A new study by Bocconi University's Alexander Kentikelenis and colleagues finds that IMF loans' structural reforms weaken states' ability to regulate the economy. The research highlights how privatization, price deregulation, and public sector job cuts compromise state capacity, hindering sustainable growth.
The study examined the privacy practices of popular apps for depression and smoking cessation, assessing both policy disclosures and actual data sharing. Researchers found that 36 apps shared user data with commercial third parties despite inadequate privacy policies.
A team of scientists has identified a novel lignin gene, Zm4CL1, that controls the maize bm5 mutant with reduced lignin content. The study reveals increased forage digestibility and cell wall saccharification efficiency in the bm5 mutant.
Research from the University of Illinois Chicago shows that pharmacies closing leads to decreased adherence to heart medications like statins and beta-blockers. People living in low-access neighborhoods or using independent pharmacies are most affected.
Researchers identified UNC45A as a key player in cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Inhibiting UNC45A was found to decrease cancer cell proliferation and cause mitotic catastrophe, leading to cell death.
A study by Florida State University found Airbnb's exponential growth is devoureding hotel revenues and driving down room prices and occupancy rates. The company's listings have grown over 100% a year, significantly affecting hotels' room prices and revenues.
A KAIST research team created a microfluidic-based drug screening chip that identifies synergistic interactions between two antibiotics in just eight hours. This technology can aid in exploring critical pharmacological patterns of antibiotic interactions and guide clinical therapies.
A new workflow combines genome annotation with undergraduate education, providing efficient training for both researchers and students. The framework uses a set of logical steps to begin an undergraduate annotation program, resulting in high-quality genome annotations and valuable skills for future careers.
The study reveals that restoration of marsh vegetation is crucial for overall recovery after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research found that planting foundation species like Spartina alterniflora can facilitate colonization by burrowing invertebrates and fuel the food web, leading to a faster recovery.
The organic cathode offers more reliable contact with the electrolyte, extending cycle life and allowing for higher energy density. The flexibility of the organic cathode maintains intimate contact at the interface even as the cathode expands and contracts during cycling.
A team at Vanderbilt University is developing 'safe harbor' standards of care based on scientific evidence to reduce defensive medicine and its consequences. The project aims to lower healthcare costs, improve quality of care, and decrease patient exposure to radiation.
Researchers from HSE University and London Business School analyzed Russian companies' stock prices and found profitable arbitrage deals with minimal risk. The 'buy-and-hold' strategy tends to generate higher returns than conversion strategies, despite being riskier.
Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. The study suggests that achieving even moderate levels of physical activity may be beneficial for preventing dementia.
A University of Kansas researcher is developing technology to monitor and prevent overheating in lithium-ion batteries using machine-learning approaches. The goal is to improve the thermal safety of these batteries, which are increasingly used in various industries and applications.
Research suggests marijuana users are more likely to maintain a healthy weight compared to those who don't use cannabis. The study of over 33,000 participants found that persistent users were less likely to be overweight or obese.
Researchers have discovered a unique subset of cells in the developing urethra that send important signals defining how the urethra is formed. This discovery aims to standardize the characterization of hypospadias and improve treatment outcomes for affected children.
A short video describing lung cancer screening benefits and risks, combined with an informational brochure, increased patients' knowledge and reduced conflicted feelings about the scan. Participants who watched the video as well as read the booklet were more certain of their decision to undergo the scan.
Researchers employed neutron-imaging techniques to track lithiation and delithiation processes in lithium-ion batteries' materials and structures. The study aimed to understand how lithium moves through electrode materials, essential for designing faster-charging batteries.
Two studies investigate perceptual decision making in rats and humans, showing that the brain compares incoming sensory evidence to express a decision as soon as it reaches a fixed boundary. The findings support the 'bounded integration' model, which explains how the nervous system accumulates information over time.
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that patients with fluctuating opioid doses were 3 times more likely to experience an overdose compared to those with stable doses. Discontinuing long-term opioid therapy for 3 or more months significantly reduced the risk of overdose.
A Dartmouth-led study published in JAMA Network Open found that quitting smoking during pregnancy reduces the risk of preterm birth. The probability of preterm birth decreased by up to 20% if cessation occurred at the beginning of pregnancy. However, only about 25% of women who smoked prior to pregnancy were able to quit throughout the...
Researchers have discovered that Araguaian river dolphins use hundreds of different sounds to communicate with each other, including short calls for mother-child interaction and longer whistles for maintaining distance. The unique acoustic characteristics of these sounds may have evolved to avoid echoes in their aquatic habitat.
A study of over 25 million pregnant women found that quitting smoking during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of preterm birth. The research also revealed that smoking cessation rates at the start and during pregnancy have increased in recent years.
Physicists at the University of Zurich have created a device that can cool objects to below room temperature without external power supply. The process involves oscillating heat currents and temporarily flows from cold to warm objects, increasing entropy over time.
A study found that pharmacy closures are associated with declines in cardiovascular medication adherence among adults 50 or older. The analysis of prescription claims revealed a significant decrease in adherence to statins, β-blockers, and oral anticoagulants following pharmacy closure.
Research published in Deviant Behavior found that the dark web is a hub for anonymous handgun sales, with 64% of products advertised being handguns. The study sheds light on a niche market where buyers can circumvent stricter gun laws, highlighting the need for further investigations and potential regulation.
The University of Ljubljana won the $2,500 first-place prize, while Georgia Tech took second place with a $1,500 award. The competition encouraged students to design and build radio-controlled aircraft while carrying a payload and landing without damage.
Public health researchers suggest adjustments to Medicare rules to accommodate frequent hemodialysis treatment, which has shown mixed results. The proposed changes aim to give nephrologists greater clarity on payment for dialysis care, enabling them to identify better treatment options.
Researchers discover GUN1 plays a crucial role in regulating chloroplast-to-nucleus communication, enabling plants to respond to stress. This finding may help breed plants that can better withstand environmental stressors and maintain food production.