Research on how people, markets, and policies shape the economy. Covers labor and gig work, consumer behavior, GDP and regional growth, gambling risk, and financial decision-making.
A recent study published in Nature Food found that countries have a significant impact on nitrogen pollution, often multiple times greater than their effect on crop yields. Countries can curb fertiliser use without compromising yield by adjusting institutions, economic development, population size, and farm production processes.
Researchers at Nottingham University Business School investigate how COVID-19 affects small and medium-sized businesses, exploring their risk exposure and developing new methods to support them. The study aims to provide tools for policymakers and the banking sector to improve SME resilience and credit risk management.
A study published in eLife found that individuals with bipolar disorder who exhibit pessimistic beliefs are more likely to experience relapse. The study suggests that the way patients update their beliefs can be used as a risk prediction tool, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
The Substantial Gainful Activity Project found that vocational rehabilitation services can increase earnings for individuals with disabilities. The project demonstrated a 17 percentage point increase in clients with a signed individualized plan for employment and an 8 percentage point increase in closures with competitive employment.
The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization program awarded Wayne State researchers $270,000 to develop transformative innovation projects in AI, AR, and intelligent automation. The funding will support projects led by Jeremy Rickli, Ming Dong, and Arash Javanbakht, aiming to bring disruptive solutions to the market.
A University of Oregon study finds three-fold benefits in muni market efficiency since the Real-time Transaction Reporting System was launched. Timely disclosure reduces transaction costs and increases municipal trading volume across liquidity levels, benefiting all stakeholders.
Research from Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute finds significant increases in diseases of despair diagnoses, including alcohol-, substance-, and suicide-related disorders. The rates increased by 37%, 94%, and 170% between 2007 and 2018, with the most substantial percentage increase among men ages 35 to 74.
The papaya mealybug, native to Mexico, can have severe impacts on livelihoods and food security, with a 65% yield loss in Ghana. Researchers mapped potential global spread using location data from India, Africa, and the Americas, highlighting areas such as southern DRC, northern Cameroon, and western Ethiopia.
Researchers found a 17% increase in the likelihood of having a baby with fetal macrosomia among women in relatively strenuous jobs. The study highlights potential inadequacies in workplace accommodation laws and urges lawmakers to consider the impact on maternal and fetal health.
A new NSF-funded project at Georgia State University will examine the operation of illicit supply chains used for virtual products and services. The research team will generate low-cost but powerful tools to counter online offenders and provide empirical evidence to inform policy and law enforcement interventions.
A study by WVU finance professor Alexander Kurov and his co-author Chen Gu found that firm-level Twitter content can predict next-day stock returns and contains information about upcoming analyst recommendation changes, quarterly earnings surprises, and opening prices of initial public offerings. This research has important implication...
A study using pre-pandemic data found that essential workers with jobs that can't be done from home are more likely to have severe COVID-19 cases. Household members of these high-risk workers also face a heightened risk of severe illness due to increased exposure.
A Washington State University study found that workers experiencing job and financial insecurity are less likely to follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 prevention. Economic concerns, particularly low unemployment benefits, were associated with a decline in compliance with these guidelines.
Researchers outline the benefits of tropical fruits in terms of nutrition and discuss barriers to scaling up supply. Smallholder farmers and marginalized groups can benefit from tree-sourced food sources, which can also provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration.
Researchers from Kanazawa University create a new, high-performance carbon fiber material by chemically modifying Kraft lignin, reducing its weight while maintaining mechanical strength. The resulting composite exhibits almost 3-fold improvement in mechanical strength compared to unmodified Kraft lignin.
A new research project at Aarhus University will use Bayesian Neural Networks to model, analyse and understand trading behaviour in the world of finance. This technology is expected to improve our understanding of financial data by providing probability distributions based on complex data.
Researchers found that small loans during the lean season led to higher quality of life, increased agricultural output, and greater wages. The study's results validated the importance of seasonal variability to rural farmers' livelihoods, highlighting the need for economic interventions that account for this factor.
A study found that people who received documents highlighting their high energy consumption compared to others reduced their usage, while those with lower energy consumption didn't decrease their use after receiving similar documents. The results suggest that contrasting social norms can hinder behavioral change.
A new study by Penn State researcher David Vanness found a cost-effectiveness threshold of $104,000 per QALY for health treatments. Beyond this point, the treatment may not be beneficial for population health due to increased costs and decreased quality-adjusted life-years.
The updated guidelines recommend a combination of non-pharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical interventions to manage knee osteoarthritis. Education, structured exercise, and weight loss are emphasized as core treatments, while topical NSAIDs are advised as first-line treatments for persistent pain.
A new Northwestern University-led study reveals that disdain for the opposing political party now outweighs affection for one's own party, describing a phenomenon called 'political sectarianism'. The researchers identify three key ingredients of this trend: seeing the other side as different, dislikeable, and immoral.
Research in rural South Africa identifies socio-economic factors as key drivers of overweight and obesity among mothers. The study found that decision-making authority, income level, and family size significantly affect women's health, highlighting the need for evidence-based policies to tackle the region's obesity epidemic.
The BlueSwell Incubator Program has selected its first cohort of six startups, which will receive grants and mentorship to support the development of innovative solutions for ocean health and sustainable industries. The program aims to bridge the gaps between innovators, industry experts, and venture communities, with a focus on commer...
A University of Illinois Chicago researcher analyzed over 13.9 million COVID-19-related tweets to track public concerns worldwide. The study found negative sentiments towards the pandemic's impact on economies and healthcare sectors until March 2020, when optimism about economic recovery grew.
The University of Bath's CAMERA centre has been awarded £10m in funding to support its research in intelligent interactive and visual computing, AI, and human-computer interaction. This funding will enable multi-disciplinary projects that fuse these fields with healthcare, rehabilitation, and biomechanics.
Low-cost airlines proved more resilient during the pandemic due to their lower exposure to international long-haul traffic. They operated in regional markets and benefited from consolidation since 2001, increasing their market share from 5.3% to 37.3%.
The BrainHealth Project aims to redefine brain health as a critical asset, improving emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. By investing in employees' brain health, organizations can tap into their limitless potential, catalyze innovative thinking, and strengthen productivity.
Research by Murdoch Children's Research Institute reveals significant personal and financial costs of ADHD in Australia, including $12.75 billion in annual social and economic losses. Early identification and treatment may help improve outcomes for children with ADHD.
A University of Colorado Denver study found significant differences in rhetoric between male and female candidates, particularly in discussing economic issues. Female candidates were more likely to focus on education, environment, and gun violence on their campaign websites, as well as discuss taxes and worker wages on social media. Th...
A new database by the University of Nottingham's Rights Lab found that 90% of modern wars involve slavery and human trafficking. The most common form of enslavement was child soldiers, used in 87% of conflicts, while sexual exploitation and forced marriage were present in 32%.
The Subsea Systems Institute will focus on developing new technologies and practices to improve the safety and sustainability of the offshore industry. The institute's research emphasis targets harsh marine environments while reducing costs, allowing offshore production to continue even when energy prices are low.
A multidisciplinary team has demonstrated the ability to reproduce the nanostructures that help cicada wings repel water, using a simplified version of nanoimprinting lithography and commercial nail polish. The new technique produces replicas with an average of 94.4% pillar height and 106% of the original wing's pillar diameter.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity needs a 'safety net' of multiple ambitious goals to curb nature's decline. The new goals should consider diverse facets of biodiversity and be developed holistically to advance multiple targets simultaneously.
A new method transforms waste polyethylene into long-chain alkylaromatic compounds without high temperatures or pressures. The process could pave the way for a circular plastics economy and make non-fossil-based plastics more economically attractive.
A new effort led by UTIA aims to help nursery growers adopt automation technologies, addressing the industry's labor shortage. The LEAP Team will identify labor constraints and opportunities, as well as prioritize automated technologies for nursery production systems.
The diabolical ironclad beetle's super-toughness lies in its armorlike elytra and connective suture, which distribute force evenly throughout the body. Engineers are developing new materials inspired by this strategy to make machinery safer and longer-lasting.
A UBC study identified over 633 exploited transboundary fish species worldwide, with catches and revenues severely underestimated. The catch from these fisheries had been heavily skewed towards a few countries, including China, the USA, Russia, Peru, and Japan.
A new study found that dementia prevention strategies can be cost-effective and cost-saving, reducing dementia rates by 8.5% and saving £1.86 billion each year in England. The interventions included nicotine gum, medication for high blood pressure, and hearing aids.
Researchers at Binghamton University have won NSF funding for a new method of producing microscopic circuits. They plan to use carbon nanotubes to etch circuit patterns onto materials, potentially creating less expensive and more efficient production methods.
Professor Mills Kelly receives the prestigious award for his contributions to digital teaching methods and innovative approaches. The Gutenberg Teaching Council recognized him for his work on digitizing history teaching with his book 'Teaching History in the Digital Age'.
A NUS study found that poor outdoor air quality in China drives consumers to use food delivery services, resulting in increased plastic waste from packaging. The study revealed a strong causal link between air pollution and plastic waste, with a 100 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels raising food delivery consumption by 7.2%.
Texas A&M University researchers developed a conceptual model to systematically identify the potential health impacts of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The study found 17 risk factors that could negatively impact public health, while eight had positive effects. Seven areas of uncertain implications require further investigation.
Dr. Mauro Vallati will receive a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to develop AI-driven frameworks for tackling traffic congestion and environmental issues in urban areas. The research aims to optimize traffic light settings, communicate with vehicles, and reduce pollution.
A new study suggests that investing in climate-positive recovery plans for the global energy system could put the world on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Investing just a tenth of the $12 trillion pledged in stimulus packages over five years in climate-friendly policies could achieve net zero carbon energy by mid-century.
Research at Indiana University Kelley School of Business found that wearing blue-light-filtering glasses can lead to better night's sleep and improved work engagement. Daily task performance and organizational citizenship behavior also increased with blue light reduction.
INRS is investing $1 million in COVID-19 research to tackle treatment, detection, and rapid diagnostic tests. The program aims to promote interdisciplinarity and support audacious projects with strong potential for spin-offs.
Research shows that information campaigns and free seedlings can encourage diversification in oil palm plantations, increasing tree planting and survival rates. The study emphasizes the need for policies that consider both supply-side and demand-side impacts to reduce environmental degradation.
A team of researchers at INRS has discovered a method to tune the spectrum of a laser to the infrared using a simple and much less expensive system: a hollow-core fiber filled with nitrogen. This approach delivers optical pulses shorter than those of the input laser and with high spatial quality.
A recent study by IMDEA Networks Institute revealed that over 150 million websites among a billion tested contain sensitive and tracked content, despite European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules. The research uses machine learning classifiers to identify sensitive URLs on the web, finding that these pages are being track...
The four-year study aims to determine how environmental changes modify nutrient pollution in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin, examining local policies' influence on water quality. The research team will collect soil samples to measure the effect of increasing saltwater concentrations on microbial processing of nitrogen.
The report analyzes 1217 European incubators and accelerators in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, providing insights into their impact, services, and focus on social entrepreneurship. The study reveals a high number of employees (7165) and a prevalence of corporate and university incubators.
The study identifies four threats that affect consumer behavior, including health, economic, social, and misinformation threats. Consumers have shown adaptive responses to these challenges, such as switching to online streaming services or making their own hand sanitizer.
Researchers assessed the impact of international border policy on migration flows and climate change exposure from 2015 to 2100. They found that most migrants move to areas experiencing less severe climate change impacts when allowed to migrate.
The Affordable Care Act is facing an uncertain future due to the national election and a pending Supreme Court case. A panel of national experts will discuss the law's origins, impacts, and potential future at a free online event on Oct. 15.
A new study suggests that restrictive border policies could exacerbate the effects of climate change on vulnerable regions, limiting their ability to emigrate. In contrast, open borders have a positive impact on developing countries, providing an important source of income through remittance and reducing vulnerability to climate change.
Researchers found that the orbitofrontal cortex, responsible for calculating economic value, also judges relationship value based on commitment signals. This suggests a neural overlap between economic and social value evaluation.
Research shows that low-income families are forced to choose safest locations for immediate survival rather than taking time to find neighborhoods with great schools and job opportunities. Policymakers must reconsider assumptions about how families decide where to live and send their children to school.
Researchers designed a compact UV camera capable of recording photons in the ultraviolet range in real time, achieving an imaging speed of 0.5 trillion frames per second. The system uses compressed ultrafast photography to capture unparalleled resolution with just one click.
A Siberian Federal University team analyzed international trade data to determine Russia's most competitive forest products. The regions in north-west Russia excel in paper and cellulose production, while Siberia and the Far East have significant advantages in raw wood and timber exports.
A study by economist Amelie Schiprowski found that regular caseworker interaction is crucial for reintegration, reducing unemployment spells by an average of five percent. The quality of support also plays a significant role, with less productive caseworkers having no negative impact on unemployment duration.