ANN ARBOR—New research on how birth control pills affect the level of hormones in women’s blood serum has found much higher levels of hormones in women who take birth control pills compared to women who don’t. The University of Michigan study was motivated by evidence that breast cancer risk increases with hormonal exposure. The authors… Continue reading Study raises doubts about safety of some forms of birth control pills
Project: Research Center for Group Dynamics
Panapasa finds Pacific Islanders in CA have higher health risks, lower insurance coverage than other Californians
Research by Sela Panapasa finds that two groups of Pacific Islanders residing in California – Samoans and Tongans – had higher rates of hypertension and cigarette smoking, and lower rates of health insurance coverage and use of health care screenings, than Californians at large.
Survey finds health disparities in two Pacific Islander populations
ANN ARBOR—A survey of two groups of Pacific Islanders draws comparisons between the health of two populations of Pacific Islanders residing in California, revealing they lag behind the state in several key areas of health. Led by Sela Panapasa, a scientist at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, a group of researchers administered… Continue reading Survey finds health disparities in two Pacific Islander populations
Youth key to researching terrorism
ANN ARBOR—Engaging with youth involved in or susceptible to violent extremism is key in helping the U.S. government understand—and combat—terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, according to a position paper published in the journal Science. The article, led by University of Michigan Institute for Social Research scientist Scott Atran and co-authored… Continue reading Youth key to researching terrorism
PRBA celebrates 40th anniversary, announces new scholarship
ANN ARBOR—This past June, the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) celebrated four productive decades with a reunion and the announcement of the James S. Jackson Emerging Scholars Fund, named after one of its founders. Established in 1976, PRBA was among the first university-based research and training programs in the country to focus on… Continue reading PRBA celebrates 40th anniversary, announces new scholarship
U-M researchers receive award from NSF for Advanced Computational Neuroscience Network
Three University of Michigan researchers will lead the Advanced Computational Neuroscience Network (ACNN) project as a “spoke” in the Midwest Big Data Hub program funded by the National Science Foundation. Richard Gonzalez, a psychologist and the director of the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the Institute for Social Research (ISR) and the BioSocial Methods… Continue reading U-M researchers receive award from NSF for Advanced Computational Neuroscience Network
Negative news about Muslims fuels public policy support against them
ANN ARBOR—News stories depicting Muslims as terrorists have fueled racism and anger among many non-Muslim Americans, who support civil restrictions and military action in Muslim countries, according to a new University of Michigan study. Other research has shown that minorities are often negatively portrayed in news media. Since September 2001, this increasingly has been the… Continue reading Negative news about Muslims fuels public policy support against them
Low testosterone, men’s empathy can determine parenting skills
ANN ARBOR—As they age, men often get concerned about their testosterone levels dropping. And rightfully so—it affects their sex drive and other health factors. But the hormone decline can also provide a window into men’s parenting. A new University of Michigan study found that when men saw their infants in distress, it lowered their testosterone.… Continue reading Low testosterone, men’s empathy can determine parenting skills
Marriages still resilient after the second child
ANN ARBOR—Many married couples can feel overwhelmed and stressed after their first child’s birth, but the transition period isn’t as long for the second child. While the initial four weeks after the second birth involves a period of adjustment, couples often adapt to the changes by four months—and the quality of their marriage returns to… Continue reading Marriages still resilient after the second child
Women in finance less likely to recommend their field to other women when stereotyped
ANN ARBOR—Gender stereotypes negatively affect women in male-dominated professions such as finance and banking, resulting in reduced well-being at work and less interest in recommending their field to young women. Researchers at the University of Michigan and University of Queensland in Australia said stereotyping women as weak, emotional or lacking in leadership skills on the… Continue reading Women in finance less likely to recommend their field to other women when stereotyped