Society & Culture - May 13, 2010 10:59 - 0 Comments

Remains of amphitheater found in Roman port

U. SOUTHAMPTON (UK)—A major excavation of Portus, the ancient port that once served as the maritime gateway to Rome, has revealed the remains of an amphitheater-shaped-building, solving a mystery that has puzzled experts for more than 140 years. (more…)

Society & Culture - May 12, 2010 11:31 - 3 Comments

Bigger belly, smaller paycheck

UC DAVIS (US)—Minimum-wage employees are more likely to be obese than those who earn higher wages, adding to growing evidence that being poor is a risk factor for unhealthy weight. (more…)

Society & Culture - May 7, 2010 12:05 - 3 Comments

Who’s the vital link in your social network?

USC (US)—Call them bridging individuals or critical connectors, but in social networks they’re the ones who drive the flow of information from one network to another. Now researchers have figured out a way to identify them. (more…)

Society & Culture - May 6, 2010 10:26 - 0 Comments

NYC shorted on funds to fight terrorism?

NORTHWESTERN (US)—Of the 10 urban areas in the United States receiving the most funding to fight terrorism threats, both New York City and Chicago appear to be underfunded, while Los Angeles appears overfunded. (more…)

Society & Culture - May 3, 2010 8:40 - 2 Comments

Chinese bloggers no threat to regime

U. BUFFALO (US)—A new study confirms what was made evident by the very public Google-Chinese government dispute over Internet censorship: China’s cyberculture may be growing rapidly but that growth is not a harbinger of new political freedom. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 28, 2010 22:46 - 6 Comments

Should Marines be trained to meditate?

U. PENN (US)—Just as physical conditioning, weapons training, and fighting skills prepare soldiers for the rigors of combat, meditation practice may give them the mental capacity to withstand the trauma of war. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 28, 2010 11:12 - 2 Comments

Is location where it’s at in social networking?

U. PENN (US)—To find the hottest restaurant, bar, or concert venue in town, many young adults are no longer checking in with their friends. They’re “checking in” virtually via Foursquare, a location-based social networking site. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 27, 2010 16:24 - 15 Comments

Some Tea Partiers less committed to equality?

U. WASH (US)—A recent phone survey of more than 1,000 people in seven states shows that whites who are strong supporters of the Tea Party movement are apparently less committed to freedom and equality than those who oppose or are unenthusiastic about the movement. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 27, 2010 12:35 - 11 Comments

Strong racial identity intensifies empathy

NORTHWESTERN (US)—Race matters on a neurological level when it comes to empathy for others in distress, according to a new study. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 26, 2010 17:04 - 0 Comments

Strong preference for girls in U.S. adoptions

CALTECH (US)—Parents pursuing adoption within the United States have strong preferences regarding the types of babies they will apply for, tending to choose non-African-American girls. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 26, 2010 12:15 - 0 Comments

Disabled kids more apt to live in poverty

U. WARWICK (UK)—Families of disabled children in the U.K. are more likely to live with low incomes, debt, and poor housing. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 26, 2010 11:40 - 5 Comments

Higher pay for CEOs who look the part

DUKE (US)—By staging a corporate beauty contest, researchers have found that CEOs who appear competent earn more money than less competent-looking CEOs, even though appearance is not associated with measurable differences in company profitability. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 23, 2010 12:23 - 4 Comments

Female community college grads earn less

IOWA STATE (US)—Women who completed community college associate degrees earn far less in business, marketing, and information technology (IT) careers than men who did not complete their degrees, a new study finds. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 21, 2010 12:00 - 0 Comments

Travel delay? Time for an ‘aha!’ moment

WASHINGTON-ST. LOUIS (US)—The volcanic ash that has grounded flights around the globe has left stranded travelers with lots of time to think—perhaps more creatively. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 21, 2010 9:38 - 2 Comments

Layered government at core of federalism

U. CHICAGO (US)—The ongoing debates about states’ rights, from health care to gun control, tend to manipulate the meanings of federalism to suit the arguments, says a University of Chicago law professor. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 16, 2010 11:04 - 3 Comments

Social networks key to New Orleans recovery

RUTGERS (US)—In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a city that had lost so much managed to preserve a critical element to its eventual recovery: social capital. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 14, 2010 16:19 - 16 Comments

Is materialism a turnoff?

U. COLORADO / CORNELL (US)—People who pursue happiness through material possessions are liked less by their peers than people who pursue happiness through life experiences. (more…)

Society & Culture - Apr 14, 2010 15:29 - 43 Comments

Biracial faces voted most beautiful

CARDIFF (UK)—People of mixed race are perceived as being more attractive than non-mixed-race people, according to the largest study of its kind published in the journal Perception. (more…)

Society & Culture