Research Library

In the second of a series of blogs on the coronovirus outbreak, the authors sound a note of cautious optimism: "We hope for a relatively optimistic outlook for the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with the quick realization of all modifying interventions: earlier and broader testing, strict preventive hygienic and societal measures, a safe and effective vaccine, and effective therapies to treat the virus."  Read more at the Baker Institute Blog.

Fellow Rachel A. Meidl critiques China's ban on plastics, arguing that "simply banning a product and encouraging the use of understudied alternative products" is not enough. Forbes Blog: http://bit.ly/2O0ALh2

The authors examine the recent attacks on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf nations to shed light on the current state of U.S.-Gulf strategic relations and the potential directions of its evolution in coming years.

Given the growing problems associated with plastics, what policy approaches are best equipped to manage global plastic pollution? Policies invoking a modified version of the precautionary principle might be a useful approach, writes energy fellow Rachel A. Meidl.

Hurricane surge flooding is often overlooked in Houston, yet it poses a significant threat to the region in the form of property damage and a potentially massive loss of life. Rice faculty scholar Jim Blackburn outlines this problem and possible solutions to mitigate surge flooding.

The authors aim to construct a value-based care framework for reconstructive surgery using post-mastectomy reconstruction as an organizing element. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

The authors examine the relationship between market competition and the use of surgical services for cancer to test the theory that market competition promotes patient access and health care delivery.

There is a growing global momentum to address the critical economic and environmental problem of plastic waste management. Fellow Rachel A. Meidl discusses the key elements and causes of this problem and explores policy actions for reducing the reliance on single-use plastics.

Emerging scholarship on economic and sustainable development in the Gulf is presented in this report, which is the result of a workshop in London organized by the Baker Institute and Chatham House. The work is part of a two-year project on "Building Pluralistic and Inclusive States Post-Arab Spring" funded by the Carnegie Corporation. 

As China’s demand for light oil products continues to drive incremental consumption growth, it is becoming apparent that commodities framed as “oil products” are increasingly not actually made from crude oil. Fellow Gabriel Collins explores the possible ramifications of this situation in this issue brief. He writes that oil producers — whether in Riyadh, Moscow or the Permian Basin — should take stock of how China’s growing use of “oil products” that do not actually come from crude oil may translate into effective reductions in demand and prices for the crude oil they produce.