Oxytocin increases facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys, promoting communication and social interest. The hormone also lowers cortisol levels, indicating a possible role in diminishing anxiety.
A randomized trial involving 273 pediatric patients with convulsive status epilepticus found that lorazepam was not more effective than diazepam in stopping seizures, but did cause more sedation. The study suggests that diazepam remains a suitable first-line treatment for pediatric status epilepticus.
Studies show that we track people's popularity through brain regions involved in anticipating rewards and emotional evaluation. This is linked to two critical systems: reward learning and social cognition, which scale up with the popularity of an individual.
A study found that popular students are more likely to be bullied and experience severe consequences, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Meanwhile, girls who date are at increased risk of physical violence, highlighting the complexities of social dynamics in bullying cases.
A study analyzing over 1 million prescription drug posts reveals that health-focused social networks, such as WebMD and Drugs.com, have more negative sentiment than general social networks like Twitter and Google+. The researchers also found that specific drugs, like Viagra and Abilify, are more popular on certain types of platforms.
Researchers assessed 1,095 patients following acute fractures and found poor sleep independently associated with poor emotional status. Orthopaedic surgeons should monitor patient mental health and counsel patients on sleep expectations to provide highest level of care after fracture treatment.
University of Missouri researchers have found that access to social workers can address veteran's needs and prevent entry into the criminal justice system. Social workers play a key role in treating veterans with multifaceted treatment plans tailored to their individual needs, reducing substance abuse and mental health issues.
A comprehensive framework identifies crucial elements supporting evolution of social behaviour in structured populations. Helping neighbours reproduce more or live longer does not have same indirect consequences on own fitness.
Researchers found that higher educational attainment attenuates the negative impact of TBI on cognitive status. The study suggests that intellectually enriching activities may protect against further cognitive decline.
The Mandel Foundation awards Ben-Gurion University of the Negev a $13 million grant to establish the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Institute for Social Leadership. The gift will support the development of a new honors program in social leadership, incorporating existing academic programs and research initiatives.
Researchers found that people attribute more status and competence to individuals who display nonconformity in prestigious contexts. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Red Sneakers Effect,' suggests that intentionally deviating from norms can be a powerful signal of success.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to be a reliable predictor of employment status in people with MS, distinguishing employed from unemployed individuals. The study analyzed demographic and disease-related factors to identify predictors of employment status.
A new study found that high-status authors receive more attention for their work, with a 12% increase in citations. The effect is more pronounced for recent papers and those published in lower-profile journals. This phenomenon, known as the 'Matthew Effect,' highlights the impact of author reputation on scientific discovery.
Chronic cocaine users exhibit poor emotional empathy, recognize less emotion from voices, and engage in less prosocial behavior, impacting their social networks. Social interaction is perceived as less rewarding compared to non-users.
A Spanish study finds that women with lower socioeconomic status claim less sexual satisfaction, particularly in their first sexual intercourse. People with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to have safer and more satisfying sex lives.
Rats will help a stranger in distress if they have had prior positive social interactions with the type of unfamiliar individual. This behavior is driven by social experiences and not genetics or kin selection. Rats are able to categorize others into groups and modify their social behavior accordingly.
New York University College of Nursing has introduced an undergraduate honors elective in social entrepreneurship that connects the nursing profession to its roots of social innovation and action for change. Students develop essential tools with non-profit agencies serving homeless individuals, at-risk seniors, and pre-school children.
A single dose of oxytocin has been shown to temporarily normalize brain regions responsible for social deficits in children with autism. The hormone facilitates social attunement, allowing brain regions involved in social behavior and cognition to activate more for social stimuli.
Researchers discovered a potential new treatment for malaria by targeting the parasite's vulnerability to oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone. Oxytocin has been shown to enhance brain activity while processing social information in children with autism spectrum disorders.
New studies uncover the connection between social status and specific brain structures and activity, particularly in the context of social stress. The findings suggest that adult rats living in disrupted environments produce fewer new brain cells, while people with larger social networks have bigger and better-connected brain regions.
Carnegie Mellon researchers found an association between childhood socioeconomic status and adult telomere length, which affects cold susceptibility. Participants with parents of lower socioeconomic status had shorter telomeres and were more likely to develop the common cold.
A study found that consumers are willing to trade off scarcity of VIP rewards for the ability to share them with others. This effect is linked to feelings of social connection and personal status. The authors suggest that companies consider extending benefits to entourage members to boost customer loyalty.
A new UNL study reveals a genetic pathway that connects social anxiety to prosocial behavior, finding carriers of a dominant gene are less likely to help others. The study suggests this pathway can influence an individual's level of social anxiety and their willingness to engage in pro-social behavior.
The UH Graduate College of Social Work program is recognized for its international contributions to social work education and programming. The program has been involved in various global initiatives, including the China Collaborative Project and certification training in Hong Kong.
Research suggests that testosterone promotes generosity and reciprocity when there is no threat of competition, helping to maintain social relationships. In the absence of competition, participants with increased testosterone levels chose to give more money back to investors than those with placebo treatment.
A recent study found that people who engage in health-specific social networking sites are more likely to quit smoking and maintain abstinence. The study suggests that increased social connectedness on these sites leads to a stronger sense of community, trust, and self-efficacy, ultimately aiding smokers in quitting
A study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines how low-income consumers negotiate their social status within a resource-restrained and stigmatized community. The research reveals five distinct social groups with varying moral values and approaches to life in the trailer park.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate production of social behavior in the brain using honey bees, mice, and stickleback fish. The study aims to identify shared gene actions guiding social behavior across species.
A study at Boston Children's Hospital found that a mother's perceived social status predicts her child's brain development and stress indicators. Children of mothers with low social status had increased cortisol levels and less activation of the hippocampus, a structure crucial for learning and reducing stress.
Dr. Kim Huhman's research may lead to improved strategies for treating mental health problems associated with social stress. The study, supported by a federal grant, investigates how exposure to social stress causes changes in brain and behavior.
A recent study found that oxytocin improves social interaction interpretation in both men and women, but with distinct effects on kinship vs. competition for each sex. Men's competitive relationships improved with oxytocin, while women's kinship identification enhanced, highlighting the hormone's impact on sex-specific social behaviors.
New research shows oxytocin's role in strengthening negative social memories and increasing future anxiety, contradicting its long-held association with love and social bonding. The hormone activates a brain region that intensifies the memory of stressful social interactions.
Research finds that socioeconomic status is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with chronic inflammation being a key mediator. The study analyzed data from the Whitehall II cohort study, which followed over 10,000 British civil servants since the mid-1980s.
Researchers found that monkeys with strong social networks learned new foraging techniques faster, indicating a link between social ties and the spread of innovation. The study provides insight into how social networks may influence the emergence of cultural behaviors in non-human primates.
Research by Evan MacLean and colleagues found that lemur group sizes positively correlate with performance on tests of social cognition. In contrast, nonsocial cognitive skills were not affected by group size. The study suggests that the evolution of complex social intelligence may be linked to larger social networks.
A study at Duke University found that lemurs in larger social groups exhibit more 'social intelligence' and are more likely to steal food behind a human's back. The research supports the 'social intelligence hypothesis,' suggesting that living in large social networks drove the evolution of complex social cognition in primates.
Research found that breastfeeding significantly reduces chances of downward social mobility and increases odds of climbing the social ladder. Breastfed children showed improved brain development, stress levels, and intellect, which contribute to better adult outcomes.
A new social media initiative helped boost organ donor registration rates in the US, with a 21.1-fold increase on the first day of the campaign. The study suggests that social media can be an effective tool for tackling public health problems related to communication and education.
A social media campaign on Facebook increased organ donor registrations 21-fold in a single day, with over 57,000 users sharing their status and more than 13,000 new online registrations. The effect continued for two weeks, with the number of new donors still climbing at twice the normal rate.
A new study by John Helliwell and colleagues found that communities with better social capital and pro-social behaviors are more resilient during crises, leading to improved happiness. The research suggests that social trust and quality social networks play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of economic shocks.
A new U-M study explores the relationship between social media use and narcissism levels, finding that college students who score higher in narcissism tend to post more on Twitter, while middle-aged adults use Facebook to boost their self-image. The study sheds light on how social media platforms can amplify narcissistic tendencies.
A new study by Xiaojun Yang reveals significant gender differences in decision-making among rural Chinese farmers, highlighting the importance of relative status and consumption. Women's spending habits, such as buying clothes and dining out, signal their social standing, while men prioritize mobile phones.
A study by Penn State and University of California, Irvine researchers found that Mexican American mothers' formal immigration status impacts their children's and grandchildren's educational attainment. Unauthorized immigrant mothers' children lag behind in education compared to authorized immigrant mothers' and U.S.-born mothers' chil...
Researchers linked early math and reading abilities at age 7 to socioeconomic status in adulthood, with higher skills associated with better jobs, housing, and income. Childhood skills predicted social class a full 35 years later, even after controlling for intelligence, education, and childhood socioeconomic status.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that breast cancer patients with strong social relationships, especially positive social interaction, reported improved physical quality of life and reduced pain. Tangible support, such as help with daily tasks, was also crucial for late-stage patients.
A new study found that roughly half of plastic surgeons use social media tools, with Facebook being the most popular platform. Most respondents saw benefits from using social media, including increased marketing effectiveness and patient referrals.
Researchers found that female cowbirds unable to recognize high-quality male songs alter flock behavior, affecting both males and females. The study highlights the interconnected nature of individual behavior and social environments in bird species.
A survey of over 5,000 US plastic surgeons found that half regularly use social media for professional practice, citing benefits such as marketing and patient education. However, some surgeons also reported negative effects, including criticisms from patients and concerns about maintaining professionalism.
A study of 27 children using fMRI found a specific brain region, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex, increasingly devoted to social self-evaluations during puberty. This region showed significant increases in blood-oxygen levels when responding to questions about identity and peer status.
Researchers analyzed social bonds in rock hyrax colonies, finding that balanced triads are more common than initially thought. Structural balance theory suggests that enemies of enemies can be stable configurations, contradicting classical human relationship dynamics.
Research examines how social media influences child development, including social-emotional learning, interpersonal dynamics, and emotional connections. The symposium explores the impact of new forms of media on social skills, value systems, and relationships among children and young adults.
A new review from the University of Luxembourg suggests that social media can provide valuable additional support for older people with sickness and diseases. The study highlights the potential benefits of social media, including enhanced feelings of control and self-efficacy, as well as access to health-related information and social ...
A study by University of Utah researchers found that cities with strong urban cores have the most positive effect on social interaction. Decentralization has a negative impact on socializing, 10 times more than fragmentation and 20 times longer commute times.
Researchers found that audiences affect quails' social status, with losers losing dominance when observed, but winners retaining it regardless of audience presence. Testosterone levels were raised in both winners and losers after fights, suggesting a secondary role for the hormone.
The Gerontological Society of America has established five Hartford Academic Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Social Work, aiming to enhance training for future geriatric social work practitioners and faculty. The centers will focus on translating new knowledge into policy and practice.
A new study by Aalto University and Texas A&M University found that customers who engage with businesses on social media contribute 5.6% more revenue than those who don't. The research also identified key factors for success, including user-friendly sites, regular updates, and personalized messages.
People of high socioeconomic status are more likely to receive appointment offers and prioritized access to primary care, even in a single-payer universal health insurance system. Researchers found that physicians' offices discriminate against those with low socioeconomic status, despite equal reimbursement for each patient.
A study led by Dr. Stephen Hwang of St. Michael's Hospital found that family physicians' offices in Toronto tend to give preference to patients with chronic health conditions and high socio-economic status. The researchers telephoned office staff playing the role of individuals seeking primary care, and observed a significant differenc...
A NYU project aims to examine social media's influence on political participation and attitudes by analyzing real-time data from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The study seeks to understand the causal processes that shape collective action and inform a growing debate about social media's role in politics.
New research suggests that self-objectification can reduce women's motivation to challenge the gender status quo and participate in social action. This phenomenon is linked to increased justification of the gender status quo, leading to reduced willingness to engage in activism.