Islamophobia in Western Europe is driven far more by anti-immigrant nativism and authoritarian attitudes than by religious belief. 

A study by Professor Kai Arzheimer of the JGU Department of Political Science, published in Research & Politics, reveals a strong connection between anti-Muslim prejudice and nativism. It also points to a robust link between Islamophobia and right-wing authoritarian attitudes. By contrast, individual Christian religiosity shows virtually no connection to either of these tendencies – challenging the common assumption that religious belief fuels Islamophobia in Western Europe.

The Israel Observatory on Femicide, directed by Prof. Shalva Weil from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University, reports a troubling surge in femicide across Israel, with 32 women killed because they were women since January. The data point to rising firearm-related murders and distinct cultural dynamics influencing the patterns of violence. The Observatory calls on policymakers to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life.

New research published by Wiley online in CANCER reveals that certain social determinants of health—such as socioeconomic status, household characteristics, and racial/ethnic minority status—have significant effects on rural–urban disparities in colorectal cancer mortality rates.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a brain circuit that can drive repetitive and compulsive behaviours in mice, even when natural rewards such as food or social contact are available. The study has been published in the journal Science Advances and may contribute to increased knowledge about obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction.

Consumer reactions often shape how companies fare in a crisis, Gershoff says. “When firms commit some kind of transgression, it’s often the case that consumers want to react and punish the firm in some way.” But when transgression is followed by loss, it can change a consumer’s moral equation, he adds. “They might say, ‘Because the punishment has already occurred, I don’t need to apply further punishment.’”