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Failure to pass fire levies can lower house values

UC economists found that fire protection funding has a significant impact on housing values, with cuts resulting in an average decrease of $15,000. However, prices return to normal within a few years. In contrast, parks and recreation funding is associated with higher home values three years after renewal.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalRegional Science and Urban Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 20, 2024

Ketamine helped many severely depressed veterans, study shows

A study of 215 veterans found that nearly half experienced significant depression score drops, while about one quarter saw a halving of their scores. About 15% achieved full remission after six weeks of ketamine infusions, suggesting the treatment can provide substantial relief for those with complex mental health needs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 31, 2024

COVID-19: How effective was contact tracing?

A study published in EuroSurveillance found that 40% of COVID-19 infected individuals were identified through contact tracing, with socio-economic factors influencing reporting rates. The effectiveness of contact tracing alone was relative, but its psychological impact on the population should not be overlooked.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeNews article·DateJan 30, 2024

A manifold fitting approach for high-dimensional data reduction beyond Euclidean space

A new technique accurately describes high-dimensional data using lower-dimensional smooth structures, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. The approach achieves cutting-edge estimation accuracy and convergence rates while enhancing computational efficiency through GANs.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 29, 2024

The anti-acne medicine isotretinoin, which can cause defects in a developing fetus, is now used by almost 2 in 1,000 girls and women of childbearing age, according to analysis of German database of 25 million

A population-based study in Germany reveals almost 2 in 1,000 girls and women of childbearing age are prescribed isotretinoin, a medication linked to fetal defects. The study found a significant increase in isotretinoin-exposed pregnancies, highlighting the need for better monitoring and guidance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 25, 2024

Programming light propagation creates highly efficient neural networks

Researchers have developed a novel optical neural network architecture that achieves nonlinear optical computation by precisely controlling ultrashort pulse propagation in multimode fibers. This approach streamlines the need for energy-intensive digital processes, achieving comparable accuracy with significantly reduced parameters.

Sahmyook University researcher proposes more equitable subway stations for the elderly and mobility handicapped

A recent study suggests that more investments are needed to ensure equitable subway facilities, with 27 out of 257 stations scoring 1.00, mostly medium-sized stations. The researchers recommend allocating transport facilities based on each station's needs to enhance accessibility for the elderly and mobility handicapped.

SourceSahmyook University·JournalJournal of Public Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2024

US adults eat a meal’s worth of calories of snacks in a day

A new study suggests that US adults consume almost a quarter of their daily calories in snacks, often more than they do at breakfast, yet these snacks offer little nutritional value. Researchers analyzed data from over 20,000 people and found that snacks accounted for between 19.5% to 22.4% of total energy intake.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2023

Princeton research reveals the secret sites where America’s migrating songbirds stop to rest and refuel

Researchers have identified over 2.4 million hectares of land as critical stopover hotspots for migratory songbirds in the eastern United States, primarily consisting of deciduous forests. Protecting these sites is essential to safeguarding bird populations, which have plummeted by a quarter since 1970 due to habitat loss and climate c...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2023

Mammogram rates increase when patients schedule themselves

Researchers found that patients who scheduled their own mammograms through an online patient portal had a 13 percentage point increase in screening completions. This simple intervention doubled the number of mammogram completions, resulting in approximately 4,500 more people getting screened.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2023

Thermal impact of 3D stacking photonic and electronic chips

The study found that 3D integration can lead to significant heat spreading and crosstalk, reducing heater efficiency by up to -43.3% and increasing thermal crosstalk by up to +44.4%. However, optimizing design variables, such as spacing between µbumps and interconnect linewidth, can minimize the thermal penalty of 3D integration.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateDec 7, 2023

Clinical smart watch finds success at identifying atrial fibrillation

A novel prescription wristwatch uses photoplethysmography to detect atrial fibrillation with high accuracy, even in participants with darker skin tones. The Verily Study Watch bridges the gap between long-term monitoring and consumer devices, enabling clinicians to effectively use wearable data for Afib management.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2023

Trends in adult smoking prevalence

A study of 353,000 US adults found a decline in smoking prevalence from 2011 to 2022, except for those 65 and older. The greatest gains in reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality can be achieved by targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateDec 1, 2023

Disruptive ideas rely on old fashioned meetings

Studies have shown that collaborative teams working remotely produce fewer truly disruptive ideas compared to their in-person counterparts. In-person teams tend to engage in more conceptual work, such as conceiving hypotheses and writing, which is more likely to lead to radical new ideas.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2023

Orbital-angular-momentum-encoded diffractive networks for object classification tasks

Researchers developed three diffractive deep neural networks using orbital angular momentum to recognize objects in images, achieving accuracy comparable to wavelength and polarization-based models. The technology has potential for real-time processing applications like image recognition and data-intensive tasks.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 27, 2023

Data gap in SARS-CoV-2 cases in animals

A recent study by the Complexity Science Hub found that at least two-thirds of animal COVID-19 deaths were not reported to official sources. The researchers compiled a comprehensive list of 35 animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the need for improved data exchange and reporting.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalOne Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2023

First 2D semiconductor with 1000 transistors developed at EPFL Switzerland: Redefining energy efficiency in data processing

EPFL researchers have developed the world's first large-scale in-memory processor using 2D semiconductor materials, which could substantially cut the ICT sector's energy footprint. The processor combines data processing and storage onto a single device, reducing energy waste and improving efficiency.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Electronics·DateNov 13, 2023

New scientific methods for analyzing criminal careers

The study analyzed over 1.2 million criminal incidents, revealing that specialists tend to operate within a confined geographic area and collaborate with local networks. The method can help law enforcement agencies anticipate criminal developments and tailor measures for prevention, policing, and rehabilitation.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 13, 2023

Researchers adapt health system COVID-19 collaboration to track near-real-time trends in visits for substance use

Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.

SourceHennepin Healthcare Research Institute·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2023

Women stroke survivors believe they will receive worse care in the emergency room

A national study of approximately 3,500 women found that those with a history of stroke are more likely to believe they won't receive adequate emergency care due to their gender and race. This perception may lead to delays in treatment for stroke patients, highlighting the need for improved healthcare equity.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalStroke·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 6, 2023

Action plan for better data on migration and health

A new study reveals gaps in including migrants and refugees in national data collection systems, hindering their human rights and societies' well-being. The authors propose a roadmap for European health systems to improve data quality and promote equity in healthcare.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2023

Sigh ventilation in patients with trauma

A randomized clinical trial of 524 trauma patients found that adding sigh breaths to mechanical ventilation did not increase ventilator-free days. However, prespecified secondary data suggest that sighs are well-tolerated and may improve clinical outcomes in this patient population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 25, 2023

People with severe mental illness at 50 per cent higher risk of death following COVID-19 infection

A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals with severe mental illness were 50% more likely to die from all causes following a COVID-19 infection. The research also highlighted regional disparities and differences in mortality risk based on ethnicity and geographical location.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Climate network analysis helps pinpoint regions at higher risk of extreme weather

Researchers developed a climate network analysis method to explore teleconnections, which describe how climate events in one part affect others worldwide. The study found areas like southeastern Australia and South Africa are significantly affected by these interconnected events, with stronger connections over time.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateOct 17, 2023

AI just got 100-fold more energy efficient

Northwestern University engineers developed a nanoelectronic device that can perform accurate machine-learning classification tasks in real time with reduced power consumption. The device can be deployed directly in wearable electronics for real-time detection and data processing, enabling more rapid intervention for health emergencies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2023

Interpreting large-scale medical datasets

A new generative model named scPoli enables multi-scale representations of cells and samples, facilitating the integration of high-quality large-scale datasets for novel biological insights and disease understanding. This model accelerates atlas building and usage, ultimately accelerating disease understanding and therapy development.