News on measuring and increasing the impact of research. Covers research-impact data, AI publishing workflows, open-access programs, and scholarly metrics.
The Experimental Biology 2021 meeting will feature groundbreaking research on COVID-19, including potential treatments and long-haul symptoms. Researchers will also present findings on cancer, heart disease, and other life sciences topics.
A new study led by Curtin University calls for immediate climate action to protect global food production and human health. The researchers estimate that world food production will need to increase by 50% by 2050 to meet growing demand.
Researchers evaluated thousands of policy proposals to assess feasibility and potential impact on reducing EU's contribution to tropical deforestation. Two promising policy options are implementing due diligence for importers and supporting multi-stakeholder forums.
Researchers studied historical data from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on adolescents' mental health. They found that limited physical exercise can help reduce mental health issues, contradicting previous studies that showed worsening psychological status during lockdowns.
A new study reveals that female doctors who suffer domestic abuse often feel unable to get help due to perceptions of shame and a judgemental culture in medical settings. The findings highlight the need for a designated confidential service and cultural change to support doctor victim-survivors.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology identified two promising policy options: requiring importers to carry out due diligence and supporting multi-stakeholder forums. These measures can help reduce deforestation while being politically feasible, with careful design and combination with targeted aid necessary for success.
A new study shows that replacing couches with no added flame retardants significantly decreases levels of toxic chemicals in household dust. Replacing foam inside cushions is also effective, confirming that choosing healthier furniture can make a big difference in people's everyday exposures to these toxic chemicals.
New research from Copenhagen Business School found that sexual harassment incidents can cause significant financial losses for companies, with an average impact of $450 million. The study looked at nearly 200 incidents, including those involving high-profile companies like Disney and Facebook, and found that CEOs involved in the scanda...
New research links prolonged amygdala activity to increased negative daily mood and decreased positive daily mood. Participants who displayed increased positive mood showed greater psychological wellbeing, suggesting the impact of amygdala activity on daily emotional experience.
The review paper highlights extinction risks of cycad species in U.S. controlled lands due to geopolitical boundaries. Coordinating conservation measures across multiple governments and countries is necessary to mitigate these risks.
George Mason University researchers Cing-Dao Kan and Dhafer Marzougui received funding to conduct modeling and simulation analyses, as well as vehicle crash impact tests for highway safety research. The project will support roadside safety research and outdoor laboratory operations until late February 2024.
Researchers found that agri-environmental schemes can help maintain species richness across flowering fields and seminatural grasslands in Germany. The study suggests a combined network of both is necessary to maximize biodiversity conservation efforts.
A research group from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the UK propose six criteria to mitigate the impacts of invasive species. The guidelines include a detailed survey of the situation and recommended responses such as cost-benefit analysis and intervention strategies.
A new study by Oregon State University researcher Dustin Herb found that environmental conditions in which barley is grown significantly impacts the flavor of whiskey. The study, published in the journal Foods, used gas chromatography mass spectrometry and sensory analysis to determine the role of terroir in whiskey production.
A study published in The BMJ found that COVID-19 deaths accounted for 15-20% of all sampled deaths in Zambia, contradicting the widely held view that the virus has largely skipped Africa. The virus was detected in 70 people, with most deaths occurring in the community and among older adults.
A study by Hebrew University researchers found that natural disasters lead to a decrease in crime and an increase in charitable giving in directly affected areas. However, neighboring regions experienced a marked increase in philanthropy, driven by empathy and solidarity.
A study published in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience found that audiovisual professionalisation causes a decrease in eyeblink rate and impacts brain rhythms among media professionals. This research has implications for occupational health strategies and the design of consumption strategies for videos.
A study by Talib Dbouk and Dimitris Drikakis from the University of Nicosia found that temperature, humidity, and wind speed significantly impact epidemic behavior. The researchers developed a new model, AIR index, which accurately predicted the timing of second outbreaks in Paris, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro.
Russian women's lifestyles transformed during the pandemic due to reduced social interactions. Despite initial negative expectations, some found benefits in remote work and increased leisure time.
Researchers discovered that D1 and D2 neurons work together to perform reaching-and-grasping tasks, with D1 providing the early movement phase and D2 providing the final approach. This study sheds light on the complex mechanisms underlying motor function in the basal ganglia.
The event aims to address current and future challenges in cancer drug development through panel discussions with eminent speakers. Delegates will learn about key areas for innovation and collaboration to improve cancer treatment.
A team of plant pathologists compiled annual corn reduction data from 26 US states and Ontario, Canada, revealing significant regional variations in disease impact. The analysis provides a broader view of diseases affecting corn production in the region.
A new study published in Nature Food investigated how to ensure the food supply chain functions under environmental disruptions, highlighting key areas for future research. The researchers identified the need to understand the shape of a supply chain, evaluate simultaneous shocks, and quantify substitutions within supply chains.
Researchers from UOC Faculty of Health Sciences will investigate the impact of intermittent fasting on organ ageing in postmenopausal women. The study aims to validate ageing markers and determine if fasting leads to changes in organ ageing, with potential benefits for women's quality of life.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that hand-eye coordination is impaired by more than 20% at BAC levels as low as 0.015%, even below the legal limit for driving.
Triumphs in achieving first beam delivery for ARIEL's CANREB facility, enhancing TRIUMF's nuclear physics program and global leadership in isotope production. The milestone ushers in a new era of scientific advancements and real-world impact for Canadians and the world.
A new Stanford University study identifies 333 Tel Aviv University researchers among the world's top 2%, with 155 in the top 1% and 74 in the top 0.5%. The university is known for its academic excellence and interdisciplinary approach, making this ranking a cause for national pride.
New research from the University of California San Diego found that modern crop varieties introduced in 1961 reduced infant mortality rates by up to 5.3 percentage points globally, resulting in around 3-6 million infant deaths averted per year by 2000.
Researchers discovered that female language style is associated with higher impact and more views for TED Talks. A simpler and more personally engaging female-typical language style was found to be more predictive of talk impact than male-typical language style.
New study assesses association between clinical and financial integration, finding that financial integration has few positive effects on patient outcomes. Clinical integration, however, is associated with greater use of quality-focused care delivery processes and less spending.
A recent study found that female faculty, single parents, and early-career researchers are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, struggling with work-life balance and experiencing increased stress. The survey of over 600 faculty members highlights the need for universities to acknowledge these challenges and implement policies to su...
A study by Imperial College London has assessed 29 alternatives to microbeads and found that silica is the most environmentally friendly option. Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that is chemically inactive, non-toxic, and easy to source and process.
A new UCLA-led study reveals that older patients who undergo emergency surgeries on their surgeon's birthday have a 23% higher mortality rate compared to those treated on other days. The study, published in the BMJ, suggests that surgeons may be more distracted on their birthdays than other days.
A US study found that patients who undergo surgery on their surgeon's birthday experience higher mortality compared to other days. The researchers suggest that surgeons may be distracted by life events unrelated to work, leading to potential medical errors.
Researchers found that labeling paid vaping influencer Instagram posts with #ad or #sponsored effectively grabs attention and captures viewers' attention. The study suggests that such labels may be an effective tool to discourage young people from picking up a harmful habit.
Research reveals greater mosquito susceptibility to Zika virus, fueling global epidemics and congenital abnormalities. The invasive subspecies of Aedes aegypti has marked preference for human blood and is effective in transmitting the virus.
A new NYUAD study found that opposite-gender mentorships increase the impact of female scientists' research, while same-gender mentorships can reduce it. The study examined thousands of mentor-protégé relationships and found a significant association between increasing female mentors and reducing their protégés' post-mentorship impact.
A new study recommends reducing soccer players' head injury risk by inflating balls to lower pressures and subbing them out when wet. Inflating balls to pressures on the lower end of NCAA and FIFA ranges could reduce forces associated with potential head injury by about 20%.
Researchers identified diverse groups of cortical stem and progenitor cells with distinct gene expression profiles, contributing to neural complexity in the adult cerebral cortex. The study's findings support the protomap theory, which suggests that early cell diversity paves the way for later neuronal diversity.
Two widely used fall prevention programs, multi-factorial fall prevention and exercise for increased falls risk, have been shown to be ineffective in reducing fractures in older adults. Despite their widespread use in health services internationally, these interventions were found to have no impact on fracture rates.
The study found that socio-economic impacts of palm oil and certification on people varied across regions in Indonesia, particularly between Sumatra and Kalimantan. In contrast, overall measures of well-being declined by 11% in communities relying on subsistence-based livelihoods before certification.
Researchers found that plankton species shifted from relying on sunlight to capturing food and eating it after the asteroid impact, allowing them to survive. This adaptation suggests that the lack of light played a crucial role in killing off some species, but others adapted to thrive.
Protests correlated with short-term drop in fatal interactions with police for Black individuals, contributing to the body of research on protest effectiveness. No evidence found that protests increased crime or decreased proactive policing.
A recent analysis reveals gaps in existing studies on preventing child violence, emphasizing the need for more quantitative and qualitative research. The study suggests expanding research to different regions and analyzing specific forms of violence.
Researchers estimate COVID-19 cough cloud volume and droplet distribution in closed spaces with and without face masks. The study found that the cloud volume without a mask is 7 times larger than with a surgical mask and 23 times larger than with an N95 mask.
Researchers at George Mason University, Harvard, and Colorado State University will analyze spatiotemporal geospatial data to understand COVID-19 impacts. The project aims to facilitate participatory mapping and open data creation in developing countries to mitigate second-order COVID-19 effects.
Texas A&M University researchers developed a conceptual model to systematically identify the potential health impacts of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The study found 17 risk factors that could negatively impact public health, while eight had positive effects. Seven areas of uncertain implications require further investigation.
Research published in Sleep Health found that extra 29 minutes of sleep per night can improve mindfulness, reducing daytime sleepiness. Better sleep leads to greater mindful attention, essential for healthcare workers providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers analyze how our minds plan resource use to reduce excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions. They propose concrete strategies to fine-tune policy instruments and promote sustainable behavior, taking into account cognitive mechanisms such as spillover effects, rebound effects, and mental accounting labels.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that for every two COVID-19-related deaths, a third American dies due to the pandemic. The study also suggests that state policies on reopening early contributed to summer surges in Sun Belt states.
Scientists have debunked a longstanding theory on the Moon's magnetic crust, finding that meteoroid impact plasmas interact weakly with the lunar crust. A numerical study suggests a core dynamo is the most plausible explanation for the magnetisation.
Research led by Durham University found that massive collisions could have stripped the early Earth of up to 60% of its atmosphere, leading to the Moon's creation. The study developed a new method for predicting atmospheric loss from any collision, which could aid in understanding the Moon's origins and other giant impacts.
A new study estimates that droughts in Italy cause losses between 0.55 and 1.75 billion euros, mainly due to agricultural productivity decline. The economic impacts of droughts extend beyond agriculture, affecting the food industry and wholesale services.
Researchers found that Antarctica's ice sheet can become unstable and melt at specific warming levels, leading to a rise in global sea levels. If global temperatures reach 4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, Antarctic melting alone could raise sea levels by over 6 meters.
A study analyzing electronic health records found a significant reduction in diagnoses for common physical and mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included a 50% drop in Type 2 diabetes diagnoses, with reductions of up to 44% seen in malignant cancer and circulatory system diseases.
Researchers mined Twitter users' follower descriptions to characterize them in detail and analyze the impact of taxpayer-funded research on academia. The study found that hundreds of papers had audience sectors dominated by conspiracy theorists or science denialists, highlighting the need for scientists to monitor social media engagement.
A team led by Huimin Zhao at the University of Illinois has received a five-year, $20 million NSF grant to develop new AI tools for molecule synthesis. The institute aims to accelerate automated chemical synthesis and advance the discovery and manufacture of novel materials and bioactive compounds.
A team of researchers from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research analyzed the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons for mitigating climate change. They propose a 'Climate Corona Contract' that unites younger and older generations to address the climate emergency.
Lehigh University's Energy Research Center receives $750,000 from the DOE to improve power plant efficiency and develop a technology to measure toxic heavy metals in power plant wastewater. The project aims to optimize operating efficiency, system reliability, and emission reductions.
African carder bees have been spotted in Western Australia for the first time, according to Curtin University research. The invasive species was previously recorded in Queensland and has since spread throughout eastern Australia, raising concerns about its potential impact on native ecosystems.