Research on how people make decisions. Covers workplace food choices, medication risk trade-offs, and treatment selection in mental health.
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 investigated uncertainty in greenhouse gas emissions estimates, highlighting seven key issues that dominate current understanding. They emphasized the need for a holistic systems view and communicating uncertainties to policymakers and the public.
Researchers found that wearing a bike helmet decreases the 'Frontal Midline Theta Power' in brain activity, indicating reduced cognitive control during risk decision-making. This suggests that wearing a helmet can influence behavior through subtle suggestions on a subconscious level.
A recent meta-analysis of research on implicit bias found that changing people's biases may not necessarily lead to changes in related behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reviewed 492 studies and found no evidence of a causal relationship between biased thinking and behavior.
A new study published in the Journal of Marketing found that price-based recovery incentives after service failures are negatively associated with the likelihood of subscribers renewing their contracts at the end of the contract period. The researchers propose several ways subscription-based service providers can reduce the negative ef...
A global study found that EVT decisions differ significantly between regions and specialties under current local resources, but not under ideal conditions. The most important factors for EVT decisions include NIH Stroke Scale score, level of evidence, patient's age, and clinicians' experience in EVT use.
Researchers investigate how asynchronous events influence decision-making, finding that small changes in timing can make a big difference in outcomes. The study models Bertrand competition and predicts under what circumstances random time fluctuations could lead to collusion.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used mice to study decision-based memories, finding that they are stored in the prefrontal cortex. The study revealed that neurons in this region fire at a higher rate when making decisions, and that this rate slows down over time. This knowledge can help develop models of decision-making and poten...
Researchers found that liberal-leaning companies are more likely to engage with activists, while conservative-leaning companies are less likely. The study also found that company values matter more when they align with the local community's values.
A team of UCI researchers developed a deep reinforcement learning algorithm called DeepCubeA, which can solve the Rubik's Cube in under 20 moves, outperforming human solvers. The algorithm works on other combinatorial games and demonstrates symbolic, mathematical, and abstract thinking capabilities.
Researchers found that only reciprocity boosts a candidate's chances of being the victor, while direct ties and cliquishness decrease their chances, according to new research published in the Academy of Management Journal.
A multidisciplinary health care team approach increased the likelihood of survival for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock after a heart attack, with a 75% chance of survival at 30 days compared to 50%. The study found that team decision-making and collective wisdom improved patient outcomes.
The study found that the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) of the posterior parietal cortex is directly involved in guiding decisions about visual patterns. The researchers used a computer game to test the monkeys' ability to make decisions based on visual stimuli.
For high-risk patients, treatment continuation outweighs rare side effects; rapid bone loss occurs after denosumab discontinuation. Long-term studies showed no increased fracture risk with continued treatment.
New research finds that viewing pornography at work is linked to increased shirking of work and lying. The study suggests that this negative behavior is caused by a propensity to dehumanize others, leading to potential issues with sexual harassment and hostile work environments.
Researchers found three distinct brain circuits involved in making good and bad decisions, with the third circuit storing memories of past choices. The study may help explain addiction and inform novel treatments for substance abuse.
Researchers developed a method that enables neural networks to identify similar objects in videos without accuracy degradation. The new algorithm reduces the time for recognition by 1.5 to 10 times, making it suitable for mobile devices and other gadgets.
A Rutgers study found that terminally ill patients who request doctors make decisions often receive more aggressive final treatments, even if it lessens their quality of life. The research suggests that physicians' attitudes and patients' beliefs play a significant role in end-of-life care decisions.
A study in CMAJ provides new insights into the decision-making processes of critical care physicians and families in withdrawing life-sustaining treatments from critically ill patients with severe brain injury. Key findings include the influence of patient circumstances, family wishes, severity and location of the injury, past physicia...
A study by Regenstrief Institute researchers found that only 30% of patients reported having some form of advance directive, but only 16% had one on file in their electronic medical record. This lack of documentation can lead to complex situations for care providers and loved ones.
Researchers have developed a new method to predict the risk of cardiogenic shock in patients after a heart attack. The tool uses proteomics and biomarkers to identify patients at higher risk, enabling more precise treatment options.
A two-year study of day traders found that balanced professional networks lead to better performance and improved high-risk decisions. The researchers discovered that workers naturally gravitate towards a state of balance in their relationships, which ultimately frees up mental energy for making better trades.
A new mathematical model predicts people's card-picking choices in the Iowa Gambling Task with greater accuracy than previous models. The model reveals that sequential exploration behaviors decline with age, suggesting a shift in balance between drive to explore and exploit.
A study from the University at Buffalo found that people experience a 'paralyzing paradox' when faced with too many options, leading to fear of making the wrong choice. To manage this, considering the relative importance of the choice and having clear guidelines can help scale down decision-making process.
A University of Bath researcher has created an algorithm that consistently outperforms conventional methods and other developed tools in financial trading, resulting in a 3% higher return than the benchmark U.S. Federal Reserve Funds rate. The tool's potential impact on employment at the highest banking levels is also significant.
Research found that community engagement is crucial for success in certain environmental projects, such as increasing fish populations or decreasing forest clearance. Understanding what drives community engagement can be more important than ecological aspects in these cases.
The Hastings Center is conducting groundbreaking research on dementia and end-of-life choices, examining the ethical implications of living with dementia. The study aims to identify areas where further research or policymaking is needed to improve the experiences of those affected by dementia.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and others have discovered that undifferentiated cells face multiple competing choices before committing to their ultimate destiny. By analyzing single-cell sequencing data, they found that genetic programs regulate various cellular functions and influence cell specialization.
Research by Sara Davis and Abby Dubisar found a stark contrast in information provided for women and men seeking elective sterilization, reinforcing gender roles and stereotypes. The study recommends improved communication strategies for doctors to better counsel patients on the procedure's benefits and risks.
A new framework devised by researchers at ESMT Berlin helps retailers position their products to consumers more effectively. The model shows that consumers often make poor choices when faced with too much product information, leading to superior products being overlooked.
The FDA faces significant politicization, threatening its ability to make scientifically-informed decisions on public health. Experts argue that increased independence is needed to protect the nation's health, citing precedents from other agencies such as the FCC and SSA.
Seven former FDA commissioners and a new paper suggest the FDA should become an independent agency to protect science-based drug safety decisions from political interference. The authors propose safeguards, including six-year terms for commissioners and budgetary independence, to ensure the agency's mission is upheld.
A Boston College researcher found that when paired with a selfish partner, it is better to behave altruistically rather than selfishly. When paired with an altruistic partner, it is better to behave selfishly to achieve a desired outcome.
Researchers identified the retrosplenial cortex as the brain region responsible for value-based decision-making, which is crucial for neurological conditions such as schizophrenia and dementia. The study used data from tens of thousands of neurons to show that the RSC maintains subjective value information until the next experience.
Bioethicists investigate body donation after medically-assisted death, highlighting ethical challenges for institutions and potential benefits for education and research.
The study provides new insights into the functional role of the PPC in decision-making, showing that it plays an essential role in making judgments about unknown sensory stimuli. The researchers used a novel behavioral technique and precise manipulation of neuronal activity to demonstrate the causal role of the PPC during decision-making.
Researchers developed an online multi-player game called SIGNAL to explore deterrence and decision-making in escalating conflicts. The game allows for large-N data analysis, collecting insights from thousands of games, which can inform policies, strategies, and tactics.
Women are often prevented from seeking early treatment for pelvic organ prolapse due to confusion about symptoms and feelings of shame. The condition causes pain, incontinence, and psychological distress, but conservative treatments can be effective if detected early.
A morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise improves cognitive performance like decision-making across the day compared to prolonged sitting without exercise. Brief light-intensity walking breaks can also boost short-term memory by disrupting uninterrupted sitting.
Conservationists analyzed a controversial Australian goat removal program to develop a framework for evaluating intervention options. The study highlights the importance of considering community values, avoiding assumptions, and being logically sound in conservation decisions. It recommends key attributes such as clarity, transparency,...
A majority of US states restrict decision-making for incapacitated pregnant women, with 25 laws invalidating advance directives during pregnancy. Thirty-eight states have laws that identify pregnancy as a condition affecting decisions for incapacitated women, but these laws vary widely in content.
Two studies investigate perceptual decision making in rats and humans, showing that the brain compares incoming sensory evidence to express a decision as soon as it reaches a fixed boundary. The findings support the 'bounded integration' model, which explains how the nervous system accumulates information over time.
A short video describing lung cancer screening benefits and risks, combined with an informational brochure, increased patients' knowledge and reduced conflicted feelings about the scan. Participants who watched the video as well as read the booklet were more certain of their decision to undergo the scan.
A recent study published in Nature Communications challenges prior research on moral decision-making by showing that people's moral behavior can shift depending on the context. The researchers identified four moral strategies: inequity aversion, guilt aversion, greed, and moral opportunism, which involves switching between these strate...
A 30-person study found that the brain implements mathematically optimal principles for perception in a 'middle ground' between opposing literature. The results suggest that human perception is based on imprecise sensory inputs, but still follows optimal strategies.
Researchers developed a web-based game, Maladaptation Game, to improve understanding of climate change methods and adaptation strategies among Nordic farmers. The game presents players with four agricultural challenges and requires strategic decisions, providing a summary of potential negative outcomes.
Research by UBC's Men's Health Research Program reveals that many men struggle with understanding prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment options. The study highlights the importance of health literacy in making informed decisions and managing personal health.
A team of researchers is developing AI-powered mobile robots to direct a documentary-style coverage of a 5K race. The robots will predict likely events, adjust plans in real-time, and gather information as they go, capturing the most pertinent moments for an engaging narrative.
A new study found substantial variation in vaccine coverage within countries, with some areas having less than 25% coverage. The study provides insights for nations' health ministers to identify where to improve vaccine delivery systems and tailor strategies to reach unvaccinated children.
Researchers developed an AI agent that can generate natural language explanations in real-time, making it more relatable and trustworthy for non-experts. Participants preferred human-generated rationales over AI-generated ones, but AI-generated responses were close seconds.
A new study from Oregon State University found that using visualization with a third-person perspective can backfire on consumers pursuing health goals. When health goals are peripheral to a person's self-concept, adopting a third-person perspective can discourage goal-consistent intentions and behavior.
A commentary published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine warns that removing explicit ethics and values from NICE's revised Social Value Judgements document undermines the organization's innovative approach. Experts argue that this revision leaves patients and clinicians struggling to understand NICE's decisions.
Artificial intelligence can amplify human capabilities, reducing systemic glitches and errors in medical decision-making. Machine learning models can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns predictive of outcomes and help diagnose diseases.
Federal prosecutors declined to pursue cases in about one quarter of all instances, with violent and drug cases being more likely to be dropped. The study found differences in decisions based on defendant characteristics, such as gender and race, as well as offense types.
Experts have developed a model to identify suitable locations for the reintroduction of Eurasian lynx in Scotland, suggesting that the Kintyre Peninsula is the most suitable site. The study found that Scotland possesses sufficient habitat for population establishment and spread, with the Central Belt acting as a barrier to colonization.
A study on chronically indebted individuals in Singapore found that debt relief reduces anxiety and improves financial decisions. Paying off total debt was more effective than reducing partial debts.
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä identified four moral identity statuses in Finnish leaders: achieved, foreclosed, diffused, and moratorium. An achieved identity is characterized by a clear, self-chosen value framework, while foreclosed identities are based on adopted values without critical evaluation. The study highlights t...
A UK consortium of cyber security experts is supporting global businesses to address cyber threats and protect against cybercrime. The project aims to develop interventions to provide guidance and support, with a focus on board decision-making and risk assessment.
Researchers found that people who can accurately detect others' emotions are also better at discerning the effectiveness of group interaction. The study suggests that managers should take people's social sensitivity into account when making decisions about team leaders.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding for two projects that aim to disseminate and implement research findings on obesity and diabetes prevention through shared decision making. The projects, totaling $3.8 million, will focus on patients with severe obesity and higher blood sugars who are diagnos...