Articles tagged with Sociopolitical Systems
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.
A recent study suggests that India's recurrent heatwaves have a significant socioeconomic impact on the country, weakening its progress toward achieving sustainable development goals. The study found that nearly 90% of the country is in danger zone from heatwave impact and around 20% is highly vulnerable to climate change.
A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...
A new study by Prof. Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln found that East Germans are more likely to prioritize state support for families and the elderly compared to Western counterparts. This long-lasting effect is passed down from one generation to the next, highlighting the need for a more unified Germany.
A new study found that social workers experienced high rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety during the pandemic, with 40% reporting depression - a rate 4 times higher than the general population. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches and strong mental health supports for staff to sustain the profession.
A new study by Dartmouth College researchers finds that sanctions on wealth managers would be more effective than asset seizure in crippling Russia's oligarchs. The research uses network science to map the connections between wealthy individuals and their financial experts, revealing a vulnerable network that can be disrupted with targ...
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Erik Herron's project aims to create a more perfect union by fostering open discussions about election integrity and values. Through public events and online resources, Herron encourages community groups to prioritize security, efficiency, and access in their elections.
Researchers employed computer vision to extract social behaviors and linked them to brain synchronization patterns in a novel approach. During cooperative play, brain synchronization was strongest when participants shared gaze, while individual play showed increased within-brain synchronization.
A real-time visual sensing system developed by researchers at Incheon National University can detect overcrowding with an accuracy of 96.55% in real-time. The system uses drones to capture footage, analyze it using a modified ResNet architecture, and feed the data into a social monitoring system.
A study analyzing local government spending on water infrastructure between 1980-2015 found associations with decreased poverty, increased per capita income, and unemployment. However, communities with higher Latino or Indigenous populations showed no significant effects, while Black American counties experienced stronger correlations.
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.
A new study found that foreign interference in American elections can reduce faith abroad in the United States as a trustworthy ally. Japanese citizens' trust in the US was higher when informed that US democracy is functioning versus not. The findings highlight the international security implications of successful electoral interference.
Researchers found that companies engaging in corporate political advocacy experience lower brand attitudes and purchase intentions, particularly among consumers with low political efficacy. These effects are driven by the lack of faith in political institutions among these consumers.
A study by Marta Antonelli and colleagues highlights the pressing challenges in the Mediterranean region, including worsening water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and nutritional imbalances. The gap between North and South countries is expected to grow, with climate change exacerbating environmental pressures and threatening food security.
A recent study highlights the importance of addressing negative human histories in shaping conservation practices. The authors propose a three-step approach to overcome social-ecological landscapes of fear, which constrain research and hinder ecological inquiry. By recognizing past injustices and engaging with local communities, scient...
A new study finds that transitioning to a low-carbon energy system could lead to significant global emissions, consuming much of the remaining carbon budget. The average emissions associated with decarbonization amount to 195 gigatonnes of CO2, equivalent to 0.1°C of additional global warming.
A game-theory-based approach explains the emergence of moral norms through the coupling of two games: social dilemma and coordination tasks. Cooperation can pay off when individuals prioritize group benefits over personal interests, leading to a self-sacrificing behavior that benefits all parties.
A new analysis by researchers at Duke University proposes a four-step science-based framework to overcome barriers and enhance the success of early warning systems. The framework involves understanding potential barriers, engaging key stakeholders, identifying promising strategies to overcome barriers, and measuring outcomes.
An experimental study found that U.S. political partisanship strongly influences first impressions of strangers' faces, affecting their perceived likability and competence. Disclosure of partisan affiliation had a greater impact on impressions than non-disclosure.
The $2.4 million grant will provide direct training for new community health workers in Lubbock and throughout the state through registered apprenticeship programs and job placements. The program aims to increase access to healthcare and address public health needs for underserved communities.
A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that a PACS tool improved completion rates of clinically necessary follow-up imaging. The tool identified socioeconomically disadvantaged patients at increased risk of failure, and referrer agreements played a crucial role in improving recommendations.
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.
A new study found that social, economic and political barriers hinder the global distribution of the $424 billion aquatic food industry's benefits. The study calls for policies to ensure equitable access to this sector, which supports both welfare-based benefits like jobs and affordable nutrition, as well as wealth-based benefits.
A decades-long study found that cash changed the Ju/’hoansi economy, allowing individuals to keep their earnings and fill their own needs. The study also revealed a decline in the traditional system of gifting and sharing, which had previously distributed possessions throughout communities.
Researchers captured mothers' experiences using documentary photography, revealing disempowerment, incongruent systems, and the need for relational support to aid recovery. Positive relationships with others in the recovery community were noted sources of support.
A new report highlights the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' knowledge systems to address climate change. The authors argue that these knowledge systems bring alternative ways of understanding and addressing complex global problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
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.
A new study published in the Journal of Policing, Intelligence & Counter-Terrorism found that most posts in extremist online forums are made by a clique of highly committed members. The research, led by Professor Stephane Baele and Dr Lewys Brace, analyzed over 12 million unique posts across eight far-right, seven Salafi-jihadist, and ...
A study found that concurrent heat and drought events can have devastating effects on multiple sectors, including human health, energy, and agriculture. The research highlights the importance of considering compound extreme events in adaptation efforts to improve resilience.
A new study co-authored by economist Dr. Reto Odermatt found that educational and occupational aspirations are important predictors of career success, with ambitious goals motivating people to invest more in their future career success. However, unrealistically high aspirations as a teenager can have negative effects on well-being as a...
A Japanese study reveals that policy disagreement and politicization led to the split of Japan's largest opposition party in 2017. The researchers found that traditional DIF analysis failed to capture the complexity of party positions, but a corrected version showed strong discord over defense policy.
Scientists argue that system thinking can better understand the world's rapidly changing dynamics, considering both social and ecological factors. The article highlights the importance of this approach in addressing climate change-induced natural disasters, such as increased frequency and danger of wildfires.
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.
The study found that legislatures, rather than governors, played a crucial role in shaping data reporting practices. Standardized data collection protocols and comprehensive race and ethnicity data are essential for addressing health disparities and reducing information asymmetries.
Researchers found that partisans tend to justify their own party's falsehoods and view those of opposing parties as unacceptable. The study suggests that this partisan charitability can be driven by a desire for trustworthiness within one's own group, but not necessarily outside it.
An international research team applied a new dynamical model and exceptional historical data to examine major explanations for cultural complexity evolution. The study found little support for many influential theories, including the transition to agriculture and conflict theories.
The study highlights opportunities for robotics to support human activities, foster innovation, and enhance monitoring. However, it also identifies potential threats such as exacerbating inequalities and diverting resources from tried-and-tested solutions. Researchers emphasize the need for early identification of negative impacts and ...
A new study found that 64% of adults who had contact with the child welfare system as children achieve excellent mental health, highlighting resilience and factors associated with flourishing. Chronic pain, major depression, and social isolation hinder optimal mental health.
Researchers found that terminating Supplemental Security Income benefits at age 18 significantly increases criminal charges, with a 20% rise in income-generating crimes and a 60% increase in incarceration likelihood. The effect persists for more than two decades.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that countries with strong rule of law have less economic volatility and higher productivity. Weak rule of law leads to poor contract enforcement, causing employee morale to suffer, ultimately sparking churn and economic instability.
A new Cornell University-led study found that low-income residents near new public transit stations in Medellin, Colombia experienced higher dengue fever rates. The researchers discovered that the proximity to these stations and socioeconomic status are significant factors in determining dengue incidence rates.
An expert analysis of Russia's foreign policy statements since the USSR collapse finds Putin masking invasion policies with 1990s humanitarian propaganda. The study highlights how the Kremlin has used narratives from the 1990s to claim Russian minorities need protecting with military support.
A community-focused approach led by Boston Medical Center significantly improved COVID-19 vaccination uptake in historically disinvested Black and Latino communities. The initiative administered over 100,000 first doses, with a focus on mobile vaccination events and community-based clinics.
A new study found that a brief befriending-themed meditation can reduce affective polarization between Remain and Leave voters in the UK. The meditation increased perceived commonality between sides, suggesting a potential strategy to address polarization.
A new study reveals that urban residents have a simplistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and are less likely to take pro-environmental actions. The research highlights an issue known as urbanized knowledge syndrome, which can harm natural ecosystems and undermine community resilience.
Young people aged 18-30 fear influence and control, crime and security, changes in life pace, negative technological consequences, and social inequality. Digital fears reinforce traditional concerns and emerge from uncertainty and growing forces beyond human control.
Researchers developed an interdisciplinary resilience framework to understand the connection between social and water systems in communities like the Choyeros. The framework explores how social systems impact water supply resilience and vice versa, providing a tool to generate conversations and coordinate responses.
A new research paper by Andrew Futter, Professor of International Politics at the University of Leicester, warns of a 'Third Nuclear Age' due to advancements in nuclear weapons technology. The 'Third Nuclear Age' could fundamentally change the rules on nuclear order and stability, posing significant risks to global security.
A new study has developed a tool to evaluate and change names that may be rooted in white supremacy. Researchers analyzed over 2,000 place names in 16 US national parks, finding patterns of settler colonial mythologies including racism and genocide.
Researchers found that metal concentrations were particularly elevated in CWSs serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities, highlighting environmental justice concerns. Arsenic, barium, chromium, selenium, and uranium concentrations were also disproportionately elevated.
Platform firms like Uber have adapted to regulations to provide different services and accumulate power, mediating between producers and consumers. The study shows that these companies' power stems from their position in the economy and strategic response to existing regulations.
Research by David Carter and Scott F. Abramson suggests territorial conflicts tend to emerge when great powers are embroiled in crisis, creating opportunities for revisionist states like Russia to make aggressive moves. The study found over 60% of European territorial claims were made during the most unstable years after 1815.
The 'Agency for All' project aims to develop social and behavioral research to understand how to promote local voices and agency in health and development programming. The five-year, $38 million grant will fund an international network across Africa, South Asia, and other regions.
A new study surveyed recent theoretical and empirical insights into economic and policy implications of modern infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The survey reveals distinct channels of disease impacts, highlighting the importance of prevention and pandemic preparedness through investments in healthcare systems.
A new study reveals that corrections staff in Kentucky view incarcerated individuals as 'monsters' or 'evils', dehumanizing them to justify violent behavior. This us-them ideology can lead to abuse and harm, and has implications for prison management and the carceral system.
A new study offers a framework for addressing cyber security challenges in critical infrastructure by explicitly representing multiple dimensions of potential impacts. The proposed Bayesian network model allows for the identification of optimal portfolios of security measures to minimize expected cyberattack impacts.
A study from the University of California, Davis, simulated 100,000 future policy and emissions trajectories to identify relevant variables that impact climate change. The results indicate that public perceptions, technological improvements, and political institution responsiveness are crucial determinants of future emissions.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the US has existing defense treaties with those nations. The research suggests that public opinion can be shaped by how leaders frame international commitments, particularly in relation to NATO alliances.
New research links structural sexism and anti-LGB stigma with increased risk of preterm birth and decreased birth weight, regardless of the mother's sexual orientation. The study found that these systemic issues can limit access to reproductive health care and socioeconomic opportunities, contributing to adverse birth outcomes.