+ extreme weather in 2023 US Edition - Today's top story: Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role [View in browser]( US Edition | 19 December 2023 [The Conversation]
[The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Pope shifts Catholic posture on LGBTQ couples](
- [The dangers of Canadaâs wild âsuper pigsâ](
- [Whatâs better for your gut: Beer or yogurt?]( Lead story Tracing the roots of domestic violence is a difficult and painful process â not only for survivors, but also for perpetrators. Researchers have long explored the wide-reaching effects that childhood adversity and trauma can have on a personâs life. These experiences can put some at risk of committing domestic violence as an adult, in part because of how trauma shapes the brain and how the body responds to stress. Rigid views of gender roles restrict what avenues of resolution are available when romantic relationships encounter challenges, and can further compound these risk factors. Social worker Laura Voith, however, notes that people who have supportive relationships throughout their lives can [help protect against future violence](. Directly addressing symptoms of PTSD by teaching men how to regulate their stress and emotions may also help perpetrators better identify and unlearn abusive thought patterns and behaviors. âSupport for survivors of domestic violence is important,â Voith writes, âbut to end domestic violence once and for all, society needs to understand the people who perpetrate it and how to successfully intervene.â [ [Sign up for our weekly Global Economy & Business newsletter, with interesting perspectives from experts around the world](. ] Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor
Domestic violence is experienced unevenly across the U.S. kieferpix/iStock via Getty Images Plus
[Why do some men commit domestic violence? Trauma and social isolation may play a role]( Laura Voith, Case Western Reserve University Childhood adversity can put people at risk of perpetrating domestic violence in the future. Having a supportive social network and learning ways to regulate the stress response, however, can help. International -
[Guatemalaâs anti-corruption leader-to-be could be prevented from taking office, deepening migration concerns for US]( Bonar Hernández Sandoval, Iowa State University Anti-democratic actions and government corruption are key reasons many Guatemalans migrate to the US. Ethics + Religion -
[Pope Francisâ approval of blessings for LGBTQ+ couples is a historic gesture, according to a Catholic theologian]( Steven P. Millies, Catholic Theological Union In emphasizing the churchâs love for all, including people in LGBTQ+ relationships, the pope has sidestepped thorny doctrinal issues. -
[Finding objective ways to talk about religion in the classroom is tough â but the cost of not doing so is clear]( Charles J. Russo, University of Dayton Many countries wrestle with whether to include any kind of education about religion in public school lessons, and each one takes its own approach. Environment + Energy -
[Wild âsuper pigsâ from Canada could become a new front in the war on feral hogs]( Marcus Lashley, University of Florida Feral hogs are one of the most destructive invasive species in North America, harming land, crops and wildlife. -
[2023âs extreme storms, heat and wildfires broke records â a scientist explains how global warming fuels climate disasters]( Shuang-Ye Wu, University of Dayton The US saw a record number of billion-dollar disasters in 2023, even when accounting for inflation. The number of long-running heat waves like the Southwest experienced is also rising. Politics + Society -
[More city hall news coverage isnât enough to revive local news outlets]( Erik Peterson, Rice University; Josh McCrain, University of Utah There are lots of ideas about how to save local news. One of them is that increasing coverage of local politics will bring back readers and viewers. Research shows that it doesnât. Science + Technology -
[How active are the microorganisms in your yogurt? We created a new tool to study probiotic activity â and made it out of cardboard]( Carlos D. Garcia, Clemson University; George Chumanov, Clemson University Probiotics are great for your gut, but which sources contain the most beneficial bacteria? Newly developed sensors are helping scientists figure it out. -
[Digital inaccessibility: Blind and low-vision people have powerful technology but still face barriers to the digital world]( Michele McDonnall, Mississippi State University Assistive technology like screen readers for the blind help people with disabilities use computers and smartphones, but they can be tripped up if webpages or documents are improperly formatted. Trending on site -
[Why do people have wisdom teeth?]( -
[Health misinformation is rampant on social media â hereâs what it does, why it spreads and what people can do about it]( -
[Mutton, an Indigenous woolly dog, died in 1859 â new analysis confirms precolonial lineage of this extinct breed, once kept for their wool]( Today's graphic ð [From the first half of 2019 through the first half of 2023, reported shoplifting incidents increased sharply in New York City and Los Angeles, but declined in a number of other major cities. Of the 61,184 shoplifting incidents across all 24 cities shown below during the first half of 2023. New York accounted for 46% of those incidents.]( From the story, [Big-box retail chains were never a solution for Americaâs downtowns â and now theyâre fleeing back to suburbia]( -
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