A recent study highlights uncomfortable social situations people with blindness face, as well as strategies they use to navigate them. Researchers found techniques for avoiding awkward encounters, recovering from them, and even constructive ways allies can support individuals with visual impairment.
A new technique, Video Meeting Signals (VMS), uses simple physical gestures to enhance online group video meetings. Studies have shown that VMS improves personal experiences, learning outcomes, and team performance by serving a similar function as subtle face-to-face signals.
Researchers found that specific vocalizations, known as the 'hunting bark', recruit more group members to hunt and capture prey more effectively. Chimpanzees have been observed joining hunts after hearing these barks, increasing success rates.
A quality improvement project at Dartmouth Cancer Center increased serious illness conversations between patients and providers from 0% to 70%, reflecting the importance of early discussions on prognosis and treatment options. The project's success was attributed to standardized work, an engaged interdisciplinary team, and system-level...
A study published in CMAJ found that patients who received care from physicians speaking their primary language had shorter hospital stays and fewer falls and infections. Francophones had a 24% lower risk of death, while allophones had a 54% lower risk.
Research by University of Cambridge academics found that children as old as five or six struggle to reconcile inference and perspective, leading to difficulties in conversations. Combining these skills is crucial for understanding 'implicatures' - inferences made in conversation when people mean more than they say.
A new PLOS study found that heterosexual couples who meet each other's love language preferences experience higher levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction. The study, which surveyed 100 couples over 6 months to 24 years, suggests that focusing on partners' love-language needs could be effective in relationship counseling.
The SciComm Identities Project is a five-year initiative creating fellowships for tenure-track faculty members from diverse backgrounds, focusing on climate change issues like energy, water, and agriculture. The program aims to train science communicators from marginalized communities in environmental science.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that lawyers who view negotiation as a game, with arbitrary rules, are less willing to disclose honest information. Lawyers with higher moral character are more likely to adopt an ethical approach, while those with lower moral character are more prone to game framing.
Research found that people underestimating others' desire for constructive feedback can have harmful results. A simple intervention of perspective taking increased the likelihood someone would recognize the need for and provide feedback.
A new study found that staff assumptions about minoritized groups contribute to variability in nursing home care for residents with advanced dementia. Remedies include addressing staff biases, increasing funding, and standardizing advance-care planning.
A new study reveals that children globally will confront peers when rules are broken, but their approach differs across cultures. Children from rural areas tend to use verbal protests more than urban kids, who may rely on indirect methods like reputation to enforce compliance.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that asking in person for help yields the highest response rate of a yes, surpassing video calls and emails. To achieve this optimal outcome, it's recommended to ditch email, text, and opt for video or phone calls instead.
A Baylor University-led study found significant deficiencies in organizational listening, particularly among women and non-managers. The survey revealed that employees are reluctant to share concerns due to a lack of responsive management and inauthentic approaches to feedback.
A new study documents that observable social-communication differences for infants with ASD unfold by 9 months, pointing to a critical window for targeted intervention. Infants with ASD exhibit significantly fewer social and early speech skills than their typically-developing peers at 9 months of age.
A recent qualitative study has identified six strategies that recovering alcoholics use to manage stigmas, including adopting a 'no judgment' mindset and seeking support from loved ones. The study, which conducted in-depth interviews with 22 U.S. adults who have been sober for at least 10 years, aims to provide a tool kit for helping p...
Researchers aim to understand language development in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and Fragile X syndrome by examining grammar skills and executive functions. The study will gather data on a two-year developmental window, providing comprehensive insights for families and potential improvements in communication.
A science communications internship at MUSC helps scientists in training share research with the general public, improving laywriting skills and restoring trust. The program has produced over 100 science news stories and exposed interns to diverse career paths related to science communication.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
A Massachusetts General Hospital physician suggests that emoji could facilitate communication between patients and doctors, particularly in emergency medical settings. The use of emoji has the potential to improve patient-doctor communication, especially for those with disabilities or language barriers.
A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that attractive people are more likely to get hired, receive better performance evaluations, and earn higher salaries. However, less-attractive individuals can close the gap by adopting powerful postures and confidence techniques during job interviews.
QUT researchers identified external recognition and professional development as crucial strategies for getting shortlisted. Applicants with earned professional recognition or awards were four times more likely to be shortlisted than those without such recognition.
A new study by Associate Professor Daniel Russo highlights the importance of strengthening developers' social and technical skills for Agile project success. The study also emphasizes the critical role of top management commitment in providing an adequate organizational setting.
A University of Arizona researcher found that veterinarians and breeders often hold biases against each other, which can lead to suboptimal animal care. Her study proposes solutions to bridge the divide between pet owners, breeders, and vets, including using nonverbal cues, empathy, and unconditional positive regard in communication.
A new study by Northwestern University found that a simulation-based training program can help medical students develop the skills to break bad news to patients in a clear and compassionate way. The training, which uses a mastery learning approach, has been shown to improve patient outcomes and increase student satisfaction.
The Air Force has awarded a $1 million grant to PlaneEnglish, a simulator developed by three Purdue University alumni, to enhance communication skills for pilots. The technology addresses key needs for the Department of Defense and is being used in dozens of airports across the US.
Researchers explore how AI can analyze words and phrases, turn-taking patterns, and tone to improve medical communications. The technology has potential to revolutionize patient care by providing clinicians with assessments of their communication skills at lower costs.
Researchers found that music-based therapy improved autistic children's social communication skills and family quality of life. The study also showed increased brain connectivity between auditory and motor regions, potentially explaining the benefits. Music intervention was effective even after only eight to 12 weekly sessions.
A study by Jenni Burt et al found that physicians rate their own communication skills lower than patients do, while trained raters assigned significantly lower scores, highlighting a need for external peer assessment and support training.
A comprehensive review of 152 studies on bilingualism and executive functions found no significant benefits for bilinguals. Bilingualism is beneficial for communication between people and cultures, but not for cognitive skills like focusing attention or switching tasks.
Primary care clinicians display strengths in communicating with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, including high levels of communication skills and coordination of services. However, challenges persist, such as unapplicable health promotion advice and inadequate time coordination between healthcare providers.
Two studies investigated clinicians' preparedness to give bad news, finding that only one-third have received formal training. Medical students receive less training than other professionals, but more experienced physicians compensate with better skills. The study also highlights the importance of communication training in delivering b...
A new study reveals that shy children with high social communication skills are more popular among their peers, regardless of language vocabulary skills. Developing social communication skills is key to increasing popularity in shyness, not just expanding vocabulary.
The paper highlights the value of considering multiple viewpoints and levels of description to tackle complex scientific and philosophical questions. By recognizing unconscious assumptions and leveraging the strengths of both brain hemispheres, science can achieve more powerful problem-solving.
A Loyola Medicine study found that simulation techniques using SimMan 3G and trained actors improved neurologists' diagnostic skills for brain death. The training also enhanced their ability to communicate bad news to families, leading to better outcomes.
Researchers developed a virtual reality program to teach medical students advanced communication skills, including delivering difficult news and managing patient reactions. The study found that the simulation was an effective tool in teaching these skills, which transferred to real-life clinical situations.
A new study finds that immigrant children who arrive before age 10 develop occupational skills similar to those of native-born Americans. In contrast, older arrivals from languages distant from English focus more on math and STEM fields, leading to occupational segregation.
A critical care medicine physician describes her near-death experience inspiring an organizational campaign to improve communication and empathy among health professionals. The Henry Ford Hospital has launched a curriculum aimed at fostering compassionate, coordinated care.
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.
A recent Iowa State University study found that employers prioritize oral communication skills in new college graduates, ranking them above other forms of communication. The study suggests that colleges should adopt a multimodal teaching approach to prepare students for various job requirements.
A recent study highlights the emotional labor required of collegiate student-athletes, leaving them feeling powerless, frustrated, and nervous. The study emphasizes the need for universities to prepare their student-athletes with communication skills to address this pressure.
A $400,000 NSF-funded study at RIT examines workplace trends in photonics and optics to prepare students for emerging jobs. The research identifies key math, physics, and communication skills used in the industry.
Researchers developed a relationship education program to address disparities faced by female same-sex couples, including discrimination, stigma, and lack of social support. The 10-hour program improved positive communication skills and satisfaction with relationships among participating couples.
A pilot study by researchers at ISTAR found that video self-modelling (VSM) helps reduce stuttering frequency in adults who experienced relapse after therapy. Participants watched videos of themselves speaking fluently, with improved results for those viewing their videos regularly.
Research from Max Planck Institute finds that leaders' brain activity in left temporo-parietal junction synchronizes with followers', predicting leader emergence. The quality, not quantity, of communication determines leadership.
A Canadian multicenter survey of over 1,200 hospital-based clinicians identified key barriers to end-of-life care discussions with seriously ill patients and their families. The study found that factors such as difficulty accepting a poor prognosis, limited understanding of life-sustaining treatments, and disagreements among family mem...
A large-scale study has found that higher-scoring GP practices tend to have predominantly higher-scoring doctors. This variation in scores is often masked by the current practice-level scoring system, which may lead to undetected doctor skill gaps.
A new study found that an online learning intervention improved medical residents' attitudes and communication skills towards patients with substance use disorders. The study suggests that primary care physicians can play a key role in preventing and treating substance use disorders.
A study published in Patient Education and Counseling found that the Four Habits Model significantly improves emotion-focused conversations between pediatric nurses and parents. The model's effectiveness was measured across four areas: preparation, communication skills, relationships, and confidence.
Researchers have identified a crucial component of human language development in fruit flies, revealing the biological basis of operant learning. The study found that flies with a compromised FoxP gene failed to learn tasks, similar to human patients with FoxP mutations.
A study by North Carolina State University and Microsoft Research found that game developers value communication, teamwork, and creative skills. The research highlights the importance of including non-programmers in computer science projects and developing interpersonal communication skills.
A study published in JAMA found that simulation-based communication skills training had no effect on the quality of end-of-life care, but was associated with a small increase in patients' symptoms of depression. The researchers suggest that skills transfer from simulation training to actual patient care may be inadequate.
High-quality interactions between children and adults foster growth in early language and communication skills. The study recommends ten practices to support the development of these skills, including responding to vocalizations, eliciting conversations, and using complex grammar and rich vocabulary.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that autistic toddlers and preschoolers with better motor skills were more adept at socializing and communicating. Motor skills development is crucial for social skills, and the study highlights the importance of addressing this deficit in early interventions.
The American Chemical Society is hosting a symposium to address the global shortage of scientists with people skills. The event aims to equip scientists with effective communication and charisma skills to inspire students and engage with the public. Key findings include the importance of social skills in science leadership.
New training program aims to improve communication skills among healthcare providers and between providers and patients, leading to better medical outcomes and reduced errors.
Researchers found that toddlers who played with fewer toys showed improvement in communication skills after parent-guided treatment. However, the treatment did not show a significant effect on all children, but rather those who had limited playtime.
A new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that toddlers with autism who received a targeted intervention showed significant improvements in social and communication skills. The intervention, which focused on core social deficits, yielded sustained gains even in very young children.
A recent study published by the American Thoracic Society found that an intervention designed to improve palliative care in ICU settings was ineffective in improving family satisfaction after a loved one's death. The program aimed to enhance communication between doctors, nurses, and families but failed to make a significant impact.
A collaboration between Iowa State University's Horticulture, Library, and English departments resulted in improved student outcomes. Students valued the input from faculty and enjoyed interacting with them at poster sessions.