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 Stanford-led paper explores the unprecedented socioeconomic disruption caused by COVID-19, hypothesizing outcomes for Earth systems and outlining research priorities. The study aims to better understand the impacts of human activity on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and the global economy.
A new study by Otago economists shows New Zealand's exports to China increased by 200% due to the 2008 FTA, contributing strongly to NZ's export growth. However, the research found no significant or robust impact on NZ's GDP per capita.
A new study from the University of Sheffield reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) can detect neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's before progressive symptoms worsen. AI-powered technologies can help predict disease progression and suggest the best treatments for individual patients.
Researchers estimate that reducing transmission of new diseases from tropical forests would cost between $22.2 and $30.7 billion annually, compared to the COVID-19 pandemic's estimated $8.1 to $15.8 trillion cost. Investing in prevention measures could save lives and reduce economic losses.
Researchers warn that pandemic bias may hinder careers of scientists with caregiving responsibilities or those unable to travel due to the pandemic. The Carnegie Mellon team suggests actions to mitigate this bias, including supporting scholars, reviewing more articles and grants, and providing leniency for affected colleagues.
A new study by Juul Labs found that the JUUL System's market entry in Canada likely decreased combustible cigarette sales, especially in urban markets. The study suggests that local tobacco market competition plays a strong role in uptake and purchase of vaping products.
A recent study from Ohio State University found that households immediately increase their spending after receiving tax refunds. In contrast, when households owe taxes, they do not reduce their spending, instead using other sources of funds to pay the bill. This challenges traditional economic theories about how people spend their money.
The proportion of Watch antibiotics in global consumption increased 90.9%, primarily in low- & middle-income countries, while Access antibiotics grew 26.2%. The ratio of Access to Watch antibiotics decreased across countries, raising concerns about stewardship challenges.
A recent study reveals that China's phosphorus cycling network has declined in resilience over the past four centuries, mainly due to increased food demand and dietary shifts. To mitigate this trend, experts suggest reducing fertilizer use, improving 'farm to fork efficiency', and increasing phosphorus recycling.
A recent study found an association between a healthy diet and reduced prostate cancer risk, as well as an increased risk with diets rich in sweets and beverages. The research team analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and identified key dietary patterns that may inform prevention strategies for prostate cancer.
A new study by Iowa State University researchers reveals that individuals tend to select retirement funds ending in zero, leading to an incompatible level of risk and potentially lower total wealth at retirement. The findings suggest that demographic factors such as age, income, and education can influence the likelihood of this 'zero'...
Researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute have identified a new enzymatic activity of Sirtuin SIRT7 that regulates the cellular response to metabolic stress. This discovery opens the door to new therapeutic targets for treating leukaemia and other malignant haemopathies.
A study published in PNAS reveals a significant economic downturn in the Byzantine Empire's arid Negev desert during a pandemic in the mid-6th century CE. The research analyzed seeds found in ancient trash mounds, including grape pips, which show a high frequency, suggesting an increase in viticulture and wine export.
Researchers estimate a median 21% yield reduction for impacted corn and soybean crops, resulting in minimum economic costs of $587 million USD. The actual cost range is estimated at $0-$1.76 billion USD due to potential land area expansion.
A diagnostic startup, Amplified Sciences LLC, is seeing growing interest and support for its innovations in detecting debilitating diseases. The company has received $1.1 million in seed funding and has been accepted into the National Institutes of Health's Applicant Assistance Program.
Researchers at Penn Nursing and Drexel University explore how Black men articulate factors that facilitate or hinder their help-seeking for psychological symptoms after injury. The study found that severe posttraumatic symptoms create pathways to help-seeking, while financial worry and discrimination combine in a pathway toward help-se...
A new 42-country study reveals that men in more gender-equal societies are less likely to support women's causes and are more likely to hold hostile sexist attitudes. The research suggests that 'zero-sum' thinking, where gains for women equate to losses for men, is a significant barrier to achieving gender harmony.
Bioengineers at Stanford University have developed a method for forecasting black swan events, which are highly unlikely but massively consequential incidents. The method is based on analyzing long-term data from three ecosystems and has potential applications in healthcare, environmental research, economics, and politics.
Researchers found that small-scale maize farming with modern hybrid seeds and improved soil health can significantly reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. This technique helps protect forests and promote food security, particularly for vulnerable communities in Zambia.
Researchers linked genetic data with historical records to uncover new insights into the slave trade's effects on African Americans and Latin Americans. The study found that Nigerian ancestry is over-represented in US African Americans, while Senegambians are under-represented due to their transportation to rice plantations.
Navatek and UofSC will develop advanced power control systems to intelligently manage ship resources and create a first-of-a-kind digital twin for the US Navy. The partnership aims to drive technological innovation and create jobs in South Carolina.
A study from Binghamton University found that each additional year of school equates to an earnings increase of 18-20% in South Africa. Cognitive skills also play a significant role in determining wages, with memory and orientation being more important in rural areas.
Researchers found rural communities experiencing high rates of firearm suicides are often diverse and have collective environmental risk factors. The study's findings support a broader public health approach that targets interventions in high-risk areas to reduce gun suicides and opioid deaths.
A high-level group of experts recommends strengthening federal nutrition research with improved coordination and investment to accelerate discoveries and reduce diet-related diseases. The new approach aims to generate critical science to rapidly treat and prevent diet-related diseases, improving public health and population resilience.
The Urban Future Lab and leading organizations have launched the Carbon to Value Initiative, a multi-year program to accelerate the development of carbontech innovations. The initiative will connect startups with industry leaders and create a collaborative ecosystem to make carbontech cost-effective and deployable at scale.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University are using eDNA technology to monitor salmon populations, which is expected to be more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods. The study aims to compare eDNA samples with human fish counts to determine the most effective method for monitoring upriver migration of Pacific wild salmon.
Researchers at the University of Alberta and Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas developed a new method to analyze urinary metabolome in healthy newborns. The study provides reference data for 86 previously unmeasured chemicals in newborn urine, enabling more accurate diagnoses.
A new international research project aims to evaluate the impact of alcohol control policies on morbidity and mortality in Lithuania and other Baltic states. The study, led by CAMH and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, will investigate the effectiveness of policy interventions implemented between 2016 and 2018.
A new UK study examines how COVID-19 affects working-class women's workload, exploring the additional pressures at work and home. The research aims to identify policy solutions to protect these women from financial hardship and health risks.
A new University of Minnesota study identifies livestock, wood stoves, farms, and residential buildings as significant contributors to deadly air pollution in the United States. The research highlights the need for targeted regulations to reduce emissions from these sources, which account for a substantial portion of PM2.5-related deaths.
San communities are marginalized despite living for thousands of years, with weak land tenure protections in Botswana. In contrast, Namibia recognizes their rights through community-based natural resources management and human rights organizations play a crucial role in advocating for their welfare.
The University of Arkansas will establish the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) with a $194.7 million grant, creating a flexible framework for interdisciplinary research across five clusters: data science, food technology, materials science, bioscience, and integrative systems neuroscience.
Aeroponic vertical farming offers a sustainable solution to grow high-value nutritious crops year-round, reducing environmental impact and increasing productivity. The study identifies seven key research areas to accelerate the growth of this branch of precision agriculture.
Emergency room visits for domestic violence incidents in California more than tripled during the Great Recession, signaling a need to prepare for similar effects during COVID-19. Black and Native American people were disproportionately affected, with hospitalization rates nearly doubling for Native Americans.
Researchers recommend community-based exit strategies for low and middle-income countries, considering local epidemic growth rates, social and economic costs, and existing health systems capabilities. These approaches can help revive the economy while preserving people's health.
A new study warns of the power of social influence in shaping organ donation decisions, revealing the 'lone wolf' effect where individuals opting out trigger a cascade of similar behavior. The researchers found that people are more likely to opt out if they perceive others doing so.
Researchers reconstructed a 1,000-year-old cat skeleton found along the Silk Road, revealing that the animal had been fed and cared for by humans. The study suggests cultural exchange and changes in animal husbandry practices in Central Asia during this time period.
West Virginia University is spearheading a $10 million project to develop a perennial multi-feedstock production system for sustainable energy and products. The Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-Added Products Consortium will leverage research, education, and extension strategies to increase biomass utilization in the region.
A study led by the University of Zurich found that 1.5 billion people will strongly depend on mountain water resources by mid-21st century, up from 7% in the 1960s. Sustainable development and climate action are crucial to ensure mountain areas continue to supply water as 'water towers'.
Researchers found strong correlations between a colony's defensiveness and specific gene frequencies, rather than individual bee's genes. The study suggests that the home environment, such as island living with human populations, may be a better predictor of gentleness in honey bees.
A new analysis by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Sweden's lack of lockdown during COVID-19 led to more deaths and greater healthcare demand than countries with earlier interventions. However, Sweden fared better than expected when considering public-health mandates alone, similar to France, Italy, and Spain.
A new study found that global success for Canadian companies depends on prior R&D investment and the company's ability to learn from international exposure. The research shows that Canadian companies that go international are more productive and successful due to investments in R&D and learning from new markets.
A team of researchers discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever, excluding hepatotoxicity and opioid addiction. The findings have significant implications for acute and chronic pain management, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic.
A study found that citizen science has the potential to contribute to all 17 UN SDGs, supporting indicators such as environmental and spatial data. Citizen science initiatives can provide accurate, timely, and comprehensive data to track progress towards the SDGs.
The nTIDE June 2020 Jobs Report reveals a modest improvement in employment-to-population ratios for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. Despite this positive trend, the ongoing pandemic poses concerns that longer closures could lead to permanent job loss and exit from the labor force.
A recent study found that 15.8% of spinal surgery authors had payments reported, but only 78% were accurately disclosed. The study suggests standardizing COI reporting and actively querying public databases to improve transparency.
Research from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that light pollution can significantly increase the number of insects consumed by invasive cane toads. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used outdoor enclosures with artificial lights to test the impact on the toad's diet.
A NIH-funded study has revealed unprecedented atomic details of human tooth enamel structure and composition, including the presence of minor elements such as magnesium and sodium. The findings suggest that these irregularities may introduce areas of strain in the crystallite, potentially making enamel stronger overall.
A study found that local authorities' spending cuts on alcohol services are associated with increased hospital admissions. The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, analyzed data from 2012 to 2019 and found a link between reduced funding for specialist treatment and higher rates of alcohol-related hospitalizations.
A Cornell University-led team of researchers found that traditional chemical insecticides work best against the invasive Allium leafminer on allium crops. Synthetic insecticides like dinotefuran and cyantraniliprole reduced damage by up to 89% and eradicated the insect in some cases.
Research found that students who frequently missed school from kindergarten to eighth grade were less likely to vote, reported greater economic difficulties, and had poorer educational outcomes. Early absenteeism was linked to disengagement and consequences beyond education.
Researchers developed a software tool to determine strategies that prevent surges in the virus without taking a huge toll on the economy. The tool factors in population density, demographics, climate, and transportation statistics to provide alternative scenarios to closing all shops and businesses.
The 2020 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey found that college graduates with disabilities transition to work at the same rate as their peers without disabilities, 90%. The survey also revealed that students with disabilities are more likely to pursue career paths focused on helping people.
A new study finds that environmental destruction may make pandemics more likely and less manageable. Ecosystems naturally restrain disease transfer, but degradation compromises water security and increases disease transmission.
A Stanford-led study reveals a strong connection between air pollution and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers found that even small increases in particulate matter concentrations lead to significant increases in infant mortality rates.
A research team at NIFS has developed a hybrid simulation program to improve the accuracy of plasma behavior predictions in a future helical fusion reactor. The program was used to reproduce experimental results from the LHD, finding that trapped ions contribute significantly to stable plasma confinement.
Columbia University engineers are developing a risk dashboard to assess and predict risks to the power grid. The project aims to create a decision-making tool for independent system operators, helping them make sound decisions quickly in time scales ranging from minutes to days.
Researchers at KAUST used high-resolution modeling to show coral reefs play a crucial role in reducing wave heights by half along the Red Sea coastline, enabling safer coastal construction and reduced fill material costs.
Researchers from Wayne State University are developing a COVID-19 risk-prediction system to assess infection risk at different levels, including individually and at large-event levels. The system, CORPUS, will use edge intelligence and machine learning to predict risk based on various data inputs.
Researchers used a statistical method to remove weather influences from air pollution data in Saxony, finding that traffic density is the most important factor. Adjusted for weather, NOx concentrations decreased by an average of 10 micrograms per cubic meter between 2015 and 2018.