Elisabeth Best
Lessons From China and India's Newspaper Boom
How the print media in China and India are succeeding — and what America's ailing journalism industry might learn from them.
Debunking Myths About Emergency Seed Aid
The quake in Haiti and floods in Pakistan highlight that the multimillion-dollar emergency seed aid industry is in need of a makeover.
How U.S. Employment Affects Returning Migrants
Thousands of Latin-American migrants come to work in the United States every year, legally and illegally. But does their time in the U.S. help or hurt them when they return to their home countries?
Public Schools: An Untapped Recreational Resource
Researchers suggest limiting liability issues to make playgrounds and other recreation areas on school grounds accessible as a cost-effective way to promote public health.
Recreating the Creative Industry in New Orleans
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been rebounding slowly. Five years after the disaster, researchers suggest that the city promote its entertainment industry as a development strategy.
Bamboo Houses to the Rescue
Bamboo houses combat climate change, encourage economic growth and protect the poor from natural disaster. Why aren't there more of them?
The Yellow Light Conundrum
To stop or to speed through? That is the question.
A Vicious Cycle: Corruption Leads To More Corruption
A legacy of corruption leads the citizenry more toward resignation and connivance than to activism, a new study looking at Mexico reports.
Full-Time Students, Part-Time Education
Parents and grandparents lecturing the "Me Generation" how easy they have it get research to support their argument (at least when they're talking about college).
Studying Abroad or Drinking Abroad
Researchers find that heavier-drinking American college students are more likely to study abroad or intend to study abroad.
Why the iPhone Won
New research suggests that the iPhone's success is largely due to its ability to offer what other smart phones did not: Browsing was the killer app.
In Class-Action Lawsuits, You’re Only Suing Yourself
Feeling let down by that financial firm you invested in? New research suggests class-action lawsuits should go after the people responsible for your loss, not the company.
Alcohol Makes Bigger Guys More Aggressive
One drink of alcohol may make a smaller guy more drunk, but research suggests it makes a bigger guy more aggressive.
Extending the Sin Tax to the Tanning Bed
Research has shown that "sin taxes" help reduce consumption of addictive substances like cigarettes and alcohol. Could the same be true for tanning?
Blondes Have More Funds
If money equals fun, the adage that blondes have more of it appears to be true. Research suggests that blond women make more and marry richer than women with a different hair color.
Rerouting Gray Whales By Audio
Researchers are testing a new technology to protect whales from human enterprises by rerouting them.
Continental’s Charitable Donations May Be In Departure Lounge
Continental and United’s proposed merger entails a relocation of Continental’s headquarters to Chicago. Houstonians (rightfully) fear that this means a relocation of charitable contributions, too.
One Grad Faces Decisions in a Time of Recession
One year out of college, Miller-McCune fellow and economics aficionado Elisabeth Best examines her options for work or more schooling.
Better Weapons Don’t Make for Shorter Wars
In spite of major advances in offensive military technology, researcher Marco Nilsson says the most cost-efficient weapon is a motivated soldier fighting a defensive war.
The Benefits of Broadband on Internet Use
Universal broadband Internet probably won’t help people find jobs, but it may improve their health outcomes (and music libraries).
Science Comes to the Rescue of Lab Rats
Scientists at Tel Aviv University are bioengineering tissues that can take the place of lab rats, saving untold lives.
Bicycles and the “Immigrant Effect”
Finally, some research that may have positive public health implications for minorities! (Or at least recent immigrants.)
Music Festivals Show How to Green a Large Outdoor Event
Music festivals, like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, provide a model for reducing the carbon footprint of large events.
Transcendental Meditation Mitigates Depression
New research indicates Transcendental Meditation may help reduce symptoms of depression, which could also lower the risk of heart disease.
Respect Human Rights, Reduce Terrorism
New research suggests that to be effective, counterterrorism efforts should support human rights, rather than violate them.
There's No Brewsky in the Food Pyramid
This just in: Drinkers more likely to pair potato chips than apple slices with beer.
Farmers Markets Offer Benefits Beyond Efficiency
Although shopping at the farmers market may or may not reduce your carbon footprint, these community bazaars offer benefits beyond efficiency.
Increase Job Security, Improve Health?
More data comes in proving that, for American workers, specifically the older ones, job insecurity is bad for your health.
Even Underused Carpool Lanes Cut Commutes
Research indicates that even underused carpool lanes have a smoothing effect on freeway traffic.
A Forest's Makeup Determines Its Carbon Emissions
Researchers from Oregon State argue that when it comes to carbon emissions, not all forest fires are created equal.
Specialist Visits Determined By Health In Canada, Wealth In U.S.
Research shows that in Canada, health determines who sees a specialist, but in the U.S., income does.
Smoking Cessation Among Poor May Boost Economic Development
Researchers find that poor smokers' children are the victims of the habit: Their nutrition takes a hit when their parents divert precious resources to pay for tobacco.
The Glocalization of Ethics in Journalism
What do gombo, hidden cameras and advertorials have in common? Hint: Each is a part of mainstream journalism somewhere in the world.
Research In Summary: The Valentine's Day Edition
A collection of academic musings on Valentine's Day traditions to keep you warm in bed at night (in the event that you don't find a date).
New Therapy Makes An Old Immune System Young Again.
Researchers have found a protein that may be the immune system's fountain of youth.
Strict Policy Prevents Use of Alcohol, Not Marijuana
A cross-national comparison of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents indicates that stricter laws may prevent high school kids from drinking, but not from smoking pot.
The Transitive Property of Mathematical Anxiety
Highly math-anxious female teachers may lead girls to conform to the stereotype that, when it comes to math, they just can't compete with the boys.
Information Inspires Healthier Food Choices For Children
Research shows that nutritional information about fast food inspires parents to make healthier choices for their kids.
The story behind the Fair Trade Label
The real meaning of the fair trade label on your gourmet coffee.
The State of Student Loans
Obama's State of the Union speech addressed the problem of student loan debt.
Government Rebates - The Uneasy Case For Subsidizing Energy Efficiency
Rebates for energy-efficient appliances don't stand up to the economic analysis that, until now, no one bothered to do.
Possible New Target For Breast Cancer-Fighting Drugs
Research suggests a possible specific target for drugs fighting the most common type of breast cancer.
The Imperfection of Income-Based Student Loan Repayment
If you commit to a public service salary for 10 years, the government will forgive your student loans.
People Watch The News To Affirm, Not Inform, Their Opinions
A new study finds that people watch the news more for affirmation than for information.
Corporate HQs Mean More Charity For Nearby Nonprofits
New research shows that when corporations relocate their headquarters to new cities, they bring with them millions of dollars in charitable contributions.
Cockroaches and Running Robots
Researchers are using cockroaches as inspiration for robots that run.
Expert Says Bombing-Attempt Response ‘Exactly Wrong’
Privacy and security expert Fred H. Cate believes we can make it safer to fly without a new airport security system — but we do need to improve the one we have.
Genes Determine Intensity Of Political Beliefs
Your genes may determine whether you cling furiously to your political beliefs or cast them aside at a shift in the breeze.
Rats and That Vision Thing
Stem cells might be able to prevent blindness caused by macular degeneration.
Laugh If You Want World Peace
Framing international conflicts as comedies could help to resolve them.