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CU Anschutz part of multi-state study: smartphone app cuts repeat suicide attempts by over half after hospital discharge

A nationwide study found that a smartphone-based digital therapy reduced repeated suicide attempts by 58.3% among patients with a prior history of attempting suicide. The app guided users through short lessons focused on managing emotions and building safety plans.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 19, 2025

What geese teach us about leadership and followers

Research shows that bold and curious individuals dominate goose flocks, leading with protection and exploration while followers identify new opportunities. The study shifts focus to the cognitive abilities of followers, opening new pathways for understanding collective decision-making in geese and beyond.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournaliScience·DateAug 18, 2025

Being ignored or excluded by family affects the workplace performance of leaders and their staff – new research

New research shows that family ostracism can significantly impair leadership effectiveness and reduce customer service performance. Leaders experiencing family exclusion may adopt a 'laissez-faire' leadership style, characterized by passivity and disengagement, ultimately affecting customer outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateAug 14, 2025

"Every Brilliant Thing”, the interactive one-person play with a suicidality theme now making its West End debut, reduced suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended, even up to 30 days later

The interactive one-person play 'Every Brilliant Thing' has been shown to reduce suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended the performance, even up to 30 days later. The study found a significant decrease in stigma following the intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·DateAug 14, 2025

UH study finds positive childhood experiences protect against disordered eating

A University of Houston study found that positive childhood experiences, such as supportive relationships and regular household routines, can protect against disordered eating behaviors in college students. Adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, were also linked to increased risk factors for disordered eating.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdversity and Resilience Science·DateAug 13, 2025

People disregard advice when making tough decisions

An international study found that people across cultures tend to rely on their own intuition rather than seeking advice when making complex decisions. The research, led by the University of Waterloo, suggests that understanding this preference can help clarify cross-cultural misunderstandings and improve teamwork.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateAug 12, 2025

Self-disclosure in the era of video communication and embodied virtual reality

A team of researchers from Waseda University investigated the effects of new communication media, including video-conferencing and embodied virtual reality, on self-disclosure. They found that embodied VR, especially with unrealistic avatars, resulted in higher self-disclosure of personal feelings compared to face-to-face conversations.

SourceWaseda University·JournalBehaviour and Information Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2025

AI used for real-time selection of actionable messages for government and public health campaigns

Researchers developed an AI tool to automatically generate HIV prevention and testing campaign messages for counties in the US, leveraging real-time social media data. The method was tested in three studies, showing that AI-selected messages were perceived as more actionable and effective by target audiences than control messages.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2025

How stress strengthens group bonds – and fuels intergroup conflict

Research found that physiological stress messengers noradrenaline and cortisol affect social behavior in different ways, promoting cooperativeness within groups and competition with outsiders. The study suggests a neurobiological explanation for the 'us versus them' mentality and increasing polarization in the world.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025

Adults with autism show similar brain mapping of body parts as typically developing adults

Researchers found that adults with autism perceive visual body information similarly to neurotypical adults, challenging long-standing assumptions about social difficulties in ASD. The study used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns in adults with autism and typically developing adults while viewing images of body parts.

SourceWaseda University·JournalImaging Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2025

Uncovering behavioral clues to childhood maltreatment

Researchers developed a non-invasive questionnaire to identify children at risk of maltreatment, highlighting seven behavioral problem areas linked to maltreatment. The study found critical timing patterns and type of abuse matters, offering a more comprehensive approach to support maltreated children.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournalFrontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2025

“It just makes you feel less alone”: Using the power of play to break menopause taboos in the workplace

Researchers used Playmobil kits to facilitate discussions about women's experiences of menopause at work. Participants shared their symptoms and ideas for making work easier during menopausal times, highlighting the importance of social support and flexi time. The workshop provided a safe space for powerful and meaningful conversations.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalMenopause·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

Why your infant is crying

A new Swedish twin study found that genetics largely determine an infant's crying duration, with 50% of variation explained by genes at 2 months and 70% by 5 months. Environmental factors also play a role in infants' ability to settle during the first months of life.

SourceUppsala University·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2025

How game-play with robots can bring out their human side

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that interacting with robots through social games makes them seem more human-like. The researchers used a box-shaped robot called Cozmo and found that participants who played games with it considered it more human-like, whereas those who interacted mechanically did not.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 3, 2025

Aston University research: Parents should encourage structure and independence around food to support children’s healthy eating

New research from Aston University suggests that parents can help promote healthy eating in their children by creating structure and independence around mealtime. The study recommends prioritizing health, maintaining a calm atmosphere during meals, and setting regular meal times to encourage supportive feeding practices.

SourceAston University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·TypeObservational study·DateJul 1, 2025

Fact or fiction? The ADHD info dilemma

A study found that exposure to inaccurate ADHD-related content on TikTok significantly reduced students' accurate understanding of the disorder. Participants who viewed factually incorrect content showed lower accuracy in their ADHD knowledge but reported greater confidence in it afterwards, leading to increased motivation for treatment.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 30, 2025

Despite recovery from depression, the brain retains sensitivity to negative cues

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that individuals with remitted depression show increased habenula activity and reduced connectivity between the habenula and dopamine-producing regions, suggesting a heightened sensitivity to negative cues. This suggests that even after recove...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 26, 2025

New study calls for rethink on alcohol policy

A new study by psychologists, linguists, and policy experts reveals that policymakers and drinkers have different ways of framing alcohol consumption. The findings suggest that policies must reflect real-life behaviours and motivations to make a meaningful difference.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 25, 2025

Researchers reveal how brain amplifies perception of pain from multiple sources

Researchers have discovered that multimodal pain integration in the brain significantly enhances overall pain perception when participants are instructed on how to perceive the pain. The precuneus region of the brain plays a vital role in integrating pain information into a cohesive and intensified pain experience.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2025

Simple household water tests trigger major behaviour change that could reduce E.coli risk

A new study found that providing households with simple, low-cost information about their drinking water quality increased the use of safe water practices by 26-48% in areas where many families rely on unsafe supplies. This approach has the potential to save lives at a lower cost than other public health programs.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalHealth Economics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 24, 2025

Research reveals why receiving food before others is a source of discomfort for social diners

A study by Bayes Business School found that people are more concerned about violating the norm of waiting for others to be served than they are about others doing so. The research suggests that restaurants and dinner hosts could improve dining experiences by serving guests at the same time, reducing social awkwardness.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalAppetite·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2025

Effects of psilocybin on religious and spiritual attitudes and behaviors in clergy from major world religions

A study found that psilocybin increased overall psychological well-being, including positive changes in religious practices and attitudes. Clergy who received psilocybin reported sustained improvements in their behavior and attitudes up to 16 months after treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalPsychedelic Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 9, 2025

Online game, developed at Harvard, proven to reduce partisan animosity

A new online tool, Tango, pairs Democrats and Republicans on common teams, reducing negative partisanship and increasing warmth and financial generosity. The results showed comparable effects to rolling back rising polarization in American political life, lasting at least a month and often up to four months from gameplay.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 3, 2025