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Fit for life: childhood fitness linked to lower risk of adult depression

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that children and teenagers with better cardiorespiratory fitness had a lower risk of developing depression as adults. The research, which spanned over 30 years, examined the fitness of Australian children aged 7-15 and found that cardiorespiratory fitness was the strong...

SourceAdelaide University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeCase study·DateSep 30, 2026

Study shows how music may help tackle addiction

A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalAddiction Neuroscience·DateSep 30, 2026

Randomized trial finds Transcendental Meditation improves happiness, resilience and self-efficacy in rural Lebanese women

A randomized controlled trial found that three months of Transcendental Meditation practice significantly increased happiness, resilience, and self-efficacy among rural Lebanese women while reducing perceived stress. The study showed that Transcendental Meditation may offer women an additional way to cope with daily life pressures.

SourceMaharishi International University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 25, 2026

Children prefer fair punishment to unequal treatment

Children's sense of fairness becomes increasingly sophisticated as they get older, and they expect rules to be applied impartially and equally to every group member. A fair punishment brings emotional relief to children, whereas unequal treatment provokes strong resistance and undermines their sense of justice.

SourceSWPS University·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Teen girls facing the most adversity showed the biggest gains in social connection after breathwork course

A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·DateAug 18, 2026

Dogs can distinguish between human fear and sadness

A recent study revealed that dogs process smiles in a unique brain region and can distinguish between negative facial expressions, including anger, sadness, and fear. This ability allows researchers to understand the adaptations that have developed in dogs to support their social and emotional understanding of humans.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

Make it make sense: How humans process the extraordinary

Researchers investigated how individuals interpret nonordinary experiences, finding that most people view them as neutral or positive. The study's findings suggest that how a person interprets an unusual experience matters more than the experience itself in determining its impact on wellbeing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2026

New research turns the Dunning-Kruger effect on its head: Rethinking the confident incompetent

A new study reverses the classic Dunning-Kruger effect, suggesting that high-ability people are more overconfident than low performers. The researchers argue that flawed statistical analysis led to the original finding, and when corrected, it reveals a universal human trait of overconfidence among the most capable.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPsychological Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2026

Study reveals the ‘inner life’ of bees

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that bumblebees display observable 'liking and disliking' behaviours after consuming different liquids. This suggests that insects can evaluate tastes as pleasant or unpleasant, pushing the understanding of their inner life.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2026

How culture shapes the way we care for other people's emotions

A global study reveals that culture influences how people try to regulate the emotions of others, with individualistic cultures prioritizing comforting and expressing care, while collectivistic cultures often view unpleasant emotions as valuable. This finding highlights the importance of cultural context in emotional support.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJun 29, 2026

AI companionship poses risks for teen development

Researchers warn that teens' reliance on AI chatbots may bypass opportunities for developing essential relationship skills. The technology offers immediate, nonjudgmental guidance but lacks needed safeguards, potentially reinforcing unhealthy relationship patterns and increasing vulnerability to mental health problems.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 29, 2026

Cuddling cats might make us feel worse when under stress

Researchers found that interacting with pets during stressful moments does not reduce negative emotions and can even intensify them in cat owners. On the other hand, dog owners experienced improved emotional well-being when interacting with their dogs.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

CBT can help after a broken heart

A new study by Uppsala University researchers shows that internet-based CBT can significantly reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in women with broken-heart syndrome, a condition often triggered by extreme stress. The treatment also helps patients better cope with emotions related to their illness.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 15, 2026

Young people are aware of and normalize hidden design features of video games that encourage spending

A study by UOC researchers reveals that young people are not fooled by monetization systems in video games; they often accept them as part of the gaming experience. The study highlights various systems that encourage consumption, such as loot boxes and virtual currencies, and shows a consistent relationship between these mechanisms and...

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalEntertainment Computing·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 14, 2026

Should emojis be used in workplace communications?

A new study by the University of Ottawa found that emojis can negatively affect perceptions of competence and appropriateness in professional settings. The researchers discovered that using positive emojis with negative messages can create a sense of dishonesty, while negative emojis can lower overall competence perception.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCollabra·TypeSurvey·DateApr 8, 2026

Emotions in motion: How movement may signal mental health issues

A recent study published in Gait & Posture found that analyzing a person's walk and getting up from a chair can identify elevated depression and anxiety symptoms. The researchers used machine-learning models trained on data from participants' movements combined with information about their mental state, achieving high accuracy rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalGait & Posture·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2026

Emotions drive our eating choices

A study found that individuals trying to diet are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks when feeling negative emotions, but emotional awareness is the key to maintaining healthier eating habits. Practicable strategies like mindfulness exercises and checking in with feelings can help dieters stay on track.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·TypeSurvey·DateMar 3, 2026

Science of fitting in: Do best friends or popular peers shape teen behavior?

A groundbreaking longitudinal study reveals that peer influence is specialized, with best friends primarily shaping internal emotional states and academic behaviors, while popular peers set the standard for public image and social media engagement. The findings suggest that adolescents use different mental calculations to navigate thei...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 2, 2026

How many times will we fall passionately in love? New Kinsey Institute study offers first-ever answer

A new study from the Kinsey Institute found that passionate love is relatively infrequent, occurring about twice in a lifetime. The research surveyed 10,036 single adults aged 18 to 99 and found that 14% had never experienced passionate love, while 28% experienced it once.

SourceKinsey Institute·JournalInterpersona An International Journal on Personal Relationships·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 10, 2026

Sport: ‘Football fever’ peaks on match day

A study published in Scientific Reports found that football fans' mean stress level was 41% higher on the day of a major match compared to non-match days. Participants experienced increased heart rates, peaking during the match, and were more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking alcohol.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 5, 2026

Neuroticism may be linked with more frequent sexual fantasies

A new study found that people with neurotic personalities report having more frequent sexual fantasies. In contrast, those who are more conscientious or agreeable tend to have less frequent fantasizing. The study analyzed data from over 5,200 adults in the US and explored links between personality traits and sexual fantasies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 4, 2026

Truth hurts: Prosocial liars perceived as more moral

In a study, participants preferred feedback providers who provided overly optimistic feedback to avoid hurting others, even if it meant telling the truth. This suggests that people strategically adjust their preferences for honesty based on social cues and prioritize the well-being of others.

SourceSWPS University·JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2026