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University at Buffalo


Money can't buy love -- or friendship

Researchers at UB and Harvard Business School found that people who base their self-worth on financial success experience pressure and lack of autonomy, leading to negative social outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving personal relationships in maintaining good mental health.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 9, 2020

Public policies push schools to prioritize creating better test-takers over better people

Public schools in the US have shifted their focus to academic excellence, prioritizing standardized test scores over personal growth, job skills, and student self-awareness. The UB-led study found a significant rise in the ranking of academic excellence among public school principals, while personal growth and job skills declined.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEducational Administration Quarterly·DateApr 8, 2020

Scientists resurrect mammoth's broken genes

Researchers resurrected Wrangel Island mammoth's mutated genes to test their functionality. They found the genes did not function normally, suggesting the last mammoths were genetically unhealthy and unable to smell, providing a cautionary tale for endangered species.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 7, 2020

For better research results, let mice be mice

A new study from the University at Buffalo found that how mice are raised affects their acoustic behavior, which can inform research on human communication disorders. Socially isolated mice required more time to learn to discriminate between ultrasonic vocalizations than socially housed mice.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournaleNeuro·DateOct 24, 2019

Rethinking the role of technology in the classroom

A new study by Annahita Ball found that adding tablets and home Wi-Fi to students in an urban New York State school district did not increase academic motivation. Instead, it pointed to the need for schools to focus on interpersonal aspects of learning and family engagement to support student motivation.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalChildren & Schools·DateOct 22, 2019

A secret in saliva: Food and germs helped humans evolve into unique member of great apes

Human saliva has distinct differences in protein content and structure compared to other primates, with a waterier consistency and higher amounts of enzymes and proteins involved in digestion and defense. These findings suggest that our diet and evolutionary adaptations played a significant role in shaping our unique saliva.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateOct 16, 2019