ScienceDaily: Economics News

New era of fisheries policy needed to secure nutrition for millions

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:26:26 EDT

A new study argues that for fisheries policies to be effective they must take in to account not just fish stock conservation and environmental issues, but also research data on the patterns and dynamics of fish trade, markets and user consumption.

How should geophysics contribute to disaster planning?

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:20:20 EDT

Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters often showcase the worst in human suffering – especially when those disasters strike populations who live in rapidly growing communities in the developing world with poorly enforced or non-existent building codes. Scientists now illustrate how nearly identical natural disasters can play out very differently depending on where they strike.

Many entrepreneurs claim to care about sustainability, yet make decisions that are harmful to environment

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:53:53 EDT

Many entrepreneurs claim that they care about sustainability, yet they make decisions that are harmful to the environment. Economic researchers have discovered that many bosses do indeed have firm convictions -- but that they unconsciously disengage their values from their business actions. The type of entrepreneur most likely to fall into this category are those who perceive themselves as highly influential or who are operating in a challenging industry environment.

CEOs who are good matches for firms have higher initial compensation

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:52:52 EDT

A recent study provides evidence that CEOs who turn out to be successful are the ones who are offered higher compensation packages from their boards at the outset.

Do markets erode moral values? People ignore their own moral standards when acting as market participants, researchers say

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:45:45 EDT

Many people express objections against child labor, exploitation of the workforce or meat production involving cruelty against animals. At the same time, however, people ignore their own moral standards when acting as market participants, searching for the cheapest electronics, fashion or food. Thus, markets reduce moral concerns, new research shows.

With the right mortgage, home ownership builds wealth

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:46:46 EDT

The Great Recession, characterized by devastating mortgage defaults, has challenged the conventional wisdom that home ownership is a good investment, particularly for those with low and moderate incomes. But the conventional wisdom on the benefits of owning vs. renting still holds when done right, according to a newly published study.

Research critical of European regulation of mergers and state aid for banks

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:08:08 EDT

The European Commission’s approach to bank mergers during the financial crisis of 2007-10 was “blinkered” and suppressed competition, according to researchers.

High home ownership can seriously damage labor market, new study suggests

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:08:08 EDT

Government policies that boost the amount of home ownership in a country are likely to inflict severe damage on the labor market, new research suggests.

Millions pass up free health subsidy

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:17:17 EDT

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries with poorer cognitive abilities are less likely to enroll in the Low Income Subsidy program, which provides nearly free prescription drug coverage for low-income adults. The findings suggest that even when presented with a single dominant option in the form of free additional drug coverage, many seniors fail to act in their own economic interests.

Saving money on medical costs: Slowdown in health care spending growth could save Americans $770 billion

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:16:16 EDT

A slowdown in the growth of US health care costs could mean that Americans could save as much as $770 billion on Medicare spending over the next decade, economists say. The slowdown, researchers say, is the result of a decline in the development of new drugs and technologies and increased efficiency in the health care system. If those trends continue, government estimates of health care spending could be off by hundreds of billions.

Consumers almost always buy in the same shops, international study finds

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:53:53 EDT

In a new study, researchers in Spain attempted to identify just how predictable consumers are with respect to shopping patterns. As explained by one of its authors, "the main conclusion we have drawn is that people’s behavior is repetitive when it comes to visiting and spending in shops, and as such it is possible to have some success in predicting where we are going to buy in the future."

Poverty threatens health of US children

Sat, 04 May 2013 16:32:32 EDT

Pediatricians, economists, social scientists and policy experts came together to address one of the greatest threats to child health -- poverty.

Researchers estimate a cost for universal access to energy

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:58:58 EDT

Universal access to modern energy could be achieved with an investment of between 65 and 86 billion US dollars a year up until 2030, new research has shown. The proposed investments are higher than previous estimates but equate to just 3-4 per cent of current investments in the global energy system.

Expanding Medicaid: Mental and financial health improve, but no improvement shown in physical health

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:31:31 EDT

New findings from the Oregon Health Insurance Experiment show that Medicaid coverage had no detectable effect on the prevalence of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, but substantially reduced depression, nearly eliminated catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures, and increased the diagnosis of diabetes and the use of diabetes medication among low-income adults.

Global networks must be redesigned, experts urge

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:19:19 EDT

The increasing interdependencies between the world's technological, socio-economic, and environmental systems have the potential to create global catastrophic risks. We may have to redesign global networks,or else they could turn into "global time bombs," experts say.

Growing gap between teens' materialism and willingness to work hard

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:18:18 EDT

New research shows a growing gap between materialism and the desire to work hard in young people today. Researchers studied results of surveys of 355,000 US high school seniors from 1976 to 2007, examining the materialistic values of three generations with questions focused on the perceived importance of having a lot of money and material goods, as well as the willingness to work hard.

Economics influence fertility rates more than other factors

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:19:19 EDT

Based on a recent study by an anthropologist, economic changes have the greatest impact on reducing family size, and thus slowing population growth, compared to other factors. Understanding the causes of declining birth rates may lead to improved policies designed to influence fertility and result in reduced competition for food, water, land and wealth.

Finding a sensible balance for natural hazard mitigation with mathematical models

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:16:16 EDT

Uncertainty issues are paramount in assessing risks posed by natural hazards and in developing strategies to alleviate their consequences. A new model estimates the balance between costs and benefits of mitigation following natural disasters, as well as rebuilding defenses in their aftermath.

Environmental labels may discourage conservatives from buying energy-efficient products

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:16 EDT

When it comes to deciding which light bulb to buy, a label touting the product's environmental benefit may actually discourage politically conservative shoppers.

Economic downturn affecting wellbeing of 'asset rich, cash poor' older people

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:24:24 EDT

The economic downturn is having a marked impact on the wellbeing of ‘asset rich, cash poor’ older people, researchers have found.

Retirement expert: Medicare already means-tested

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:49:49 EDT

The Obama administration's controversial proposal to means-test Medicare recipients has one small problem -- the Medicare program is already means-tested, says an expert on retirement benefits.

NFL draft study says arrest record may not affect performance

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:47:47 EDT

Scientists analyzed five years of NFL draft data and discovered that the performance of NFL players who had an arrest record but no charges was better than those without an arrest and those arrested and charged performed as well as those with clean records - but they cost less.

Analysis: U.S. emergency care cost estimates are too low

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

US emergency care costs may be more than twice previously published estimates, according to a new analysis that critiques those estimates, argues for improved accounting, and suggests considering the value of emergency care as well as total spending.

The politics of climate change

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

US residents who believe in the scientific consensus on global warming are more likely to support government action to curb emissions, regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat, according to a new study.

Psychological vulnerable older adults are more susceptible to fraud

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:24:24 EDT

Financial exploitation, particularly thefts and scams, are increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in older adults. This study examined this population and their vulnerability for experiencing fraud.

Teaching the next generation of science learners

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:23:23 EDT

New science education standards present challenges and opportunities, scholar says.

High-volume Bitcoin exchanges less likely to fail, but more likely breached, says study

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:11:11 EDT

Online exchanges that trade hard currency for the cyber money Bitcoin have a 45 percent chance of failing -- often taking customer money with them. A new empirical study into the closure of Bitcoin currency exchanges found that exchanges that buy and sell a high volume of Bitcoins are less likely to shut down but more likely to suffer security breaches.

People care about source of money, attach less value to 'tainted' wealth

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:27:27 EDT

It's no accident that money obtained through dishonest or illegal means is called "dirty money." A new study suggests that when people perceive money as morally tainted, they also view it as having less value and purchasing power, challenging the belief that "all money is green," and that people will cross ethical boundaries to amass it.

Does international child sponsorship work? New research says yes

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:28:28 EDT

A new study shows international child sponsorship to result in markedly higher rates of schooling completion and substantially improved adult employment outcomes.

Despite superbug crisis, progress in antibiotic development 'alarmingly elusive'

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:01:01 EDT

Despite the desperate need for new antibiotics to combat increasingly deadly resistant bacteria, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved only one new systemic antibiotic since the Infectious Diseases Society of America launched its 10 x '20 Initiative in 2010 -- and that drug was approved two and a half years ago.

Patients with surgical complications provide greater hospital profit-margins

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:18:18 EDT

Privately insured surgical patients with a complication provided hospitals with a 330 percent higher profit margin than those without a complication, report researchers. Medicare patients with a complication produced a 190 percent higher margin. For hospitals, reducing surgical complications may mean reduced financial performance.

Cheaper natural gas-powered cars on the horizon?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:41:41 EDT

When it comes to American consumers' vehicular preferences, a chemist says the choice often boils down to simple economics more so than availability, environment or altruism.

Tobacco companies keep people smoking despite UK cigarette tax increases

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:54:54 EDT

The tobacco industry keeps the price of its cheapest cigarettes virtually static despite annual increases in tobacco taxes, circumventing the United Kingdom's public health policy to reduce smoking through higher prices.

Escalating cost of forest conservation

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:51:51 EDT

In the face of unprecedented deforestation and biodiversity loss, policy makers are increasingly using financial incentives to encourage conservation.

Politicians found to be more risk-tolerant than the general population

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:51:51 EDT

According to a recent study, the popularly elected members of the German Bundestag are substantially more risk-tolerant than the broader population of Germany.

The future of our energy

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:48:48 EDT

When it comes to sustainable energy supplies hydroelectric plants are usually the best solution, according to researchers who have reviewed the economic, social and environmental impact of fuel provision.

Strong urban cores promote socializing in the city

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:44:44 EDT

Opportunities for social interaction -- which are important for individual, economic and social well-being -- are hampered in decentralized cities, even more than by fragmented urban layouts and long commute times, say researchers.

Individual donation amounts drop when givers are in groups

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:17:17 EDT

An anthropologist recently found that even when multiple individuals can contribute to a common cause, the presence of others reduces an individual's likelihood of helping.

Limiting greenhouse gas emissions from land use in Europe

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:27:27 EDT

New research estimates future land use emissions for the European Union, showing that Europe could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land use by more than 60 percent by 2050.

Women with low-self esteem work harder to keep a keeper

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:19:19 EDT

How desirable women think their partners are to others can affect how much time and effort they invest in the relationship.

Does class shape men's attitudes toward home improvement projects?

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:12:12 EDT

Financial pressure and workplace stress lead some American men to take on home improvement projects, according to a new study.

Global solar photovoltaic industry is likely now a net energy producer

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:29:29 EDT

The construction of the photovoltaic power industry since 2000 has required an enormous amount of energy, mostly from fossil fuels. The good news is that the clean electricity from all the installed solar panels has likely just surpassed the energy going into the industry's continued growth, Stanford researchers find.

Volunteers in UK show little enthusiasm for the Big Society, research finds

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:29:29 EDT

People who are carrying out the aims of the Big Society -- those doing voluntary work -- show little enthusiasm for the UK Prime Minister's idea, new research says.

U.S. medical patients aren't bargain hunters

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:03:03 EDT

Despite the incentive to shop around, patients with increasingly popular Consumer-Directed Health Plans pay roughly the same amount as their traditionally insured counterparts.

Damaging effects of unemployment and unexpected wealth losses on mobility and economic security

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:03:03 EDT

A new study examines how American families cope with unexpected financial setbacks and how those periods of economic uncertainty draw down financial resources. The report studies families across race and income levels, revealing different experiences resulting from unemployment and the difficult choices many of them face.

Dementia costs top those for heart disease or cancer, study finds

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:02:02 EDT

The most-detailed examination of the costs of dementia in the United States finds the disease is more costly to the nation than either heart disease or cancer. The analysis suggests that the costs of dementia could more than double by 2040 if the rate of the disease remains constant as the nation's population continues to grow older.

Choosing less a form of protection, says new study on decision-making

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:27:27 EDT

New research shows that if a person is feeling threatened, or concerned with their status, they are more likely to choose the option that gives them less. And although this choice might seem irrational from an economic perspective, this choice satisfies an important psychological need.

Largest class survey reveals polarized UK society and the rise of new groups

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:42:42 EDT

The largest survey of the British class system ever carried out has revealed a new structure of seven social divisions, ranging from an "advantaged and privileged" elite to a large "precariat" of poor and deprived people.

Rewarding groups for losing weight more effective than rewarding individuals

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

A multi-institution study has found that tying financial incentives to group weight loss led to significantly greater weight loss than cash awards based on an individual's success in losing weight on his or her own.

Cash for weight loss? Works better when employees compete for pots of money

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:13:13 EDT

Do cash rewards for healthier habits work? Maybe, says a new study, if you add on one more condition -- peer pressure. A growing number of companies are offering employees an opportunity to boost earning power at work via cash incentives to stay healthy. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers will soon be able to offer even larger financial incentives to prod healthy lifestyle behaviors among their workforce, such as quitting smoking and losing weight. But people who are offered money for weight loss may be much more successful when awards are based on a group's performance -- rather than just their own -- according to the new research.

Amateur parody videos can make the originals more popular and profitable

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:29:29 EDT

Amateur parody videos on YouTube can lead to increased views and popularity for the original, research has found.

Sustainable Development Goals must sustain people and planet, experts say

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:52:52 EDT

Scientists are arguing for a set of six Sustainable Development Goals that link poverty eradication to protection of Earth's life support. The researchers argue that in the face of increasing pressure on the planet's ability to support life, adherence to out-dated definitions of sustainable development threaten to reverse progress made in developing countries over past decades.

'Lessons from abroad' on caring for a graying population

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:53:53 EDT

In Norway, families receive public support that enables them to care for aging parents in their own homes and keep them out of nursing homes. This includes a salary for a son or daughter to provide care. They also focus on adapting houses to the needs of older people through municipal government-financed repairs and renovations. The nursing home is the last resort.

'Networked minds' require fundamentally new kind of economics

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:51:51 EDT

In their computer simulations of human evolution, scientists have discovered the emergence of the “homo socialis” with “other-regarding” preferences. The results explain some intriguing findings in experimental economics and call for a new economic theory of “networked minds”. On average, people behave more fairness-oriented and other-regarding than expected. A new theory now explains why.

Conservationists call for radical change to ‘war on poaching’

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:50:50 EDT

Widespread extinction of highly endangered and valued species will occur without a radical change to the way the wildlife trade is being handled across the world, according to conservation scientists.

Rapid rise in antipsychotic treatment of medicaid-insured children

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:08:08 EDT

More benefit/risk information is needed in community care efforts, says a researcher.

No sons linked to lower contraception use in Nepal

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:57:57 EDT

While poverty and under-education continue to dampen contraception use in Nepal, exacerbating the country’s efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, researchers say another, more surprising factor may be more intractable: Deeply held cultural preferences for sons over daughters.

Financial incentives affect prostate cancer treatment patterns

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:08:08 EDT

According to a new study, prostate cancer patients of urologists who own expensive radiation equipment are more likely to receive radiation treatment in lieu of surgery than patients treated by urologists without an ownership stake in the equipment.

Farmers who commit totally to sell locally can make a profit

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:31:31 EST

Farmers can make a profit selling their produce directly to local businesses, but they must not let possible new costs weaken their commitment to the new venture, according to an international team of researchers.

Heart attack rates rise with plunging GDP in Greece's financial crisis

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:44:44 EST

Heart attack rates have spiked in Greece since the start of the country's financial crisis, especially among women and residents older than 45, according to a new study.