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Self-folding origami honeycombs pave the way to sustainable protective packaging

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology created a novel method to produce self-folding origami honeycomb structures using paper sheets, which can provide excellent protection against shocks and compression. The developed technique has potential applications in packaging, agriculture, and other fields.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials & Design·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Particle radioactivity linked to pollution-associated heart attack and stroke death

Particle radioactivity from radon in air pollution increases toxicity and risk of death from cardiovascular disease, especially from heart attack and stroke. Researchers used spatiotemporal predictions to estimate exposure and found that higher gross beta-activity levels increased the risk of death from these conditions.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateOct 5, 2022

Obesity prevalence varies significantly for Asian American subgroups

A cross-sectional study of over 70,000 Asian Americans found significant variation in obesity prevalence among subgroups, with Filipino Americans having the highest rate at 28.7% and Chinese Americans the lowest at 13.2%. The study highlights the need for tailored strategies to address obesity disparities among Asian American populations.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 3, 2022

TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients

A budget impact analysis found that catheter-based TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients, with lower total costs compared to surgical SAVR. The study showed that the upfront cost of TAVR is partially offset by reduced healthcare resources, making it a more efficient option.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 12, 2022

Pandemic federal programs helped kids in need get access to 1.5 billion meals every month

The study found that pandemic federal programs, including grab-and-go school meals and the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program, reached over 30 million children and provided nearly 1.5 billion meals in 2020. The programs helped low-income families access nutritious food during a critical time when schools were closed due to COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2022

Water flouridation: Effective prevention for tooth decay and a win for the environment - Trinity research

A new study by Trinity College Dublin researchers shows that water fluoridation has the lowest environmental impact among community-level caries prevention programmes, offering a sustainable solution to prevent dental decay. The study also highlights its cost-effectiveness and ability to reduce disability-adjusted life years.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalBDJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2022

Smart contact lenses for cancer diagnostics and screening

Scientists have developed a smart contact lens that can capture and detect exosomes, nanometer-sized vesicles found in bodily secretions, which hold promise for cancer diagnostics. The lens was designed to bind to antibodies capturing exosomes found in tears, offering a potential platform for non-invasive cancer screening.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

Wrist-worn devices are shown by mass general researchers to be cost-effective for screening of atrial fibrillation

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that wrist-worn devices are more cost-effective than traditional electrocardiograms and pulse palpation for screening individuals with atrial fibrillation. The use of these devices was also associated with a reduction in stroke incidence.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 5, 2022

New magnesium superionic conductor towards lithium-free solid-state batteries

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science create a metal–organic framework-based magnesium ion conductor showing superionic conductivity at room temperature, overcoming the limitations of magnesium ion-based energy devices. The novel Mg2+ electrolyte exhibits a high conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1, making it suitable for battery applica...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Best available therapy for AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma is cost effective in Africa

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that paclitaxel improves clinical outcomes and is cost-effective compared to commonly used treatments in Kenya. Using paclitaxel instead of bleomycin-vincristine could save 6,400 years-of-life and reduce healthcare expenditures by $3.7 million over five years.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2022

Comparing physicians’ performance to peers decreases job satisfaction and increases burnout

A five-month field experiment involving 199 primary care physicians found that comparing performance to peers decreased job satisfaction while increasing burnout. The study also showed that training leaders on how to best support physicians mitigated such negative effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2022

New flood maps clarify the risk homeowners face

A new approach to developing flood maps uses confidence intervals to capture the uncertainty in flood predictions, providing a more realistic depiction of flood zones. This simplified method is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional methods, producing acceptable results with less effort and lower costs.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalWater·DateJun 30, 2022

Population screening for fracture risk: A logical step in reducing the osteoporotic fracture burden

The International Osteoporosis Foundation proposes a screening strategy to identify women at high risk of hip fracture, which could lead to a reduction in treatment gaps and improved identification of fractures. The approach combines low-cost assessment with targeted intervention using low-cost generic treatments.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalArchives of Osteoporosis·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2022

Funding COVID-19 vaccination in low- and middle-income countries is highly cost-effective and projected to save hundreds of thousands of lives

A new analysis suggests expanding COVID-19 vaccine delivery to low-income countries would save hundreds of thousands of lives and be cost-effective. The study found that achieving 60% vaccination coverage in these countries could prevent up to 68 million infections and 160,000 deaths.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 13, 2022

Top five reasons why midwives stay in the job

A University of Gothenburg study found that midwives' job satisfaction is linked to possibilities for development, role conflict resolution, and burnout avoidance. The research highlights the importance of quality work, recognition, and autonomy in midwives' occupational roles.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBMC Health Services Research·TypeSurvey·DateMay 16, 2022

How MRI could revolutionise heart failure diagnosis

A new study published in the European Heart Journal shows that MRI is superior to echocardiography for diagnosing heart failure and predicting patient outcomes. The research found that MRI can accurately measure left ventricular filling pressure, leading to improved diagnosis and reduced need for invasive assessments.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

Landmark study demonstrates long-term positive impacts and cost effectiveness of tailored group exercise for over-65s with mobility limitations

A landmark study demonstrates that a community-based group exercise programme can prevent physical decline and improve quality of life in older adults with mobility limitations. The REACT programme, which involves individually tailored exercises and social interaction, shows promising results in reducing health and care costs.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 21, 2022

Gastric bypass is best weight loss option for diabetes patients, study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that gastric bypass surgery is the most effective treatment option for patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, leading to greater weight loss and a higher rate of remission. The study found that gastric bypass produces better results regardless of diabetes severity.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 15, 2022

Harvard Chan research shows actions to prevent pandemics cost 5% of lives lost every year from emerging infectious diseases

Researchers provide cost-effective actions to prevent pandemics, including better surveillance and wildlife management, with estimated annual costs under $20 billion. These 'primary pandemic prevention' actions can help prevent future pandemics and have substantial co-benefits for human health, environment, and economic development.

SourceHarvard Chan C-CHANGE·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 4, 2022

Research shows actions to prevent pandemics cost 5% of lives lost every year from emerging infectious diseases

A new study suggests that implementing primary pandemic prevention actions, such as better surveillance and wildlife management, can reduce the economic costs of emerging infectious diseases by up to 10%. These actions have a substantial co-benefit of preventing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving water supplies.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 4, 2022

Little test, big impact: dipstick screening for hematuria

Researchers in Japan evaluated the cost-effectiveness of adding dipstick hematuria screening to a mass health check-up program. The study found that including routine testing for hematuria would promote early detection and treatment, leading to cost savings and improved patient outcomes. This cost-effective approach has the potential t...

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalClinical and Experimental Nephrology·DateFeb 3, 2022

Solar energy means the sun’ll come out tomorrow for cost-effective decarbonization, Surrey expert demonstrates

A University of Surrey expert emphasizes the economic case for solar energy, citing IRENA data that shows 61% of US coal capacity costs more to operate than building new renewables. Retiring uneconomic coal plants and replacing them with renewables can save significant costs and reduce emissions.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy & Environmental Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 1, 2022

Historic buildings could be protected from rising energy bills by solar panels

A new study by University of Bath researchers suggests that installing solar panels on historic buildings like Bath Abbey could significantly reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The proposed system would generate around 45 Mega-Watt hours per year, saving approximately 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalEnergy Science & Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 1, 2022

Analysis: Risk aversion plays an important role in the coal-contracting behavior of US power plants

A new analysis by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Akshaya Jha finds that risk aversion drives the purchasing of coal primarily from long-term contracts, resulting in premium prices. The study estimates that if power plants purchased all their coal from the spot market, annual aggregate cost savings would be $2.9 billion on average.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateJan 17, 2022

Massive cost, meager benefit

A new evidence review by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that the expensive multiple sclerosis drug Acthar provides very little clinical benefit compared to less-expensive alternatives. The study screened 41 studies and found weak or no benefit from Acthar against standard medications like corticosteroids.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 13, 2021

New study shows electric fields can improve the efficiency of wastewater purification

Researchers from South Korea have demonstrated that applying an electric field during air stripping can significantly improve ammonia removal efficiency from wastewater. The study found that electric fields with alternating current of 50 MHz and power of 15 V/cm increase efficiency from 51% to 94%, even under sub-optimal conditions.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalWater Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021

A salty treat: Extracting high-quality magnesium sulphate from seawater desalination brine

A team of Korean researchers has successfully extracted high-quality magnesium sulphate, without calcium impurities, from seawater desalination brine using a novel ethanol-based process. The process achieved up to 67% magnesium recovery efficiency and has potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalDesalination·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021

Prompt procurement and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines are as important as their efficacy

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that prioritizing prompt procurement, distribution, and vaccination pace can maximize public health benefits and economic efficiency. Meeting vaccination targets of 67% or 80% of the population can significantly reduce infections and deaths while minimizing healthcare costs.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 29, 2021