Articles tagged with Natural Experiments
A recent study published in Nature reveals a causal connection between the shingles vaccine and reduced risk of dementia. The analysis of data from a regression discontinuity design found a 20% reduction in dementia diagnosis risk among vaccinated individuals born on or after September 2, 1933.
A University of Bristol-led study suggests electric scooter schemes reduce bicycle collisions by around 20% in the UK. The research found that even after COVID-19 restrictions lifted, e-scooter scheme areas saw a significant decrease in serious and fatal bicycle collisions.
New UCLA-led research finds that Paxlovid does not significantly reduce COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated older adults. The study suggests that Paxlovid's potential effect on COVID-19 hospitalization in vaccinated older adults is four times weaker than originally reported.
European countries that recognized same-sex marriages saw a 21% decrease in new HB1 visas from the US over 20 years. This suggests that inclusive policies make countries more attractive for skilled labor, particularly in STEM fields.
A natural experiment-based study in Chile found a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mortality from non-respiratory causes. The study revealed an increase in indirect obstetric causes, possibly linked to comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.
A new transit station in Japan significantly reduced average healthcare expenditures per capita over four years, with savings of approximately $929.99. The study used a causal impact algorithm and time series data to analyze the medical expenditure data gathered from a suburban city on the West Japan Railway line.
A new study found that shortening overnight operations at bars and taverns reduced homicides by 51% within the first month and by 40% annually. Reducing late-night alcohol sales also decreased all violent crimes by 23% annually in a Baltimore neighborhood.
A study published in Marine Policy found that spatial restrictions after Brexit led to a doubling of greenhouse gas emissions from Norway's mackerel fishing fleet. The change resulted in a significant increase in fuel usage and carbon footprint, equivalent to half a million CO2 emissions per year.
A study by Hebrew University researchers found that directly involved war veterans exhibited almost double the level of PTSD symptoms compared to indirectly active veterans. Parents of active veterans experienced heightened secondary traumatic stress, with mothers bearing a greater burden than fathers.
A study led by ISGlobal found that moving to areas with higher levels of air pollution was associated with a small increase in body mass index in young children. The effect was stronger in preschool- and primary school children, and independent of socioeconomic status.
A study led by UC San Francisco found that breastfeeding duration increased by an average of 18% among U.S. women during the pandemic, with white and high-income women experiencing the largest gains. The study suggests that a national paid family leave policy could improve breastfeeding rates and reduce health inequities.
During Hawaii's COVID lockdown, researchers found that species displaced by human presence moved back into shallow habitats, increasing fish biomass and predator populations. However, when tourism resumed, predators returned to deeper waters, reducing biomass and habitat use to pre-pandemic levels.
A recent study found that adolescents living in areas with healthier built environments are less likely to be obese and have healthier eating habits. The study suggests that strategies for addressing childhood obesity should focus on improving built environments.
Researchers found that electric car adoption in California was associated with real-world reductions in air pollution and asthma-related emergency room visits. The study also highlighted an 'adoption gap' between low-resource zip codes, pointing to opportunities for environmental justice.
A study found that human presence in Glacier National Park causes 16 out of 22 mammal species to change their movement patterns, using different areas or being more nocturnal. The researchers suggest that this effect is significant enough to impact population survival.
A new study by University of Warwick researchers finds that the adoption of cereal crops is the key factor in the emergence of complex hierarchies and states. Contrary to conventional theory, high land productivity does not lead to the development of tax-levying states.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
Researchers found a significant increase in disgust sensitivity among participants concerned about contracting COVID-19, affecting not only disease-related scenarios but also unrelated situations. The 'calibration hypothesis' suggests that disgust sensitivity is a fluid measure changing with time and circumstance.
Researchers found that slightly earlier social distancing in communities may have saved up to $132 per resident due to avoided COVID-19 deaths, resulting in significant economic benefits.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
A new study reveals that extremist migrants can significantly impact political developments in their destination regions, leading to persistent increases in far-right attitudes. The research found that migrated Nazi elites leveraged local party branches and intergenerational transmission of beliefs, spreading extreme views for decades.
A review of nearly 300 studies on obesity policies found that natural experiments have strengths, but need better standards. Researchers recommend stronger study designs and standardized reporting methods to identify effective policies.
Research reveals that changes to environment, such as building walking paths and playgrounds, improve nutritional quality of foods and increase physical activity levels. However, more research is needed to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of policy and built environment changes.
A US study found that drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) as low as 0.01% are more likely to be blamed for accidents than sober drivers. Drivers in this range were 46% more likely to be solely blamed by accident investigators.