Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

The prescription for a healthier democracy

A Rutgers University study suggests that hospitals can play a crucial role in strengthening political inclusion by aiding patients in voter registration. The study found that voters contacted in healthcare settings tend to be more racially and ethnically diverse, and younger, than those reached through traditional registration efforts.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study shows politicians deny misdeeds because we want to believe them

A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to support a politician who denies wrongdoing, especially if they share the same party affiliation. The research suggests that partisans tend to have different standards for different politicians, with those from their own party bei...

In international relations, it’s the message, not the medium

A study by MIT researchers found that the general public and policymakers take social media posts from world leaders just as seriously as traditional government statements. The research surveyed over 977 people about crisis signals in international relations, including tweets and official press releases. The results suggest that people...

Firearm ownership and support for political violence in the United States

A recent survey study of 12,000 participants found that firearm owners were only moderately more supportive of political violence than nonowners. Firearm owners who always carried firearms in public were more likely to support and engage in political violence, highlighting the need for risk-based prevention efforts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Political beliefs shape the way the public interprets history

A study by Dr Francesco Rigoli found that right-wing supporters tend to evaluate the past as more positive than left-wingers, while left-wingers are more optimistic about the future. This effect is observed across various countries, including the USA, UK, Italy, South Africa, Mexico, and Poland.

King Donald – how Trump could become royalty

Historian Dr. Sean Lang suggests that Trump's style of government is an attempt to transform the United States from a democratic presidential system into a monarchy. The talk will examine how republics and their systems can morph into monarchies, with a focus on the US Presidential election.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Research finds scandals have less impact on politicians than they used to

A study by University of Houston Professor Brandon Rottinghaus found that scandals have less impact on politicians due to polarized media and partisan fundraising. The study analyzed data from 1972 to 2021 and found that politicians can survive scandals more easily in the current era, with some even benefiting from small scandals.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Nebraska-led study first to define anxiety spiraling from national election

A new study led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher Kevin Smith explores the impact of polarized politics on mental and physical health. The research found that Americans' political anxiety increased before a major election, but decreased after, with specific groups experiencing lower levels of anxiety.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Incivility reduces interest in what politicians have to say, shows research

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that politicians who engage in incivility receive fewer followers and less interest in their messages. The researchers analyzed social media posts from Donald Trump and Joe Biden, finding that the former president lost over 6 million followers due t...

An examination of federal personnel changes in the Trump era

The analysis found that aggregate federal employment remained relatively stable during the Trump presidency, but some agencies grew significantly, while others downsized or experienced major turnovers. This reflects the Trump administration's priorities, with trends aligning with its focus on immigration and federal affairs.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Political orientation — not party — predicts political tolerance

A new study reveals that conservative Democrats are uniquely intolerant towards marginalized groups, while liberal Democrats are the most politically tolerant. Independents are also more tolerant than partisans. The research suggests that improving political tolerance is crucial for democracy.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired

A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.

Cluster theme issue on firearms and violence

The article highlights the need for comprehensive, real-time action data to address firearm injuries. It also explores the connection between violence and the carceral state, as well as the impact of state firearm laws on mortality and morbidity rates.

Neoliberals are most receptive to ‘political bullshit’

A study from the University of Amsterdam found that right-wing individuals, especially neoliberals, are more susceptible to 'political bullshit' - vague and meaningless statements used in politics. The research suggests that these statements can positively correlate with support for free market ideologies.

US presidential narcissism linked to longer wars

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that US presidents who scored high on a measure of narcissism spent an average of 613 days at war, compared to 136 days for those below average. Narcissistic leaders tend to extend wars to declare victory and maintain their self-image.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Study finds cable news networks have grown more polarized

A study analyzed 10 years of cable TV news and found that networks like Fox and MSNBC have shifted further to the right and left, respectively. The ideological gap between channels became extreme after the 2016 Presidential election, particularly in primetime programming.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

High incarceration rates may not help US citizens feel safer

A new study by Penn State researchers found no significant difference in fear of crime between people living in areas with high and low incarceration rates. Despite the US having the world's highest incarceration rate, the study suggests that mass incarceration policies may not have the desired effect on reducing crime fear.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Does industry drive politics?

A study by IASS researchers found that strong renewable energy industries lead to more ambitious renewable energy policies in subsequent years. The authors suggest that policy choices can enhance innovative capacity and promote local value creation to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.

New studies shed light on election-related stress

Researchers found that anticipating future stress related to elections can affect people's emotional well-being before anything has happened. Education was shown to help protect individuals against these stresses, even for those actively engaged in the political process.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Finding friends in the Utah State Legislature

A University of Utah-led study examines cooperation networks in the Utah State Legislature, finding that politicians tend to work with colleagues from their own political and gender groups. The researchers discovered a high rate of reciprocation, with members of the same gender increasing the likelihood of future cooperation.

Parties lead and voters follow

Research led by Binghamton University faculty suggests that party polarization precedes voter polarization in countries outside the US. The study of 19 democracies from 1971 to 2019 found that more engaged and informed citizens follow parties' lead on political issues.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A mathematical model may give more efficient climate talks

Researchers at Linköping University developed a mathematical model to describe global climate target achievement and predict unanimity in climate talks. The model shows how countries influence each other over time, highlighting the importance of inclusive plenary sessions and informed parties.

Preventing extreme polarization of political attitudes

A new study suggests that strictly limiting exposure to dissimilar views could be an effective mechanism for avoiding rapid polarization. Another interesting finding is that a small amount of self-interest can dramatically reduce polarization.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Physics meets democracy in this modeling study

A new study models election dynamics using physics, accounting for conformist, contrarian, and inflexible voters. The model finds that short-term campaigns are effective in electorates with only conformist agents, while long-term campaigns are more effective in electorates with strong local dominance.

When Republicans control state legislatures, infant mortality is higher

A new study found that Republican control of state legislatures is associated with increased infant mortality rates, especially among Black infants. The research suggests that the party's influence on social determinants of health, such as safety-net programs and minimum wage, contributes to these disparities.

Politically polarized brains share an intolerance of uncertainty

A recent study at Brown University found that intolerance to uncertainty exacerbates polarization in both liberals and conservatives. The researchers measured brain activity while participants watched real political debates and news broadcasts, finding that neural responses diverged between individuals with different ideological beliefs.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

'Fairmandering' data tool makes redistricting more representative

A new method developed by Cornell University researchers can inject fairness into political redistricting. The 'Fairmandering' data tool creates billions of potential electoral maps for each state and then algorithmically identifies possibilities meeting desired criteria for fairness.

Study examines how picture books introduce kids to politics

Research analyzed popular picture books for depictions of political issues, leaders, and processes. The study found a lack of information on voting and protesting, as well as limited representation of democratic leaders. Picture books could be an opportunity for early education about politics and democracy.

Clinton lost US election because Democrats were too inclusive -- study

A new study suggests that Democrats' greater inclusiveness and willingness to integrate members of other groups into their party may have weakened party cohesion, ultimately leading to Hillary Clinton's election defeat. Republicans, on the other hand, displayed solidarity only with their own group, enabling them to act as a single entity.