Focusing on novel foods: Their role, potential and safety

Starting from the fact that clusters contribute to the competitiveness of industry sectors and the high standard of living in regions where clusters operate, the aim of this paper is to show the relationship between the stage of economic development and the state of cluster development at the level of national economies.Using the ANOVA statistical method the authors have accepted the hypothesis that the state of cluster development in national economies varies depending on the stage of economic development.In order to evaluate the state of cluster development in the country and the stage of economic development, the authors used the secondary data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), published in "The Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014".Although the stage of economic development is influenced by many economic and political factors, the authors assume that the stage of economic development predominantly depends on the decision and willingness of political and business leaders to lead the country to higher stages of economic development and sustainable economic growth.Their decision has an impact on cluster development in the country, and therefore influences the possibility of clusters to improve economic development and national competitiveness, especially in emerging markets and developing economies.

FACE‐ing the facts: inconsistencies and interdependence among field, chamber and modeling studies of elevated [CO₂] impacts on crop yield and food supply

The traditional literature on the role of intellectual property rights (IPR) in innovation highlights the strength of IPR protection in the context of the tradeoff between innovation and diffusion. More recent literature analyzes the role of diverse forms of IPR in promoting innovation and growth and delves into not only regular patents but also utility models (or petite patents) and trademarks. Using firm‐level IPR (patents, designs and trademarks) data from Korea, we further extend this new strand of literature to explore the role of designs at different stages of development. The data spans five decades and can be divided into three subperiods that represent different stages of economic development. We find that design‐intensive sectors tend to be more export oriented. Further, firms’ sales growth is significantly associated with the design intensity of firms. Such association is found only during the later stages of economic development in Korea. Taken together with earlier studies, our findings imply that different forms of IPR, in particular designs, matter differently for innovation and firm performance at different stages of development. Designs are not that important in the early stages of development when economic growth relies on the mass production of low‐cost goods by low‐wage workers. The importance of design rises with economic development at later stages when product differentiation becomes critical. A unique and smart appearance increases value in the eye of the customer value and, thus, could help firms’ sales performance.

The chapter is devoted to understanding circular economy as a new stage of economic development, which is aimed to respect limited quantity of water, soil, clean air and ecosystem services, strongly connected to the new global social tensions, and how to achieve this stage. The literature survey has shown the current concepts for circular economy discuss new usage of resources, but not who and how will provide such changes. That is why it is suggested application of the Hegelian doctrine for economic development which is answering similar (we mean social) to the above questions – how to get freedom and society consolidation in market economy, suggesting state regulation of market economy. Consequently such regulation is needed to overcome the social tensions strongly connected to limited quantity of resources, vital for the future of society. Taking this doctrine as a theoretical background, it is assumed each new stage of economic development is characterised by different content of goals, subject and means for achieving the goals. The applicability of the notion circular economy is a new stage of economic development is tested and approved by demonstrated contemporary changes in policies for economic development, taking place in the European union, by recently changed and achieved goals of its development.

Electric power is the basic industry of a modern country. The rapid development of the power industry has promoted economic development and social progress. With the establishment of the carbon neutrality target of carbon peak, China's power industry is also facing new situations and new challenges. This paper innovatively introduces the concept of allometric growth in biology, and uses the data of provincial electricity consumption and economic development from 1972 to 2017, to study the allometric growth relationship between electricity consumption and economics in China at multiple scales. Combined with the spatial autocorrelation analysis method, the temporal and spatial characteristics of allometric growth between electricity consumption and economic development were researched based on the analysis of spatial correlation of GDP electricity consumption intensity. The results show that: (1) The provincial GDP electricity consumption intensity shows an aggregate distribution, and the local aggregate pattern changed significantly from 1972 to 2017. (2) The High-High Cluster gradually disappeared, and the Low-Low Cluster moved southward, appearing in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. (3) The differential growth coefficient of electricity consumption and economic development increased initially and decreased from 1972 to 2017. (4) GDP would increase by 7.4%, 20.1%, and 15.6% in the simulation of electricity consumption, increasing 10% at the three stages of China's economic development. (5) The allometric growth coefficients of electricity consumption and economic development are very different in the three economic belts, eight economic zones, and provinces with different characteristics at the different stages of economic development. Formulating differentiated regulation policies for regional economic development and electricity consumption will be conducive to the coordinated development of electric power production and the national economy.

A research question that has not been satisfactorily answered in the relevant literature is what are the reasons for low efficiency of EU-funded public support programs dedicated to increasing innovativeness of Polish enterprises. The aim of the study undertaken by the team of researchers at the Institute of Economics, Polish Academy of Sciences is to establish interrelationships between the current stage of development of the Polish economy and determinants of its innovative capacity in the context of absorption of EU structural funds. The first part of study sets the conceptual background in the area of stages of economic development. The conceptual study is complemented by the quantitative analysis of the current stage of development of the Polish economy. The second and the third chapters presents major exogenous barriers to the growth of innovativeness of the Polish economy, and endogenous obstacles to effective transition of the Polish economy. Another parts concerns the demand-side determinants of innovation processes during the transition between the investment-driven and innovation-driven stage of economic development. Next part presents the evolution of theories of innovation, scrutinizes the adaptation of analyzed firms to the conditions of the transitory stage of economic development. The final part of the book is devoted to the role of the science sector in the process of transition of the Polish economy to the innovation-driven stage of development. The study presents a number of recommendations for economic policy directed at increasing the pace of the innovation process.

IntroductionThis study aimed to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and drivers of the kidney cancer burden across BRICS member countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) from 1990 to 2021. Given the significant global rise in kidney cancer incidence, elucidating its epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors in countries at different stages of economic development is crucial for formulating targeted prevention and control strategies.MethodsThis study innovatively integrated Joinpoint regression and Age-Period-Cohort (APC) modeling using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study to quantify trends in kidney cancer incidence and mortality in BRICS nations. The APC model was employed to disentangle the independent effects of age, period, and birth cohort on the disease burden. These findings were subsequently interpreted in the context of national socioeconomic conditions and health policies to identify key drivers.ResultsGlobally, kidney cancer incidence increased by 142.74% from 1990 to 2021. Saudi Arabia experienced the most dramatic increase (877.78%), while Russia reported the highest Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) in 2021 (10.10 per 100,000). Global mortality rates increased by 108.22%, led by the United Arab Emirates (700% growth), with Russia exhibiting the highest Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) in 2021 (4.07 per 100,000). Furthermore, APC analysis identified critical drivers: the age effect peaked in the older populations (e.g., Russia’s mortality rate reached 42.8 per 100,000 at age 92.5); the period effect showed a surge in risk after 2000 in most nations (Saudi Arabia’s period Rate Ratio [RR]: 1.52); the cohort effect indicated a 6.60-fold elevated risk for China’s 2002 birth cohort compared to the 1952 baseline, contrasting with declining risks in younger Russian cohorts (RR: 0.66). Regional disparities highlighted interactions between economic transitions and health inequities. Specifically, Saudi Arabia’s burden was associated with metabolic disorders, Russia’s decline aligned with tobacco control initiatives, and India’s rural underdiagnosis reflected critical healthcare gaps.DiscussionThe kidney cancer burden in BRICS countries demonstrates significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity, driven by mechanisms related to population aging, the prevalence of metabolic risk factors, and disparities in healthcare accessibility. The findings underscore the necessity of strengthening environmental governance, implementing metabolic health interventions, and optimizing healthcare resource allocation to advance health equity and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. These insights provide a scientific basis for developing cross-regional strategies for cancer control.

Objective
\nThe objective of the present study is to explore the associations of health expenditures and cause-specific mortality among countries at different stages of economic development.
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\nMethodology
\nScatter plot and simple linear regression were used to estimate whether there was an association between health expenditures and cause-specific mortality. The statistical significance levels were set at p < 0.05. Mortalities due to all causes, and three specific causes of the global burden of disease (GBD) were used. The three kinds of cause-specific mortalities were: communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions (CMPN), non-communicable disease and injuries. Countries were grouped into four income groups according to the standard issued by World Bank in 2012.
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\nResult
\nThis study suggested general government expenditure on health, as a percentage of total government expenditure, was inversely associated with the three cause-specific mortalities, especially in high income group.
\nConclusion: This study showed an inverse association between healthcare expenditure and cause-specific mortalities. The Law of Health Transition has been once again evidenced. In developed countries, non-communicable diseases contributed to more deaths compared with mortality from communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions (CMPN). While in less-developed countries, they were facing higher mortalities; CMPN was still a major cause of death, especially among children.

Modern knowledge becomes a strategic endowment of the country and its key resource for economic growth, giving individuals opportunities to become active employers or increasing their opportunities to become professionals being demanded in the labour market. For these reasons, the development of lifelong education is a significant tool for economic growth in Latvia. Correlation and linear regression analyses showed that lifelong education made the strongest and most positive effects on a country’s competitiveness at two stages of economic development: at the innovation-driven stage and during a country’s transition to it from the efficiency-driven stage (the case of Latvia). Calculations were preformed based on the data for 2008 and 2013, and the results were similar, which indicated the stability of this global causal relationship. So the authors conclude that a country’s stage of economic development plays a crucial role in the extent the factor of lifelong education can affect the country’s global competitiveness. In the countries being at lower stages of economic development, even well-developed lifelong education is not objectively capable of increasing their competiveness as effectively as it takes place, for example, at the innovation-driven stage. Proving a causal relationship – the capability of lifelong education to increase a country’s competitiveness is determined by the existing economic background and rules of game, which are different at different stages of economic development – based on research of the economic aspects of lifelong education may be regarded as the key gain of the present research.

Exploring the factors affecting regional land development patterns at different developmental stages: Evidence from 289 Chinese cities

Europe new car sales up 4.2% for March

Women entrepreneurs add to the economic well-being of countries. This study examines whether stages of economic development (SEDs) influence women entrepreneurs similarly across national settings. This study approaches the environments in which women entrepreneurs launch their businesses from two perspectives – family support and personal problems – in Canada, China, Egypt, Morocco, Poland, South Korea, and Turkey. Findings show that the relationship between SEDs and family instrumental support (financial and organizational) presents an S shape, whereas that between SEDs and family moral support is an inverted S shape. Evidence confirms that the relationship between SEDs and personal problems follows an inverted U-shape, with personal problems increasing with SEDs to an optimal point, above or below which personal problems decrease. This study exemplifies the need for joined theory and practice to influence public policy worldwide. The results are useful for further developing policies to promote women-owned business startups by understanding what barriers women entrepreneurs face and what solutions work best with the stage of country development.

Background Chemical exposures have been associated with a variety of health effects; however, little is known about the global disease burden from foodborne chemicals. Food can be a major pathway for the general population’s exposure to chemicals, and for some chemicals, it accounts for almost 100% of exposure. Methods and Findings Groups of foodborne chemicals, both natural and anthropogenic, were evaluated for their ability to contribute to the burden of disease. The results of the analyses on four chemicals are presented here - cyanide in cassava, peanut allergen, aflatoxin, and dioxin. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted to develop age- and sex-specific disease incidence and mortality estimates due to these chemicals. From these estimates, the numbers of cases, deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. For these four chemicals combined, the total number of illnesses, deaths, and DALYs in 2010 is estimated to be 339,000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 186,000-1,239,000); 20,000 (95% UI: 8,000-52,000); and 1,012,000 (95% UI: 562,000-2,822,000), respectively. Both cyanide in cassava and aflatoxin are associated with diseases with high case-fatality ratios. Virtually all human exposure to these four chemicals is through the food supply. Conclusion Chemicals in the food supply, as evidenced by the results for only four chemicals, can have a significant impact on the global burden of disease. The case-fatality rates for these four chemicals range from low (e.g., peanut allergen) to extremely high (aflatoxin and liver cancer). The effects associated with these four chemicals are neurologic (cyanide in cassava), cancer (aflatoxin), allergic response (peanut allergen), endocrine (dioxin), and reproductive (dioxin).

Background Chemical exposures have been associated with a variety of health effects; however, little is known about the global disease burden from foodborne chemicals. Food can be a major pathway for the general population's exposure to chemicals, and for some chemicals, it accounts for almost 100% of exposure. Methods and Findings Groups of foodborne chemicals, both natural and anthropogenic, were evaluated for their ability to contribute to the burden of disease. The results of the analyses on four chemicals are presented here - cyanide in cassava, peanut allergen, aflatoxin, and dioxin. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted to develop age- and sex-specific disease incidence and mortality estimates due to these chemicals. From these estimates, the numbers of cases, deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. For these four chemicals combined, the total number of illnesses, deaths, and DALYs in 2010 is estimated to be 339,000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 186,000-1,239,000); 20,000 (95% UI: 8,000-52,000); and 1,012,000 (95% UI: 562,000-2,822,000), respectively. Both cyanide in cassava and aflatoxin are associated with diseases with high case-fatality ratios. Virtually all human exposure to these four chemicals is through the food supply. Conclusion Chemicals in the food supply, as evidenced by the results for only four chemicals, can have a significant impact on the global burden of disease. The case-fatality rates for these four chemicals range from low (e.g., peanut allergen) to extremely high (aflatoxin and liver cancer). The effects associated with these four chemicals are neurologic (cyanide in cassava), cancer (aflatoxin), allergic response (peanut allergen), endocrine (dioxin), and reproductive (dioxin).

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases represent an increasing share of the global disease burden. There is concern that increased consumption of palm oil could exacerbate mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, particularly in developing countries where it represents a major nutritional source of saturated fat.MethodsThe study analyzed country-level data from 1980-1997 derived from the World Health Organization's Mortality Database, U.S. Department of Agriculture international estimates, and the World Bank (234 annual observations; 23 countries). Outcomes included mortality from IHD and stroke for adults aged 50 and older. Predictors included per-capita consumption of palm oil and cigarettes and per-capita Gross Domestic Product as well as time trends and an interaction between palm oil consumption and country economic development level. Analyses examined changes in country-level outcomes over time employing linear panel regressions with country-level fixed effects, population weighting, and robust standard errors clustered by country. Sensitivity analyses included further adjustment for other major dietary sources of saturated fat.ResultsIn developing countries, for every additional kilogram of palm oil consumed per-capita annually, IHD mortality rates increased by 68 deaths per 100,000 (95% CI [21-115]), whereas, in similar settings, stroke mortality rates increased by 19 deaths per 100,000 (95% CI [-12-49]) but were not significant. For historically high-income countries, changes in IHD and stroke mortality rates from palm oil consumption were smaller (IHD: 17 deaths per 100,000 (95% CI [5.3-29]); stroke: 5.1 deaths per 100,000 (95% CI [-1.2-11.0])). Inclusion of other major saturated fat sources including beef, pork, chicken, coconut oil, milk cheese, and butter did not substantially change the differentially higher relationship between palm oil and IHD mortality in developing countries.ConclusionsIncreased palm oil consumption is related to higher IHD mortality rates in developing countries. Palm oil consumption represents a saturated fat source relevant for policies aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease burdens.