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Crowdsourcing contests: Understanding what brings high rewards, low risk

Researchers found that crowdsourcing contests with professionals and public voting yield the highest returns and lowest volatility in stock prices. However, new product development contests carry higher risks due to uncertainty about commercial success. Large brands benefit more from crowdsourcing than small or niche brands.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2023

Heart transplant patients from socioeconomically distressed communities face higher mortality, organ failure risk

Research reveals that heart transplant recipients from economically disadvantaged areas are at a greater risk of graft failure and mortality, with a 10% increased relative risk compared to those from non-distressed communities. The disparity in outcomes has widened since the implementation of the 2018 UNOS Heart Allocation policy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 31, 2023

How little things can reduce hip fractures

A new Australian study found that implementing simple bone-strengthening strategies throughout the community can lead to a substantial decrease in hip fractures. The study analyzed data from over 3000 individuals aged 60+ and showed a 45% decline in hip fractures despite only a 3% increase in bone mineral density.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2023

‘You just emotionally break’: understanding COVID-19 narratives through public health humanities

A new essay highlights how news stories about healthcare workers during COVID-19 often left out crucial socioeconomic and environmental contexts, which can impact consumer thoughts and responses. By introducing a public health framework, experts aim to broaden storytelling and reframed scientific information dissemination.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMedical Humanities·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 25, 2023

Recommendations to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes published today

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and the new guidelines recommend systematic screening, lifestyle changes, and medication to reduce this risk. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of managing heart failure, kidney damage, and atrial fibrillation in these patients.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateAug 25, 2023

Is hip replacement safe for people in their 90s? Risks depend on patients' health as well as age

A recent study found that patients over 90 have higher complication and mortality rates after total hip arthroplasty (THA), but the risks can be minimized through careful patient selection and adequate preparation. Comorbidity has a major impact on THA risks, with certain conditions increasing the risk of complications and mortality.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateAug 25, 2023

New methodology combines earthquake ground shaking and ground failure for forecasting gas pipeline damage

A new methodology, developed by USGS researchers, integrates earthquake-induced ground failures with ground shaking hazards to provide a comprehensive forecast for pipeline damage. This approach is crucial for identifying potential damage in buried gas pipelines covering hundreds of kilometers.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 24, 2023

Metabolite in urine predicts diabetic kidney failure 5-10 years early; oral therapeutic drug shows promise in mice

Researchers found that urine levels of adenine are predictive and causative biomarkers of looming progressive kidney failure in patients with diabetes. An oral therapeutic drug showed promise in mice by reducing kidney adenine levels and protecting against diabetic kidney disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2023

People taking adult education classes run lower risk of dementia

Researchers found that participants taking adult education classes had a 19% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not. This association held true for both Caucasian and non-Caucasian individuals, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 23, 2023

Statistician earns $1.7M to study long-term effects of neighborhood exposures and racial segregation on cancer risk

A statistician at Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded a $1.7 million grant to investigate the long-term effects of neighborhood exposures and racial segregation on cancer risk. The researcher aims to better understand how geographic and socioeconomic factors contribute to disparities in cancer incidence and mortality.

New breast cancer susceptibility genes

A large-scale international collaborative study has identified new genes associated with breast cancer, which could lead to better risk prediction and improved clinical management. The study found evidence for at least four new breast cancer risk genes, with many others showing suggestive evidence.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 17, 2023

Children and adolescents of the 1959-61 Chinese famine: Survivors face increased risk of non-communicable diseases 50 years later, with those exposed in utero or under age 2 at double the risk

Researchers found that children and adolescents exposed to the 1959-61 Chinese famine in utero or under age 2 are at double the risk of developing non-communicable diseases. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, examined the long-term health effects of early exposure to famine on later life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 16, 2023

Study uncovers impact of 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic on infant health

A historical analysis of Bern Maternity Hospital data showed a notable surge in low birth weight and stillbirth rates coinciding with the 1918 'Spanish flu' pandemic. Researchers found that mothers exposed to the pandemic had a higher risk of stillbirth, highlighting the potential impact of pandemics on infant health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

New kidney function equation may reduce health disparities by improving access to heart failure therapy in previously ineligible patients

A new kidney function equation has been shown to be more accurate than the old equation in estimating kidney function, particularly for Black individuals. This new equation may reduce racial disparities in cardiovascular disease by making previously ineligible patients eligible for heart failure therapies.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 15, 2023

Government regulation can effectively curb social media dangers

A study published in PNAS found that government-mandated external moderation is likely to be effective in limiting harm on fast-paced platforms like X. The researchers examined the dynamics of content dissemination and found that a lower half-life means most harm happens right after content is posted.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 14, 2023

Self-driving cars can make traffic slower

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that connected vehicles improve travel time through intersections, but automated vehicles without connectivity actually increase wait times. The study suggests that incorporating vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication is crucial for optimizing traffic flow.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 14, 2023

Study: Infant formula safety checks can be improved with stratified sampling

A new study from the University of Illinois finds that stratified sampling is more effective at catching contaminants in infant formula than random sampling. The researchers used computer models to simulate testing finished formula and suggest ways to improve safety plans.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Food Protection·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 11, 2023

New research shines light on how COVID-19 vaccination reduces severity and mortality after breakthrough infections

A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateAug 7, 2023

New blood-pressure related measure predicts health outcomes in patients with intensive care

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a method to monitor critically ill patients with circulatory shock, which may help control blood pressure and heart function. The new approach uses tissue perfusion pressure to predict patient risk of death, length of hospital stay, and peak blood lactate level.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2023