If looks could sell

Edition: US - Today's top story: Do you buy a smartphone for its curves? Do you buy a car for its cup holders? [Click here to view this message in your browser]. Edition: US 13 October 2016 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair] If looks could sell When you buy something, how much of your decision is based on how it looks – and how much on what it does? That’s the question the U.S. Supreme Court has taken up this week, in a patent case pitting Apple against Samsung over the physical design of smartphone devices. A lower court awarded Apple the entirety of Samsung’s smartphone profits – US$400 million – because Samsung phones look like iPhones. Now the Supreme Court is trying to figure out whether that’s right, or whether some of Samsung’s profits come from what its phones allow users actually to do. Patent law professor Timothy Holbrook [deconstructs] the first time the highest U.S. court has taken up design patents in more than 100 years. And tax lawyer turned professor David Hasen asks: “Trump’s claimed net operating loss is so large that it naturally invites the question of whether it was properly reported. Put plainly, [has Trump been honest in his tax reporting] -- and with the American people?” Jeff Inglis Editor, Science + Technology Top story How much did Samsung’s phone sales depend on it looking like an iPhone? Comparison Smartphone/YouTube [Do you buy a smartphone for its curves? Do you buy a car for its cup holders?] Timothy Holbrook, Emory University Design patents cover how products look – but how much does appearance contribute to profits? Economy + Business - [What we can learn from Trump’s $916 million loss] David Hasen, University of Colorado A 1995 tax return shows a net operating loss so large that it raises concerns about whether it was reported properly – and if Trump has been honest about his taxes. Election 2016 - [The Jewish vote may swing key undecided counties, study says] Daniel Parmer, Brandeis University; David Manchester, Brandeis University New data from researchers at Brandeis University suggest that the Jewish vote is important in key Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida counties. - [One step toward making criminal justice less biased] Shima Baughman, University of Utah; Christopher Robertson, University of Arizona; Sunita Sah, Cornell University Criminal justice experts suggest one way to change the system to eliminate racial bias. Health + Medicine - [We could prevent millions of cancer deaths each year with knowledge we already have] David Hunter, Harvard University Developing brand new treatments and cures isn't the only way to achieve a major reduction in cancer deaths worldwide. Environment + Energy - [Dems and the GOP are miles apart on yet another issue: Public lands] John Freemuth, Boise State University; Mackenzie Case, Boise State University Debates over federal lands, from the Malheur Refuge takeover to fossil fuel leases on public land, are back in the news. How do the two parties line up on public land policy? - [What Hurricane Matthew's path through Haiti and the US tells us about global inequality] Greg Bankoff, University of Hull Natural disasters remain disproportionately a hazard for the world's poor. Arts + Culture - [Straight girls do kiss on campus, but what about those who don't go to college?] Jamie Budnick, University of Michigan Most studies on straight girls kissing focus on dorm rooms and dance floors. But one sociologist looks at the development of 'sexual friendships' among women previously ignored like single moms. Rest of the World - Australia [Why Victoria’s dingo and ‘wild dog’ bounty is doomed to miss its target] Euan Ritchie, Deakin University and Arian Wallach, University of Technology Sydney Wild dog attacks on livestock are devastating, but bounties and culling aren't the answer. - United Kingdom [Academics rate David Cameron among worst post-war prime ministers] Kevin Theakston, University of Leeds We know what the politicians think about the experts – but what do the experts think of them? - Africa [For every Drogba there are hundreds of West African football hopefuls who struggle] Paweł Banaś, University of Amsterdam Many talented African footballers follow the exodus to Europe's football leagues. But many are stuck in the lower leagues, without the glory and wealth they dream of. [The Conversation on Twitter] [The Conversation on Facebook] 3.7 million unique visitors a month You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly]. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111