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Study documents poor mental and physical health in rural borderland community members

A study on inequalities and health among foreign-born Latinos in rural borderland communities found that population is vulnerable to high stress negatively impacting mental and physical health. Historical factors such as oppression of farm labor and current practices like racial profiling contribute to low social status, employment ins...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateSep 20, 2018

Natural disasters widen racial wealth gap

Research from Rice University and the University of Pittsburgh finds that damage from natural disasters and FEMA aid increases wealth inequality between races in the US. Whites accumulate more wealth after disasters, while residents of color accumulate less, leading to an increase in racial wealth gaps.

SourceRice University·JournalSocial Problems·DateAug 20, 2018

Social position determines pregnant women's exposure to air pollution

A study of 30,000 pregnant women across nine European cities found associations between socio-economic status and exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, noise, and lack of green spaces. The findings highlight the need for urban planners to address environmental inequalities to reduce health disparities in pregnancy.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 16, 2018

Men still upstage women on screen -- but things are getting better

A study analyzed 50 top-grossing US films and found that women are now more often cast as characters holding positions of power. Despite this improvement, women are still under-represented on screen. The researchers also found that female lead characters were more likely to hold high-ranking positions and display physical aggression.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateAug 14, 2018

The politics of cyberattacks

Researchers at the University of Konstanz are analyzing denial-of-service attacks to understand their influence on politics and international attention. The study aims to map global patterns of cyberattacks, evaluate their relationship with traditional forms of contention, and identify consequences for protest dynamics.

Numbers about inequality don't speak for themselves

Researchers propose strategies to discuss racial disparities, including providing context and emphasizing policies in shaping inequalities. Studies show that simply presenting numbers can cause people to support punitive policies, while offering context and information on history and policy change can reduce disparities.

SourceStanford University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMay 29, 2018

The BIG Bell Test

The BIG Bell Test challenged Einstein's principle of local realism by using human input to close a paradox known as the freedom-of-choice loophole. Participants contributed over 90 million bits, determining how entangled atoms and particles were measured in twelve laboratories worldwide.

Scientists observe stronger-than-binary correlations with entangled photonic qutrits

Researchers have observed stronger-than-binary correlations in quantum mechanics for the first time, utilizing three-dimensional entangled photon sources. The experiment, conducted 8 meters apart, demonstrates the existence of such correlations, which could lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental problems in quantum theory.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 8, 2018

Young at wrong end of deprivation gap, finds study

A study by the University of Manchester found that relative deprivation increased among young adults aged 30-59 and infants aged 0-4, while the over-60s experienced a decrease. The researchers attribute this to government policies, education funding, and housing costs increasing relative to real wages.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 19, 2018

Could death rates have swung the 2016 election?

A new study by Drexel University researcher Usama Bilal found a significant association between rising white, middle-class death rates and Republican voting in the 2016 US presidential election. The research suggests that counties with higher mortality rates among middle-aged whites were more likely to vote for Republican candidates.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateDec 7, 2017

North-South health divide bigger than ever

Research reveals a stark North-South divide in middle-aged adult mortality rates, with 49% more deaths among 35-44 year olds in the North in 2015. The study attributes this to economic and social factors, highlighting the need for rebalanced investment and devolved powers to tackle health inequalities.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateAug 7, 2017

Child abuse and neglect linked to gender inequality

Researchers found a significant association between gender inequity and increased child physical abuse and neglect. The study analyzed data from 57 countries and found that higher scores on measures of discrimination against women were linked to higher rates of child maltreatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Family Violence·DateJul 27, 2017

Geographic disparities in life expectancy among US counties

A study found large geographic disparities in life expectancy among US counties, with a 20.1 year gap between the lowest and highest life expectancies. Life expectancy increased overall, but masked massive variation at the county level, with some areas experiencing much larger increases than others.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

Health in Israel: Progress and challenges in a region of conflict

Despite strong progress, Israel still faces significant health disparities, with lower life expectancy and higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and smoking among its Arab population. The country's aging population poses a growing challenge, and addressing ethnic inequalities is crucial to ensuring universal healthcare coverage.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 8, 2017

The vicious circle of inequality

A study of 45,000 individuals across 27 nations found a clear association between societal inequality and increased social dominance orientation among dominant groups. This can lead to violent persecution of immigrants, racism, and sexism. The researchers also asked white Americans if they would participate in ethnic persecution, findi...

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

The physics of wealth inequality

A Duke University professor proposes that wealth inequality is governed by a physical law, where systems evolve to increase access to flow. This natural tendency governs the distribution of wealth in economies, with hierarchical movement leading to greater disparities.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 28, 2017

Economic models behind EU-Canada free trade agreement questioned

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is predicted to result in significant GDP gains but may also lead to net losses in terms of employment, personal incomes, and GDP. CETA's impact on workers would be substantial, with average annual earnings foregone of €1,776 in Canada and between €316 and €1,331 in the EU.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Political Economy·DateMar 7, 2017

It's more than just climate change

A new study on environmental modeling reveals that climate change is only one of many inter-related threats to natural systems supporting human societies. The research argues that incorporating inequality, consumption, and population into climate models would provide a more realistic guide for policymaking and sustainable development.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 17, 2017