Research out of the University of New Hampshire shows that communities that were easier for people to lace up and get out for a walk during the COVID-19 pandemic also helped lower the impact of mental health issues, like stress and anxiety.

A new critical review, published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, highlights the emergence and scientific basis of regenerative agriculture – proposing a working definition centred on ecological cycles and farm system outcomes.

Dr Nicholas Bardsley, author of the paper from the Department of Agri-Food Economics and Marketing at the University of Reading, suggests that as global agriculture faces intensifying soil degradation, climate disruption, and ecological breakdown, there is a need for a deeper re-evaluation of how food is produced and what it means to farm regeneratively.

A new study highlights the vital role of network infrastructure in strengthening enterprise resilience. By analysing the impact of China’s national broadband initiative using a Difference-in-Difference approach, the research finds that improved network connectivity significantly enhances firms’ ability to respond to crises and maintain stable performance. The study reveals that network infrastructure boosts resilience primarily by driving digital transformation and reducing dependence on a concentrated customer base. This effect is especially pronounced in competitive, high-tech, and high-risk industries, as well as in firms with less institutional investor ownership. The findings offer valuable guidance for business leaders and policymakers, demonstrating that investing in digital infrastructure is key to building more adaptable and successful enterprises.

In a new book, a team of veteran digital leaders, including an academic, an operator, and a visual artist/storyteller, take a unique look at organizational transformation. They argue that focusing on employees and uncovering unique competencies and empowering them are necessary to break through transformational hurdles and thrive in a world affected by artificial intelligence (AI). The book, Monster Transformation: Conquer Your Digital Fears, Be AI Ready, and Focus on What Matters to Your Organization, is due out in December.

About The Study: This cohort study using Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children data found that eating disorder symptoms were more common in individuals experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. Potential socioeconomic inequalities in eating disorder presentation and diagnosis in clinical settings require further investigation. Reducing population-level socioeconomic inequalities could also aid eating disorder prevention.