Recent research reveals a significant gender disparity in the field of innovation, predominantly dominated by well-off men, which leads to slower development of products for women and ultimately hampers economic growth. The study, "Social Push and the Direction of Innovation," conducted by the VATT Institute for Economic Research and its lead researcher Elias Einiö, along with colleagues Josh Feng from the University of Utah and Xavier Jaravel from the London School of Economics, sheds light on this critical issue using data from Finland and the United States.

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In a groundbreaking research collaboration between Åbo Akademi University and New York University Shanghai, in partnership with Finland's science center Heureka, a new study sheds light on the intricacies of eyewitness identification. The findings emphasize the significant impact of distance, lighting, and facial disguises on a witness's ability to correctly identify individuals they have seen. This research carries essential implications for law enforcement practices and could redefine how witness testimonies are evaluated.

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Socioeconomic disadvantage in neighborhoods may compromise the dietary quality of young children and increase the risk of childhood obesity, according to a doctoral thesis conducted at the University of Turku's Faculty of Medicine. This research sheds light on individual, parenting, and environmental factors related to children's eating habits.

Childhood obesity is on the rise worldwide, starting as early as infancy. Harmful dietary habits leading to obesity often begin to develop during early childhood.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock exchange during morning trading on November 10, 2023 in New York City. LEHTIKUVA / AFP

In a recent doctoral thesis titled "Essays on the Impact of Policy Uncertainty on the Financial Markets," Ali Malik explores the profound influence of policy-maker actions and associated uncertainties on global financial markets. The study provides critical insights into how policy decisions, particularly those related to monetary and fiscal policies, significantly impact asset prices and trading behaviors.

According to the Music Listening in Finland 2023 study conducted by Teosto and IFPI – Musiikkituottajat ry, music holds importance for 89% of Finns. The research, conducted in August 2023 with over a thousand participants aged 13 to 75, with a majority falling in the 13–18 age group, sheds light on evolving music consumption habits in Finland.

Intensive music listening through headphones is on the rise, constituting nearly 50% of all music consumed, as per Finnish estimations.

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A new study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder challenges the age-old notion that "opposites attract." The comprehensive analysis, which examined data from millions of couples over more than a century and across more than 130 traits, found that similarity often draws people together in relationships.

The study, published on August 31 in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, not only debunks the popular belief that dissimilar individuals are more likely to form romantic bonds but also sheds light on the underlying forces shaping human relationships.

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Recent research spanning over two decades has revealed significant alterations in children's brain function due to time spent on electronic devices such as televisions and computers. This comprehensive study, involving nearly 30,000 participants under the age of 12, was conducted through the analysis of 33 neuroimaging research pieces and published in the peer-reviewed journal Early Education and Development.

Pollen samples. Photo: Helena Wirta

A recent international study has shed light on the specific plants that bees prefer when collecting nectar and pollen. The dietary choices of bees hold significant importance for their well-being and, crucially, for humanity, as bees pollinate crops vital to human survival.

Traditionally, bees have been considered generalists regarding their diet, meaning they can utilize a wide variety of plants. However, this new research reveals that bees are more selective than previously believed.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have unearthed a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our comprehension of the universe. Their findings, published in Science Advances, demonstrate a remarkable revelation: fundamental constants, the bedrock of physical laws, can exhibit fluctuations, potentially influencing the viscosity necessary for vital life processes within and between cells. This revelation is a pivotal puzzle piece in unraveling the origins and implications of these constants on life itself.

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A recent study conducted by the Faculty of Education at the University of Turku has revealed that the number of social contacts a child has at 13 months can predict the number of friends they will have by age four. This research, emphasizing the impact of early social interactions, underscores the significant role that such encounters play in shaping a child's future peer relationships.

Scientists at the University of Virginia (UVA) have developed a groundbreaking computational tool that unravels the complexities of how medications impact men and women differently. The research aims to bridge the gender gap in drug testing and create safer, more effective drugs tailored to individual needs.

Historically, women have been underrepresented in drug trials, leading to a lack of understanding about how medications affect their bodies, particularly the liver.

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Beyond the fundamental DNA code, organisms also transmit chemical cues that instruct cells on gene utilization. This transmission, known as epigenetic inheritance, is particularly prevalent in plants. The implications of significant findings in this realm extend to agriculture, food security, and environmental preservation.

Esteemed researchers, Professors Rob Martienssen and Leemor Joshua-Tor from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and HHMI Investigators,

Person receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. LEHTIKUVA / AFP

Recent research at the University of Turku in Finland indicates that COVID-19 vaccines provide a lasting defense against serious illness caused by various coronavirus strains, primarily through T-cell activation. This significant finding emerges amidst the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, which, unlike previous influenza pandemics, has spread rapidly worldwide and witnessed the swift emergence and spread of new variants.

People in Helsinki on a sunny day. LEHTIKUVA

A recent doctoral study conducted by Jukka Sivonen at the University of Turku has shed light on distinct attitudes towards carbon taxation in Nordic countries compared to the rest of Europe. Sivonen's research revealed that residents in Nordic countries show significantly higher support for carbon taxation, a trend attributed to the strong trust in political institutions prevalent in these nations.

Chef students. LEHTIKUVA

The latest Now Youth Future Report has unveiled how young individuals' interests span across various sectors. Based on the report, the most intriguing industries for young people include healthcare, travel and hospitality, arts and culture, as well as the commerce sector. Intriguingly, parents' educational background, gender, and personal values are strongly tied to their inclination toward different fields.