The Conversation

Marriage trends, political views undermining the notion of a unified American Jewish identity

Written by Jonathan D. Sarna, University Professor and Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University

A recent Pew survey found that American Jews are increasingly becoming more diverse and politically polarized.Mario Tama/Getty Images

The notion of a united Jewish American community bound together by common beliefs has been eroded by rising interfaith marriages and a growing divide between religious and nonreligious Jews.

That is one of the main...

Giving food pantry clients choices – and gently nudging them toward nutritious foods – can lead to healthier diets

Written by Caitlin Caspi, Associate Professor of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut

Prominently placing fresh produce can encourage healthier choices.Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Food banks and pantries across the U.S. were forced in the pandemic to dispense with something that is central to most people’s grocery experience: choice.

Faced with social-distancing rules and a large uptick in need –...

1 in 4 unvaccinated people may not comply with CDC guidelines to wear masks indoors, survey suggests

Written by Matt Motta, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Oklahoma State University

People who dine out after the CDC recently changed mask guidelines are counting on the honor system. FG Trade/Getty Images

The revised guidelines on when and when not to wear masks came as a surprise to many Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced May 13, 2021, that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can...

Narcissistic people aren't just full of themselves – new research finds they're more likely to be aggressive and violent

Written by Brad Bushman, Professor of Communication and Psychology, The Ohio State University

People who think they are superior have no qualms about attacking those they regard as inferior. Sigrid Olsson/PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections via Getty Images

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

We recently reviewed 437 studies of narcissism and aggression involving a total of over 123,000 participants...

Oil companies are going all-in on petrochemicals – and green chemistry needs help to compete

Written by Constance B. Bailey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Tennessee

A Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California.AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

Global oil consumption declined by roughly 9% in 2020 as the pandemic reduced business and pleasure travel, factory production and transportation of goods. This abrupt drop accelerated an ongoing shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

U.S. government forecasts show that oil...

Body cameras help monitor police but can invade people's privacy

Written by Bryce C. Newell, Assistant Professor of Media Law and Policy, University of Oregon

Police see some difficult scenes; body cameras can record those and make them public.Tony Webster via Flickr, CC BY-SA

In the course of their work, police officers encounter people who are intoxicated, distressed, injured or abused. The officers routinely ask for key identifying information like addresses, dates of birth and driver’s license...

100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, lessons from my grandfather

Written by Gregory B. Fairchild, Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Virginia

Smoke rises from damaged properties after the Tulsa race massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June 1921. Oklahoma Historical Society via Getty Images

When Viola Fletcher, 107, appeared before Congress in May 2021, she called for the nation to officially acknowledge the Tulsa race riot of 1921.

I know that place and year well. As is the case with Fletcher...

How the early internet created a place for trans youth to find one another and explore coming out

Written by Avery Dame-Griff, Visiting Assistant Professor, Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies, Appalachian State University

In the late 1980s, trans youth started going online to connect with others experiencing gender dysphoria.non157/iStock via Getty Images

Follow coverage of trans issues, and you’ll hear some people say that teens who change their gender identity are participating in a fad, and that social media is the culprit.

As one proponent of legislation...

How the bulletin board systems, email lists and Geocities pages of the early internet created a place for trans youth to find one another and explore coming out

Written by Avery Dame-Griff, Visiting Assistant Professor, Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies, Appalachian State University

In the late 1980s, trans youth started going online to connect with others experiencing gender dysphoria.non157/iStock via Getty Images

Follow coverage of trans issues, and you’ll hear some people say that teens who change their gender identity are participating in a fad, and that social media is the culprit.

As one proponent of legislation...

Why widespread health woes could follow from pandemic-driven job losses

Written by Jennie E. Brand, Professor of Sociology and Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles

Empty stores and restaurants in Beverly Hills, California, closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Getty Images

Being out of work isn’t bad just for your finances: It’s bad for your health. Losing a job can cause depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Research also consistently shows that job loss and unemployment –...