Arts and Humanities

Historian’s Arctic Research Has Him Sitting on Top of the World
It’s one of the coldest and most remote areas on Earth, but the Arctic region has long held great strategic interest for a number of nations. Now, a Florida State University researcher is leading an international team that is working to produce one of the most comprehensive histories to date of the northernmost part of the world from the late 19th century to the present. Media embedded: Image(s)
Expert(s) available
—Florida State University

Spelling, Math, Science . . . and Violin?
IU's Jacobs School of Music is providing free violin classes to all three first grade classes at a local (Bloomington) low income school. Researchers will study the impact of violin on student success and parental involvement. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Indiana University

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Research Warns of Psychological Effects of Unemployment
Research by Washington and Lee University economist Arthur H. Goldsmith points to the potential for permanent psychological effects of joblessness.
—Washington and Lee University

Marketing Strategies Found to Influence Kid’s Perception of Taste; Characters and Healthy Name Result in Better Taste
From SpongeBob to Dora and from Frosted Flakes to Count Chocula, cartoon characters and names that imply a sugary taste are widely used to market cereal to kids. New research presented at the American Public Health Association’s 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition shows that these strategies can have a significant affect on children’s assessment of taste. (Embargo expired on 29-Oct-2008 at 00:00 ET)
American Public Health Association 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition
—American Public Health Association (APHA)

Limited Exposure to Media Violence Reduces Violence among Youths
A new research study presented at the American Public Health Association’s 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition has found that youths with minimal exposure to violence in movies, television, music, games and Web sites are significantly less likely to report violent and aggressive behaviors than those exposed to more violent media. (Embargo expired on 29-Oct-2008 at 00:00 ET)
American Public Health Association 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition
—American Public Health Association (APHA)

Obama Leads in Pennsylvania: Will Enthusiasm Balance Experience on Election Day?
According to a new poll sponsored by Temple University's Institute for Public Affairs, Senator Barack Obama now leads Senator John McCain by 50 percent to 41 percent among Pennsylvanians likely to vote in the November 4 presidential election. Just 8 percent remain undecided, and half of that group prefers one candidate or the other.
—Temple University

Roanoke College Poll: Obama Leads McCain in Virginia; Warner Still US Senate Favorite
Senator Barack Obama leads Senator John McCain by 48%-39% in the Presidential campaign in Virginia, according to a Roanoke College poll. Former Democratic Governor Mark Warner also leads former Republican Governor Jim Gilmore 57%-22% in the U.S. Senate contest.
—Dick Jones Communications

Undecided Voters May Already Have Decided, Study Suggests
Do "undecided" voters actually make their choices before they realize? That is a question University of Virginia psychology professor Brian Nosek is trying to answer. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Virginia

Even Optimists Get the Blues When Pink-slipped
In the midst of an economic crisis that’s sparked massive layoffs, new research by a U of T professor shows that even optimists get the blues when facing a pink slip.
Social Indicator Research
—University of Toronto

What To Expect From The Nation's New First Lady
What can the nation expect of its new first lady? Three things and maybe a fourth, says Laura van Assendelft, professor of political science at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA and a scholar on the role of women in politics.
Expert(s) available
—Dick Jones Communications

Expert Commentary: Layaway Consumer Alternative to Tight Credit, Competitive Advantage for Retailers
Retailers like Kmart and TJ Maxx have experienced a sharp increase in customer demand for their layaway programs, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Holiday consumers see layaway as a payment alternative at a time when credit card companies are reducing purchase limits and access to loans is tightening amid the country’s ongoing financial crisis.
Expert(s) available
—University of Alabama at Birmingham

Whoever Best "Micro Targets" Voters in the 2008 Grassroots Presidential Campaign Should Win
A key element in winning elections is successfully identifying citizens for targeted campaign communications. This is an example of what Abraham Lincoln used to speak of as his ideal – it is still referred to as “Lincoln’s perfect list,” says University at Buffalo political scientist Joshua Dyck, Ph.D.
Expert(s) available
—University at Buffalo

Arkansas Poll: In Arkansas ‘It’s the Economy’ and It Is Also McCain
In the recent past, election results in Arkansas have paralleled voting in most Southern states, as well as in swing Midwestern states with many rural white voters. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Hispanic Births, Not Immigration, Fueling Most Growth
Natural increase – more births than deaths – is now the major engine of Hispanic population growth in many large metro areas and their suburbs as well as numerous smaller metropolitan areas and rural communities, finds a new brief from the Carsey Institute. Hispanics now account for half of U.S. population growth.
—University of New Hampshire

Presidential Race Remains Close in Latest GW Battleground Poll
In the most recent George Washington University Battleground Poll, Sen. Barack Obama remains in a close race with Sen. John McCain (44%-42%). Media embedded: Image(s)
—George Washington University

Human Motivation the Key to Unlocking the American Dream, Not Big Government
Here it comes. The United States is poised to undertake the largest expansion of government in recent history. If Barack Obama is elected president on Nov. 4, as current polling suggests, he will come into office with something few presidents get and all envy: both houses of Congress controlled by his own party. Media embedded: Image(s)
Expert(s) available
—Misericordia University

Greenhouse Gas Auction Revenues Can Help Cut Md. Electric Use Significantly
Maryland officials can reduce electricity use in the state significantly by investing revenues from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative cap-and-trade auctions in energy efficiency programs, says a new study from a University of Maryland-led research team. It adds that neighboring states might benefit as well.
—University of Maryland, College Park

"Voter-Verifiable" Voting System Ensures Accuracy and Privacy
Scantegrity is a vote-counting system that enables individuals to verify that their ballots have been collected and accurately tabulated. Scantegrity is the only such system in the country that can be used with current optical scan ballots and does not change the voting experience for users. Media embedded: Image(s)
—George Washington University

Archaeologists Find Unique, Early U.S. Relic of African Worship
University of Maryland archaeologists have dug up what they believe to be one of the earliest U.S. examples of African spirit practices. The researchers say it's the only object of its kind ever found by archaeologists in North America - a clay "bundle" filled with small pieces of common metal, placed in what had been an Annapolis street gutter three centuries ago. The bundle appears to be a direct transplant of African religion, distinct from hoodoo and other later practices blending African and European traditions. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Maryland, College Park

University Study Shows Brain's Response to Racial Stress
University of South Carolina pilot study used fMRI to look at the brain’s response to racial mistrust and race-related stress. Brain activity of black and white subjects was recorded as subjects responded to photos. Key finding: brains of African-Americans showed high activity (stress) in response to neutral expressions of white persons.
—University of South Carolina

Child Abuse Increases Risk for Later Sexually Coercive Behavior in Some Men
Researchers trying to identify factors that put men at risk for committing sexual coercion have found that being victims of both childhood physical and sexual abuse made them 4 ½ times more likely to engage in sexually coercive behavior than men who were not abused.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
—University of Washington

Couples with Children with ADHD at Risk of Higher Divorce Rates, Shorter Marriages
Parents of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are nearly twice as likely to divorce by the time the child is 8 years old than parents of children without ADHD, the first study to look at this issue in depth has shown.  Media embedded: Image(s)
J. of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Oct-2008
—University at Buffalo

Why We Will Remember The Third Presidential Debate Best
How will we remember the third presidential debate of 2008? University of Maryland Communication Prof. Kathleen Kendall gives her take on the final Obama-McCain debate of Election 2008.
—University of Maryland, College Park

Researchers Find Celebrity Endorsements Motivate Younger Voters
Celebrity endorsement during presidential campaigns is an effective political strategy to get younger voters to the polls, WSU researchers found. The results indicate that celebrity-based GOTV campaigns produce real benefits, regardless of celebrities’ grasp of the specific issues at hand.
Mass Communications & Society
—Washington State University

Survey: Religious Affiliation, View of Bible and Racial Composition of Congregations Affect Willingness of White Voters to Support Non-White Candidate
On Nov. 4, will white Americans vote for a non-white presidential candidate? Findings from the latest Baylor Religion Survey reveal that while 84 percent of white Americans said they would vote for a member of a racial minority for President, the voting decision was influenced by several factors, including most interestingly religious affiliation, view of the Bible and racial composition of congregations.
—Baylor University

Voters in Battleground States More Ambivalent about Presidential Candidates
Heavy advertising by both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates may actually make voters in battleground states more confused about which candidate to vote for, a new study suggests. A nationwide study found that voters in heavily contested states like Florida and Ohio become more ambivalent when they are exposed to a lot of opposing messages from the two candidates.
Political Psychology, Oct-2008
—Ohio State University

Socially Rejected People Often Better Judge of Sincerity
A Miami University study finds being rejected by peers, friends or family members may give people the added advantage of spotting a “fake” when they encounter one. (Embargo expired on 17-Oct-2008 at 14:00 ET)
Psychological Science, Oct-2008
—Miami University

Counselors Grow More Optimistic About Marriage
According to a new study, the average marriage therapist becomes gradually more optimistic about marriage over the course of their career.
Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, Oct-2008
—Alliant International University

Study Debunks Myth That Early Immigrants Quickly Learned English
Joseph Salmons has always been struck by the pervasiveness of the argument. In his visits across Wisconsin, in many newspaper letters to the editor, and in the national debates raging over modern immigration, he encounters the same refrain: “My great, great grandparents came to America and quickly learned English to survive. Why can’t today’s immigrants do the same?”
American Speech
—University of Wisconsin-Madison

Acknowledgement for Building a Greener Campus
Dalhousie University in Halifax Nova Scotia has been twice recognized for its efforts to create a greener, more sustainable campus.  Media embedded: Image(s)
—Dalhousie University

Fighting Financial Angst: Seven Ways to Take Control
With the economy in crisis and foreclosures at an all time high, financial anxiety among Americans seems to be soaring to new heights. In a poll distributed by the American Psychological Association (APA) to more than 1,700 U.S. adults, eight out of 10 surveyed said the economy is a significant cause of stress. Menninger clinicians offer seven tips to ease financial anxiety.
Expert(s) available
—The Menninger Clinic

Education

New Washers to SU Students: 'You've Got Laundry'
“You’ve got laundry!” Students at Salisbury University can now program the school’s new washing machines and dryers to send them text messages when their laundry is done and check online to see which machines are free before lugging their dirty clothes to the laundry room--and best of all, the new equipment helps reduce the University's carbon footprint. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Salisbury University

Chinese School Principals Head to Nashville for Two-week Exchange
Twenty Chinese principals will be in Nashville and at Vanderbilt University Oct. 28-Nov. 8 to learn the latest information about U.S. education policy and see American classrooms and techniques firsthand.
—Vanderbilt University

Educators Examine The Good and Bad of "Second Life"
Researchers and educators at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are examining the virtual world of Second Life for both its addictive and educational potential. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

College is Still Affordable Despite Economic Woes
K-State student financial aid expert discusses ways to pay for college in challenging economic times.
Expert(s) available
—Kansas State University

Pop Culture

Children’s Folklore Alive and Well Despite Societal Changes, Technology Advances
Despite being bombarded by technological advances, children’s folklore is as lively as ever, says Binghamton University researcher Elizabeth Tucker in her latest book Children’s Folklore: A Handbook. It is just being ‘delivered’ in new ways. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Binghamton University, State University of New York

Magical Mystery Chord - Math Prof Solves the Mystery of a "Hard Day's Night's" Unknown Chord
A Dalhousie University math professor solves the mystery behind the opening chord to The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" using mathematical principles like the Fourier transform. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Dalhousie University

Consumers Using More Media, New and Old, According to Four-year Study
Reports of traditional media's demise -- in favor of newer, high-tech forms -- have been greatly exaggerated. That's according to a four-year study led by an Iowa State University , who found large gains in the use of new media (like the Internet and e-mail), but also a slight increase in the use of traditional media (newspapers, magazines, radio and television).
International Journal on Media Management
—Iowa State University

Less Gore is More with Horror Films
With the approach of Halloween, those seeking a scary thrill might want to watch the classic horror movie “Psycho” instead of modern gore-filled slasher movies. When it comes to horror films, less gore is more, according to a cinematic studies expert at the University of New Hampshire.
Expert(s) available
—University of New Hampshire

Joe Biden, Abortion and the Catholic Vote
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden is telling the Catholics in his audiences that St. Thomas Aquinas had a different teaching on abortion than the current pope and his immediate predecessors. Many Catholics are saying, "He simply cannot be right." Well, the short answer is: Biden is right, says Frank K. Flinn, Ph.D., adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis.
Expert(s) available
—Washington University in St. Louis

Similarities Found in Media Coverage of Palin and Ferraro
Twenty-four years and a gulf of ideology separates the first two women to share the nation’s major party tickets. But the way the media talks about Sarah Palin and Geraldine Ferraro hasn’t changed, according to ongoing research by members of “the Palin Watch” at The University of Alabama.
—University of Alabama

Halloween Safety Tips from the UAB Youth Safety Lab
Psychologist David Schwebel, Ph.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Youth Safety Lab, offers the following tips for a safe and healthy Halloween.
—University of Alabama at Birmingham

Going Wild this Halloween
The National Wildlife Federation shares some information about creepy critters for Halloween and dispels some myths about creatures of the night.
—National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Law and Public Policy

State Emergency Managers Underutilize Internet
“Our nation’s emergency managers do not fully appreciate the potential of the Internet and emerging social media,” the researcher says
—University of Kansas

Exorbitant CEO Compensation: Just Reward Or Grand Theft?
“Walking into a bank with a gun and demanding money from a teller is one way to steal money,” says David O. Friedrichs, Professor and Distinguished University Fellow, Sociology/Criminal Justice, The University of Scranton. “Walking into a corporate boardroom and securing from the board’s compensation committee, made up of cronies, paid consultants, and even relatives, compensation of millions – sometimes tens of millions or hundreds of millions – is another way to steal money.
Expert(s) available
—Halstead Communications

Election 2008: Experts Available for Interview
As this historic election season heads into its final week, faculty experts at the University of Indianapolis are available to discuss the political process and the top issues on voters’ minds.
Expert(s) available
—University of Indianapolis

Political Experts: Race, Gender, Advertising, Policy, International Relations, Asian Politics
Political experts at the University of North Carolina Wilmington can provide insight into the approaching historic 2008 American presidential election and international politics.
Expert(s) available
—University of North Carolina Wilmington

Voter Fraud Allegations Are Bluster, Says Election Law Expert
"No evidence exists of any serious threat of voter fraud, at present or in any recent election cycle," says Greg Magarian, J.D., election law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "Filing false registration forms does not constitute voter fraud," he says. "Voter fraud requires voting by a person who is not legally entitled to vote. That is a difficult trick to pull off, and simply turning in a registration form for 'Captain Crunch' does almost nothing to enable it."
Expert(s) available
—Washington University in St. Louis

Study Shows Limits of ‘War on Terror’ to Support Government Plans
A new study from North Carolina State University shows that there are definite limits on the government’s use of the “war on terror” as a tool for advancing federal land-use projects and other policies. “The government can no longer rely solely on the ‘war on terrorism’ and ‘national security’ as arguments,” study author Dr. Kenneth S. Zagacki says. (Embargo expired on 22-Oct-2008 at 07:00 ET)
Southern Communication Journal, 21-Oct-2008
—North Carolina State University

Hawkeye Poll: Younger Voters Could Swing Election but Remain Less Engaged
Younger voters could secure Barack Obama's seat in the Oval Office, but a University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll released today shows they're less likely to make it to the polls and paying less attention to the election than older voters are.
—University of Iowa Health Sciences

Sen. Obama Leads in Latest GW - Battleground Tracking Poll
In the most recent George Washington University Battleground Poll, Sen. Barack Obama leads Sen. John McCain (47%-40%). Eleven percent remain undecided. The disapproval rating for Congress is 74%. The economy is the most important issue among registered “likely” voters (41% compared to 7% for the war in Iraq). Media embedded: Image(s)
—George Washington University

Status Quo in Higher Education Threatens America's Global Competitiveness
A new report, "Aligning American Higher Education with a Twenty-First Century Public Agenda," offers recommendations for those with a stake in higher education governance on how to improve the American higher education system.
Examining the National Purposes of American Higher Education: A Leadership Approach to Policy Reform
—University of Virginia

A New Policy Prescription for Corruption-Free Voting: Require Every Eligible American to Cast a Vote
With the 2008 presidential election days away, a new study provides compelling evidence that mandatory voting may be the best way to reduce electoral corruption. The research focused on “vote buying,” the act of bribing voters. According to John Morgan, professor at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, policy reforms combining the present secret ballot with the required vote of every eligible American would remove the possibility of vote buying.
—University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business

Obama Holds 20-Point Lead Over McCain Among Young Voters
Young voters prefer Barack Obama to John McCain by a 20-point margin and are most concerned about the economy, job creation for young people, and improving access to affordable health care according to the AU Polling Analysis of Young Voters in the 2008 Election, a joint project by students in American University’s School of Communication, USA Today, and Gallup.
—American University

Wallace Foundation Grants $1.8 Million to Two Organizations to Improve Arts Education in Los Angeles County
The Wallace Foundation has announced grants to two Los Angeles arts learning initiatives (Los Angeles County Arts Commission (LACAC) & Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)) to support activities crucial to strengthening coordinated arts learning efforts and to bring high-quality arts experiences to more young people in Los Angeles County. Both initiatives will be studied by the Foundation to document and share lessons with the field about how communities can improve arts learning throughout school districts.
—Wallace Foundation

'Get Screened' Video Contest Throws a Spotlight on the Importance of Colorectal-Cancer Screening
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center today announced a video contest called “Get Screened” – a creative challenge to movie makers to help shine a spotlight on the importance of colorectal-cancer screening. The contest is part of the Hutchinson Center’s ongoing awareness campaign — “Your colon. Your life. Your call.” — to increase colon-cancer screening rates and reduce deaths from the disease in Washington state. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Upgraded Boiler System Helps the Atlanta University Center ‘Go Green’
Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College announced today the completion of a $12 million renovation of the John B. Shepherd Central Utility Plant located on the campus of CAU. The Central Utility Plant services 23 buildings at Spelman, 14 at CAU, and 14 at Morehouse.
—Spelman College

Atlanta University Center ‘Locks-in’ at Spelman to Watch History Unfold
Spelman College will host an “Election Day Lock-In” for students, faculty, staff and friends of the Atlanta University Center to watch the culmination of the historic 2008 presidential election. Guest appearances will be made by the who’s who of politics and entertainment.
—Spelman College

The Sociological “Contexts” of Politics in 2008
The high drama of the 2008 presidential election has provided ample fodder for sociological analysis in the fall issue of the American Sociological Association’s Contexts magazine, which features politically themed feature articles from leading sociologists who are available to comment on election-related topics.
Contexts
—American Sociological Association (ASA)

Lafayette Campus Comes Alive with Student Broadcasters on Election Night
More than 400 students, faculty members, and staff will turn Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. into election central, reporting to television audiences well beyond campus as the Presidential election and U.S. House and Senate unfold on November 4.
—Academy Communications

CIHR Invites You to a Journalist Workshop...how Is the Environment Affecting Our Health?
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) invites you to a workshop for journalists focusing on health and the environment. The workshop will be held this coming December 4th and 5th 2008, at the Delta Vancouver Suites, 550 Hastings Street West in Vancouver, British Columbia.
—Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

NSF Funds Study of Secessionist Regions in Eurasia
Researchers from three universities are examining the impact of the independence of Kosovo upon three quasi-state regions in Eurasia. The research is critical to future relations between the United States and Russia.
—Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

USC Debuts New Popular Music Program
The USC Thornton School of Music will introduce a new Popular Music Performance major in Fall 2009, providing the next generation of professional musicians with an undergraduate degree program in which to develop their talents.
—University of Southern California

Results of Second Big Ten Battleground Poll Will be Analyzed on Big Ten Network
As the race for the White House enters its final, crucial days, results of the second Big Ten Battleground Poll detailing the attitudes of voters in the eight-state Big Ten region will be released on Thursday, Oct. 23.
—University of Wisconsin-Madison

AERA, NAEd Launch Assessment of Education Research Doctorate Programs
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the National Academy of Education (NAEd) announce a ground-breaking study in the field of education research. Undertaken by these two scholarly and scientific organizations, a first-time-ever assessment will examine education research doctorate programs in graduate schools and colleges of education in the U.S.
—American Educational Research Association (AERA)

United Nations Briefing: Just How Safe Is Outer Space?
This week, a special briefing is to be held at the United Nations on space security, focused on the commercial sector, emerging space states, and civil society. To be presented are new perspectives on space security, focused on the commercial sector, emerging space states, and civil society. Media embedded: Image(s)
Outer Space Security 2008
—Secure World Foundation

NAELA and AARP Host Free “Aging in America” Webcast on Oct 30
With Baby Boomers approaching retirement age and the current economic squeeze impacting American wallets, advanced long-term care planning is now more crucial than ever. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and AARP have joined forces to present a free Webcast on Oct. 30 at 1:00 pm ET entitled “Aging in America – How to Plan for it.”
—National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Unique New Pipe Organ Is First Precise Replica of Best-preserved Late Baroque Organ in Europe
The nation’s first precise scientific working replica of Europe’s best-preserved late Baroque organ will be inaugurated October 16 at a public concert followed by a four-day Festival in Rochester, New York.
—University of Rochester

Northeastern Receives NSF Grant to Study Self-Efficacy and Retention of Female Undergraduate Engineering Students
Northeastern University’s College of Engineering is the co-recipient of a $499,990 three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study how cooperative education and related on-the-job experiences affect female undergraduate engineering students.
—Northeastern University

Dan Whalen Named Interim President of Saint Jaohn’s University
Dan Whalen, a 1970 graduate of Saint John’s University, has been named interim president of Saint John’s University by the university’s Board of Regents. The announcement was made today to the campus community by Jim Frey, chair of the Board of Regents.
—College of Saint Benedict / Saint John's University

University of Maryland Alcohol Summit 2008
The University of Maryland, in response to the recent Amethyst Initiative, will open a formal dialogue on underage drinking between the University President, national experts, faculty, staff, students, parents and community members. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Maryland, College Park

America's Top Trial Teams Create Legal Drama
Dozens of the country’s brightest young legal minds will converge at the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore this week to make their case for being the best trial team in the nation. It’s a fun combination of the intelligence and quick thinking needed by trial attorneys combined with the pressure and competitiveness of, say, a collegiate basketball tournament.
—University of Maryland Baltimore