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Payday loan rollovers do not harm some borrowers’ financial welfare

Research by a Kennesaw State University professor has found that there is a potentially limited adverse relationship between repeated refinancing and credit scores for those at the lowest end of the credit spectrum, casting doubt on the claims of payday loan critics that extended refinancing of these loans is universally harmful to consumers' financial welfare. Jennifer Priestley, a professor of applied statistics and data science and author of the 2014 study, says that "payday loans may not only fail to harm borrowers, but may actually contribute to an improvement in borrower welfare for some customers on the lower end of the credit continuum." Source:

To Fight or Fill - Will Democrats Fight or Fold as the Vetting of Neil Gorsuch Begins?

On Monday, the official vetting and nomination process to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court left vacant by the sudden passing of Justice Antonin Scalia began. Earlier this year, President Trump nominated conservative judge Neil Gorsuch to fill this seat – since then it has been met with much attention and controversy. Democrats in Washington have promised a detailed vetting and for President Trump’s nominee to expect strong opposition. But will it matter? Republicans control the Senate. They already have the votes in-hand to ensure as speedy and smooth a process as possible. Gorsuch is also viewed by many legal and political experts as a reasonable replacement for the late Scalia. The make-up of the Court won’t be drastically changed at all. Politically, this could offer a great opportunity for Democrats to grandstand and oppose Gorsuch’s past rulings and potential influence on the country as he will be a sitting judge for decades to come. They’ll be heard, but they won’t win. Or, is this not the hill for Democrats to die on? Like all things in Washington – politics will be at play. So, what will it mean, how will it play out and what can Americans expect if Gorsuch is finally appointed to America’s highest court? That’s where the experts at Augusta University can help. Dr. Martha Ginn is a political expert on the judicial process, constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. She is an associate professor of Political Science at Augusta University and has spoken with media many times regarding the Supreme Court. She is available to speak to this very important issue. Click her icon above to arrange an interview. Source:

Ten Types of Food Can Make or Break Your Health

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, eating the right amount of certain types of food can help to reduce deaths from heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes in the U.S. by almost half. The researchers at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy identified 10 dietary components closely tied to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - six of them (nuts and seeds, seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and polyunsaturated fats like soybean or corn oils) will help your health, while four of them (sodium, processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat like steak) will hurt it. So how much of the good stuff should we eat more of? And how much of the bad stuff should we cut out? How should we alter our dietary habits to ensure we lower our risks of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes? Natalie Allen, clinical instructor of dietetics in the biomedical sciences department at Missouri State University, can provide some insight. Allen has a background in clinical, community and sports dietetics, and is the team dietitian for MSU Athletics. She is an expert in this area and is available to speak to media. Click on her icon to arrange an interview. Source:

The Value of a Cure and Do All Americans Benefit from Medical Breakthroughs?

On February 28, 2017 policymakers, health officials, industry representatives and patient advocates were meeting in Washington to discuss the ‘value of a cure’ – the costs, the public health benefits and how America will move forward following the passage of the 21st Century Cures legislation. The Act, which was signed in December promises to accelerate funding for biomedical research while it also loosens regulations governing drugs and medical equipment and devices. Innovations in medical research and technology have produced cures and breakthrough therapies to overcome diseases that were once considered a death sentence. Polio is preventable with a vaccine, HIV is managed with a daily drug regimen, and Hepatitis C now has a cure. But are these breakthroughs reaching all communities? How can we balance the high costs of drug development with affordability? And what can we do to ensure that new cures continue to be developed? This is where Virginia Commonwealth University can help. Our experts are thought leaders and are some of the go-to opinions in this field. Dr. Thomas Roper is a professor and the director of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the VCU School of Engineering. Thomas specializes in efforts to bring engineering and science closer to patients who utilize medicines via novel technologies. Dr. Frank Gupton is a professor and the chair of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at the VCU School of Engineering. He leads the school’s Medicines for All project that is striving to reduces costs of treatment for AIDS. He is an award-winning researcher and an expert in his field. Both Dr. Roper and Dr. Gupton are available to speak with media regarding this very important issue. Simply click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source:

Is there life out there? Our experts can provide some insight

According to a study published Wednesday in Nature, and announced at a NASA news conference in Washington – a mere 40 light years away, astronomers have discovered seven planets similar in size and shape as Earth. As well, scientists believe these planets are made of rock and not gas – meaning if the conditions were right, they could support life. This is an amazing discovery and a great step for science but what does this mean? What’s next? And how will we ever find out if there’s life out there? How far away is 40 light years and how long would it take to make contact or for a satellite to get there? There are a lot of questions. And astronomy and physics are not simple fields to understand nor comprehend. That’s where Missouri State University can help. Dr. Peter Plavchan is an assistant professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State. He researches the formation and frequency of exoplanets around solar-type and low-mass stars, and is an expert in astronomy and astrophysics. Dr. Michael Reed is a professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State who specializes in asteroseismology, binary stars and extrasolar planets. Both experts are well-spoken, available to speak and can explain to the media what this all means for science, the study of space and if there might actually be life out there. Click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source:

Nanotechnology is huge - is it the way of the future?

Earlier this week, the International Nanotechnology and Conference took place in Tokyo, Japan. Thousands of researchers, scientists and academics attended from around the world to discuss advances in the field, applications and how nanotechnology is transforming and shaping our world for the future. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and engineering. It's the stuff once only seen in movies and books. Science fiction is now reality. But what will it mean for the public, for academics and for business? The benefits seem extraordinary, but what are the cautions or consequences? Like stem cells, there was much ethical, moral and scientific concerns about their use. Today, science and how we approach the human body has been radically changed because of that research. Will nanotechnology transform the scientific world in the same way? As well, what are the economic benefits? Will we one day just see nanotechnology as an everyday occurrence in our regular lives? There are a lot of questions and this is where Missouri State University's experts can help. We have two experts who can speak to media regarding this very interesting field of research: Dr. Adam Wanekaya's research focuses on the fabrication, modification, characterization and application of nanoscale materials. He also works on integrating these materials into functional devices with specific applications in chemical sensing, biomedical sensing and remediation of heavy metals and other toxins from the environment. Dr. Robert Mayanovic works on investigating the physical and chemical properties of primarily nanophase materials in extreme environments. Both professors will be able to explain the field of nanotechnology and how it is shaping the future of technology, healthcare and the world we live in. Simply click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source:

Is President Trump tearing down the wall that separates church and state in America?

Yesterday, President Trump promised to “totally destroy” a 60-year-old law banning tax-exempt churches from supporting political candidates. The Johnson Amendment prohibits tax-exempt nonprofits — including churches and other houses of worship — from “directly or indirectly” participating in a political candidate’s campaign. Overturning this requires an act of Congress. President Trump's comments were likely a reminder to all that this was a commitment he made during the election in an effort to cater to the religious right. But what will repealing the Johnson Amendment really mean? Is this meant to foster free speech or merely to access the vast cash-reserves that churches can provide? Will this see churches return to the times of serious political power and how could this be a game-changer for politicians, candidates and campaigns moving forward? Dr. Kevin Pybas is an associate professor of political science at Missouri State University. He is an expert in the fields of law, religion and politics, and is an opinion leader on this topic. Click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:

Will Trump embrace @POTUS?

Kennesaw State political science professor Kerwin Swint says that while Trump may not want to use his new Twitter handle when it is handed to him on inauguration day, he believes that Trump is setting up a war on traditional media that is unusual in its intensity and apparently strategic in nature. "He is trying to de-legitimize the media, and use social media to communicate directly with the American people. Trump is using Twitter the way FDR used radio - go over the heads of the mass media and communicate your message directly to the American people. Why would he stop?" said Swint, who explores the use of social media in political communication. Swint, who wrote the book, "Mudslingers: The 25 Dirtiest Political Campaigns of All Time" is now working on his newest book which will delve deep into the political nastiness of the historic Trump - Clinton election. Source: