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Night-time brilliance lights up political patronage

A new study by Monash University researchers links night-time light intensity to regional favouritism and GDP growth, finding that countries where political leaders were born tend to have higher night-time light levels and regional GDP. The study also highlights the impact of authoritarian leadership on foreign aid distribution.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateJul 9, 2014

Better management of free time ensures happier retirement

A study published in Springer's journal Applied Research in Quality of Life found that effective management of free time has a far greater impact on a retiree's quality of life than the amount of time available. By planning and scheduling their free time, retirees can improve their overall well-being and happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalApplied Research in Quality of Life·DateAug 22, 2013

Training and advising pediatricians in antibiotic usage improves compliance with Rx guidelines

A study by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that educating pediatricians about appropriate antibiotics for common respiratory infections led to a significant decrease in broad-spectrum prescribing. This intervention improvedRx guideline compliance, resulting in better antibiotic use and potentially reduced resistance.

The good, the bad, and the guilty: Anticipating feelings of guilt predicts ethical behavior

Research suggests that people anticipating negative feelings from guilt are more likely to exhibit sympathetic and moral traits. This can lead to better business decisions and less unethical behavior in the workplace. Guilt-proneness is linked to lower counterproductive work behaviors, even after controlling for other factors.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateOct 10, 2012

What are the effects of the Great Recession on local governments?

The Great Recession has brought severe challenges to city and county governments, with budget shortfalls cited as a top problem by nearly half of surveyed local governments. Local government managers have responded by freezing positions, trimming benefits, and reducing service delivery levels.

SourceSAGE·JournalState and Local Government Review·DateSep 11, 2012

Interrogational torture: Effective or purely sadistic?

A recent study published in Political Research Quarterly found that information gleaned from interrogational torture is likely to be unreliable and used too frequently. The study's author, John W. Schiemann, concludes that the use of torture makes it difficult for states to distinguish between real and false confessions.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateMar 27, 2012

US citizenship may be determined at random

A Michigan State University researcher found that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test is not reliable in measuring civics knowledge. The test questions are randomly selected from a pool of 100, but no data has been released on their reliability or validity.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalLanguage Assessment Quarterly·DateMar 11, 2012

University of Nevada, Reno, professor publishes study on public education finance systems

A new study by University of Nevada, Reno professor Deborah Verstegen analyzes public education finance systems across the United States, highlighting funding policies for populations with special educational needs. The research provides valuable insights into accountability and equity issues in US education finance systems.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateNov 3, 2011

Research finds open-source software is actually more secure for health care IT

Research by the University of Warwick's Institute for Digital Healthcare and UCL Medical School finds that open-source software can provide higher security and quality through public disclosure and community review. This contradicts the common misconception that open-source software is inherently riskier due to its transparency.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateMar 8, 2011

Keeping faith -- schools must balance ethos with equality

Research reveals that faith-based schools in the UK often fail to address LGBTQ+ issues, with teachers intimidated by power structures and unequal policies. The study calls for greater accountability from school leaders to challenge homophobic bullying and ensure equality for all students.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalEducational Management Administration & Leadership·DateSep 1, 2010

For post-boomers, public education worth more than Social Security and Medicare

A new study from UC Berkeley concludes that younger Americans are getting the better deal when factoring in public education as an intergenerational entitlement program. The researchers found that people born between 1972 and 2060 will make net gains of 4 to 6 percent over their lifetimes, while those now aged 63 to 80 have paid out mo...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateApr 15, 2010

Useless online student quizzes

A study published in Int. J. Information and Operations Management Education found that online quizzes are not effective in improving student learning. Despite educators' hopes, the study revealed no significant difference in grades between courses with and without online quizzes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Information and Operations Management Education·DateJan 20, 2010

Denial of service denial

A new passive protocol called IPACF blocks threats to gatekeeping computers and Authentication Servers, allowing legitimate users access private resources. The filter takes just 6 nanoseconds to reject non-legitimate information packets associated with DoS attacks.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Information and Computer Security·DateSep 30, 2009

Viewing US politics through the lens of race

A recent mini-symposium in Political Research Quarterly explores the critical role of race in shaping US political history. The studies reveal how and why racial factors have influenced major developments, including debates over slavery and internal improvements.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateDec 8, 2008

Civic education conducive to a more democratic America

Research suggests that civic education can mitigate poorly informed and disengaged American citizens. Eamonn Callan argues for 'rational social hope' in which teachers promote civic virtue through relevant information and understanding.

SourceWiley·JournalYearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education·DateOct 23, 2008

School voucher adoption affected by political decision-making

A comparative study reveals that school vouchers were more easily adopted in Sweden due to its efficient parliamentary coalition system, whereas the US federal government's divided power hindered adoption. The study shows how political institutions impact policy-making in education reform.

SourceWiley·JournalGovernance·DateOct 15, 2008

Borrowers who complete homeownership education programs make better refinancing decisions

A study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management found that borrowers who complete homeownership education and counseling programs are more informed about when to refinance. The effectiveness of these programs varies by type, with intensive classroom-based instruction showing significant impacts on borrowing behavior.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateMay 12, 2008

Informing poor in India boosts public service use

A study in India suggests that simply informing the poor about government-provided health, educational, and social services they are entitled to can lead to increased access. The research team found a 30% increase in prenatal exams, vaccinations, and village council meetings among villages with informational town meetings.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateOct 22, 2007

Survey finds emotional reactions to nanotechnology

A new survey found that people's emotional reactions to nanotechnology play a major role in their perception of its risks and benefits, with individuals' values determining their reaction to information about the technology. The study suggests that government, business, and educators must take a proactive approach to public engagement ...

Study explores attitudes and beliefs about HPV

A study exploring attitudes and beliefs about HPV found low awareness and a stigma associated with the disease, which hinders public acceptance of the vaccine. The research suggests that health education efforts should take a public-health approach to emphasize the prevalence and commonality of HPV infection among sexually active adults.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateMar 1, 2007

Senior citizen support for school spending is growing

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that senior citizens are becoming more supportive of educational spending, defying expectations. The data contradicts long-held assumptions about the role of aging and retirement in shaping attitudes towards school funding.

SourcePenn State·JournalPublic Opinion Quarterly·DateJun 15, 2005

Democracy increases education spending in Africa

A recent study by Dr. Stasavage found that democracy is associated with greater government spending on education in Africa, particularly primary education. The research, published in the American Journal of Political Science, analyzed data from forty-four African countries between 1980-1996.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateMar 7, 2005