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Ohio State University


A pain reliever that alters perceptions of risk

A new study suggests that acetaminophen makes risky activities seem less dangerous, leading to increased risk-taking. The study found that participants who took the pain reliever rated activities like bungee jumping and starting a new career as less risky than those who took a placebo.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateSep 8, 2020

A government program that reduces mortgage defaults

A national study found that housing finance agencies' supportive services and loan structure significantly reduced mortgage defaults and foreclosures among low- and moderate-income households. The results suggest government programs can help low-income households afford and keep their homes, with potential impacts on local economies.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateAug 27, 2020

Each human gut has a viral 'fingerprint'

A comprehensive database of 33,242 unique viral populations in the human digestive system has been assembled by Ohio State University scientists. This discovery reveals a complex relationship between viruses and bacteria in the gut, with higher diversity associated with healthier individuals.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateAug 24, 2020

A watershed moment for US water quality

A new federal rule leaves millions of miles of unconnected US streams and acres of wetlands unprotected, potentially undermining decades of taxpayer investment in improving water quality. The move risks higher floods, loss of biodiversity, and threats to drinking water and recreational fishing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2020

Owe the IRS? No problem, some Americans say

A recent study from Ohio State University found that households immediately increase their spending after receiving tax refunds. In contrast, when households owe taxes, they do not reduce their spending, instead using other sources of funds to pay the bill. This challenges traditional economic theories about how people spend their money.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateJul 28, 2020

In the sharing economy, consumers see themselves as helpers

A new study by Ohio State University suggests that consumers view independent providers in the sharing economy differently from traditional employees. Firms like Uber and Airbnb should focus on people who provide their services to effectively market themselves to consumers. This shift in perception may have implications for consumer be...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 15, 2020

Researchers find the worst reason to give a gift

Researchers found that gifts intended to save time are seen as compliments, while those meant to save money are perceived as a reflection of the recipient's lower status. In real-world situations, people who received money-saving gift cards reported feeling embarrassed and believed the giver thought they were incompetent.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJul 13, 2020

The downside of feeling prepared

Researchers found that feelings of preparedness in one area can lead to more confident thoughts about unrelated topics, even if those thoughts are not based on actual knowledge. Participants who were told they had to prepare for bad news later showed more positive attitudes towards research funding proposals than those who didn't prepare.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 22, 2020

People may know the best decision -- and not make it

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that people often take the less optimal choice when faced with a decision, despite having knowledge of what works best. The researchers discovered that nearly everyone learned the pattern, but only about 20% followed it when the pattern didn't work consistently.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2020

Changes in snowmelt threaten farmers in western US

Farmers in parts of the western United States will be among the hardest hit by climate change, which will reduce seasonal water availability for irrigation. The study found that basins globally most at risk include the San Joaquin and Colorado river basins, where snowmelt runoff is projected to decrease significantly.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 20, 2020