The Symposium - Research papers

Mar 27, 2026 PLoS ONE

COVID-19 Patients Face Higher Costs

A new study has found that patients who required life-supporting treatments like mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during their hospital stay for COVID-19 had significantly higher mortality rates and medical expenses compared to those who did not need these treatments. The study analyzed data from over 1,800 patients who were discharged from the hospital between 2020 and 2021 and found that those who required life-supporting treatments had a mortality rate of 16% compared to 11% for those who did not need them. The study also found that patients who required these treatments had much higher medical expenses, with an average cost of over $8,700 compared to $3,460 for those who did not need them.

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Mar 19, 2026 PLoS ONE

Deafblindness Hurdles Job Market Opportunities

A new study has found that people with acquired deafblindness, who have lost both their hearing and vision, face more obstacles than benefits when trying to find and keep a job. Researchers identified 90 things that help people with ADB participate in the labor market, but 66 things that make it harder. The study suggests that many of these barriers are related to the services and policies in place to support people with disabilities, rather than the individual's abilities or circumstances. This means that vocational rehabilitation services may not be as effective as they could be in helping people with ADB find and keep employment.

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Mar 18, 2026 PLoS ONE

Closing the Cost Gap

A new study found that closing a hole in the heart (patent foramen ovale) through a minimally invasive procedure is more cost-effective than traditional medical treatment for preventing strokes in people who don't know why they had a stroke. The researchers used a complex model to compare the two options and found that closing the hole saved money and improved health outcomes, with a significant reduction in lifetime costs and a greater number of quality-adjusted life years. This is good news for patients and the healthcare system, as it suggests that this treatment could be a more affordable and effective option for preventing strokes.

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Mar 12, 2026 PLoS ONE

Nigeria's Malaria Fight: A Costly Betrayal

Nigeria's anti-malarial drug policies have shown varying levels of effectiveness and cost-efficiency across different presidential regimes. Since 1999, the government has implemented different policies, with varying levels of investment and results. The study found that the most effective policy was implemented from 1999 to 2007, which reduced malaria prevalence by 35% and saved lives, but at a cost of about $500,000 per life saved. In contrast, policies implemented in the 2007-2010 and 2010-2015 periods were less effective and more expensive, with lower savings per life saved. Overall, the study suggests that investing in anti-malarial drug policies can be a cost-effective way to reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria.

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Mar 12, 2026 PLoS ONE

Poverty Gaps Widened Between Men and Women

A new study has found significant differences in what causes poverty for men and women in the US. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,300 households, finding that working for an employer, having a higher education, and being younger are less likely to lead to poverty, while having poor health and uncertainty about income are more likely to do so. The study also found that women are more likely to live in poverty due to having dependent children and poorer health, while men tend to have higher savings. The researchers conclude that one-size-fits-all poverty reduction strategies may not be enough, and that targeted interventions, such as affordable childcare support, are needed to address the unique challenges faced by low-income women.

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Mar 10, 2026 JECH

Poverty's Hidden Toll on Cognition

Research suggests that experiencing poverty over a longer period of time in early adulthood can have a negative impact on cognitive function in midlife. A study of over 2,900 people who participated in a survey from age 18 to 48 found that those who were often or always in poverty had lower cognitive scores, particularly in memory and global cognitive function, compared to those who were never in poverty. This effect was not explained by the participants' cognitive abilities when they were younger. The study's findings have implications for understanding the long-term effects of poverty on brain health and suggest that addressing poverty may be an important factor in maintaining cognitive function as people age.

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Mar 04, 2026 PLoS ONE

Obesity's Hidden Economic Burden Revealed

A new study has estimated the economic cost of obesity in Kuwait, revealing that it imposes a significant burden on the country's healthcare system and national productivity. The research found that approximately 2 million people in Kuwait suffer from obesity-related illnesses, resulting in an estimated $14 billion in annual costs to society and almost twice as much to the government. This translates to about 17% of the country's gross domestic product per capita, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to prevention, early intervention, and management of obesity.

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Feb 24, 2026 PLoS ONE

Edge Computing Revolutionizes Task Scheduling

Researchers have developed a new system to manage tasks on devices at the edge of computer networks, which are closer to where data is generated. The current systems waste energy and resources by sending tasks back to a central hub too often, causing them to fail. The new system, called MFEAF, uses advanced algorithms to predict when tasks will fail and adjust its scheduling accordingly, reducing waste and improving efficiency. According to the study, this approach can improve performance by up to 9% and reduce energy consumption by 5%, while also allowing for faster migration of tasks between devices, which is crucial in applications such as autonomous vehicles and smart cities.

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Feb 21, 2026 PLoS ONE

Gastric Tumors: A New Approach

A new study found that using a specialized snare to remove tumors from the stomach lining may not be the best approach, at least for now. Researchers compared two methods used to treat gastric submucosal tumors and found that one method, called mucosal snare resection-assisted endoscopic submucosal excavation (MSR-ESE), took longer and was more expensive than another method, non-submucosal injection endoscopic submucosal excavation (NSI-ESE). While both methods were effective in removing tumors without major complications, the study suggests that NSI-ESE may be a better option due to its shorter procedure time and lower cost.

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