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.
Research finds that intercropping corn with chili peppers reduces soil erosion, improves economic return, and increases biodiversity. This method is particularly beneficial for farmers in southern China's hilly areas, where it can bring in an extra $1,000-$2,000 per year.
A new RAND Corporation report analyzes economic life under Islamic State control, revealing a 23% reduction in GDP of cities under its control. The group's inability to sustain a large-scale prosperous proto-state is attributed to institutional failure and military opposition.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame suggests that health information exchanges (HIEs) can lead to significant cost savings in healthcare, with an average annual reduction of $139 per Medicare beneficiary. The research found that HIEs are more effective in markets where providers have financial incentives to use them, and that...
Researchers found that areas protected by local and indigenous communities were more effective at reducing deforestation and forest degradation compared to those protected by governments. Local ownership and support for protecting the Peruvian Amazon can be a particularly effective approach in conserving this vital ecosystem.
Saint Louis University's civil engineering students will design and test steel beams and concrete frames at full-scale thanks to a recent National Science Foundation grant. The new lab aims to provide experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better prepare for the workforce.
CISTAR will develop new fuels and chemicals from shale gas using modular processing plants, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs. The center is expected to inject $20 billion annually into the economy and maintain manufacturing competitiveness.
New research reveals OPEC's impact on global oil production, driving up costs by $160 billion. This has led to the development of complex, expensive technologies, such as fracking, outside OPEC countries.
Research by Surrey's Centre for Environment and Sustainability found that Western European garment industry workers in BRIC countries are paid only around half the living wage. The study estimated that workers need to be paid an additional 35% to offset financial demands, such as income tax and social security contributions.
Children who lived near the World Trade Center on 9/11 are showing early signs of increased risk for future heart disease due to exposure to toxic chemicals. Blood tests revealed elevated levels of artery-hardening fats in their blood, linked to higher blood levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
African-American teens who lived through the Great Recession of 2007-2009 may be at higher risk for metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. The study found that those in poverty were more likely to develop this condition, highlighting the impact of economic downturns on young people's health.
Researchers challenge traditional battery commercialization approach by incorporating lessons from the pharmaceutical industry. They propose a tailored proposal for entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and policymakers to fuel battery innovation, including niche applications, strategic partnerships, targeted capital raises, and cus...
Research from the University of Missouri identifies themes that could help policymakers keep veterans out of jail, including alcohol and drug use, difficulty adjusting to civilian life, and economic disadvantages. The study found that trauma encountered in the military, relational stress, and struggles with civilian culture contribute ...
A Finnish study found that males with Arabic names face significant discrimination in the rental housing market, receiving responses only 16% of the time, compared to 42% for females with Finnish names. The study highlights the challenges faced by migrant communities in integrating into their host societies.
A new study in the American Economic Review found that viewers who stumble upon Fox News first while channel surfing are more likely to vote for a Republican presidential candidate. The study used voter records and survey data to compare individuals from different cable news channel positions, finding a significant association between ...
One in eight older adults in Ireland are vitamin D deficient, increasing with age and socio-economic status. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to debilitating chronic conditions, emphasizing the need for public health policy interventions.
A University of Kansas researcher finds that charter school enrollment in Pennsylvania led to a 9.5% decrease in property tax revenue for public schools between 2005 and 2012. The study suggests that policymakers may not fully understand the financial impact of charter schools on traditional public education.
The study highlights São Paulo State as a prime example of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, where firms can benefit from each other's presence. Knowledge-intensive firms should connect to optimize resources and expand their competencies. The analysis also explores cross-border developing zones and innovation policies.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that vaccination efforts in poor countries have prevented 20 million deaths and saved $350 billion by 2020. The researchers also estimated a broader economic value of $820 billion, with certain vaccines providing the greatest benefits.
Participants showed higher levels of cooperation for provision of new public goods, with a majority exhibiting conditional cooperation. In contrast, those who never participated in maintenance or provision faced dilemmas about public goods, leading to lower willingness to cooperate.
The study found two optimal seeding systems: distant seeding and close seeding, which prioritize final match versus first-round matches. Researchers developed a theoretical model based on linear demand and competitive intensity to demonstrate the effectiveness of these systems.
A University of Minnesota study suggests that assessing minority mens rea without significant racial bias is possible, finding no correlation between racial biases and criminal intent determinations. The research used a distraction task to divert subjects' attention from the perceived race of defendants.
Research from Medica Research Institute found that psychological distress significantly affects retirement savings, with up to a 62% lower probability of holding accounts. Married couples with psychological distress withdraw more from their accounts, while singles divert funds away from retirement savings.
Researchers will conduct ethnographic research in public libraries to better understand the activities and needs of low-income users. A 'Digital Swiss Army Knife' prototype is being developed to provide password generation, secure access, and session protection on portable devices.
A 'pH minimum zone' of acidic water has been discovered at depths of 10-15 meters in the Chesapeake Bay. This increase in acidity is attributed to toxic hydrogen sulfide and ammonia produced when bottom waters mix upward, threatening shellfish like oysters and clams.
The LSU Health New Orleans will investigate the effectiveness of the Adenowire in reversing coronary vasoconstriction and preventing no-reflow phenomenon. The technology has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of people worldwide affected by cardiovascular disease.
A new study led by a University of Kansas sociologist reveals that 'marrying up' has become easier for men and improves their economic well-being. The researchers found that women are more likely to marry less-educated men, leading to a decrease in the overall net advantage of being female in terms of family-standard-of-living.
Researchers develop a new imaging technique to assess early-stage embryo quality, improving IVF outcomes. The hyperspectral imaging method measures metabolic differences in embryos, providing an objective measure of viability.
The Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center has received a three-year grant from the NIH to advance research on Alzheimer's disease. The center aims to develop tests for early diagnosis and interventions to prevent or delay the disease.
LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded a $10 million grant to support research on viruses that cause cancer. The funding will be used to study the molecular details of virus-host interactions and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
A study found that increased DPP4 production in the liver contributes to obesity, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Elevated DPP4 levels also promote less sensitivity to insulin, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that reducing nicotine content in cigarettes can decrease their addictiveness in vulnerable populations. The research team found that low-nicotine dose cigarettes could serve as economic substitutes for higher-dose commercial-level nicotine cigarettes when the cost of the latter was greater.
Research at University College London found that people on low incomes who are extraverted tend to spend more on luxury goods to compensate for their financial status. Introverts with similar incomes, however, do not exhibit this behavior, suggesting a relationship between personality and spending habits.
A new study suggests that low-income individuals with high extraversion personality trait spend more on luxury items and experiences to compensate for their financial situation. The researchers found that this spending pattern held true even after accounting for other factors such as age and income level.
A new study on Brazil's labor market reveals that workers in industries facing increased competition from imports experience stagnant wages and employment growth for 15 years. The research found that the costs of freer trade are unevenly distributed across regions, with differences growing over time.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) suggests that dental schools prioritize research participation, collaboration with other departments, and flexible curricula. AADR also advocates for increased funding from various sources, including the National Institutes of Health, to support dental research and training.
Scientists identify a novel RNA molecule, Singheart, which regulates genes controlling heart cell repair. This discovery may lead to new treatments for heart failure and could potentially heal the heart like skin wounds.
A new analysis by Queen Mary University of London researchers found that 77.7% of cholera cases and 80.7% of deaths occurred in rebel-controlled areas. The Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes and blockade have destroyed vital infrastructure, including hospitals and public water systems.
Researchers found that 77% of patients referred to an income security health promotion service needed assistance with increasing income, including filing taxes and applying for social services. The service acts as a bridge between health and social care, helping patients navigate financial and social support systems.
A study by Indiana University researcher Lindsey Rose Bullinger found that increasing the federal minimum wage would lead to a decrease in reported child neglect cases. The analysis of nine years of data shows a substantial reduction in cases among toddlers and school-age children.
A new study by researchers at the Ivey Business School found that elevated testosterone levels in male traders increased bid prices and asset price bubbles, leading to market instability. The experiment showed that testosterone drove changes in market dynamics by increasing bidding, selling prices, and volume.
Researchers discovered that intestinal cells use a strategy to increase protein production within minutes of food entering the intestines, enabling fast and efficient processing. This approach has potential medical implications for diseases such as colitis, Crohn's disease, and bowel cancer.
Researchers project a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in US freshwater reservoirs and lakes due to climate change. The study predicts that the biggest impact will be felt by recreation areas in the Southeast, with more rural regions also affected.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans will investigate the potential efficacy of Exscien1-III, a patented three-part fusion protein designed to repair DNA damage and improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. The goal is to move the promising new drug toward human clinical trials.
Children from low-income families who grow up in counties with high upward mobility show significant gains in cognitive test scores between ages 3 and 9. Behavioral problems, such as aggression and rule-breaking, also decrease at age 3 and remain stable over time.
New research from the University of Illinois finds that women's depression increases when they become primary breadwinners, while men's mental health improves when they take on this role. Conversely, mothers who exit the workforce to care for children experience no decline in psychological well-being.
A new study reveals that the British government's initial efforts to pay for World War One through loans from the public were a failure. The War Loan scheme raised less than a third of its £350 million target, with most funds coming from wealthy financiers and companies.
Two studies led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that few people actually use price shopping tools to choose lower-cost healthcare options, despite growing interest in the idea. The research suggests that consumerism may not be as effective as believed in driving down healthcare costs.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München researchers have developed a method for producing semi-conducting nanocrystals with controlled size, enabling the creation of color-tuned LEDs. The new method uses perovskite-based nanocrystals and allows for high color fidelity and industrial-scale production.
Research finds steady rise in premature mortality among 25- to 44-year-olds in the North of England since mid-1990s, compounding the country's long-established 'North-South' divide. Excess deaths among young and middle-aged people increased sharply between 1995 and 2015.
Marriages with significant spousal age gaps experience declining marital satisfaction over time, particularly after 6-10 years. Couples with large age gaps are more susceptible to economic shocks, leading to increased marital dissatisfaction.
A new study by psychologists at the University of Kent shows that arts engagement predicts 'prosociality' and volunteering. The research found that people's greater engagement in the arts was more strongly associated with charitable giving and volunteering than demographic variables such as age, education, or income.
A genetic study identified neuronal circuits responsible for mouse pups' ultrasonic calls, which summon their mothers. These findings may shed light on the development and manifestation of speech disorders in humans.
A global study concludes that building dikes to reduce flood damage yields economic benefits, outweighing initial costs. The researchers found that some regions can even avoid higher flood damages by 2080 with effective investment in flood protection measures.
In Scotland, tobacco companies are using financial incentives to encourage retailers to prioritize their brands and maintain point-of-sale displays despite the ban. Researchers found that 17 out of 24 small independent retailers reported receiving assistance from tobacco companies to adapt their ganties before the ban took effect.
Research led by Dr. Lauri Byerley found that walnuts increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, promoting a diverse microbiota. This shift in gut bacteria has been associated with better health outcomes, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers found that exposure to slow-motion clips altered perceptions of real-life movement, making it appear too fast. Drivers may experience velocity re-normalization, taking time to adjust to slower speeds after high-speed conditions.
A QUT-led study analyzing the tweets of influential business leaders, including President Trump, reveals a unique 'emotionally unstable innovator' personality. The researchers found that Trump's personality profile is distinct from other superstar entrepreneurs and CEOs, with traits such as high neuroticism and low agreeableness.
A recent study by the University of Illinois reveals that food insecurity exists in rural areas, and Feeding America's food banks are effectively reaching these communities. Despite the presence of food assistance programs, the social and economic conditions in rural areas have not improved significantly.
A study by Rice University researchers found that biochar can reduce health care costs, especially in urban areas close to farmland. The use of biochar in agriculture may also lower the need for fertilizer and reduce pollutants by storing nitrogen in the soil.
The Wayne State University team will train 122 students in an interdisciplinary approach to address complex urban problems, integrating science, engineering, policy, economics, and communication.