A new study from the University of Portsmouth highlights the attractive trading advantages offered by freeports but also raises concerns about their potential misuse for money-laundering and tax-evasion purposes. The researchers advocate for stronger regulation to prevent these zones from being exploited.
Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
New research from the University of Birmingham found that older adults are more likely to work harder for others, even without financial reward. This 'prosocial behaviour' is crucial for social cohesion and contradicts the stereotype that older adults become less altruistic as they age.
Researchers at LSU discovered a vast network of ancient Maya salt kitchen buildings, indicating the salt was produced on a large scale. Salt cakes were standardized units, potentially used as currency, and played a crucial role in the economy.
The model evaluates synergy between properties going up for auction, allowing governments to decide if bundling or separate auctions are more beneficial. Bundling guarantees synergy realization, but reduces flexibility in allocating items to bidders.
Research by American Psychological Association found that higher income predicts more positive self-regard emotions such as confidence, pride and determination, while lower income is associated with negative emotions like sadness and fear. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million people across 162 countries.
A new paper examines the benefits of pick-your-price (PYP) over pay-what-you-want (PWYW) and fixed pricing strategies for firms and consumers. The study finds that PYP enhances purchase outcomes, increases feelings of pricing control without effort, and boosts sales in various contexts.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A study found that communities with low monetization have remarkably high levels of happiness, comparable to Scandinavian countries. The researchers interviewed 678 people and found that social and economic factors play a bigger role in higher monetized sites.
A new paper by MIT researchers suggests that many banking crises create long-term macroeconomic damage, regardless of whether they involve panics or not. The study found that a 30% decline in bank equity predicts a 2.7% drop in real GDP after three years, even without a panic.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing found that people hold a positive illusion of being financially responsible, which motivates them to restore their self-view. The 'superfluous-spender intervention' increased both intentions to save and actual savings relative to those who did not receive the intervention.
A team of archaeologists has discovered that the Chumash Indians in California were using shell beads as currency around 2,000 years ago. The team's findings, published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, challenge long-held assumptions about the origins of money in the Americas.
Research finds cashless payments increase spending on unhealthy food as lower arousal directs attention away from decision risks. Participants with higher education were more willing to pay for desserts under cashless payment conditions.
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Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Charitable organizations can benefit from soliciting donations immediately after price promotions. By targeting consumers who have participated in promotions and focusing on the amount of money saved, organizations can optimize their donation appeals.
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 bronze objects from Central European hoards and found that around 70% of rings had similar weights, suggesting a standardized currency system. This discovery indicates the earliest development of commodity money in prehistoric Europe.
A new study by Matthew Killingsworth from the University of Pennsylvania found that money does influence happiness, contrary to previous research suggesting a dollar-value plateau. Higher earners experience increased feelings of control over life, leading to greater well-being.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that people tend to overestimate their financial responsibility, resulting in under-saving. The research developed an intervention to combat this 'positive illusion' by recognizing excessive spending and boosting self-perceptions of financial responsibility through increased savings.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study recommends protecting first-time borrowers from long-term debt by introducing psychometric tests to assess age, experience, and personality traits. The study argues that lenders should have a duty of care and control access to credit more carefully for young people and those with impulsive tendencies.
Standard Oil's grip on the Scandinavian oil market weakened due to competing companies, leading to a court decision in the USA that dissolved the company into 34 smaller entities. Despite this, Standard Oil's successors remained significant players in Scandinavia until the 1930s.
Research published in Journal of Banking and Finance found that stress tests reduce a bank's risk and increase lending capital, strengthening the entire banking industry. The study also found that investors perceive stress-tested banks as having a higher probability of earning expected gains.
A study published in the Journal of Marketing found that consumers rate healthy foods as more natural and nutritious when they are presented in a visually appealing way, according to classical aesthetics principles. This effect can influence consumer behavior, leading to increased willingness to pay for pretty food.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study suggests that truthful candidates are less likely to make it through to elected office. The research highlights how candidates who progress in politics are those most prepared to renge on electoral promises.
In a study published in PNAS, researchers found that when participants were informed they could return some of the money they had overreported, they forgot their past cheating behavior more accurately. This 'unethical amnesia' allowed them to restore their reputation, making it more acceptable for future moral breaches.
A new study suggests that acetaminophen makes risky activities seem less dangerous, leading to increased risk-taking. The study found that participants who took the pain reliever rated activities like bungee jumping and starting a new career as less risky than those who took a placebo.
A study of 34 countries found that intergenerational resource sharing is associated with lower mortality rates and increased life expectancy. The nature of sharing did not affect the outcome, suggesting that it may reflect social interconnectedness and benefit human health.
Researchers from Lobachevsky University analyze data on M2 monetary aggregate, monetary base, and money multiplier to study impact of financial innovations on money supply. They find evidence of endogenous origin of money supply in Russian economy for both periods of time, confirming structuralism and preference for liquidity.
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A study by University of East Anglia researchers found that banks with powerful CEOs and smaller boards are more susceptible to money laundering and take greater risks. The impact of money laundering is heightened by the presence of powerful CEOs, but large and independent executive boards can partially mitigate this effect.
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.
A study by University of Illinois expert Carlos Torelli finds that moral appeal can persuade people to donate to foreign charities, even if resources could be used closer to home. Donors prioritize feelings of fulfillment over local impact.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
A new study shows that quantitative easing drove down mortgage interest rates, allowed consumers to refinance their house loans, and spent more on everyday items, bolstering the economy. However, the benefits were primarily targeted at mortgage holders from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
A study found that Universal Credit's single payment between partners can lead to financial difficulties, particularly for women. The research calls for policy changes to provide financial independence for both partners in modern relationships.
Research at Ben-Gurion U found that zero interest rates motivate individuals to borrow money and take risks, while negative rates have a lesser impact on investment decisions. The study suggests that savers might prefer holding cash over accepting negative rates due to associated risks.
A study from Carnegie Mellon University and Columbia Business School found that women entrepreneurs are more motivated by social impact than money, while men are more driven by financial gains. The research also revealed that individuals from altruistic cultures are more likely to respond to messages focused on social impact.
A national health care survey from 2002 to 2016 found primary care spending significantly higher than other areas of healthcare expenditure. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlights the substantial financial investment in primary care services.
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
A national-level study found that converting high-value research hardware to free and open-source designs can save Finland millions of Euros annually. The study suggests this approach could strengthen the country's atomic layer deposition and nano-scale imaging research excellence.
A study by Yale psychologists and economists found that people tend to misremember being more generous than they actually were when asked about past behavior. This faulty recall helps individuals maintain a positive self-image and can reduce the need for motivated reasoning.
Researchers at UB and Harvard Business School found that people who base their self-worth on financial success experience pressure and lack of autonomy, leading to negative social outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving personal relationships in maintaining good mental health.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Professor Adrian Bejan explains how the physics of spreading and growth can lead to economic downturns, but also highlights the potential for innovation and creativity to drive new growth and prosperity.
A Michigan State University study found that people distinguish between massive and simple obligations, with the latter creating a 'norm of reciprocity' and strengthening relationships. Obligations that disrupt daily life or create financial burdens can harm relationships.
A study by Nora Szech and Jannis Engel reveals that consumers unconsciously use a single ethical aspect as an excuse for a less moral behavior regarding other aspects of the product. This 'indulgence effect' persists even after the purchase and can be used to justify selfish decisions.
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
A new cryptocurrency-routing scheme, Spider, has been developed to boost the efficiency of certain networks designed to speed up blockchain transactions. This routing scheme lets users invest only a fraction of funds in each account, allowing for roughly four times more transactions before rebalancing on the blockchain.
Researchers identified common attributes of cybercrime networks, revealing how they function and work together. These networks are composed of hackers coming together due to shared functional skills, often collaborating to cause greater disruption.
A single payer system would replace private insurance and simplify billing, leading to savings through lower drug costs and efficiencies. The study found that 19 of 22 models predicted net savings in the first year, averaging 3.5% of total healthcare spending.
Researchers Heski Bar-Isaac and John Asker found that MAP can be beneficial for consumers who seek lower prices, but also allows manufacturers to get more money from less price-discriminating shoppers. The study suggests a one-size-fits-all approach to regulating MAP is misguided.
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
A study found that individuals with multiple sclerosis who struggle with money management have difficulty with executive functioning and low depressive symptomatology. This can lead to serious financial, legal, and psychological consequences. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for identifying those at risk and providing ...
Researchers at Washington State University found that donors feel betrayed when their money is redirected from a specific project to another cause, even if the new use is for a worthwhile purpose. Donors are less likely to give again or volunteer for the charity.
Financial infidelity is defined as hiding financial behaviors expected to be disapproved of from one's partner. Consumers more prone to this often prefer secretive options like personal credit cards and cash. The study found that concealment of financial information in mobile banking apps also increases the risk of financial infidelity.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
A new study from the Immigration Policy Lab at ETH Zurich and Stanford University found that immigrants who naturalized earned more money each year than those who didn't, with the boost in income being largest for people facing the greatest disadvantages in the labor market. Citizenship was shown to counteract discrimination in the job...
Researchers introduce the concept of financial infidelity, defined as engaging in a financial behavior expected to elicit disapproval and intentionally failing to disclose it. The study's findings reveal that consumers prone to financial infidelity exhibit stronger preferences for secretive purchase options and concealing their actions.
Successful tech entrepreneurs prefer cities with a strong social support network and modest funding opportunities. The study reveals that social connections play a significant role in attracting and retaining talent, with young entrepreneurs aged early 30s being the most successful.
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A study by Ohio State University sociologist Natasha Quadlin found that women tend to choose college majors with lower earning potential than men, even when both prioritize economic returns. Women often opt for majors in fields perceived as more open and available to them.
Researchers found that financial therapy improves couples' overall well-being and financial stability by understanding how financial behaviors are tied to feelings and beliefs. Nearly all participants wanted to learn more about their financial behaviors and communicate better after sessions.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Ashley LeBaron found that religious involvement can both relieve and worsen financial stress. On one hand, religion can reduce materialism, bring monetary blessings, and foster a positive outlook on financial struggles. On the other hand, it can also impose increased financial obligations, re...
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers found that trademark portfolios are an important predictor of firm success, leading to better product market performance and higher valuations. Obtaining a trademark signals quality and attracts financing on favorable terms.
Researchers warn of the dangers of digital addiction, citing links to physical dangers like distracted driving and increased anxiety. Experts propose policy changes, including mandatory app labeling, natural breaks in digital offerings, and taxes on addictive services.
A new cryptocurrency system, Byzantine Reliable Broadcast, achieves safe and secure transactions with virtually zero energy cost. This paradigm shift is made possible by assuming all players are honest until proven guilty, eliminating the need for complex consensus tasks.
A new study published in INFORMS Journal Marketing Science found that AI chatbots can increase sales by four times compared to inexperienced workers. However, customer awareness of the use of AI chatbots before making a purchase leads to a significant decline in sales rates.
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers found that abstaining from cigarettes does not affect the motivation for food and water. In fact, smokers are more willing to spend money on cigarettes than food during abstinence.
A study by Dr Benjamin Vincent found that hunger significantly alters people's decision-making, making them more impatient and prone to settling for smaller rewards. This effect carries over into other kinds of decisions, such as financial and interpersonal ones, indicating a potential danger for those experiencing hunger due to poverty.
A study by Binghamton University found that viewing wealth as a sign of success yields better results for life satisfaction than viewing it as a sign of happiness. Happiness materialism can lead to dissatisfaction and neglect other areas of life, while success materialism boosts economic motivation and future satisfaction.
A team of international researchers has developed a financial mechanism to support the protection of the world's natural heritage. The socio-ecological design option proved most efficient in incentivizing additional conservation action, particularly for countries lacking in global conservation goals.
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.