sports

New research suggests even mild head injuries pose a risk for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease.

For many Americans, football is quintessential to the high school experience. But researchers have begun to worry about long-term risks from the violent blows and concussions players receive on the field. Many questions remain unanswered, but the findings are so serious that some former players are calling for a ban on the sport.

From the Scholars Strategy Network, written by Jules Boykoff, Pacific University in Oregon

People are unlikely to bet against their own preferences in sports or politics, new research suggests, even when such “emotional hedging” may be in their interest.

The issue: Imagine you are offered to bet against your ideal political candidate or favorite team — to bet the Yankees will beat the Red Sox when you are an incorrigible Sox fan, for example, or your favorite politician for president. What’s more, the bet is free. No need to lay out any cash; there’s no risk to you.

Performance-enhancing drugs have a long history in sports, of course, but pharmacological research has led to a surge in the number of substances available, each with its own potential for misuse.

Large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, religious ceremonies and demonstrations are an essential part of a society’s vibrant public life and traditions, but they also carry risks. Participants can suffer from stress-related illnesses or sustained exposure to extreme temperatures, and even be injured or die as a result of uncontrolled crowd behaviors.