Oh you really didn’t have to

Edition: US - Today's top story: When cringeworthy gifts are worse than inconsiderate [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 16 December 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note Deborah Y. Cohn has wondered for most of her life whether many people go out of their way to be mean when they give presents. After looking into it, the marketing researcher found that they do. “I’ve determined that sometimes people give bad gifts on purpose,” she writes in an article that explains [why you shouldn’t do this](. And as Christmas approaches, stories about the birth of Jesus will get the most attention. But, Michigan State’s Christopher A. Frilingos urges readers to “[spare a thought for the tween-age Jesus and his confused parents](.” Emily Schwartz Greco Philanthropy + Nonprofits Editor Top stories Sometimes a gift that might seem reasonable is no nicer than a stocking full of coal. Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock.com [When cringeworthy gifts are worse than inconsiderate]( Deborah Y. Cohn, New York Institute of Technology Sadly, people sometimes deliberately give bad presents. Hanging church courtyard tile mural showing holy family traveling. Daniel Mayer (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons [How parenthood has changed the way I read ancient stories of Joseph and Mary's relationship with Jesus]( Christopher A. Frilingos, Michigan State University Family is not a clearly defined structure in the story: It isn’t biological or reflective of some 'norm.' It is instead a choice to stick together, come what may. Science + Technology [With FCC's net neutrality ruling, the US could lose its lead in online consumer protection]( Sascha Meinrath, Pennsylvania State University; Nathalia Foditsch, American University As the U.S. weakens its protections for internet users, it risks falling behind the rest of the world, which is embracing the importance of regulation to preserve an open internet. [For baby's brain to benefit, read the right books at the right time]( Lisa S. Scott, University of Florida Psychology researchers bring infants into the lab to learn more about how shared book reading influences brain and behavioral development. [Designer proteins that package genetic material could help deliver gene therapy]( Ian Haydon, University of Washington One big challenge for gene therapies is delivering DNA or RNA safely to cells inside patients' bodies. New nanoparticles could be an improvement over the current standard – repurposed viruses. [AIM brought instant messaging to the masses, teaching skills for modern communication]( Nicholas Bowman, West Virginia University As it closes down 20 years after launching, a look back at the key role AOL Instant Messenger played in preparing people for today's digital messaging methods. Arts + Culture [The secret behind the success of the new 'Star Wars' films]( Subimal Chatterjee, Binghamton University, State University of New York Why did most fans shun the prequel series, but embrace the recent spate of 'Star Wars' films? A recent study offers some clues. [Gold rush opportunists, hippie goat ladies, Latino newcomers: California entrepreneurs dream of cheese]( Heather Paxson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology California's artisan cheese-making industry has followed the changing tastes of the state's population waves, from the mid-1800s through today. Politics + Society [Black voters won Alabama for the Dems. Here's what they need in return]( Sharon Austin, University of Florida Almost 100 percent of black Alabamians voted for Doug Jones. The Democratic senator-elect can thank this key base by addressing his home state's problems with rural poverty, education and health care. [Venezuelan regime sweeps mayors races, tightening Maduro's grip on power]( Benigno Alarcón, Andres Bello Catholic University (UCAB) Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party won 39 of 40 major mayoral races on Dec. 10. A victorious President Nicolás Maduro is now likely to call a snap presidential election early next year. Can he win? [What Doug Jones's win means for Mitch McConnell, Steve Bannon and the Democrats]( David C. Barker, American University Everything on the GOP wish list just became more daunting to achieve. [Alabama and #MeToo's disruptive force]( Ashwini Tambe, University of Maryland The word disruption describes an upheaval of institutionalized ways of doing things. Disruptors draw few distinctions between the valuable and less-valuable features of institutions. Environment + Energy [Will China's crackdown on 'foreign garbage' force wealthy countries to recycle more of their own waste?]( Kate O'Neill, University of California, Berkeley China, which recycles much of the world's waste material, is slashing its scrap imports. This move could force the United States and Europe to boost recycling instead of shipping trash overseas. [Mercury from industrialized nations is polluting the Arctic – here's how it gets there]( Daniel Obrist, University of Massachusetts Lowell How do mercury emissions from industrialized countries reach the remote Arctic? Recent research shows that plants on the tundra absorb mercury vapor through their leaves, then pass it into soil. Education [You're not going to get accepted into a top university on merit alone]( Natasha Warikoo, Harvard University Students and government officials alike hope Harvard's admission files will yield clues about who gets in and why, but a Harvard researcher says their efforts will be in vain. [Can college 'promise' programs deliver?]( Laura Perna, University of Pennsylvania; Edward J. Smith, University of Pennsylvania; Elaine W. Leigh, University of Pennsylvania As more "college promise" programs are set up in the United States, researchers will be watching to see which ones do the best job at helping students realize their college dreams. Economy + Business [American Jews and charitable giving: An enduring tradition]( Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim, Brandeis University Theology and history help explain why US Jews give more to charity than people who observe other religions or are not religious at all. [Naughty or nice: Is there a financial reward for acting ethically?]( Jay L. Zagorsky, The Ohio State University Santa reportedly rewards children who behave with more presents than their naughty peers. The data suggest the real world isn't as clear-cut. Ethics + Religion [The moral questions in the debate on what constitutes terrorism]( Jessica Wolfendale, West Virginia University A scholar asks: If two acts of violence kill similar numbers of people, have similar effects on victims and communities, and spread fear and terror, should they not be seen as equally abhorrent? [An archaeological dig in Israel provides clues to how feasting became an important ritual]( Natalie Munro, University of Connecticut Ritual feasting emerged around the time humans were beginning to farm. It came to play an important role in societal bonding, much as it does today. Health + Medicine [You (and most of the millions of holiday travelers you encounter) are washing your hands wrong]( Michelle Sconce Massaquoi, University of Oregon With holiday travel in full swing and people packed together in small spaces, it's important to try to stop the spread of germs. But can we really get our hands clean with a few seconds of cold water? [Dreading conflict during the holidays? Let it go, let it go, let it go]( Nicholas Joyce, University of South Florida We all know the holidays can be stressful, but we may not realize that we often continue the cycle. Here's how to let things go and enjoy the holidays instead of dreading them. [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. We’ll miss you. 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 USA