A study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology found technological continuity spanning 140,000 years at Bargny 1 site in Senegal, suggesting Middle Stone Age toolkits persisted longer than thought. The research highlights long-term cultural stability in West Africa's diverse habitats.
The American Heart Association scientific statement rates how closely popular dietary patterns align with its guidance for heart-healthy eating. The statement evaluates 10 categories of diets, scoring them from 31 to 100 based on their alignment with the guidance, with some diets receiving high scores while others need improvement.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that chemical hair straighteners may affect a person's ability to become pregnant. Black and Hispanic individuals were more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to use these products, leading to a slight reduction in fertility rates.
A Dartmouth College study found that more than 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to higher-than-average temperatures due to climate change. Rising temperatures could account for 10% or more of home runs by 2100, with some stadiums experiencing significant spikes in home run totals.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego found that honey bees use a 'waggle dance' to communicate the location of food sources, and that this behavior is improved by learning and culturally transmitted. The study demonstrates the importance of early social signal learning in non-human spatial referential communication.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that pairing students reduces academic and social gaps, increasing well-being. The study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, showed positive effects on communication, stress, and personal contacts.
A culturally adapted online experience improved type 2 diabetes nutrition education for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The program prioritized traditional food practices and mindful eating activities, leading to increased engagement and positive experiences among participants.
The survey found positive impacts on accommodation processes, remote work, flexible schedules, and job sharing for people with disabilities. Many supervisors reported increased commitment to supporting employees with disabilities.
Researchers found that online fans in China engage in participatory censorship, self-censoring and policing others to strengthen the authoritarian regime's control over the internet. The study suggests that users create a social imaginary of censorship, speculating about the government's parameters and acting upon it.
Climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution, leading to anatomically distinct groups and modern human separation. Researchers analyzed lake sediment cores, revealing stable humid conditions, abrupt arid pulses, and extreme environmental shifts.
A national survey of 1000 adults in Greenland found that 3 out of 4 support extracting and exporting sand from the melting ice sheet, with most preferring local involvement. The study highlights a rare example of an Arctic Indigenous population wanting to be involved in decision-making about adapting to accelerated Arctic changes.
An archaeological study has confirmed that cowrie-shell artifacts found in the Mariana Islands were used as lures for hunting octopuses. The devices date back to approximately 1500 B.C., making them the oldest known artifacts of their kind in the world.
The University of Huddersfield is leading a €1.5 million global research project to understand the impact of platform-driven change on public service media. The project will analyze data from 130 interviews, programs, and policy documents across six countries to deliver recommendations for securing public value.
A remote Irish community endured a millennium of climate change and ecological shifts without significant disruption, thanks to its adaptable social practices. The study, published in PLOS ONE, analyzed peat core data to infer environmental and human occupation changes over 1,000 years.
Archaeologists have uncovered a 40,000-year-old culture in northern China that showcases unique stone tools and ochre processing techniques. The discovery provides new insights into cultural innovation during the expansion of Homo sapiens populations.
Researchers monitored cell environments for three days, finding significant differences from native conditions. The team aims to develop recommendations on improving culture conditions and reduce environmental instability.
Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022
Rates of cervical cancer screening have dropped in the US, with significant disparities found across sociodemographic groups. The study highlights the need for targeted campaigns to address lack of knowledge as the primary reason for not receiving timely screenings.
Research found that households in different cultures are motivated to adapt to climate change by factors such as self-efficacy and perceived costs. However, these drivers vary across countries, with previous flood experiences having little effect on adaptation intentions in some regions, but discouraging it in others.
A unique form of English rewilding is emerging as domesticated and scaled-down compared to global efforts. This approach requires human intervention to restore ecological function and increase biodiversity.
A new study explores how cultural values affect intercultural relationships. Secure attachment and relationship equality are key factors in greater relationship satisfaction, while adherence to traditions and less support of traditional gender roles also play a role.
SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Multicultural Counseling and Development·DateOct 6, 2021
The discovery of bone tools in Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, dating back to 120,000-90,000 years ago, provides strong evidence for the manufacture of clothing during this period. The tools, which showed signs of skinning for furs and pelts, are similar to leather working tools found in other archaeological records.
A study published in Learning and Instruction found that pre-service teachers' genuine desire to be unprejudiced is positively associated with their endorsement of culturally supportive instructional practices. Cultivating open-mindedness rather than anti-racist training is key for teachers to overcome racial bias.
A new study reveals COVID-19 worsens financial, food, and housing insecurity in ethnocultural communities, while also highlighting the resilience of families and communities.
Researchers suggest that humans evolved to specialise in different ways of thinking to adapt to dramatic environmental variability. This theory of 'complementary cognition' provides insights into the emergence of language and cultural adaptations.
A new study suggests that climate change may require cultural sites to undergo transformation rather than strict preservation. Experts argue that some landmarks should remain damaged as a 'memory' of the event and serve as a warning for communities.
A study by Oregon State University found that culturally tailored diabetes education programs for Latinos result in significantly higher completion rates compared to non-Latinos. The programs are linguistically and culturally adapted to address specific values and beliefs related to diabetes, leading to improved health outcomes.
A new theoretical framework based on adaptive phenotypic plasticity explains why cultures differ, providing insights into human behavior and making predictions about cultural variation. The framework suggests that proximity to family is related to high rates of prosocial behaviors.
A pilot study found that the Spanish adaptation of the modified Story Memory Technique improved learning and life satisfaction in Mexicans with multiple sclerosis. The intervention, which teaches imagery and context to facilitate learning, may be an effective rehabilitative tool for Spanish-speaking populations with MS.
The University of Oklahoma received a $4.5 million grant to apply cutting-edge science and tools for climate adaptation in the south-central United States. Researchers will focus on decision-making support for Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
A study by Arizona State University researchers found that cultural evolution can generate new adaptive knowledge even when individuals don't understand what they are doing. Participants in an experiment adjusted weights on a wheel to optimize its speed, showing improvement without increased understanding.
A Rutgers study explores the wellbeing of aging Asian-Americans, finding that social activity, family connections, and cultural values are essential to improving health and lowering depression. The research challenges the 'model minority myth' and highlights the need for culturally sensitive healthcare approaches.
Research at National Research University Higher School of Economics found that international students with internal motivation and autonomy experience less culture shock and higher subjective well-being. Conversely, those driven by external factors struggle to adapt. The study's findings can inform preparation strategies for students s...
A new study reveals that African-Americans experience racial stigma and stereotypes when shopping, with 80% reporting encountering racial bias. To navigate this landscape, many shoppers downplay their race or avoid certain stores altogether.
A study shows that testimony therapy plus ceremony significantly reduced symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression among Khmer Rouge torture survivors. The intervention was found to be effective, brief, culturally adapted and suitable for low-resource contexts.
Research in Malawi and Zambia highlights the importance of considering local knowledge and beliefs when addressing climate change. In two rural communities, differing responses to changing climates were observed depending on co-existing traditional and Christian beliefs.
Polyculturalism rejects traditional models of cultural understanding, instead viewing cultures as networks. It offers new ways to select and train employees for culturally diverse roles and provides insight into how cultures change through intercultural knowledge and relationships.
New research reveals that unexpected brain connectivity can lead to fast brain specialization, allowing humans to adapt to rapid technological and cultural innovations. Blind individuals using sensory substitution devices activate specialized brain areas for tasks such as reading and recognizing numerical symbols.
A new study in the Annals of Global Health highlights the urgent need for substance abuse programs in developing countries. The study calls on policymakers to design effective programs that meet known population needs, adapting models like Alcoholics Anonymous to fit different cultural norms.
A time-lapse study reveals three major bottlenecks restricting the formation of colonies in human embryonic stem cells, including survival after plating and cell death after division. The research could lead to improved use of these cells in regenerative medicine.
African-American children and teens who adapt to mainstream culture while maintaining their own identity can reduce stress and stress eating, lowering type 2 diabetes risk. Higher socioeconomic status does not necessarily protect against diabetes risk for Latino adolescents.
Historian Robert Haug's research shows that social, cultural and political changes in border areas like medieval Afghanistan and Iran were manifested through changes in vocabulary, coins minted and used, and fortified enclosures. These adaptations allowed local elites to maintain power under the Caliphate.
Researchers found that unacculturated Hispanics had fewer HIV tests and were more likely to test positive. Interventions must address cultural differences to reduce the growing rate of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics.
New research by the American Psychological Association finds that living outside the box - literally - can boost creativity. Studies show that individuals who have spent time living abroad are more likely to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, such as a classic test of creative insight known as the Duncker candle problem.
A study found that prior work experience can lead to lower performance at a new job, as workers bring old habits and skills that don't adapt to the new role. Employees who score high on adaptability and fit in with their company's culture tend to perform better.
The Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins (FERCO) has funded eight research projects on ancient civilizations in Asia, North America and Europe. These projects include studies of early maritime adaptations, trade networks and the distribution of obsidian, among others.
Researchers have discovered a new Paleoindian culture in Brazil, challenging traditional views of early human migration and settlement. The site, Caverna da Pedra Pintada, dates back to between 11,200 and 10,000 years ago and reveals a more diverse range of habitats for human adaptation.