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Power can corrupt even the honest

A recent study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that power can lead to corruption in leaders, regardless of their initial honesty. The researchers used experimental methods to investigate the effects of power on behavior, and found that individuals who scored lower on honesty were more likely to exhibit corrupt behavior.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateOct 1, 2014

Philosopher uses game theory to understand how words, actions acquire meaning

Researchers used evolutionary game theory models to study information flow in the natural world, finding that arbitrary signals can come to mean something through a natural process. This discovery may help explain how words gain meaning and acquire meaning through biological evolution, social learning, or other adaptive processes.

SourceKansas State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2014

Cooperation among humans, a question of age

The study analyzed how cooperation among humans evolves across age groups, with younger participants exhibiting more volatile decision-making and a 'conditional cooperator' strategy. In contrast, older adults (over 65) showed increased cooperativeness, suggesting potential benefits for companies by keeping this group engaged.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 15, 2014

Climate negotiation as a bargaining game

Researchers found that smaller groups of countries are more likely to reach consensus, while side agreements among smaller numbers of participants can actually promote the UN process. The study also highlights the importance of perceived individual threat in maintaining successful negotiations.

SourceNortheastern University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 12, 2014

Link between quantum physics and game theory found

Physicist Dr Nicolas Brunner and mathematician Professor Noah Linden discovered a connection between game theory and quantum physics, showing that quantum players can outperform classical players in certain games. This breakthrough opens new avenues for research and potential applications for quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2013

Averting worse economic collapses

A new study published in EPJ B suggests that specific parameters can help avert economic collapses. By optimizing macro-economic parameters, economists can move an economy around a tipping point, thus averting disaster.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 25, 2013

Successful once, protesters may hesitate to return to streets

Research by Adam Meirowitz and Joshua Tucker suggests that protesters may lose motivation to take to the streets if they experience repeated failure or corruption in a new government. The study proposes a dynamic model of protest, taking into account the uncertainty people face when dealing with unfamiliar democratic systems.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateApr 1, 2013

The reason we lose at games

Scientists found complex games like chess and Go are hard for humans to master, leading to irrational decision-making. The research has implications for financial markets, where equilibrium theory often fails to predict market behavior accurately.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2013

Individuals cooperate according to their emotional state and their prior experiences

Researchers found that individuals prioritize reciprocity over network structure when deciding to cooperate. This challenges traditional theories on cooperation among individuals. The study, published in PNAS, used a social conflict prototype called the Prisoner's Dilemma and involved 1,200 Aragon secondary students.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2012

Interrogational torture: Effective or purely sadistic?

A recent study published in Political Research Quarterly found that information gleaned from interrogational torture is likely to be unreliable and used too frequently. The study's author, John W. Schiemann, concludes that the use of torture makes it difficult for states to distinguish between real and false confessions.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolitical Research Quarterly·DateMar 27, 2012

Who wouldn't pay a penny for a sports car?

In a study of hundreds of online auctions, Northwestern University researchers found that all participants use the optimal strategy, making the auction a game of pure chance. The 'bursty' strategy, which combines exploitation and exploration, is used by participants but ultimately leads to no advantage.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 16, 2012

Self-centered kids? Blame their immature brains

A new study suggests that egocentric behavior in children is linked to an immature prefrontal cortex, rather than a lack of understanding of fairness. Researchers found age-related increases in strategic decision-making between ages 6-13 years, with improved impulse control and brain activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 7, 2012

Protecting networks is just a game

A new network defense tool developed by Heechang Shin uses a game theoretic model called defensive forecasting to detect network intrusions. This approach is more effective than previous methods and provides real-time detection, allowing for quicker response and blocking of intrusions.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management·DateJul 27, 2011

Shame and honor increase cooperation

A new study by UBC researchers found that both shame and honour can increase cooperation by up to 50%, challenging traditional assumptions about the role of reputation in social interactions. The experiment, which involved over 180 participants, used a public goods game to test the impact of shame and honour on individual behaviour.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 1, 2011

To bluff, or not to bluff? That is the question

A University of Miami economist applied modern-day game theory techniques to examine famous military bluffs and find that bluffing was the optimal strategy in each situation. The study used signaling games to model the legends of Li Guang and Zhuge Liang, finding that uncertainty was key to avoiding confrontation.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Peace Research·DateMay 23, 2011

Providing incentives to cooperate can turn swords into ploughshares

A new study challenges the traditional prisoner's dilemma paradigm by suggesting that incentives to cooperate can minimize conflict and change the game from pure conflict to partial cooperation. The research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, finds that payoffs from social interactions can evolve under certain conditions...

Gambling on bacteria

Research by Prof. Eshel Ben-Jacob suggests that bacteria can effectively control 'noise' in their environment and make decisions that benefit the entire colony. Bacteria's group decision-making processes can inform human decision-making, particularly in situations with multiple stakeholders.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 12, 2010

September/October 2010 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Research reveals nearly half of patients who initiated biennial fecal occult blood test screening did not adhere to subsequent colorectal screening. In contrast, depression management programs delivered promising long-term results for chronically depressed primary care patients. The study also found modest reductions in branded drug us...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 13, 2010

Bacteria wouldn't opt for a swine flu shot

Researchers from Tel Aviv University used bacterial decision-making to advise against automatic swine flu shot uptake. Bacteria communicate through chemical signals and consider risks before making decisions, suggesting a cautious approach for humans. They propose that only individuals with widespread contact should receive the vaccine.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2009

New theory on why male, female lemurs same size

A new theory proposes that male lemurs deposit a solid plug in the female's reproductive tract to prevent rival males from mating, allowing them to focus on other females. This strategy is thought to be advantageous when females have short receptivity periods and are the same size as males.

SourceRice University·JournalEvolutionary Biology·DateJul 14, 2009

Bizarre bird behavior predicted by game theory

Researchers used game theory to explain juvenile ravens' unusual foraging behavior, finding that it occurs when searching individually is less efficient. The study suggests that abundant food and social advancement drive the adoption of 'gang' foraging, potentially improving their social status.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 24, 2009

The law of the weakest

In a study, researchers found that even slight differences between competing species can lead to the weakest being victorious in cyclical competitions. This phenomenon, known as the law of the weakest, was simulated using computer models and has implications for understanding evolution and ecosystem development.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2009

Why you can't hurry love

A mathematical model by UCL researchers explains how extended courtship enables a male to signal his suitability and the female to screen out unsuitable mates. The study shows that long courtship carries information about the male's type, making it more probable that he is a good male over time.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Theoretical Biology·DateJan 16, 2009

Warning over polyclinics and super-surgeries

Research at the University of Leicester finds that past experience with a particular GP and expectation of continuing care from the same GP are key predictors of patient trust. This suggests that planned changes to primary care delivery in the UK may negatively impact medical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateSep 22, 2008

Do we think that machines can think?

Researchers investigate how humans perceive humanoid robots and attribute mental qualities, finding increased brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Participants enjoyed interactions more when robots displayed human-like features, suggesting a link between human-robot interaction and mentalizing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 8, 2008

Decision making, is it all 'me, me, me'?

Psychologists at the University of Leicester and Exeter discovered that most individuals act in their team's best interest, often sacrificing personal benefits. The study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, tested two theories on human behavior: classical game theory and team reasoning theories.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalActa Psychologica·DateApr 28, 2008

How cooperation can evolve in a cheater's world

A new theoretical model explains how cooperation can emerge in a 'cheater's world', where self-interest typically prevails. In this model, group size plays a crucial role in the evolution of cooperation, with smaller groups allowing altruistic individuals to thrive and maintain their numbers over time.

APS physics tip sheet #51

Researchers have achieved a record-breaking stop of light for over one second using electromagnetically induced transparency. A new model clarifying the mathematical basis for diversity in Darwinian evolution has been developed, suggesting that related species emerging from a common ancestor can quickly evolve in different directions.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 8, 2005