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A third of Americans cannot name the three branches of government

According to the 2026 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey, 35% of U.S. adults cannot name all three branches of government, while 65% can name the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The survey also found that 73% cite freedom of speech as the only First Amendment right they can name, with 24% naming none of the rights.

Local industrial emissions linked to congressional election outcomes

Researchers analyzed 40,000 industrial plants and 5,000 U.S. House elections to find that firms in Democratic districts have lower emissions due to increased inspections and enforcement actions. This reallocation had potential financial impacts for firms and public health concerns for local communities.

SourcePenn State·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2026

First-ever healthy checkout policy shows promise for reducing soda sales, increasing healthy snack purchases

A new study implemented in Berkeley, Calif. supermarkets, drug stores, and mass-market retailers in 2021 found a link between a healthy checkout ordinance and a notable decrease in soda sales overall and small-package candy in supermarkets. The study also found that greater enforcement of the policy is essential for sustained public he...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2026

Public confidence in Fauci declines since spring, but still exceeds RFK Jr.

According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center survey, Americans' confidence in Dr. Anthony Fauci has declined to 50% since spring 2026, with a 5 percentage point decrease from 55% in April 2026. However, Fauci still maintains higher confidence than Kennedy, the secretary of health and human services, with a 12 percentage point gap.

How companies quietly undercut dissent

A new theory maps a common playbook to prevent stakeholder activism from gaining momentum, identifying three phases of corporate strategies that can prevent or discourage stakeholder movements. The researchers propose a systematic approach to understanding organizational repression, which can be effective but also risks backfiring.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAcademy of Management Review·DateSep 8, 2026

Europe facing housing affordability crisis, continental study of more than 22 million property listings suggests

A new study of 22 million property listings across 30 European countries reveals that nearly half of people on average income can only afford a one-bedroom apartment or studio flat. The study highlights the emerging crisis over affordable housing, particularly in densely populated areas such as towns and cities.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Maps·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2026

New research compares civil servant experiences under trump in the US to those under Bolsonaro in Brazil

A comparative survey of nearly 150 career civil servants found that Brazilian civil servants were more likely to mobilize against democratic breakdown through collective acts, while US civil servants adopted individualized and cautious strategies. Strong professional cultures and networks emerged as key facilitators for pushback among ...

SourceHamilton College·JournalInternational Review of Administrative Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateAug 31, 2026

Nearly 1 in 5 Medicaid-eligible adults in expansion states are at risk of losing health coverage due to insufficient or inconsistent work hours

A new study found that nearly 20% of eligible adults in Medicaid expansion states are at risk of losing health coverage due to insufficient or inconsistent work hours. Women, unmarried people, and those with limited education are disproportionately affected.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2026

Anti-immigrant ‘public charge’ policy may have contributed to rise in HIV among Hispanic ropulations

A new study found a 16.8-percent increase in HIV cases among Hispanic populations in antisanctuary counties compared to baseline counties. The researchers attributed this increase to the 2018 announcement of changes to the public charge rule, which penalized immigrants for using public benefit programs.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalMilbank Quarterly·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2026

Politicians vastly overestimate public opposition to climate policies, study finds

Members of Parliament from the UK's three biggest parties overestimated public resistance to climate change policies by a significant margin. Researchers found that politicians consistently overestimated public opposition to climate policies, believing voters and other parliamentarians felt more strongly opposed than they actually did....

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateAug 19, 2026

Simplifying the application process for public assistance programs can achieve true government efficiency

A multiprogram enrollment application can conserve valuable time and resources by enabling people to apply to several public benefit programs at once. States can simplify applications by shortening them, incorporating autopopulated responses, and updating systems to identify complex cases.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 12, 2026

Cancer medicine approvals in the US

A cross-sectional study examines trends in US FDA-approved cancer medicines for adult solid tumors between 2006 and 2025. The analysis reveals significant increases in approvals, particularly for original indication approvals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJul 30, 2026

Crowd reactions influence whether people receive controversial political messages positively or negatively

A new study by Aston University researchers suggests that positive crowd reactions like applause and laughter can make controversial political messages more acceptable to viewers. The research found that mixed laughter and booing were particularly damaging to the message, reducing ratings compared to other conditions.

SourceAston University·JournalFrontiers in Political Science·TypeObservational study·DateJul 22, 2026

Antivaccine legislation is rising rapidly in US states, driven primarily by GOP push

A new study reveals that Republican lawmakers sponsored 86% of antivaccine bills introduced in state legislatures after the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers supported provaccine bills, highlighting partisan polarization's impact on vaccine access and public health.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2026

Political representatives more polarized on climate change than their constituents

A study by the University of Konstanz found that politicians' views on climate change are more polarized than those of their constituents, particularly on the political fringes. This disparity makes it challenging for elected representatives to accurately represent the interests of their constituents and implement effective climate pol...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateJul 16, 2026

For biodiversity to thrive across Europe, laws should treat wildlife as individuals capable of suffering – experts argue

Researchers argue that EU and UK wildlife protection frameworks are fragmented, selective, and exception-based, threatening biodiversity. The authors propose strengthening laws to recognize animal sentience and introducing 'ethical continuity' into the legal framework.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of International Wildlife Law & Policy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2026

Hasanuddin University study identifies barriers to customary land rights recognition in Indonesia

The study reveals that local political connections and strong NGO support are crucial for securing formal recognition of customary land rights. Communities with influential leaders and advocacy organizations like AMAN tend to succeed, while those without face significant hurdles. The researchers propose simplifying bureaucratic procedu...

SourceHasanuddin University·JournalLand Use Policy·TypeCase study·DateJul 15, 2026

PLOS responds to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule

The proposed OMB rule change would fundamentally alter how federal research funding is allocated in the US, compromising research independence and restricting international collaboration. PLOS argues that costs linked to making research available should be assessed against public and economic value, rather than being unallowable.

SourcePLOS·DateJul 14, 2026

Scientists and citizens are more persuasive than government and industry in mobilizing action, study finds

A study by Boston College researchers found that scientific consensus is more influential than government opposition in persuading people to take action on environmental, health, and technology challenges. Americans are more likely to support policies and donate money when scientists and ordinary citizens endorse solutions.

SourceBoston College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2026

Carnegie Mellon-led research shows how behavioral science silently protects American consumers and patients

A new PNAS special feature showcases the critical role of behavioral and decision sciences in U.S. governance, highlighting how psychological and economic research protect public health, consumer rights, and finances across federal agencies. The research demonstrates how 'invisible' scientific frameworks streamline medical drug reviews...

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2026

New bipartisan report finds that Americans share the same struggles despite deep political divides

A new bipartisan report from Tulane University's State of the Nation Project analyzes 4,000 indicators to provide a long-term progress report for each state. The report finds significant regional divides, with Southern states ranking low on trust in institutions and Mountain states having high levels of trust but low personal well-being.

SourceTulane University·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 6, 2026

Pandemic loan fraud pumped housing prices

Research from the University of Texas at Austin found that pandemic loan fraud explained 22.5% of average housing price increases in 2020-2021. This type of fraud hurt individuals who bought houses at inflated prices, and had secondary effects on auto title registrations and other economic indicators.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateMay 28, 2026

Many Americans pessimistic about AI’s impact – and want more regulation

A new survey finds that Americans are broadly pessimistic about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), with only 17% believing it will have a positive impact on the United States over the next decade. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say the government has done too little to regulate AI, and there is bipartisan support for regulation.

HKU School of Governance and Policy concludes landmark Inaugural Week, shaping governance and next generation leadership inspired by human progress and innovative ideas

The HKU School of Governance and Policy has launched a premier intellectual hub dedicated to navigating complex regional and international governance challenges. The school's five core research pillars will drive its academic programs, including an Executive Leadership Hub and policy institutes for undergraduates.

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