Research by University of Kent psychologists finds that most people (99%) approve of revenge porn being posted online, with a link to specific psychological characteristics. The study also found a positive correlation between revenge porn proclivity and the 'Dark Triad' of psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism.
A team of researchers found that captive breeding efforts were unnecessary if hunting controls had been implemented to save the species. The study dispels the theory that the Passenger Pigeon underwent functional extinction before its actual extinction in the early 20th century.
A team of scientists has discovered how bacteria make the coenzyme F430, which facilitates the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methane gas. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective and easier-to-grow methanogenic bacteria for energy production.
Researchers at the University of Kent have found that Ebolaviruses require fewer than five mutations to adapt to new host species, including rodents. This finding highlights the potential for these viruses to spread beyond their natural range and increase the risk to humans.
Researchers at the University of Kent found that people who use Facebook or surf the web tend to underestimate time compared to general internet use. The study, which monitored responses from 44 participants, showed that Facebook-related stimuli lead to a greater distortion in time perception.
A joint project between conservationists and electronics experts has developed miniature radio devices using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to protect endangered cycad plants from poachers. The technology can detect missing plants up to 10 meters away, providing immediate alerts to ranger stations.
New research from the University of Kent suggests that disgust is a way of communicating moral concerns rather than self-interested motivation. The study found that people who express disgust are perceived as being motivated by impartial, moral concerns, whereas those who express anger are seen as more self-interested.
The study predicts a decline in annual per capita GDP growth rate of 0.21 percentage points due to population ageing, equivalent to a 7.6% drop in average income level over the 2015-2050 period. Population ageing also leads to increased government consumption and a slowdown in productivity growth, further reducing economic growth.
A new study suggests that individuals with high levels of creative ambition and achievement are more resilient to death concerns. Those with a record of creative achievement, coupled with high levels of creative ambition, made fewer death associations in their thought processes compared to those in the control condition.
Researchers at the University of Kent have developed a new method to extend the life of silicone voice prostheses for throat cancer patients by treating a common fungal infection. By addressing Candida albicans, patients can now carry on using their voice prosthesis for longer, reducing the risk of secondary chest infections.
A new study explores how adolescents perceive people with Tourette's Syndrome (TS), finding that media portrayals can perpetuate negative stereotypes and stigma. The researchers suggest using media as an educational tool to improve understanding and acceptance of the condition.
New research by the University of Kent found that expanding childcare provision can increase public support, while reducing it. The study analyzed data from 22 European countries and discovered a 'virtuous cycle' between policy provision and parental support for childcare.
Kent's Dr Mark Shepherd and PhD student Charlie Hobbs provide new insights into the HemQ enzyme of haem synthesis, a key process in MRSA's rapid growth. The discovery could lead to alternative strategies to combat resistant bacteria by targeting this pathway with new drugs.
A study led by the University of Kent found that transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) delayed leg muscle exhaustion by 15% during exhaustive leg exercise. Participants felt less effort during exercise, but no effect was observed on neuromuscular response.
Research by the University of Kent has identified an enzyme, cytochrome bd-I, as crucial for the survival of antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria. Targeting this enzyme with new drugs may render these bacteria susceptible to attack from the host immune system.
A University of Kent study suggests that rural areas can provide for both people and wildlife if agriculture is administered sustainably. The study recommends a policy mix combining regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, including strategic land use planning and incentives for sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers at the University of Kent have identified 14 components of creativity using language-analysis software. These clusters can be used to evaluate the creativity of computational systems and provide a basis for the automated evaluation of creative systems.
A study from the University of Kent found that wild-born bonobos can efficiently crack nuts with a skill level similar to chimpanzees. The research analyzed the behaviour of 18 bonobos at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary, revealing diverse manipulative abilities and unique hand-use strategies.
Researchers from the University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology found that trophy hunting is sustainable when companies are given long-term land management rights, thereby maintaining habitat for threatened lions. Sustainable land management helps to fill the shortfall of large areas needed by lions to thrive.
Research by the University of Kent found that elite British swimmers are nine times more likely to have asthma-related breathing problems than boxers. The study suggests optimising airway health for swimmers may lead to improved performance in the pool, and recreational swimming can enhance asthma control.
A new study by the University of Kent found that schedule control increases overtime hours and income for both men and women, but men reap the greatest benefit. The research suggests that this may lead to a widening of the gender pay gap, even when controlling for factors such as occupation and ambition.
A joint article by Dr Melissa Trimingham and Professor Nicola Shaughnessy presents pioneering research using drama with autistic children, demonstrating how 'intermediality' unlocks languages used by autistic children. The study aims to help families through teaching new play skills using drama and puppetry.
Research reveals elite cyclists outperform recreational athletes in mental fatigue tests, indicating a superior ability to resist mental fatigue. This enhanced ability is thought to be linked to the sport's demands and may be trainable through physical training.
Researchers used game theory to analyze the interaction between rhino poachers and gamekeepers. They found that anti-poaching measures should focus on changing the game rather than tilting it in favor of the gamekeeper.
Research from the University of Kent demonstrates that mental fatigue can impair football performance, reducing physical and technical abilities. Footballers experience decreased running speed, increased passing mistakes, and impaired shot accuracy when mentally fatigued.
Research found that young people with older friend connections exhibit reduced ageism, even without direct experience. Knowing positive relationships among peers expands acceptance of older adults.
Research from University of Kent suggests smartphone addiction causes people to view phubbing as normal behavior, due to experiencing or being ignored in social situations. Factors such as internet addiction, FOMO, and lack of self-control also contribute to this phenomenon.
Research at University of Kent found that drinking alcohol makes people happier in the short term, but does not increase overall life satisfaction. The study used iPhone-based app and traditional cohort study to analyze relationships between drinking habits and happiness.
Current UK surrogacy laws fail to protect the best interests of children born to surrogates, families created through surrogacy, and surrogates themselves. Dr Kirsty Horsey examines high-profile cases in her article to illustrate how the law is out of date and becoming nonsensical.
Research found that 'thrill of the hunt' and being part of a secret society are prime motivational factors behind purchases. Consumers also experience mixed emotional outcomes, including shame and positive hedonistic feelings.
Researchers at the University of Kent found that women who perceive their partner's sexual perfectionism contribute to negative self-image and female sexual dysfunction. The study also revealed a link between partner-prescribed sexual perfectionism and decreases in female sexual function and increases in sexual anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Kent have identified a new form of Ebolavirus that may cause human disease. The study suggests that only a few changes in a specific protein are necessary to render the Reston virus into a health threat.
A study by Dr. Andrew Sanchez shows how joking relationships between colleagues enable people to distance themselves from the values that inform religious and ethnic violence. This exchange of humorous insults implicitly critiques public life of ethnic difference, operating on more tolerant principles rooted in the present.
A recent study found that wild orchids were being traded from all over the world, with rare and threatened species including one assessed as Critically Endangered. The high proportion of wild collected orchids for sale supports calls for better monitoring of social media for trade in wild collected plants.
A recent study by University of Kent researchers refutes the use of traditional pain measurement methods in exercise experiments. They found that people who are ready to engage in greater amounts of pain perform better in exercise activities. The researchers suggest measuring EIP tolerance as a more accurate predictor of performance.
A new generation of anti-cancer drugs is being designed with an agent to inhibit resistance to their effectiveness. The research identified a specific mechanism to target drug pumps in cancer cells, leading to more effective treatment options. This breakthrough could improve outcomes for patients with therapy-resistant cancers.
Research by the University of Kent finds that illegal wildlife trade is facilitated by the global internet, but trade on the darknet is surprisingly low. The study suggests that poor enforcement and easy access to online platforms have led to a negligible amount of trade on anonymous networks.
Research from the University of Kent shows that parental pressure is a key factor in young male athletes' positive attitudes towards doping. The study found that perfectionism and pressure from coaches were less influential on doping attitudes compared to parental influence.
Researchers used 3D microscopic imaging to reconstruct the diets of medieval children, discovering differences in poor and wealthy families. The technique, dental microwear texture analysis, measures changes in tooth surface topography, offering a new way to access dietary information.
Conservatives tend to use nouns instead of adjectives to describe things, preferring clarity and predictability. This linguistic preference is linked to the values associated with conservatism, such as stability and tradition.
Research at University of Kent reveals that adult male chimpanzees base grooming interactions on potential social partners nearby. Contrary to existing theories, these decisions are driven by direct benefits rather than trust-based relationships.
A recent study has found that the majority of species are poorly known, making it difficult to determine their conservation status. Newly discovered species are often found to have smaller ranges and occupancies, as well as greater perceived extinction risk.
Research at the University of Kent reveals a clear link between anxiety and activation in the right side of the brain, causing individuals to walk in a leftward trajectory. This finding has implications for the treatment of unilateral neglect, suggesting that reducing anxiety may benefit individuals suffering from right-sided neglect.
Researchers at the University of Kent have developed a nanoprobe that enables the detailed study of individual proteins interacting with DNA. This technology allows for the manipulation and investigation of proteins bound to DNA tightropes, providing new insights into protein behavior.
A study suggests that reducing perception of effort during exercise with caffeine can help people stick to their fitness plans. Researchers found that the majority of people give up on exercising within six months due to lack of motivation and physical exertion, which is a natural response to conserve energy. The use of psychoactive dr...
A new method, known as the 'systems behaviour chart', is proposed by Dr Simon Black to focus conservation efforts and improve management. This tool can help identify early warning signs of ecological problems, such as population declines or increased mortality rates, allowing for timely interventions to be made.
A University of Kent expert suggests that psychoactive drugs could be used to encourage sedentary people to exercise. By reducing the perception of effort required during physical activity, these drugs may help individuals with low motivation to engage in moderate-intensity exercises like walking.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to putrescine, a chemical compound produced by dead bodies, increases vigilance and readiness for either escape or aggressive behavior. The researchers believe this discovery may help determine the sensory and brain pathways involved in chemosensory threat detection.
Researchers found that people with low self-esteem use various ways to avoid thinking about their own mortality, including writing less about themselves and increasing alcohol consumption. This study has implications for future public health policy decisions.
Researchers from the University of Kent have developed an automated data mining system that can mimic human expert classification of potentially illegal elephant ivory with high accuracy. The system has shown a 93% accuracy rate and is expected to significantly increase the detection of illegal ivory sales on eBay.