennings, V., Jimenez, M. P., Kahn, P. H., Li, D., Reuben, A., Rigolon, A., Sachs, N. A., Pearson, A. L. & Minson, C. T. (2024). Quantifying Nature: Introducing NatureScoreTM and NatureDoseTM as Health Analysis and Promotion Tools. American Journal of Health Promotion, 38(1), 126–134. Abstract

  3. Bolouki, A., McAnirlin, O., H. E. M. Browning, M., & Maynard, A. (2024). Optimizing Virtual Nature for Psychological and Physiological Well-Being: A Systematic Review of the Moderating Effects of Duration, Nature Type, Sample Characteristics, and Immersiveness and Potential Risks of Bias. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 0(0), 1–17. Abstract

  4. McAnirlin, O. (2024). ‘It Feels Really Vulnerable and a Little Dangerous’: When Words Are Not Enough. Health Communication. 1–4. Abstract

  5. McAnirlin, O., Browning, M. H. E. M., Fasolino, T., Okamoto, K., Sharaievska,I., Thrift, J., & Pope, J. K. (2024). Psychological well-being benefits of co-creating nature-based VR: Preliminary evidence from U.S. adults living with severe COPD. Wellbeing, Space & Society. Abstract

  6. McAnirlin, O., Thrift, J., Li, F., Pope, J. K., Browning, M. H. E. M., Moutogiannis, P. P., Thomas, G., Farrell, E., Evatt, M. M., & Fasolino, T. (2024). The Tandem VR™ protocol: Synchronized nature-based and other outdoor experiences in virtual reality for hospice patients and their caregivers. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications. Absract

  7. Patwary, M. M., Bardhan, M., Browning, M. H. E. M., Astell-Burt, T., Bosch, M. van den, Dong, J., Dzhambov, A. M., Dadvand, P., Fasolino, T., Markevych, I., McAnirlin, O., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., White, M. P. & Eeden, S. K. V. D. (2024). The economics of nature’s healing touch: A systematic review and conceptual framework of green space, pharmaceutical prescriptions, and healthcare expenditure associations. Science of The Total Environment, 914, 169635. Abstract

  8. Yuan, S., Li, F., Browning, M. H. E. M., Bardhan, M., Zhang, K., McAnirlin, O., Patwary, M. M., & Reuben, A. (2024). Leveraging and exercising caution with ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence tools in environmental psychology research. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1295275. Abstract

2023

  1. Bardhan, M., Zhang, K., Browning, M. H. E. M., Dong, J., Li, T., Bailey, C., McAnirlin, O., Hanley, J., Minson, C. T., Mutel, R. L., Ranganathan, S. & Reuben, A. (2023). Time in nature is associated with higher levels of positive mood: Evidence from the 2023 NatureDoseTM student survey. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 102083. Abstract

  2. Browning, M. H. E. M., Shin, S., Drong, G., McAnirlin, O., Gagnon, R. J., Ranganathan, S., Sindelar, K., Hoptman, D., Bratman, G. N., Yuan, S., Prabhu, V. G. & Heller, W. (2023). Daily exposure to virtual nature reduces symptoms of anxiety in college students. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1239. Abstract

  3. Browning, M. H. E. M., Locke, D. H., Konijnendijk, C., Labib, S. M., Rigolon, A., Yeager, R., Bardhan, M., Berland, A., Dadvand, P., Helbich, M., Li, F., Li, H., James, P., Klompmaker, J., Reuben, A., Roman, L. A., Tsai, W.-L., Patwary, M., O’Neil-Dunne, J., … Nieuwenhuijsen, M. (2023). Measuring the 3-30-300 rule to help cities meet nature access thresholds. Science of The Total Environment, 167739. Abstract

  4. Li, H., Browning, M. H. E. M., Dzhambov, A. M., Patwary, M. M. & Zhang, G. (2023). Potential pathways of association from green space to smartphone addiction. Environmental Pollution, 331(Pt 2), 121852. Abstract

  5. Li, H., Browning, M. H. E. M., Rigolon, A., Larson, L. R., Taff, D., Labib, S. M., Benfield, J., Yuan, S., McAnirlin, O., Hatami, N. & Kahn, P. H. (2023). Beyond “bluespace” and “greenspace”: A narrative review of possible health benefits from exposure to other natural landscapes. Science of The Total Environment, 856(Pt 2), 159292. Abstract

  6. Moutogiannis, P. P., Thrift, J., Pope, J. K., Browning, M. H. E. M., McAnirlin, O. & Fasolino, T. (2023). A Rapid Review of the Role of Virtual Reality in Care Delivery of Palliative Care and Hospice. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing. Abstract

  7. Suppakittpaisarn, P., Wu, C.-C., Tung, Y.-H., Yeh, Y., Wanitchayapaisit, C., Browning, M. H. E. M., Chang, C.-Y. & Sullivan, W. C. (2023). Durations of virtual exposure to built and natural landscapes impact self-reported stress recovery: evidence from three countries. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 19(1), 95–105. Abstract

  8. Yuan, S., Browning, M. H. E. M., McAnirlin, O., Sindelar, K., Shin, S., Drong, G., Hoptman, D. & Heller, W. (2023). A virtual reality investigation of factors influencing landscape preferences: Natural elements, emotions, and media creation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 230, 104616. Abstract

2022

  1. Becker, D. A., Browning, M. H. E. M., McAnirlin, O., Yuan, S. & Helbich, M. (2022). Is green space associated with opioid-related mortality? An ecological study at the U.S. county level. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 70, 127529. Abstract

  2. Browning, M. H. E. M., Li, D., White, M. P., Bratman, G. N., Becker, D. & Benfield, J. A. (2022). Association between residential greenness during childhood and trait emotional intelligence during young adulthood: A retrospective life course analysis in the United States. Health & Place, 74, 102755. Abstract

  3. Browning, M. H. E. M., Rigolon, A., McAnirlin, O. & Yoon, H. (Violet). (2022). Where greenspace matters most: A systematic review of urbanicity, greenspace, and physical health. Landscape and Urban Planning, 217, 104233. Abstract

    Browning, M. H. E. M., Rigolon, A., Ogletree, S., Wang, R., Klompmaker, J. O., Bailey, C., Gagnon, R. & James, P. (2022). The PAD-US-AR dataset: Measuring accessible and recreational parks in the contiguous United States. Scientific Data, 9(1), 773. Abstract

  4. Eeden, S. K. V. D., Browning, M. H. E. M., Becker, D. A., Shan, J., Alexeeff, S. E., Ray, G. T., Quesenberry, C. P. & Kuo, M. (2022). Association between residential green cover and direct healthcare costs in Northern California: An individual level analysis of 5 million persons. Environment International, 163, 107174. Abstract

  5. Hartshorn, G., Browning, M., Madathil, K. C., Mau, F., Ranganathan, S., Todd, A., Bertrand, J., Maynard, A., McAnirlin, O., Sindelar, K., Hernandez, R. & Gomez, T. H. (2022). Efficacy of virtual reality assisted guided imagery (VRAGI) in a home setting for pain management in patients with advanced cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12(12), e064363. Abstract

  6. Larson, L. R., Mullenbach, L. E., Browning, M. H. E. M., Rigolon, A., Thomsen, J., Metcalf, E. C., Reigner, N. P., Sharaievska, I., McAnirlin, O., D’Antonio, A., Cloutier, S., Helbich, M. & Labib, S. M. (2022). Greenspace and park use associated with less emotional distress among college students in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental Research, 204(Pt D), 112367. Abstract

  7. Sharaievska, I., McAnirlin, O., Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Mullenbach, L., Rigolon, A., Cloutier, S., Thomsen, J., Reigner, N., Metcalf, E. C. & D’Antonio, A. (2022). Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students’ Social Experience: A Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study across Seven Universities in the U.S. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, 1–17. Abstract

  8. Sharaievska, I., McAnirlin, O., Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Mullenbach, L., Rigolon, A., D’Antonio, A., Cloutier, S., Thomsen, J., Metcalf, E. C. & Reigner, N. (2022). “Messy transitions”: Students’ perspectives on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education. Higher Education, 1–18. Abstract

  9. Shin, S., Browning, M. H. E. M. & Dzhambov, A. M. (2022). Window Access to Nature Restores: A Virtual Reality Experiment with Greenspace Views, Sounds, and Smells. Ecopsychology, 14(4), 253–265. Abstract

2021 and earlier

  1. Becker, D. A. & Browning, M. H. E. M. (2021). Total area greenness is associated with lower per-capita medicare spending, but blue spaces are not. City and Environment Interactions, 11, 100063. Abstract

  2. Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Sharaievska, I., Rigolon, A., McAnirlin, O., Mullenbach, L., Cloutier, S., Vu, T. M., Thomsen, J., Reigner, N., Metcalf, E. C., D’Antonio, A., Helbich, M., Bratman, G. N. & Alvarez, H. O. (2021). Psychological impacts from COVID-19 among university students: Risk factors across seven states in the United States. PLoS ONE, 16(1), e0245327. Abstract

  3. Browning, M. & Locke, D. H. (2020). The greenspace-academic performance link varies by remote sensing measure and urbanicity around Maryland Public Schools. Landscape and Urban Planning, 19, 103706. Abstract

  4. Browning, M. H. E. M., Mimnaugh, K. J., Riper, C. J. van, Laurent, H. K. & LaValle, S. M. (2020). Can Simulated Nature Support Mental Health? Comparing Short, Single-Doses of 360-Degree Nature Videos in Virtual Reality With the Outdoors. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2667. Abstract

  5. Browning, M. H. E. M., Saeidi-Rizi, F., McAnirlin, O., Yoon, H. & Pei, Y. (2020). The Role of Methodological Choices in the Effects of Experimental Exposure to Simulated Natural Landscapes on Human Health and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review. Environment and Behavior, 53(7), 687–731. Abstract

  6. Browning, M. H. E. M., Shipley, N., McAnirlin, O., Becker, D., Yu, C.-P., Hartig, T. & Dzhambov, A. M. (2020). An Actual Natural Setting Improves Mood Better Than Its Virtual Counterpart: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Data. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2200. Abstract

  7. Browning, M., Suppakittpaisarn, P., Jiang, S. & Joseph, A. (2020). Human health assessments of green infrastructure designs using virtual reality. Landscape Architecture, 27(9), 00–00. Abstract

  8. Joseph, A., Browning, M. H. E. M. & Jiang, S. (2020). Using Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) to Conduct Environmental Design Research: A Primer and Decision Framework. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 13(3), 11–25. Abstract

  9. Kuo, M., Klein, S. E., Browning, M. H. & Zaplatosch, J. (2020). Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and where. Landscape and Urban Planning, 206, 103962. Abstract

  10. Riva, G., Bernardelli, L., Browning, M. H. E. M., Castelnuovo, G., Cavedoni, S., Chirico, A., Cipresso, P., Paula, D. M. B. de, Lernia, D. D., Fernández-Álvarez, J., Figueras-Puigderrajols, N., Fuji, K., Gaggioli, A., Gutiérrez-Maldonado, J., Hong, U., Mancuso, V., Mazzeo, M., Molinari, E., Moretti, L. F., … Wiederhold, B. K. (2020). COVID Feel Good—An Easy Self-Help Virtual Reality Protocol to Overcome the Psychological Burden of Coronavirus. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 563319. Abstract

  11. Becker, D. A., Browning, M. H. E. M., Kuo, M. & Eeden, S. K. V. D. (2019). Is green land cover associated with less health care spending? Promising findings from county-level Medicare spending in the continental United States. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 41, 39–47. Abstract

  12. Browning, M. H. E. M. & Alvarez, H. A. O. (2019). Editorial Commentary: Scanning for threats and natural environments giving our reptilian brains a break. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, 30(4), 247–248. Abstract

  13. Browning, M. H. E. M. & Rigolon, A. (2019b). School Green Space and Its Impact on Academic Performance: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 429. Abstract

  14. Browning, M. H. E. M., Lee, K. & Wolf, K. L. (2019). Tree cover shows an inverse relationship with depressive symptoms in elderly residents living in U.S. nursing homes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 23–32.

  15. Browning, M. H. E. M., Kuo, M., Sachdeva, S., Lee, K. & Westphal, L. (2018). Greenness and school-wide test scores are not always positively associated – A replication of “linking student performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the ‘greenness’ of school surroundings using remote sensing.” Landscape and Urban Planning, 178, 69–72. Abstract

  16. Browning, M. H. E. M., Stern, M. J., Ardoin, N. M. & Heimlich, J. E. (2018). Factors that contribute to community members’ support of local nature centers. Environmental Education Research, 24(3), 326–342. Abstract

  17. Kuo, M., Browning, M. H. E. M. & Penner, M. L. (2018). Do Lessons in Nature Boost Subsequent Classroom Engagement? Refueling Students in Flight. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2253. Abstract

  18. Browning, M. & Lee, K. (2017). Within What Distance Does “Greenness” Best Predict Physical Health? A Systematic Review of Articles with GIS Buffer Analyses across the Lifespan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7), 675. Abstract

  19. Browning, M. H. E. M., Stern, M. J., Ardoin, N. M., Heimlich, J. E., Petty, R. & Charles, C. (2017). Investigating the sets of values that community members hold toward local nature centers. Environmental Education Research, 23(9), 1291–1306. Abstract

  20. Browning, M. H. E. M., Marion, J. L. & Gregoire, T. G. (2013). Sustainably connecting children with nature – An exploratory study of nature play area visitor impacts and their management. Landscape and Urban Planning, 119, 104–112. Abstract

Exploring Technology in the Natural World.

Researchers at the Virtual Reality and Nature Lab apply an interdisciplinary and technological focus to study the interactions and connections between people and the natural world. 

Our research tends to focus on four key areas: 

  1. Understanding Nature and Nature Experiences

  2. Virtual Reality

  3. Underlying Pathways Between Nature and Health

  4. Fostering Education and Engagement

Read more about our published research below.

If you have any questions about upcoming research projects, please email us at nature@clemson.edu.