A study by Florida Atlantic University found that robotic pet cats improved mood scores and cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate dementia. The intervention involved 12 visits with the robotic cat, where participants interacted with it and reported positive emotions.
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 ...
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.
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.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed an AI-based tool to improve breast cancer diagnosis and predict recurrence risk. The method divides patients with grade 2 tumours into high-risk and low-risk sub-groups, enabling personalized treatment.
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...
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.
A new study found that non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American adults are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an average age of 46-47 years old, four to seven years earlier than non-Hispanic white adults. Preventive measures such as nutrition counseling and physical-activity programs can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
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.
A UC Riverside-led study finds that venture capital-backed startups organized as corporations pay more taxes than if they were limited liability companies. The study found that switching to an LLC would yield a tax savings of $43.9 billion, equivalent to 4.9% of invested equity.
Researchers developed simple, low-cost legged robots that can link and unlink to accomplish tasks like gap traversal and stair climbing on uneven terrains. The robots use easily acquired off-the-shelf technology and a magnetic connector for docking and cooperative behaviors.
A new process for making RNA has been developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, yielding purer and more abundant RNA at a fraction of the cost. This breakthrough removes the largest stumbling block on the path to next-generation RNA therapeutic drugs.
A new £1.1 million research project will develop personalized rehabilitation programs for people with long Covid, which is estimated to affect at least 10% of those who test positive for Covid-19 in the UK. The project aims to improve outcomes and experiences for this growing patient group while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Simulation models were used to estimate the COVID-19 pandemic control strategy associated with the least health losses and the most cost effectiveness in Victoria, Australia. The study aimed to find the optimal balance between health outcomes and economic costs.
Researchers found that startups using A/B testing are more successful, with improved performance by 30-100% and higher product innovation rates. The study also found that smaller firms without financing can benefit the most from A/B testing, but use it least.
Researchers discovered gastric balloons as a cost-effective and health-improving solution for obesity treatment. The procedure, non-invasively placed in the stomach, shows promise as a substitute or complement to bariatric surgery.
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 ...
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.
A smart microparticle developed by FAU researchers can identify defective components in electrical appliances using light signals. The particles measure component identity and temperature history, allowing for faster and more accurate repairs.
Research found that patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) had twice as long hospital stays and double the total health care costs compared to those receiving standard care. Delivering ECT in outpatient settings may make treatment more cost-effective.
SourcePenn State·JournalAdministration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research·DateJul 14, 2021
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a cost-effective method for detecting new coronavirus variants. The COVseq technology uses multiplex PCR and pooling to sequence thousands of viral genomes per week, making it an affordable solution for global surveillance.
Centrifugal multispinning technique offers safer and cost-effective mass production of high-performance polymer nanofibers. Researchers successfully fabricate face masks with comparable filtration performance to existing KF80 and KF94 masks.
A study of nine uterine transplants from living donors has provided an initial estimate of costs, with total average cost per transplant reported as EUR 74,564. Sick leave accounted for the largest portion of these costs.
A University of Tsukuba study identifies a cost-effective way to promote dietitian-led patient education and lifestyle advice for chronic kidney disease management. By adjusting reimbursements and incentivizing general physicians, the intervention can slow CKD progression and extend patients' lives.
A new dynamic support system for 3D printing reduces waste by 35% and saves time by 40%. The system replaces traditional supports with a programmable surface made of moveable metal pins.
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.
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.
Researchers found that total knee replacement is a cost-effective treatment option for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis and extreme obesity. The procedure leads to substantial increases in quality-adjusted life expectancy for these patients.
Researchers have established a high-efficiency pulse compression method using optical solitons in periodic layered Kerr media, achieving >85% compression efficiency. This method has the potential to widely use ultrafast lasers in physics, chemistry, and biology labs with low cost and flexibility.
Researchers found that several existing suicide risk prediction models are accurate enough to be implemented cost-effectively in clinical practice. The models could help identify individuals at high risk of suicide and offer effective interventions such as active contact and follow-up or cognitive behavioral therapy.
A new study found that vaccinating adults age 26 and older against HPV may not provide significant health benefits, due to high costs and lower vaccine efficacy in older individuals. Cervical cancer screening remains an effective way to protect women from cervical cancer.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that HPV vaccination for men and women over 26 years has limited health benefits and is not cost-effective. The study used two mathematical models to simulate HPV infection and cervical cancer, as well as six non-cervical HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Researchers developed a rapid and cost-effective early warning system using high-throughput analysis of wastewater samples to detect new COVID-19 cases. The system automates most analysis, enabling quick turnaround time and reducing human error.
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.
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.
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.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that a single postcard campaign increased mail-in ballot applications by 0.5 percentage points and boosted mail ballots cast by 0.4 percentage points. The inexpensive postcards, costing less than $1 each, were equally impactful for Black and white registrants.
The SolarEV City concept integrates roof-top PVs with electric vehicles to supply affordable CO2-free electricity, reducing emissions by 54-95% in nine Japanese urban areas. Implementations can meet 53-95% of electricity demands by 2030, with potential cost savings of 26-41%.
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.
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...
Researchers at UIC are studying the burden of tobacco use and developing a smoking cessation program for high-risk populations. The project, Mi Quit CARE, uses patient portals like MyChart to deliver interventions and aims to increase quit rates among low-income communities.
A new study by Penn State researcher David Vanness found a cost-effectiveness threshold of $104,000 per QALY for health treatments. Beyond this point, the treatment may not be beneficial for population health due to increased costs and decreased quality-adjusted life-years.
A modeling study estimates that treatments with ICERs above $100,000 to $150,000 per QALY are unlikely to be considered cost-effective for the US healthcare system. The study suggests that spending less on low-effectiveness treatments could allow more funding for treatments with larger health gains.
A study suggests that a national biennial lung cancer screening program could be cost-effective for Māori in New Zealand. The program aims to reduce population inequities relating to lung cancer among Māori. Early-stage lung cancer can be curable, and screening may help save lives by identifying the disease at an early stage.
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.
A McLean Hospital study found that esketamine is not currently cost-effective due to its high price, but it can be effective for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study suggests that the price of esketamine needs to fall by more than 40% to make it a viable option.
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.
Routine Hepatitis C testing at federally qualified health centers (FQHC) has been shown to improve diagnosis rates and health outcomes for people with HCV infections in the US. This approach is cost-effective compared to targeted testing, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced financial burden.
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.
A machine learning-based analysis of San Francisco Police Department DNA samples found that selective sampling increases DNA match yields by 45.4% while minimizing costs. Processing all samples in a kit doubles positive matches but is only slightly less efficient.
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...
A novel telemedicine-based network has been established to provide remote guidance to over 100 million STEMI patients in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. The program has shown significant benefits, including reduced mortality by 55% and cost savings of $291 million.
A realist synthesis investigated how case management in primary care affects frequent users of healthcare services with chronic conditions. The study found that case management is an effective way to integrate all aspects of care, improving patient outcomes.
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.
A new high-resolution melting analysis-based test (HRM) has been developed to improve the diagnosis of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), a condition affecting approximately five percent of women. The test is accurate, rapid, and cost-effective, offering better value than current genetic testing methods.
Argonne scientists have developed a novel 3D printing method to recycle enriched molybdenum, producing Mo-99 at an unprecedented scale. The new process uses corrosive chemicals, but has been optimized with durable materials like PEEK, enabling efficient and reliable recycling.
A new branded HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF), has been approved but found not to be cost-effective compared to generic formulation F/TDF. The study suggests that the high cost of F/TAF may undermine efforts to expand access to PrEP for the most vulnerable populations.
A UK clinical trial has found an effective intervention to increase hepatitis C testing and treatment in primary care. The HepCATT study increased HCV testing by 59% and treatment assessments by five times in intervention practices compared to control.
Researchers at UTS have developed a method to protect pipelines using polymer blocks, improving safety and reliability in Australia's pipeline network. The proposed solution can save lives and reduce environmental disasters due to content leakage.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a hybrid organic transistor for use in electronic displays and large-area electronics, overcoming production challenges of metal oxide TFTs.