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Yawn! Many people are bored by spiritual practice

A recent study by researchers at the University of Vienna found that spiritual boredom is a common phenomenon, negatively impacting motivation and mindfulness during practice. The study suggests that personalizing spiritual practices and addressing individual needs can help reduce boredom and maximize their transformative value.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCommunications Psychology·DateMar 6, 2025

Pusan National University researchers developed an advanced AI model for accelerating therapeutic gene target discovery

The new AI model leverages hypergraphs to quickly and accurately identify therapeutic gene targets for diseases. HIT outperformed existing models in all tested metrics, demonstrating its accuracy in classifying therapeutic gene targets with great precision.

SourcePusan National University·JournalBriefings in Bioinformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2025

Challenging our intuitions: How social forces shape success

A literature review reveals that our intuitions about success are often misleading, with failure being a predictor of future success and early successes reinforcing inequalities. The study also shows that persuading 'bridge' individuals in social networks is more effective at driving mass adoption than celebrity endorsements.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 4, 2025

Mount Sinai researchers identify molecular glues that protect insulin-producing cells from damage related to diabetes

Researchers have discovered a novel approach to protecting insulin-producing beta cells from glucolipotoxicity, a condition linked to type 2 diabetes progression. The findings could lead to promising treatments targeting beta cell dysfunction, potentially slowing or preventing disease progression.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2025

Study provides novel insights into GenAI feedback

Researchers found that GenAI feedback offers timely and personalized feedback, educational benefits as an essay editor and tutor, and social benefits as a supportive environment. However, challenges include limited AI skills, dependency risk, and emotional understanding limitations.

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2025

Teachers' negative emotions impact engagement of students, new study finds

A new study found that about 10% of teachers displayed notable amounts of negative emotions during instructional time, leading to reduced student enjoyment and engagement. The researchers suggest providing training on mindfulness and emotion regulation to help teachers manage negative emotions while teaching.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalContemporary Educational Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2025

Creativity boosts NAPLAN literacy and numeracy scores

A University of South Australia study found that students who exhibit higher levels of creativity tend to excel in literacy and numeracy assessments. Higher flexibility in divergent thinking was associated with stronger NAPLAN literacy outcomes, while mathematical creativity was linked to stronger numeracy performance.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThinking Skills and Creativity·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2025

3 Ways to reduce child sexual abuse rates

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that coordinated, community-wide primary prevention efforts can significantly reduce child sexual abuse rates. The study showed a 17% decrease in substantiated cases and a 34% drop in unsubstantiated cases compared to a control group.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2025

Birds breathe in dangerous plastics—and so do we

A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2025

Patient-doctor common tongue key to decreasing cardiovascular disease, longer life

A retrospective cohort study from the University of Ottawa and Manitoba found Canadians with hypertension whose preferred language was spoken by their doctor were 36% less likely to have a major adverse cardiovascular event. Patients with language-accessible care had a 28% lower risk of death compared to those without such access.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2025

AI in retail: how to spark creativity and improve job satisfaction

A study by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Hanyang University explores how AI service quality affects retail employees' innovation, job fit, and job satisfaction. The results suggest that employees are more likely to engage in innovative behaviors when they perceive benefits from AI interactions.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Retailing and Consumer Services·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 19, 2025

Fitness apps fuelling disordered eating

A systematic review of 38 studies found that frequent use of health and fitness apps is associated with problematic habits related to food and exercise. The research highlights the need for app developers to consider the psychological impacts of these tools on users' mental health.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBody Image·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 19, 2025

Researchers uncover surprising link to stroke risk

A new study from the University of Texas at Arlington found that Americans aged 65 and older who experienced parental divorce as children were more likely to suffer a stroke compared to their peers. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 older Americans and found that about 14% had experienced parental divorce during childhood.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPLOS One·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 18, 2025

When politics becomes a risk factor – how the political climate influences the health of migrant trainees

A new study by the Cluster of Excellence 'The Politics of Inequality' at the University of Konstanz examines how right-wing populist election results impact migrant trainees' perceptions of discrimination and mental health. The research, conducted with around 1,000 trainees, reveals that regions with high levels of support for far-righ...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateFeb 13, 2025

HSE neurolinguists create russian adaptation of classic verbal memory test

Researchers at HSE Centre for Language and Brain create Russian-language adaptation of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), suitable for testing adults of all ages. The adapted test has been incorporated into the RAVLT World tablet application, providing automated administration and scoring.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalThe Clinical Neuropsychologist·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Texas A&M chemist wins NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.