Decision Making

Study reveals why older adults are using cannabis edibles

New framework reveals how vulnerable small businesses are to supply chain shocks

A new framework was developed to enable SMEs to systematically assess their supply chain risks and take proactive steps to build resilience. The integrated approach combines expert knowledge with established methods, identifying 11 key hazards across the supply chain.

We prefer colors: Product labeling can save your health

A recent study found that colour coding is more effective than traditional nutritional tables in influencing consumers' dietary choices, thanks to the brain's instant processing of benefit and risk signals. Colour-coded labels encourage healthier product selection by harnessing visual attention mechanisms.

A machine learning model for predicting sepsis-related mortality

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis complicated by acute respiratory failure. The model demonstrated strong discrimination for predicting mortality, with key variables including oxygenation indices, serum albumin levels, and disease severity scores.

Video training helps young adults with disabilities navigate romance

Researchers developed a video modeling program to enhance romantic relationship skills in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study found that participants significantly improved their decision-making skills across four relationship domains, averaging 76% accuracy after the intervention. The findings high...

Clinician perspectives on the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decision-making process

Decisions on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe respiratory failure rely heavily on clinical judgments rather than objective guidelines. Variability in decision-making may lead to inconsistent allocation of this life-supporting treatment. The study aims to improve ECMO accessibility and equity.

Can merging hotels improve efficiency? Data-driven model uncovers major gains

A data-driven analytical framework reveals how hotel mergers can optimize resource use and improve efficiency, even among highly efficient properties. The study identifies "productive post-mergers," which can achieve substantial reductions in resource use, up to 90% in some cases.

Goal-setting apps can backfire if goals are too easy – or too hard

A recent study from the University of Technology Sydney found that users who set moderately challenging weekly targets were more likely to remain active and engaged with their apps. This suggests that smarter goal-setting, rather than more goal-setting, may be key to sustained digital engagement.

Sparkling water helps keep minds sharp during long esports sessions

A randomized study of 14 young adults found that sparkling water consumption reduced subjective fatigue and improved executive function while playing virtual soccer for three hours. Players who drank sparkling water also committed fewer fouls and had better game enjoyment compared to those drinking plain water.

A decision-support system to personalize antidepressant treatment in major depressive disorder

A decision-support system improved depressive and anxiety symptoms, increased medication adherence, and reduced symptoms over time for patients with major depressive disorder. The system used clinical and demographic predictors to tailor treatment, resulting in better outcomes for patients compared to usual care.

Heterogeneity of treatment effects of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss in adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis found GLP-1 RAs produce significant weight loss across various subpopulations, including women who show improved outcomes compared to men. These findings have implications for clinical decision-making.

Psychology: Habit-like repetition influences decisions more than previously thought

Researchers found that past actions have a greater impact on current decisions than assumed, with people often repeating choices due to mental shortcuts. This study enhances understanding of everyday habits and decision-making processes, offering new starting points for describing human behavior more realistically.

The brain’s primitive ‘fear center’ is actually a sophisticated mediator

A Dartmouth study challenges the conventional view of the amygdala as a primitive 'fear center' by revealing its role in mediating between competing learning strategies. The research suggests that the amygdala favors action-based learning, promoting exploration and flexibility to overcome fear.

Enjoyment, not time, drives how people judge goal progress

A study by Cornell University found that people prioritize enjoyment over time when evaluating their progress toward goals in fitness, education, and careers. In one study, participants who enjoyed a workout reported making more progress despite taking less time than those who didn't enjoy the activity.

Peak mental sharpness could be like getting in an extra 40 minutes of work per day, study finds

A new study by University of Toronto researchers found that day-to-day fluctuations in mental sharpness predict success or struggle. Mental sharpness is linked to productivity, goal-setting, and mood, with sharper days leading to more challenging goals and lower-sharpness days stalling on routine tasks.

New research reveals how dread shapes decision-making

A new study from the Universities of Bath and Waterloo finds that people are more emotionally affected by anticipating negative future outcomes than positive ones, shaping economic behaviour. Individuals with stronger negative anticipatory emotions are more likely to avoid risk and less willing to wait for delayed outcomes.

Policies to screen doctors’ fitness seen lacking in fairness

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that many hospital screening policies for late-career physicians lack basic fairness protections. The authors recommend creating policies that balance patient safety with fair treatment of physicians, including clear standards and appeal processes.

Two types of underconfidence linked to anxiety and gender

A new study by University College London researchers found that women and people with anxiety are prone to two distinct types of underconfidence. Women initially show underconfidence but confidence grows as time elapses, while those with anxiety become less confident with more reflection.

The Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of mifepristone

The FDA's regulation of mifepristone involves characterizing its decision-making process and rationale for key components. The agency's approach has evolved over time, with notable changes to its regulatory framework.

Sustainability-focused companies benefit more from audit transparency

Research shows that companies with strong environmental, social, and governance track records perform better after adopting rigorous auditing standards. Investors view ESG practices as a signal of corporate quality, amplifying the benefits of transparent auditing.

Personal risk tolerance has sweeping implications for how societies evolve

A recent study proposes a model that links individual risk tolerance to environmental factors, influencing learning strategies and community resilience. The model predicts that wealthy individuals are more likely to take risks, while vulnerable communities rely on traditions to manage risk, leading to persistent cautious attitudes.

Know when to fold ‘em: Study reveals benefits of dropping unrealistic goals

A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that letting go of unattainable goals can restore wellbeing and life satisfaction. Researchers from Curtin University discovered that shifting to new goals can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while quitting impossible goals is not a sign of weakness.

The risky choices of modern life

Researchers surveyed over 4,380 participants to gather data on everyday risky choices, including job-quitting and health-related decisions. The study found that occupational risky choices are consistently the most cited, followed by health-related and financial choices.

High-engagement social media posts related to prescription drug promotion for 3 major drug classes

Researchers found high-engagement social media posts lack essential risk information and promotional elements, potentially eroding patient decision-making. The study highlights the need for fair balance in online advertising to maintain informed consent.

New study could help your doctor make smarter treatment decisions

Researchers identified a 'sweet spot' in clinical decision-making, where presenting two or more appropriate treatment options increases the odds of physicians selecting a high-quality alternative. The study challenges the widely cited status-quo bias theory and suggests that more options can lead to better care decisions.

Study sheds new light on how hormones influence decision-making and learning

A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has made significant breakthroughs in understanding how hormones like estrogen impact brain function, particularly in learning and decision-making. The research found that estrogen boosts dopamine activity, leading to enhanced learning capabilities and a potential connection to neuropsych...

Sex differences in gambling rats

A study found that rats' impulsive behavior and risky decision-making are shaped differently in males and females based on the timing of neural stimulation. The results highlight the importance of considering biological sex when developing treatments for disorders related to impulsivity and addiction.

Drinking for two? Prenatal alcohol exposure rewires the brain and fuels compulsive behavior, new study finds

A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.

Disrupted sleep in teens identified as suicide risk factor

Researchers identified a link between early adolescence sleep disruption and later suicide attempts. Adolescents who experienced difficulties maintaining and obtaining sufficient sleep were more likely to report a suicide attempt several years later.

Glucose-lowering medication classes and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes

This study found that GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is offer the greatest cardiovascular benefits for adults with type 2 diabetes. The magnitude of benefit depends on baseline age, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and kidney impairment.

Reevaluating nonoperative management for pediatric uncomplicated acute appendicitis

A meta-analysis found significantly higher treatment failure and major complication rates within a year with nonoperative management among children and adolescents. Pediatricians can now inform shared decision-making with families using up-to-date data.

New study reveals critical gap: 45% of experienced professionals lack structured decision-making habits despite high confidence in their own skills

A groundbreaking study by the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists found a significant gap between professionals' confidence and actual preparedness in workplace decision-making. The research identified 24 specific challenges, including training gaps, experience myths, and seeking help in the wrong places.

FAU engineers develop smarter AI to redefine control in complex systems

Researchers at FAU have developed a smarter AI framework that can manage complex systems with unequal levels of authority and adapt to imperfect information. The framework, based on reinforcement learning and game theory, reduces unnecessary computation while maintaining system stability and optimal strategy outcomes.

How gratitude can offset the effects of financial stress

A new study published in Open Psychology suggests that experiencing higher levels of gratitude can lead to lower financial stress. The research, led by Dr. Rona Hart, explored the complex relationships between psychological and socioeconomic factors in forming individuals' financial behaviors and well-being.

Risk theory: From perception to cognition

A new study proposes a unified framework for understanding risk as a result of human cognition, connecting perception and analysis. The model highlights the disparity between target value expectations and realistic ones, emphasizing the role of self-aware stakeholders in transforming perception into rational response decisions.

Explore or exploit: Research that decodes animal decision-making earns NIH grant

Researchers are decoding animal decision-making using glass knifefish, exploring the trade-off between gathering information and acting on it. The study, funded by the NIH, aims to understand how animals make decisions in uncertain environments and may lead to breakthroughs in robotics and medicine.

GLP-1 RAs and cardiovascular and kidney outcomes by body mass index in type 2 diabetes

A cohort study found GLP-1 RAs offer body mass index-dependent cardiovascular benefits and consistent kidney protection for type 2 diabetes patients. The study suggests BMI stratification is crucial for guiding treatment decisions.

An outstanding discovery shed light on African prehistory

A UNIGE team has discovered a 9,000-year-old quartz knapping workshop in Senegal, providing new insights into the stone-knapping techniques used by West Africa's last hunter-gatherers. The findings suggest technical similarities among these communities and potential shared traditions.

Complete brain activity map revealed for the first time

Researchers created a comprehensive brain-wide activity map of decision-making in mice, revealing that signals are distributed across multiple brain regions. The study challenges traditional hierarchical views and highlights the importance of prior expectations in guiding behavior.

Healing takes a ‘toll’ and how mental health providers cope matters

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that avoidant coping plays a key role in lowering the quality of life for mental health providers. Long-term training in adaptive coping strategies and fostering an internal sense of control can improve provider well-being and client outcomes.

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.

How reward modulates attention in humans

A study found that reward expectation modulates attention in humans, with distinct effects on sensory processing and decision-making. Sensitivity to visual stimuli was linked to sensory attention centers, while decision-making biases were linked to brain regions involved in impulsive decisions.

Genetic risk for depression impacts neural responses to rewards and setbacks

Young adults with higher genetic risk for depression show reduced brain activity in response to rewards and punishments, while sex-dependent neural responses were also observed. This study highlights potential early indicators for depression before symptoms fully manifest.

As Medicare turns 60, research suggests more need for annual enrollment help

Two studies from University of Michigan researchers suggest many older adults and people with disabilities need more impartial help picking the best Medicare plan. Only about 13% of enrollees switch plans annually, and even fewer use the internet to research options.

Long-term locoregional outcomes in a contemporary cohort of young women with breast cancer

A contemporary cohort study found a low risk of isolated locoregional recurrence (5.6%) at 10.1 years follow-up for young women diagnosed with breast cancer under 40. Surgical decision-making should not be influenced by concerns about long-term risk.

How do we reach decisions? Researchers pioneer AI method to uncover cognitive strategies

Researchers pioneer a new AI method to uncover cognitive strategies in decision-making, revealing suboptimal behavioral patterns. The study uses small neural networks to predict animal choices with accuracy comparable to larger neural networks.

UTEP researchers reveal alcohol impacts decision-making in males more than females

A UTEP study reveals that acute alcohol consumption profoundly affects male rats' decision-making, leading them to choose higher concentrations of alcohol. In contrast, female rats hold true to their original decisions made soberly. The findings suggest a gender-specific vulnerability to alcohol's effects.

New IQ research shows why smarter people make better decisions

A new study from the University of Bath found that individuals with a higher IQ make more realistic predictions, leading to improved life outcomes. Smarter people are significantly better at forecasting, making fewer errors and showing more consistent judgement compared to those with a lower IQ.

Credit scores of corporate executives may reveal their decisions

Researchers at Ohio State University found that executives with subprime credit scores tend to follow the advice of advisers, even when it's inaccurate, while those with prime credit scores critically evaluate data and make objective decisions.

To encourage scientific thinking, it is better to instruct than to reward

Researchers found that instructing individuals on how to think scientifically reduces the causal illusion, a common error in detecting cause-and-effect relationships. Providing adequate information and advice can help overcome this error, suggesting that rewarding people for correct answers may not be the most effective approach

Patients are opting in for 10 years of breast cancer treatment

A new study of 591 women with early-stage breast cancer found that nearly two-thirds opted for continued endocrine therapy beyond the initial five years. Patients with higher-risk stage 2 disease were more likely to continue treatment, highlighting potential benefits in extending hormone-based therapy for these patients.

Many possible futures: How dopamine in the brain might inform AI that adapts quickly to change

Researchers found that brain's dopamine neurons encode a map of possible future rewards across time and magnitude, guiding adaptive behavior in uncertain environments. This biological insight aligns with recent advances in AI, particularly distributional RL algorithms, which learn from reward distributions rather than averages.

Researchers decode neural pathways of cognitive flexibility across species

A comprehensive analysis reveals how brains generalize learning from previous experiences to new scenarios, mapping neural pathways from hippocampus to cortex. The study's findings highlight the critical role of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in cognitive generalization.

With evolutionary AI, scientists find hidden keys for better land use

The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.

Long working hours may alter brain structure, preliminary findings suggest

Preliminary research suggests that long working hours can induce neuroadaptive changes in the brain, particularly in areas associated with emotional regulation and executive function. The study found increased brain volumes in regions such as the middle frontal gyrus, which is involved in attention and problem-solving.

Exploring how people face moral dilemmas

Researchers at Korea University found a link between internal bodily awareness and making decisions aligned with group consensus. This connection was mediated by brain activity states associated with self-referential processing and internal attention.

University of Utah Researchers Develop Explainable AI Toolkit to Predict Disease Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed RiskPath, an Explainable AI toolkit that predicts disease progression years before symptoms manifest. The technology analyzes health data to identify high-risk individuals with unprecedented accuracy, offering new insights into risk factor interactions and disease development.

Large, highly likely rewards can increase motivation in individuals who have recovered from depression

Previous depression survivors exhibit reduced motivation for everyday tasks but become equally motivated with large and certain rewards. This research sheds light on subtle motivational deficits persisting in recovered depression, guiding targeted treatment for sustained recovery.

Study finds engagement journalism training reduced 'horse race' political coverage, boosted more substantive content

A study found that journalism engagement training reduced the prevalence of 'horse race' stories and boosted more substantive, community-oriented content. The training program, Democracy SOS, worked with journalists and news outlets across the country to promote solutions-focused coverage and increase transparency.

All-cause mortality and life expectancy by birth cohort across US states

The study reveals wide disparities in mortality across US states, with some experiencing no improvements in life expectancy from 1900 to 2000 birth cohorts. This disparity can inform decision-making around resource allocation and public health interventions.