The project aims to examine both natural and human factors that spread transgenes into non-engineered crops and natural populations. Biological scientists will collaborate with social scientists to develop a global model of gene flow, accounting for human and natural processes.
Researchers found that Mexican workers using family and friend networks as job leads earned higher wages than those relying on paisano networks. This challenges the theory of ethnic solidarity providing advantages to immigrant workers in the US labor market.
A study by Katharine Donato and Chizuko Wakabayashi found that women caregivers are more likely to live in poverty and rely on Supplemental Security Income. The researchers also discovered that women who took on caregiving roles in their early sixties were particularly vulnerable, with 15% of those aged 60-61 living in poverty.
Research by Pearl Latteier and Joshua Gamson finds that media giants can actually increase local content and create niche markets for diverse audiences. However, conglomerates may also influence the material presented in media, favoring business interests over diverse viewpoints.
Researchers use physics and transportation theory to define a network of spatial spread of contagious disease. The models accurately predicted the spread of childhood diseases like measles and animal diseases like phocine distemper.
A Michigan State University group examined the impact of a $25 million research agreement between UC-Berkeley and Novartis, recommending safeguards to prevent industry influence. The review highlights concerns over credibility, conflict of interest, and institutional accountability in public higher education.
A recent study by Ohio State University's Sharon Sassler found that most people who live together do so due to financial reasons, convenience, or housing needs. Couples rarely cite getting married as the primary reason for cohabiting, instead citing factors like attraction and practicality.
A national study of over 20,000 children found that students with at least one sibling were rated as better able to form friendships and show sensitivity to others. The results suggest a social-skills advantage for having siblings, even after controlling for other factors.
A new study found that highly paid workers reported more cohesion and solidarity among their colleagues, and were more likely to participate in social activities with co-workers. Highly paid workers tend to have jobs with more freedom and autonomy, leading to richer social lives.
A study by University of Toronto PhD student Glenn Stalker found that Canadians spent 34% of their spare time alone at home in 1998, up from 28% in 1986. Time spent with friends and family at home also decreased by five percent during the same period.
A study of 338 Chicago neighborhoods found that areas with low collective efficacy had higher asthma rates due to lack of trust, poor air quality, and limited access to health services. Neighborhoods with high collective efficacy, on the other hand, had lower asthma rates due to stronger social connections.
A Penn State researcher suggests that the black-white test score gap can be reduced by increasing verbal interaction between parents and children. Research shows that professional parents who spoke more words to their children had better vocabulary knowledge and higher reading performance. Interventions like Early Head Start have shown...
According to the study, 20% of all black men born from 1965-1969 had served time in prison by their early 30s, compared to less than 3% of white males. The risks of prison incarceration rose steeply with lower levels of education, affecting 30.2% of non-college educated blacks and 58.9% of black high school dropouts.
Researchers found that African-American and Hispanic outpatients with back pain were less likely to receive painkillers than white patients. The study attributes this disparity to racial stereotypes among physicians, suggesting a potential issue with racism in the US healthcare system.
A review of studies on holidays and death found contradictory results with only modest effects, and failed to explain mechanisms for delaying or advancing death. The authors conclude that future studies need to be better designed to find valid answers.
A study by the University of Washington and Princeton University finds that 20% of young black men born between 1965-1969 had served time in prison by their early 30s, compared to less than 3% of white males. The risk of incarceration rose with lower levels of education, affecting even those who didn
A recent Emory University study found that adults with better mental health have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Only 17% of the sample met full mental health criteria, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to consider mental well-being in treating patients with heart conditions.
A nationwide study by University of Florida professor Brian Stults found that housing segregation between racial groups persisted in many parts of the nation, with blacks and whites experiencing high levels of separation in neighborhoods, schools, and income distribution
The book Challenges for Rural America in the 21st Century examines rural social change, economic transformation, and policy implications. Key findings include unevenly spread gaming benefits, elder care challenges, and the need for rural communities to adapt to a decentralized system.
A study published in the American Sociological Review found that exposure to homeless people can increase sympathetic attitudes towards homelessness. The researchers examined how contact between domiciled and homeless individuals affected views on homelessness, finding that all four forms of exposure promote sympathetic attitudes.
Breast cancer patients in Europe increasingly use complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs) to improve quality of life. CAMs may complement conventional treatments but can also interact dangerously with drug regimes, requiring careful consideration by doctors and patients.
Dr. Helen Gift, a renowned dental researcher, has been awarded the prestigious IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Behavioral Sciences & Health Services Research. Her research focuses on promoting oral health among US veterans, with a particular emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion.
The 'Keepin' it R.E.A.L.' curriculum targets European-American, Mexican-American and African-American cultures, with mixed results. The program helps students understand risks, make prudent decisions and refuse drug offers, leading to better outcomes.
The Georgia Institute of Technology's NSF ADVANCE program is addressing subtle inequities that affect women's advancement in academia. The research-driven approach focuses on how environments shape positive or negative outcomes, with a emphasis on improving collaboration, equitable evaluations, and access to tacit knowledge.
A recent study by Ohio State University found that only about 40% of cohabiting couples eventually get married. The research also discovered that men with high economic prospects and similar couples were not more likely to tie the knot than others. In fact, consensus regarding marriage plans was a key predictor of whether cohabiting co...
A significant demographic shift has occurred in the US, delaying the transition to adulthood, as youth are combining roles, exploring options, and gaining education to prepare for a demanding labor force. Marriage and family have not been abandoned, but rather postponed until later ages.
The University of Chicago study found that urban areas are organized into partnering markets, influencing how people meet and form relationships. Societal institutions, neighborhoods, and racial groups play significant roles in shaping these markets.
Girls are nearly twice as likely to think about suicide if they have only a few friends and feel isolated from their peers. Boys, on the other hand, do not show a significant relationship between friendships and suicidal thoughts.
Researchers found that feminist identity is more closely tied to one's political coming-of-age during the feminist movement rather than age. This suggests a shift in how feminism is perceived and self-identified by different generations.
A recent survey by Erickson found that Atlantic Canadians are best connected, with an average of 11 out of 15 occupational categories. Volunteering is key to broadening one's social network, according to Professor Bonnie Erickson.
Adolescents of mixed races report more health problems, including smoking, drinking, and poor school experiences. Stress and lack of self-esteem are believed to contribute to these issues, highlighting the need for targeted programs to support biracial adolescents.
A survey of 1,500 Kuwaiti citizens found that support for democracy grew substantially during the four years covered in the study. Kuwaitis also became less interested in trade alliances with the West and paid little attention to Western media.
Researchers found that higher religiosity levels in countries do not necessarily lead to stricter moral standards on sex. In fact, individual religiosity has a minimal effect on cheating on taxes due to existing laws.
A recent census study found that white families are less likely to live in extended family households than black families, which has shifted over time. This shift started in the late 1960s and was more pronounced among whites, with a significant decline in intergenerational living compared to blacks.
Girls developing early are more likely to be involved in delinquency due to their relationships with friends, who may be already involved in delinquent behaviors. Dating also plays a significant role, as early-developing girls are more likely to have romantic relationships and engage in minor delinquencies.
A new book published by the University of Colorado Center explores post-disaster research and findings from 22 studies on emergency response, corporate interactions, volunteer behavior, and risk communication. The studies aim to improve public policy and disaster response in the face of terrorist attacks.
A study by Ohio State University's Lisa Keister found that people who regularly attend religious services tend to be more wealthy than those who don't. The effect of religion is robust even after considering other factors such as inheritances and education, suggesting that faith influences spending and saving strategies.
A Vanderbilt University researcher suggests that ignoring racism in mental health diagnosis can mask severe psychological problems. Brown proposes five mental health issues linked to racism that are prevalent among blacks, including nihilistic tendencies and suppressed anger expression.
A new study reveals Americans are among the most misinformed about global warming, with only 15% correctly identifying burning fossil fuels as its primary cause. The US ranks below Japan and France in terms of public understanding of climate change.
Dr. Beth Montemurro's study finds bachelorette parties reflect women's growing acceptance of their sexuality and desire for independence. The rise of bachelorette parties is linked to the sexual revolution and changing attitudes toward women's rights and freedoms.
A new study finds that family-friendly policies do not reinforce traditional division of household labor, contrary to previous theories. In fact, some women report using policies to alleviate stress and resentment, while others find them liberating by encouraging husbands' involvement in home-based tasks.
A study by a UC assistant professor of sociology found that African Americans are twice as likely to prefer African American doctors and nurses if they or a family member experienced unfair treatment. The study analyzed national phone survey data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 1999.
Black students fall further behind White students in both math and reading, with disparities traced to different learning rates, not school differences. Low-income children also lag behind middle-class peers in math and reading during kindergarten and summer before first grade.
A sociologist has developed a 10-category scale to measure disasters and terrorism events, helping researchers and practitioners distinguish between appropriate mitigating efforts. The scale assesses the degree of social disruption resulting from an actual or potential disaster, with categories ranging from everyday emergencies to anni...
A University of Washington study found that using the Internet is not a reliable way for most people to find jobs. Despite widespread adoption of internet-based job search tools, researchers found that those who used the internet were actually less likely to land a job than those who didn't.
A panel study will be conducted with 2,500 individuals across the nation, followed by interviews every three years until they reach age 65. The study aims to explore how religion and ethnicity shape social change and community development in the US.
A new study from Penn State found that couples who lived together before marriage reported less happiness and more marital conflict than those who did not. The researchers suggest that personal characteristics and cohabitation experience play important roles in predicting marital quality and stability.
A Penn State sociologist analyzed five NBC sitcoms from 1997-98, finding a high rate of gender harassment and a lower but still troubling rate of sexual harassment. The researcher argues that these incidents perpetuate a hostile work environment and minimize the seriousness of sexual harassment.
Researchers found no evidence that homicide detectives spend less time on cases involving African-American victims. The study, published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, examined 802 murders in Columbus, Ohio between 1984-1992.
A pilot survey by Arizona State University found that residents in Phoenix develop a strong sense of belonging and social cohesion within two years, despite high resident turnover. The study also highlighted differences between neighborhoods in terms of environmental concerns and landscaping trends.
A study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that overall reported sadness returned to pre-incident levels within four to six weeks, while increased trust in national, state and local governments persisted. Young adults between 18 and 26 were more likely to report religious feelings and higher psychological ...
Despite minimal changes in marital happiness and divorce rates, researchers found a decline in shared activities among couples. Equalitarian marriages have a positive impact on marital quality, while cohabitation before marriage leads to lower marital satisfaction.
Research finds that promoting marriage may not be an effective solution for women who had children before marriage, as it fails to address the economic disadvantages they face. Women who had children before marriage are more likely to be poor and experience unstable relationships.
Penn State researchers found that wives with higher testosterone levels were more adaptive social support providers, while husbands with lower testosterone levels were more positive and less negative during discussions. Lower combined testosterone levels led to better social support givers and improved conflict resolution skills.
Research by Professor Erickson suggests that having a variety of casual acquaintances can improve job prospects and overall well-being. People with diverse social networks are more likely to feel in control and have access to valuable information, leading to improved health and happiness.
A Virginia Tech study found that women are increasingly finding their homes to be a haven of satisfaction, rather than their workplaces. This challenges the long-held assumption that women seek work as an escape from family obligations.
Food-borne illness remains a major concern despite a safe food supply, as supermarkets increasingly rely on procedures and processes to meet growing demand for diverse international foods. International supermarket chains have a strong motivation to ensure food safety due to liability concerns and damage to reputation.
Agent-based models reveal how simple interactions among individuals can generate complex social patterns, such as residential segregation and fads. Researchers use these models to study human behavior, including peer enforcement of norms and self-destructive behaviors.
A study by Ohio State University found that minorities are more likely to question police during traffic stops, with black men reporting a 35% higher rate of stops than white men. The study also found significant differences in how black and white drivers perceive their treatment by police.
A study by Ohio State University found that children living in owned homes outperform those in rental units, with higher math and reading achievement scores. The researchers attribute this difference to the better home environment, including safety, maintenance, and educational materials.