Editor's note

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.

Emily Schwartz Greco

Philanthropy and Nonprofits Editor

Top story

Consumers often distrust mission-driven groups that earn profits. Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

A big hurdle do-good companies face

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?

Politics + Society

Ethics + Religion

  • A trans soldier in the ancient Roman army?

    Tom Sapsford, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

    An ancient Roman fable imagines a cinaedus, well-known for his brazen effeminacy, fighting heroically. This story raises concerns over gender identity in the military like those seen in current times.

Arts + Culture

Education

  • The true failure of foreign language instruction

    Catherine Snow, Harvard University

    Whether it's due to native language loss or unsupported high school curricula, the lack of bilingualism in the US is notable. Why can't more Americans speak another language? How should that change?

Environment + Energy

  • Is your drinking water safe? Here's how you can find out

    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.

  • Climate change set to increase air pollution deaths by hundreds of thousands by 2100

    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.

Science + Technology

  • Inside the fight against malware attacks

    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.

  • This math puzzle will help you plan your next party

    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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