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Practice makes perfect, but not when it comes to decisions about risk

Researchers found that even with explicit knowledge of probabilities, people tend to make suboptimal choices when relying on experience-based estimates. Despite extensive practice, participants in the study made similar mistakes as those without any training, suggesting a distorted appreciation of probability remains.

Numeracy: The educational gift that keeps on giving?

A new study examines how numerate individuals process information differently, leading to more informed decisions. People who are numerate are less influenced by other information and see numbers as abstract symbols, allowing them to make better choices.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

'Explorers,' who embrace the uncertainty of choices, use specific part of cortex

A study published in the journal Neuron reveals that individuals with strategic decision-making skills, known as 'explorers,' use a specific region of the prefrontal cortex to calculate relative uncertainty. This brain area is not active in non-explorers, suggesting a specialized cognitive process for making uncertain decisions.

CIHR invests in Queen's-led study on end-of-life decision making

A multi-center study, DECIDE, aims to improve end-of-life decision making amongst hospital-based physicians and nurses. The study will assess processes for improving communication and explore staff views on fulfilling care goals with seriously ill patients and their families.

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.

Adolescents' brains respond differently than adults' when anticipating rewards

Researchers found increased brain cell activity in adolescent rats in an unusual area called the dorsal striatum, associated with habit formation and decision-making. This suggests that adolescents may be more susceptible to developing disorders like addiction and depression due to their unique brain response to reward.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

People don't just think with their guts; logic plays a role too

Research suggests that people's gut feelings are not entirely disregarded logic, but rather an intuitive sense of conflict. Wim De Neys' study found that brain activity indicates a 'sense of something fishy' when people make decisions, highlighting the importance of logical intuitions in decision-making.

Great apes make sophisticated decisions

Research reveals that great apes like chimpanzees and orangutans use complex decision-making strategies to weigh risks and rewards. The study found that the apes chose the smaller piece more often when uncertain, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of probability and risk assessment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Elderly can be as fast as young in some brain tasks, study shows

Research suggests that older adults can be trained to respond faster without compromising accuracy, indicating their cognitive skills are not as impaired as previously thought. In contrast, younger children exhibit slower response times and poorer accuracy compared to adults, improving with age. The study's findings challenge the preva...

Swarms of bees could unlock secrets to human brains

Researchers found that swarms of bees can inhibit rival nest sites through a 'stop signal' behavior, preventing indecision and promoting efficient nesting choices. This behavior is similar to how humans make decisions, with individual bees targeting their stop signals only at rivals within the colony.

Decision making in bee swarms mimic neurons in human brains

A new study reveals that bee swarms use inhibitory 'stop signals' to inhibit competing sites and choose the best option, similar to how neurons in human brains make decisions. This mechanism helps avoid costly dithering and ensures a single site is chosen.

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.

New study shows evacuation plans need to incorporate family perspectives

A Virginia Tech-led study found that family perspectives are crucial in evacuation planning, with immigrant mothers being particularly vulnerable. The research integrated social science and transportation engineering approaches to model household decision-making and interactions during evacuations.

Impatient people have lower credit scores

A new study published in Psychological Science found that people with poor credit scores are more impatient and prefer shorter-term gains over longer-term benefits. This impulsivity can lead to strategic defaulting on loans, as individuals weigh the costs of delayed gratification against short-term benefits.

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.

Awareness biases information processing

A new study found that conscious awareness influences information processing during decision making, leading to non-linear integration strategies. Participants who were aware of the evidence weighted new information based on their existing knowledge.

Cancer screening reform needed

A commentary by Michael Stefanek advocates for cancer screening reform to educate the public about potential harms and benefits. Conflicting guidelines and new technologies may lead to overtreatment or under-treatment, and false positives and negatives are a concern.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

UC Berkeley findings offer new clues into the addicted brain

Researchers identified the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as key players in impaired decision making, leading to addictive and compulsive behavior. The study's findings may pave the way for more targeted treatments for substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

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.

Is it best to withhold favorable information about products?

A recent study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers tend to choose products when marketers withhold some favorable information until late in the choice process. This approach can increase a product's overall probability of being chosen by shifting consumer priorities and creating a preference boost.

New study shows passing mood can profoundly alter 'rational decisions'

Researchers find that people's economic decisions change when survival or reproduction is on their minds. This contradicts the idea of humans making rational choices in finance, suggesting biases developed millions of years ago still affect us today. The study suggests these ancient biases can profoundly alter financial decisions over ...

'Evidence in European Asylum Procedures'

The thesis analyzes three national appellate asylum procedures in Europe, comparing their evidentiary standards and relating them to the EU legal order and international law. The study finds that national impacts play a significant role in adapting national procedures to external requirements.

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.

Why many cells are better than one

Researchers from Johns Hopkins have quantified a cell's decision-making ability, finding it to be only two possible choices. Cells can overcome their individual limitations by forming multicellular organisms, which enables them to transfer information and make decisions together.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Increased responsibility could lead to decreased sexual activity among women

A recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that married women's autonomy and decision-making power are linked to their sexual activity. Women who have more control over household decisions tend to have sex less often, with a significant increase in time since their last intercourse.

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.

Biochemical cell signals quantified for first time

Researchers at Emory and Johns Hopkins universities have quantified the data capacity of a biochemical signaling pathway for the first time, finding that it is significantly lower than expected. The study suggests that cells may use alternative methods to communicate when their primary pathways are insufficient.

When it comes to pursuing your goals, let you unconscious be your guide

A University of Alberta study finds that unconscious feelings about objects in the environment influence long-term goal pursuit. The unconscious continues to positively value objects related to goals, even after success or failure, making it a key motivator. Participants reacted neutrally to objects after a failure, indicating a shift ...

Decision making changes with age -- and age helps!

Research shows that older decision makers trounce their younger counterparts due to improved ability to evaluate options, develop strategies, and utilize pre-frontal cortices. This increased wisdom enables them to make more rational choices in complex environments.

Conflict levels don't change much over course of marriage

A new study suggests that conflict levels in marriage don't change much over the course of a relationship. Low-conflict couples tend to be those where both spouses share decision-making and believe in traditional, life-long marriage, leading to higher marital happiness and lower divorce rates.

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.

How consumers discriminate

Consumers tend to focus on quality when faced with many choices, leading them to be willing to pay more for high-quality products. The study found that in controlled experiments and natural experiments, participants were prepared to pay up to 40% more for high-quality chocolates and wine when presented with a large assortment of options.

Endorsements matter but voters are wise to media bias

Research from Brown University economists finds that voters are more likely to support recommended candidates after newspaper endorsements, but credibility matters. Moderate voters are most influenced by endorsements. Key findings suggest voters filter out media bias when making informed decisions.

The role of relaxation in consumer behavior

Researchers found that states of relaxation consistently increase the monetary valuations of products, with relaxed individuals valuing products more highly than their less-relaxed counterparts. This effect applies to a wide range of products, including luxury items and services.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Decisions, decisions, decisions ...

A new study published in Psychological Science found that the opportunity to exercise control through choices activates the brain's reward areas. This suggests that choice may be an adaptive behavior, as it recruits reward-related brain circuitry. The research highlights the importance of perceived control in psychological well-being a...

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.