Research on how people make decisions. Covers workplace food choices, medication risk trade-offs, and treatment selection in mental health.
A study at Flinders University in Australia found that a form of cognitive incentive retraining can help regular consumers of energy drinks reduce their consumption. The training aimed to tackle attentional and approach biases towards energy drinks, helping participants moderate their bias towards choosing healthier options.
Researchers identified specific regions of chromosome 21 causing memory and decision-making problems in mice with Down syndrome. The study found that different gene groups on mouse chromosomes 16, 10, and 17 contribute to cognitive issues.
Researchers found that performance rankings dramatically disrupt cooperation in groups, but sharing individuals' histories of pro-social contributions can largely offset this effect. By displaying prosocial reputations, managers can create systems of cooperation that withstand the negative impact of performance rankings.
A study published in Perspectives on Behavior Science found that AI models can accurately interpret behavioral data, outperforming a popular visual-aid tool. This could lead to better decision-making and tailored interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health issues or learning difficulties.
Researchers developed a quantum reinforcement learning framework to explain human decision-making behaviors, revealing a quantum-like neural mechanism. This breakthrough suggests that the human brain functions similarly to quantum systems, with potential implications for machine learning efficiency.
A new study examined how dispatched call information influences police officer decisions to use deadly force. Inaccurate information about a subject's presence of a weapon was associated with an increased likelihood of shootings of unarmed subjects.
A new study led by Christopher Robertson found no significant differences in charges, fines, and sentences across racial and socioeconomic groups. This contradicts decades' worth of previous research on prosecutorial bias. Instead, policymakers may focus on addressing disparities before arrest, such as economic development and education.
Researchers successfully tracked brain activity of zebrafish larvae to predict decisions, revealing a major role for the cerebellum in cognitive functions. The study used light field microscopy to track neuronal activity and identified specific patterns that predicted correct or incorrect turns.
Researchers created a molecular 3D-map of nerve cells targeted by opioids in striatum, dividing it into subregions with spatiomolecular code. This knowledge may contribute to an increased understanding of normal reward processes and the effects of addictive substances on decision-making.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and University College London discovered a key brain region that drives confirmation bias, where activity modulates decision-making and memory. The study found that people tend to favor information reinforcing their existing opinions over contradictory ones.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience found that when people disagree, their brains fail to encode the quality of the other person's opinion, making it harder to change their minds. This type of confirmation bias can lead to polarization and the maintenance of false beliefs.
Researchers are working on a new project to develop transparent and explainable deep-learning AI computing models that make decisions. The project will use adversarial training techniques to understand how neural networks learn and make predictions.
A new research from a cross-organisational consortium in the Amazon found that indigenous knowledge can be as accurate as scientific transect monitoring. The study used the cultural consensus approach to develop suites of species for which their abundance could reliably be estimated.
The researchers highlight the urgent need for investment in research infrastructure to provide reliable data on population health, nutrition, and agricultural practices. An international body is proposed to address pressing nutritional and agricultural issues and prepare policy decisions.
A new decision aid tool has been shown to reduce the time patients spend speaking with genetic counselors while increasing their knowledge of the benefits of genomic sequencing. The study found that patients who used the Genomics ADvISER needed to spend 24 minutes less speaking with a counselor than those who did not access the tool.
New studies examine prescribed fires' effectiveness and explore wildfires' characteristics as predictors of firefighting resource demand. Researchers aim to improve wildfire risk assessments and optimize fire management resource allocation.
Review Commons, launched by ASAPbio and EMBO Press, enables high-quality pre-journal peer review of manuscripts from the life sciences. This platform empowers authors to make informed decisions on paper submission and expedites submission to affiliate journals without restarting reviews.
A freshwater protist exhibits a hierarchy of avoidance behaviors, suggesting it can change its response to an environmental irritant. The study confirms that single cells can exhibit relatively complex decision-making processes, making evolutionary sense given their apex predator status in aquatic environments.
University of Texas and MIT researchers develop predictive digital twins for UAVs, using physics-based models to capture the details of their behavior. The system can make real-time predictions of a UAV's health, enabling autonomous decision-making and reducing the risk of crashes.
Researchers confirm what Herbert Spencer Jennings described over 100 years ago: single-celled organisms like S. roeseli can make decisions that allow them to 'change their mind.' The findings suggest a hierarchy of avoidance behaviors determined by previous experience, with protists exhibiting complex problem-solving behaviors in respo...
A new tool called Long-term Investor Value Appropriation (LIVA) has been introduced to measure long-term firm performance and shareholder value. LIVA uses stock price data to calculate a backward-looking net present value over a given period, providing a more accurate reflection of underlying economic performance.
Researchers found that district-level police crime centers associated with significant reductions in robberies and burglaries, as well as shootings and sexual assault. The approach enabled novel responses to crime incidents and improved rapid decision-making among police.
Researchers aim to understand the needs and experiences of LGBT older adults with Alzheimer's disease and their surrogate decision makers. They will explore emotional, spiritual, and religious aspects of surrogacy and its impact on medical decisions.
Researchers have mapped zebrafish brain regions involved in decision making, revealing how sensory information is integrated to trigger a behavior. The study uses whole-brain imaging and behavioral paradigms to demonstrate the accumulation of evidence over time.
Researchers have discovered that people make choices based on a model of the 'mind of the group' and an evolving simulation of its effects. In large groups, humans create an average model of a 'mind' representative of the group, even when identities are unknown.
A new modeling approach can help researchers, policymakers and the public better understand how policy decisions will influence human migration as sea levels rise. The approach suggests that global policy decisions about greenhouse gas emissions and coastal policies will determine whether people need to migrate and where they may go.
A recent court ruling in Ontario allows physicians to withhold CPR from patients they believe will not benefit from it, but emphasizes the importance of communicating concerns with families. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has updated its end-of-life policy to reflect this change.
A NASA study found that near-real-time satellite data can save an average of nine minutes per emergency response, potentially saving millions of dollars in disaster scenarios. The research used the 2011 Southeast Asian floods as a case study and developed a model to deploy in future disasters.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that consumers make more accurate purchasing decisions using desktop computers compared to smartphones. The researchers discovered that mobile-friendly websites reduce information output and require more searching, whereas PC-based sites provide a clearer shopping experience.
Researchers studied mouse brain activity while learning tasks, finding neural networks become more focused and selective over time. The team developed computational models to inform decision-making neuroscience, revealing the role of inhibitory neurons in cognition.
Researchers analyzed European football league matches to find that 'lucky' goals often led to increased playing time and ratings for players. The study highlights the importance of taking process and effort into account when evaluating performance to avoid bias and ensure fair rewards.
Researchers tested a two-step task to train people to rely on goal-oriented behaviors, but found no substantial change in behavior or brain activity. The study suggests that the task's methodological drawbacks make it unsuitable for training purposes.
Research from Ohio State University reveals differences in how men and women interact around thermostat settings, with women more likely to report conflicts. The study found that thermostat adjustments tend to occur after agreements and compromises, but conflicts are associated with fewer temperature changes.
A new report highlights the importance of incorporating Indigenous decision-making and worldviews into environmental management, driving innovative solutions to pressing issues. By recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and relational ontologies, institutions can enhance sustainable approaches to land and water management.
Researchers argue that using cooperative game theory to model human-drone interactions can lead to better steering angle control and safer lane-change maneuvers. By taking into account human drivers' real-life experience, automated steering technology can achieve better shared control.
Researchers found that strong relationships between regulators and firms improve monitoring quality initially, but eventually lead to negligence and collusion. The study suggests an optimal duration for relationships may exist, with mandatory auditor rotation programs potentially reducing failures in some cases.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that coordinated brain activation, including 'replay' events, helps rats learn how to navigate toward goals. Reverse replay is crucial for reflecting on past paths, while forward replay supports planning for future choices.
A new study suggests that bilingual individuals are less prone to emotional biases when making financial decisions, which could lead to better outcomes in negotiations and investments. The study found that thinking in a foreign language decreases sellers' attachment to their products, resulting in lower prices and improved interactions.
A study by Simon Fraser University researchers found that adopting risk assessment tools leads to fewer incarcerations while maintaining public safety. The tools provide a structured process for predicting violence likelihood, resulting in more accurate predictions than relying on intuition.
Researchers use new mapping method to identify most vulnerable tropical forest areas, combining 45 years of satellite images with current land use data. The analysis reveals the impact of human activity, such as agriculture and infrastructure development, on deforestation and forest degradation.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that involving patients in pain management decisions significantly decreased opioid prescriptions without compromising pain control. The majority of patients reported their pain control as adequate or good and said their pain level was better or much better than expected.
A new AI model uses citation data to predict which research articles will lead to future clinical applications, accelerating biomedical progress. The 'Approximate Potential to Translate' metric can help researchers and decision-makers focus on promising areas of science.
A new study recommends updating the 'Nearest Relative' criteria under the Mental Health Act to provide patients with greater choice about who represents them. The current system often leads to challenges in balancing patient rights and relative involvement, highlighting the need for advanced choice documents.
A national essential medicines list in Canada could reduce inequitable access to medication, improve health outcomes, and optimize spending on medicines. The study highlights the importance of an independent decision-making body, selection criteria based on clinical and cost-effectiveness, and clear communication with stakeholders.
A European study found significant variations in vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) rates among six European countries, with Finland, Netherlands, and Sweden having high VBAC rates. In contrast, Ireland, Italy, and Germany have low VBAC rates due to a heterogeneous pro-against-VBAC culture.
New research highlights how caregivers can better manage family conflict as they deal with the approaching death of a loved one. Autonomy is a central tension in caregiving at the end of life, and strategies like communication, formal support, and emotional self-care can be used to address conflicts.
A new study suggests that thinking of sadness as a person can help people regulate their emotions and make better purchasing decisions. Participants who wrote about sadness as a separate entity reported lower levels of sadness and made healthier choices, such as selecting a salad over cheesecake.
A new University of Otago study found that people have varying levels of knowledge about food energy and portion sizes. Inaccurate judgements about these factors can result in overeating and subsequent weight issues. To combat this, the researchers suggest providing more explicit and salient energy labels on food packages.
A study shows that intensive physical training can harm brain capacity, particularly cognitive control. Excessive physical activity is linked to reduced activity of the lateral prefrontal cortex, leading to impulsive decision-making and burnout syndrome.
A new study aims to assess the impact of guided POLST form completion on patient care preferences being respected. Trained nurses will provide advanced care planning assistance to patients enrolled in the randomized controlled trial.
A study by Dr Benjamin Vincent found that hunger significantly alters people's decision-making, making them more impatient and prone to settling for smaller rewards. This effect carries over into other kinds of decisions, such as financial and interpersonal ones, indicating a potential danger for those experiencing hunger due to poverty.
The new technology distributes decision-making throughout a stretchable material by sensing, computing, and responding without centralized processing. This approach holds promise for use in soft robotics and prosthetic devices, mimicking the decentralized brain of octopuses.
A study by the University of Cologne found that expert feedback significantly reduces the length of antibiotic therapies and improves treatment decisions among pediatricians. The experiment showed that providing feedback can be a useful means to address excessive antibiotic use.
A recent study by the University of British Columbia found that consumers are more likely to purchase upgraded products with an additional cost presented as an 'add-on' rather than a higher overall price. This effect applies across various product categories, from plane tickets to computer monitors.
Neuroscientists develop mathematical model to maximize reward by considering the difference between choices. When values are similar, decision-making becomes complex, highlighting the brain's reliance on maximizing possible gains.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that providing patients with more testing choices, such as home fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), does not increase participation in colorectal cancer screening. However, framing choice did impact patient decision-making, leading to a decrease in colonoscopy rates.
A new study found that nearly one-third of kidney transplant candidates die or are removed from the list without receiving a transplant, with many having had multiple organ offers declined. The research highlights concerns about the allocation system and suggests better communication between patients and transplant centers could improv...
A new study reveals that women of color perceive their interactions with healthcare providers as misleading, with information being 'packaged' to limit maternity care choices. The research highlights the impact of implicit bias and racism on birth outcomes, providing a potential mechanism for how these associations occur.
A new study by a UBC psychologist and researchers found that hiring committees who deny the existence of gender bias are less likely to promote women. The study, based on actual decisions made by 40 hiring committees in France, suggests that awareness and acknowledgement of barriers faced by women can help overcome implicit biases.
Researchers found that dopamine-related changes in the brain stem may influence human behavior and decision-making. Fluctuations in the dopaminergic midbrain have been linked to behavioral variability, suggesting a possible non-random basis for human choices.