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Emotions an overlooked key to whistle-blowing, study says

A University of Illinois study suggests that connecting with workers' emotions and personal identity can produce powerful triggers for calling out wrongdoing in the workplace. The study found that half of employees who witnessed wrongdoing on the job failed to report it due to fear of retaliation, but those who did reported being drive...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBusiness Ethics Quarterly·DateDec 7, 2009

Ethanol plants no panacea for local economies, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois researchers warns that ethanol plants can pose significant risks to local economies. The research found that employment gains from ethanol plants are often overstated and that the industry is plagued by uncertainties such as shifts in energy policy, global economics, and changing technology.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateFeb 16, 2009

Boost for 'green plastics' from plants

Australian researchers have achieved a major advance by accumulating 30% of an unusual fatty acid (UFA) in the model plant Arabidopsis. This breakthrough could lead to the production of biofactories capable of producing oils for replacing petrochemicals used in plastics, paints, and cosmetics.

British scientists create electron surf machine

Researchers at National Physical Laboratory have developed an electron surf machine that delivers electrons one by one in a reliable steady stream at a rate of over a billion per second. This technology has the potential to increase computer efficiency, allowing for faster processing and more secure digital communication.

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 12, 2007

Highlights from October ESA journals

New studies reveal that a significant portion of US species are threatened, with only 15% well-studied. Wandering albatrosses have an unique foraging strategy, catching prey in highly dispersed areas. Coral reefs can recover from nuclear tests within five years, but ecosystem integrity is crucial.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateOct 31, 2005