
Elisabeth Best
Former Miller-McCune Fellow Elisabeth Best is currently pursuing a Masters of Pacific International Affairs at the University of California, San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, where she is the editor in chief of the Journal of International Policy Solutions. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in June 2009 with a BA in global studies and a minor in professional editing. As an undergraduate, she wrote for The GW Hatchet and Coastlines magazine and hosted “The Backseat” on WRGW.
Lessons From China and India’s Newspaper Boom
How the print media in China and India are succeeding — and what America’s ailing journalism industry might learn from them.
Making Seed Aid Blossom
The quake in Haiti and floods in Pakistan highlight that the multimillion-dollar emergency seed aid industry is in need of a makeover.
When Migrant Workers Return Home
Thousands of Latin-American migrants come to work in the United States every year, legally and illegally. But does their time in the U.S. help or hurt them when they return to their home countries?
Public Schools: An Untapped Recreational Resource
Researchers suggest limiting liability issues to make playgrounds and other recreation areas on school grounds accessible as a cost-effective way to promote public health.
Recreating the Creative Industry in New Orleans
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been rebounding slowly. Five years after the disaster, researchers suggest that the city promote its entertainment industry as a development strategy.
Bamboo Houses to the Rescue
Bamboo houses combat climate change, encourage economic growth and protect the poor from natural disaster. Why aren’t there more of them?
The Yellow Light Conundrum
To stop or to speed through? That is the question.
Corruption Leads to More Corruption
A legacy of corruption leads the citizenry more toward resignation and connivance than to activism, a new study looking at Mexico reports.
Full-Time Students, Part-Time Education
Parents and grandparents lecturing the “Me Generation” how easy they have it get research to support their argument (at least when they’re talking about college).
Studying Abroad or Drinking Abroad
Researchers find that heavier-drinking American college students are more likely to study abroad or intend to study abroad.
Why the iPhone Won
New research suggests that the iPhone’s success is largely due to its ability to offer what other smart phones did not: Browsing was the killer app.
In Class-Action Lawsuits, You’re Only Suing Yourself
Feeling let down by that financial firm you invested in? New research suggests class-action lawsuits should go after the people responsible for your loss, not the company.
Alcohol Makes Bigger Guys More Aggressive
One drink of alcohol may make a smaller guy more drunk, but research suggests it makes a bigger guy more aggressive.
Extending the Sin Tax to the Tanning Bed
Research has shown that “sin taxes” help reduce consumption of addictive substances like cigarettes and alcohol. Could the same be true for tanning?
Blondes Have More Funds
If money equals fun, the adage that blondes have more of it appears to be true. Research suggests that blond women make more and marry richer than women with a different hair color.
Rerouting Gray Whales By Audio
Researchers are testing a new technology to protect whales from human enterprises by rerouting them.
Continental’s Charitable Donations May Be In Departure Lounge
Continental and United’s proposed merger entails a relocation of Continental’s headquarters to Chicago. Houstonians (rightfully) fear that this means a relocation of charitable contributions, too.
One Grad Faces Decisions in a Time of Recession
One year out of college, Miller-McCune fellow and economics aficionado Elisabeth Best examines her options for work or more schooling.
Better Weapons Don’t Make for Shorter Wars
In spite of major advances in offensive military technology, researcher Marco Nilsson says the most cost-efficient weapon is a motivated soldier fighting a defensive war.
The Benefits of Broadband on Internet Use
Universal broadband Internet probably won’t help people find jobs, but it may improve their health outcomes (and music libraries).
Science Comes to the Rescue of Lab Rats
Scientists at Tel Aviv University are bioengineering tissues that can take the place of lab rats, saving untold lives.
Bicycles and the ‘Immigrant Effect’
Finally, some research that may have positive public health implications for minorities! (Or at least recent immigrants.)
Music Festivals Offering a Greener Listening Experience
Music festivals, like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, provide a model for reducing the carbon footprint of large events.
Transcendental Meditation Mitigates Depression
New research indicates Transcendental Meditation may help reduce symptoms of depression, which could also lower the risk of heart disease.
Respect Human Rights, Reduce Terrorism
New research suggests that to be effective, counterterrorism efforts should support human rights, rather than violate them.
There’s No Brewsky in the Food Pyramid
This just in: Drinkers more likely to pair potato chips than apple slices with beer.
Good Intentions Always in Season at Farmers Markets
Although shopping at the farmers market may or may not reduce your carbon footprint, these community bazaars offer benefits beyond efficiency.
Today’s Health Hazard: Job Insecurity
More data comes in proving that, for American workers, specifically the older ones, job insecurity is bad for your health.
Making the Case for Carpool Lanes
Research indicates that even underused carpool lanes have a smoothing effect on freeway traffic.
Understanding Pyrodiversity
Researchers from Oregon State argue that when it comes to carbon emissions, not all forest fires are created equal.
Health Care for the Wealthy or the Unhealthy?
Research shows that in Canada, health determines who sees a specialist, but in the U.S., income does.
The True Cost of Tobacco
Researchers find that poor smokers’ children are the victims of the habit: Their nutrition takes a hit when their parents divert precious resources to pay for tobacco.
Going ‘Glocal’
What do gombo, hidden cameras and advertorials have in common? Hint: Each is a part of mainstream journalism somewhere in the world.
Valentine’s Day in the Lab
A collection of academic musings on Valentine’s Day traditions to keep you warm in bed at night (in the event that you don’t find a date).
Teaching an Old Immune System New Tricks
Researchers have found a protein that may be the immune system’s fountain of youth.
Can Drug Policy Prevent Reefer Madness?
A cross-national comparison of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents indicates that stricter laws may prevent high school kids from drinking, but not from smoking pot.
Female Teachers Add to Students’ Math Anxiety
Highly math-anxious female teachers may lead girls to conform to the stereotype that, when it comes to math, they just can’t compete with the boys.
Information: The New Weight-Loss Drug
Research shows that nutritional information about fast food inspires parents to make healthier choices for their kids.
What’s In a Label?
The real meaning of the fair trade label on your gourmet coffee.
The State of Student Loans
Obama’s State of the Union speech addressed the problem of student loan debt.
Government Rebates – The Uneasy Case For Subsidizing Energy Efficiency
Rebates for energy-efficient appliances don’t stand up to the economic analysis that, until now, no one bothered to do.
Attacking Breast Cancer in its Heel
Research suggests a possible specific target for drugs fighting the most common type of breast cancer.
An Imperfect Solution to Toppling Student Loans
If you commit to a public service salary for 10 years, the government will forgive your student loans.
The Age of Affirmation
A new study finds that people watch the news more for affirmation than for information.
The Geography of Giving
New research shows that when corporations relocate their headquarters to new cities, they bring with them millions of dollars in charitable contributions.
Cockroaches and Running Robots
Researchers are using cockroaches as inspiration for robots that run.
Fearless Flying with Fred H. Cate
Privacy and security expert Fred H. Cate believes we can make it safer to fly without a new airport security system — but we do need to improve the one we have.
The Genetics of Political Intensity
Your genes may determine whether you cling furiously to your political beliefs or cast them aside at a shift in the breeze.
Rats and That Vision Thing
Stem cells might be able to prevent blindness caused by macular degeneration.
Laugh If You Want World Peace
Framing international conflicts as comedies could help to resolve them.
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from the source
Gender Wage Gap Skewed By Survey Flaws
The wage gap between the sexes in America has been closing much faster than anyone realized, but that’s tempered by learning it’s been much wider than measurements had shown.
‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks
An effort to identify five performing orcas as slaves failed in part, argues one scholar, because there’s no legal precedent establishing them as persons.
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
New research finds listeners judge symphonic music differently when they’re told the conductor is a woman.
House Puts Transportation in Partisan Crossfire
Transportation used to be one of the few guaranteed areas of agreement when ideology trumped pragmatism in D.C. But that’s no longer the case.
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
New research suggests less-creative people do more innovative thinking when they are told individualism is the norm, and instructed to conform.
Better Super Bowl Makes for Better Ads
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
Overseas Troops Finally Get Fair Shot at Voting
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
Neglected Tropical Diseases Neglected No More?
World health leaders announce coordinated push to eradicate or control neglected tropical diseases.
Children’s Books Increasingly Ignore Natural World
A survey of award-winning children’s picture books from 1938 to 2008 suggests our increasing estrangement from the natural environment.
Traffic Solution: Make Drivers Less Lonely
Rather than moaning about too many cars on the road, the Ridesharing Institute says the real key to battling traffic congestion and pollution is filling empty passenger seats.


