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Army researchers provide insights on offering feedback

The study aims to improve commander-Soldier interaction, especially in resource-constrained situations. Main findings indicate the use of trust improves the commander's utility, and a cognitive-inspired framework shows adaptivity and ability to accommodate different follower needs.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateSep 5, 2018

Managing multiple health conditions

A study of older adults with multiple chronic health conditions and their caregivers revealed key findings about supportive and conflicted caregiver-care recipient relationships. Supportive behaviors included agreement on caregiving levels, mutual understanding, and collaborative decision-making. Conflicts arose from disagreements over...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 31, 2018

Improving physicians' judgment with video games

Researchers designed video games to enhance heuristic judgment in emergency medicine physicians. The intervention improved accuracy in trauma triage decisions, with participants who used the games showing a 17-18 point lower under-triage rate compared to those receiving no intervention.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Watching the clock: faster countdowns may make people more patient

Faster countdowns have been found to increase patience in video game players, even after the game is over. The study suggests that a quicker countdown creates a sense of time passing more quickly, reducing impatience and encouraging more deliberate decision-making.

SourcePenn State·JournalTiming & Time Perception·DateAug 23, 2018

On-again, off-again relationships might be toxic for mental health

A recent study found that on-again, off-again relationships are associated with higher rates of abuse, poorer communication, and lower levels of commitment. Researchers suggest that partners who regularly break up and get back together should re-examine their relationship dynamics to prioritize their well-being.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFamily Relations·DateAug 23, 2018

Parrots' economics

Researchers found that parrots make deliberate, profit-maximizing decisions, prioritizing higher-value food over immediate rewards. However, individual motivation plays a role, with some birds valuing the token itself over economic gain.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 22, 2018

People pick gifts that will 'wow' rather than satisfy recipients

Researchers found that gift givers tend to choose gifts based on anticipated emotional responses, rather than long-term satisfaction. In studies involving real and imaginary gift-giving decisions, participants preferred personalized gifts that would elicit stronger emotional reactions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 22, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

How people use, and lose, preexisting biases to make decisions

A study from Columbia University neuroscientists found that the human brain employs precise logic to decision-making, allowing prior knowledge to be updated based on new evidence. Participants learned to recognize and incorporate bias in a statistically optimal manner without confirmation bias.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalNeuron·DateAug 16, 2018

Doctor-patient discussions neglect potential harms of lung cancer screening, study finds

A study by researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that doctor-patient discussions about lung cancer screening are often brief and one-sided, failing to address potential harms. The conversation quality was rated as poor, with only a few minutes spent discussing the issue on average.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 13, 2018

Penalty kick research hits the spot

A new study from the University of Portsmouth suggests that implicit practice methods can help football players improve their penalty kick accuracy. The research found that using these methods, which encourage independent decision-making, results in higher kicking accuracy compared to explicit training methods.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalHuman Movement Science·DateAug 9, 2018

Neuroscientists get at the roots of pessimism

Researchers at MIT found that stimulating the caudate nucleus, a brain region linked to emotional decision-making, induces animals to make more negative decisions. The study suggests that this type of pessimistic thinking could influence approach-avoidance decision-making and may be related to depression and anxiety.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateAug 9, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Mom still matters, UCLA psychologists report

A new UCLA psychology study found that young adults are more likely to choose their parents over their closest friends when faced with a decision. The study involved 174 participants aged 18-30 and showed that the bias toward parents occurred regardless of age or gender.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 8, 2018

Moral decision making is rife with internal conflict, say developmental psychologists

A new study reveals that people are capable of articulating multiple considerations when making moral decisions, including harm, welfare, individual rights, fairness, and justice. Despite the complexity of scenarios like the trolley dilemma, participants were able to provide reasons for their judgments, indicating that moral reasoning ...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalMonographs of the Society for Research in Child Development·DateAug 2, 2018

Accepting responsibility for others separate leaders from followers

A new study finds that taking responsibility for others is a key trait of leaders, separating them from followers. Most people exhibit 'responsibility aversion', making decisions that impact others' welfare despite personal preferences.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2018

A RACIPE for success

Jackson Laboratory Assistant Professor Mingyang Lu has developed a computational approach called RACIPE to capture genetic events in cellular decision-making. The algorithm could have broad impact on basic research and designing new therapeutic interventions in genomic medicine.

SourceJackson Laboratory·DateAug 1, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Doctors rely on more than just data for medical decision making

A new study from MIT found that doctors' written notes reveal their 'gut feelings' play a significant role in determining how many tests they order for patients, beyond just analyzing symptoms and medical data. The researchers used sentiment analysis to uncover this correlation, which was strongest at the beginning of a patient's hospi...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 20, 2018

What psychological science can offer to reducing climate change

Researchers propose tailoring information to local circumstances, emphasizing the importance of children's vulnerability in raising awareness. They also suggest using competitive mindset among leaders to develop global policies, such as a sustainable city award.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateJul 17, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Under pressure: The surgeon's conundrum in decision making

A small study of 20 surgeons found that most err on the side of operating despite perceived futility of treatment due to internal pride and pressure from patients' families. The researchers highlight the need for objective tools to assess risk and inform confident decision-making.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 9, 2018

People undergoing voluntary and involuntary ECT treatment have similar outcomes

A new study published in Brain Stimulation reveals that people undergoing voluntary and involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have similar outcomes, providing reassurance for those who received involuntary treatment. The study found that both groups showed significant improvement, but individuals receiving involuntary ECT were mo...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateJun 28, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

'Breakthrough' algorithm exponentially faster than any previous one

Computer scientists at Harvard SEAS developed a new algorithm that exponentially speeds up computation by reducing parallel steps required to reach a solution. The algorithm samples directions in parallel and discards low-value directions, enabling real-world summarization processes to be developed at unprecedented scale.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·DateJun 28, 2018

Improving life-saving blood delivery to disaster-hit areas

A Portsmouth researcher is developing a mathematical model to speed up the delivery of life-saving blood to victims of disasters, reducing blood wastage and loss of life. The model will inform venue and location for temporary blood donation centres, transportation routes, and quantities delivered.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·DateJun 28, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Computational model analysis reveals serotonin speeds learning

Researchers developed a computational model that found serotonin boosts learning rates in mice, particularly in slow decision-making systems. The study suggests a possible link between serotonin and cognitive behavioral therapy, which is often effective when combined with SSRIs.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2018

Focusing on next 10 years could lead to better use of recommendations for cancer screening

A recent study found that asking individuals to set up a long-term screening schedule can increase adherence to evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening. In the study, 62.6% of participants made decisions reflecting USPSTF's recommendations when asked to choose a screening schedule for the next 10 years.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJun 20, 2018

Say cheese! Why a toothy smile makes it easier for you to be identified

A study by researchers at the University of York found that smiling images are more easily matched to other images of the same person and distinguished from similar-looking identities. The team's research suggests replacing neutral expressions with open mouth smiles can improve face matching accuracy.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateJun 19, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

BIDMC researchers develop decision-making tool to benefit patients with HCV

A new decision-making tool called the BE3A score assesses 5 factors to predict improvement in liver function for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The scoring system will aid physicians in shared decision-making about HCV treatment, particularly for those awaiting liver transplantation.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJun 18, 2018

Spontaneous fluctuations of brain activity influence what you see

Researchers found that heightened neural activity biases a person's subjective perception, leading to 'liberal detection bias' and potential 'hallucinations'. The study suggests that spontaneous fluctuations in brain activity shape conscious perception, with implications for our understanding of decision-making and perception.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 14, 2018

Speed-accuracy tradeoff turns up gain in the brain

A recent study published in eNeuro resolves a long-standing issue in decision-making by showing how the brain optimizes speed and accuracy. Researchers found that the brain adjusts signal-to-noise ratio to balance speed and accuracy, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying this crucial aspect of human behavior.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 4, 2018

New in the Hastings Center Report, May-June 2018

The article discusses the ethical implications of genetic testing and the duty to warn family members of hereditary disease risks. Experts argue that patients have a moral obligation to share their genetic information with relatives, citing the principle of rescue as a framework for decision-making.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJun 1, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

This is your brain detecting patterns

The brain processes pattern learning in a distinct way compared to probabilistic learning, with different parts of the brain being activated. Participants showed increased activity in the hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex when figuring out patterns, indicating a sense of reward and improved learning speed.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNeuron·DateMay 31, 2018

Caseload volume in gynecologic surgery important consideration for women

A recent study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology found that high volume gynecologic surgeons have significantly lower complication rates compared to low volume surgeons. This is especially concerning for women undergoing complex surgeries such as hysterectomies and gynecologic cancer treatments.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalJournal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology·DateMay 29, 2018
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Using Tinder doesn't result in more casual sex

A new study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that users of picture-based mobile dating apps like Tinder do not have more casual sex partners than non-users with the same preference. Instead, these apps have become a new way to meet up, with men and women using them differently.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateMay 18, 2018

Effective methods for automated design of complex technical objects and systems

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have proposed a two-fold approach to overcome the computational complexity of multicriteria problems. By re-using search information and using effective global search algorithms, they aim to find multiple compromise options that cannot be improved simultaneously with respect to all partial criteria.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Global Optimization·DateMay 18, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Job strain linked to onset of common mental illness

New research finds high job strain associated with increased risk of developing depression and anxiety in middle-aged workers. Workplaces can adopt measures to reduce job strain, including increasing worker control, to prevent up to 14% of common mental illness cases.

SourceBlack Dog Institute·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateMay 14, 2018

Study reveals how the brain decides to make an effort

A new study published in PNAS found that the brain's ventromedial prefrontal cortex plays a key role in forming expectations underlying effort-based choices. The study used fMRI to model neural computations for effort and reward, revealing a clear role for three brain regions: the vmPFC, dACC, and aI.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Computerized test may help improve ADHD diagnoses

A new clinical trial published in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry shows that a computerised test of attention and activity (QbTest) can reduce the time needed to make a diagnostic decision on ADHD, increase the likelihood of excluding ADHD when it is not present, and improve clinicians' confidence in their decision-making. T...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMay 4, 2018

Should ethics or human intuition drive the moral judgments of driverless cars?

A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that people are willing to sacrifice themselves for others, consider victim age, and swerve onto sidewalks to minimize lives lost, contradicting ethically acceptable behavior and political guidelines. Researchers aim to initiate discussions on how self-driving vehicles sho...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateMay 3, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Understanding fear of guilt key in better treating OCD

A new study at University of Waterloo found that fear of guilt evokes feelings of doubt in decision-making, leading to indecisiveness and repetition in OCD patients. The study's results suggest that addressing this specific factor could improve treatment outcomes for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders·DateMay 2, 2018

As consumers, how do we decide what's 'best' when it's not clear?

A new study found that consumers tend to make choices in a 'boundedly rational' way, relying on predispositions while keeping an open mind to strong evidence. This is particularly true when product quality is ambiguous, such as with generic products versus brand-name alternatives.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateMay 1, 2018

Palliative care improves hospital care for seriously ill patients

A new study from Trinity College Dublin found that palliative care significantly improves patient experience by reducing hospital stays and costs. For patients with complex health needs, which often come with high costs, palliative care can expedite discharge and improve outcomes.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 1, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Lonely and non-empathetic people more likely to make unethical shopping decisions

Research from Binghamton University found that lonely individuals with low empathy levels are more likely to cheat and return items, while those with high empathy levels exhibit less immoral behavior. Increasing empathy in lonely people can lead to better moral decision making, but has no effect on non-lonely individuals.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateApr 30, 2018

How do people die in Switzerland today?

A study by the universities of Zurich and Geneva found significant differences in end-of-life decisions across Switzerland's three linguistic regions. In all regions, deaths were preceded by one or more end-of-life decisions, with a common legislative framework governing life-sustaining treatment and assisted suicide. The involvement o...

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBMC Medicine·DateApr 20, 2018

Study: Judges as susceptible to gender bias as laypeople -- and sometimes more so

A new study reveals that judges are just as likely as laypeople to discriminate in decisions involving child custody or workplace discrimination cases related to family caregiving duties. Judges' expertise in family law actually increased their tendency to engage in biased decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateApr 19, 2018

Looking into the past to find the solution for managing future demand

A new design proposes a top-level intelligent dispatch system that incorporates artificial systems and real-world input to find the best way to dispatch power quickly and efficiently. By leveraging historical operation actions and records, the dispatch system can convert human experience into intelligent technical models.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateApr 10, 2018

Experience of black doctoral students underscores need for diversity in STEM

A six-year study by Iowa State University researchers found black doctoral students in STEM fields face structural racism, leading to unfair treatment, isolation and strain. The study highlights the need for diversity in STEM fields to broaden participation and increase representation.

SourceIowa State University·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateApr 10, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.