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.
Researchers propose a day-ahead economic dispatch model to optimize wind power generation, considering both planned and real-time energy use. The framework successfully predicts optimal models for energy commitment and has been tested in real-world simulations.
A statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS interventions in South Africa reveals significant disparities between rural and urban areas. The study found that earlier access to interventions is crucial in rural areas due to cultural factors such as stigmatization.
Researchers at Swansea University have created a new class of nanomaterials with tunable wettability, which can be used for antifouling and water-proofing surfaces. The materials are inexpensive, non-toxic, and can be applied via spray or spin-coating to various surfaces.
A new study found that behavioral 'nudges' are highly cost-effective in boosting retirement savings, college enrollment and vaccination rates, often yielding more returns than traditional interventions. Nudges encourage certain behaviors without restricting options or exacting financial penalties.
A UC3M study found that hospitals with more research output have shorter patient stays and lower healthcare costs. Basic and clinical research both contribute to improved efficiency in public health centers.
Researchers found that emancipative values, including freedom, autonomy and self-expression, are linked to prosocial behavior. Studies showed that people with these values are more likely to engage in charity work, volunteer and defend others' rights.
A study by Morel et al. found that physical effort in movements is not solely determined by force resistance but also by the duration of the movement. Additionally, the researchers identified common optimization principles in decision-making and motor control, suggesting a shared mechanism for both.
The current National Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement have critical consequences for achieving the goal of keeping warming well below 2°C. The study finds that these pledges leave out key details, leading to a range of emissions outcomes with varying degrees of uncertainty.
Partha Mohanram, a UofT accounting professor, received the award for his scholarly achievements in advancing accounting thought. He is a leading expert in valuation and has published extensively in top accounting journals.
A study by the University of British Columbia found that only 16% of global fisheries subsidies went to small-scale fishing, despite employing over 22 million people and supporting food security. Large-scale fisheries receive 60% of subsidies promoting overfishing due to fuel-efficient technology and port development subsidies.
A new study by an international team of economists found that urban heat islands could increase the economic costs of climate change in cities by up to 2.6 times, with the worst-off city facing losses of 10.9% of GDP by the end of the century
A study by UCL and University of Oxford researchers found that people tend to align their confidence levels when working in teams, even when one person has more expertise. This 'confidence matching' behavior can lead to poor decisions if individuals do not calibrate their confidence levels to the reliability of their opinions.
A new study by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture found that TVA reservoirs generate an average annual economic impact of $11.9 billion, supporting over 130,000 local jobs. The study also revealed that these reservoirs provide significant recreational opportunities, with visitors experiencing high levels of satisfaction.
Researchers estimated that Los Angeles lost about 100 gallons of water per person per day to the atmosphere in 2010 due to overwatering of lawns and trees. The study found a surprising water efficiency of tree cover, with trees using significantly less water than grassy lawns.
A study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that asymptomatic women with early-stage breast cancer often undergo unnecessary advanced imaging and tests, which provide little medical benefit but may have harmful effects and increase financial burden. ASCO guidelines recommend against routine surveillance testing for these patients.
A fall calving season in the southeastern United States can be more profitable due to higher calf prices at weaning and increased calves weaned per cow. This is attributed to longer growing seasons for forages, providing a competitive advantage in feed costs.
A study analyzing 15 years of US Department of Transportation data found no evidence that airline consolidation negatively impacts on-time performance. Instead, it reveals long-term improvements in efficiency and service quality, particularly on routes where both merging airlines previously operated.
Academics at the University of Sheffield are collaborating with Egyptian partners to develop a system that could provide fresh and safe water to poor and rural communities. The hybrid system uses biogas and solar energy, which offers an alternative source of water production without high energy costs.
The DFG is establishing 15 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers in Germany, with a focus on transferable skills and collaboration with international partners. The groups will receive approximately €66 million in funding over four and a half years.
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers developed a new process to convert non-edible biomass into three high-value products, tripling the fraction converted and increasing return on investment. The technology uses gamma valerolactone as a solvent, minimizing waste and having a high solvent-recycling rate.
A new study from FSU's College of Medicine projects that 18 states can eliminate racial disparities in infant mortality by 2050, saving over 4,000 lives annually. This encouraging trend is a rare bit of news on infant mortality, which persistently affects black babies more than white babies.
A new Yale University study found that even 'dumb' AI can help human groups by boosting their performance. The experiment, which used an online game with human players and robotic AI players, showed a significant improvement in the median time for groups to solve problems.
Researchers have found that Bitcoin's transparent and irreversible transaction features are also vulnerable to fraud, allowing dishonest traders to scam users. The study suggests designing improvements such as reputation management systems, third-party arbitration, and revealing identities of one-use only wallets to deter dishonesty.
A new USC study found that most US air travelers (60-80%) are unwilling to trade off convenience and wait longer for equal treatment in aviation security screenings. Only about half of respondents would be willing to pay up to $15 or tolerate more contraband on flights.
Regular physical activity can improve daily living and mobility in older adults with Alzheimer's, as well as reduce the risk of developing the disease. The study suggests that exercising may be a practical and accessible intervention for preventing and managing Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in New Forests finds that the American chestnut rescue effort will eventually succeed, but at a slower pace than anticipated. The research team reviewed decades of breeding records and transgenic experiments to conclude that it is just a matter of time before blight resistance is achieved.
A study found that offering fixed date and time for new appointments improved poor attendance rates in breast cancer screening, especially among women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The analysis suggested a cost-effective way to shift national participation trends.
Research based on macro-surveys found that households with both members working have the lowest incidence of domestic violence. Higher education levels and younger women are also associated with reduced risk. The study suggests different policy approaches for vulnerable groups, promoting gender equality through education and employment.
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a way to increase the charge transport rate in solid materials using geometric frustration, a phenomenon that breaks up regimented atomic formations. This technique enables faster ionic conductivity, potentially leading to more powerful batteries and fuel cells with zero-emission ca...
A new study reveals that movie preferences are highly idiosyncratic and not linked to demographic traits, contradicting industry targeting strategies. The researchers found low levels of correlation in movie ratings among participants but identified patterns, including increased correlation with jointly seen films. Demographically, mal...
Researchers successfully synthesized a carbon nanobelt, measuring 0.83 nm in diameter, using a novel synthetic strategy based on a macrocycle precursor. The breakthrough opens a new field of nanocarbon science and has potential applications in electronics and photonics.
A series of experiments found that people trust others who did not engage in the same ritual less than those who did. The study's lead author explains that even minimal rituals can lead to bias against people from other groups.
A comparative cross-cultural study found that Russians tend to express happiness openly with friends but hide it when interacting with strangers or government officials. Unlike Americans, who hold back positive emotions only when facing issues, Russians view happiness expression as a normal behavior.
A nationwide study found middle-income Americans were most likely to eat fast food, with rich people also consuming fast food regularly. The study also showed that people with changing income levels didn't alter their eating habits, and heavy users of fast food often have less leisure time.
RTI's study finds TROSA, a therapeutic community program, saves North Carolina millions by preventing arrests, incarceration, and emergency hospital visits. The program also provides vocational training and education, with high success rates for residents maintaining sobriety and employment.
Researchers at North Carolina State University and Indiana University found that widely used government spending models can be rigged using assumptions to control forecasts. They developed an impartial version of the model, which suggests every dollar of increased government spending results in more than a dollar's worth of GDP growth.
Researchers estimate Zika's economic burden in the US, ranging from $183 million to over $1.2 billion depending on infection rates. The virus can lead to serious health issues like Guillain-Barré Syndrome and birth defects.
A recent study by NYU and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York found that only 18.1% of RN visits and 26.7% of PT visits with LEP patients were language concordant, pointing to a lack of understanding of the language capacity of the US healthcare workforce. This highlights the need for more research on this subject and the implementa...
Researchers found that migratory mule deer closely time their movements to track the timing of early spring green-up, allowing them to access high-quality forage. The study's findings highlight the importance of habitat corridors in enabling animals to move between winter and summer ranges.
Researchers propose new solution to alleviate poverty by incorporating culture and nature, classifying three types of solutions: Big Push, lowering the barrier, and transforming the system. This new approach aims to break the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
Researchers found that pupil size changes when viewing images of the preferred sex correspond with participants' self-reported sexual orientation. The study suggests pupillary responses provide a sex-specific measure sensitive to both sexually explicit and non-explicit content.
The University of Illinois Chicago has received an $8 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop effective tobacco tax systems in low- and middle-income countries. The grant will support global research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to reduce worldwide demand for tobacco.
A new study analyzed high-resolution satellite data to quantify the impact of China's afforestation programs, finding that most new tree cover consists of sparse, low-density plantations. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, enabling them to track returns from tree-planting investments and identify ...
The research team will test a combination of new technologies that release antibacterial agents in response to acid presence, promising longer service life and improved dental applications. The novel materials aim to inhibit oral biofilm formation and have excellent physical and mechanical properties.
A new study by MIT researchers found that Medicaid patients wait 4.6 minutes on average to start an appointment, compared to 4.1 minutes for privately insured patients. The disparity in wait times is largely due to the type of provider seen, with Medicaid recipients more likely to visit practices with longer wait times.
A study found that testosterone administration impairs cognitive reflection in men, making them more likely to rely on their gut instincts. The researchers tested the hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone increase the tendency to make intuitive judgments and reduce self-reflection.
A national survey by Michigan State University found that less than half of Americans can recognize anxiety, and nearly 8 in 10 do not recognize prescription drug abuse as a treatable problem. The survey aims to educate health officials and policymakers on where to target prevention efforts for major societal issues.
A new study by University at Buffalo researchers suggests that tying self-worth to financial success can lead to decreased autonomy and increased stress. The study found that individuals who base their self-esteem on financial success also experience more financially-based social comparisons and financial hassles.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that households cooking at home three times a week scored an average of 67 on the Healthy Eating Index, compared to 74 for those cooking six times a week. This suggests that eating home-cooked dinners is associated with better diet quality and lower calorie intake.
Researchers found that nighttime illumination can accurately predict wealth levels in regions, including individual settlements. Satellite data on night light emissions was used to make inferences about local economic rank and compare wealth levels across countries.
The probability of children attaining a higher income than their parents has dropped dramatically since 1940, from over 90% to 50%. Restoring economic mobility would require greater economic redistribution. Policies such as fostering productivity growth and increasing the minimum wage can help achieve this goal.
A new screening process makes boron-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accessible for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) applications, offering a cost-efficient and resource-friendly way to achieve results.
A Virginia Tech researcher found that social media, particularly Facebook, is negatively correlated with corruption across over 150 countries. The study shows how Facebook serves as a peer to the press, spreading unbiased information and facilitating multi-way communication that is harder for governments to control.
A study by University of Luxembourg researchers found that press freedom positively impacts stock market volatility, leading to greater economic growth. Countries with high press freedom experience more frequent price jumps, but ultimately benefit from improved information processing and decision-making.
Researchers found that traps baited with pheromone attract only a small fraction of overwintering stink bugs, which don't respond until daylight hours increase. Prevention is key to stopping brown marmorated stink bug invasions, and the use of traps during this time may not be effective.
A new study found that firms with weak financial and social performance use integrated reporting to conceal their true performance. The report is longer, less readable, and more optimistic than those from stronger performers. This 'greenwashing' tactic undermines the effectiveness of integrated reporting.
Researchers at HSE discovered that men with a higher 2D:4D ratio tend to be better educated. The study analyzed data from the Russian RLMS survey and found positive correlations between male respondents' finger length ratios and levels of education.
The AGU journal commentaries emphasize the critical role of Earth and space science research in addressing pressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and asteroid threats. The collection highlights the need for evidence-based policymaking, science education, and research funding to support a thriving society.
Scientists at USC Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute have created a new method to generate hydrogen fuel from methanol, producing a carbon-neutral and potentially carbon-positive energy source. The research aims to develop renewable sources of energy that can mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
New research suggests that Australia's desert region has huge potential for growth and development, particularly with investments in renewable energy, housing, and transport. The team aims to create a more livable and prosperous area for existing and new residents, in concert with the preferred lifestyles of Aboriginal peoples.