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Is brain learning weaker than artificial Intelligence?

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.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 30, 2023

Artificial intelligence for soil health

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.

New study suggests that when forecasting trends, reading a bar chart versus a line graph biases our judgement.

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.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalInternational Journal of Forecasting·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2023

Despite benefits, use of clinical decision support systems is curbed by workload challenges

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 23, 2023

American College of Physicians recommends cognitive behavioral therapy or second-generation antidepressants for adults with major depressive disorder

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 23, 2023

Finding the right doctor: can online rating platforms direct patients to higher-quality physicians?

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...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJan 18, 2023

Artificial intelligence tool developed to help make real-time diagnoses during surgery

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.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeObservational study·DateDec 23, 2022

3D-patient tumor avatars: Maximizing their potential for next-generation precision oncology

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.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCancer Cell·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 20, 2022

This hormone may be the missing ingredient to heart-healthy cholesterol levels for menopausal women

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Clinical Lipidology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2022

Largest study of its kind reveals adjuvant chemotherapy improves overall survival for pancreatic cancer 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.

Conflicting motives govern sense of fairness

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.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022

Stock running low? Consumers want to know

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.

SourceBoston College·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 5, 2022

In some settings, medical masks may offer similar effectiveness to N95 respirators for preventing COVID-19 infection among health care workers

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 28, 2022

Americans would rather harm their own political cause than help an opposing one

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...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 28, 2022

Chung-Ang University researchers develop algorithm for optimal decision making under heavy-tailed noisy rewards

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.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 22, 2022

Moral behavior pays off

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2022

Corporate duty waivers limit organic company growth and innovation, with R&D investment falling by nearly one fifth

A new study co-authored by Bayes Business School found that larger public companies suffer from loss of innovation and lower share price value when managers are permitted to take decisions in their own self-interest. The study examined the effects of waiving fiduciary duties on R&D investment, finding a significant decline.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2022

Just like humans, more intelligent jays have greater self-control

A study found that Eurasian jays with greater self-control can pass a version of the 'marshmallow test' and score higher on intelligence tests. The researchers believe that this self-control may have evolved as a result of the birds' need to delay gratification in order to plan for future meals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2022

AATS announces the publication an Expert Consensus Documents (ECD) in the January issue of JTCVS on “The Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Lung Transplantation”

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery published an Expert Consensus Document recommending use of mechanical circulatory support before, during, and after lung transplantation. The guidelines include recommendations for veno-venous ECMO and central veno-arterial ECMO.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 26, 2022

HSE University researchers caused people to behave less rationally by suppressing activity in specific parts of the brain

Researchers at HSE University used transcranial magnetic stimulation to suppress brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, leading to test subjects making less rational decisions. The study provides insight into the mechanisms behind gaming addiction and offers a potential new approach to understanding risky choice.

Climate change will affect the way all businesses operate. Now a US regulator wants companies to tell their shareholders exactly how

The proposed SEC rule would require all US publicly traded companies to report their climate-related financial risks, including transition risk and liability risks. This disclosure is crucial for the stability of the financial system, as seen during the Great Recession.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 13, 2022

New study undermines the theory that depressed people are just more realistic

Researchers at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business found no evidence to support the theory of depressive realism, which suggests that depressed individuals are more realistic in their judgments. The study replicated a 1979 experiment and found that depressed participants overestimated their control, contradicting the original results.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalCollabra Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2022

Hackensack Meridian health doctor, bioethicist publishes surgery decision-making piece in New England Journal of Medicine

A Hackensack Meridian health doctor and bioethicist argues that surgeons' subjective assessments can lead to 'ableist' biases in patient treatment. The author proposes using algorithms to aid doctors in making more data-driven decisions, reducing assumptions about patients' quality of life.

SourceHackensack Meridian Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 6, 2022

Easy-to-use tool predicts complications in patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease

Researchers have developed an easy-to-use online prediction tool to estimate complication risks for patients undergoing laparoscopic and open hysterectomies. The study found that women of Asian background are at higher risk of major complications after abdominal hysterectomy, with adhesions being the most significant risk factor.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 3, 2022