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 new study by Queen Mary University of London has found that the 'English votes for English laws' (EVEL) system has not enhanced England's voice in the UK Parliament. The report recommends introducing a cross-cutting English Affairs select committee to facilitate debate and scrutiny on English issues.
A new, ultrathin film made of fused silver nanowires offers high conductivity and transparency, with potential applications in flexible displays and wearable electronics. The film can be bent repeatedly and stretched without losing its functionality.
The Tennessee wine industry has seen significant growth, with 435 direct workers in the winery industry, an increase of 20% from the previous year. The state now has 72 bonded wineries, providing well over 500 jobs, mainly in rural areas where job options are limited.
The USDA has awarded four grants totaling $1.2 million to support environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture in the US. Researchers will focus on improving disease prevention, comparing profitability of different business models, and developing disease-resistant clam germlines.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that individuals with high health insurance literacy are more likely to gain coverage after the Affordable Care Act exchanges opened. The study, which surveyed over 2,700 adults, found a significant association between financial literacy and health insurance status.
Researchers study how male Syrian artisans adapted to exile, impacting finished products and preserving cultural traditions. Training programmes will support sustainable social enterprises among refugee communities.
The need for innovation is driving a surge in global research funding, with governments investing heavily to secure economic growth and sustainability. Nations are racing to keep up, with Asia experiencing significant growth in research spending.
A team of physicians at LSU Health New Orleans has developed a novel technique to identify hidden sources of gastrointestinal bleeding. The method, which combines endoscopy with the administration of antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, was found to be safe and effective in identifying the source of bleeding in 56% of patients.
A novel study at the University of Warwick aims to design a package of care and support for people with chronic pain to overcome obstacles to returning to work. The study will use Individual Placement Support (IPS) and provide work placements, aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
A study in China found that monthly income, the number of cars a family owns, sustainability, and vehicle comfort are the most influential factors behind buyers' decisions to purchase electric vehicles. The researchers also discovered that age, marital status, and city of residence play a role in consumers' decision-making process.
Peter Baumann, a renowned chromosome researcher, joins Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz as Professor of Molecular Biology and Adjunct Director at IMB. His research focuses on telomeres and genetic diversity, aiming to understand the molecular and cellular principles behind chromosome biology.
International scientists are searching for the oldest ice core in Antarctica, up to 1.5 million years old, to decipher past climate processes and improve future predictions. The 'Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice' project aims to drill a core with sufficient atmospheric gases to analyze past greenhouse gas levels.
A Princeton-led study explores how people form impressions from facial appearances, finding that exposure to different faces influences what is perceived as typical and evaluates positively. The results suggest that social meaning is imbued in faces based on their statistical position relative to an individual's learned central tendency.
A lifelong study of almost 10,000 people found that those who participated in scouts or guides tended to have better mental health at age 50. This is particularly beneficial for children from poorer backgrounds, who are less likely to suffer from anxiety or mood disorders.
A global GMO crop ban would raise food prices by 0.27-2.2% and add nearly a billion tons of CO2 to the atmosphere. This would lead to negative environmental consequences, including forest and pasture conversions that release stored carbon.
A new study finds that both patients and healthcare providers account for half of the regional spending differences in medical costs. Patient characteristics, such as basic health and care preferences, contribute to nearly 50% of these disparities, while provider practices and incentives drive the remaining 50%. The research provides i...
A new study by Cornell University economist John Cawley found that the Berkeley soda tax resulted in price increases of less than expected, indicating consumer sensitivity. The study also showed that proximity to untaxed rival stores affects the pass-through of taxes to consumers.
A clinical trial found that patients with large kidney stones passed them more often when treated with the prostate drug Tamsulosin, offering potential relief from painful conditions. The treatment may also allow patients to be treated closer to home, improving care and reducing costs.
A comprehensive digital database of magnetic structures, MAGNDATA, has been developed using systematic application of magnetic symmetry. The database contains over 400 commensurate and incommensurate magnetic structures, providing a standardized framework for description and storage of magnetic structures.
The USDA has granted $20.2 million to 34 small businesses for innovative research and development projects in food production, food safety, and forest management. The funding will support feasibility studies and project implementation through the Small Business Innovation Research program.
Research findings from LSU and other institutions reveal devastating effects of the oil spill on coastal habitats and wildlife. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative has funded numerous studies to better understand future large-scale perturbations and develop response strategies.
A consumer tax on fossil fuels could lower its use and encourage cleaner alternatives, a new study suggests. The research proposes a Pigouvian tax as an effective way to balance economic needs with environmental protection.
A new study reveals that investing in elephant conservation is economically favorable across most of Africa, with returns exceeding $1.78 for every dollar invested. This assessment highlights the importance of protecting elephant populations and their habitats to maintain nature-based tourism economies.
A new biochar model suggests using a bioenergy-biochar system to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, potentially becoming a viable option for climate change mitigation. This approach involves charring organic material and producing carbon-sequestering biochar that can be used as fertilizer and improve crop production.
A team of researchers led by Wayne State University will use naturalistic observations and next-generation genetic sequencing techniques to identify everyday family behaviors that impact youth asthma. The study aims to develop novel, developmentally sensitive interventions to reduce asthma morbidity and inform family-based interventions.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a new material formulation to resist foreign body reactions in implantable devices, such as insulin infusion pumps. This project aims to improve the long-term use of these devices by reducing the need for replacements.
The University at Buffalo is creating a cutting-edge materials data research lab with a $2.9 million NSF grant. The lab will collect, interpret and learn from massive amounts of visual data to accelerate the discovery of new materials.
Researchers mapped under-5 mortality rates across 28 African countries using data from 82 US Agency for International Development surveys. They found local-level factors like climate and malaria exposure were predictive of child mortality.
An international study has revealed that the UK and France experience the highest number of malaria cases imported from other countries. The research found that countries with the highest average number of imported infections per year were France, UK, and USA.
A new study suggests that 'Middle England', a group of affluent, older white British people living in rural areas, face the lowest risk of developing psychosis. The research found that people from more urban and deprived communities are at a higher risk of experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a small molecule called TASIN-1 that selectively kills cells with a mutation precursor to colon cancer while sparing normal cells. The findings could eventually help with both prevention and intervention efforts for colon cancer.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion in Oregon increased hospital emergency department visits by 40% after the initial spike, with a significant increase in both doctor's office visits and combined care, contradicting expectations of a temporary rise.
Researchers found no significant increase in mortality rates over weekends when severity is accounted for. A higher proportion of patients admitted by ambulance had more severe conditions, contradicting previous studies that showed a 'weekend effect'.
Annual exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has a significant impact on the US healthcare system, causing over 2.3% of the country's GDP to be lost. The estimated disease burden from these chemicals is valued at $340 billion annually, with specific effects including neurological damage, infertility, and certain cancers.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have engineered a strain of yeast that can convert all plant sugars, including xylose, into ethanol. This breakthrough could enable the widespread production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass, transforming the economics of ethanol production.
A new review of international slum research suggests that living close together can help mitigate health issues. The study's authors argue that this 'neighbourhood effect' could be a key to improving health in densely populated communities.
The Quebec-Iceland agreement aims to stimulate the development of sustainable energy for communities and industrial projects in northern regions. The partnership combines expertise in geothermal electricity and hydroelectricity, leading to a focus on diversifying energy sources, energy recovery systems, and power grids.
A recent study by Lund University reveals that small-scale farmers in Indonesia are leading to biodiversity decline and ecosystem disruption. The researchers found that the adoption of monoculture farming practices results in short-term financial gains but long-term environmental costs.
A UT Dallas study found that construction firms in the Gulf region operate with limited safety regulations or enforcement, leading to a high risk of accidents among migrant workers. The study identified inadequate training, language barriers, and a lack of effective communication as key causes of these accidents.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that about 9,000 square kilometers of forestland were cleared from 2008 to 2012, exceeding PRODES monitoring data. This deforestation has significant ramifications, including nearly doubling Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions estimates.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that unvaccinated adults contribute to $7.1 billion in healthcare costs, accounting for 80% of vaccine-preventable disease expenses in 2015.
The University of Texas at Arlington's TMAC has received a $2.6 million award to help small- and mid-sized defense industry companies in Texas grow through diversification. The program aims to create jobs and increase sales for affected businesses.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new formula to help reduce food waste in all-you-care-to-eat facilities. By accounting for environmental costs such as fuel and fertilizers, the formula can help minimize waste and lower the environmental impact.
Researchers found asymmetrical power encourages extortionate behavior in a model and experimental setup, with subordinates better off playing along. Extortionists succeed only if they maintain a well-measured degree of friendliness.
Researchers have developed a simple and effective method for synthesizing thiophene-fused PAHs, reducing the number of required steps and reagent costs. The new approach uses elemental sulfur to induce thienannulation reactions on arylethynyl-substituted PAHs.
A study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of prosthetic interventions for transtibial amputees, finding that they can reduce healthcare burden and improve quality of life despite higher initial costs. The analysis suggests that prosthetic use can lead to lower overall costs by decreasing utilization and adverse events.
A new study by McGill University reveals that economic transitions, social shifts, and climate change are dramatically affecting the safety of Inuit during Arctic activities. The research connects life-endangering events to increasing costs of harvesting and travel, changing technology, and shifts in Indigenous knowledge.
The UnBias project aims to establish a system of auditability and build trust in the internet by studying user experience and algorithm design. Researchers will also produce educational materials to support youth understanding about online environments.
A randomized trial found that using an activity tracker did not increase physical activity enough to benefit health, even with financial incentives. Despite initial increases in exercise levels, participants stopped using the devices once incentives were removed.
A quantitative model considers different rates of sea-level rise and economic factors to show optimal adaptation strategies. Researchers found that a buffer zone along the shoreline might make more sense if the sea level is going to rise quickly, but building near the coast could be suitable if buildings don't last very long.
The grant aims to create partnerships in disaster-prone regions to enhance national capacity for children's and families' post-disaster response. It adapts the National Child Traumatic Stress Network model, including a digital application for information sharing after disasters.
A University of Oklahoma study reveals that widespread collective entrepreneurial optimism predicts new venture startups and small business growth. The research found that media coverage plays a key role in spreading optimistic attitudes, and this effect is more pronounced in turbulent economic environments.
A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health found a strong association between economic opportunity and measures of physical and mental health in young adults. Individuals living in areas with higher economic opportunity reported fewer days of poor health and adopted healthier behaviors.
States could absorb pension burdens and reserve resources for current teacher salary increases, while reforming plans to prevent large debts from reemerging. Research found nearly 11% of teacher earnings goes towards pension debt, affecting services and increasing costs.
A group of experts suggests reframing global efforts against antimicrobial resistance to focus on building societal resilience and maintaining diversity in the global microbiome. This approach aims to address the root causes of resistance, rather than just treating its symptoms.
Researchers from UK universities are launching a project to digitally reconstruct archaeological sites destroyed or damaged due to conflict, cultural vandalism, and natural disasters. The 'Curious Travellers' initiative aims to collect publicly donated content to recreate 3D models of monuments and ancient sites.
Researchers connected NIST and USNO time scales via CenturyLink's fiber-optic cables, sending time signals at regular intervals in both directions. The results showed UTC could be transferred with a stability of under 100 nanoseconds, meeting the project's original goal.
A new study found that teens are 15% less likely to select sugary beverages with health warning labels. The study, led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, suggests that warning labels can educate adolescents about the dangers of sugar-sweetened drinks and contribute to healthier choices.
Katerina Akassoglou, a Gladstone Senior Investigator, has been awarded a $5.8M NINDS grant to advance her research on the role of brain's vascular and immune systems in neurological diseases. The grant will enable her lab to pursue innovative solutions for devastating conditions like multiple sclerosis.
A new study finds that global fisheries will lose an estimated $10 billion in annual revenue by 2050 if climate change continues unchecked. Developing countries, which rely heavily on fishing for food and income, will be the most vulnerable to these losses.