News on the tools and policy that run research. Covers AI research workflows, AI-native researcher tools, climate-policy recommendations, and faster data analysis.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that modifiable health risks like obesity, stress, and smoking cost companies billions in healthcare costs. The study suggests that workplace wellness programs can help reduce these costs by promoting healthier behaviors.
A systematic review found that many health professionals have limited knowledge of FGM/C, its types, complications, and laws. Despite its illegality in many countries, the medicalization of FGM/C perpetuates this practice.
Researchers at UTA are working with North Central Texas Council of Governments to determine the optimal toll price for managed lanes. They will use survey data and video traffic volume data to make recommendations about toll charges that encourage efficient use without increasing congestion, enabling speed of at least 50 mph.
A study by University of Bath researchers found that reducing the minimum trading unit from one share to one share increased retail trader participation and reduced transaction costs. The change led to a substantial improvement in market quality, with a 10.2% decrease in bid-ask spread on average.
A new special volume compiles research on tephritid fruit flies, a major agricultural pest worldwide. The study resolves species boundaries using multiple lines of evidence, improving the application of biologically-based pest control methods for international horticultural trade.
Researchers develop algorithm to identify and block falsified feedback, ensuring ecommerce trust management systems' integrity. The algorithm uses a clustering approach to group similar ratings together and determine the credibility of individual ratings.
A new study found that automatic income entry on tax returns reduces cheating, but passive responses promote dishonesty. The researchers suggest using default options in tax preparation software to encourage honest compliance.
University of Toronto Rotman School professor András Tilcsik won the Financial Times/McKinsey Award for Young Business Writers for his book proposal on managing catastrophic failure risk. The proposal, 'Rethinking the Unthinkable,' aims to help managers rethink existing organizational practices and build more robust systems.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of data on S\¼P 1,500 firms and found that a firm's efforts to promote gender diversity in management may need to redouble once initial progress is made. This could result in women remaining an isolated minority in top management.
More than half of public datasets provided with scientific papers are found to be incomplete, hindering reproducibility tests and follow-up studies. Simple errors made by researchers can compromise the process of making research data publicly available.
Researchers tested intensive multifaceted interventions to reduce Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing (PIP) in older patients, finding significant reductions in PIP. A systematic review also found transitional care interventions for congestive heart failure patients reduced readmission and emergency department visits. Additionally, m...
A comprehensive assessment of hop pests and their natural enemies has been published to help northeastern hop farmers manage insect pests. The study found that natural enemy populations can control economically damaging pests like twospotted spider mites and hop aphids without the need for insecticides.
Researchers created a machine learning framework that predicts vaccine efficacy on an individual basis using genetic signatures. The framework demonstrated high accuracy in predicting yellow fever and flu vaccine responses.
A new study suggests that strategic directional fencing and/or corridors can be a viable solution for lion conservation by maintaining protected areas and directing lions to suitable habitats. The research highlights the critical role of landscape connectivity in the survival of African lions.
Researchers found dynamic ads are more attention-grabbing than static ads, but it's not just about attention. Ads with kinetic property influence consumer perceptions of product innovation in products with small improvements, like tablets and smartphones. This effect is strongest in fast-changing industries.
A study published in Marketing Science finds that increasing cigarette taxes can lead to a shift towards higher nicotine products, potentially increasing addiction levels. The study also suggests that this unintended consequence is more likely to occur in poorer neighborhoods.
New research reveals that comets could have created Europa's chaos terrain, while a study identifies areas vulnerable to global ocean acidification. Meanwhile, contaminated sediments pose a challenge in restoring rivers to their free-flowing state.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas found that matching levels of racial diversity between store employees and surrounding communities leads to improved sales performance. The research merged opposing views on diversity in the workplace, suggesting that both social identity theory and the information-based perspective ca...
Researchers at Washington State University found that consumers are skeptical of hotels' green initiatives when they perceive self-serving motives, but still participate in eco-friendly practices. Hotels can establish credibility by becoming certified by independent agencies and communicating their green programs to customers.
A study by the University of Eastern Finland found that active senior travelers can be divided into three groups: Adventurous Experimenters, Meticulous Researchers, and Fumbling Observers. The use of technology is closely linked to travel behavior, and each group has unique preferences for destination choice and information technology ...
A field experiment with over 30,000 customers found that multichannel shopping generates higher profits for companies compared to single-channel purchases. The study identified a key marketing campaign that induces customers to use multiple channels without relying on financial incentives.
A new study has revealed that a certain gene can amplify the psychological impact of life events, with some people experiencing severe depressive symptoms if they have a history of child abuse. However, the same genotype may also lead to happiness in others without such a history.
A study of early-stage supermarket adoption in India finds that the lower middle class is driving growth and will drive demand for modern grocery retail. Supermarkets are more popular among upper and middle-middle classes, while mom-and-pop 'kirana' stores appeal to lower-income shoppers who value credit and home delivery services.
The study found that recognizing opportunities, creating a clear narrative team, and using emotionally impactful photographs are key elements of success. By leveraging cultural entrepreneurship and visuals, environmental movements can gain legitimacy and inspire action among followers.
A study published in BMJ Open found that working 12+ hour shifts is associated with greater levels of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave among hospital nurses. The findings ran counter to the perceived value of longer shifts, which are increasingly common practice in many countries.
A study by Shireen Kanji and Emma Cahusac found that mothers who leave work to raise children experience an ongoing struggle to redefine their identities, leading to a sense of loss and disjuncture between their professional and personal selves.
A study published in INFORMS' Management Science found that buying from friends increases ecommerce purchases by 60%, regardless of the friend's influence status. The researchers also discovered that users with fewer friends experience stronger relative increases in adoption rates.
Counterfeiting in the fashion industry can lead to improved quality, aesthetics, and affordability for consumers. Brands react by investing in superior materials and designs to differentiate themselves from counterfeit products.
Researchers found a significant increase in helium-3 to helium-4 ratio at the hot spring closest to the volcano prior to the 2014 eruption. This suggests that helium anomalies are associated with phreatic eruptions, potentially offering valuable insights for long-term risk management and disaster mitigation.
Australian and Chinese researchers have made significant progress in determining the causes of soil acidification. By examining a massive transect of land in China, they found different drivers of soil acidification processes in various types of soils.
A study on local salespeople's pricing discretion reveals that central, optimized pricing yields higher profits (20%) than local pricing (11%), improving overall profitability. The hybrid approach balances HQ analytic capabilities with field deal-specific information.
Researchers found that patients with methylmalonic acidemia received more leucine than recommended, leading to growth and brain development problems. Reducing medical food intake resolved amino acid deficiencies without increasing protein intake.
Researchers at UNR are developing software to connect autonomous vehicles with NASA's traffic management system for safe low-altitude operations. The University is part of the first phase of the NASA UTM project to enable safer drone delivery and humanitarian applications.
A new INFORMS study reveals that responding to customer complaints on Twitter can actually trigger more complaints, improving the initial customer relationship but increasing expectations and complaint propensity.
A review highlights the importance of an integrated pest management approach for dealing with bed bugs in multi-family housing. This approach combines chemical and nonchemical control options to effectively eliminate infestations and prevent reinfestation.
Researchers have developed a clear-cut definition for self-regulation, a crucial psychological concept. By mapping its various meanings and interrelated ideas, the study provides an easy-to-navigate framework for parents, teachers, and educators to better understand and support children's development.
A new study suggests that the NCAA's lack of regulation on full-contact practices comes at a 'high' cost to college players. Researchers found that subconcussive head impacts increased with padding levels, emphasizing the need for changes to reduce head injuries.
A recent study by MIT researchers found that most languages tend to minimize dependency length (DLM) in practice, preferring words related to each other to be close together. This tendency is associated with simpler language use and reduced cognitive load for speakers, listeners, and readers.
A new study suggests that warmer air and reduced sea ice in the Arctic may lead to lower levels of toxic methylmercury in fish and humans. The EarthQuiz challenge allows users to explore virtual field locations with interactive imagery and puzzles.
New research evaluates a restaurant scorecard for healthy dining, identifying 100 actions to promote healthier eating behaviors. The study found that the scorecards can reliably rate a restaurant's effectiveness in helping diners make healthy choices.
A new INFORMS marketing science study reveals that peer influence among physicians can impact both trial and repeat prescription behavior for risky new prescription drugs. Physicians who are central in the social network or have middle status influence repeat prescriptions more effectively.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas finds that organizations should invest in three key resources to protect their information: security technologies, qualified personnel, and security awareness. The researchers surveyed 241 organizations and identified coercive and normative pressures as drivers of investment in securit...
A study by WSU researchers found that an online program can help people with chronic non-cancer pain manage their symptoms and reduce opioid use. Participants who used the program reported increased confidence and positive thinking, and made progress towards reducing or eliminating pain.
The GP's advisory role in the new Fit for Work scheme aims to provide additional support for those at risk of long-term incapacity. GPs can help patients weigh up pros and cons of returning to work, reducing negative consequences.
A new INFORMS journal study provides more predictable ways to manage arrival traffic at airports with adverse weather. The research reveals that knowing early about late flights reduces the cost of Ground Delay Programs (GDPs) for flight operators, with a 13% reduction in delays observed.
A new INFORMS journal study reveals that strong advertising and Research and Development can help protect firms from bankruptcy during unstable market conditions. The study found that brands are more effective at protecting firms when the market is stable, while patents are more effective in turbulent markets.
A study published in The Lancet found that readmission to the same hospital after surgery is associated with improved survival rates. Patients who underwent a range of common operations fared better when treated by the same surgical team and returned to their original hospital for post-operative management.
A study published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology found that men who engage in small talk before negotiations tend to receive more favorable outcomes. In contrast, women who make small talk are perceived less favorably and do not experience the same benefits.
Researchers found that American employees who experienced a sudden boost in status due to a language mandate felt mixed emotions, including happiness and fear. They knew their status was not tied to their performance or achievement, leading to feelings of instability and lack of control. This study highlights the complex nature of stat...
Harvard researchers argue that mobile devices could revolutionize healthcare by linking app data to electronic health records. This integration could reduce costs and advance precision medicine, but current electronic health record systems lack standardized interfaces for accessing genomic data.
A study by Penn State researchers found that many of America's most admired companies have room for social media improvement, with some lacking basic accounts and others struggling to create engaging content. Companies in the consumer packaged goods industry excelled in this area, while those in healthcare struggled.
A new algorithm developed by Microsoft researchers has improved route planning capabilities for Bing Maps, providing faster processing and more accurate information on lengthy trips. The Customizable Route Planning (CRP) engine also offers more reliable alternate routes and better estimates of time needed for turns and traffic snarls.
A new study published in INFORMS journal refutes conventional wisdom that distracted viewers are less receptive to advertisers' messages. Multitasking viewers visit, browse, and buy advertised products within moments of seeing a commercial.
The presence of conservation research projects limits chimpanzee and gorilla poaching, while community involvement boosts the value of apes and forests to local people. This study highlights the effectiveness of small-scale conservation efforts in protecting wildlife.
A new computer program simulates ocean conditions, sea scallop population dynamics, and economic impacts on the fishery, providing a tool for informed discussion among stakeholders. The model predicts potential declines in sea scallop harvests over several decades if current carbon dioxide emissions continue.
A study of equal billing plans found that customers prefer to pay a little more each month to ensure a refund at the end of the term. This irrational attitude leads to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction. Companies can benefit from this by setting up their equal billing plans to issue refunds at the end of the term.
A new psychological technique called Motivational Interviewing has been shown to help smokers change their behavior and see tobacco as unpleasant. This technique, which takes just 20 minutes, increases self-efficiency and reduces resistance, allowing smokers to overcome motivation barriers.
A new USGS study tracked 19 wild-caught Burmese pythons to reveal their home range and habitat use patterns. The research found that pythons share common areas within the park, which may be optimal locations for control efforts, and provides insights into the snakes' movement patterns during wet and dry seasons.
A new study found that groundcover management systems can improve soil organic matter and reduce bulk density in organically managed apple orchards. The research suggests that using green compost or commercial fertilizer with these systems can increase plant-available water and meet National Organic Program goals.
The Centre for Operations Excellence at UBC Sauder School wins the prestigious UPS George D. Smith Prize for its effective and innovative preparation of students in operations research practice. The prize aims to emphasize the importance of operations research practice and encourage programs worldwide to focus on preparing students.