Articles tagged with Economics Research
Despite increased unemployment, Canada's suicide rates dropped between March 2020 and February 2021, according to a study. The Canadian government's economic support measures, including financial assistance and reduced mortgage payments, are believed to have contributed to this decrease in suicide rates.
The August nTIDE COVID Update reports a decline in unemployment for people with disabilities, attributed to increased employment and labor participation rates. However, the overall job market remains unstable, with chronically high unemployment compared to pre-pandemic levels.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
Research from Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center for Social Equity found that Black households lost more wealth than white families during the decade-long economic recovery following the Great Recession. The study also showed that Black working-class families remained in the worst overall economic position, entering the COVID-...
A new study proposes prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for essential workers, the unemployed, and those at high unemployment risk to facilitate return to work and reduce future job losses. The study found that lockdowns reduced excess mortality but also increased unemployment risk.
Researchers analyzed two years of health data to identify trends and patterns in overdose deaths during the pandemic. Men, jobless individuals, and those with mental health diagnoses experienced the largest increases in overdose death rates, with synthetic opioids and personal residence being significant factors.
The Sustainable Agriculture Matrix provides a comprehensive assessment of agricultural sustainability at a national level, considering environmental, economic, and social impacts. The framework helps governments and organizations evaluate progress, identify priorities for improvement, and inform policies towards sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that aging workforces, characterized by a higher ratio of workers 56 and older to those ages 21-55, are associated with increased robot deployment in 60 countries. This study suggests that automation adoption is partly driven by labor shortages, particularly middle-aged labor needed for blue-collar work.
Research by the University of Kent and University of Reading reveals that a healthy lifestyle can increase happiness. The study found that consuming more fruit and vegetables and exercising can improve life satisfaction, with delayed gratification playing a key role.
Researchers argue that improving policy analysis methods can lead to better decisions, particularly for transformative policies like climate change. A new framework focuses on evaluating risks, opportunities, and resilience, rather than just costs and benefits.
A new study proposes a practical way of measuring how different nations should reduce carbon emissions to maximize worldwide wellbeing. The utilitarian approach assigns different emission reduction goals to countries based on their wealth and ability to grow and maintain citizens' health.
Researchers used electricity market data to estimate short-run economic impact of COVID-19 in Europe, finding countries with severe outbreaks faced harsher recessions. Early and coordinated containment policies reduced financial and mortality impacts.
The study found large reductions in uninsurance and improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar control among Hispanic and Black patients after Medicaid expansion. The first five years of expansion were associated with significant benefits for these populations.
A study by researchers at Mainz University found that digital presence of service employees improves customer loyalty. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, showed that customers perceive websites with images or videos of service employees as more attractive and memorable, leading to increased customer loyalty.
Houser and Co-Principal Investigator Moumita Roy plan a lab experiment to analyze the effect of shared group identity on leader effectiveness. The project aims to contribute to policy suggestions on increasing diversity and inclusion in leadership.
A study published in PLOS One found that stimulus checks largely reversed post-lockdown spending declines and stimulated spending among people making less than $35,977 per year. The research analyzed 5.6 million daily transactions and identified local 'hot spots' of spending changes.
A new study found that Black and Latino families are most likely to experience financial stress due to student loan debt, even with lower levels of debt. The research analyzed data from the 2007-2009 Survey of Consumer Finances and discovered that higher levels of student loan debt increased financial stress for these households.
Daniel E. Houser and Jian Song will investigate how the distribution of random shocks affects effort provisions in rank-tournament participants using economic theory and laboratory experiments. The research aims to develop an improved understanding of why and how people make decisions when facing unlikely but possible bad outcomes.
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that eliminating physical currency could benefit average Americans as long as certain taxes are lowered too. The research finds that reducing cash transactions would lead to lower tax evasion, allowing governments to reduce other taxes and boost overall well-being.
The August nTIDE report shows an increase in employment-to-population ratio for workers with disabilities, reaching 31.5%, up from 30.8% in July. The labor force participation rate also increased by 1.4 percentage points, reflecting the resilience of workers with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study assesses how much energy is needed to provide the global poor with a decent life and found that this can be reconciled with efforts to meet climate targets. The researchers identified gaps in decent living standards (DLS) by region and estimated the amount of energy required to fill them.
A new study finds that distinctive license plates in Greece are more likely to appear on luxury cars, suggesting a market for bribery to obtain more desirable plates. This phenomenon is seen as a form of conspicuous corruption, where the value of the plate lies not in its price but in the hint of rule-breaking.
A new study suggests that reducing sugar in packaged foods could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events, as well as 750,000 diabetes cases over the lifetime of the adult population in the US. The model also estimates significant cost savings and health gains for underserved populations.
New research published in PNAS suggests that community-based monitoring can improve water management in rural Costa Rica by reducing groundwater extraction and improving water quality. The program, which used a smartphone application and WhatsApp, showed modest but significant effects after one year.
Researchers propose new statistical approaches to estimate climate change impacts on US agriculture, focusing on county-level analysis. They suggest that current grouping methods can lead to inaccurate results and recommend using C-Lasso, causal forest algorithm, and geographically weighted regressions.
A new study by Abhi Bhattacharya, Neil Morgan, and Lopo Rego finds that most of the variance in the market share-profit relationship is explained by market power and quality signaling mechanisms. The researchers also identify conditions under which market share can be negatively related to firm profits, such as niche strategy firms and...
A new dataset combines demographic and financial information to identify communities at risk of climate-related gentrification. The Socio-Economic Physical Housing Eviction Risk (SEPHER) dataset provides insights into the impact of climate hazards on vulnerable populations, including increased evictions and rising housing costs.
A large-scale surveillance study in Madurai, India, found that comorbidities are a significant predictor of positive RT-PCR testing. The study also revealed an equal risk of asymptomatic infection among children, teenagers, and working-age adults, highlighting the importance of non-communicable disease control in COVID-19 containment s...
Researchers found regional lockdowns did not sufficiently address local COVID-19 risk differences in Italy. Instead, targeted interventions focused on high-risk areas could help strike a better balance between public health and economic damage. The study provides guidance for policy-makers to design effective interventions.
Researchers have created a new model that estimates the economic impacts of climate tipping points, such as disintegration of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The study finds that exceeding these tipping points could lead to increased economic costs of climate change impacts by up to 25%.
A recent study suggests that personal carbon allowances (PCAs) may be a feasible solution to reduce emissions and promote sustainable lifestyles. The researchers propose a market-based approach to provide individuals with incentives and options to link their actions with global carbon reduction goals.
Researchers found that factors like cost and prescription characteristics are associated with increased use of manufacturer's coupons at pharmacies. The study suggests that these factors may influence patients' decisions about using coupons to reduce medication costs.
A new study identifies four key challenges faced by sharing economy consumers, including reconciling goals and values, managing risk, and personalizing experiences. Researchers also uncover mechanisms and actions that help consumers navigate these challenges, creating value in the process.
A survey study found significant disparities in insurance coverage and access to health care among low-income families and people of color across four Southern states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed increased challenges in accessing medical care due to limited insurance coverage and other factors.
A clean US hydrogen economy is achievable but requires a comprehensive strategy and infrastructure development. The US needs to consider the production, transport, storage, use, and economic viability of hydrogen to make it viable on a societal scale.
A new study finds that Scotland's tougher drink drive limit since 2014 has not led to a decrease in alcohol-related road accidents. The researchers argue that policymakers need to back up stricter limits with tougher enforcement and alternative transport options.
Countries lagging behind in renewable energy adoption risk lower industrial competitiveness and economic instability. Uneven transition patterns can exacerbate existing international tensions, making it difficult for late decarbonizers to catch up with early movers.
Research by Jason Huh found that Medicaid expansion can increase the number of dentists per capita in low-income counties, with a 13% increase. This growth is driven by private practice dentists responding to financial incentives offered by expanded coverage.
A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University quantifies the financial impact of sickle cell disease, revealing $15k in lost wages per year per person, totaling $650,000 over a lifetime. The research found that 97% of respondents experienced severe and debilitating pain attacks from sickle cell.
The July 2021 nTIDE report shows minor declines in employment-to-population ratios for people with disabilities, but strong labor force participation rates remain. Employment numbers for working-age individuals with and without disabilities also show slight changes, indicating a potential chilling effect from COVID-19 restrictions.
Research finds that M&As can negate gains in synergy and efficiency if customers are dissatisfied, leading to a 1.14% lower customer satisfaction rate. Firms with marketing leaders on the board experience a 45% reduction in loss of firm value from M&As.
A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.
The Covid-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the EU labour market, with some countries experiencing significant increases in unemployment and inactivity rates. Notably, the Baltic States saw substantial growth in inactive citizens, while Poland was a 'unique case' where both unemployment and inactivity fell slightly.
A Japanese research team found that residents who engage in activities like camping and hiking experience increased happiness, while ownership has no effect. The study suggests better policies for enhancing forest relationships and measuring happiness based on the types of forest happiness.
A computer simulation modelled by Associate Professor David Goldbaum suggests a leader emerges through a dynamic self-reinforcing social process, even with identical attributes among group members. The study finds that building up influence and gaining popularity is key to becoming a leader.
A new £1.1 million research project will develop personalized rehabilitation programs for people with long Covid, which is estimated to affect at least 10% of those who test positive for Covid-19 in the UK. The project aims to improve outcomes and experiences for this growing patient group while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that gay and bisexual men earn less than heterosexual men due to workplace discrimination. Gay men earned 6.8% less, while bisexual men earned 10.3% less on average across Europe, North America, and Australia.
A recent study conducted by MIT economists found that increasing nighttime sleep had no positive effects on work productivity, earnings, or overall sense of well-being among low-income workers in Chennai, India. However, short daytime naps did show significant improvements in these areas.
A new study recommends making methadone more widely available through office-based visits with primary care physicians to improve access and convenience for patients with opioid use disorder. This could reduce transportation costs and enhance treatment retention rates, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers analyzed country-level health systems capacity and socioeconomic characteristics to understand delays in implementing COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions. Lockdowns significantly reduced physical mobility, while national school closures had no significant impact.
The number of unemployed people with and without disabilities has stabilized, but at levels higher than pre-pandemic levels, indicating many people have not yet returned to the labor market. Public health concerns, such as the spread of the delta variant, warrant caution and may lead to increased furloughs.
Researchers found no significant statistical or economic difference in yield or revenue between discriminatory and uniform auctions. The study suggests that Treasuries worldwide can shift focus away from auction rules towards market stability and primary dealer systems.
Flinders University researchers have successfully manipulated Beta-lactoglobulin, a major whey protein in cow's, sheep's, and other mammal's milk, using an Australian-made thin film microfluidic device. The device combines with a new form of biosensor to control and monitor protein denaturation and renaturation.
Researchers identified four key themes contributing to diseases of despair in Pennsylvania: financial instability driving self-harming behavior, lack of infrastructure exacerbating distress, deteriorating sense of community leading to loneliness and isolation, and family fragmentation. These findings have significant implications for u...
Experts from European and US universities warn that new EU battery regulations could hinder the global transition to electric vehicles if not implemented globally. The researchers argue that a coordinated, global approach is needed to make the supply chain predictable and powerful.
Scientists develop novel technology to recover multiple metals from various types of industrial waste using carbothermal reduction, reducing costs and enhancing sustainability. The approach also allows mixing different waste streams, enabling processing of large amounts of waste.
Rachel Volberg, a UMass Amherst professor, has received the National Council on Problem Gambling's Lifetime Research Award for her 35-year contributions to problem gambling research. Her studies on Massachusetts casinos' social and economic impacts are considered groundbreaking.
Research from Bocconi University reveals that mafia connections harm a company's financial performance, leading to lower return on assets, higher debt, and lower cash holdings. Connected firms are also more likely to go bust, with a 25.5% increase in default risk.
A new form of collective worker resistance is unfolding in China's app-based food delivery economy, with small groups of couriers conducting 'mini-strikes' via WeChat. These strikes reflect a new form of leverage and reveal labor unrest evolving alongside shifting political, economic, and technological conditions.
Scientists investigate e-cigarette formation of formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, under various use patterns and devices. The study aims to identify key parameters underlying harmful substance production, informing public health and policy.