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New Cochrane gap map highlights big gaps in dengue prevention research

A new Cochrane map has identified significant gaps in dengue prevention research, with most studies lacking synthesis into reliable reviews that policymakers can use. The map highlights areas such as vaccine implementation, adult mosquito control, and environmental interventions, which require more evidence to inform effective dengue c...

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 23, 2026

USC Rossier’s Critical Policy Collective releases “250 Years of Promise,” a nonpartisan research brief tracing two centuries of youth-driven educational change

The brief connects 16 movements, from the Institute for Colored Youth to today's Student Action on Curricular Restrictions, and pairs each with evidence-grounded policy recommendations. Key patterns across generations of youth organizing include mass mobilization, coalition-building, and legal pressure.

A new transnational history explores Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, illuminating resilience, displacement, community building, and the struggle for justice

A new reference essay examines Japanese migration to Canada from 1877 to 1988, highlighting the development of vibrant communities and women's roles in shaping immigrant life. The article also explores the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Canadians during WWII and their ongoing struggle for justice.

Hairdressers could be a secret weapon in tackling climate change, new research finds

Research from the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations reveals that hairdressers can prompt climate conversations and inspire change. Salon owners reported successful conversations with clients about sustainability, leading to changes in habits such as water and energy usage, and even dietary choices.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeSurvey·DateMar 3, 2026

How to motivate collective action on climate

A Stanford University study found that showcasing past collective efforts on climate change can motivate individuals to take action. The most effective interventions combined evidence of impact with social and emotional benefits, increasing willingness to take public awareness actions by 30% and political actions by nearly 14%.

SourceStanford University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 27, 2026

Socio-environmental movements: key global guardians of biodiversity amid rising violence

A new study reveals that socio-environmental mobilizations play a critical role in global biodiversity conservation by resisting environmental degradation. These local struggles often overlap with global conservation priorities, highlighting the need for policy shifts to recognize and support these movements.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCase study·DateJan 19, 2026

New research says framing protests as fights for civil rights ‘backfires.’ So what might work?

A new study published in the American Sociological Review finds that framing modern social issues as attacks on civil rights decreases public support for government action. The researchers surveyed 7,500 California voters and found that civil rights framing was counterproductive across issues and beneficiaries, including Black people.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·TypeSurvey·DateJun 20, 2025

Q&A: What universities can learn about navigating ideological tension from the history of same-sex domestic partner benefits

Researchers found that public universities in conservative states adjusted their policy decisions and justification frames to reduce backlash. In contrast, institutions in more progressive states often cited social justice arguments and framed their decisions around fairness and inclusion. These findings offer valuable lessons on how o...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalOrganization Science·DateMay 28, 2025

New research illustrates the relationship between moral outrage on social media and activism

A new study found that expressions of moral outrage on social media increase post virality but don't necessarily translate to petition signing behavior. Online expressions focusing on agency, group identity, and prosociality are more likely to generate signatures.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2025

Does listening really change minds? New study challenges common assumptions

A large-scale field experiment found that sharing compelling personal narratives significantly shifted participants' views on immigration, regardless of active listening. High-quality listening improved perceptions of the speaker but did not enhance the persuasive effect of the narrative.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2025

African voices in ink

The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.

Gentrification can leave residents feeling powerless and alienated in their own neighborhood, research shows

A new study reveals gentrification's complex impact on residential communities in Seoul, Korea, finding that state-led urban change can lead to emotional displacement of residents. Meanwhile, property-led redevelopment has resulted in direct displacement and replacement of industrial clusters with high-rise residential construction.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalThe Developing Economies·TypeObservational study·DateNov 1, 2024

Public discourse promotes socially responsible behavior

A new study by economists at the University of Zurich finds that engaging in public discourse increases socially responsible market behavior regardless of participants' social norms and values. The researchers conducted three lab experiments with over 2,500 participants and observed a significant increase in trade with fair products wh...

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalAmerican Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2024

Women at risk of ‘digital overload’ – new research reveals

A new study by Lancaster University highlights that women are more likely than men to experience 'digital overload' and burnout due to their greater use of digital technologies in both work and family lives. The research emphasizes the need for gender-egalitarian work-from-home arrangements and policies to address this issue.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCommunity Work & Family·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 8, 2024

Breakthrough in tremor treatment: Robotic therapy developed by GIST researchers improves daily activities

Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed an innovative robotic rehabilitation system called SPINDLE to enhance the strength and dexterity of individuals with tremors. The study revealed significant benefits, including improved motor control, coordination, and neuroplasticity.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2024

Europeans may be more willing to help Ukrainian refugees than those from Syria or Somalia in part because they consider Ukrainians less threatening

A study found Europeans are more willing to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers than Syrians or Somalis, largely because of the perceived lower threat level associated with Ukrainians. The research suggests that emotional factors and prejudice play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards helping refugees.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 13, 2023

Focus on state as ‘problem parent’ rather than care-experienced mothers – new research

Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·TypeCase study·DateJul 10, 2023

Physical exercise helps to improve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

A systematic review of 156 trials found that physical exercise improved motor symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson's Disease. Most types of structured exercise, including dance, water-based exercise, and endurance training, showed clinically meaningful benefits.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 15, 2023

Taking pride in identity may protect mental health against online hate, experience of Asian Americans finds

A recent study suggests that taking pride in one's identity can help protect mental health from online hate, with Asian Americans showing increased resilience. The research found that those who affirmed their identities were more likely to experience better psychological and physical health, as well as stronger personal relationships.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Applied Communication Research·TypeSurvey·DateDec 15, 2022

Researchers look to find why the Dutch are still holding to the traditional image of Black Pete despite the criticism

A recent study by Leiden University researchers explores the cultural significance of Black Pete in the Netherlands. The findings indicate that acceptance of minority groups' unequal treatment is linked to resistance against changing Black Pete's appearance, highlighting a complex social hierarchy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateJul 25, 2022

A brain network for social attraction

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have discovered a specialized neural circuit in zebrafish that enables recognition of conspecifics. This pathway, which runs from the retina to the thalamus, triggers shoaling behavior and regulates social approach and affiliation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 14, 2022

A ‘cautionary tale’ about location tracking

A recent study by the University of Rochester found that mobility patterns can be predicted with surprising accuracy based on data collected from acquaintances, even if individual users turn off their own location tracking. The researchers discovered that up to 95% of an individual's movement pattern can be inferred from people they ar...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 12, 2022

Analysis highlights role of Chile's feminist movement in push for social and political progress

A new analysis examines how Chile's feminist movement evolved in response to the country's enduring inequality, particularly gender inequality. The study highlights the movement's impact on mass protests and the writing of a new constitution, with key findings including increased feminist participation and intersectional perspectives.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalSocial Inclusion·DateFeb 23, 2022

Ephemeral evidence of Mediterranean mobility

The article examines modern migration in the Mediterranean by analyzing abandoned fishing boats and their contents, revealing the impact of policy decisions on displacement. The study provides a nuanced narrative of human experiences during these journeys, highlighting inequalities and varying degrees of preparation among those onboard.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalAmerican Journal of Archaeology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2021