Researchers from University of Tsukuba conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 116 studies to evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity promotion interventions for healthy adults and the components of effective interventions. Their findings showed minor intervention effects, suggesting a need to improve the intervention programs. The researchers identified not only possible effective but also inhibitory intervention components.

With lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and state houses getting ready to make major health policy decisions, a pair of new University of Michigan studies shows how past policy decisions have affected older Americans with modest or low incomes. The new findings could also help inform upcoming decisions about health insurance programs that are currently open to people with incomes under about $60,000 per person, and programs aimed at those living in or near poverty.

Nurse home visiting programs have potential to reduce intimate partner violence exposure and increase outcomes for young, first-time mothers and children experiencing disadvantages, a new Children’s Health Policy Centre study from Simon Fraser University finds.

A study of one such program in British Columbia, published in the British Medical Journal Open, showed a 16 per cent increase in annual income ($1,629.74) and fewer mental health problems for mothers by the time their children were age two years. Fewer mothers also reported intimate partner violence exposure.

Goethe University Frankfurt is further expanding its research and teaching on artificial intelligence: On January 1, 2025, Kevin Bauer, who served as junior professor at the University of Mannheim until the end of 2024, took up a professorship for “Game-Theoretic and Causal AI”. Based at the Faculty of Economics and Business’ Department of Information Systems, the professorship is funded by the cross-university Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence hessian.AI.

Largest global study since COVID-19 pandemic shows scientists are trusted around the world

A global survey spanning 68 countries reveals that public trust in scientists is still high. Led by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, a team of 241 researchers conducted the largest post-pandemic study of trust in science, societal expectations and public views on research priorities.