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China’s economists warn of near-term “firefighting” risks and longer-term debt strains

Economists warn of sudden 'firefighting' risks linked to real estate finance, with potential chain reactions triggering financial instability. Long-term systemic risks, including local government debt sustainability concerns, could have overwhelming effects, prompting proposed reforms to address these challenges.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalRisk Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 5, 2026

Access to safe water fails in the face of extreme heat, even in wealthy cities

A recent study highlights the link between water security and adaptability of homes in urban centers of the Global North to extreme heat. Household water security is not universal, even in the wealthiest cities, forcing vulnerable households to limit their water consumption, compromising their ability to adapt to extreme heat.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·Journalnpj Urban Sustainability·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 25, 2026

Neighborhood factors may lead to increased COPD-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations

A new study reveals that neighborhood characteristics, including poverty and lower educational attainment, are associated with higher COPD-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Community-level interventions targeting these risk factors can help improve quality of life and reduce acute care use.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Doing good pays off: Environmentally and socially responsible companies drive value and market efficiency

A global study of 2,636 firms across 31 countries found that stronger ESG disclosure and performance correspond to higher intrinsic value. This aligns with theoretical analysis and signaling theory, highlighting the need for companies to communicate substantive progress honestly.

SourceKyushu University·JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2026

From addressing uncertainty to national strategy: an interpretation of Professor Lim Siong Guan’s views

Professor Lim Siong Guan shares insights on how to navigate uncertainty in a rapidly changing world by emphasizing the importance of governance, leadership development, and institutional culture. He stresses the need for proactive planning, trust-building, and adaptability in response to unexpected events.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalRisk Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 31, 2025

The suspension of the foreign corrupt practices act generated record gains for companies involved in overseas corruption cases

The suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act generated record gains for companies involved in overseas corruption cases. Companies that had been subject to investigations or sanctions under the FCPA collectively gained around $39 billion, with individual companies recording increases in market capitalization of billions of dollars.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalInternational Organization·DateDec 23, 2025

Online platform algorithmic control and gig workers’ turnover intention in China: The mediating role of relative deprivation

A new study reveals that algorithmic control's three-dimensional functions exert significantly different impacts on gig workers' turnover intention. Behavioral constraints and tracking evaluation exacerbate relative deprivation, while standardized guidance mitigates this effect, directly reducing turnover intention.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Management Science and Engineering·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2025

Shinshu University finds no price drop in Fukushima flounder after treated-water discharge

Wholesale prices for Fukushima flounder remained stable despite the August 2023 ALPS-treated water discharge, with no significant price decline found in a comprehensive market modeling study. The research provides reassurance for fisheries stakeholders and informs future policy debates on nuclear-water disposal.

SourceShinshu University·JournalFisheries Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2025

Taxing homes in an economic boom and subsidising them in a crash could prevent the next housing crisis

Researchers argue that taxing housing purchases during economic booms and providing temporary subsidies on housing during recessions could help prevent the next housing crisis. The study found that this approach can lift house prices exactly when the system is at greatest risk, preventing fire sales and severe price collapses.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Economic Dynamics and Control·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2025

Why top firms paradoxically fire good workers

Top firms paradoxically fire good workers to maintain reputation and boost profits. Workers accept lower pay temporarily to signal elite status, while those who stay earn higher fees directly from clients. The firm's strategic underpayment of better workers increases profits by creating a stable equilibrium.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Economic Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2025

Fair fare

A 7-week randomized controlled trial found that a train fare subsidy program significantly increased daily walking steps among prime-aged adults by 711.43 steps/day for those subsidized with 1000 points. However, middle-aged and older adults did not experience significant increases in step count.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalResearch in Transportation Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 13, 2025

Study: Disadvantaged neighborhoods face barriers to access cultural institutions

A new study found that less educated and lower-income neighborhoods are consistently farther away from cultural institutions, such as elite universities and museums. The researchers measured straight-line distances and expected travel times between neighborhoods and eight amenities of cultural capital to quantify the geographic barriers.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Economic Geography·DateNov 13, 2025

Omega-3 deficit linked to ADHD symptoms in Palestinian adolescents

A new study found a significant link between omega-3 intake and ADHD symptoms among Palestinian adolescents. Lower omega-3 consumption was associated with higher ADHD symptom scores, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition in supporting cognitive health.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalInternational Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2025

Grocery store records reveal London food deserts

Researchers used Tesco Grocery 1.0 dataset to identify large clusters of food deserts in East and West London, where residents have limited access to affordable nutritious food. The study found correlations between sociodemographic factors and nutrient-deficient purchases in areas with higher income and car ownership.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Complex Systems·TypeObservational study·DateNov 6, 2025

Study: Arrival of boll weevils in U.S. South in early 20th century brought long-term benefits for Black sons born after the agricultural shock

A new study found that the arrival of boll weevils in the US South in the early 20th century led to improved economic outcomes for Black sons born after the agricultural shock. The researchers examined changes in earnings, occupations, and residences for Black males before and after the boll weevil's appearance.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateNov 6, 2025

Gender equality universally linked to physical capacity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that countries with higher human development indices and lower gender inequality have higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness among young adults. Women's VO2peak was significantly higher in countries with high gender equality compared to those with low gender equality.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·DateOct 23, 2025

Stronger together: Community involvement is key for new transport adoption

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals that community involvement is a powerful driver of acceptance among people with poor health. The research found that increasing the density of stops in residential areas can make demand-responsive transport more accessible to those with limited mobility. The study's findings suggest that...

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2025

The insomnia trade-off

A study found that longer commutes and smaller living spaces are associated with poor sleep health among Tokyo residents. Housing choices that balance location and size may help improve sleep health, according to researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2025

Japan’s national standardized health checkup program: impacts on self-employed and unemployed populations

The SHC-SHG program leads to a 16% reduction in LRDs among self-employed individuals, while unemployed individuals show significant behavioral changes but not health improvements. The increase in municipal funds is found to be cost-effective, with overall medical expenses reduced by nine times the increase.

SourceWaseda University·JournalJournal of Health Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2025

Family-based intervention programs are insufficient to prevent childhood obesity, major study finds

A landmark study by the University of Sydney found that family-based early obesity prevention programs did not improve BMI in young children. The researchers analyzed data from 17 international studies and concluded that environmental and structural drivers are key to addressing childhood obesity. Governments, health officials, and loc...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Lancet·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 10, 2025

Studies find nonprofits' use of flexible labor negatively affects operational outcomes, lacks long-term financial benefit, study finds

New research from the University of Kansas found that nonprofits' increasing reliance on flexible labor leads to negative operational outcomes, such as reduced attendance at events. While short-term financial benefits may be achieved, there is no long-term fiscal improvement for these organizations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalNonprofit Management and Leadership·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Scientists identify personality traits that help schoolchildren succeed academically

A new study found that children's personality traits such as conscientiousness and open-mindedness have a significant impact on their academic performance. The research, conducted across seven countries, showed that these traits can help reduce educational inequality and improve social mobility.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Research·DateSep 3, 2025

Women earn 25% less than men in wealthy households, finds study

A new analysis of the gender pay gap in the UK reveals that women in wealthier households earn 25% less than men, while those in poorer households experience a smaller 4% gap. The study highlights the importance of addressing societal penalties for being female and improving job quality to reduce the pay gap.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalCambridge Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2025

Job opportunities are more important to refugees from Ukraine than social benefits

A recent study by ifo Institute and LMU Munich found that Ukrainian refugees prefer countries with better job opportunities to those with higher social benefits. The survey of over 3,300 refugees showed that wage differences play a significant role in their choice of destination country.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateAug 4, 2025