Eliminating Smoking and Obesity Could Shrink U.S. Health Disparities, But Where People Live Matters Too
Smoking and obesity are the two leading causes of preventable death, disability, and chronic disease in the United States. New research shows that eliminating them could go a long way in reducing racial health gaps. But location also plays a key role in health disparities, with neighborhood setting…
Why Social Science? - Because Collaborating Across Cultures and Beyond Boundaries Leads to Progress on the World’s Biggest Issues
By Amanda B. Clinton, Ph.D., Senior Director, Office of International Affairs, American Psychological Associations
This post originally appeared on August 26, 2019 as “Time to Change the World” in the in the American Psychological Association’s Global Insights Newsletter and is reproduced here…
Center for Security Research and Education announces spring 2020 grant program
The Penn State Center for Security Research and Education (CSRE) has announced its spring 2020 grant program to support security-related scholarship and educational programs at Penn State. University faculty and researchers are eligible to apply by Feb. 14, 2020. For the first time, CSRE will offer…
Hydration may affect cognitive function in some older adults
Not getting enough water is enough to make you feel sluggish and give you a headache, but a new Penn State study suggests it may also relate to cognitive performance.
The researchers investigated whether hydration levels and water intake among older adults was related with their scores on several…
Penn State initiative trains future researchers in community engagement
On Nov. 4, 20 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from Penn State's colleges of Health and Human Development, Liberal Arts and Education participated in a 4-hour workshop to learn strategies for engaging diverse communities in their research.
“If we want to create lasting relationships, we…
Fall Gathering Basket Raffle/donations benefit local family
This year SSRI is sponsoring a family of four through Centre Safe Sponsorship. The donations received from the Fall Gathering totaled $566, enabling us to purchase gift cards and presents that each family member requested, including art supplies and a skateboard, drawing supplies, and LOL dolls for…
Morgan's research cited in report on using science and policy to advance health
Paul Morgan, director of the Center for Educational Disparities Research and PRI affiliate, and his research team's finding on disparities in disability identification are repeatedly cited in Vibrant and Healthy Kids, the new National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine report…
Summer Institute in Migration Research Methods application deadline February 10
The UC Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative is delighted to host the 3rd annual Summer Institute in Migration Research Methods (SIMRM), to be held at the University of California, Berkeley campus from May 26-June 5, 2020. The Institute is organized and directed by Irene Bloemraad (…
Researchers receive nearly $5M to curb opioid cravings
Opioid overdoses take the lives of tens of thousands of Americans annually. Two researchers from Penn State College of Medicine have received nearly $5 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study whether an already-approved drug can be used to reduce cravings and prevent relapse…
Qualtrics users survey
In November 2018, Qualtrics was acquired and there are signs that the pricing model will have potential significant changes. Final pricing has not been received from Qualtrics yet and we will provide updates to pricing as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to…
Role of universities examined in disaster-preparedness, response and recovery
Roughly 400 researchers and educators from more than 114 institutions across the nation recently joined together to explore how higher education can strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery in the face of growing threats posed by climate change and extreme weather.
The “RISE CONFERENCE 2019…
Mood of the Nation Poll examines gun control as case reaches Supreme Court
The Supreme Court’s decision on a New York City gun regulation could mean the first significant judicial action on gun reform in nearly a decade — at a time when the McCourtney Institute for Democracy’s Mood of the Nation Poll finds that a majority of Americans support stricter regulations for gun…
SSRI Fall Gathering 2019
Faculty and staff from all of SSRI's units recently gathered together at the Hintz Family Alumni Center to celebrate major accomplishments of the year and to announce staff awards.
The “Above and Beyond Award” was given to Avery Urusow from the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Diane…
All the feels: Feeling loved in everyday life linked with improved well-being
Poets and songwriters may tend to focus their artistry on passion and romance, but it may be those unsung, brief feelings of love throughout the day that are connected with psychological well-being, according to a team of researchers led by two Penn State Institute for Computational and Data…
Progressive gender views may protect health of financially dependent men
As it becomes more common for women to be the breadwinner of their family, men’s health may be affected depending on their views on gender ideology, according to Penn State researchers.
The researchers found that men who were financially dependent on their wives and who also had more traditional…
NIH Requests Public Comment on a Draft Policy for Data Management and Sharing and Supplemental Draft Guidance
NIH recently released a Draft NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing and supplemental draft guidance for public comment. The purpose of this draft policy and supplemental draft guidance is to promote effective and efficient data management and sharing that furthers NIH’s commitment to making…
The RISE Network: Towards a New Framework for University Interventions in Disasters
In the era of climate change—where the frequency of extreme weather and disaster events is increasing and social inequality magnifies their impact—universities are acting as first responders without being designed or organized to serve in this role. Immediately after major events such as Hurricane…
Penn State's Project ECHO awarded $1.5M to address substance abuse
Project ECHO at Penn State College of Medicine will use a $1.5 million federal grant to address underage drinking and opioid use in 10 rural counties in central Pennsylvania. The five-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Blair, Bradford…
How husbands perceive their wives’ weight may affect later marriage satisfaction
Husbands may want to pay careful attention to the messages they send about their wives' weight, according to new research that suggests a husband’s perception of his wife being overweight may predict a decrease in her marital satisfaction.
In a study, Penn State researchers examined the…
College students may get health benefits from less than one extra hour of sleep
College life can be rigorous and exhausting, but new research suggests that just one extra hour of sleep a night is not only possible, but can also have significant health benefits for college students.
In a study led by Penn State, researchers found that when asked to extend their sleep, college…
Why Social Science? - Because It Makes Informed Democracy Possible
By Rush D. Holt, Ph.D., CEO Emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Einstein said famously, “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.” It gives scientific optimists like me encouragement that great thinkers have concluded it is possible to understand the…
Personality traits may predict problems with problem-solving in older adults
People often blame poor genetics or lack of mental stimulation for cognitive decline with aging. While those can play a role, new research suggests that certain personality and temperament traits in older adults can cause personal problem-solving skills and can impact everyday cognitive functioning…
Symposium focuses on families and food, honors late colleague Leann Birch
The late Leann Birch, a former Penn State distinguished professor of human development and family studies and former director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, was honored at the 27th Annual National Symposium on Family issues, held recently at…
SSRI cofund donates graduation gowns to alleviate financial burden for students
Graduation caps and gowns are an integral aspect of the traditional graduation process. However, for some students, purchasing a cap and gown can be a financial burden that impacts their ability to attend commencement. Now, thanks to a Penn State faculty member, students in need have an option to…
Popular electronic cigarette may deliver nicotine more effectively than others
When it comes to nicotine delivery, not all electronic cigarettes are created equally, according to Penn State researchers. New research from Penn State College of Medicine shows that JUUL, a popular pod-based electronic cigarette, can deliver more nicotine at a faster rate than most…