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Luck or merit? Not all inequality is equally acceptable.

A recent study by Ingvild Almås explores why people worldwide accept or reject inequality, revealing differences between Western and non-Western societies. While global populations tend to accept merit-based fairness, there are significant variations, with non-Western countries like China and India exhibiting a high acceptance of luck-...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2026

Children prefer fair punishment to unequal treatment

Children's sense of fairness becomes increasingly sophisticated as they get older, and they expect rules to be applied impartially and equally to every group member. A fair punishment brings emotional relief to children, whereas unequal treatment provokes strong resistance and undermines their sense of justice.

SourceSWPS University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Expectant couples in Finland, Japan and Portugal aim at being a good parental team – long working hours and primacy of mother are barriers for gender-equal parenting

A study of expectant parents in three countries found that long working hours and traditional motherhood cultures hinder gender-equal parenting. Expectant couples identified the need for positive, culturally appropriate coparenting programs to build team spirit and support each other.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalParenting·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2026

The law turns a “blind eye” to the severe financial consequences of being in an abusive relationship, study warns

A new study by the University of Exeter warns that the current laws turn a 'blind eye' to the long-lasting financial consequences of domestic abuse. The research suggests that the law should be reformed to take into account the financial impacts of abuse when dividing assets, enabling enhanced awards for victim-survivors.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Law Policy and the Family·TypeObservational study·DateNov 5, 2025

Women earn 25% less than men in wealthy households, finds study

A new analysis of the gender pay gap in the UK reveals that women in wealthier households earn 25% less than men, while those in poorer households experience a smaller 4% gap. The study highlights the importance of addressing societal penalties for being female and improving job quality to reduce the pay gap.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalCambridge Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2025

Many people choose unemployment benefits over poorly paid jobs

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study published in PLOS One found that extremely low minimum wages and unemployment benefits can discourage people from working. The 'work incentive principle' aims to create a financial advantage for working over receiving benefits, but when both are very low, it loses its effectiveness.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 3, 2025

China’s insider trading crackdown is backfiring. Here’s why

A new study reveals that China's sell-by-plan mandate, aimed at preventing insider trading, has failed to stop executives from profiting from private information. Executives have found a way to plan their sales far in advance, allowing them to cash out before bad news breaks, undermining market fairness and eroding investor trust.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Accounting and Economics·DateApr 28, 2025

New research in JNCCN finds stark disparities in treatment and survival time for people with pancreatic cancer

Researchers found significant disparities in quality of care and outcomes for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Patients with higher social vulnerability indices were less likely to receive guideline-concordant systemic therapy, palliative care, or survive over 12 months.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateApr 9, 2025

How could artificial intelligence be used globally to increase fairness in the distribution of public social services?

The AI FORA project analyzed how AI-based social assessment varies across nine countries and four continents, highlighting the need for flexible, dynamic, and adaptive systems that reflect social stakeholders' perspectives. The research aims to improve AI in addressing fairness and discrimination issues in public social services.

New research can help luxury brands counter the appeal of counterfeit goods

New research suggests that educating low-knowledge luxury consumers about the appeal of counterfeit goods can help combat the trillion-dollar counterfeit market. Consumers with high subjective knowledge in this domain are less likely to partake in counterfeits, while those with lower knowledge are more drawn to them.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

How one state’s repeal of a prison ‘pay-to-stay’ law could guide national reform

A new study by USC Dornsife researchers reveals how Illinois' repeal of the 'pay-to-stay' law, charging inmates for room and board, can inform national reform efforts. The study found that lawmakers used a pragmatic approach to reform, highlighting the importance of data-driven decision making in advancing criminal justice reform.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalTheoretical Criminology·TypeCase study·DateDec 18, 2024

Do animals get jealous like people? Researchers say it’s complicated.

A new UC Berkeley study analyzed over 60,000 animal observations and found no conclusive evidence of inequity aversion in non-human species. However, the researchers suggest that some animals may exhibit disappointment or social protest when their expectations are not met.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2024

Breaking down bias in the NFT marketplace: Study reveals female and Black avatars sell for less—and offers solutions to promote equality

Researchers found that female CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 37% lower price than their male counterparts, while Black CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 31% lower price than White counterparts. Avatars with features associated with high-tech or higher education countered these disparities.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateNov 19, 2024

New study by Tepper School researcher finds honesty-humility is key to auditors monitoring quality

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers reveals that auditors with high honesty-humility scores are more likely to report financial misstatements, while those with low scores do not. This suggests that screening auditors for honesty-humility could enhance monitoring quality and prevent costly oversight failures.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNegotiation and Conflict Management Research·DateOct 30, 2024

Transition to low-carbon futures: New research uncovers rise in legal challenges to climate action

A new study highlights the emergence of 'just transition litigation', challenging climate policies and projects that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. The phenomenon emphasizes the need for balancing climate action with social justice considerations, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, workers, and local residents.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 8, 2024

Study: Direct incentives may boost hiring managers’ willingness to employ individuals with criminal convictions

A study found that direct incentives, such as tax credits and insurance, can increase hiring managers' willingness to hire applicants with prior records. The most effective incentives were a $2,400 tax credit and $25,000 insurance against losses, which worked regardless of conviction type or perceptions about performance.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateAug 26, 2024

Pollution drives families to relocate – but only the rich can afford to live in healthier areas

A new study finds that pollution levels significantly impact households' decision to relocate within the US, with poorer families being priced out of healthier areas. Richer households, on the other hand, opt for cleaner environments, earning more than average in their new communities.

SourceLancaster University·JournalEnvironmental and Resource Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2024

Balancing fairness and welfare in the face of uncertainty

A mathematical model developed by Chris Zobel and colleagues optimizes resource allocation in urban infrastructure while considering social vulnerabilities and projected sea level rise impacts. The approach prioritizes investments that enhance resilience and mitigate socio-economic disparities, enabling informed decision-making that ba...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateAug 5, 2024

The composition of the gut microbiota could influence decision-making

A study found that individuals taking probiotic supplements showed increased sensitivity to fairness and a greater inclination to reject unequal offers. This was accompanied by changes in gut microbiota composition and levels of dopamine precursors. The findings suggest a potential causal mechanism linking gut bacteria to social behavior.

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 16, 2024

Sensitivity to fairness and the gut microbiome

Taking pro- and prebiotics affects levels of altruistic punishment in ultimatum game players. Participants who took supplements were more likely to reject unfair offers, with those having a high Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio seeing the greatest changes.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 14, 2024

Study: New deepfake detector designed to be less biased

Researchers at UB have developed a new deepfake detection algorithm that reduces biases in facial recognition, with one method classifying videos based on demographics and the other relying on features not visible to the human eye. The algorithms improved fairness metrics and reduced disparities in accuracy across races and genders.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Senior physicians may care for fewer patients with Medicaid and from racial/ethnic minorities than junior physicians

A new study found that senior physicians in cognitive and procedural specialties see fewer Medicaid patients and those from racial/ethnic minorities compared to junior physicians. This raises concerns about a two-tiered healthcare system and disparities in patient access.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023

Paper addresses ethics of bioethics conference in Qatar

The International Association of Bioethics has proposed a framework to guide the selection of future conference sites, including those with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The framework identifies multiple values and principles at stake, aiming to broaden conversation within bioethics about international conferencing ethics.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Bioethics·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 7, 2023

HSE scientists investigate third-party punishment for unfairness

Researchers from HSE Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience examine the brain's reaction to social norms violations and calculate a behavioral index to assess an individual's sensitivity to unfairness. This index can be used to develop personalized rehabilitation programs for patients with various types of behavioral disorders.