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A blue paradox

Researchers at UCSB and the University of Oregon discovered that efforts to close off fishing in marine reserves paradoxically led to more fishing, exacerbating habitat degradation. The preemptive behavior was equivalent to 1.5 years of avoided fishing following the ban.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

CU Anschutz: Law enforcement and gun retailers are resources for safe gun storage

A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that law enforcement agencies and gun retailers are willing to offer voluntary, temporary storage of guns to prevent suicide. Most people, including health providers, may not know what safe outside-the-home storage is available and what their options are.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 29, 2017

Car seat laws for older kids have limited impact

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that car seat laws for older kids have a limited effect on compliance rates. Despite increased fines, the same number of kids remain unrestrained. The study suggests that education and access to safety seats might be more effective in improving road safety.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateJun 29, 2017

Professor Andrew Morris wins NEH fellowship

Andrew Morris will continue his work on a book about Hurricane Camille and its impact on American disaster relief policy using the NEH fellowship. The book examines the transformation of disaster assistance programs in the US following the devastating Category 5 storm in 1969.

ICU use associated with more invasive procedures, higher costs

A study of four common medical conditions found that hospitals using intensive care units (ICUs) more frequently were associated with more invasive procedures, higher hospital costs, but showed no improvement in mortality rates. Smaller hospitals and teaching hospitals had higher ICU utilization rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2016

Keep an eye on children's calories, researchers say

A new study suggests that caregivers can lower children's meal calories by choosing lower-calorie products and strategic portion sizes. By serving larger portions of lower-calorie foods with smaller portions of higher-calorie foods, children's overall caloric intake can be substantially reduced.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateMar 17, 2016

Businesses don't always get what they want, but try to get what they need

A study of federal policy decisions between 1998 and 2002 found that businesses have a roughly equal chance of success as citizen groups when opposing them. However, businesses may excel in certain types of legislative battles, such as technical projects, where they draw little opposition. The researchers also found that businesses hav...

SourcePenn State·JournalInterest Groups & Advocacy·DateJun 16, 2015

Plotting the elimination of dengue

A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that Wolbachia can block dengue virus infection in mosquitoes, leading to a significant reduction in transmission. The discovery has the potential to improve strategies for controlling dengue outbreaks, particularly in regions with low or moderate intensity of transmission.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 8, 2015

Trans fats still weighing Americans down

A study found that American consumers consume more than 1% of their daily calories from trans fats, exceeding the American Heart Association's recommendation. Omega-3 fatty acids have not changed significantly over the past thirty years and may help improve cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateOct 22, 2014

Newborn health improves despite income gap

A review of recent economic research found that newborn health has improved nationally in recent years, with a decrease in low birth weight among disadvantaged mothers over the last 20 years. This improvement is attributed to increased public policies and programming aimed at improving prenatal and postnatal care.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateMay 22, 2014

Women's empowerment and Olympic success

Research by Grand Valley State University researchers found a strong correlation between women's empowerment and international athletic success, including more medals won and increased participation. The study controlled for other factors like population and wealth to show that gender equality was key to Olympic success.

SourceGrand Valley State University·JournalJournal of Sports Economics·DateMay 13, 2014

Women's empowerment and Olympic success

A study by Grand Valley State University researchers found that nations with greater women's empowerment tend to win more Olympic medals and participate in the games more, regardless of gender. The effect is strongest for female athletes, but also applies to men, with greater equality associated with better success.

SourceGrand Valley State University·JournalJournal of Sports Economics·DateMay 13, 2014

Trust in leaders, sense of belonging stir people to safeguard common goods, analysis shows

A new report examines conditions that foster cooperative use of common resources, including strong group identity, smaller community size, and high trust in leaders. The study highlights factors leading to incongruous use of resources, such as intergroup conflicts, ideology/values, and cognitive disconnection.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJul 25, 2013