Editor's note
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The rising number of for-profit firms with a social purpose face a big hurdle: Many people react with distrust upon learning that these outfits aren’t nonprofits. Three consumer psychologists found that these companies, often called “social ventures,” can be seen as greedy. They suggest a few steps these firms can take to build their credibility.
How safe is your tap water? Much of America’s drinking water infrastructure is decades old and needs major upgrades. Susan Boser and Diane Oleson, extension educators at Penn State University, describe how contaminants can enter the system at many points from source to tap, and explain when people should get their water tested.
In a series of tweets last week, President Trump proposed a ban on transgender people in the U.S. military. USC Dornsife’s Tom Sapsford visits the classics to tell the fable of the cinaedus – a figure familiar to the Greeks and Romans who played a decisive role in combat, but whose gender identity raised concerns.
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Emily Schwartz Greco
Philanthropy and Nonprofits Editor
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Top story
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Consumers often distrust mission-driven groups that earn profits.
Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com
Saerom Lee, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Karen Winterich, Pennsylvania State University; Lisa E Bolton, Pennsylvania State University
People may initially assume the worst when they encounter for-profit companies with social missions. What can these social ventures with good intentions do to gain people’s support?
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Environment + Energy
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Susan Boser, Pennsylvania State University; Diane Oleson, Pennsylvania State University
America's drinking water infrastructure is aging and needs billions of dollars in upgrades. Two extension educators urge consumers to monitor their water and have it tested if they suspect problems.
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Guang Zeng, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; Jason West, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
A new study suggests climate change will cause changes to patterns of ground-level ozone and smog – two deadly pollutants set to increase deaths by about 260,000 worldwide by the end of the century.
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Science + Technology
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Christoph Csallner, University of Texas Arlington
How do malware analysts examine software that's designed to wreak havoc with computers? By using tools that watch software's inner workings very closely.
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Gary Chartrand, Western Michigan University; Arthur Benjamin, Harvey Mudd College; Ping Zhang, Western Michigan University
Let's say you want the perfect mix of friends and strangers at your next party. Mathematicians have been working on a version of this problem for nearly a century, and the answer is complicated.
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Trending on site
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Matthew Wallenstein, Colorado State University
Healthy soil teems with bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms that help store carbon and fend off plant diseases. To restore soil, scientists are finding ways to foster its microbiome.
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Mark R Reiff, University of California, Davis
There are three very different kinds of liberty. When people talk about religious liberty, what kind of liberty they might mean?
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Today’s chart
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Brad Spellberg
University of Southern California
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