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Looking for the best strategy? Ask a chimp

A study by researchers at Caltech found that chimpanzees consistently outperformed humans in the Inspection Game, a simple contest drawn from game theory. The chimps' rapid learning and near-optimal play suggest excellent short-term memory as a key factor in their success.

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.

Rewards facilitate human cooperation under natural selection

Researchers at University of Vienna investigate how voluntary reward funds can help coordinate cooperators in threshold public good games. Their study finds that rewards can lead to high levels of cooperation and even 100% cooperation in certain conditions.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Evolution of 'third party punishment'

A study by University of Maryland researchers predicts that strong social ties and low mobility enable the evolution of third-party punishment. In contexts with high social constraint, responsible punishers can induce cooperation and benefit the community.

Penn biologists show that generosity leads to evolutionary success

A team of Penn biologists offers a mathematically based explanation for why cooperation and generosity have evolved in nature. Generous strategies, which involve cooperating with opponents but also forgiving defectors, are shown to be the only approaches that resist defectors over the long term.

Nice organisms finish first: Why cooperators always win in the long run

Researchers at Michigan State University found that evolution punishes selfishness and promotes cooperation. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that cooperators are more likely to survive and thrive in the long term due to their ability to communicate and adapt to different opponents.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

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.

How to manage motorway tolls through the Game Theory

Researchers from UPV/EHU applied Game Theory to calculate motorway toll charges, proposing the Nucleolus method for fairness and equity. This method reduces charges for long-distance travelers and allows for more efficient traffic management.

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.

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.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

Research suggests that vendettas can be viable over the long term among group members, despite being costly and damaging to stakeholders. The study found that punishment mechanisms can enhance cooperation in public good games within groups.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

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.

Using game theory to understand the physics of cancer propagation

Cancer researchers employed game theory to study the physics of tumor evolution under stress conditions. They found that modifying their framework accounted for heterogeneous stress patterns, leading to emergent cooperative outcomes between cooperator and cheater cells.

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.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

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.

Easily embarrassed? Study finds people will trust you more

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that embarrassment can be a positive trait, fostering trust and cooperation in everyday life. Subjects who were more easily embarrassed reported higher levels of monogamy and generosity, indicating a stronger tendency to affiliate with others.

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.

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.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

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.

Programming regret for Google

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an algorithm that enables computers to anticipate the future and make more efficient decisions. The algorithm, funded by Google, aims to minimize 'regret' in computer decision-making by analyzing variables and adapting to situations.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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...

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.

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.

Consumer anger pays off: Strategic displays may aid negotiations

A new study finds that consumers can use 'emotion gaming' to get better deals by exaggerating their anger levels. This tactic is effective when proposers believe the receivers' emotions are genuine. However, if proposers suspect a strategic display, its impact on offers disappears.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

MIT: Cooperative behavior meshes with evolutionary theory

A team of MIT researchers used game theory to study cooperative behavior in yeast, finding that individual benefit can outweigh costs and lead to successful competition against non-cooperators. The study offers a concrete example of how cooperative behaviors can be compatible with evolutionary theory.

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.

Caltech's Colin Camerer makes a game of economic theory

Camerer discusses his cognitive hierarchy theory, which suggests people only take a few steps of iterated thinking when strategizing. This theory has been tested using various game-theory experiments and field-data sets, showing that people typically choose lower numbers in games like the Swedish LUPI lottery.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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.

Study: Sometimes 100 cents feels like it's worth more than a dollar

A study found that participants cooperated more often when playing for a higher numeric reward, such as 300 cents, rather than an equivalent economic value. This challenge traditional assumptions about decision-making and has implications for fields like politics and finance.

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.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Restoring trust harder when it is broken early in relationship

A new study suggests that betraying trust early on can be devastating and plant seeds of doubt, making it harder to rebuild. In experiments, students who experienced immediate trust breaches showed less cooperation and more negative evaluations of their partners compared to those whose partner defected later.

Chandramouli and co-authors receive IEEE GLOBECOM 2008 Best Paper Award

Professor Chandramouli's paper, titled A game theoretic framework for distributed self-coexistence among IEEE 802.22 networks, is one of 11 papers selected to receive a GLOBECOM '08 Best Paper Award. The award recognizes the author's work on cognitive radio based IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area network (WRAN) that operates in under-...

USC security randomization application studied for use by air marshals

The Federal Air Marshals Service is exploring the use of USC's ARMOR system to enhance its operations. The system, which applies game theory insights to scheduling, has been shown to improve security by making it difficult for observers to find predictable patterns in law enforcement patrols. This collaboration aims to further develop ...

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

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.

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.

Parents stricter with older kids to set example: game theory study

A new game theory research from the University of Maryland, Duke University and The Johns Hopkins University concludes that parents exercise control effectively modifying adolescent risky behavior. Having one additional younger sibling lowers the likelihood of an adolescent dropping out of high school by 3 percentage points.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Punishment does not earn rewards or cooperation, study finds

A study by researchers at Harvard University found that punishing others does not increase the average payoff of a group. Instead, it leads to reduced individual payoff and a downward spiral of retaliation. The study suggests that punishment may have evolved for dominance hierarchy and ownership defense, rather than cooperation.

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.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

People want to be seen helping the climate

Researchers found that well-informed players contributed the most to a public good, climate preservation. Players who received public recognition also donated more than those who made anonymous contributions.

Stevens professor awarded Office of Naval Research grant

A Stevens Institute of Technology professor has been awarded a grant from the Office of Naval Research to develop more efficient energy-sensitive sensor networks for the US military. The project aims to improve sensor performance and reduce energy consumption in these critical systems.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

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.

New Royal Society journal studies

Researchers studied social implications of winner and loser effects in green swordtail fish, nocturnal colour vision in geckos, and bird distress calls. They also examined queen and worker policing in wasps and developed a model to minimize the impact of exotic infections.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

The brain science behind 'A beautiful mind'

Researchers at NYU used rhesus monkeys to test game theory predictions, finding that monkey behavior matched human behavior. The study's findings suggest the posterior parietal cortex plays a key role in decision-making.

Tiny automated sensors to map disaster areas

Researchers at Cornell University are developing tiny automated sensors that can map disaster areas, detect biohazards, and report back in real-time. The sensors use biosensors to detect toxins and bacteria, communicate using low-power radio signals, and self-configure using game theory.

'Selfish routing' slows the Internet

A new study by Cornell University researchers finds that selfish routing on the Internet can slow down data transfer by up to one and one-third times what could be achieved by an ideal system. To combat this, they suggest routers consider not only the least congested route but also its impact on the network when sending information.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.