August 3, 2025

Perseid meteor shower: When it peaks and what could spoil the party

When it comes to meteor showers, the Perseids pop. It’s not just about the quantity of meteors (as many as 100 per hour) and their showy quality but also their superb timing.

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School districts hire superintendents on merit, not political affiliation, study finds

A recent sociological study indicates that, despite increasing polarization and partisan animosity in the United States over recent decades, employers are not hiring based on political affiliation. The study “Partisan Affiliation and Hiring in Public [...]
Female election candidates less likely to be retweeted and receive media coverage, UK study shows

Female candidates in recent UK General Elections were less likely to be retweeted than male candidates and less likely to receive media coverage, research shows.This post was originally published on this site
From ‘God Emperor Trump’ to ‘St. Luigi,’ memes power the politics of feeling

Why do images of Donald Trump as a galactic emperor or Luigi Mangione as a Catholic saint resonate so deeply with some people? Memes don’t just entertain—they shape how we identify with power, grievance and [...]
Child marriage law ‘backlash’ causes rise in under-age brides

A law intended to stamp out child marriage may have had the opposite effect and lead to an increase, new research by King’s College London shows. The study is published in The Journal of Law, [...]
Cyberstalking growing at faster rate than other forms of stalking, study reveals

Cyberstalking is increasing at a faster rate than traditional stalking and is disproportionately affecting young people, women, and members of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community, according to a new study led by researchers from [...]
Borderline democracy? How Polish voters tolerated restrictions of civil liberties to address immigration crisis

In the face of a growing migration crisis in 2021, the Polish government declared a state of emergency along its border with Belarus, suspending basic civil liberties for citizens in the affected areas. A new [...]
Instagram images could influence public opinion on certain major events

A new study of Instagram posts has uncovered strong statistical correlations suggesting that social media images may play a key role in shaping public opinion towards events, with notable social and political effects.This post was [...]
He said, she said—how misinformation clouds the memory of accuser and accused in sexual assault cases

A new study suggests both defendants and complainants are equally prone to memory distortions in sexual assault cases.This post was originally published on this site
How China’s pandas became its most valuable diplomats—and its vulnerable children

Anthony Albanese’s recent visit to Chengdu’s panda breeding base showed the enduring power of China’s panda diplomacy.This post was originally published on this site
Women politicians receive more identity-based attacks on social media than men, study finds

Women politicians in Europe receive uncivil tweets regardless of how known they are—and women also receive more identity-based attacks than other politicians, reveals a new study in Politics & Gender.This post was originally published on [...]