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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

School lunch decisions made by the child and not the parent

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that children are often the primary decision maker for school lunches and packed lunches, prioritizing their own enjoyment and food preferences. The study's findings suggest that parents' anxieties and reassurances play a significant role in accommodating ch...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateApr 6, 2018

Satellites, supercomputers, and machine learning provide real-time crop type data

A new technique uses satellite data and machine learning to distinguish between corn and soybean fields in Illinois, providing accurate crop type data every two months. The researchers used Landsat satellites and a deep neural network to analyze the data, showing promise for future innovations in agricultural applications.

Patients with advanced cancer may be less competent to make decisions than doctors think

A study found that patients with advanced cancer were less capable of making treatment decisions than healthy adults, but doctors often overestimated their competence. The research suggests a shift in patient-doctor relationships, emphasizing the importance of respecting patient autonomy while ensuring decision-making capacity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateFeb 20, 2018

Study may improve strategies for reducing nutrient runoff into Mississippi River

A new study examines nutrient loss reduction strategies from three upper Midwestern states and finds promise in certain practices like cover crops and bioreactors. The researchers also assess the trackability and stackability of these practices, which will aid decision makers in choosing specific conservation practices to adopt or avoid.

Recreational marijuana legalization: Do more youth use or do youth use more?

A recent Oregon Research Institute study found that recreational marijuana legalization had no significant effect on the number of youth who used marijuana, but increased the frequency of use among those already using it. The study suggests that community sales policies may not reduce teenage marijuana use and highlights the need for p...

SourceOregon Research Institute·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateJan 8, 2018

Brain lesions and criminal behavior linked to moral decision-making network

Research finds brain lesions associated with increased risk of criminal behavior, specifically impacting the moral decision-making network. The study analyzed MRI and CT scans of individuals with brain lesions, revealing a strong correlation between lesions in the same brain network as those with criminal behavior.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2017

A good decision is not made in one go

Scientists at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found that averaging all estimates yields significant accuracy gains, especially when considering multiple people. Taking the average of estimates from different individuals is a more effective approach for good decision-making than relying on personal expertise.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateDec 11, 2017

IU, Regenstrief study finds surrogate decision makers experience psychological distress

A new IU, Regenstrief study explores predictors and frequency of surrogate decision-maker distress, finding that emotional support is crucial for effective decisions and better psychological outcomes. Surrogate anxiety and depression were found to be prevalent among family members making medical decisions for hospitalized older adults.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 4, 2017

How challenges change the way you think

Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2017

Do animals think rationally?

Researcher suggests a wide range of animal species exhibit executive control when making decisions, consciously considering their goals and ways to satisfy them. Studies have shown that elephants, chimpanzees, ravens, and lions engage in rational decision-making, remembering specific events, using tools, and solving problems.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPhilosophy and Phenomenological Research·DateNov 1, 2017

The problem with being pretty

Researchers found that attractive candidates are perceived as more entitled to good outcomes, leading decision makers to favor unattractive individuals for less desirable jobs. This challenges the common assumption that attractiveness is an advantage in job selection.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 24, 2017

NIST urges caution in use of courtroom evidence presentation method

Statisticians Steve Lund and Hari Iyer argue that Likelihood Ratio's Bayesian reasoning approach is flawed for courtroom use, risking conclusions driven by assumptions rather than data. NIST recommends using the method only in cases where probability-based models are warranted.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology·DateOct 12, 2017

Are you happy you voted -- or didn't?

A study published in Party Politics found that 97% of voters were glad they participated, while 60% of non-voters regretted not voting. People who feel morally duty-bound to vote and those interested in politics are more likely to be satisfied with their decision.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalParty Politics·DateSep 22, 2017