Research on how people make decisions. Covers workplace food choices, medication risk trade-offs, and treatment selection in mental health.
Researchers Wako Yoshida and Shin Ishii explored how different cortical regions function in solving partially observable decision-making problems. They found that the anterior prefrontal cortex is involved in belief maintenance, while the medial prefrontal cortex is involved in belief back-track processes.
A study by Eelco Wijdicks and his son found that only two out of 30 movies with coma characters showed a reasonably accurate representation. Common inaccuracies include portraying comatose people as suddenly awakening with no physical or mental problems, or showing them with closed eyes only.
A clinical decision support tool improved doctors' diagnostic accuracy by 12.5% and reduced errors of omission by 10%, suggesting its potential to reduce preventable medical errors.
A new study assesses the relationship between financial conflicts of interest and voting patterns at FDA meetings. The analysis reveals that nearly 28% of advisory committee members and consultants disclosed conflicts, often related to consulting arrangements, contracts/grants, or investments.
The study confirms that honeybees dance to report on real estate as part of their group decision-making process. The better the site, the stronger the waggle dance, which attracts other scouts to visit the recommended site.
Researchers found that promotion-focused individuals prioritize their ability to follow through with healthy behaviors, while prevention-focused individuals prioritize the effectiveness of the behavior itself. This study has important implications for distributing information about healthy practices.
Research by Alexander Chernev found that consumers tend to opt for larger assortments when choosing where to shop, but this preference reverses when the focus is on minimizing decision complexity. Ultimately, offering too many options can lead to a decrease in overall probability of purchase.
Research reveals that men's concerns about controlling their cancer drive treatment choices, despite limited reliance on scientific evidence. The study highlights the need for improved patient education and informed decision-making support.
A study of over 4500 women reveals that nearly 10% of repeat cesarean deliveries have no documented reason, emphasizing the importance of accurate physician-recorded indications. Future research should focus on clinicians' and women's decision-making processes about childbirth after a prior cesarean delivery.
A new open-source software tool successfully removed over 98% of unique identifiers from pathology reports, including name, address, and social security numbers. The developers found that hospital-specific customization may be necessary to achieve optimal performance.
A Canadian study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients and family members prioritized having confidence and trust in their doctors' care over dying at home. The results suggest that current efforts to support more patients dying at home may be misguided.
A Penn bioethics researcher explores the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, highlighting potential implications for teaching ethics and forensic outcomes. The researcher's work raises important questions about the balance between individual freedom and the need for scientific understanding.
The new standard offers greater uniformity in design, operation and arrangement of fire panels, as well as equipment specifications concerning wireless and remote applications. The standardization effort aims to make real-time information clearly and quickly available for processing, planning and response.
Researchers found that different types of negative emotions trigger distinct preferences in decision-making. Anxiety prefers safer options with control, while sadness favors more rewarding and comforting choices. Even when the cause of negative emotions is known, decisions related to that cause can still be affected by the emotions.
A recent Emory University study used fMRI to investigate how Democrats and Republicans process information during the 2004 US Presidential election. The researchers found that emotional circuits in the brain lit up when partisans held biased opinions, rather than rational reasoning.
A recent study by University of Washington researcher Scott Reynolds found that people who focus on the ends (consequences) are less sensitive to ethical issues involving rule violations. In contrast, those who prioritize means (morality) recognize both harmful and non-harmful situations as ethical issues.
A study of 257 breast cancer patients aged 55+ found that Hispanic women were more likely to identify a family member as the final decision-maker for treatment. This led to lower rates of breast-conserving surgery compared to mastectomy in these patients. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging patients' family members in ...
Researchers developed a new approach to analyze drug effectiveness data, providing insights into the cost-effectiveness of newer and older anti-epileptic drugs. The study suggests that two older drugs, valproate and carbamazepine, are likely to be more cost-effective for newly diagnosed patients with partial seizures.
Pediatric oncologists play a crucial role in guiding patients and their families through complex treatment decisions. Effective communication is key to empowering parents to make informed choices, and clinicians must explore patient values to facilitate better decision-making.
The study recommends five fundamental principles for clinicians to follow in making decisions about artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH), including consistency with medical condition, prognosis, and patient goals. The authors argue that ANH is a medical therapy with substantial risks and burdens, requiring technical procedures and ...
Research suggests adult children's ability to predict their parents' wishes is influenced by family dynamics and interaction style. Children who perceive closer relationships are often better at guessing parental preferences, while autonomy and personal growth are poorly predicted decisions.
A 15-point ethical guide recommends prioritizing health workers' duty to care, restricting liberty through quarantine measures, and allocating scarce resources such as medicines. The guide also emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making and support for those affected by quarantine.
This study analyzes Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory without congressional consent, highlighting the ethical complexities of statesmanship and administrative ethics. The researcher concludes that while Jefferson's decision was morally complex, it ultimately served the nation's interests.
A focus on process can minimize decision difficulty for high-stakes choices like financial investments and healthcare. By honing in on a succinct decision process, individuals can make decisions more efficiently, especially when faced with aversive options.
Researchers at Lund University and New York University found that participants often fail to notice a change in the outcome of their choice when evaluating facial attractiveness. In addition, they produce confabulatory reports when asked to describe reasons behind their choices, challenging common theories of decision-making.
The NIEHS Hurricane Katrina Information Website offers a wealth of information on environmental pollutants and their potential impact on human health. The website draws from various sources, including research programs and Superfund Basic Research Program data.
A Dutch study found that end-of-life decisions for children are common, involving medical professionals and families. The study's findings emphasize the need for clear communication about end-of-life care for minors.
The study found that two brain regions, nucleus accumbens and anterior insula, are activated before making risk-seeking versus risk-aversion investment mistakes. This discovery may help improve the design of economic institutions to facilitate optimal investor behavior.
A study found that women are more likely to choose mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery due to fears of recurrence and radiation treatment. Despite this, overall survival rates are the same for both procedures.
Research found that 'positive' learners show larger ERNs in conflicts, suggesting they learn more from mistakes, while 'negative' learners experience greater conflict in negative feedback conditions. ERN also predicts the degree to which participants learn from errors.
The study highlights that current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) often fail to address the complexities of caring for older adults with multiple chronic diseases. The authors recommend that CPGs be revised to include information on comorbidity, patient preferences, and life expectancy to provide more tailored guidance for clinicians.
A survey of Dutch general practitioners found that 44% of explicit requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide resulted in the granting of EAS, while patients died before the performance of the request in 13% of cases. Physicians reported compliance with official requirements and based their decisions on patient evaluations.
The NIST Guide for the Selection of Biological Agent Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders provides a comprehensive resource for selecting biological agent detection equipment. The guide cites 19 performance parameters to consider, including sensitivity and ease-of-use, to help first responders make informed decisions.
Studies reveal high users of primary care are often over-serviced but underserved, and electronic medical records have little impact on diabetes quality of care. In contrast, patients treated with dignity report higher satisfaction, treatment adherence, and receipt of preventive services.
The study found that consumers' risk preferences are contingent on their self-view, with interdependent self-view consumers choosing less risky alternatives. The researchers suggest that investors can infer their past choices by examining their current decision-making patterns.
Research by Suraj Commuri and James Gentry found that women earning more than their spouses do not simultaneously earn domestic power, despite previous theories suggesting a shift in decision-making authority. The study highlights the need for further examination of household forms and consumption decisions influenced by factors such a...
Consumers make assumptions about brands based on marketplace stereotypes, with a singular negative experience not weighing negatively on overall perception. The study suggests firms increase diversity in their workforces to capitalize on consumer evaluations
Drosophila melanogaster flies respond to dropping black discs with jumping, using both legs and wings to move away from the object. The 'giant fibre pathway' initiates a take-off sequence, involving leg stretching and wing depression.
New research from University at Buffalo biologists found that female butterflies are attracted to the sparkle created by ultraviolet reflectivity of pupils in male butterfly wings, not the size of the eyespots. Females prefer a set of narrowly defined features, such as eyespot pupils measuring approximately half a millimeter.
Researchers found that people constructing job criteria favor the strengths of dominant groups. However, committing to hiring criteria beforehand eliminates gender discrimination in hiring decisions.
A survey of women aged 40-44 found they value logistical, harm, and benefit information before their first screening mammogram. Women prefer to participate in the decision-making process, with some preferring clinician input.
A study of Japanese and US medical residents found that Japanese doctors are more likely to involve patients' families in decision-making, reflecting stronger family ties in Japan. In contrast, US residents tend to prioritize individual autonomy, with many preferring to communicate solely with the patient.
A study found that angry consumers were 37% more likely to choose default options than sad individuals. Sad people tend to examine all the options carefully and make informed decisions.
A study by Teuscher found that time limits can amplify emotions in both positive and negative directions. This research has implications for understanding how people cope with endings and transitions, such as death, separations, or retirement.
A study found that damage to the orbital frontal cortex impairs an animal's ability to learn from new cues, leading to slowed neural responses. The researchers discovered a critical role of the OFC in decision-making and learning, with potential implications for treatments of brain injury and trauma.
A new website, CCIR-NY, offers scientific answers to basic questions about climate change and its impact on New York City. The site provides information on potential flooding of transportation infrastructure, saltwater intrusion into water supplies, and erosion of public beaches.
The role of the National Security Council adviser requires balancing brokerage and political advocacy to maintain neutrality. However, in limited forms, advocacy can be beneficial when an underrepresented point-of-view needs to be heard. The adviser's ability to make sound decisions depends on effective processes.
A study found that patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who are aware of their diagnosis and symptoms can make competent decisions about their treatment. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score can help predict decision-making abilities, with those scoring 24 or higher indicating competence.
Hinke Piersma's research explores the interaction between political decision-making and public debate regarding 'the Breda three', four prisoners who became two in 1979. The discussion increasingly focused on integrity, as the Dutch population was criticized for failing to protect Jewish compatriots during WWII.
Research suggests pathological gamblers exhibit altered decision-making functions and executive control, leading to long-term negative consequences. The study sheds light on the role of the prefrontal cortex in this neuropsychiatric disorder.
A team of researchers has discovered a neural mechanism related to impulsive decision-making in pigeons. The study found that single neurons in the avian forebrain show increased activity when anticipating rewards, with activation levels decreasing as delays increase, leading to preferences for immediate over delayed rewards. This brea...
This study explores how positive emotions, specifically pride, influence consumer behavior and repurchasing decisions. Key findings show that high pride can lead to reduced repurchase intentions due to differing self-regulatory goals. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting consumer behavior in marketing strategies.
Oaxacan migrants prioritize family and community over individual gain, using remittances to fulfill obligations and maintain social status. Most migrants return home for no more than a year to support households, construct homes, and pay for education.
The article highlights five major types of conflict in caring for the dying patient, including physician-family, physician-nurse, and family-family conflicts. It suggests negotiating a course of treatment with all parties involved to avoid potential conflicts and emphasizes the importance of empathy in resolving disputes.
A study found that women with heart conditions are less likely to receive bypass surgery due to conservative treatment decisions and biases. Women's mortality risk is often compared to men's, but the author argues that this perspective neglects the potential benefits of surgery for women with similar medical profiles.
The Franz Edelman Award, presented by INFORMS, recognizes outstanding implemented operations research that has had a significant positive impact on client organizations. The 2005 finalists will compete for a $10,000 prize in Palm Springs, showcasing innovations such as advanced pricing techniques and online product procurement auctions.
Researchers found that training designed to eliminate racial biases in police interactions can be effective in reducing biased reactions. The study used a simulation to test the impact of different approaches on officer behavior, and the results suggest that such training could lead to improved outcomes for all parties involved.
A study of six European countries found significant variations in end-of-life nontreatment decisions, with medication being the most frequently forgone treatment. Low-technology interventions were also common, particularly among older patients outside hospital settings.
A Pitt researcher has developed a decision-making model to help patients weigh the risks and benefits of accepting organ transplants. The model uses mathematical techniques to provide insight into patient physiology and quality of life, helping doctors make informed decisions.
A study by Eliesh O'Neil Lane explores the roles of IRB members and how to improve the decision-making process. The composition of IRBs affects the types of issues discussed during reviews, with defined roles needed for scientists, non-scientists, and nonaffiliated members.