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Power to the people

A UCSB political science professor suggests that public support for renewable energy is strong in the US, with states having abundant resources at the top of the list. However, public opinion can sometimes fail to translate into state legislation, and framing context and local benefits as key factors can increase support. A study found...

What will happen to European criminal law after Brexit?

The UK's departure from the EU will likely result in a loss of flexibility in implementing European criminal law. The country's previous 'pick-and-choose' approach to EU integration is set to be replaced by a more rigid framework. As a result, fundamental rights may be disproportionately affected.

SourceSpringer·JournalCriminal Law Forum·DateMay 23, 2017

The automation of art: A legal conundrum

The article discusses the challenges of copyright protection in the era of automated art, particularly with the rise of Deep Neural Networks. While DNN creations can generate original works, the issue of attribution and originality remains complex due to varying national laws and human inputs.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Digital Humanities·DateApr 26, 2017

New NHS safety investigator must become fully independent body

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) will investigate serious risks to patient safety across the healthcare system, publicly reporting findings and issuing recommendations for improvement. The HSIB's independence is crucial to build an authoritative system-wide view of safety issues.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateMar 9, 2017

New study on smoking bans finds decrease in smoke exposure in public and private places

A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research reveals that comprehensive smoking bans significantly decrease overall secondhand smoke exposure across all settings. Exposure to secondhand smoke was found to drop from 72% in 2006 to 45% in 2011, even outside workplaces and hospitality areas covered by the legislation.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateFeb 26, 2017

'No Child Left Behind' leaves some voters behind

A Duke University study found that assigning public schools failing grades leads to increased turnout among affluent voters, but has little impact on low-income families. The research suggests that providing citizens with information about school performance does not necessarily address imbalances in civic engagement.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateSep 24, 2015

Smoking legislation prevents over 11,000 child hospital admissions in England each year

A new study found that smoke-free legislation in England leads to a significant reduction in hospital admissions for respiratory tract infections among children. The introduction of legislation resulted in an immediate decrease of 13.8% in lower respiratory tract infection admissions, while upper respiratory tract infections also saw a...

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateMay 28, 2015

Drinking age laws have a significant effect on collisions among young drivers

A study by University of Northern British Columbia researchers found that drivers just older than the legal drinking age had a significant increase in motor vehicle crashes compared to those immediately under the restriction. Raising the drinking age to 19 years could prevent up to 583 police-reported collisions per year.

SourceUniversity of Northern British Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 19, 2014

Federal legislation ignores PTSD toll on civilians

A study by Jonathan Purtle found that federal legislation addressing PTSD has predominantly focused on military personnel, with over 90% of mentions targeting military personnel or combat exposure. However, PTSD affects a significantly larger civilian population due to its prevalence in non-military traumatic events.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateNov 11, 2014

No strength in numbers

A new study confirms that big-city legislation is passed at lower rates than smaller bills, citing infighting within city delegations as the primary cause. Despite larger representation, urban areas struggle to pass legislation due to internal divisions and party politics.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateFeb 10, 2014

Time to stub out misguided e-cigarette regulation

Regulatory efforts aimed at e-cigarettes have been misguided, leading to unintended consequences for public health. Experts propose evidence-based guidelines that prioritize good manufacturing practices, child-proof caps, and clear labeling, while acknowledging the availability of existing EU legislation to address safety issues.

SourceSAGE·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease·DateFeb 4, 2014

Should we make a film that audiences enjoy or nab an Oscar nomination?

UCLA researchers Gabriel Rossman and Oliver Schilke analyzed 25 years of data on mainstream cinema to discover the logic behind Hollywood's decisions. They found that filmmakers who make movies with "Oscar appeal" (often mocked as "Oscar bait") face a risk-and-reward structure similar to lobbyists, with costly bids for potential awards.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 14, 2014