EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Oct-2026 12:17 ET (23-Oct-2026 16:17 GMT/UTC)

14-May-2026

EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive

Chalmers University of Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The effects of the Iran war on the oil market have brought renewed attention to the EU’s plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels. But EU rules for synthetic aviation fuels risk steering development towards production pathways that are both more expensive and more energy-intensive than necessary – making it harder to meet climate targets. This is shown in a recent study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, that has analysed different methods for producing synthetic methanol.

Journal: Fuel
Funder: Energimyndigheten, VaroPreem, Borealis

14-May-2026

Privately educated CEOs seen as ‘safer bets’ despite no evidence they are

University of Surrey
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Investors may be mistaking privilege for competence, rewarding privately educated CEOs with lower perceived risk despite no evidence they perform or behave differently.

Journal: European Financial Management

14-May-2026

Childhood disadvantage can limit the social benefits of intelligence later in life, new research shows

University of Bath
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Children who grow up in disadvantaged households may receive fewer social benefits from their intelligence in adulthood than those raised in more advantaged environments, according to new research from the University of Bath.

Journal: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

13-May-2026

New drug approval pathway benefits industry over patients, argues expert

BMJ Group
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new UK drug approval pathway, designed to speed up the availability of new medicines, benefits industry over patients and the NHS, argues an expert in The BMJ today.

Journal: The BMJ

13-May-2026

Bigger and wetter storms mean drier conditions over time

Dartmouth College
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study is the first to show that annual rainfall packed into bigger, wetter storms means less water for ecosystems and aquifers, even if total precipitation increases. The researchers report that annual rainfall for much of the world has condensed into heavier storms with longer dry periods since 1980. They project more consolidation due to climate change, with an increase of just 2 degrees Celsius bringing abnormally dry conditions to more than a quarter of the global population, even with more rainfall.

Journal: Nature

13-May-2026

BU medical students receive awards at Massachusetts Medical Society Research Poster Symposium

Boston University School of Medicine
Grant and Award Announcement

Ten medical students from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine were recognized recently by the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) at its 17th Annual Research Poster Symposium, which was held in conjunction with its signature education event, Future Health: Best Practices for Advancing Care.

This year, symposium participants competed in four different categories: clinical research, basic research, clinical vignettes, and health policy/medical education. Eight posters were accepted in these categories out of a field of more than 120 abstract entries. Three winners were selected in each category, and several honorable mentions were awarded.

13-May-2026

Many Americans pessimistic about AI’s impact – and want more regulation

Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Reports and Proceedings

A new APPC survey reveals broad pessimism about AI and a bipartisan belief that the government has done too little to regulate it.