quick studies

But as with so many social issues, the liberal-conservative divide has grown wider over time.

By fourth grade, girls are better than boys at reading and, especially, writing. New research finds this gap then increases as they get older.

Fewer females drop out of doctoral programs if they have a significant number of same-sex peers.

New research suggests social comparison can be an effective way to reduce energy consumption.

New research finds incivility decreases politicians' public approval, even in a hyper-partisan environment.

New National Endowment for the Arts research finds arts attendance is rising, but remains below 2002 levels.

Serena Williams is not alone in having grounds to suspect bias.

New research argues Republicans' us-vs.-them attitude gave the GOP an advantage by heightening party solidarity.

Access to nature appears to provide kids with a specific cognitive advantage.

You're far more likely to hold a high-status occupation if your parents did the same.

It's less likely you'll expand your waistline if you're expanding your horizons.

But only if they are structured in a way that deemphasizes users' partisan identities.

Nevertheless, scientists see some progress on the problem of reproducibility.

The rediscovery of a Depression-era survey reminds us that assumptions about what drives voters can be very mistaken.

A new analysis finds a few widely shared aesthetic preferences, and a whole lot of individual and cultural variation.

New research finds it does reduce public support for law enforcement.

New research finds females still make up a minority of the onscreen population, but they are depicted more often in leadership roles.

A new study suggests that future fracking practices will require far more water than previously estimated.

As negative comments accumulate, they start to come across as bullying—even if they're justified.

A second study links use of the social media platform with lower political knowledge.

A new study finds a robot's color affects how people react to it.

New research suggests a culture of bias is a bigger problem than individual racist officers.

A two-day-old is apparently not too young to benefit from listening to the Moonlight Sonata.

Recent research identifies a promising way to get first-time voters to cast a ballot.