Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Carnegie Mellon University


Analysis highlights role of Chile's feminist movement in push for social and political progress

A new analysis examines how Chile's feminist movement evolved in response to the country's enduring inequality, particularly gender inequality. The study highlights the movement's impact on mass protests and the writing of a new constitution, with key findings including increased feminist participation and intersectional perspectives.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalSocial Inclusion·DateFeb 23, 2022

Analysis: Risk aversion plays an important role in the coal-contracting behavior of US power plants

A new analysis by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Akshaya Jha finds that risk aversion drives the purchasing of coal primarily from long-term contracts, resulting in premium prices. The study estimates that if power plants purchased all their coal from the spot market, annual aggregate cost savings would be $2.9 billion on average.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateJan 17, 2022

Policy analyses severely underestimate impact of air pollution on racial minorities

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University estimates that current regulatory analyses of air pollution significantly understate mortality costs among racial minorities. The study found that using race- and ethnicity-specific data increases premature mortality estimates related to PM2.5 from pollution exposure, with a $100 billion annual...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateDec 20, 2021

Requests for anti-racism classroom curricula increased following recent police brutality events

A study found a significant increase in requests for anti-racism books and materials following police brutality events and BLM protests, particularly among teachers of younger students. The demand for inclusive curriculum materials also rose sharply, with over $3.4 million worth of books acquired for half a million students.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 22, 2021

Machine learning can be fair and accurate

A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateOct 20, 2021

Teaching ancient brains new tricks

A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has discovered how the brains of advanced physicists organize highly abstract scientific concepts. They found that physicists' brains group concepts into measureable versus immeasurable size, and that these patterns are organized separately in their brains. This study provides insight...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·Journalnpj Science of Learning·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2021

Research shows promising results for Parkinson's disease treatment

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found a way to make deep brain stimulation (DBS) more precise, resulting in therapeutic effects that outlast what is currently available. The new protocol uses short bursts of electrical stimulation to target specific neuronal subpopulations, providing longer-lasting benefits.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 7, 2021

Carnegie Mellon, University of Washington to pioneer platforms that harness astrophysical data to unravel the universe’s mysteries

Scientists at Carnegie Mellon and University of Washington are developing new software platforms to analyze the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) dataset. The open-source platforms will enable researchers to make sense of big data and address fundamental questions about the universe, such as dark matter and dark energy.

Local perceptions obscure COVID risk during pandemic

A study finds that local perceptions of COVID-19 risk often don't align with national infection rates, leading to inconsistent public behavior. The research suggests that community-level organizations and high-level institutions need to work together to provide accurate information and support individuals in understanding the risks.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalDecision·TypeSurvey·DateAug 16, 2021

Text reminders boost vaccine appointments

Researchers found that text messages with ownership language increased appointment rates by 84.33% and accelerated vaccination schedules at UCLA Health. The study involved two randomized controlled trials with over 87,000 participants and demonstrated the effectiveness of text reminders in overcoming barriers to vaccine scheduling.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 2, 2021

Cold weather cost New England electric customers nearly $1.8 billion in one month; A new study suggests ways to mitigate fuel shortages

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers suggests that storing both oil and gas on-site at power plants can reduce dependence on gas grids and mitigate fuel shortages. This could reduce costs for electric customers in New England, where gas supply constraints have led to frequent power plant outages.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalThe Electricity Journal·DateJun 23, 2021

Analysis: Chile's transition to democracy slow, incomplete, fueled by social movements

A new article analyzes Chile's transition from dictatorship to democracy between 1990 and 2019, highlighting the role of social movements in expanding democracy. The authors argue that Chile's political system became illegitimate, providing space for various social movements, including feminist, student, and indigenous rights movements.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalThe Latin Americanist·DateJun 15, 2021

Impact of Pandemic on Chile's Pension System Threatens Viability, Highlights Vulnerability to Political Risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened Chile's defined contribution pension system, undermining its financial foundation and exposing it to political risk. The government's response to the crisis, including emergency withdrawals from pension fund savings accounts, has set a dangerous precedent for using retirement funds for basic needs.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Social Security Review·DateJun 9, 2021

Collective intelligence can be predicted and quantified, new study finds

Researchers used meta-analytic methods to evaluate data from 22 studies involving 5,349 individuals in 1,356 groups, finding strong support for a general factor of collective intelligence. Group collaboration processes were twice as important for predicting CI than individual skill, and group composition, including female proportion an...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2021

Overcoming tab overload

A team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers has developed a new extension called Skeema, which helps users group their browser tabs into tasks and organize, prioritize, and switch between them. This tool addresses the issue of tab overload and improves online productivity by merging tab management and task management in a browser.

Machine learning accelerates cosmological simulations

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a technique using machine learning and high-performance computing to simulate complex universes in less than a day. The approach enables high-resolution cosmology simulations, advancing physics research and providing new insights into the universe's mysteries.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2021