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New research: Feeling bad has academic benefits

A study published in Developmental Psychology found that students who experienced occasional negative moods had the highest GPAs at graduation, while those with high levels of negative moods and low positive moods tended to have lower GPAs. This suggests that managing negative emotions and stress is crucial for academic success.

SourceConcordia University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateNov 30, 2016

To help divorced parents, programs should address financial and parenting barriers

A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that co-parenting concerns differ by gender, impacting parents' ability to work together. The study found that fathers' parenting behaviors are most affected by financial and legal concerns, while mothers' co-parenting is influenced by concerns about their ex-spouse's mental instabil...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFamily Relations·DateOct 25, 2016

To help or not to help?

In emergency situations, people tend to behave either egotistically or prosocially, with some individuals being more cooperative than others. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that most participants helped others less in emergency situations due to time pressure, while prosocial individuals were more willing to help.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 5, 2016

Study finds differences in older adults who fall indoors versus outdoors

A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that patients who fell indoors had more chronic health conditions and were less likely to recover at home, whereas outdoor fallers were younger and healthier. The findings can inform targeted initiatives to lower the risk of falls in older adults.

SourceNew York University·JournalGeriatrics and Gerontology International·DateJul 20, 2016

Researchers find human development's first gear

A team of researchers at Oxford University has identified four genes that play a crucial role in early human development. These genes, known as Argfx, Leutx, Dprx and Tprx, are activated for an extremely brief period, when the embryo is a tiny ball of 8-16 cells. They then switch off, controlling the 'first gear' of embryonic growth.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 28, 2016

How can a family function better? Get outside together

Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that spending time in nature together as a family can restore attention, reduce irritation, and promote self-control, leading to better family relationships. Regular family-based nature activities can also foster a sense of identity and belonging within the family.

Electricity and economics

A new study analyzes data from 21 countries and finds a positive correlation between electricity consumption and life satisfaction in some nations, while others show the opposite relationship. The research suggests that narrowing production-consumption gaps can improve human development outcomes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Energy Issues·DateMay 19, 2016

Daters move toward (or away from) marriage in four different ways -- where do you fit?

A University of Illinois researcher identified four distinct approaches that dating couples use to develop deeper commitment. Dramatic daters experience wild swings in commitment levels due to negative events, while partner-focused couples prioritize mutual involvement and conscientiousness. Conflict-ridden couples face tension between...

Practice makes perfect: Switching between languages pays off

Research from Concordia University reveals that bilingual children are better at certain types of mental control, with those who practice more language switching showing greater skills. This advantage is attributed to the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, including increased cognitive flexibility and selective attention abilities.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateFeb 3, 2016

Risk taking across life span: The effects of hardship

Researchers found that risk-taking propensity decreases with age in most countries, but remains high in countries with poverty and inequality. The study, published in Psychological Science, analyzed data from 77 countries and showed a clear connection between country standards of living and citizens' willingness to take risks.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 8, 2016

US stillbirth rates unchanged after move to discourage elective deliveries before 39 weeks

A study by NIH researchers found no increase in stillbirths after implementing a policy to delay elective deliveries before 39 weeks. The analysis of national infant birth and death statistics over several years showed that efforts to prevent elective deliveries were not linked to an increase in stillbirths on a national level.

The black box at the beginning of life

Researchers at Kyoto University have created a lab-based human germ cell development model, revealing specific key elements and events that occur at the beginning of human life. This breakthrough provides insight into how epigenetic marks are erased during early germ cell development, shedding light on conditions such as infertility.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 15, 2015

Gut feeling restored by growth outside the body

Researchers successfully joined two separate pieces of embryonic mouse intestine using growth supports, allowing nerve signals to pass through and promoting growth. The breakthrough could lead to treatment for conditions like short bowel syndrome, a condition causing damage to the bowel that prevents nutrient absorption.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine·DateAug 25, 2015

Fetal ECG readings offer no advantage over heart rate monitoring during labor

A new study by the National Institutes of Health found no significant differences in birth complications between fetal ECG monitoring and traditional heart rate monitoring during labor. Infants in ECG-monitored groups were slightly more likely to have low Apgar scores, but overall outcomes remained unchanged.

Early prosocial behavior good predictor of kids' future

A nearly 20-year study found that kindergarteners' social-emotional skills are a significant predictor of their future success. Students demonstrating better prosocial behavior were more likely to graduate from college, be gainfully employed, and avoid arrest.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 29, 2015

Infant brains develop years faster than we thought

Scientists discovered that infant brain development occurs years faster than previously thought, with face perception abilities emerging as early as four months. The study used electroencephalography to track brain activity in response to facial images, revealing a unique right-hemisphere processing of faces.

SourceeLife·DateJun 2, 2015

Psychology: Does aging affect decision making?

Older adults perform just as well as younger adults in simple decision-making, according to a study published in Cognition. However, in more complex decisions, older adults may struggle due to age-related cognitive decline. The study suggests that simple learning strategies can be useful for aging decision makers despite limitations.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCognition·DateJun 1, 2015

Workplace intervention improves sleep of employees' children

A workplace intervention designed to reduce work-family conflict and increase schedule flexibility has a positive influence on the sleep patterns of employees' children. Children whose parents participated in the STAR intervention showed improved sleep quality compared to those in a control group, according to researchers at Penn State.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 21, 2015