Editor's note

Tomorrow the most diverse Congress in U.S. history will be sworn in. And yet, the number of Republican women serving will drop by 10 seats. Political scientists Shauna Shames and Malliga Och ask what our democracy loses when one major party – in this case, the Republicans – fails miserably at electing women to office.

The new year is a good time to think about protecting yourself from hackers, trolls, bots and wayward social media companies. Computer scientist Elissa Redmiles offers six straightforward changes to make – some technical, others cognitive – to stay free of malware and disinformation.

And, as you think about making New Year’s resolutions, you might also want to think about the ancient role of evolution. Humans are not living the lives we have evolved to live, writes Arash Javanbakht, professor of psychiatry at Wayne State University. He explains why we would be happier if we did.

Emily Costello

Deputy Editor

Top Stories

Carol Miller of West Virginia is the only newly elected Republican woman joining the 116th Congress. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Only 1 out of 36 newly elected female representatives in Congress is Republican – here’s why it matters

Malliga Och, Idaho State University; Shauna Shames, Rutgers University

Republican women face higher barriers to reaching elected office. A GOP allergy to identity politics plays a role too.

What dangerous experiences lurk behind the use of this trackpad? Amy Walters/Shutterstock.com

Clean up your cyber-hygiene – 6 changes to make in the new year

Elissa Redmiles, University of Maryland

Protect yourself from hackers, trolls, bots, social media executives and programmers in need of ethics training.

Exercise and activity are important parts of living the lives humans are meant to live from an evolutionary standpoint. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

To feel happier, we have to resolve to the life we evolved to live

Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University

As the new year gets underway, millions will make resolutions. The author explains why resolving to live in accordance with the way humans have evolved could go a long way to increasing happiness.

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Today’s quote

“The pursuit of long-term goals poses challenges relevant to professionals in a variety of work settings, not just space scientists on a Pluto mission.”

 

New Horizons scientists were masters of the long haul – here's how people stick with extremely long-term goals

 

Bruce Barry

Vanderbilt University

Bruce Barry
 

Thomas Bateman

University of Virginia

Thomas Bateman