News on the tools and policy that run research. Covers AI research workflows, AI-native researcher tools, climate-policy recommendations, and faster data analysis.
Research reveals suppression of brain area responsible for object recognition by that for face recognition is necessary for 'normal' face recognition. Mathematical simulation shows neural networks between brain areas are essential for 'normal' face recognition, potentially shedding light on disorders like developmental prosopagnosia.
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.
A new study by University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that executives in strong business networks are more likely to overpay their colleagues. The researchers conducted three experiments with 520 students and found that larger networks can lead to a greater tendency for deception.
The Rady Family Foundation has made a historic $100 million commitment to the Rady School, enabling faculty recruitment, student retention, and strategic initiatives. The school has achieved significant success in innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.
A recent study published in PAIN found that combining morphine and nortriptyline provides better pain relief than using either drug alone, with 87% of patients experiencing significant pain reduction. The combination treatment also showed no worsening of common side effects such as constipation and dry mouth.
The University of Texas Medical Branch has developed an online tool to help bedside nurses rapidly access filtered research evidence, presenting information in concise formats. The Disciplined Clinical Inquiry - Evidence-Based Practice Literacy pathway offers a streamlined education on the EBP skillset using online modules.
The ERS and ATS published a statement on the current state and future directions of COPD research, identifying key gaps in knowledge and recommending areas for future investigation. The statement highlights the importance of patient-centered outcomes and the need for high-quality surrogate outcomes to improve COPD diagnosis and treatment.
A case study of New York City's successful public health reforms, led by Mayor Bloomberg's 'top-down' approach and strategic organizational changes, suggests that similar initiatives may work elsewhere. However, a commentary questions the applicability of this approach to other cities.
Most firms in the digital camera sector adopt straightforward competitive pricing for 60% of new products. The choice of strategy depends on market, firm, and brand characteristics. Firms use various dynamic pricing strategies simultaneously over a portfolio of products.
A new study found that pears, rich in phenolics and antioxidants, can support beneficial probiotic bacterial response while controlling stomach-related diseases. The results suggest a pear-enriched diet may provide efficient management options for diet-linked non-communicable diseases.
The article provides ten key criteria for top-level appointments, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations and emotional intelligence. Leading experts recommend establishing a balanced set of job requirements to find successful candidates.
A study by RAND Corporation and American Medical Association found that physician practices need help adapting to new payment models, which can improve quality and reduce costs. The report suggests that operational details of alternative payment models can either support or hinder practices' efforts to improve their processes.
A research team at James Cook University discovered how geckos manage to stay clean in dusty environments by using tiny hair-like spines that trap water droplets and release energy. This process has important implications for human applications, including the development of marine-based electronics and superhydrophobic clothing.
A new UT Arlington study finds that employees who receive electronic correspondence from work after hours become angry more often than not, interfering with their personal lives. The researchers identified two categories of workers: segmentors who separate work and personal life, and integrators who want to stay connected with work.
Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered a new singing cicada species in Italy and southern Switzerland with a four-centimeter wingspan and high-pitched song. The 'Italian Mountain Cicada' has been identified through its distinctive song pattern, which includes slow phrases alternating with fast and rhythmic ones.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named five distinguished scientists and conservationists from Canada, Australia, Russia, and the UK as 2015 recipients of the Pew fellowship in marine conservation. They will conduct research projects addressing key ocean conservation challenges including bycatch reduction and coral reef protection.
A University of Minnesota study reveals that hunger increases intention to acquire nonfood objects, resulting in higher spending. Hungry shoppers opt for 70% more products and spend 64% more money than satiated counterparts.
Researchers found that givers tend to choose more specific, less versatile gift cards when shopping for romantic partners, but recipients prefer more versatile gift cards. This preference can lead to a lower redemption rate of gift cards, as recipients take longer to redeem more specific ones.
Researchers found that communities with stronger social connections were better equipped to manage crises like the megadrought in the Southwest. This finding has implications for modern crisis management research.
A new study by Yao Zhang and colleagues finds that customers with 'clumpiness' - bursts of heavy buying interspersed with little or no buying - provide higher long-term returns to businesses. This pattern of consumption extends the 'hot hand' literature in statistics journals.
Researchers from UC Davis examine how plants adapt to diverse environments, shedding light on the tomato genome's response to stress and its potential applications in crop improvement. They also uncover previously unknown information about the wild and cultivated tomato genomes.
A new study from Monash University and RMIT investigated the application of Lean Six Sigma in a hospital emergency department. The researchers found that introducing these methods can help streamline processes, improve costs, and enhance patient discharge processes.
A study by University of Toronto researchers highlights areas requiring further conservation due to human impact on freshwater resources. The Canadian watershed regions with the most risk from declining biodiversity are prioritized for monitoring and management.
Researchers found that distinct motor memories can be learned with unique follow-throughs, allowing for faster learning of multiple skills. Practising consistent follow-through enables tasks to be learned quickly, while variable follow-through activates multiple motor memories.
A new study by Pranav Jindal reveals that selling extended warranties through independent firms may lower prices, but ultimately harms consumers. Consumers view paying for repairs as a loss, driving them to buy extended warranties, and loss aversion plays a key role in this behavior.
Richard DeBlasio, Sarah Kurtz and Suhuai Wei have been named as new NREL Research Fellows to advise on the strategic direction of science and technology research at the laboratory. They bring extensive expertise in renewable energy, photovoltaics and computational materials science.
According to a study published in JAMA Dermatology, indoor tanning decreased among female US high school students from 25.4% in 2009 to 20.2% in 2013. Frequent indoor tanning was also on the decline, with 10.3% of females engaging in frequent use in 2013. Despite these reductions, indoor tanning remains a common practice among youth.
A new study by IIASA researchers finds that climate change impacts on crop yields could lead to a 18% decline in global caloric production or a 3% increase by 2050. The researchers identified likely needed adaptations and transformations for global agricultural systems, highlighting the importance of irrigation and regional connections.
Researchers used machine learning approaches to build models that can make accurate predictions of player behavior, including passes and shots. The models also identified team formations and could accurately detect and visualize them, enabling teams to be identified based on their style of play.
Lumina Decision Systems' Analytica software helped stakeholders reach near consensus on a 'rigs to reefs' policy option, reducing costs and preserving marine ecosystems. The tool was successful in distilling rhetoric to meaningful discussion of tradeoffs and values.
Research from the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business shows that CEO optimism leads to positive stock price reactions. The study analyzed transcripts of earnings calls and found that managers' natural communication style, particularly their use of positive language, influences market activity.
A new study published in Marketing Science reveals that ads can still convey their main message despite brief and blurred exposure to consumers. The study found that the color of central objects in ads plays a crucial role in rapid perception and 'ad cut through' under these conditions.
A novel risk exposure model helped Ford identify previously unrecognized risk exposures and develop optimal contingency plans. The model assesses the impact of disruptions on a firm's supply chain, enabling informed decision-making.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that employee motivation increases when workers and their supervisors share similar views on the quality of their relationship, even if the relationship is poor. This discovery suggests that being honest about one's feelings can lead to better work engagement and performance.
A new study by Duncan Simester and Juanjuan Zhang suggests that firms should allow their sales people to 'waste' energy on internal negotiations, making the process wasteful on purpose. This approach can increase trust in sales force and is profitable for firms.
The Computational Infrastructure for Operations Research (COIN-OR) initiative was launched by IBM Research in 2000 and has since grown to over 50 projects, supporting hundreds of peer-reviewed research papers. The INFORMS Impact Prize recognizes the program's broad impact on operations research.
A large-scale study has found that higher-scoring GP practices tend to have predominantly higher-scoring doctors. This variation in scores is often masked by the current practice-level scoring system, which may lead to undetected doctor skill gaps.
A pilot program in Kenya gave communities the ability to develop and enforce their own fisheries rules, leading to improved livelihoods for fishermen and a shift towards conservation. Local communities developed mini-marine reserves, reducing ecological losses while increasing community benefits.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new database and algorithm to analyze upstream data, enabling the management of stream health across large landscapes. The system allows for rapid analysis of 2.6 million stream reaches in the contiguous United States, reducing analysis time from weeks to just five hours.
A study by the University at Buffalo School of Management found that startups reap the most benefits from partnering with a small number of established companies, gaining access to resources and markets. However, as more partners are added, internal capability weakens and costs exceed benefits, ultimately turning negative.
A new INFORMS study found that product placement in television programs can reduce audience loss during commercials by up to 10.8%, with coordination between brands and networks leading to increased audience sizes and benefits for advertisers and networks alike.
A study evaluated the rate of physician adherence to American Urological Association's BPH/LUTS guidelines over a five-year period. Provider adherence rates varied from 53% to 92.8%, with low rates for challenging measures like subjective symptom description and physical examination.
Researchers conducted life history interviews with 26 health workers who lived through conflict in Northern Uganda, revealing their resilience and coping mechanisms. The study proposes solutions to protect and motivate health workers during and after crises, including community support, formal promotion, and regular pay.
The Growers Nation app offers information on optimal planting times and connects local growers to share tips. It aims to reduce food insecurity by encouraging diverse crops and adaptation to climate change.
A study published in Current Biology found that individuals with Tourette syndrome have elevated concentrations of GABA in a specific brain region, which may lead to improved motor control. This increase in GABA levels could provide new targets for non-drug therapies, such as brain stimulation, to help manage symptoms.
A University of Miami study found that most charter fishing captains in Florida have a strong conservation ethic towards sharks, with 82% practicing catch and release. However, hammerhead sharks are not suitable for catch-and-release methods and require immediate release to reduce mortality rates
Researchers from University of Eastern Finland propose a new method for measuring cardiorespiratory fitness by scaling maximal oxygen uptake and maximal workload by lean mass. This approach can avoid confounding effects of body adiposity, leading to more accurate assessments of an individual's functional capacity.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research finds that consumers who prioritize ethics make choices based on emotions such as anger, concern, and joy. Ethical consumerism can be fueled by these sentiments to encourage more responsible habits.
By adopting a 'Just-in-Time' training and inventory process, researchers reduced patient wait times by 175 minutes and improved resident preparation, leading to better on-time performance and reduced pressure on clinic faculty.
A collaborative study found that people with higher wildfire risk ratings are less likely to participate in cost-sharing programs. However, the majority of landowners (84%) said they would participate in a cost-share program for removing vegetation on their properties.
Engineers at Harvard University have created an untethered soft robot, measuring over half a meter in length, which can carry up to 7.5 pounds on its back. The robot, designed using composite silicone rubber and Kevlar fabric, has withstood extreme conditions such as snow, water, flames, and being run over by a car.
A new INFORMS study finds that customer experience plays a crucial role in influencing purchase decisions during good economic times. The researchers discovered that customers focus on past experiences and satisfaction levels when the economy is strong, leading to increased revenue gains for firms that improve customer experience.
A survey of over two million people found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in England are more likely to experience poor health and negative interactions with the National Health Service. These individuals were also up to 50% more likely to report dissatisfaction with primary care services.
A literature review found inadequate adherence to infection prevention protocols in emergency departments, with varying rates of compliance. The study highlights the need for more standardized practices and improved surveillance to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
A new INFORMS study analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Israel's Iron Dome system, which saved lives during recent conflicts. The study found that Iron Dome may have prevented around 1778 Israeli casualties in 2012 and 525 in 2014, but its effectiveness is disputed due to imperfect rocket categorization.
A new research study by the University of Adelaide found that adults who were hospitalized for burns as children are at a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The study, which followed up with 272 people who were burned during childhood, found that 42% had suffered some form of mental illness and 30% experienced depression.
A new INFORMS study finds that increased service providers' social preferences may worsen societal outcomes due to customers paying higher prices for assured service. This occurs as profit-maximizing providers mimic uniform pricing strategies, leading to a decrease in served high-cost customers.
A sociology professor presented research on how ex-inmates cope with life after prison, finding that those who successfully transition address internalized anger and use it as motivation to redeem themselves. The study highlights the importance of considering unique stigma faced by this population in reentry efforts.
A study analyzing 8,000+ scientists found that middle-status researchers are more prone to adopting commercial kits and imitating their collaborators' use. This is due to mid-level scientists being sensitive to opportunities and threats to their status.
Inadequately managed allergies result in significant economic costs due to reduced working capacity and absence from work. Effective treatment can reduce these costs by up to 95%, with average annual cost of 125 Euros per patient.