Hot Docs: Convention Bounce, Georgia Conflict, and Exploring the Mind-set of the Class of 2012

Definitive Guide to the Convention Bounce: Just in time for the Democratic and Republican conventions, the American Enterprise Institute considers how much political benefit the presidential candidates might expect to see from their upcoming party meetings. AEI analyzed poll numbers since 1976, finding that there usually is a slight "convention bounce" after the event—but that the effects don't last long.

Russia-Georgia Conflict in South Ossetia: The region of South Ossetia has been a focus of tension between Russia and Georgia for decades, with conflict persisting in spite of a "cease-fire" established in 1992. This Congressional Research Service report summarizes what has happened over the past several years, with a particular focus on the events of this summer. The author also considers how the ongoing clash will impact future relations between Russia and Georgia and how the United States, European Union, and United Nations have reacted.

Treasury Secretary Paulson On China: Engaging China on its overriding interest in economic growth might be the best way for the United States to shape its relationship with Beijing, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson writes in the upcoming Foreign Affairs. "The overriding importance of economic growth to China's leaders presents the best means of influencing China's emergence as a global power and encouraging its integration into the international system." To do this, the United States must better understand China's goals.

Bacterial Pneumonia Caused Most Deaths in 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Researchers investigating the flu pandemic of 1918-19 have found that most deaths were not caused by flu itself but by bacterial pneumonia. In many of the thousands of cases reviewed, researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that patients' lungs were damaged by the flu virus, allowing bacteria to thrive. Accordingly, the study authors recommend that public-health officials planning for future flu pandemics should be prepared to combat pneumonia as well.

Mind-set List for the Class of 2012: Every year, Beloit College compiles a "Mind-set List" to illustrate the cultural perspective of students just starting college. This year's group—most of whom were born around 1990—is too young to have known a world without GPS and Seinfeld references. (The authors disclaim that the list is "not deliberately designed to make readers feel really old.")