Why Americans value dogs more than cats

Edition: US - Today's top story: Pet owners want to be masters, not servants – which is why we value dogs more than cats [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 6 April 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Editor's note How much would you pay to save the life of your pet? Past research has shown dog owners are willing to spend a lot more to save their golden retriever or pug than cat owners would part with for their tabby or Persian. This suggests dogs have a higher economic value to their owners than cats do, explains marketing professor Colleen P. Kirk. She conducted [four experiments to find out why](, including one that asked people to imagine their cat behaves like a dog and vice versa. After the U.S. college admissions scandal, it’s worth knowing that academic fraud is a global problem. In some countries, public officials have built entire political careers on the [false pretense of scholastic achievement](, writes Ararat Osipian, a scholar of academic corruption. That includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose 1997 doctoral dissertation was allegedly ghostwritten by his Ph.D. advisor and plagiarized using the finest cut-and-paste technology of the era: a Xerox machine. College men’s basketball season culminates with the Final Four today followed by the NCAA championship on Monday. As millions of viewers tune in to watch the games, college sports scholar Jasmine Harris breaks down new information that shows how the players [generate revenue for everyone but themselves](. Bryan Keogh Economics + Business Editor Top stories Dogs get all the love. Reuters/Eloy Alonso [Pet owners want to be masters, not servants – which is why we value dogs more than cats]( Colleen P. Kirk, New York Institute of Technology Pet owners spend a lot more on dogs than cats, and new research suggests it has a lot to do with how differently canines and felines behave. In some countries, politicians are routinely exposed for having lied about their academic achievement. Shutterstock [Putin’s plagiarism, fake Ukrainian degrees and other tales of world leaders accused of academic fraud]( Ararat Osipian, George Mason University Several world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, stand accused of plagiarizing their PhD dissertations. Whether they resign, deny or ignore the allegations says a lot about the country they run. College athletes are prohibited from profiting from their performance. Jessica Hill/AP [In the name of ‘amateurism,’ college athletes make money for everyone except themselves]( Jasmine Harris, Ursinus College As the nation prepares to watch the Final Four, a sports scholar examines new information that shows how college athletes make money for their schools, coaches and corporations – but not themselves. Arts + Culture [Did a censored female writer inspire Hemingway’s famous style?]( Cynthia Wachtell, Yeshiva University Ellen N. La Motte's 'The Backwash of War' was praised for its clear-eyed portrayal of war, but was swiftly banned. Yet the similarities between her spare prose and Hemingway's are unmistakable. [The Trump administration’s attempts to defund the Special Olympics, explained]( Derrick L. Cogburn, American University Kogod School of Business The White House proposed these cuts for three years in a row. That clashes with longstanding bipartisan leadership regarding rights for all people with disabilities. Health + Medicine [Pollen is getting worse, but you can make things better with these tips from an allergist]( Kara Wada, The Ohio State University Pollen is ancient, but in recent times, it's getting worse. An allergist offers ways to manage the suffering and enjoy the spring. [Kids exposed to flame retardant PBDE are at risk for lifelong liver or cardiovascular problems]( Alexander Suvorov, University of Massachusetts Amherst Brief exposure to a family of chemicals used as flame retardants early in life can permanently alter fat levels in the blood and liver, raising the risk of liver cancer and heart disease. Ethics + Religion [What causes greed and how can we deal with it?]( Laura E. Alexander, University of Nebraska Omaha Some parents were recently charged with paying bribes for their children's admission to top colleges. Religious thought can help us understand what drives such greed and also provide ethical guidance. [Atheism has been part of many Asian traditions for millennia]( Signe Cohen, University of Missouri-Columbia It might appear to many that atheism is a modern idea. However, in parts of Asia, particularly in India, atheism has been part of beliefs for thousands of years. Science + Technology [Want to understand accented speakers better? Practice, practice, practice]( Melissa Michaud Baese-Berk, University of Oregon It can be hard to understand a non-native speaker of your own language. But conversation is a two-way street and linguists are figuring out how native listeners can improve their half of the interaction. [Anti-vaxxers appear to be losing ground in the online vaccine debate]( Filippo Menczer, Indiana University; Pik-Mai Hui, Indiana University Social media activity suggests that pro-vaccine evidence may be starting to outweigh anti-vaxxer disinformation. Education [What parents should do to help students prepare for the first year of college]( Lara Schwartz, American University School of Public Affairs While the first year of college can be stressful, using the time between high school graduation and the college drop-off to prepare can help ease the transition, two educators say in a new book. [7 unexpected things that libraries offer besides books]( Mila Gascó-Hernández, University at Albany, State University of New York With advancements in technology, libraries are offering much more than something to read. A library researcher offers a sampling of some unexpected items that library patrons can check out these days. Politics + Society [Congressional oversight is at the heart of America’s democracy]( Derek W. Black, University of South Carolina The Constitution gives Congress the power over the executive branch, which it's free to flex. [3 times political conflict reshaped American mathematics]( Della Dumbaugh, University of Richmond When is math not just math? Political conflicts have led to new study-abroad initiatives, the creation of a world-class university, the migration of mathematicians and serious educational reforms. Economy + Business [Nixon and Reagan tried closing the border to pressure Mexico – here’s what happened]( Aileen Teague, Brown University Both presidents brought border traffic and trade to a standstill in hopes of changing Mexican policy in the drug war. And both failed to achieve their goals. [So you want to tax the rich – here’s which candidate’s plan makes the most sense]( Beverly Moran, Vanderbilt University Democratic lawmakers have offered a number of ways to reverse decades of widening economic inequality. A tax expert gives them a closer look. Environment + Energy [New York gets serious about traffic with the first citywide US congestion pricing plan]( John Rennie Short, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Starting in 2021, drivers will pay a fee to enter midtown and lower Manhattan during busy times of day. Will this clear New York's air and streets? [As climate change erodes US coastlines, an invasive plant could become an ally]( Judith Weis, Rutgers University Newark Phragmites australis, an invasive reed, has taken over wetlands across the US. But it also stabilizes shorelines and harbors many fish and birds. Is it time to compromise with this alien? [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