This is known in the motorcycle community for decades. There is even a "get horizontal" mantra. The idea is that the wider you look (via light placement), the more likely drivers will notice you. One of the reasons is that the human brain perceives smaller (narrower) objects as less dangerous and is more likely to ignore them. But it is good to see research backing this up.
When I lived in the city and cycled a lot, I had led strips on the forms and handlebars and red ones on the rear stays. Because it's my understanding too that it's important to project a shape.
