1. Can smoking evoke thoughts of suicide?
New research in Elsevier’s Journal of Affective Disorders reveals a link between lighting up and suicidal thoughts and attempts. Researchers examined data from a longitudinal study with 3,021 adolescents and young adults. Participants were asked questions to capture details about their mental health, family history and demographics as well as their smoking habits and whether they had ever attempted suicide or thought about it. Results showed a strong link between suicide ideation and attempts and nicotine dependence. Suicide attempts were also associated with occasional smoking and past smoking. The authors suggest that anti-smoking campaigns may want to leverage this message.

2. Can China live up to its climate-change promises?
China is the second-largest global energy consumer after the United States, and estimates indicate that its total energy consumption will more than double from 2000 to 2020. In Elsevier’s latest World Development, two German researchers investigated China’s capacity for mitigating climate change. They concluded that, although structurally much of the Chinese economic development has been based on more energy-efficient models, any positive effects are undermined due to the absolute increase in output. While China is well-equipped technically, shortcomings in policy coordination, implementation, monitoring and sanctioning are likely to make it difficult to implement effective laws to stop climate change.