Research on why people act as they do. Covers self-processing across primates, substance use, weight-loss behavior, and nicotine seeking.
Research found that people who experience little unemployment after age 35 have better health than those with frequent unemployment in their twenties and thirties. Frequent unemployment can also lead to worse physical and mental health by age 50.
A recent study found that women's desire for leadership roles has remained unchanged over the past 60 years, with a persistent gap in aspirations. The researchers analyzed data from leadership studies and found that even without systemic discrimination, women are less likely to express interest in leadership positions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dog-assisted interventions can significantly reduce stress levels in elementary school children, both with and without special needs. The research used salivary cortisol levels to track the effects of dog interactions on stress levels, revealing a decrease in cortisol levels after dog sessions.
Researchers found people moderate portion sizes of energy-rich meals, indicating a degree of nutritional intelligence. Participants ate smaller portions of high-energy density meals than those with lower energy content.
Women with self-injury behaviour show a more effective pain-modulation system, displaying more connections between pain perception and modulation brain areas. This finding suggests that effective pain modulation is a risk factor for self-injury behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving treatment and support.
A new study found that college students reported a higher incidence of unacceptable thoughts and fear of contamination during the pandemic. The study also revealed consistent OCD symptoms across genders, adding to the growing research on mental illness among college students.
Researchers developed an algorithm to improve matching efficiency, considering user preferences and behavior. The new algorithm shows improved results in field experiments, with at least 27% more matches than the current one.
Researchers found that discussing creativity and innovation negatively affects investors' confidence in a company's market performance. However, firms with leaders who discuss creativity positively tend to have higher earnings, suggesting the importance of tone in mitigating this effect.
A Rutgers study found that sales of cigars labeled as 'natural' increased at a faster pace than those without the label from 2017 to 2021. This trend is concerning as it suggests that consumers are perceiving these products differently due to the 'natural' descriptor.
A new theory of decision-making proposes that people often use relative thinking when they should use absolutes, and vice-versa. This theory, developed by Mina Mahmoudi, aims to capture the behavior of boundedly rational decision-makers who struggle with optimal choices.
Researchers found that personal narratives increase empathy and encourage prosocial behaviors, particularly towards higher-risk groups like the incarcerated or healthcare workers. The study suggests using storytelling can shift an individual's perspective and promote behavioral changes in public health interventions.
Research found that decisive people are more confident in their judgments than those who second-guess themselves. The study discovered a link between action control and post-decisional metacognitive bias, suggesting that individual differences play a crucial role in decision-making.
A team from Nagoya University created an artificial neural network model that performed the delayed matching-to-sample task and analyzed its behavior. The model was able to evolve to exhibit human-like metamemory, adapting to its environment by learning and evolving. This breakthrough aims to create machines with memories like humans.
A large-scale study found that team sport participation is associated with lower mental health difficulties in children and adolescents. In contrast, exclusive individual sport participation may lead to greater mental health issues. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 US kids and adolescents.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University found that dogs with higher attachment scores spend more time in deep sleep and relax better in new environments. The study suggests a similarity between dog-owner relationships and human-child relationships.
Researchers have developed a new tool to visualize leukocytes in the brain vasculature during in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. The tool uses a fluorescent antibody targeting CD45, a ubiquitously expressed protein on white blood cells, allowing for tracking of circulating leukocytes over time and space.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
Researchers found that tension and lack of it have a significant impact on surgical performance, with shared past successes priming teams for better collaboration
A new weight-loss intervention has been developed to target the instinctive desire to eat, particularly in individuals who struggle with resisting food cues. The Regulation of Cues program trains individuals to use natural hunger cues, reinforces tolerance of cravings, and inhibits urges to eat palatable foods when not physically hungry.
A survey of Seattle area college students reveals that four-year college students drink nearly twice as much alcohol as their community college peers, while using marijuana nearly twice as often. The study suggests that perceptions of peer use may play a role in these differences.
A research team developed a model that mimics human judgment to distinguish between reflective and transparent materials. The model outperformed humans in accuracy but struggled to identify image clues.
A meta-analysis of 130 experiments involving 10,000 participants found a connection between upright postures and power posing with improved self-perception. However, the effects on behavior and hormone levels were less robust and not supported by the findings.
A new study suggests that individuals perceive a space as congested when they can't walk at their desired speed. Age and gender also play a role, with older and female pedestrians reporting lower feelings of congestion. The researchers hope to apply this finding to design spaces that prioritize comfort and usability.
Xie aims to develop algorithms that reflect human domain knowledge and reasoning patterns, increasing trust in machine learning models. He also explores algorithmic fairness, considering multiple perspectives on what's considered fair, to address concerns about biased decision-making.
Nearly nine out of 10 people in the UK want self-driving vehicles to be labelled for clear distinction from human-driven vehicles. The survey found that experts tend to downplay concerns, but public scepticism persists, with many uncomfortable with the idea of using or sharing the road with self-driving cars.
A new study found that individuals high in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are less likely to wear masks or get vaccinated. However, those who do choose to participate may be more likely to encourage others to do so. Researchers suggest using unique messaging strategies to tap into these personalities.
A new study analyzing 174 peer-reviewed studies on the effects of nature on human well-being found that participants were overwhelmingly white and from high-income countries. The research highlights a diversity problem in the field, which threatens its ability to make universal scientific claims.
Researchers used worms to study how hunger signals in the gut communicate with the brain, leading to riskier behavior. The findings suggest that proteins in intestinal cells move dynamically to transmit signals about hunger, driving worms to cross toxic barriers.
A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that humour is an effective flirtation tactic for both sexes, especially for men seeking long-term relationships. Women who want a short-lived fling should signal their intentions clearly. The research also highlights the importance of smiling, eye contact, and showing pot...
A new study reveals that urban residents have a simplistic understanding of coastal ecosystems and are less likely to take pro-environmental actions. The research highlights an issue known as urbanized knowledge syndrome, which can harm natural ecosystems and undermine community resilience.
Researchers mapped neural networks in marmoset and macaque monkeys to find that multiple areas in the frontal lobe control vocalization, contradicting a long-held view. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of speech disorders such as stuttering and apraxia.
An anti-idling campaign at two elementary schools reduced idling time by 38% and improved air quality, according to a study published in the Atmosphere journal. The campaign, which involved teachers and parents, also found localized pollution hotspots around schools caused by car emissions.
A recent Rutgers University study has found that children in families struggling to provide diapers are more likely to have disrupted and shorter sleep periods. The researchers also discovered a strong association between diaper need and an increased risk of childhood obesity, emotional problems, and maternal mental health symptoms.
A study across eight European countries found that conventional vaccination campaign messages are ineffective due to factors like low health literacy and conspiracy theories. The research suggests a need for targeted messaging strategies tailored to specific groups and communication channels.
Structurally racist redlining policies from the 1930s were associated with decreased availability of behavioral health clinicians in affected areas. The study's findings highlight the lasting impact of discriminatory policies on healthcare access and outcomes.
A study found nearly 40% of Venmo users shared sensitive information, such as health conditions and political leanings, due to inadequate privacy settings. Researchers identified specific groups, like AA membership, that exposed user payments through public notes.
A survey of 441 Germans found that environmental concerns do not drive demand for meat substitutes, but rather attitudes towards animal welfare and health. Manufacturers are advised to highlight the ecological advantages and healthier composition of their products.
A UTD professor's study found that men's rudeness toward others, including women, can obscure the recognition of sexism. The study suggests that a perception of gender blindness can lead observers to view the perpetrator as not sexist, even when they are displaying sexist behavior.
A pioneering study led by the University of Bristol found that humans have 'nutritional wisdom,' choosing foods to meet their need for vitamins and minerals. The study suggests that people combine meals in a way that increases exposure to micronutrients, contradicting the long-held view that humans evolved to favor energy-dense foods.
Researchers found that gamification increased daily steps by an average of 647 for postpartum individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study, published in JAMA Cardiology, demonstrates the effectiveness of text-based gamification interventions to improve physical activity among high-risk postpartum women.
A Rutgers study found that nearly 70% of physicians report patients asking about e-cigarettes, yet most incorrectly believe all tobacco products are equally harmful. E-cigarettes were more likely recommended for heavy smokers seeking cessation, while FDA-approved medications were preferred for lighter smokers.
Researchers found a significant association between high public transportation usage and higher per capita Covid incidence in the US. The study controlled for factors like education, poverty levels, and household crowding, suggesting that transit could have been an important factor in early pandemic spread.
A decision-support framework was developed by management science researchers to help clinicians make informed decisions about opioid prescribing. The framework incorporates multiple factors, including recovery time, pain intensity, and patient history, to provide a quantitative model of the prescribing process.
A new study found that newborn brains are already organized into functional networks, with five networks operating at birth. Individual variability in these networks may be related to genetic differences and could have implications for behavior in adults.
A UK crime gang study found that OCG members who previously offended together are more likely to become victims of violence, with a 56-fold increase in risk. The study also revealed cycles of escalating violence within the criminal milieu, with harassment increasing the potential for violence by 243 times.
Researchers found that mice with the Val89 gene variant exhibit attention deficit disorder-like problems, including diminished cognitive performance and increased vulnerability to distraction. The study provides direct evidence of the genetic variant's effects on acetylcholine availability and its resulting cognitive impacts.
The BrainChart platform benchmarks brain development based on MRI data from over 100,000 individuals, creating a standardized chart like those for height and weight. The tool identifies previously unreported neurodevelopmental milestones and provides a common language to understand brain images from different sources.
A new Penn State study found that people are more likely to choose empathy for an animal over a human, but only when the choices are not in competition. When context matters, people's willingness to engage in human empathy decreases, while their interest in animal empathy increases.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that engaging in meaningful and challenging activities during free time can significantly reduce people's loneliness and increase their positive feelings. The researchers identified that flow, a state of being fully engaged and focused on an activity, is crucial to reducing loneliness.
The Sedentary Behaviour Research Network has released international guidelines to minimize health impacts of sedentary behaviour in schools. The recommendations aim to counteract excessive screen time and promote healthy movement behaviours among students.
A new study found that empowering workers can lead to better job performance and creativity, but only if institutional obstacles are removed. However, when empowered employees face hindrance stressors, they may become morally disengaged and engage in unethical pro-organizational behavior.
Research reveals that people who grew up in rural areas have a better sense of direction than those in cities, especially in countries with complex topographies. The study used video game data from Sea Hero Quest to analyze over 400,000 participants from 38 countries.
A rehabilitation psychologist's role is to guide patients through the process of rehab and recovery, addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional barriers that hinder progress. These experts can help individuals adjust to a new diagnosis, stay motivated during recovery, and deal with the emotional aftermath of hospitalization.
A new study found that integrating behavioral health into pediatric primary care at federally qualified health centers increases access, timeliness of care, and diagnostic rates of ADHD among diverse children. The model resulted in higher follow-up rates with behavioral health clinicians and reduced polypharmacy.
A new study shows that a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, sargramostim, improves cognitive function in people with Down syndrome and normal aging mice. The drug reverses learning and memory deficits, nerve cell loss, and brain abnormalities in mouse models of Down syndrome and aging.
A recent study found that child abuse investigations by Child Protective Services (CPS) do not necessarily prevent poor sexual health outcomes in adolescent girls. In fact, the researchers discovered that girls who underwent investigation were more likely to experience adverse sexual health outcomes, including STIs and pregnancy, befor...
A study found that people in Germany and the US prioritize equal access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. In contrast, vaccine distribution according to a country's production capacity or free market regulation received little support. The research highlights the public's willingness to share vaccines despite logistical challenges.
Experts have published guidelines for psychophysiological research involving pupil measurements, summarizing the physiology of the pupil and providing recommendations on data examination. The guidelines also discuss psychological phenomena that modulate pupil reactivity.
A new study finds that maternal feedback, not biological predisposition, influences reward-related brain activity in children of mothers with clinical depression. The research suggests that interventions coaching parents to encourage positive emotions may have a powerful impact on child development.
Research finds that people from different countries and backgrounds prefer original color compositions in paintings, even those they've never seen before. The study suggests a common biological basis for beauty perception, contradicting cultural background and education.