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Gentle touch soothes the pain of social rejection

Researchers at University College London discovered that gentle touch can soothe the effects of social exclusion, one of the most emotionally painful human experiences. The study found that slow, affectionate touch reduced feelings of negativity and social exclusion induced by social rejection, even though general mood remained the same.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 18, 2017

'Find the Lady' in the quantum world

Researchers propose swapping atoms to demonstrate exotic properties. The process involves swapping two identical atoms without distinguishing them, leading to questions about individuality and connection in the quantum realm. This phenomenon has philosophical implications, as it challenges traditional notions of identity and connection.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 17, 2017

Macho pursuits dominate assessments of risky behavior, reinforcing gender stereotypes

A new study by the University of Exeter found that assessments of heroism and daring often focus on traditionally masculine behavior. However, when less stereotypical criteria are used, women and men rate themselves as equally likely to take risks. The research also highlights the importance of considering gender differences in risk-ta...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 5, 2017

How much can watching hockey stress your heart?

A new study found that watching hockey games live or on TV can cause a substantial effect on the cardiovascular system, with average heart rate increases of 75% and 110%, respectively. The emotional stress response triggered by high-stakes moments in the game can trigger adverse cardiovascular events.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateOct 5, 2017

JCU team's winning basketball formula

Researchers analyzed 156 men's basketball games from last four Olympics to identify key factors contributing to success. The winning formula centers on field-goal percentage and defensive rebounds, with the latter providing a 93% probability of victory.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Sports Science and Medicine·DateSep 28, 2017

Chimpanzees learn rock-paper-scissors

A study shows that chimpanzees can learn the rock-paper-scissors game, but takes longer to grasp the third pair. The research team also taught the game to preschool children, who learned it quickly and accurately, especially as they aged.

SourceSpringer·JournalPrimates·DateAug 10, 2017

Is it okay for children to count on their fingers?

A recent study published in Frontiers in Education found that using fingers to count and play number games improved math test scores significantly. This challenges traditional teaching methods that discouraged finger use, instead suggesting that finger training could be a valuable tool for teachers.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Education·DateJun 23, 2017

Gaming helps personalized therapy level up

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to create personalized mental and physical therapy regimens using gaming features. Gamified applications with scoring systems, avatars, and in-game rewards led to significantly fewer mistakes and higher performance than non-gamified applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 19, 2017

When judging other people, first impressions last

A Cornell University study found that first impressions formed from photographs predicted how people felt and thought about the person after a live interaction. Participants consistently evaluated the same person differently after meeting in person compared to their initial impression.

SourceCornell University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateNov 28, 2016

What can Pokémon Go teach the world of conservation?

Researchers explore how Pokémon Go inspires high levels of behavioral change among users, discovering non-virtual wildlife and learning basic natural history concepts. The game's success highlights opportunities for conservation, but also potential challenges such as replacing real-world nature interactions with virtual ones.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalConservation Letters·DateNov 16, 2016

Crowd workers help robot keep conversation fresh

A Disney Research team created an automated method of crowdsourcing multiple lines of dialogue for robots, using a persistent interactive personality that can translate high-level goals into simple narratives. The method was tested in a trivia contest and resulted in 716 unique lines of dialogue.

Study: Shakespeare play helps children with autism communicate

A new study found that using Shakespeare's rhythmic language paired with physical gestures improved social interaction and language skills in children with autism. The 'Hunter Heartbeat Method' intervention showed significant improvement in facial expression recognition and social relationships.

SourceMediaSource·JournalResearch and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities·DateOct 11, 2016

The adolescent brain is adapted to learning

New research suggests that teenagers' sensitivity to reward is an evolutionary adaptation to learn from their environment. The study found that adolescents outperformed adults in a picture-based game requiring learning from positive and negative reinforcement cues.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 5, 2016

Gaming for gut research

A new video game, Colony B, helps scientists analyze how microbes relate to lifestyle habits and health. The game correlates player data with survey information from the American Gut project, revealing potential links between microbial composition and human health.