The lopsided Year of the Woman

Only 1 out of 36 newly elected female representatives in Congress is Republican – here's why it matters [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 2 January 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair 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. Economy + Business - [How the ‘wave of women’ now in Congress could turn the #MeToo movement into concrete action]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon After a year of headlines and ousted CEOs, Congress has yet to pass a single piece of legislation on sexual harassment – let alone hold a hearing. That may change as lawmakers get to work in 2019. Politics + Society - [The new Congress and the history of governing by a house divided]( Brooks D. Simpson, Arizona State University The new Congress is divided into a GOP Senate and Democratic House. History provides a glimpse of what this could mean: Democrats hold the power to investigate, if not to legislate. - [Rightist Bolsonaro takes office in Brazil, promising populist change to angry voters]( Benjamin H. Bradlow, Brown University Brazil's new president – often called the 'Trump of the tropics' for his inflammatory, right-wing rhetoric – won over poorer voters by stoking fear and resentment. Can he make them happy? [Now, more than ever, the public needs to hear the voices of experts. Help us elevate them above the crowd, with a tax-deductible donation.]( Science + Technology - [New Horizons scientists were masters of the long haul – here’s how people stick with extremely long-term goals]( Bruce Barry, Vanderbilt University; Thomas Bateman, University of Virginia New Year's resolutions are one thing. But what does it take to devote your life to a work goal with such a long time horizon you might never reach it in your lifetime? - [A neuroscientist’s tips for a new year tuneup for your brain]( Kelly Lambert, University of Richmond Decades of work with lab rats lead to suggestions on how to stay grounded in the here and now, with benefits for brain health. Environment + Energy - [Why the ‘Child of Krakatau’ volcano is still dangerous – a volcanologist explains]( Thomas Giachetti, University of Oregon Research into volcanic activity in the waters off Indonesia shows how active this region is and how destructive landslide-caused tsunamis can be. Health + Medicine - [An app that nudges people to eat their veggies only works when it’s introduced with a human touch]( Susan H Evans, University of Southern California; Peter Clarke, University of Southern California Many of the low-income people who do use VeggieBook after downloading it at food pantries are eating more nutritious meals, often with more focused family time at the table. Ethics + Religion - [Single doesn’t mean being lonely or alone]( Elizabeth Brake, Arizona State University Singles can face mistaken stereotypes and value judgments that they are less happy, or lonelier. For many, being single is simply a relationship preference or even an orientation. - [This new year – rethinking gratitude]( Jeremy David Engels, Pennsylvania State University Why you might be getting gratitude all wrong. Most Read on Site - [‘Tis the season for conception]( Micaela Martinez, Columbia University Medical Center; Kevin M. Bakker, University of Michigan Did you ever consider that human beings might have a breeding season? Birth seasonality exists – and has interesting implications for childhood disease outbreaks. - [In ‘Mary Poppins Returns,’ an ode to the gas lamp]( Jennifer Tucker, Wesleyan University The lamps that once lit London's streets have come to symbolize a certain time and place in British history. - [What the flu does to your body, and why it makes you feel so awful]( Laura Haynes, University of Connecticut Anyone who's had the flu can attest that it makes them feel horrible. But why? What is going on inside the body that brings such pain and malaise? An immunologist explains. 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] [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. 89 South Street - Suite 202 Boston, MA 02111