Articles tagged with Economics Research
A study by McMaster University researchers found that higher heat and humidity levels can slow the spread of COVID-19, but longer hours of sunlight are associated with a higher incidence of the disease. This suggests that sunny days may tempt people out more, increasing infection risk.
A new study found that women living within six miles of oil and gas wells in California were 8-14% more likely to experience spontaneous preterm births. The study analyzed 225,000 births from 1998 to 2011 and focused on how exposure to wells may affect health outcomes.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a new experimental technique using the European XFEL's powerful laser pulse to 'X-ray' individual oxygen molecules. The resulting images show the atomic structure and fragmentation process of the molecule, providing valuable insights into its behavior.
A team of Penn State professors has received a $3 million grant to investigate food resilience in the face of catastrophic global events. The researchers aim to develop strategies for emergency food production, including the use of alternative crops, soilless growing systems, and long-term storage methods.
Researchers have calculated Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), a monetary value of ecosystem services. GEP calculations for China's Qinghai Province showed over half of its value came from water supply, with GEP exceeding GDP in the year 2000 and being ¾ as large as GDP by 2015.
A new study from the University of Bath found that regulation can trigger significant benefits for micro firms, including new business opportunities and strategies. The research suggests that regulation can protect existing markets and ensure a level playing field across the industry.
The Mole-bot, a biomimetic drilling robot, has been optimized for underground and space exploration. It boasts powerful forelimbs, a stout scapula, and an expandable drilling bit that can excavate three times faster than conventional models with six times higher directional accuracy.
Companies like Apple and pharmaceutical firms are struggling with disrupted supply chains due to pandemics. Researchers propose a strategy called branching to build multiple branches into value chains, increasing resilience.
A national survey of recent college graduates with and without disabilities reveals that 90% of each group are employed after graduation. Engaging in internships, paid employment, and career counseling services correlates positively with working after graduation for all graduates.
A new modelling study suggests that a cautious approach to easing lockdown restrictions can be better for the global economy in the long run. The study found that shorter, stricter lockdowns minimize supply chain impacts, while gradually easing measures over 12 months may also be less disruptive.
A straightforward fabrication method has been introduced by researchers from Osaka University to improve the gas sensing performance of common ceramic coatings. The new method involves depositing a thin, porous titanium dioxide film onto a surface using spin coating, resulting in a significant increase in detection speed and accuracy.
Researchers have created a two-component bioelectrode using biological components from nature, improving the efficiency of sunlight conversion into electrical energy. The new design enables the use of twice as many photons within the green gap, compared to previous systems.
A new project aims to drive evidence-based propositions for creating an environment where Third Agers (older individuals easing off full-time employment) can contribute to society. The study explores building social capital beyond economics and reimagining traditional family structures to provide support.
A global survey of 902 spine surgeons revealed that 75% of surgical cases were canceled weekly due to COVID-19. The majority reported elevated anxiety and uncertainty about managing patients with the virus.
A recent special issue of Economic Development Quarterly examines the impact of local and state financial incentives on business location decisions. Research suggests that simply expanding incentives may not be effective in creating jobs, while some types of incentives work better for specific industries in certain local economies.
A new study by Aston University reveals UK small and micro-exporters are switching €10 billion annually in exports from EU to Commonwealth and other developed economies. This defies conventional trade gravity models, suggesting the firms' 'jumping before they're pushed', driven by uncertainty over Brexit trade talks.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology developed a blockchain prototype system for digital rights management and royalty distribution, creating new revenue streams for small publishers. The project enabled micro-payments via smart contracts to creative professionals involved in the writing and publishing process.
A new laboratory experiment reveals that climate geoengineering can lead to increased inequalities and economic losses, particularly when countries employ 'free driving' strategies. The study also found high strategic uncertainty and miscoordination among countries through counter-geoengineering solutions.
Research shows a significant increase in annual maximum one-day precipitation in North America, with anthropogenic forcing detected across the continent and smaller regions. The study suggests that human-induced warming has contributed to intensifying extreme precipitation events.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed a smart sponge that selectively soaks up oil in water, leaving clean water and unaffected marine life behind. The sponge can absorb more than 30 times its weight in oil and can be reused many dozens of times without losing effectiveness.
A recent study published in SSM - Population Health examined the impact of 18 major life events on wellbeing, including marriage, death of a loved one, and bankruptcy. The study found that some events had profound impacts on wellbeing, while others had little to no effect.
A new research-based framework helps companies balance economic and sustainability factors when producing biochemicals. The framework assesses the true sustainability of biochemicals by combining economic and environmental impacts into a monetary single score.
A study found that up to 80% of US medical doctors leading influential professional associations had financial relationships with industry. The largest payments flowed to leaders of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Cardiology. Researchers call for policy reform and greater independence from industry.
Researchers at the University of Vaasa have developed a model that can explain 87 percent of cryptocurrency bankruptcies after only one month of trading. The study identifies four key factors that contribute to a coin's success or failure, including first-day performance and developer anonymity.
A new study by the University of Córdoba and Trinity College Dublin finds that recovering energy from water distribution networks can save 12.8% of energy annually. This emerging technology uses pumps as turbines to generate electricity, reducing carbon footprint and financial burden on farmers.
African American patients who died from COVID-19 had obstructed small vessels and capillaries in the lungs due to blood clots and associated hemorrhage. Elevated D-dimers were also found, but no myocarditis was observed, contradicting early reports suggesting a significant role in death.
A new NUI Galway study estimates the economic value of lost productivity from workplace bullying in Ireland, totaling 1.7 million workdays lost at a cost of €239 million annually. The research also finds that bullying has a larger effect on absences in private sector organizations.
A comprehensive workplace wellness program, iThrive, was found to have no significant effect on employee health measures or medical use. However, it did improve self-reported health beliefs and the proportion of employees reporting having a primary care physician.
Researchers found that worker autonomy and transparency are crucial for crowdwork environment, while algorithmic management can enhance productivity when framed as promoting autonomy. The study suggests ways to improve algorithmic management via AI assistance.
A new study found that e-learning increases knowledge, risk perception, and biosecurity behavior among individuals working with invasive species. The 'Better Biosecurity' course improved participants' understanding of the risks and led to better cleaning practices.
Researchers have developed a new electrode material that can improve the efficiency and economic feasibility of salinity gradient power generation using reverse electrodialysis. The material, molybdenum disulfide thin films, was synthesized directly on the electrode current collector surface to enhance electrochemical activity.
A new onboard separation technology developed at PNNL can separate ethanol from gasoline, enabling an octane-on-demand system that improves fuel economy. The technology has shown promising results in separating 95% of ethanol from commercial gasoline.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that AI can accurately predict personality traits from 'selfie' photographs, with women's faces being more reliable than men's. The technology has potential applications in customer service, dating, and online tutoring.
Researchers found that 62% of participants had physical multimorbidity in 2015, with the condition increasing with age, female gender, and educational level. The study concludes that concerted efforts are needed to reduce health inequalities due to multimorbidity and its adverse economic impact.
A new University of Stirling study investigates the effects of full-time home-based work on productivity and wellbeing, particularly among lower socio-economic groups. The £275,000 project aims to identify key challenges and develop coping strategies for workers and their households during this unprecedented shift.
A Tel Aviv University-led study published in Nature found that complexity in analytical methods contributes to variability in research outcomes. Researchers analyzed the same dataset using different analysis methods, resulting in varying conclusions. The study highlights the need for improved methodology and data sharing to advance sci...
Enrichment programs have been shown to increase a child's ability to solidify new information and apply it to new situations. The study found that children who participated in these programs could differentiate between similar items even outside of the program's domain.
UTA researchers are testing a new slope protection system to strengthen riverbanks and eliminate erosion around bridge supports. The system uses articulated concrete blocks with anchors, which can stabilize the soil from below and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers propose an alternating cycle of strict lockdown (50 days) followed by eased social distancing (30 days) to reduce COVID-19-related deaths and ICU admissions. This strategy may allow populations and economies to 'breathe' at intervals, making it more sustainable in resource-poor regions.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel sources reached a maximum daily decline of 17 per cent in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease was primarily driven by a 36 per cent drop in surface transport emissions, equivalent to 7.5 megatonnes CO2.
A new study highlights the emergence of mosquito-borne viral outbreaks in West Africa, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. The research emphasizes the need for early warning systems and control measures to prevent infectious outbreaks.
Researchers successfully entangled a massive gas of 15 trillion atoms at 450 Kelvin, defying expectations and enabling ultra-sensitive magnetic field detection. The discovery has potential applications in brain science, neurosurgery, and other fields.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has released a high-priority question guide for the 2020 elections, addressing eight policy issues important to older adults. The guide focuses on increasing access to geriatric health professionals, expanding Title VII training programs, and prioritizing aging research to address chronic diseases.
Researchers surveyed US citizens before and after the 2014 Ebola outbreak, finding relative complacency regarding pandemic threats. Their study suggests policymakers should not rely on public perception when it comes to disease threats.
A team of economists at Binghamton University is studying the impact of biases on social distancing during the pandemic. They aim to understand how cognitive biases influence individuals' decisions to follow health guidelines, including wearing masks and staying at home.
The Conformable Decoders Group at MIT's Media Lab implemented a lean lab approach, reducing time spent on closing down operations from over an hour to just 15 minutes. This led to significant cost savings, increased productivity, and a strong safety record.
A recent study found that companies with worker injury claims are more likely to survive than those without claims, particularly among larger and older organizations. This suggests that current regulations may not be enough to protect workers and that future regulations need to reward innovation in workplace safety.
A study published in Comunicar found that lower mother's education level and professional status correlate with increased mobile device consumption among children. The results suggest the economic gap influences screen time habits in young Spanish children.
The Belt and Road Initiative's six terrestrial infrastructure corridors crisscross ecologically fragile geographies, threatening 150,000 square kilometers of critical habitat. Financiers' lack of binding biodiversity impact mitigation requirements poses significant risks to the world's species.
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a global economic crisis, forcing governments to develop unprecedented rescue packages and questioning the US dollar's dominance. Researchers have developed four scenarios that explore possible post-Coronavirus world developments.
A new study finds that climate change affects hydropower potential, with a 1.5°C scenario offering greater benefits than a 2°C scenario. Hydropower production will play an increasingly crucial role in the world's energy supply as a renewable and clean energy source.
A recent study by IIASA researchers found that there is an 85% probability of a new recession occurring before 2020, with the likelihood even higher before the Coronavirus crisis. The study developed a diagnostic model to estimate the duration of expansion periods and the onset of the next recession.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona discovered a direct link between the rurality of an environment and improved mental well-being in older adults. The study found that individuals living in rural areas had significantly better levels of mental well-being compared to those residing in urban o...
A new freeze-resistant Trichinella species has been found in wolverines, highlighting the need for improved food safety measures. The species, named Trichinella chanchalensis, was discovered in 14 of 338 wolverine samples tested and is estimated to be around 6 million years old.
A new survey of gig economy workers in San Francisco reveals a workforce with limited job security and few employment rights. The study found that many workers rely on public assistance despite working long hours.
The new journal focuses on vegetation typologies and classification systems, publishing original research papers, applied studies, and methodological studies. It features double-blind peer review and permanent special collections on Ecoinformatics and Phytosociological Nomenclature.
A new study by Yale researchers finds that natural disasters can trigger catastrophic domino effects through urban trade networks, with secondary economic impacts often exceeding local costs. Regional cities most vulnerable due to dependence on industrial supplies and limited suppliers.
A study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu finds that adding one robot per 1,000 workers reduces national employment-to-population ratio by about 0.2 percent, with some areas affected more than others. This translates to each additional robot replacing about 3.3 workers nationally, on average.
Researchers are exploring quantum computing's potential in accelerating drug discovery for COVID-19 treatment. By generating complex compounds quickly, they aim to find a cure faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
A new study found that climate change could significantly reduce shorefast ice in Arctic communities, with potential declines of five to 44 days by 2100. The coldest regions are expected to experience the largest reductions, posing concerns for preserving polar ecosystems and local ways of life.