Examining the pandemic"s impact on individual generosity
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect people's volunteering, donating, and helping behaviors? A report by Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) faculty and students summarizes a nationally representative study aiming to answer this questio.....»»
The big lesson from past pandemics? Avoid panic buying, says new research
COVID-19 upended almost every aspect of daily life, including consumer and retailer behavior. However, it was not the first pandemic that changed how we shop......»»
How do emotions help construct our cultural identity in music festivals?
2022 was a record year for music festivals in Spain, hitting historic highs just two years after the entire country was locked down due to the pandemic. Spain boasts close to a thousand music festivals and a live music industry that earned 459 millio.....»»
Microsoft shuts down Bethesda’s Hi-Fi Rush, Redfall studios
Xbox maker wants to "prioritiz[e] high-impact titles" according to letter to staff. Enlarge / Artist's conception of Microsoft telling Hi-Fi Rush maker Tango Gameworks they no longer exist as a studio. (credit: Tango Gameworks).....»»
Global meta-analysis quantifies benefits of cover crop use
For years, both scientists and farmers have debated whether the use of cover crops—plants used to cover the ground after harvesting of main crops—have a positive or negative impact on subsequent crop yield. Hundreds of studies have been performed.....»»
Grief, unity, and resilience: Study examines the impact of memorial days in Israel
A recent study at the Hebrew University examines the impact of memorial days in Israel on national unity amidst political polarization......»»
UAW authorizes strike at key Ram and Jeep stamping plant in Michigan
A work stoppage "could particularly impact production" of Ram pickups and the Jeep Wrangler and Wagoneer, the UAW said......»»
Study reveals rockburst processes, characteristics and triggering mechanisms
Field observations have revealed that highly stressed D-shape tunnels experience sidewall rockburst triggered by impact loads stemming from rock blasting or other mining-related dynamic disturbances......»»
As business districts evolve post-pandemic, repurposing old or empty spaces should be on the drawing board
The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears of urban center "ghost towns" may have been premature, many cities around the worl.....»»
The US Is Cracking Down on Synthetic DNA
Synthetic DNA could be used to spark a pandemic. A move by President Biden aims to create new standards for the safety and security of mail-order genetic material......»»
Five-day work week builds work–life balance in construction
Construction workers typically work six days a week but research tracking a five-day work week in the industry shows flexibility is key to improving worker well-being, with minimal perceived impact on productivity......»»
Sister cities can help communities better navigate the climate crisis, research suggests
Anthropologists at Rice University suggest in a new study that establishing networks of 'sister cities' dedicated to addressing the impact of natural disasters can mitigate the devastation wrought by climate change......»»
Magna expects $400 million revenue loss from Fisker production halt
Magna builds the Ocean EV for Fisker. Magna said it is monitoring the situation and "will evaluate opportunities to further mitigate impact on our business.”.....»»
Researchers determine large numbers of wild mountain goats are killed every year by avalanches
A multi-institutional team of animal behaviorists, snow impact specialists and biologists from Alaska, Montana, Switzerland and Canada has found that large numbers of wild mountain goats die every year in Alaska due to avalanches. For their study, th.....»»
New discovery of a mechanism that controls cell division
Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, have discovered that how a special protein complex called the Mediator moves along genes in DNA may have an impact on how cells divide. The discovery may be important for future research into the treatment of.....»»
Physicists create an optical tweezer array of individual polyatomic molecules for the first time
A team of physicists at Harvard University has succeeded in trapping individual polyatomic molecules in optical tweezer arrays for the first time. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes how they achieved their feat and th.....»»
Lego-pushing bumblebees reveal insect collaboration dynamics
A new study reveals that cooperation by bumblebees isn't simply a result of accumulated individual efforts. Rather, these miniature-brained creatures are not just hard-working pollinators, but also show signs of being master collaborators......»»
Researchers develop "founding document" on synthetic cell development
Cells are the fundamental units of life, forming the variety of all living things on Earth as individual cells and multicellular organisms. To better understand how cells perform the essential functions of life, scientists have begun developing synth.....»»
Oil palm plantations are driving massive downstream impact to watershed
The global demand for palm oil—the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet, in everything from instant noodles to lipstick—is driving worldwide tropical deforestation. While many studies have shown the loss of biodiversity when rainfores.....»»
The COVID-19 pandemic changed our patterns and behaviors, which in turn affected wildlife
The Earth now supports over eight billion people who collectively have transformed three-quarters of the planet's land surface for food, energy, shelter and other aspects of the human enterprise......»»
Twisting and binding matter waves with photons in a cavity
Precisely measuring the energy states of individual atoms has been a historical challenge for physicists due to atomic recoil. When an atom interacts with a photon, the atom "recoils" in the opposite direction, making it difficult to measure the posi.....»»