Articles tagged with Government Research
A new report highlights the complex and confusing nature of Universal Credit's monthly payment calculation, which can result in claimants not receiving the full value of the £20 weekly uplift. The research also reveals poor communication from the government to claimants about the increase and its temporary nature.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that agencies can extract more rent from a winning bidder when negotiating contract terms, reducing the benefits of drawing additional bidders. The study suggests allowing agencies some discretion to use their knowledge of the supply side can reduce procurement costs.
Research reveals that US government agencies award contracts to companies with ties to the President's party, especially in battleground states. This politicization of procurement can lead to non-competitive bidding and favoritism towards certain companies.
Despite increased unemployment, Canada's suicide rates dropped between March 2020 and February 2021, according to a study. The Canadian government's economic support measures, including financial assistance and reduced mortgage payments, are believed to have contributed to this decrease in suicide rates.
Researchers analyzed genome sequences and mobile phone data to track Covid-19 spread in Bangladesh. A three-day window between lockdown announcements and enforcement led to increased infections as citizens traveled to other areas.
The conference, INGSA2021, aims to strengthen global coordination in science advice and promote open science. Key findings include the importance of digital technologies and AI in reshaping the profession and the need for partnerships to drive economic and social development.
The new MDS-Rely Center aims to produce breakthrough research that benefits the US economy by linking industry innovators, government agency labs, and academic teams. The center will help prepare skilled workers and provide employment opportunities for students and graduates.
A recent study suggests that personal carbon allowances (PCAs) may be a feasible solution to reduce emissions and promote sustainable lifestyles. The researchers propose a market-based approach to provide individuals with incentives and options to link their actions with global carbon reduction goals.
A large-scale surveillance study in Madurai, India, found that comorbidities are a significant predictor of positive RT-PCR testing. The study also revealed an equal risk of asymptomatic infection among children, teenagers, and working-age adults, highlighting the importance of non-communicable disease control in COVID-19 containment s...
School leaders faced overwhelming and disorganized government guidance during the first months of COVID lockdown, with 201 policy updates released in just 90 days. The study highlights the need for simple fixes to improve communication and implementation of policies.
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.
Researchers found no significant statistical or economic difference in yield or revenue between discriminatory and uniform auctions. The study suggests that Treasuries worldwide can shift focus away from auction rules towards market stability and primary dealer systems.
Cannabis legalization would reduce arrests and address disparities, but also pose challenges to social equity efforts. Expunging convictions for BIPOC individuals could benefit hundreds of thousands, while promoting equity in the cannabis industry might help a few dozen.
A Yale University study found that direct deposit of wages into female-owned bank accounts increased labor force participation and earnings among Indian women. The intervention also liberalized their personal beliefs about working women, reducing social stigma associated with working outside the home.
Africa's largest human genetic diversity makes it crucial for understanding neurological disorders, yet research output is heavily influenced by external funding sources. The study highlights the need for greater domestic funding to support sustainable African neuroscience research and combat brain drain.
A third of children and adolescents experience mental health problems after a concussion, which can persist for several years post-injury. The review emphasizes the importance of evaluating mental health as part of standard pediatric concussion assessment and management.
A recent study found that Flint adults suffered a range of adverse physical and mental health symptoms, including skin rashes, hair loss, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, linked to the water crisis. Black residents were particularly affected, with higher rates of reported symptoms.
A new study reveals that researchers produced more than 87,000 scientific papers about coronavirus between January and October 2020. The vast majority of these studies were conducted by scientists from China and the United States, which initially dominated coronavirus research due to government funding and institutional partnerships.
Research finds smaller earthquakes (magnitude 5.5 and below) are the main source of strong shaking at a 60-kilometer distance. These 'little earthquakes with ambition' produce more shaking than expected, often causing significant damage.
Research suggests that volunteers who also receive government aid are often judged negatively for not using their time to find paid employment. Aid recipients are scrutinized more than working individuals, with biases towards believing they should prioritize job-seeking over volunteering and personal activities.
Researchers are creating a data platform called NORPP Manager to provide public access to large-N organizational data on the nonprofit sector. The platform will fill significant data voids and enable social scientists to conduct large-scale, representative studies.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed new materials by combining nanocellulose with metal nanoparticles, resulting in antibacterial properties, color-changing abilities, and the ability to generate heat. The materials can be used for various applications, including sensors and energy-based uses.
Peter Pachowicz leads a project to combine space, air, terrestrial and maritime data to tackle key challenges in Virginia. The initiative, funded by $10,000 from MITRE, aims to establish a foundation for future collaborations.
Researchers found that crowdsourced information gathered from mobile apps like Yelp can provide a more accurate real-time representation of food deserts in impoverished communities. The study suggests that the methods used by the USDA to identify areas with low access to healthy food are often outdated and narrow in scope.
An ultra-sensitive sensor has been developed to detect the nuclear decay of heavy neutrinos, which could explain the cosmic asymmetry between matter and antimatter. The researchers used a new fluorescent molecule to capture the barium ion produced in the process, providing a clear signal.
A new study at Brighton and Sussex Medical School found that people make irrational trust decisions precisely when online health information includes both 'shouting' and spelling mistakes. The results show an additive effect, making the combination of errors the most concerning for credibility. Experts emphasize the importance of under...
The Rosalind Franklin Institute has committed to developing a new detector for low-energy cryoEM, enabling atomic-scale images of biological samples. The goal is to make cryoEM more accessible and affordable, allowing for faster scientific progress in medical research and drug development.
A recent study from Cornell University found that even brief periods of solitary confinement significantly increase an inmate's risk of death after release. The research analyzed nearly 14,000 former inmates and discovered a 60% higher mortality rate among those who experienced solitary confinement, primarily due to non-natural causes.
A new study by University of Birmingham researchers found that government integrity is directly related to corporate governance choices made by business leaders. The study suggests that a culture of honesty and strong leadership can help eliminate corrupt business practices.
Research from the University of Sheffield's School of Health and Related Research found nearly 2000 more alcohol-related deaths in England since 2012 due to government cuts. The study modeled the impact of changes to alcohol duty policy, resulting in a one percent rise in alcohol consumption leading to additional deaths.
MIT researchers analyzed 380,000 government service requests to find a way for cities to preserve citizen privacy while improving efficiency. They identified model cities that maximized both privacy and efficiency, suggesting similar methodologies for worldwide evaluation of government services.
Participants emphasize the need for strengthened quality control, transparent reporting, and open science. The Rule of Five for funding agencies is proposed to prioritize quality over quantity.
Experts Eric Topol and Kai-Fu Li argue that international collaboration outweighs confrontation in the development of artificial intelligence for healthcare. They critique the forced divestiture of iCarbonX as misguided and highlight the need for access to clinical data to compete in AI health.
A survey conducted in Spain found that people who believe their moral opinions are objectively correct tend to discriminate more against those with different political sympathies. The study also reveals a disconnect between how we perceive our disagreements with opponents, which may contribute to alleviating tension.
A leading Turkish historian has analyzed signature analysis on letters from the Ottoman Archives, confirming Bahaettin Shakir's involvement in the genocide. Documents show initial decisions to exterminate Armenians were made by provincial governors in 1914.
Candace Walkington, associate professor at Southern Methodist University, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for her groundbreaking research on personalizing mathematics instruction. Her work aims to connect abstract mathematical concepts to students' everyday experiences, improving understanding ...
The Georgia Child and Family Policy Lab will improve lifelong well-being for Georgia's children and families by evaluating programs, creating early warning systems, and increasing research capacity. The lab will integrate disparate data sources to examine the impact of social support programs and prevent negative child outcomes.
A new study from Binghamton University reveals that countries with more memberships to international organizations experience a decline in the quality of their government. This is true regardless of whether they are influential or less powerful organizations.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers highlights the challenges of designing products that balance durability and recyclability. While some products, like automobiles, can achieve both goals, many others face trade-offs between increasing device life span and reducing electronic waste. The study's findings suggest ...
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researcher Costanza Biavaschi finds that highly educated migrants are more likely to emigrate, contributing positively to their new countries' welfare. The research also reveals that OECD countries benefit from migration, while most sending countries lose.
A study of US cleantech startups found that patenting activity increases by over 73% when collaborating with government agencies on 'cleantech' development. Additionally, licensed technologies developed by government agencies led to more than double the amount of financing deals secured by startups.
Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute demonstrate a new way to distinguish between quantum scrambling and true information loss using a small quantum computer. They achieved an accuracy of 80% in correctly diagnosing scrambling with seven atomic ions.
A study by the University of Exeter found that people are 25% more likely to give more to charity if they make a commitment before receiving an unexpected cash windfall. Participants who were asked to donate before learning about their lottery win were also 23% more generous.
A study by Mariano Torcal found that Spanish citizens' trust in EU institutions is influenced by their distrust of national institutions, economic situation, and perception of corruption. The study suggests a dynamic relationship between national policy and trust in EU institutions.
A new analysis by University of Maryland professor Ben Shneiderman reveals that research papers with multiple coauthors receive significantly more citations. The study found that university-corporate collaborations produce breakthrough research with substantial impact. Researchers and universities recognize the power and benefits of pa...
A new study by USC and other universities finds that increasing fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles will bring about significant economic benefits, including $112 billion in estimated savings. The research contradicts the Trump administration's claim that such rules would lead to too many highway deaths.
Three Alberta startups, GlyCa BioSciences, PanTHERA CryoSolutions, and 48Hour Discovery Inc., received grants from GlycoNet worth $90,000. The funding supports patent protection and licensing activities to drive commercialization of glyco-based technologies.
Researchers used official government records to estimate a higher death toll from Hurricane Maria, with approximately 1,139 deaths surpassing the official count of 64. The study aimed to inform future weather disaster preparedness and response.
A new study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization found that corruption is lower in countries where a greater share of parliamentarians are women. The likelihood of having to bribe is also lower in regions with a greater representation of women in local-level politics.
Recipients of government aid in rural Indonesia receive 26% more subsidized rice after receiving simple information cards with program details. The study found that tangible information provides bargaining power, allowing villagers to negotiate better outcomes.
Kristin O'Donovan's NSF-funded project examines how local governments learn from disaster experiences and the limits of policy change, shedding light on vulnerability differences between communities.
Alán Aspuru-Guzik, a world-leading researcher in theoretical and computational chemistry, joins the University of Toronto as a Canada 150 Research Chair. He aims to disrupt chemistry through computer science and robotics, with a focus on bio-inspired solar energy.
Researchers estimate that beehive coke oven emissions are responsible for more than 9,000 lung cancer cases in China. The study suggests that banning BCOs led to a significant decrease in cancer cases, with an estimated 1,500 fewer cases if the ban had been implemented immediately.
The UK is investing £16 million in 15 new healthcare technology projects to tackle international health challenges, including malaria and poor antenatal care. The projects aim to develop affordable imaging and diagnostics tools and prosthetics for low-income countries.
Researchers found that almost 500 roads were listed as completed but never built, linked to local politicians steering contracts to favored businesses in their social networks. The study suggests giving local politicians no formal role in road-building may exacerbate corruption.
A study published in The Economic Journal found that default choices significantly impacted subscription cancellations, with 99.8% of consumers opting out when the option was clear, but only 36.4% when action was required. Lower socioeconomic groups were less likely to actively cancel subscriptions.
A new statistical method, ADGN, matches multiple records with precision and identifies the scope of discrimination when applied to voter ID laws. The research found that white registered voters are significantly more likely to possess a voter ID than African-American or Hispanic voters.
András Tilcsik, a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, has been awarded a Canada Research Chair to investigate biases in organizational processes and policies for hiring. His research will provide evidence and information to help build more diverse and equitable workplaces.
A North Carolina State University-led study found that six imperatives facilitate collaboration in novel partnerships between government, academia, and industry. These include mutual benefit, trust, common understanding, access and agility, incentives, and mission criticality.
State crime researchers reveal Uzbek government helped solicit bribes from telecommunications firms owned by Western interests, with assets totaling over $850 million currently under US forfeiture proceedings. The report details how foreign corporations and banks were implicated in a racketeering scheme led by political heiress Gulnara...