Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Stepping for digital rewards

A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 30, 2025

Can African countries meet 2030 childhood immunization goals?

Despite improvements in childhood immunization coverage, many African countries are unlikely to meet global targets by 2030. The study found that socioeconomic inequalities persist in coverage, with significant gaps between wealth quintiles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 29, 2025

Many people choose unemployment benefits over poorly paid jobs

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study published in PLOS One found that extremely low minimum wages and unemployment benefits can discourage people from working. The 'work incentive principle' aims to create a financial advantage for working over receiving benefits, but when both are very low, it loses its effectiveness.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 3, 2025

New gene therapy delivery device could let hospitals create personalized nanomedicines on-demand

A new gene therapy delivery device called NANOSPRESSO could revolutionize how hospitals treat rare diseases by allowing them to create personalized nanomedicines in-house. This democratized approach to precision medicine could boost access to low-cost bespoke gene and RNA therapies, especially in low-resource settings.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeSystematic review·DateJun 26, 2025

Marginalized groups more often experience serious maternal complications in planned repeat cesareans, UMass Amherst study finds

A new study by UMass Amherst researchers found that Black and Latinx people experiencing planned repeat cesareans are more likely to suffer severe maternal morbidity. The study analyzed data from over 72,000 births between 2012-2021, revealing a significant disparity in complication rates among marginalized groups.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2025

Majority of riders and drivers in UK 'gig economy' suffer anxiety over ratings and pay, study suggests

A study by the University of Cambridge found that two-thirds of UK gig economy riders and drivers experience anxiety over ratings and pay, with over half risking health and safety while working. The study also revealed that local workers spend an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalWork Employment and Society·TypeSurvey·DateJun 2, 2025

Study shows higher concentration of cannabis retailers in low-income neighborhoods with more Black and Hispanic residents

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant correlation between socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and increased cannabis retailer presence. Neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income Black residents had 2.53 times more cannabis retailers than high-income predominantly Wh...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2025

Brazilian social program prevents over 8 million hospitalizations and 713,000 deaths in 20 years

A new study reveals that the Bolsa Família Programme has prevented more than 8.2 million hospitalisations and 713,083 deaths in Brazil between 2004 and 2019. The programme provides cash transfers to low-income families with conditions such as school attendance and vaccinations.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 29, 2025

Kyoto conundrum: More hotels than households exist in ancient capital

A study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals six neighborhood-units in Kyoto's southeastern area have a disrupted balance between residences and accommodations, with hotspot locations near transportation hubs. Effective zoning policies are recommended to address overtourism's adverse social effects.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAnnals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 23, 2025

Why we trust people who grew up with less

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to trust individuals from lower-income backgrounds more than those from privileged upbringings. The research suggests that people draw a clear line between someone's childhood and their current socioeconomic status.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2025

Is air pollution exposure equal across South Korea?

A recent study from POSTECH University evaluated ground-level NO2 concentrations using satellite remote sensing data, revealing significant socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure. The research found that areas with higher socioeconomic levels had higher NO2 concentrations, contradicting previous findings in other countries.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 9, 2025

Liver cancer survival rates reflect income disparities

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that patients with low household income were more likely to be diagnosed late and receive less effective treatment for liver cancer. This highlights the need for targeted screening in deprived areas to improve early diagnosis and survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2025

So, our city’s shrinking—Now what?

A study analyzed per capita municipal expenditures and their correlation with population changes in small and medium-sized cities in Japan. The results revealed that prioritizing child welfare expenditures is a key strategy to sustain populations, while city planning expenditures on street maintenance and construction were also effective.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Urban Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 30, 2025

Deregulation of banks in America has fuelled corporate deception

A new study from the University of Surrey reveals that deregulated banks have led to a significant shift in corporate earnings management strategies, with companies opting for riskier real earnings management (REM) over accrual-based earnings management (AEM). This shift poses long-term risks to sustainability and innovation.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalInternational Review of Financial Analysis·TypeObservational study·DateApr 29, 2025

UC study uncovers unexpected link between police spending, housing prices

A University of Cincinnati study found large, opposite moves in housing prices between low-income and high-income communities when analyzing police budgeting. Low-income areas saw a 13% increase in housing prices after increasing police spending, while high-income areas saw a 14% decrease.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 28, 2025

Higher wealth taxes equal less philanthropy

Higher wealth taxes significantly reduce charitable donations in Norway, according to new research from the University of Texas at Austin. The study finds that allowing larger income tax deductions can increase giving by 4.4%. This suggests a possible solution to soften the impact of wealth taxes on philanthropy.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Review of Economics and Statistics·DateApr 24, 2025

New research in JNCCN finds stark disparities in treatment and survival time for people with pancreatic cancer

Researchers found significant disparities in quality of care and outcomes for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with higher social vulnerability indices were less likely to receive guideline-concordant systemic therapy, palliative care, or survive over 12 months.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateApr 9, 2025

Build it and they shall come

A study conducted at Osaka Metropolitan University found that the opening of a multifunctional facility called ONIKURU significantly increased residents' daily walking time, especially among female young adults. The results suggest that such architecture-scale interventions can contribute to building health-promoting environments.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 26, 2025

New study maps the life situation of transgender people in Sweden

A new study maps the life situation of transgender people in Sweden, revealing a socioeconomically vulnerable group with significantly lower incomes compared to others. The research, published in Demography, analyzed data from 1973 to 2020 and found that only 0.07% of Sweden's population had received a gender incongruence diagnosis.

SourceStockholm University·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2025

How family background can help lead to athletic success

A new study suggests that family background, including socioeconomic status, has a profound impact on athletic success. Research found that students from high SES families were more likely to play sports and achieve success, while those from low SES families faced barriers to participation. The study's findings challenge the common not...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2025

Socioeconomically disadvantaged people still underusing emergency department services in the wake of the COVID pandemic

A study found that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients used emergency departments less for non-avoidable visits, despite an overall rebound in ED use by 2022. This trend reverses pre-pandemic increases in ED utilization among Medicaid and dual-eligible patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 11, 2025

Urban exodus during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study by Dr. Haruka Kato found that households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic prioritized migration destinations with favorable communities and strong community ties. Social interaction-related factors emerged as significant determinants of migration, contrasting with work, environment, and housing determinants.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPopulation Space and Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 6, 2025