College majors, employment and “sciences vs. humanities” data
2013 review of relevant reports and data relating to the success of college majors in securing employment, with particular focus on a May 2013 Georgetown report.
Expert Commentary
Heat waves in the United States: Research on trends, definitions and dangers to the public
2013 review of relevant studies and reports on weather trends and heat waves, examining both technical studies and public health estimates of the impact on mortality rates.
Expert Commentary
Coal and public health: Scientific evidence from the U.S. and China
2013 review of reearch on the health effects of coal, with a focus on a study in PNAS on the relationship between coal combustion and mortality in China.
Expert Commentary
What have we learned from 30 years of research on the productivity of public capital?
2013 meta-analysis in the Journal of Economic Surveys comparing the results of 68 studies on impact of public-capital investments on economic productivity.
Expert Commentary
Economic and social implications of regulating alcohol availability in grocery stores
2013 study from Cornell and Colorado State suggesting that the broader sale of wine among local stores is not associated with greater health risks.
Expert Commentary
NSA surveillance: Clarifying and distinguishing two data collection programs
July 2013 Congressional Research Service report providing key background information on the National Security Agency surveillance programs. Also included are related papers and scholarly perspectives.
Expert Commentary
Does strengthening self-defense law deter crime or escalate violence?
2012 paper from Texas A&M done for the National Bureau of Economic Research looks at how “stand your ground” laws — based on “castle doctrine” — affect rates of violence in states.
Expert Commentary
Violent crime in the United States: Youth, minorities and public awareness
2013 review of key government reports and surveys that provide perspective on trends in various violent crime rates, with a focus on youth and racial groups.
Expert Commentary
Hot spots policing and crime prevention strategies: Ongoing research
2013 review of scholarship on new policing programs to reduce crime and their outcomes. Also discussed are data analytics and “predictive policing.”
Expert Commentary
Multitasking, social media and distraction: Research review
2013 research review of major studies relating to multitasking and distraction, with an emphasis on young people and social media.
Expert Commentary