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Home insurance buyers lack access to public flood data

A recent study found that flood mapping information in Canada is inadequate, incomplete and hard to locate, leaving homeowners exposed to significant financial risk. The study highlights the need for better information availability to help homeowners determine if their homes are at risk from flooding.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2019

Does political party trump ideology?

A recent study published in American Political Science Review found that people's policy positions shift when informed of their party leader's stance on a controversial issue. Researchers used President Trump's statements to test the effect of party loyalty versus policy loyalty.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateDec 18, 2018

Algorithm increases employment opportunities for refugees

A new algorithm developed by ETH Zurich and Stanford University aims to increase employment opportunities for refugees in Switzerland by up to 73%. By analyzing data on refugees' characteristics and labor market conditions, the algorithm provides a tailored recommendation for which canton each refugee is most likely to find work.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJan 19, 2018

Public trust in science spiked after media coverage of Zika vaccine trial

A survey found that public trust in science increased after the launch of the first human trial of a Zika vaccine, with people showing greater trust in science and paying more attention to news about the Zika virus. The study suggests that regularized communication about scientific advances could bolster confidence in science.

Science is core to saving wildlife

The Wildlife Conservation Society emphasizes the importance of science in wildlife conservation, citing numerous examples including the prevention of American Bison extinction and forest elephant population recovery. Science informs their work through research papers, protected areas establishment, and policy development.

How can marijuana policy protect the adolescent brain?

Experts recommend that laws legalizing marijuana outline restrictions on age, frequency of use, potency, and advertising to prevent abuse. They also emphasize the need for additional research to guide informed policy decisions.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2017

'Legal highs,' PMMA and zombie panic

A recent study published in Drug Science Policy and Law finds a significant rise in PMA/PMMA contamination in ecstasy pills from 2001 to 2007, resulting in deaths in both countries. The authors advocate for harm reduction strategies and education over criminalisation of new drugs.

SourceSAGE·JournalDrug Science Policy and Law·DateFeb 18, 2014

Researchers' tweets move science forward

Scientists like David Shiffman and Emily Darling document how tweeting supports scientific communication and outreach. They argue that a little effort on Twitter can provide enormous value for connecting with a diverse audience and sparking interdisciplinary collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalIdeas in Ecology and Evolution·DateSep 10, 2013

Drug policy: Time for change in both USA and UK

The US plan prioritizes prevention, treatment, and law enforcement, focusing on reducing youth drug use and prescription abuse. In contrast, the UK is facing criticism for its drug policy, which has been influenced by media pressure and ideological opinions, leading to a lack of evidence-based decision-making.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 20, 2010

Wall, war, wealth: 30 years in science

The study examines the effects of geopolitical change on scientific production over the last 30 years. Asia's share of world scientific output grew by 155% and China has shown spectacular progress, catching up with the US in natural sciences and engineering by 2015.

MIT study: Heavier rainstorms ahead

A new MIT study forecasts an increase in extreme rainfall events, with precipitation in these events expected to rise by 6% for every one degree Celsius temperature increase. Climate models show varying results within the tropics, prompting further research to determine outcomes in tropical regions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2009

Politicians can use fear to manipulate the public

A new study explores how and when politicians can use fear to manipulate the public into supporting policies they might otherwise oppose. Politicians' use of fear is more likely with abstract topics that are difficult for citizens to observe.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateMar 4, 2009

Elite opinion leaders greatly vary in their foreign policy beliefs

A recent study reveals that elite opinion leaders hold varying foreign policy beliefs, including Missionaries, Hegemonists, and Globalizers. The most prevalent orientations are Hegemonists, Globalizers, and Progressive Internationalists. Minority views advocate for cultural approaches to foreign policy, rejecting dominance by US power.

SourceWiley·JournalPolitics &amp Policy·DateOct 2, 2008

Army still using physicians in interrogation, bioethicist says

A Penn State bioethicist and Georgetown University law professor argue that the US Army continues to involve physicians in interrogations despite professional medical associations' adoption of restrictive policies. The Army's Behavioral Science Consultation Memo attempts to justify physician participation in interrogations.

SourcePenn State·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 10, 2008

Bomb book wins top honour

Dr Jeff Hughes wins Watson Davis and Helen Miles Davis Prize for his book on the Manhattan Project, challenging widely held beliefs about the expansion of scientific projects. The book offers a broader narrative on 'Big Science' from the early 20th century to its collapse in the 1990s.