Is Our Search for Happiness Killing Us?

Gwen Gardiner, psychology graduate student, lead new research on the meaning of happiness around the world.
Psychology Today | December 9, 2020

We must reclaim the democratic purpose of California schools

Joseph Kahne, professor of education policy, and Erica Hodgin, co-director of the Civic Engagement Research Group, explain the challenge of our increasing inability to solve problems democratically coinciding with crises that demand our collective attention.
Calmatters | December 8, 2020

How You Can Help Count and Conserve Native Bees

Entomologist Hollis Woodard is leading an unprecedented, nationwide consortium of researchers trying to track native bees in order to save them. The group's activities will include training for community scientists as well.
The New York Times | December 7, 2020

Hearts Aflame

Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing Susan Straight recalls the violence inflicted on six generations of Black men in her family.
Alta | December 7, 2020

Understanding bacteria’s metabolism could improve biofuel production

Mark Alber, math professor, and William Cannon, adjunct UCR math professor and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory computational scientist, learn about aspects of bacteria's metabolism that could lead to species engineered to better convert plants into biofuels.
Green Car Congress | December 4, 2020

A robot that tells growers when to water crops is on the way

Assistant Professor Konstantinos Karydis and Professor Amit K. Roy-Chowdhury from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering are part of a group developing a robot that can help growers conserve water and help decrease costs in the food-production chain.
Morning Ag Clips | December 3, 2020

Your nose could be the key to getting fit, a study in mice suggests

A new study by Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka, assistant professor in Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology and colleagues suggests a link between doing voluntary exercise and the expression of genes that relate to scent.
BBC Science Focus | December 2, 2020

John Jennings Talks Speculative Fiction and the Debut of Megascope

Megascope, a new graphic imprint at Abrams ComicArts under the direction of John Jennings, media and cultural studies professor, will release its first title, After the Rain, in January 2021.
Publishers Weekly | December 2, 2020

November coronavirus surge a ‘train wreck in slow motion’

Epidemiologist Brandon Brown discusses the recent, massive increase in coronavirus cases, and the likelihood of ICU cases increasing as well in the coming months.
The Press Enterprise | November 30, 2020

Megalodons, the Ocean’s Most Ferocious Prehistoric Predators, Raised Their Young in Nurseries

Shark researcher Phillip Sternes, comments on news about the "biggest and baddest shark of all time."
Smithsonian Magazine | November 30, 2020

Need Motivation to Exercise? Olfaction Is a Primal Motivator

New work from Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka, assistant professor in the Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology Department, shows smells may play an important role in peoples' motivation to seek exercise.
Psychology Today | November 28, 2020

The Damage Will Last

Shaun Bowler, political scientist, comments on President Trump's refusal to concede the election.
The Atlantic | November 27, 2020

Free shipping is the new normal for online shoppers, but how much does it really cost?

Sociologist Ellen Reese's new book about Amazon investigates how free shipping comes at the cost of a workforce characterized by low wages, electronic surveillance and onerous working conditions.
Deseret News | November 26, 2020

Hollywood's casting dilemma: Should straight, cisgender actors play LGBTQ characters?

Jane Ward, gender and sexuality studies professor, comments on the need for LGBTQ actors to play LGBTQ characters.
USA Today | November 24, 2020

How did a 3-year-old pizza get delivered by Instacart?

Danko Turcic, an associate professor of operations and supply chain management, explains who he thinks is at fault in this case. 
The Los Angeles Times | November 24, 2020

Social Scientists Say Pandemic Worsening Existing Social Inequalities

Anil Deolalikar, dean of public policy, participates in a panel discussion about why public trust in institutions is down and disparities across society are up.
KVCR | November 24, 2020

First Nationwide Effort To Save Wild Bees Is Enlisting Citizen Scientists

Entomologist Hollis Woodard is helping lead a first-of-its-kind national research alliance in an effort to track and save native bees. 
Forbes | November 22, 2020

Surprise: a big windfall for California schools; Rx for reviving civics education

A report co-authored by Erica Hodgin, associate director of the Civic Engagement Research Group, finds that California civics education is falling short. 
Ed Source | November 20, 2020

Learn about the new app with which they seek to control coronavirus in California

Univisión 34 interviews Andrés González, chief medical officer for UCR Health, on the CA COVID Notify pilot program that aims to limit the spread of COVID-19 by using smartphones.
Univision | November 18, 2020

This is how to be happy, according to science

Sonja Lyubomirsky, psychology professor, explains how performing random acts of kindness can help you feel happier. 
CNET | November 17, 2020