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Experiments find bias in way analysts view firms led by black grads of prestigious universities

A study in Organization Science found that analysts discount African American managers' qualifications if they graduated from prestigious universities, while accepting the same qualifications for white managers. The effect is significant even when controlling for financial performance and accomplishments.

Envious employees can turn hospitality industry hostile

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that front-line hotel employees who are envious of their co-workers' relationships with supervisors are less likely to help or volunteer for additional duties. Envy can create a hostile work environment and negatively impact customer satisfaction, the study suggests.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateSep 28, 2010

Surgery: A profession in crisis?

A recent Editorial in The Lancet highlights the need for strong leadership and education to redefine surgery's role and extend its benefits to wider populations. Key findings include inadequate operating theatres, anaesthetic cover, and emergency care provision, as well as surgeons' absence from healthcare debates and positions of power.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 23, 2010

High testosterone levels linked to self-destructive CEO behavior, says Management Science

A study by Maurice Levi, Kai Li, and Feng Zhang finds that high testosterone levels in CEOs negotiating mergers and acquisitions are associated with a higher rate of dropped deals and increased hostile takeover attempts. Younger CEOs with high testosterone levels tend to reject low offers, even if it's against their interest.

Tiny ant bodyguards keep massive elephants at bay

A new study reveals that tiny ants play a crucial role in protecting acacia trees from elephants in the African savanna. The findings suggest that swarming groups of ants can deter elephants, which prefer to eat ant-plants over their favorite tree food.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 2, 2010

Airline passengers in developing countries face 13 times crash risk as US: INFORMS study

Passengers in developing countries face a 13 times higher risk of being killed in an air accident than those in First World countries. The study also reveals that even the most economically advanced developing-world countries have seven times the death risk per flight as First World countries.

Arsenic in field runoff linked to poultry litter

Researchers found that fields amended with poultry litter can accumulate significant levels of arsenic, which can then migrate into nearby streams and rivers. The study highlights the importance of controlling point sources of arsenic and suggests management practices to protect local regions from agricultural pollutants.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 16, 2010

U of M research finds ovulating women unconsciously buy sexier clothing to outdo attractive women

A study from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management found that ovulating women prefer sexier fashion products when thinking about local, attractive women, to entice a desirable mate. This behavior is not conscious and applies only during the ovulation phase, with no effect on non-ovulating women.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 4, 2010

The battle to be researchers in the oPt

Despite these challenges, Palestinian researchers were able to attend a conference on global health issues, showcasing their resilience and determination. The conference, hosted by the Lancet-Palestinian Health Alliance, brought together international and local experts to discuss population health in the context of occupation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 1, 2010

Irish hares fall foul of modern farming trap

Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that Irish hare populations are declining due to changes in farming practices. Hares require a specific patchwork of grassland and tall vegetation for feeding and hiding, but silage fields are mistakenly identified as suitable habitats, leading to traps and population declines.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJun 29, 2010

Educational researcher devotes May issue to 'Report of the National Early Literacy Panel'

The May issue of Educational Researcher provides a significant scholarly review of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) Report, which presents findings on early literacy measures correlating with later literacy achievement. The report also examines teaching methods and language development in preschool and kindergarten settings.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateMay 31, 2010

Firms pay more to high-skill foreign IT pros than to US colleagues, shows INFORMS study

A new study by Professors Sunil Mithas and Henry C. Lucas, Jr., published in Management Science, found that firms paying higher wages to foreign IT professionals do not depress the salaries of American colleagues. Instead, this practice may actually benefit US companies by leveraging a culturally diverse workforce.

Securities analysts' reports new technology slow adoption, warns study in INFORMS journal

A new study in Organization Science journal suggests that securities analysts' reluctance to recommend investment in new technologies can harm veteran companies. The researchers found that analysts prefer strategies that extend existing technologies over those that directly respond to new technology, with negative implications for mana...

25th anniversary of anti-AIDS drugs

The 25th anniversary of antiretroviral drug development is celebrated with a milestone Special Issue in Elsevier's Antiviral Research journal, featuring review articles from key players in the field. HIV-1 has gone from being an 'inherently untreatable' agent to one eminently susceptible to approved therapies.

SourceElsevier·JournalAntiviral Research·DateMar 3, 2010

The seismic gap south of Istanbul

A new computer study reveals that tensions in a fault zone south of Istanbul could trigger multiple earthquakes, increasing the city's earthquake risk. The study's findings suggest that built-up tension can unload in smaller quakes rather than one massive event.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 17, 2010

Judge not lest ye be judged?

Research from the Kellogg School of Management explores 'moral hypocrisy' in powerful individuals, finding that power makes them stricter in moral judgment of others while being less strict of their own behavior. Power also leads to a disconnect between public judgment and private actions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 29, 2009

Brainstorming works best in less specialized efforts, says Management Insights study

Research by Stylianos Kavadias and Svenja C. Sommer suggests that brainstorming techniques are more effective when participants from different specialties collaborate to develop simpler products. The study found that in highly technical products, specialists work individually before collaborating through 'nominal' groups.