Articles tagged with Economic Decision Making
A Concordia-led team developed a framework that enables crowdsourced deep reinforcement learning as a service, using blockchain technology. This allows smaller organizations to access complex AI tasks previously out of reach, reducing costs and risk.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that machine learning can be more effective than traditional methods for distributing scarce treatments to patients most vulnerable during a public health crisis. The model reduces expected hospitalizations by about 27 percent compared to actual and observed care.
A new study by University of South Florida researchers found that receiving a complimentary healthy food item can influence consumers to purchase indulgent foods. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, suggests that free samples may not be as healthy as they seem.
A study of 500 participants from 11 countries reveals that suboptimal decisions are a universal human trait due to context influences. The researchers identified culture-specific risk preferences, with some nations exhibiting higher or lower risk-taking tendencies.
Households in low-income areas face higher petrol price increases when rival fuel stations close compared to high-income areas. Despite new station openings, low-income areas do not benefit from the same drop in prices. The study found that larger chains respond with higher price increases following a rival's exit.
New research finds women make up 50% of post-harvest fisheries and aquaculture workforce, yet often remain invisible, unpaid or underpaid. The study calls for policy changes to address social justice dimensions of technology development.
A new study finds that pollution levels significantly impact households' decision to relocate within the US, with poorer families being priced out of healthier areas. Richer households, on the other hand, opt for cleaner environments, earning more than average in their new communities.
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found that homes sold through free classified services received fewer clicks, sold more slowly, and at a lower price than identical homes sold through paid services. This resulted in an average net loss of about 3.5% to 3.8% of the transaction price.
Researchers identify two key factors driving consumer participation in community-supported agriculture: the socio-cultural environment and weighing of expected gains against losses. These factors shape individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and decisions, highlighting the importance of considering lifestyles and values when promoting CSA.
A new study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters, revealing disparities in exposure across racial and income groups. The research found that people from lower-income working communities have higher exposures and Black and Hispanic workers experience on average 35% and 23% higher PM2.5 exposure, respectively.
A new study by Prof. Eyal Klement and PhD Student Michal Morgenstern has identified key factors influencing vaccination intentions among Israeli dairy farmers, revealing the significant impact of social pressure and underscoring the need for improved communication between veterinarians and farmers.
A mathematical model developed by Chris Zobel and colleagues optimizes resource allocation in urban infrastructure while considering social vulnerabilities and projected sea level rise impacts. The approach prioritizes investments that enhance resilience and mitigate socio-economic disparities, enabling informed decision-making that ba...
A new study reveals that Maasai women are gaining access to household decisions through livelihood diversification, education, and secure land tenure. This research contributes to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality, highlighting the value of empowering decision-making for women in pastoralist communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened existing economic and health disparities, slowing progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals. Low-income countries can expect an average progress loss of 16.5% across all health indicators.
A team of researchers from HKUST has identified the importance of strategic emission cap choices for ammonia industry decarbonization. By setting region-specific targets and prioritizing plant flexibility, policymakers can balance environmental goals with costs and resource availability.
A USF study reveals that digital food ordering platforms significantly influence consumer behavior, often leading to more indulgent food choices and increased spending. The study found that 61% of digital orders were unhealthy, and consumers who are more proficient with technology may be less susceptible to the Google Effect.
A new study by Heidelberg University researchers found that asking for units of relief supplies rather than money can significantly increase donation returns. The study involved 8,700 participants and showed that unit-based campaigns achieved 57% higher donation returns than traditional monetary donation campaigns.
A survey-based study found that 97% of Japanese respondents are willing to pay for a nationwide wastewater surveillance system, with a median value of $8.83 per household per year. The estimated annual tax would be more than enough to cover system maintenance costs, making the system economically justified.
A study found that over 60% of participants preferred AI decision-making over humans in redistributing earnings, despite potential discrimination concerns. However, participants were less satisfied with the fairness and accuracy of AI decisions compared to human-made choices.
A comprehensive report by the American Statistical Association highlights concerns about the federal statistical system's future, citing weaknesses in core supports and outdated methodology. The report recommends 15 specific measures to modernize the system and ensure timely, accurate data.
A study by Ritsumeikan University researchers found that emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of menstrual cups can increase their adoption. Tailored information efforts highlighting long-term financial benefits can play a crucial role in promoting sustainable options.
A new study suggests taxing certain antibiotics could help manage the threat of antibiotic resistance in humans. By making narrow-spectrum drugs cheaper and broad-spectrum ones more expensive, GPs may be incentivized to prescribe narrower options.
A study found that pay-for-performance incentives increased home dialysis use and kidney transplant rates. The End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices model did not associate these outcomes with changes in racial or socioeconomic disparities.
A recent study by Prof. Martin Bichler suggests that dividing Germany into several price zones may not reduce total power costs as expected. In contrast, nodal pricing shows promise in reducing costs by up to 9% due to efficient resource allocation and reduced re-dispatch measures.
Researchers developed low-cost, real-time sensors that can monitor nitrate in soil, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on fertilizer usage. The sensors have been tested in various soil types and showed accurate results.
A Japanese online survey experiment examines how public confidence in the military is affected by civilian control during an armed conflict. Participants showed significant loss of trust in the military when it deviated from civilian control, but not significantly when the legislature was involved.
New research from Lehigh University and other institutions found that consumers are willing to pay up to 10% more for goods and services produced with high production enjoyment. Sellers can capitalize on this cue by pricing their products at a slight premium, according to associate professor Danny Zane.
A study found that smallholder farmers in Tanzania used more fertilizer and had higher crop yields after an intervention, but the benefits did not last. The researchers attribute the lack of long-term adoption to liquidity constraints and structural factors such as fertilizer availability.
Texas A&M University has received a $1.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a technology capable of separating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in two ways: designing and testing a separation technology, and incorporating machine learning-based data-driven decision frameworks for reverse logistics.
A new study by IIASA researchers highlights the benefits of transboundary cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, which could maximize economic benefits while minimizing environmental losses. Full cooperation is recommended as a more beneficial and stable option for riparian countries, especially under changing climate conditions.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a more accurate method for tracking reservoir evaporation rates, accounting for factors not considered by current methods. The new algorithm reveals a clear geographic distribution and strong seasonality of evaporation throughout Texas.
A new global study found that cities with more climate-related health issues were more likely to maintain climate action despite funding shortfalls. Cities in the Global South exhibited higher ambition in climate action and promoted green recovery efforts compared to European and North American cities.
A study on Oregon's state-run retirement savings program found significant benefits for previously uncovered private workers and lower-income, single, older workers. The analysis revealed a 12% increase in Individual Retirement Account ownership among Oregon workers after the program's roll-out.
A study by ECU's Professor Pi-Shen Seet and Associate Professor Wee-Liang Tan found that positive family events have a greater influence on the survival of new ventures, leading to overconfidence and poor decision-making. This can increase vulnerability to making mistakes that harm the venture.
International agreements like Sustainable Development Goals represent wide support for a sustainable future. However, disagreements on how to achieve this lead to marginalization and inaction. Researchers found that competing approaches prioritize different values of nature, making compromise difficult.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that stressed participants were more likely to help the victim than punish the perpetrator in a simulated third-party intervention task. The researchers observed higher brain activation in regions linked to decision-making and mentalizing when stressed participants chose to help.
A recent study analyzed 53 peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessment studies and found that conventional plastics are not always the least environmentally friendly choice. Bioplastics emerge as a viable alternative for climate change and fossil resource depletion, but other environmental impact categories show some disadvantages. The analysi...
A study evaluates 14 carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures in Germany, finding ecosystem-based methods like reforestation and seagrass restoration to be low-hurdle options. However, measures like bioenergy with carbon capture storage face significant economic and institutional hurdles.
Graduates with AI knowledge are more likely to receive job interviews and better pay, according to a new study published in Oxford Economic Papers. Researchers found that applicants with AI capital were 54% more likely to get an interview invitation than those without, while larger firms valued AI skills even more.
A new study analyzed 31 previous studies on global health programs to find common themes in public health success. The researchers identified eight key drivers, including efficient data systems, effective leadership, and women's empowerment, that contributed to exceptional outcomes.
A new study led by ORNL provides valuable insights into vegetation resilience in response to extreme heat events, informing pathways for climate mitigation. The analysis found that impervious surfaces, moisture conditions, and type of land cover affect vegetation resilience, with preservation and enhancement of vegetation contributing ...
A new study suggests that renewable-scarce countries like parts of the EU, Japan, and South Korea could save between 18 to 38 percent in production costs by relocating their industrial production to countries with cheap renewable energy. The study's lead author argues that importing hydrogen via ship is not a cost-effective strategy fo...
A team of researchers has developed a novel approach using game theory to maximize Wi-Fi performance by optimizing user positions. By analyzing the incentives for all users, their potential game model condenses the impact of new users and inter-user interference into a single function.
A new study suggests that ammonia could be a smart and energy-efficient fuel in the race to achieve net zero in shipping. The NTNU researchers' model shows that IMO's ambitions have a strong impact on shipowners' choice of propulsion systems.
Researchers observed a significant increase in permanent contraception procedures for young adults following the Dobbs decision, with females being disproportionately affected. The study highlights the gendered dynamics of permanent contraceptive use and its implications for women and people with reproductive capacity.
A new prediction strategy helps investors forecast myopic marketing spending up to a year in advance, allowing for portfolio optimization and improved returns. The study found that using this method yields additional 6.44% returns over four years, compared to existing methods.
A new American Heart Association Scientific Statement highlights the importance of patient-centered care in cardiovascular health, combining expert knowledge with consideration of patients' beliefs, preferences, and values. The statement provides practical guidance on incorporating person-centered care into routine clinical practice.
A new Deep Learning model based on the Transformer architecture has been developed to predict water and energy demands in agriculture. The model forecasts daily demand for irrigation water seven days in advance with an error margin of less than 2%, enabling effective resource management without autonomy loss.
A survey found that social media use significantly increases patient empowerment and informed decision-making in plastic surgery. Patients who used social media to gather information scored higher on key categories of the Cyber Info-Decisional Empowerment Scale.
A new study by North Carolina State University found that smart utility meters can improve energy efficiency in manufacturing, but only if managers actively use the technology. The research used event system theory to understand the impact of proactive changes on business outcomes.
A study by MIT scholars finds that workers in lower-paying firms are highly susceptible to underestimating wages at other companies. Providing correct information about salaries can increase the likelihood of workers leaving their current jobs and improve wages.
A study found that companies with top management from Shiga Prefecture exhibited better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performances. The Sanpo-yoshi values promoted inclusivity and elevated ESG metrics, suggesting a global standard for responsible business practices.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a significant reduction in natural snow cover days globally, with popular ski hubs moving to remote areas. The European Alps, Australian Alps, and Japanese Alps are expected to experience the most decline, threatening local livelihoods and ecosystems.
A recent study by the University of Bonn and TU Munich found that banners with information on animal welfare had no effect on purchasing decisions in a virtual supermarket. Researchers invited test subjects to shop in a simulated environment, but even prominent labeling did not change buying behavior.
A study estimates that global ecosystems provide USD 112-197 trillion to the economy, with forests and wetlands accounting for nearly 80% of this value. Strong synergies are found among oxygen release, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration services, while trade-offs occur between flood regulation and other services.
A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health assesses the risks of global population growth on ecosystems and human societies. The experts argue that empowering women to make choices about their fertility is crucial but not enough, highlighting the need for policies addressing child health, food security, and climate change.
New Flinders University research reveals that health economists can play a key role in improving hospital efficiency and decision-making in Australia. By analyzing data and engaging with clinicians, health economists can inform budget decisions and prioritize areas of greatest improvement. The study's findings provide a basis for the b...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that EU countries have made progress towards achieving the 2030 sustainable energy goal, but some countries still have a long way to go. Malta made the greatest progress, while Bulgaria is furthest from meeting its targets.
A recent study found that quality-based incentives increase the quality of medical treatment, particularly for severe illnesses. However, financial incentives do not necessarily lead to better patient outcomes. The study's results suggest that doctors' altruistic motivations play a crucial role in providing high-quality care.
Researchers found that personal lies result in lower rates of deception due to moral costs, while non-personal information leads to higher lying rates. This study contributes to understanding the complex relationship between morality and economic behavior.