Articles tagged with Decision Making
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers found that the heart influences our sense of time, causing it to stretch or shrink with each heartbeat. The study used electrocardiography to measure heart activity and showed that temporal wrinkles in time perception are synchronized with heartbeats.
A new approach uses crowdsourced data from affected people to estimate earthquake impact within 10-20 minutes, potentially aiding early disaster management. The system analyzes 'felt intensity' reports, providing a basis for quickly assessing the severity of damage.
A new statistical model based on a global database of public reports can identify an earthquake as high- or low-impact within minutes. The researchers used over 1.5 million felt reports from 10,000 earthquakes to develop the model, which was able to provide impact results for 393 global events in 10 minutes.
Researchers seek to develop algorithms providing meaningful explanations for AI decision-making, enabling higher human trust and adoption in fields like science. The project focuses on symbolic reasoning and estimating explanation accuracy, addressing the need for transparent AI systems.
GPT-3 performs nearly on par with humans in decision-making but struggles with causal reasoning and information search. The language model's limitations may be due to its passive information-gathering approach, highlighting the need for active interaction with the world to achieve human-like intelligence.
A new study by Global Strategy Lab at York University found that most targeted COVID-19 border closures were ineffective in slowing the spread of the pandemic and may have been illegal under international law. The study suggests that border closures should only be used as a last resort and with strong caution.
A report by Queensland University of Technology highlights the struggle of international experts who warned about COVID-19 airborne transmission in early 2020. The group's warnings were initially rejected by the World Health Organisation, leading to delays in implementing control measures that could have saved lives.
A new study found that preoperative surgeon intuition is an independent predictor of 30-day postoperative complications, but its predictive power is not as strong as a standardized risk calculator. The study suggests that the information gathered by the calculator is better at predicting outcomes than surgeons' gut feelings.
A University of Copenhagen study examines how data is used in asylum decisions, revealing inconsistencies and discrepancies that can lead to applicants being deemed untrustworthy. The research highlights the opaque nature of the decision-making process and the need for critical evaluation of new data types.
Researchers studied ship tracks, which reflect sunlight and are formed by moving ships, to understand their benefits and risks of slowing climate change. They developed a mathematical model of ship tracks and found them to persist for more than 24 hours, longer than previously documented.
Researchers analyzed two US Army Corps of Engineers flood megaprojects in Rhode Island that emerged simultaneously after hurricane activity around the 1950s. The study found that strong public support and political backing were crucial factors in advancing one project, while the other failed to gain momentum due to environmental concer...
Researchers explore the 'what to sell' question in companies, finding three primary drivers: technology market, firm capabilities, and marketing capabilities. This decision comes before the 'how to sell' question, influencing costs and revenue models.
Men are more likely to interpret uncertain information optimistically and make riskier financial decisions, especially with increasing amounts of available information. Women, on the other hand, show a more cautious approach in uncertain situations, with missing information bothering them more than men.
Researchers found that a 30-minute mid-afternoon nap had the best balance of practicability and benefit, while shorter naps still improved mood, alertness, and memory encoding. The study suggests allocating at least 40 minutes for sleep to fall asleep.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique to improve machine-learning models' reliability without requiring additional data or extensive computing resources. The method uses a simpler companion model to estimate uncertainty, enabling more effective uncertainty quantification.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine has demonstrated altered dopamine signals in the brain's striatum region related to counterfactual information and relief. Dopamine levels were lower in participants with a history of alcohol use disorder, suggesting impaired decision-making processes.
A study published in CANCER found that people's defensive beliefs can prevent them from taking at-home stool tests for colorectal cancer screening. Individuals who reacted defensively were more likely to believe that a healthy lifestyle or regular bowel movements mean they don't need to be screened.
A new method assesses decision importance under uncertainty, suggesting that best decisions still pay off even when success is low. The study applies the method to a stylized greenhouse-gas emission problem, indicating that an early transition to a decarbonized society is rational despite low probability of success.
Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered a reduction in brain function's brake signal contributes to decisions about eating in obese mice. The study found that when this region is disabled, lean mice continue to overeat despite feeling full.
A Rutgers study found that people who know someone who became ill with COVID-19 or died from the disease are twice as likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also found that essential workers and those with better health status were more likely to get vaccinated.
A study published in Science Advances found a direct link between violence and lifetime uncertainty, which is measured as the spread in age at death. The researchers analyzed mortality data for 162 countries and found that the most violent countries have the lowest life expectancy and highest lifetime uncertainty.
A comprehensive review of antidepressant use in chronic pain found that some classes were effective in treating certain conditions, while others showed unclear or unknown benefits. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine demonstrated efficacy for various pain conditions.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new procedure to improve eyewitness lineup accuracy and detect suspect guilt or innocence. The 'rule out' procedure adds confidence questions to standard lineups, allowing witnesses to provide more valuable information about their decision.
Researchers discovered a single protein called Gr8a that plays an inhibitory role in mating decision-making, helping flies avoid inter-breeding with the wrong partner. The findings provide insight into how signal production and perception are tied together, shedding light on pheromone communication.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a new type of artificial neural network that outperforms traditional deep learning architectures. By using tree architecture with single routes to output units, they achieve better classification success rates, paving the way for efficient and biologically-inspired AI hardware.
Researchers are using AI to assess soil datasets and measurements, aiming to build an automated data-driven decision support system for European soils. The goal is to create an effective soil health certification system that can be used by farmers, landowners, and policy makers.
A new study found that most Americans incorrectly believe they know what constitutes normal/healthy blood pressure, yet are overly confident in their understanding of blood pressure readings. This false confidence may undermine intentions to seek care for stage 1 hypertension.
A study by Hannes Wagner finds that governance mechanisms aligning investors' and directors' interests improve environmental performance. The study also shows a positive relation between the appointment of female directors and environmental performance.
A philosopher at the University of Cambridge argues that interfering with others' transformative choices, such as changing careers or having children, can be morally wrong. The study suggests that there is a moral duty to allow others to make these decisions and that interference should be done with caution.
A new study suggests that the format in which graphs are presented may be biasing people into being too optimistic or pessimistic about the trends the graphs display. Researchers found that participants made lower judgements when presented with bar charts instead of line graphs, even when the data was left unshaded.
The Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference in San Francisco will explore the nature of thinking and memory. Highlights include presentations on aging, neurotechnology, and learning.
A new study finds that younger voters prefer older candidates with left-wing policies that align with their social and identity issues. The 'grandfather effect' suggests that millennials and post-millennials are happy to support older leaders, contrary to traditional generational stereotypes.
The American College of Physicians recommends using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or second-generation antidepressants as initial treatment for adults with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. The guideline also suggests considering combination therapy and discussing patient preferences when selecting a treatment.
Primary care physicians and patients expressed concerns about digital detection surveillance of infectious diseases, including ambiguity over consent and potential discrimination. High-quality primary care was associated with reduced hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
French researchers found that human and organizational factors negatively impact clinical decision support system use, whereas technological factors have a neutral effect. Despite benefits, PCPs report decreased efficiency due to increased workload, highlighting the need for developers to address these issues.
A new study finds that online physician rating platforms can help disseminate important quality information to patients and direct them to higher-quality physicians. The research examines the impact of user-generated online ratings on healthcare choices and highlights their positive association with conventional measurements of physici...
Researchers found no correlation between daily mood and confidence markers, but mood-related states and confidence level fluctuated at different time scales. Mood changes occurred faster than confidence level changes.
A recent study by Lancaster University found that coral bleaching events alter the behavior of butterflyfish, making it harder for them to recognize competitor species. This change leads to poorer decision-making, resulting in wasted energy and increased aggression.
A new AI tool developed by Brigham and Women's Hospital improves the accuracy of time-critical pathology diagnostics during surgery. The tool, which leverages deep-learning technology, translates frozen tissue samples into high-quality images, increasing diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for lengthy laboratory tests.
Researchers found that consumers pay more when asked to make payment decisions after receiving the product, especially for high-value offerings. Conversely, lower values are paid when decisions are made before receipt. This timing effect can inform businesses and organizations implementing pay-what-you-want pricing mechanisms.
Researchers created an AI platform called DystoniaBoTXNet that uses brain MRIs to identify patients who will respond to botulinum toxin treatment. The platform achieved a 96.3% accuracy rate in predicting treatment efficacy, offering clinicians a new tool for refining clinical decisions.
The use of 3D-patient tumor avatars (3D-PTAs) is crucial for guiding treatment decisions in precision oncology. These avatars, including patient-derived organoids, 3D bioprinting, and microscale models, can accurately depict a tumor with its microenvironment, enabling the testing and prediction of therapeutic drug efficacy.
The expert panel recommends individualized gender-affirming care, considering unique needs of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. They propose abandoning strict rules, such as hormone therapy initiation prior to surgery, in favor of a more comprehensive approach.
There were significant increases in HPV vaccine administration among commercially insured adults aged 27 to 45 following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' recommendation change in 2019. This trend is attributed to shared decision-making between patients and clinicians.
A global registry for gene-drive modified organisms could facilitate transparent communication, monitor ecological impacts, and inform local decision-making. Experts agree that a registry is necessary for the fair development, testing, and use of gene-drive technologies.
The report highlights that European taxonomic expertise is declining, with nearly half of insect orders not covered by sufficient scientists. The lack of expertise correlates with GDP and is more pronounced in biodiverse countries, posing significant problems for species conservation.
A new study identifies anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a key factor in regulating cholesterol levels during the menopause transition. High AMH levels are associated with lower HDL-C, or good cholesterol, which may indicate cardiovascular risk despite its traditionally protective effects.
A University of Gothenburg study found that eliminating copayments for primary care in Sweden's over-85s population has no significant impact on healthcare utilization. However, delayed visits to non-physician professionals were observed, which resulted in reduced healthcare costs.
A large longitudinal study found that weight-loss surgery significantly reduces urinary incontinence episode frequency in adults with severe obesity. After seven years, improvements persist despite some weight regain, offering a durable benefit to patients.
A nationwide retrospective study showed that adjuvant chemotherapy after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery significantly improved overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, regardless of lymph node status or resection margins. The study included nearly 900 patients and was published in JAMA Oncology.
Researchers found that consumers are 25% less likely to purchase low-availability items when told supply is low, resulting in a 5.3% increase in revenue per customer. Online retailers can benefit from this strategy by managing customers' expectations and improving decision-making.
A study by researchers at the University of Zurich found that people are reluctant to harm others and upend existing social hierarchies when considering distributive justice. The participants were more willing to reduce inequality but maintained the existing hierarchy, suggesting a complex interplay between conflicting motives.
A study of over 1,000 healthcare workers found that medical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 infection. However, the results varied across countries and were influenced by factors such as vaccine use and variant circulating during the pandemic.
A University of California San Diego study found that both Democrats and Republicans would rather take away funding from their party than give money to the other party. This preference was also seen in gun rights and reproductive rights issues, with participants willing to hurt their own cause over supporting an opposing side. The stud...
Researchers found that football crowds can manipulate professional referees to award more red and yellow cards to away players. However, recent studies suggest that Premier League referees are less susceptible to these influences, indicating a narrowing of the gap between home and away yellow cards.
Chung-Ang University researchers propose a new algorithm, MR-UCB and MR-APE, to tackle stochastic multi-armed bandit problems with heavy-tailed noise distributions. The methods guarantee minimal loss for worst-case scenarios with minimal prior information.
Chugh argues that AI risk assessments raise concerns about human biases and the absence of individualized decision-making in the judiciary. She advocates for more research on AI's role in the court system, prioritizing community-driven and individualized processes.
A game-theory-based approach explains the emergence of moral norms through the coupling of two games: social dilemma and coordination tasks. Cooperation can pay off when individuals prioritize group benefits over personal interests, leading to a self-sacrificing behavior that benefits all parties.
Women entrepreneurs tend to be more flexible and resourceful in their decision-making, leading to greater business success. This study found that women are more likely to use 'effectual logic,' which involves creatively using available resources to achieve success.
A new study reveals that middle-aged adults faced higher mortality rates during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the first year. The researchers attribute this shift to various factors, including the delta variant's impact on younger age groups and decreased preventive care.