Left in the cold: Study finds most renters shut out of energy-saving upgrades
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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 3-May-2026 15:15 ET (3-May-2026 19:15 GMT/UTC)
As winter heating costs rise, new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York reveals a cold truth. Renters – who make up approximately ⅓ of the U.S. population – are missing out on energy efficiency improvements that could lower their bills, make their apartments more comfortable and improve their health.
Increases to the minimum wage may do more than bolster household income, reduce inequality and enhance worker well-being: They may also help make pregnancies safer, according to new research from Rutgers University.A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that state-level increases in the minimum wage are associated with lower rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States.
Concordia research shows that in today’s crises—like climate change and social unrest—mothers face growing societal pressure to soothe anxiety and address structural problems through parenting. This “maternal responsibilization” adds burdens as governments retreat from collective solutions.
Does living in an unequal society make people unhappy? Not necessarily, reveals the largest study ever conducted on the subject. Nicolas Sommet, a social psychologist and research manager at the LIVES Centre at the University of Lausanne, and his team have published the first social science meta-analysis in the prestigious journal Nature (on 22 January in its print edition). Their conclusions — based on 168 studies covering more than 11 million participants from around the world — challenge the widely held belief that economic inequality is detrimental to well-being and mental health.
Great Bear Rainforest, BC. The Great Bear Lodge on the Central Coast of British Columbia is collaborating with internationally acclaimed science journalist Lesley Evans Ogden to host a nature writing retreat from May 31 - June 4, 2026. Small group size will ensure each participant benefits from individual focus and support, allowing instruction and skill development to be tailored to a range of abilities, from aspiring to experienced writers.