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 report found significant economic benefits from the casinos, including job creation and tax revenue, but also noted a loss of workforce in other sectors and negative impacts on businesses. Negative social impacts included increased vehicle traffic, accidents, and crime near casinos, as well as a rise in illegal gambling.
A new study by MIT scholars finds that hospice care generates substantial savings for the US Medicare system, with $29,000 in cost savings over five years for patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Hospice care provides palliative-type care at a lower cost than elaborate medical procedures, saving lives and reducing suffering.
Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...
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 new study predicts Turkey's battery electric vehicle (BEV) ownership growth using the Gompertz model, aiming to aid policymakers in preparing for a smooth transition. The predicted BEV market saturation is expected to occur approximately 15 years later than Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles.
A new study explores clauses in pollination contracts that could make them more appealing to beekeepers, including pesticide protection and cover crop options. Beekeepers valued these features, particularly those protecting against pesticide exposure, with discounts ranging from $6 to $8 per colony.
A study by MIT researchers reveals that households in the US South and Southwest are struggling with energy costs, particularly air conditioning needs, as temperatures rise. The current federal program, LIHEAP, does not fully match these trends, with southern states receiving relatively less funding.
The UK is investing £170 million in new research and innovation projects to support clean living, tackle climate change, and boost economic growth. The projects will focus on land use transformation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
The US employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities rose to 37.5% in September 2024, marking a positive trend after three months of stability. Meanwhile, labor force participation rates remained near historic highs, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and flexibility in the workplace.
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals that 27% of respondents withhold inventions due to reasons such as emotional attachment, fear of credit, or lack of trust in management. The study aims to shed light on this phenomenon and develop effective management tools to increase employees' willingness to disclose their inventions.
A new study reveals a significant evolution in the UN's approach to human rights, with growing emphasis on disability and business-related rights. The research highlights the importance of corporate responsibility and suggests a move toward a more comprehensive understanding of human rights that encompasses economic and social rights.
Researchers aim to reduce PFAS contamination risk in agriculture by developing monitoring tools and strategies for remediation. The study focuses on comprehensively understanding PFAS uptake and bioaccumulation in plants, advancing strategies for PFAS remediation in biosolid/soil.
Researchers will focus on automating repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labor. The goal is to increase automation adoption among nurseries, promoting sustainable growth in the rural communicates where the industry is predominantly located.
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 new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research confirms that climate change poses significant economic risks to different income groups. The poorest worldwide are particularly vulnerable, but the risk for the wealthy is growing at an alarming rate.
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 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...
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.
According to the nTIDE September 2024 Jobs Report, employment and labor force participation trends for people with disabilities have leveled off after several years of growth. This decline in employment is similar to the trend observed between 2016 and 2018. The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities decreased from...
The Eat Local WNY initiative, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, aims to create a thriving community through investment in local food, businesses, and people. The project encourages shoppers to purchase at least 10% of their food from local producers, promoting fair wages for farmers, better stewardship of farmlands, and fresh...
Monthly gamblers in Massachusetts report increased gambling intensity and harms, as well as negative attitudes towards gambling. The proportion of those experiencing problem gambling jumps to 25.6% from 12.7% in 2014.
A new study analyzes demographic trends, patterns, and consequences of low fertility in high-income countries. Fertility decline poses economic challenges, but a strategic policy response can mitigate most adverse effects. The authors emphasize the importance of designing economies that allow individuals to freely choose their fertilit...
A new EU study suggests that focusing on citizens' needs rather than economic growth is crucial for achieving sustainable lifestyles. The research identifies the economic growth paradigm as a major barrier to transformation, and recommends a needs-oriented approach to ensure well-being and sustainability.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have unveiled an eco-friendly method to extract rare metals from semiconductor waste, recovering precious tungsten and assessing its economic viability. The bioleaching process, using a fungus to dissolve metals, is found to be 7% cheaper than traditional methods.
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.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 24, 2024
A new study by Kishore Gawande finds that China's nationwide protection of private property rights in 2007 turbocharged its business climate. However, the country is now reversing course, with potential investors pulling back due to weakening property rights. This could lead to lower economic output and tax revenues for local governments.
A new tool has been developed to compare gender inequality among different US states, revealing substantial gender disparities across the country. States with higher gender inequality scores tend to have lower measures of women's wellbeing and fewer tweets about the #MeToo movement.
Research by University of East Anglia and University of Texas found that stricter data privacy laws significantly reduced breaches, but negatively affected firms' market value. Companies compliant with GDPR invested more in data protection and were less likely to experience data breaches.
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.
The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub has been awarded a $51 million EDA grant to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation. The grant will support the growth of biomanufacturing businesses, creating jobs and driving economic growth.
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.
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.
Researchers created a new method to assess pension fund resilience, identifying that Lithuanian funds can withstand crises twice as long on average. The study advises investment strategies to minimize negative consequences during and after financial shocks.
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.
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.
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 study projects significant economic losses globally, particularly in the tropics, with countries least responsible for climate change facing 60% greater income loss. A transition to renewable energy is crucial to mitigate catastrophic consequences and stabilize the planet's temperature.
A new study reveals that climate change could lead to a significant global GDP loss of up to 10% if the planet warms by +3ºC, highlighting the substantial costs of inaction.
Researchers created a new approach to understanding peri-urban regions, where urban and rural characteristics blend, to improve urban planning and people's lives across the Global South. The 'peri-urban turn' uses Causal Loop Diagrams to map connections between health, place, demographics, governance, and economy.
A new study reveals that Global North countries' outsourcing of energy-intensive industrial processes to the Global South leads to greater carbon emissions and environmental damage. The researchers urge both regions to work together to address this issue, promoting energy equity and sustainability.
A new study from China found that higher GDP per capita and lower income inequality are associated with increased subjective well-being. However, when income inequality becomes too high, the link between economy and mental health disappears. The researchers advocate for a balanced approach to economic planning.
Researchers analyze degrowth scenarios to reduce emissions, highlighting the need for lower energy demand and technological advancements. The study suggests that fast emissions reductions are possible even with reduced or zero economic growth, but also raises concerns about sociocultural feasibility.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities decreased slightly over the last four months, but labor force participation is leveling off. People with disabilities are still engaged in the labor force at a similar rate to last month.
A new study reveals a strong correlation between universities' sustainability performance and local innovation, while showing little connection to community environmental sustainability. The research suggests universities contribute to economic development, but struggle to drive broader sustainable transformations.
The nTIDE March 2024 deeper dive reveals a reduction in the gender employment gap among individuals with disabilities, but women with disabilities still face lower wages and undervalued positions. The data suggests that women are more likely to be disabled due to COVID-19, which may explain the trend.
By 2100, over 97% of countries will have fertility rates below replacement level, leading to huge shifts in global livebirths and significant challenges for economies. Low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to continue driving population increases despite declining fertility rates globally.
A recent study suggests that IMF lending policies, especially structural loans, lead to significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions in Global South countries. This effect is most pronounced with second or subsequent loans, which can result in immediate spikes in emissions.
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.
Researchers analyzed product life cycles, revealing a steady decline of 30% per year between the first and fourth year of activity. New products contribute positively to firm growth, while lagging sales decrease it.
A study published in Natural Resources Forum found that renewable energy production reduces carbon dioxide emissions in OECD countries but increases them in emerging economies. Economic growth also enhances environmental quality in both sets of countries, while institutional quality is linked to fewer emissions in OECD countries.
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.
The study identifies areas with high carbon footprints, including those reliant on fossil fuels and manufacturing, highlighting the need for targeted economic assistance programs. The research provides a precise way to assess industrial composition, helping policymakers incorporate considerations into future policies.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities reached a record high of 37.1% in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic level and that of people without disabilities. This growth is attributed to significant employer trends, including labor shortages and increased wages, as well as accommodations made during the pandemic.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports predicts that EU and UK economies will suffer significant economic losses, with the majority concentrated in coastal regions. Targeted investment in certain sectors is expected to reduce regional losses, but overall economic impact remains substantial.
Binghamton University will receive $6 million from the NSF to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications and promote regional entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to increase the university's capacity for translational research, providing students with practical training and career development opportunities.
A $2 million three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will create a regional incubator for life sciences startups in South Carolina, providing them with expertise, resources, and networking opportunities.
A new study by ICTA-UAB shows that pursuing higher economic growth may jeopardise the Paris goals and leave no viable pathways for humanity to stabilise the climate. Slower growth rates make it more feasible to achieve the Paris goals, with lower economic growth reducing CO2 emissions by 10-13% by 2030.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that using alternative data from smartphones is more effective in improving financial inclusion (23% better) and business profitability (42% better) compared to social media data. This approach can help microloan companies adopt cost-effective solutions and offset potential economic loss.