Articles tagged with Economic Development
A new tool developed by Stanford University and Morgan Stanley assesses the nature-related impacts of over 2000 global companies, providing a new framework for evaluating and acting on corporate impacts on nature. The tool provides ecosystem services footprinting metrics with greater transparency than existing ESG approaches.
The Cyber-Resilience Resource Center will provide training and support to organizations across West Virginia, with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. Over 200 students will gain real-world cybersecurity experience through the center.
The Energy Transition Vulnerability Index (ETVI) measures a nation's susceptibility to adverse effects of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Countries in the Global South face greater challenges than those in the Global North, with global vulnerability decreasing but interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
A new study adapted acceptance-based mental health intervention ACT-W to fit Uganda's unique socio-cultural context. The programme aims to equip employees with tools to manage stress, anxiety, and common mental health issues at work.
Brazilian researchers are transforming Agave sisalana into a sustainable bioenergy source for the semi-arid climate region, requiring less water and fertilizer than sugarcane. The team has developed genetically modified yeasts to metabolize inulin and biostimulants to accelerate agave growth.
The University of Houston-led project aims to provide training and resources for jobs in the new hydrogen economy, prioritizing underserved communities. The team will create a publicly available online toolkit to facilitate community engagement and equitable access to emerging jobs.
The study reveals that farmers' decisions to adopt smart livestock technologies are driven by their understanding of the technology's benefits, ease of use, and financial resources. A generational divide is also identified, with younger farmers being more open to adopting new technologies.
Researchers at HSE University developed mathematical models to predict impact of nuclear power on Sustainable Development Index. Increasing nuclear power share to 20-25% could boost SDI, but scenarios with slower growth or reduction lead to lower increases.
A team of researchers at Pusan National University developed a pricing formula for perpetual American strangle options (PASOs) using a stochastic volatility model. The formula is accurate and provides a better understanding of the risks and returns associated with PASOs, especially in low-volatility environments.
The DREAM+PLAN program will recruit up to 32 PhD researchers to develop pathways for solving local and global climate emergencies through resilience, restoration, and regeneration. The program's goal is to create a positive impact on a more sustainable, fair, inclusive planet.
Researchers propose a novel compact meta-silencer design leveraging acoustic black hole and rainbow trapping effects to reduce low-frequency noise. The study demonstrates improved performance with coiled-up slits, achieving an average sound transmission loss of 6.73 dB across a broad frequency band.
A study published in Business Strategy and the Environment found that green finance initiatives can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The researchers also noted that investing in renewable energy is crucial for companies to achieve environmental sustainability.
A study by Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology found that installing EVCS boosted spending at nearby establishments by 1.4% in 2019, leading to an overall increase of USD 6.7 million. Strategically placed EVCS also stimulated consumer spending in underprivileged areas, creating potential catalysts for economic growth.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that village size plays a crucial role in determining the economic impact of electrification. Villages with populations over 2,000 people experience significant benefits, including doubled household expenditure and growth in microenterprises. In contrast, smaller villages see litt...
Researchers from Texas A&M are leading a $26 million decarbonization effort to convert CO2 into valuable products, driving a circular carbon economy. The initiative aims to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions for manufacturing systems.
The article examines three scenarios for Norway's hydrogen export market development, including techno-economic viability and spatial considerations. The results suggest that Norway may be cost-competitive in blue hydrogen exports but faces sustainability limitations due to natural gas reliance.
A study by MIT researchers found that EV charging stations increase annual spending at nearby businesses by an average of $1,500 in 2019 and $400 from 2021 to 2023. The impact is particularly pronounced for businesses within 100 yards of charging stations and in low-income areas.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health finds that slow growth in health sector spending is projected in Sub-Saharan Africa until 2050. The decline is driven by tepid growth in government spending and reductions in development assistance for health.
A WVU statistician is developing new methods to analyze curve-type data for predicting extreme weather patterns, financial turmoil and pollution levels. The research aims to create innovative tools for understanding high-resolution data and addressing regional risks in mountainous states like West Virginia.
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 type of sensor leverages exceptional points to achieve high sensitivity and reconfigurability. The novel design addresses limitations of traditional EP-based sensors by incorporating spoof localized surface plasmon resonators, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of EP states across a wide frequency range.
A recent study by an international team has established a link between academic freedom and innovative output for the first time. The researchers found that countries with higher levels of academic freedom tend to have more patent applications and citations, indicating a positive correlation between academic freedom and innovation. Con...
The University of Kansas has received a $26 million grant from the National Science Foundation to create a new Engineering Research Center focused on developing sustainable refrigerant technologies. The EARTH center will address the challenge of replacing hydrofluorocarbons with safer, more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
The new ERC EARTH research center will focus on developing sustainable refrigerant technologies and practices to improve quality of life and combat climate change. Lehigh University's team, led by David Vicic, will work on reclamation and repurposing of high-GWP legacy refrigerants.
The study finds that agricultural expansion could lead to a 26% decline in biodiversity and emit almost half of current annual global CO2 emissions. Conservation policies can also have economic benefits, with minimal impact on GDP and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new economic model called socio-bioeconomy (SBE) aims to protect the Amazon by supporting indigenous and rural communities, and standing forests. SBEs focus on sustainable use and restoration of ecosystems, eco-friendly tourism, and community-led development.
Research shows that wealthy countries in the Global North benefit from unequal exchange with the Global South, net-appropriating 826 billion hours of labor. This amounts to a wage value of €16.9 trillion, equivalent to half of total consumption in the Global North.
A new study suggests that ending mass human deprivation and providing good lives for the whole world's population can be achieved while reducing environmental damage. The research proposes that only 30% of current global resources and energy use are required to provide universal access to basic goods and services.
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.
The Pacific Northwest is launching a clean hydrogen economy with a $27.5 million Department of Energy funding award. The project aims to develop and market economical clean hydrogen power solutions to meet the United States' clean energy goal while ensuring at least 40% of the benefits flow to disadvantaged communities.
A new framework enables efficient calculation of optimal solar panel and battery sizes for residential neighborhoods, making it feasible to achieve net-zero energy houses. The approach leverages linear programming transformations to overcome computational challenges, demonstrating that ZEH status does not significantly elevate costs.
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.
The study uses machine learning framework to estimate global rooftop area growth, projecting a 20-52% increase by 2050. Rooftop solar power holds significant potential for emerging economies, driving sustainable development and prosperity.
A new study from the University of Birmingham and Keele University found that people with Long COVID symptoms lasting over 28 weeks are three times more likely to leave employment. The research highlights the significant impact of Long COVID on individuals' employment outcomes, particularly for those who leave work.
A new study suggests that people trying to conceive living close to oil and gas development sites experience heightened risk of developing adverse mental health outcomes. High perceived stress was elevated among those living just 1.25 miles away from the activity.
Researchers estimate the expected outcomes in long-term expenses as those hydrogen production pathways evolve. The study concludes that experience from deploying blue hydrogen projects will help lower future costs, while extended tax incentives for carbon sequestration can significantly reduce costs further.
Research by economists at University of East Anglia and others found links between finance ministers and executives at biggest credit ratings agencies associated with higher ratings for countries without these connections, highlighting a conflict-of-interest problem in the credit ratings agency business model.
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.
Researchers found that 240 Chinese cities benefit from carbon mitigation efforts of other cities, with weak beneficiaries having stronger connections to upstream heavy industry cities. Effective emission reduction requires policies addressing distinct city challenges and opportunities.
A new study by Duke University researchers finds that nearly half of protected areas can benefit both nature and people, with a balanced approach. The study suggests smaller, closer-to-market protected areas are more likely to achieve this balance, without harming local economic growth.
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.
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.
Leading academics recommend extending Sustainable Development Goals to 2050, addressing climate and biodiversity targets, and incorporating AI impact, community input, and inclusive consultations. They also suggest reforming global finance architecture and framing goals as missions with clear targets.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen to concrete could significantly reduce global levels of potentially harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) created by the construction industry. This process could contribute to a reduction in NOx emissions by 3.4-6.9 megatonnes, representing 6-13% of industry-related emissions in 2021.
Researchers are developing solutions to recycle solar panels and recover strategic metals like silver and copper, reducing waste and creating jobs.
A study found that men tend to eat meat more frequently than women, particularly in countries with higher levels of social and economic development. The differences in meat consumption between men and women were greater in these countries, suggesting that increased gender equality allows individuals to express their food preferences.
A new study by Dr. Allan Hassaniyan argues Iran's water policy is discriminatory, leading to socioecological deterioration in peripheral regions and causing devastating effects on agriculture, health, and the environment.
A research team has developed a new framework for the circular economy, which aims to reduce negative impacts on environmental and human health. The SpheriCity project provides a tool for cities to conduct circularity assessments and collaborate with each other.
By 2050, at least 61% of US adults (184 million people) are projected to have some type of cardiovascular disease, with total costs tripling to $1.8 trillion. Population shifts, high blood pressure, and obesity will drive this increase.
The Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State aims to create biomanufacturing hubs for dietary proteins that are healthy, tasty, and affordable. The center will research, develop, and commercialize new technologies to support sustainable food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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 recent study found that over half of host communities in Bangladesh cut support for Rohingya refugees, even at personal cost. Researchers surveyed households and used satellite imagery to assess environmental changes, revealing dramatic impacts on both host communities and the environment.
A randomized field experiment in Seattle showed that a modest intervention of housing vouchers, financial support, and a
A new tool and framework allow companies to assess the circularity of their products in early design stages, enabling them to create sustainable new products. The circular design framework consists of 10 categories and includes interactive questions, helping entrepreneurs and designers think systematically and collaborate better.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University and others found that the increase in taxpayers reporting self-employment earnings since 2000 cannot be attributed to the rise of gig economy platforms. Instead, it was driven by self-reported earnings due to tax code incentives, with individuals more likely to report income when they had an incent...
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that exclusively breastfed infants used fewer healthcare services and incurred lower costs compared to formula-fed infants. This could have avoided £10 million in healthcare costs if all formula-fed infants were exclusively breastfed for the first 6-8 weeks of life.
A USC study finds that rising sea levels and urban development are accelerating coastal erosion in Southern California, with predicted costs tripling by 2050. Beach nourishment projects will become increasingly costly due to the global increase in sand prices.
A study published by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics predicts significant economic impacts on provinces like Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangdong due to increased heavy precipitation and droughts. The region's GDP is expected to be hardest hit under certain climate change scenarios, emphasizing the need for adaptation strategies.