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Muscaris grapes: molecular secret of lychee note revealed

A team of researchers has successfully identified the odorants responsible for Muscaris grapes' characteristic lychee note, shedding light on its molecular secret. The study's findings provide a scientific basis for breeding innovative grape varieties with distinctive fruity aromas.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2024

WVU research shows government regulation of jobs hinders workers and consumers

West Virginia University researchers introduced a new database showing occupational licensing's impact on the workforce, highlighting how licenses increase cost and time to enter professions, affecting consumers. The database encompasses 50 jobs across all 50 states, providing insights into licensing standards, fees, and requirements.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy·DateMar 4, 2024

The West is best to spot UFOs

A new study analyzed 98,000 UAP sighting reports over a 20-year period, finding that the majority occurred in western parts of the US. The researchers identified 'hot spots' with high numbers of reports and 'cold spots' with low numbers.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2024

Helping patients with low income overcome eating disorders

A new study suggests that individuals with low income are frequently misdiagnosed and lack access to effective treatment for eating disorders. Researchers offer guidelines for therapists to make accommodations for these patients, including providing government or local food resources and engaging with local food banks.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalThe Cognitive Behaviour Therapist·DateFeb 20, 2024

Sahmyook University researcher proposes more equitable subway stations for the elderly and mobility handicapped

A recent study suggests that more investments are needed to ensure equitable subway facilities, with 27 out of 257 stations scoring 1.00, mostly medium-sized stations. The researchers recommend allocating transport facilities based on each station's needs to enhance accessibility for the elderly and mobility handicapped.

SourceSahmyook University·JournalJournal of Public Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2024

New tool helps gauge trust in government

A new tool from University of Waterloo researchers measures citizens' trust in government and can inform the design and communication of public health initiatives. The tool was validated by surveying participants from diverse communities, finding that low trust in government is linked to conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBMC Public Health·DateDec 13, 2023

Nail salon and other small beauty service workers face significant daily health challenges

Asian female immigrants working in the US beauty service industry face numerous workplace health challenges. Researchers suggest that outreach and education at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels can address these issues, including cultural competency, better wages, training, and paid time off.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·DateOct 19, 2023

Chinese government’s corporate subsidies have had little effect on firms’ productivity

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University and ShanghaiTech University found that China's government subsidies have had limited effect on promoting firms' productivity. The study analyzed firm-level data from 2007 to 2018 and found that subsidies often flowed to less productive firms, leading to a decline in their relative productivity.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Comparative Economics·DateOct 10, 2023

MU researchers study barriers and facilitators to accessing health care in rural Missouri

A recent MU study found that health and healthcare organizations are increasingly offering basic social services, such as transportation, housing, food, and mental health support, to address disparities in health outcomes. The research team explored innovative solutions implemented by care coordinators and social services to help overc...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProfessional Case Management·TypeSurvey·DateAug 28, 2023

Institutions with strong engineering operations are more efficient in producing patents, researchers find

Researchers created a database linking utility patents and NIH funding to assess translational efficiency. The Translational Ratio metric provides insights into patenting efficiency and its impact on drug innovation and treatment development. Institutions with strong engineering operations tend to be more successful in producing patents.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 14, 2023

New research shines light on how COVID-19 vaccination reduces severity and mortality after breakthrough infections

A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateAug 7, 2023

A new technique offers improved diagnostic precision and a route to personalized therapy for a common arrhythmia that affects more than 10 million people in Europe

A new diagnostic method assesses electrical and mechanical activity in the heart during atrial fibrillation, providing personalized assessment of atrial remodeling. This can help predict disease progression and guide treatment.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2023

Illegal shooting kills most birds found dead near power lines

A recent study reveals that illegal bird shootings are now the leading cause of death for birds found dead near power lines in the western United States. Researchers analyzed 410 carcasses collected over four years and found that 66% died from being shot, surpassing electrocution as a leading cause.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2023

Walking the moral tightrope:

Career civil servants sought to comply with Trump administration, but faced toxic leadership and limited room for dissent. They searched for ways to uphold multiple commitments while avoiding risk of retribution or violating professional norms.

SourceHamilton College·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 18, 2023

Developer dollars not enough to save species

Research found that financial payments by developers to compensate for environmental consequences are insufficient to achieve intended outcomes. Only 0.7 of 13.4 hectares of impacts on koala habitat have been offset through financial payments since 2018, raising concerns about the future of this endangered species.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPeople and Nature·DateJul 9, 2023

Which state is the best in the world?

The Stateness Index, developed by Theresa Paola Stawski, assesses a country's functionality based on factors like law enforcement, administration, and provision of essential services. According to the index, Germany ranks as one of the world's best-performing states, with Singapore taking the top spot.

How government guarantees give banking customers peace of mind and keep banks open

A new study from the University of Missouri found that government guarantees decrease the frequency of 'income smoothing' in financial reports. This practice, where banks delay reporting high income to smooth out volatility, is a form of manipulation that can impact market stability and investor confidence.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Financial Services Research·TypeObservational study·DateMay 16, 2023