The University of Bath has launched a new Centre for Earth System Governance to investigate how societies govern environmental change. Researchers from across disciplines will work with policymakers and practitioners to develop effective responses to global sustainability challenges.
A new post office policy could result in the rejection of tens of thousands of mail-in ballots in November due to reduced pickup frequencies. This policy change, part of the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) effort, may disproportionately affect rural areas with less frequent post office service.
A new book by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that organized groups, not voters, play a crucial role in shaping US House primaries. The study examines 55 winnable open-seat House nominations and reveals that these groups prioritize reliable representation over ideological purity.
US Sen. Gary Peters will lead USC Dornsife's Center for the Political Future, bringing nearly two decades of experience in Congress and a record of bipartisan lawmaking to the center. He plans to expand the center's presence in Washington, D.C. and create opportunities for students to connect with policymakers.
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.
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.
A survey of 17 G20 countries found that 65% of respondents believe the economic system is rigged to favor the rich and powerful, while 69% want major changes. However, only 31% trust their government to make decisions that benefit the majority in the long term.
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...
A third of the UK government's nutrition advisors have significant ties to the food industry, including Coca Cola and Nestle, despite new rules banning such links. Experts argue that these conflicts should be removed immediately to maintain public health and scientific integrity.
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.
Lindsay Smith, a Research Associate at George Mason University, has received $4,936 to develop and support the SUSTAIN eLearning platform. The funding, awarded by Solano County, California, will support technical assistance and online onboarding training for new staff.
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.
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.
Experts warn that common narratives about polarisation are overgeneralised and often based on evidence from the US alone. The study calls for a global literature on political polarisation to be a fundamental goal, emphasizing the need for country-dependent solutions to address the growing polarisation challenges of social media and AI.
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 ...
Despite declining confidence in CDC, FDA, and NIH, Americans' confidence in their own healthcare providers remains high. A recent survey found that 87% of respondents trust their doctor or nurse to provide trustworthy information about public health, while confidence in these agencies has declined to 59-64%.
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.
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.
A new book ranks countries on human rights measures, revealing overachievers like Rwanda and the Philippines, and underachievers like China and Iran. The CIRIGHTS Data Project provides numerical scores on human rights protection, showing how well countries protect internationally recognized rights.
This randomized clinical trial found spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets reduced myopia progression and axial elongation in children over 24 months. The study supports the use of these lenses as a safe and effective myopia control intervention.
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....
The study proposes a public health agenda for AI to improve delivery of proven health interventions through patient identification, outreach, and care coordination. Government leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and sustained investment are essential for realizing this potential.
A cohort study of 1,582,834 veterans with MDD found that most received recommended treatment, but there was an increasing trend in the proportion who did not. This highlights the need to investigate potential undertreatment and examine mental health service availability that influences treatment selection decisions.
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.
The report highlights chronic underinvestment in Native American communities, with recent Trump administration cuts exacerbating the issue. The current lack of funding is particularly troubling, given increased investments during the Covid pandemic.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been working to regulate synthetic food dyes, with recent federal and state actions taking place. The regulatory landscape is being contextualized, which has implications for policy, industry, and clinical practice.
Lip cosmetics products are routinely ingested and absorbed through lip tissue, but existing frameworks were never designed to assess this dual-pathway exposure route. Researchers found significant gaps in testing and regulation, including inadequate absorption data and outdated ingestion assumptions.
This cohort study examines trends in US Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation receipt and benefit amounts between 2010 and 2024. Sociodemographic characteristics and disability type are associated with changes in these benefits.
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.
A study by Rice University associate professor Tanika Raychaudhuri found that many Asian Americans learn about politics through social interactions with friends, classmates, co-workers, and neighbors. The research suggests that political identities are dynamic and influenced by evolving social networks.
A new report by Brookings Institution suggests the US can improve its role in partners' conflicts by clearly communicating goals and persuading allies to adjust their strategies. Dafna Rand's research identified missteps and misunderstandings that undermined America's ability to manage and influence allies' strategies.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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.
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.
A new book reveals Iran's government failure to address devastating environmental catastrophes, while persecuting campaigners trying to raise awareness. The country's rulers have failed to provide a comprehensive plan, despite the concerning state of its natural environment, leading to issues like water scarcity and deforestation.
A new paper by MIT Professor Areg Danagoulian describes his idea for a satellite-based sensor system that can detect neutrons generated by high-energy protons colliding with radioactive material. The system could detect nuclear weapons with 99% accuracy, even in low-Earth orbit.
The BfR conducts health risk assessments for food, feed, chemicals, and products, providing scientific advice to federal governments. The institute's research-driven approach informs consumer health protection policies both domestically and internationally.
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...
A new study suggests that data centers can lower average energy costs by providing grid flexibility during high-cost periods. The researchers found cost savings of up to 5% in Texas, 4% in the Mid-Atlantic region, and 2% in western U.S. states by shifting more than 20% of their consumption to non-peak hours.
A recent study found that US women's healthcare providers became more politically engaged following the Dobbs decision, with a significant increase in voter turnout compared to other physicians. The research suggests that the shift was driven by the direct impact of the policy change on their work and patients' lives.
A new book by historian Robert Parkinson explores the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary, shedding light on the founding fathers' primary concerns. The author argues that the document's emphasis on individual rights and liberties was largely driven by the colonial elite's anger towards British taxation policies.
Research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that serving on a jury improves attitudes toward courts and judges. However, with jury trials becoming increasingly rare, opportunities for Americans to participate are shrinking. The authors suggest expanding civic education as an alternative path to rebuilding public trust.
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.
A study by University of Exeter experts found that unified and local efforts can support a thriving environment and improve community well-being. The researchers propose tech-driven, community-led action to rescue local environmental enforcement from funding cuts and jurisdictional confusion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that exposure to aggressive diplomatic messaging reduces favorability towards China in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In contrast, perceptions of the US are less affected, with limited persuasive power.
The ISSCR emphasizes that continued investment in hESC research is essential to sustaining scientific progress and advancing life-saving therapies. Human embryonic stem cells remain a cornerstone of modern biomedical research due to their status as a gold standard for human pluripotency.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire found that consumer trust in smart technologies like Alexa or Ring's video doorbells depends on a person's political beliefs. Conservatives tend to be more open to sharing their data, while liberals show more concern about privacy risks.
Researchers found at least 94 elections and referendums across 52 countries were disrupted by natural hazards between 2006 and 2025. The report highlights the importance of election timing, coordination with meteorological agencies, and preparedness measures to safeguard democratic processes under increasing environmental pressure.
According to a recent study, about half of the US population expresses democratic neutrality, which can enable antidemocratic outcomes. This neutrality is concerning as it can be associated with authoritarianism, tolerance of norm violations, extremism, distrust, and obscuring antidemocratic views.
Research found that gender-diverse teens reported higher rates of psychological stress and psychotic-like experiences, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. Bullying and unsupportive legislation drove these findings.
A new study found that cancer types with high lethality receive lower federal research funding, prioritizing these cancers could help direct resources to diseases with greatest potential to reduce suffering. Additionally, certain cancers have a disproportionate impact on underserved populations and quality-of-life burden.
A study found that economic interests influenced Japanese legislators' behavior, with sanction-hit industries supporting military-backed policies and procurement sectors showing no shift. This challenges the common view of economic beneficiaries as authoritarian supporters.