In a setup resembling a trust game, participants exchanged large amounts with anonymous members of their own community but little with members of other communities. The researchers found that repeated interactions alone cannot explain the evolution of human cooperation and that group competition also weakens overall cooperation.
A new study found that genetic factors contribute around 33% to the variation in levels of trust among individuals, while life circumstances such as age, health, and relationship status also increase trust. The research used twin studies to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on trust.
A study by the Universities of Göttingen and Bonn found that reducing effort required to opt out of nudged options and increasing transparency of the nudge significantly improved public support for these interventions. The perception of upholding free choice and effectiveness were key drivers of acceptance.
A new study published in Socio-Economic Review found that introducing competition between upper secondary schools in Sweden required nearly a decade of reorganisation, training, and changes in admission rules. The study highlights the significant costs and disruption involved in establishing competition, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study suggests that promoting prosocial preferences in smallholder farming communities can minimize economic losses from extreme weather events. By diversifying risk transfer mechanisms and implementing formal insurance, communities can shield farmers from individual risks while protecting against collective-scale volatility.
A new study from the University of Delaware and Yale University aims to improve cost estimates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by understanding the underlying frictions that prevent people from adopting newer, greener technologies. The researchers focus on the social sciences to better understand these negative costs.
A Chinese Medical Journal study examined the spatiotemporal features of disease burden due to air pollution across China between 2005 and 2017. The findings revealed a downward trend in premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollution, but an increasing financial burden due to economic growth.
Researchers developed a luminescent material that reveals concrete deterioration when exposed to ultraviolet light. The material's color change indicates the amount of carbonate absorbed, allowing for real-time detection of degradation.
A study published in Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation proposes a novel methodology for projecting native tree growth and optimizing timber production in forest restoration. This approach reduces the time to harvest by 25% and increases stand density by 38%, making large-scale forest restoration more attractive to landowners.
The UK Generations and Gender Survey found a rise in young adults intending not to have children, with environmental concerns less prevalent among Gen Z. High childcare costs also differ greatly by household income, restricting access to affordable services for low-income families.
A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge found that removing the largest individual serving size of wine from menus in 21 English licensed premises decreased total wine sales by 7.6%. Despite this, daily revenue remained unchanged, suggesting an increase in profit margins for smaller glasses of wine.
A Lancaster University-led study found improvements in mental health and reductions in burglaries among residents involved in the Big Local community empowerment initiative. However, benefits were unequally distributed, with men and those with higher education reporting better outcomes.
A study by Chung-Ang University found that electronic voting enhances shareholders' perception of corporate governance, increasing the market value of a firm's cash holdings. Firms with larger free cash flows and minority ownership saw stronger governance effects from adopting electronic voting.
A survey study found that Ukrainian refugees in Vienna, Austria, had higher education levels, work experience, and willingness to stay compared to those in Kraków, Poland. In contrast, those in Kraków were more likely to plan a return to Ukraine.
Researchers found that less than two percent of patients in Medicaid and commercially insured plans received Z-codes to document Social Determinants of Health. The study highlights the need for improved tracking and documentation of SDOH in healthcare settings, with recommendations for policy changes and provider education.
Researchers found that colon cancer screenings reduce cancer rates by about 0.5 percent, doubling previous estimates of a quarter of a percentage point. This effect is twice the impact of just being invited to screen, suggesting that actual screening rather than just the offer makes a difference.
A team of UVA civil and environmental engineers and environmental scientists have developed a web-based decision-support tool, called the Climate Equity Atlas, to help residents deal with the challenges caused by climate change. The tool combines historical environmental data and socioeconomic data to create a sophisticated predictive ...
A new study from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences examines how Illinois corn and soybean producers make marketing decisions. The research found that farms with lower financial positions tend to store more grain, while bigger and older farms have lower storage costs.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
A new study from the University of Exeter emphasizes the importance of shared community spaces in addressing gentrification and its effects on rural communities. Dr. Joanie Willett's research found that these spaces can foster relationships, knowledge-sharing, and community action to adapt to changing futures.
A study at the University of Bonn found that primary school children are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks when buying with friends or classmates. Conversely, they opted for healthier choices when purchasing alone. This highlights the importance of understanding how social factors influence children's purchasing decisions.
A tiered tax system incentivizes companies to reduce sugar content, leading to a significant reduction in sugar intake and medical costs. The study predicts that such a tax could prevent over 244,000 cases of type 2 diabetes and save €16.0 billion.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 21, 2023
Research published in Nature Human Behaviour suggests that lockdowns and voluntary behaviour change lead to similar economic damage, with lockdowns saving more lives. The study's model simulates the balance between health and economic impact, predicting health-economic outcomes of political and health measures during a pandemic.
A new economic-pandemic model predicts that lockdowns and spontaneous risk reduction lead to similar trade-offs between health and the economy. The model, developed by an international team of researchers, accurately predicted death rates and economic impact in New York City during the first wave of the pandemic.
A hospital's portfolio strategy can shape patient preference in important ways, with a focus on depth of expertise leading to increased market share. Hospitals with a high related focus in a department also signal breadth of expertise, positively affecting market share.
A special issue of Medical Care journal highlights the need to study economic impacts on patient outcomes, including trade-offs in family decision-making about health care. The studies aim to improve data collection and infrastructure to measure nonmedical economic outcomes and track economic well-being over longer periods.
Research highlights the importance of supporting family members after cardiac arrest, finding that they face significant emotional, physical, and informational challenges. Studies such as TEMPO found that informational resources improve caregiver knowledge and decision-making abilities.
A study by Brigham researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in surgical abortions for commercially insured patients, with no concurrent increase in medical abortions. The rate of surgical abortions remained below pre-pandemic levels through June 2022.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre find frontal and parietal cortex play key role in encoding value of economic choices when faced with uncertainty. The study provides foundation for understanding neurobiology of risky decisions.
A new study by UMass Amherst researchers found that adult vaccination rates increase when out-of-pocket costs decrease. The study analyzed data from the shingles vaccine and found a significant increase in vaccination rates after the Affordable Care Act required private insurers to cover vaccinations.
Research by Dr Clive Boddy of Anglia Ruskin University reveals warning signs for corporate psychopaths in finance and politics. These include superficial charm, lack of remorse, and ruthless self-serving behavior.
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) could cause a 55% reduction in banana production in newly affected regions within 10 years. The disease is projected to result in significant economic losses, with consumers bearing 40% of the estimated $25 billion cost.
People with fewer financial resources have lower life expectancies due to factors like healthcare costs and economic inequality. Longer-term financial planning is associated with a lower risk of death, even after accounting for other factors.
Researchers studied fruit flies to understand how their brains assign value to rewards, finding that expectations play a crucial role in decision-making. By observing the flies' behavior, the team pinpointed the site in the brain where these value adjustments are made, enabling them to test a theoretical framework on neural circuits.
Historians studied the French Revolution to understand hyperinflation, finding that political instability and shifting public expectations led to extreme price increases. The study offers valuable lessons on sound fiscal housekeeping and stable prices.
A study published by the American Psychological Association finds that people experiencing financial scarcity make decisions based on their immediate needs, prioritizing short-term gains only when scarcity threatens their most pressing requirements. Researchers examined how participants' choices changed depending on the timeline of the...
A new article collection from Medical Care provides in-depth information on the costs of implementing evidence-based programs into routine clinical practice. The study, which received Implementation Award funding from PCORI, reports cost findings for various projects and healthcare sites.
A new study by Uppsala University researchers reveals a significant difference in vaccination rates among people with varying cognitive abilities. Among those with the highest cognitive ability, 80% were vaccinated within 50 days, while it took 180 days for those with the lowest cognitive ability to reach the same rate.
A global food system model suggests that consumer choices and climate-smart technologies can help achieve net negative emissions by 2050. The study estimates that a complete transformation could remove up to 33 gigatons of carbon dioxide each year.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 6, 2023
New research from the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Management suggests that managing public transit projects requires a comprehensive approach considering rational, psychosocial, and political dimensions. This involves engaging stakeholders, including non-users, to ensure societal impact and cost-effectiveness.
Researchers developed a novel method using Google Trends to assess player popularity and demonstrated its improvement in predicting market value. The method involves calculating six indicators of popularity that can be compared among players, improving accuracy when incorporated with other factors.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 16, 2023
A recent review paper highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to designing and implementing renewable energy systems. Local communities' values and concerns must be considered to ensure public backing for the essential energy transition. The study emphasizes the risks of ignoring socio-technical grand challenges in wind e...
Researchers found that participants with MCI performed significantly worse on a test of four types of decision-making abilities compared to those without. The study's findings have broad implications for choices about finances, health care, and other daily decisions.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the importance of shared decision-making in cardiovascular care. Key findings include improved patient understanding, acceptance, and satisfaction when healthcare teams involve patients in decision-making processes.
A new study suggests that requiring firms to disclose their true normal price can help protect consumers from deceptive pricing practices. The research found that providing this information largely eliminates the effect of an advertised regular price, which otherwise significantly raises the chance a consumer will buy.
The University of Tennessee Extension will host a series of workshops across the state to help agricultural producers navigate labor management. The workshop series aims to improve the economic sustainability of labor-intensive farming operations in Tennessee by reducing risks associated with attracting and retaining agricultural labor.
New IU research shows that a mutual connection to past changes an object's value, making sellers more willing to part with items. This connection also has implications for sustainability, as emphasizing heritage can lead to greater citizen value and environmental concern.
A study by the University of Illinois examines how family forest landowners in Maine and New Hampshire approach invasive species management. The researchers found that landowners prefer mechanical control methods, which are more expensive but less effective than chemical control, due to strong neighborhood effects. This has implication...
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that targeted financial assistance can prevent homelessness, with participants 81% less likely to become homeless within six months. The study suggests that investing in homelessness prevention programs can yield benefits exceeding the costs.
A recent study finds that most phosphorus stakeholders have significant doubts about the sustainability of existing systems, citing concerns over environmental impact. To advance phosphorus sustainability, stakeholders emphasize the need for new regulations, improved management practices, and innovative technologies.
Researchers examined almost 600 families and found that children from disadvantaged families struggle to accurately assess their abilities. A mentoring program improved their self-assessment skills, leading to better life outcomes.
A global study of over 5,000 participants from 27 countries found that economic inequality is driven more by scarcity than cognitive biases. The research confirms that choice patterns among low-income individuals do not uniquely explain protracted poverty.
A study by the University of California - Riverside found that consumers tend to overuse shared products like hand sanitizer when they think others will use them. To reduce waste, the study suggests making consumers believe they're sharing with family or friends, and increasing their identification with the product.
A new computer model forecasts yield for four key crops in the southeastern US, drawing on climate, groundwater, and agricultural data. The tool helps farmers and water resource managers identify ways to maximize crop yields while efficiently utilizing water and energy.
Researchers discovered that high-status men's respect for minority women is key to improving group communication. When men in power show respect and accept women's expertise, teams become more effective at solving problems and sharing information.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that women are more likely to hide their LGBTQ+ affiliation when they expect discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. This behavior is linked to the experience of gender-based discrimination and the expectation of unequal treatment.
New research suggests Ukrainian refugees can improve long-term GDP in European countries investing in capital improvements. Low-skill workers and owners of capital benefit in the short term, while high-skill workers face competition for jobs.
A Brazilian study combined urban expansion and land-use changes with hydrodynamic models to identify flood-prone areas of cities. The methodology, validated using actual data for São Caetano do Sul, can be used by other cities to devise public policies and make decisions to address flooding impacts.
A new study found that federal and state lockdowns and health mandates implemented during the pandemic exacerbated mental health issues in people living in four US geographic regions. The research showed a significant increase in feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly in Southern states with Republican governments.
Researchers found that specialized MLB pitchers perform better in their specialty after obligatory tasks outside of their specialization, such as batting. This phenomenon is known as 'forced task inferiority,' where underperformance in non-specialist tasks frustrates specialists and generates heightened drive that they can channel into...