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Consuming my bodyweight in videos

A study of 446 young adults from Australia and China found that frequent exposure to eating videos can lead to body image concerns, strong food cravings, and symptoms linked to disordered eating. The study suggests that these videos may contribute to unhealthy thoughts about food, eating, and appearance.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBody Image·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2026

Across cultures, people share beliefs on how children’s minds grow

Researchers surveyed participants from six countries and found a consistent pattern in how people perceive children's mental development, dividing it into two dimensions: experiential and perceptual, and reflective and evaluative. This framework aligns with the nature-nurture debate, suggesting a universal view of human mind development.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 19, 2026

Societies around the world have buried their dead at home. Anthropologists want to understand why the practice started, and why it has largely disappeared

Researchers analyzed ancient burial records to understand why some societies practiced residential burials and how this practice changed over time. They found that residential burials were more common in older societies than expected, suggesting that cultural practices can shift significantly over centuries.

SourceField Museum·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateJul 27, 2026

Residential environment linked to subjective well-being through life-domain satisfaction

A new study by Keio University researchers explores the association between residential environments and subjective well-being, finding that better living conditions are linked to higher satisfaction with important life domains, which in turn is associated with greater overall well-being. The study suggests that housing design and poli...

SourceKeio University Global Research Institute·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 1, 2026

How culture shapes the way we care for other people's emotions

A global study reveals that culture influences how people try to regulate the emotions of others, with individualistic cultures prioritizing comforting and expressing care, while collectivistic cultures often view unpleasant emotions as valuable. This finding highlights the importance of cultural context in emotional support.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJun 29, 2026

Was Jesus’ crucified body wrapped in the Shroud of Turin? A newly discovered Medieval document is the earliest written evidence to suggest not

A newly discovered medieval document suggests the Shroud of Turin was not authentic, with a Norman theologian claiming it was a 'clear' and 'patent' fake. The document, published in the Journal of Medieval History, provides historical evidence that even in the Middle Ages, people questioned the Shroud's genuineness.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Medieval History·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 28, 2025

What fuels preschool teacher development: lessons from China, Japan, and the United States

A comparative study explores how different systems of professional development influence preschool teacher growth in Japan, China, and the United States. The findings highlight the importance of culturally rooted practices and institutional structures in shaping teacher development, revealing no universal model for this process.

SourceKeio University·JournalComparative Education·TypeSurvey·DateJul 14, 2025

Cool is cool wherever you are

Researchers found that cool people have similar personalities, with traits such as extraversion, hedonism, and power being universally perceived. The study explored how cool people differ from uncool and good people, finding some overlap in traits but also distinct characteristics.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2025

Global “sisterhood” seeks to understand what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome

A global 'sisterhood' of citizen scientists sheds light on the complex vaginal microbiome, highlighting associations between microbial composition and clinical conditions like preterm birth and urinary tract infections. The study emphasizes the importance of considering whole complexity and continuity in vaginal microbiota composition ...

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 6, 2025

With Indigenous heritage sites under threat, KFN-SFU collaborative study identifies pathways to enforce Nation-led cultural heritage protection

A new research collaboration between the K’ómoks First Nation and Simon Fraser University highlights how Indigenous cultural heritage policies can protect archaeological sites threatened by development. The study found that the K’ómoks First Nation’s Cultural Heritage Policy provides a pathway to reconciliation and greater certainty fo...

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Archaeology·DateDec 4, 2024

Traditional Mayan practices have long promoted unique levels of family harmony. But what effect is globalization having?

Research by UC Santa Cruz psychologist Barbara Rogoff finds that globalization has reduced collaborative interactions among Mayan families, but they still prioritize harmonious relations and community involvement. The traditional practice of Learning by Observing and Pitching In remains a key strength for Indigenous communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalChild Development·DateNov 15, 2024

Britain’s brass bands older than we thought and invented by soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars, new study reveals

A new study reveals that Britain's earliest brass bands were founded by military musicians in the 1810s, contradicting the long-held assumption that they emerged with industrial communities. The research, published in The Historical Journal, shows that regimental bands first experimented with all-brass formats after the Napoleonic Wars.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Historical Journal·DateOct 29, 2024

ChatGPT and cultural bias

A recent study found that ChatGPT exhibits cultural values similar to those in English-speaking and Protestant European countries. The model's responses consistently reflected a focus on self-expression values, such as environmental protection and tolerance for diversity.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 17, 2024

Research showcases Indigenous stewardship’s role in forest ecosystem resilience

A new computer simulation model highlights the importance of cultural burning in maintaining forest ecosystem health. Researchers found that Indigenous fire stewardship was extensive across a landscape in northern California before European colonization, with an estimated 6,972 cultural ignitions occurring annually.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2024