A study by Princeton University finds that black mayoral candidates in Southern cities tend to win close elections with higher voter turnout than their opponents. This is attributed to effective voter mobilization strategies that targeted unregistered African-American voters, making it cheaper for black campaigns to get these votes out.
Researchers found that priming with homophones can influence consumer behavior, leading to increased willingness to pay for products. The study's findings have broader applications beyond consumer behavior, including potential uses in public policy and dieting goals.
Researchers found that physical changes to products during and after consumption can reduce recycling rates. Consumers are more likely to throw away items with distorted forms than intact ones.
A large community sample of adolescents found that regular family suppers were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, and higher life satisfaction. The study suggests that family mealtimes provide opportunities for open interactions and teaching positive health behaviors.
A new RAND Corporation study found that city blocks with both residential and commercial zoning purposes experienced less crime than those zoned primarily for commercial purposes. Researchers also discovered that crime rates dropped by an average of 7% when neighborhoods underwent changes in zoning, mostly towards residential uses.
A UCLA study found that female politicians with stereotypically feminine facial features are more likely to be Republican, while those with less feminine features are more likely to be Democrat. The researchers used a computer model to analyze the faces of 434 House Representatives and found a strong correlation between facial features...
Recent studies suggest genes play a significant role in shaping political preferences and traits. Twin studies have implicated several genes in influencing political issues such as the death penalty, unemployment, and abortion, with future research holding promise for deeper insights into genetic influences on politics.
A comprehensive survey of American Muslims found that religious beliefs significantly influence their health care attitudes and behaviors. The study highlights the importance of assigning responsibility to God for health and disease, as well as a holistic view of healing involving spiritual and medical agents.
A study on variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) was hindered by the Coroners' Society of England and Wales' refusal to collect tissue from autopsies. The authors argue that this decision ignored coroners' moral obligation to protect public health. A wider review of coroners' roles in public health measures is called for.
A University of Missouri researcher found that people who overuse credit believe products have unrealistic properties, leading to unfulfilled expectations. The study recommends revising financial literacy programs to help consumers recognize the limitations of material purchases.
Research suggests people who exert self-control are drawn to aggressive art and public policy appeals, leading to increased irritability and quickness to anger. This is contrary to messages that promote behavioral change, which can be perceived as controlling.
A recent study by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan found that mindfulness can neutralize fears of dying and death. Mindful people showed less defensiveness toward others who didn't share their worldview, and were more diplomatic and tolerant when confronted with death-related thoughts.
A new RAND Corporation study concludes that providing body armor to all US police officers nationwide is worth the cost, with a potential saving of at least eight lives annually. The study estimates that outfitting all 236,000 officers without body armor would cost $26 million annually.
A Harvard University study found that foreclosure reduces the sale price of a home by an average of 27%, while nearby homes within 250 feet see a 1% decrease in value. Other types of forced sales, such as death-related or bankruptcy-related discounts, result in smaller price drops.
Median incomes for U.S. IEEE members in electrotechnology and information technology increased by 4.9% to $116,000 in 2008, more than doubling the previous year's rise of 2.4%. The survey results provide valuable insights for employers seeking to attract and retain skilled professionals.
Holly Morris and Randy Atkins received the IEEE-USA Award for Literary Contributions Furthering Public Understanding of the Profession. Their award includes a $1,500 honorarium for their live coverage and podcast reporting on engineering innovations.
A new study predicts that world conventional crude oil production will reach its peak in 2014, years earlier than anticipated. The study, published in ACS' Energy & Fuels, uses a revised version of the Hubbert model to account for individual production trends and provides a more realistic forecast.
A new study found that consumers from lower-income backgrounds and rural areas are less likely to return products for refunds or exchanges, but this is not due to their socioeconomic status. The researchers recommend supporting consumer empowerment at the public policy level to encourage assertive action against companies.
IEEE-USA presents $8,000 in scholarship awards and honoraria to recognize outstanding engineering video entries and public awareness contributions. Five undergraduate students from UNLV and LeTourneau University receive scholarships, while two journalists from Fox 5 Morning News and National Academy of Engineering are honored for their...
Back-to-work policies are losing impact due to their 'gender blind' approach, neglecting the needs of teenage fathers and men working in childcare. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted support for young fathers to address gender inequalities and promote inclusive policies.
A study published in International Journal of Public Policy suggests that an evidence-based approach to medicine can increase quality and efficiency of healthcare systems. This approach emphasizes using medical research literature to inform clinical decisions.
Research reveals juries are often less diverse than surrounding communities due to underrepresentation in key groups. This can lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. In contrast, diverse juries tend to have more thorough decision-making processes.
A meta-analysis of 103 studies found that people tend to overestimate their knowledge, especially in health and social policy. However, subjective knowledge is more closely aligned with objective knowledge for fun products compared to practical ones.
The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health advocates for a new global agenda to address health inequities. The report calls for action-oriented policy responses, including improving daily life conditions and addressing power and money distributions.
Numerical earthquake models are providing a means to understand physical processes and predict earthquakes, reducing damage and loss of life. Simulations show that surface-rupturing earthquakes absorb more seismic energy than buried ones, resulting in less ground shaking.
Harding Middle School of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, won the IEEE-USA Best Communications System Award for its innovative 'xMax' technology, providing fast and non-line of sight connectivity. The students also developed a comprehensive 'Smart Home Programming' system to control their city's infrastructure.
A RAND Corporation study found that deportable immigrants released from the Los Angeles County jail system had a similar recidivism rate as non-deportable immigrants, with 43% being rearrested within a year compared to 35%. The study controlled for factors such as age and criminal history.
A study by Haipeng Chen and Akshay R. Rao found that 59% of students miscalculated the discount when presented with a base price of $100 and a 20% plus 25% off deal, while those incentivized or presented with easier problems were less prone to errors.
A study by U of M researchers found that people often treat percentages as whole numbers, leading to systematic errors in calculation. This results in consumers misjudging discounts and making costly mistakes.
The 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on managing and preventing obesity in adults and children provide a multifaceted approach to weight management. Key findings include the importance of physical activity strategies, behavior modification counseling, and public policy initiatives.
A recent study found that American adults have a limited understanding of scientific principles, with only 28% qualifying as scientifically literate. This is attributed to various factors, including the lack of general science courses in high schools and the reliance on informal science education resources.
A recent study from Georgetown University reveals that the number of new high-tech visas required by the US economy over the next decade is significantly higher than initially assumed. The report suggests that Congress may be authorizing too many visas, with 630,000 left over after filling all available positions.
A study by L.J. Shrum and colleagues found that individuals who watch more TV are more likely to adopt materialistic values, suggesting a 'cultivation effect' of television on American culture. The authors argue that TV influences viewers to incorporate affluent values into their personal structures.
A recent study published in The Gerontologist challenges the notion that Americans are moving further apart from their families. Short-distance mobility rates have decreased significantly over the last 50 years, while long-distance moves have shown less decline or remained relatively unchanged.
Dr. Steven Levy has received the 2004 Dean Award for his distinguished contributions to epidemiology and public health research. The award recognizes his meritorious work in these fields, as judged by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research.
The Gerontological Society of America awards the 2003 Lawton Award to Dr. Gurland, recognizing his outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research and service in dementia, depression, and disability care. He is a prominent researcher and director of programs at Columbia University.
Researchers found that living in a female-headed family at age 14, having low self-esteem, and poor verbal/math skills predicted depressive symptoms in young adulthood. The study also highlighted the need to disentangle women's marital status from their age at first birth.
The report highlights the need for a universal paid leave policy and flexible scheduling to support working families. Employers and governments are urged to adopt holistic approaches to work-life integration, including joint planning and community initiatives.
The current US drug policy is generating an epidemic of adverse health outcomes that disproportionately affect African Americans. Despite declines in drug use, cocaine-related and heroin-related emergency department visits and overdose deaths have climbed sharply.