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University of Notre Dame


How new moms cope with stressful news may matter more than the news itself, study finds

Expectant mothers in the Philippines used creative coping strategies to manage sociopolitical stressors, including reframing difficult circumstances and maintaining a positive outlook. The study suggests that how new moms cope with stressful news may be more important than the news itself, with 67% of participants citing financial stre...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 4, 2026

India’s immunization program reduced child mortality but highlights need for coordinating health, education policies

A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam found that India's universal immunization programme significantly reduced infant and under-five mortality rates. However, the programme had mixed effects on educational attainment, with some regions seeing increased primary school completion while others experienced...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Population Economics·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2026

Researchers show how early RNA-based life may have repaired its genome, providing insight into the origins of life

Scientists engineered an enzyme that selectively recognizes and repairs broken RNA, suggesting that molecular tools needed to preserve the RNA-based genetic code could be furnished by RNA alone. This discovery has implications for understanding the origins of life and developing new biotechnology applications.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2026

42-year study tracks how “forever chemicals” move through the Great Lakes

Researchers analyzed 50 studies of biological records from the Great Lakes to track per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals.' The study found that PFAS compounds do not break down due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, leading to biomagnification in top predators.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 18, 2026

Study reveals how bacteria assemble their envelope

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a key process for how gram-negative bacteria attach their outer membrane to the cell wall. The study found that protein PA2854 performs a chemical reaction linking the outer membrane to the cell wall, a crucial step in maintaining the bacterium's health.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 15, 2026

When global warming becomes malnutrition: New study links climate change, childhood stunting and local inequality

A new study reveals that climate change is actively worsening childhood stunting globally, particularly in rural areas with low service accessibility. Structural socioeconomic inequality also exacerbates the issue, with community-level inequality consistently linked to stunting rates.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 9, 2026

Long-term study of COVID lockdown and family life shows unexpected, lasting effects on fatherhood

A new study by Lee Gettler of the University of Notre Dame found that COVID-19 lockdowns had a limited lasting effect on fathers' involvement in childcare, contrary to initial reports. The 15-year longitudinal data showed no significant change in fathering behaviors before and after the pandemic, with most dads resuming their pre-pande...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPLOS One·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 30, 2026

International partners boost peace agreement success, Notre Dame study finds

A new study by University of Notre Dame researcher Madhav Joshi found that international partners significantly improve the success of peace agreements. The study tracked 578 individual commitments from December 2016 through April 2023 and found that deeper engagement increases implementation outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Intervention and Statebuilding·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 29, 2026

Do political insults pay off? New research shows what politicians actually gain from divisive political rhetoric

A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 20, 2026

As fossil fuel use declines, experts urge planning and coordination to prevent chaotic collapse

Researchers identify vulnerabilities in three major sectors: physical, financial, and managerial 'cliffs' that could trigger localized energy crises and price shocks. Policymakers are urged to adopt managed decline strategies to avoid disruption of services and stabilize the mid-transition period to zero carbon energy.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 29, 2026

Key to human intelligence lies in how brain networks work together

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame investigated how brain networks are organized and work together to form a unified system. They found evidence for system-wide coordination in the brain that is both robust and adaptable, suggesting that intelligence reflects how brain networks are coordinated and dynamically reconfigured.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 26, 2026

Homes that can withstand extremes: New study reveals pathways to housing resilience

Researchers identified key building code features that impact hazard resilience, including prioritizing structural elements like lateral support. Smarter regulation and stronger structures can work together to create safer homes, but local expertise is crucial in places with independent-minded populations.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeSurvey·DateDec 9, 2025

Banks that identify fraudsters increase loyalty, retain more defrauded customers than others who never were compromised

According to a study by Vamsi Kanuri, banks that successfully identify fraudsters see increased customer loyalty and retention. Customers who are victimized by fraud lose trust if the bank can't identify the perpetrator, leading to a 40% increase in defection compared to those who were never defrauded. However, when the real culprit is...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateSep 22, 2025

First impressions count: How babies are talked about during ultrasounds impacts parent perceptions, caregiving relationship

A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that how healthcare providers describe babies during ultrasounds impacts parent perceptions and can influence a child's future behavior. Positive descriptions are associated with fewer behavioral difficulties in toddlers, while negative descriptions lead to greater challenges.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2025

Smarter tools for policymakers: Notre Dame researchers target urban carbon emissions, building by building

Researchers at Notre Dame's School of Architecture and the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society developed EcoSphere, an AI-powered platform that visualizes embodied carbon emissions. The tool helps city planners identify strategies to reduce carbon emissions through renovation and extended building life.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAutomation in Construction·DateJul 14, 2025

Partial peace deals may facilitate comprehensive accords, offering roadmap for policymakers, practitioners

Researchers found that partial peace agreements play an important role in building trust and strengthening relationships between negotiators. These agreements offer strategic advantages, including consolidating incremental progress, serving as metrics, testing measures, and signaling a larger commitment to the peace process.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Peace Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 11, 2025

World’s biggest polluters are least affected by environmental damage and conflict, new research warns

New research challenges conventional views on the link between environment and conflict, highlighting global inequalities that disproportionately harm countries in the Global South. The study finds that ecological sustainability and peace are not positively correlated, but comprehensively sustainable peace is possible.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025