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How to make a better polymer

A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed a method to count the number of strength-enabling entanglements in glassy polymers, which can be used to create stronger, more cost-effective materials. By combining computer simulations with experimental processes, they found that not every entanglement contributes to the polymer's ...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 21, 2021

Cognitive behavior therapy conducted by telephone may ease arthritis-related insomnia

A new study found that telephone cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively improve sleeplessness and pain in older adults with osteoarthritis-related insomnia, reducing clinical and financial burdens. The study showed that telephone CBT reduced healthcare costs without increasing them.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 20, 2021

How long can fiber reinforced polymer sustain concrete structures? Scientists answer

A 13-year-long study finds that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) coatings can sustain concrete structures for extended periods. The study tested FRP and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems under various environmental conditions, revealing significant impact on bond behavior.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalComposites Part B Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2021

Wind energy can deliver vital slash to global warming

New research from Cornell University suggests that accelerating wind-energy technology deployment can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with potential to reduce global warming atmospheric average temperatures of 0.3 to 0.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. The study confirms that advancing wind energy...

SourceCornell University·JournalClimate·DateSep 22, 2021

Eco-friendly process for synthesizing organic materials developed for high-performance materials industry

Researchers at CeMM have developed an eco-friendly process to synthesize organic materials using water instead of toxic solvents, achieving cost savings of up to 25% and improving material properties. The process involves heating molecules in water under pressure to create high-performance materials with unique structures and properties.

For good measure: A virtual ruler estimates the size of colorectal polyps

Researchers developed a method to overlay a virtual scale on acquired endoscope images in real-time, allowing accurate estimation of colorectal polyp sizes. The approach uses triangulation principles and minimal image processing, enabling cost-effective diagnosis without adding extra instrumentation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

New study reveals key factors for estimating costs to plug abandoned oil and gas wells

A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology estimates the median cost of plugging abandoned oil and gas wells at $76,000, with costs varying widely based on location, age, and other factors. The analysis of over 19,500 orphaned wells across the US provides valuable insights for regulators to adjust bonding requirements ...

SourceResources for the Future (RFF)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 27, 2021

Studies find combination chemotherapy beneficial and cost-effective in sub-Saharan Africa

A clinical trial in Malawi showed a five-drug combination chemotherapy provided curative benefit for people diagnosed with lymphoma, compared to current standard-of-care-therapy. The treatment was also found to be cost-effective, preventing more than seven disability-adjusted life years at a lower cost per DALY prevented.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 22, 2021

Getting on top of rural Asia's blood pressure

A low-cost hypertension management intervention was shown to be cost-effective and scalable for rural communities in low- and middle-income countries. The study found that scaling up the program could save governments $10.70 per participant treated, with costs decreasing over time.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateMar 29, 2021

Total knee replacement cost effective for patients with osteoarthritis and extreme obesity

A cost-effectiveness analysis found that total knee replacement surgery is a viable option for patients with extreme obesity and end-stage osteoarthritis, offering significant improvements in quality-adjusted life expectancy. The study concluded that TKR leads to substantial benefits in these patients, outweighing potential complications.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 22, 2021

Targeted spraying to prevent malaria in low-transmission setting halves cost of current practice

A recent study published in The Lancet found that targeted indoor residual spraying is a non-inferior and cost-effective approach to preventing malaria in low-transmission settings. By focusing on neighborhoods with recent evidence of transmission, this method reduces the need for widespread spraying and saves significant resources.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 26, 2021

Computer love

A new 'couple simulation' model developed by Dan Conroy-Beam simulates real-life couples to test different models of mate selection. The Resource Allocation Model proved most accurate, correctly matching 45% of the couples, and was found to have higher-quality relationships.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateFeb 12, 2021

The Lancet Public Health: Weekly testing and two-week isolation most cost-effective strategy to control spread of COVID-19 in high transmission areas, US study suggests

A US study published in The Lancet Public Health journal suggests that weekly COVID-19 testing with a two-week isolation period is the most cost-effective strategy to mitigate the spread of the virus in high-transmission areas. Monthly testing and one-week isolation are more cost-effective when transmission rates are low to moderate.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·DateFeb 4, 2021

Do the benefits of Christmas outweigh its harms?

The article highlights various Christmas-related health risks, including arsenic poisoning, injuries from falls and slips, and gastrointestinal problems. The authors argue that while some sources suggest the benefits of Christmas outweigh its harms, they themselves found no strong evidence of widespread adverse effects.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 16, 2020

Spill-over effects show prioritising education of very poorest improves attainment of all

New research from the University of Cambridge shows that targeting the education of the world's poorest children and marginalized girls can significantly improve the attainment of all young people. The study found that interventions like CAMFED's bursaries for disadvantaged girls lead to notable academic improvements, including improve...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Development Effectiveness·DateNov 19, 2020

Targeting 'cost-effective zones' to protect global biodiversity could help balance conservation goals and political priorities

A meta-analysis identified seven countries with high biodiversity risk, including the US, which has a large unprotected area with significant species diversity. Targeting 'cost-effective zones' could help balance conservation goals with economic priorities, potentially expanding protected areas globally.

Does early access to pension funds improve health?

A recent study from Singapore found that early access to pension wealth improves overall health status. The researchers analyzed monthly survey data from 2015 to 2019 and discovered that individuals who accessed their pension funds before age 55 had better self-reported health status afterward.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateJul 8, 2020

Simulating cooperation in local communities

Researchers introduced a new system to improve cooperation among goods and service providers in rural villages, by assigning reputation scores and rewarding responsible welfare usage. The study's findings suggest that the payoff transfer mechanism can optimize public cooperation without significant costs.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 18, 2020

Precision medicine guides choice of better drug therapy in severe heart disease

A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher Nita Limdi and colleagues found that patients with loss-of-function variants who were treated with clopidogrel had elevated risks of heart attacks and death. In contrast, prasugrel or ticagrelor proved to be more effective and cost-effective alternatives for genotype-guided anti...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalThe Pharmacogenomics Journal·DateMay 14, 2020

Cost-effective canopy protects health workers from COVID infection during ventilation

Researchers have designed a cost-effective canopy system to protect healthcare workers from airborne coronavirus infection while delivering non-invasive ventilation. The system, which forms an air chamber covering the upper body, has been tested against international standards and found to minimize risk of infection for medical staff.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateApr 20, 2020