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The hidden cost of crime: Tanzanians pay as much as 7 percent to protect money from theft

In Tanzania, consumers are willing to pay up to 7% for mobile money services that provide theft insurance against street robberies and home burglaries. The study found that people prefer to store cash in mobile wallets for short periods, with costs ranging from 1.52% per kilometer or 0.8% per day.

Discrimination on the grounds of political ideas prevails over any other

A recent international study conducted by researchers from the University of the Basque Country and other institutions found that people are more likely to trust those who share their political ideas than those with differing opinions. In contrast, partisan discrimination was found to be a significant problem in many countries.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalEuropean Journal of Political Research·DateOct 4, 2017

To kickstart creativity, offer money, not plaudits, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that monetary rewards enhance creative performance, while social-recognition rewards have a negative impact. This research has practical applications for companies looking to boost creativity in their employees and for individuals seeking motivation to think outside the box.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateOct 4, 2017

To work or not to work: Moms' well being rests on what she wants

Among well-educated mothers, those who pursued their desired lifestyle experienced overall positive adjustment, while those who were 'misaligned' faced considerable distress and unhappiness. Feeling emotionally supported, unconditional acceptance, and satisfying friendships are key to promoting life satisfaction and mitigating loneliness.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateJun 20, 2017

Frequent dining out may lead to food budget-busting behaviors

A study by Penn State researcher Amit Sharma found that people who frequently dine out tend to under-estimate their spending and then raise their budgets, leading to over-spending habits. The results show that mental budgeting may cause consumers to discount the future and place higher value on current consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateMar 21, 2017

Longer deadlines make people donate more money

A study by Aarhus University found that longer deadlines increase charitable donations. The researchers sent emails and text messages with varying deadlines to approximately 53,000 Danes who had previously donated money. As a result, the donations increased when the deadline was longer.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics·DateMar 12, 2017

Don't relax drug approval process, experts warn

Three experts from the University of Sydney argue that deregulating the FDA's regulatory system will subject patients to potentially toxic drugs. They highlight examples of successful drugs that were identified through well-controlled studies, and contrast these with unregulated markets that struggle to sift out ineffective treatments.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2017

How much money is spent on health care for kids, where does it go?

Healthcare spending on children in the US grew from $149.6 billion in 1996 to $233.5 billion in 2013, with the highest expenditures on well-newborn care, ADHD treatment, and dental care. The study highlights the need to analyze driving factors behind increased healthcare spending to determine its impact on processes and outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 27, 2016

TSA could save money by waiving PreCheck fees for frequent travelers, study finds

A new study suggests that waiving the $85 fee for frequent fliers to enroll in TSA PreCheck would result in significant cost savings for the Transportation Security Administration. The study found that costs saved by frequent travelers using expedited security exceeded the cost of waiving their enrollment fees.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Transportation Security·DateDec 5, 2016

How it takes just 6 seconds to hack a credit card

Researchers at Newcastle University found that hackers can hack a credit card account in as little as 6 seconds by guessing the card number, expiry date, and CVV. The 'Distributed Guessing Attack' method allows hackers to circumvent security features and validate card details across multiple websites.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateDec 1, 2016

Overcoming egocentricity increases self-control

A recent study found that redirecting attention to future needs increases self-control, a mechanism previously thought to be solely governed by the prefrontal cortex. The research suggests that the temporo-parietal junction plays a crucial role in both social interactions and self-controlled decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 19, 2016

Conservation decisions rely on balancing incentives with unpredictable variables

Researchers examine how large payments are necessary to induce landowners to accept conservation contracts, considering permanent and temporary options. The study reveals that permanent lump-sum payments need to be higher due to 'loss of option value,' while linking carbon payments to profits reduces uncertainty and hesitation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateOct 5, 2016

Love is blind... to food waste

Research from Cornell Food & Brand Lab reveals that caregivers often serve large portions to show affection, leading to unnecessary food waste. The study suggests connecting food pantries with nutritional educators can reduce food waste in lower-middle class households.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Food Products Marketing·DateJun 13, 2016

Chivalry is not dead when it comes to morality

A study by New York University found that women are more likely to be saved or not harmed in moral dilemmas compared to men. In experiments involving the trolley dilemma and financial rewards, women showed a stronger aversion to harming females than males, even when it came at their own expense.

SourceNew York University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJun 8, 2016

It pays to increase energy consumption

Researchers at Aarhus University found that using 10% more energy for heating can save 10% on the bill while reducing carbon dioxide emission. They developed an intelligent management system to optimize building operations, predicting energy prices and environmental impact.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateMay 31, 2016

Money back guarantees for non-reproducible results?

An editorial published by The BMJ argues that money back guarantees are not the answer to improving data reproducibility in research. Instead, it advocates for open science and open data as key solutions. This approach would involve making all protocols, hypotheses, raw data, methods, and analyses publicly available.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 24, 2016