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A new AI weather prediction system, developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, can deliver accurate forecasts tens of times faster and using thousands of times less computing power than current AI and physics-based forecasting systems. The system, Aardvark Weather, has been supported by the Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts.

International research team tests effects of social media posts on valuation of chocolate   Does triggering certain emotions increase willingness to pay for sustainably produced food? In social media, emotional messages are often used to influence users' consumer behaviour. An international research team including the University of Göttingen investigated the shortand medium-term effects of such content on consumers' willingness to pay for bars of chocolate.

A sneaky form of advertising favoured by oil giants influences public opinion with climate action misperceptions, but researchers are studying potential solutions. In the battle against climate disinformation, native advertising is a fierce foe. A study published in the journal npj Climate Action by researchers from Boston University (BU) and the University of Cambridge, evaluates two promising tools to fight misleading native advertising campaigns put forth by big oil companies.

A group of legal researchers from the Department of Law at the University of Luxembourg is working hand in hand with computer scientists at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) to push the boundaries of Regulatory Technology (RegTech), while keeping in mind the legal framework which surrounds its use.

Concentrations of lead in the air remain substantial in developed and developing countries, largely the result of industrial emissions. Even with the decline in lead in gasoline, developed countries, including the United States, still have substantial air lead emissions and in part as a result, blood lead levels in children are high worldwide.

A new study by Assistant Professors Clément S. Bellet of Erasmus School of Economics and Eve Colson-Sihra of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem uncovers how economic inequality significantly alters the spending priorities of poor households, often at the cost of their basic nutritional needs. The research, published in the Journal of the European Economic Association, provides compelling evidence that inequality influences consumption habits among the poor, shifting their spending toward luxury goods and away from necessities such as staple foods.

Leif Brandes and doctoral student Katharina Dölp have investigated how global brands use non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The result: the right mix of different factors can increase sales, but reputational risks must always be taken into account. In recent years, a new concept has shaken up the digital marketing landscape: "non-fungible tokens".

Study suggests shoppers may rebel against tax by reducing consumption  A study co-conducted by Carey Business School researchers may have real world implications for policymakers who want to raise taxes Shoppers who oppose a certain tax may reduce their consumption of that good compared to consumers who supported that tax.

The new year is the perfect time to set goals, not only on a personal level but also in the workplace. Research shows that this works: employees at small cassava processing companies in Ghana increased their production by 16% by setting daily goals, even without financial incentives. Economists from Tilburg University demonstrate that goal setting is a cost-effective practice benefiting both workers and employers in small businesses.

Study identifies emotional benefits of both giving and receiving personalised gifts. There is joy in giving but research from the University of Bath shows that personalisation can transform a gift from a mere object into a more meaningful experience that raises recipients' self-esteem and makes them feel more cherished.

When Bloomingdale's opened its first "Bloomie's- store in 2021, it seemed like a natural evolution. After all, loyal customers had affectionately used the nickname for years. But new research suggests this marketing strategy - known as nickname branding - might actually harm brand performance and customer perception.

Offering healthy snacks as part of a consumer bundle is a win-win situation for both convenience store owners and their customers, study shows Convenience stores can help customers improve their eating habits while at the same time boosting both their own sales and profits. It's as simple as offering customers the choice between healthy snacks and pastries as a low-cost add-on to their cup of coffee, according to a new study out of McGill.

Labelling lone bananas as 'sad singles' tugs at shoppers' heartstrings and increases sales by 58 percent. Faced with a pile of loose, unsold single bananas, retailers can motivate customers to buy overlooked fruit by giving it emotional appeal, according to new research from the University of Bath's School of Management.

In a new study, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University examined the impact of avatars' gender and race on transaction prices in the non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace. They found that, contrary to expectations, there were pronounced gender and racial disparities in NFT prices. They also found that avatars with features associated with high-tech or higher education countered these disparities.

The importance of cryptocurrencies has increased significantly in recent years. In Switzerland, 11 percent of the population invest in crypto assets.

Emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed, a new meta-study shows. A new meta-study published in Nature Communications has revealed that emission reductions from climate mitigation projects are significantly lower than claimed. Dr. Benedict Probst, Head of the Net Zero Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, and coauthors systematically reviewed more than 60 empirical studies, uncovering substantial quality issues with carbon credits.

New Study Reveals Financial Ombudsman Service is inflating complaint success rates New research has shown that the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is inflating the rate that it reports complaints to it as successful. Academics from The University of Warwick have analysed judgements by the Ombudsman and found that many cases were recorded as successful, even when the complaint was essentially rejected and either no additional compensation or tokenistic compensation was awarded.

Is it unfair to pay extra for healthcare when you're ill? The topic of out-of-pocket healthcare costs is hotly debated in Dutch politics. Health economist Martin Salm, who will deliver his inaugural lecture on November 1, dives deep into this issue. In the Netherlands, much debate surrounds the mandatory deductible in health insurance.

In some municipalities in the Netherlands, residents must explicitly indicate that they want to receive advertising mail by placing a 'yes' sticker on their mailbox. Without this sticker, the delivery person is not allowed to deliver any advertising materials. New research from Tilburg University shows that while the number of leaflets has decreased by half as a result, it has not significantly influenced how people shop.