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How social norms influence consumer behavior

A recent meta-analysis of existing research on social norms reveals new generalizations about their impact on consumer behavior. The study found that descriptive forms of social norms are more effective than injunctive ones in promoting socially approved behaviors, such as mask wearing and eco-friendly practices. Effective communicatio...

To advance human rights, consult neuroscience

Researchers at Brown University introduce 'dignity neuroscience,' arguing that universal rights are rooted in human brain science. The concept posits five core elements - agency, autonomy, and self-determination; freedom from want and fear; uniqueness; and unconditionality - which reflect fundamental features of the human brain.

Using AI to predict suicidal behaviours in students

A study from McGill University and France uses AI to identify factors predicting suicidal behavior in students, finding self-esteem as a major predictor. Approximately 17% of students exhibited suicidal behaviors, highlighting the need for large-scale screening tools.

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.

The secret life of basking sharks

A new study using video recordings from animal-towed cameras reveals the secret life of basking sharks in Scottish waters. The research shows that the sharks engage in feeding, courtship and social behaviors, challenging previous assumptions about their solitary nature.

Emotion, cooperation and locomotion crucial from an early age

Researchers found that emotion knowledge, cooperative social behavior, and locomotor activity are interrelated and associated with numerical skills in preschool children. These fundamental skills can promote numerical learning and suggest that locomotor activity should be added to early education.

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.

Buried treasure: New study spotlights bias in leadership assessments of women

A recent study found that women are penalized in performance evaluations when exhibiting traditionally feminine leadership characteristics, while men are viewed more positively for similar behaviors. The research emphasizes the need for organizational change to provide equal opportunities for women and men in leadership roles.

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.

Designing public institutions that foster cooperation

Researchers at Penn develop a framework for designing public institutions that promote cooperation regardless of social norms, exploring indirect reciprocity and reputation monitoring systems. The model finds cooperation can flourish under various social norms and institutions adhere to assessments by social contagion, holding potentia...

'Disagreeable' married men who shirk domestic responsibilities earn more at work

A recent study from the University of Notre Dame found that disagreeable married men who do not contribute equally to household chores often have higher salaries due to increased focus on their careers. This phenomenon suggests that imbalanced social exchanges at home, particularly with spouses, play a crucial role in determining indiv...

Experts propose 'five Cs' to tackle vaccine hesitancy

A five-pronged strategy addressing behavioural and socio-demographic factors is proposed to combat vaccine hesitancy. Confidence in vaccine safety is crucial, while addressing complacency among younger people and those of lower socioeconomic status is essential for increased uptake.

Trust among corvids

Researchers found that Siberian jays exclusively trust warning calls from members of their own group, ignoring those from neighboring territories. This social knowledge mechanism may have played a role in the diversification of human languages and dialects.

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.

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.

Sometimes, even 3-year-olds just want to fit in with the group

A new study by Duke University researchers found that preschoolers around age three start going along with the crowd more than following authority. Children tend to stick to their initial choices but may switch if presented as a group norm, suggesting they're developing moral reasoning capacity and sense of shared identity.

New research deepens mystery about evolution of bees' social behavior

A new study analyzing nearly 300 morphological traits in bees reveals strong evidence that complex social behavior developed just once in pollen-carrying bees, rather than multiple times. The research suggests a single evolutionary branch for honey bees and stingless bees, contradicting previous molecular genetic analysis.

Physical activity may help to close the wealth gap in school attainment

A study of over 4,000 children in England found that physical activity supports academic attainment and helps close the achievement gap between wealthy and less-advantaged pupils. Engaging in sports like swimming or ball sports promotes self-regulation, leading to better emotional control and academic progress.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The emergence of cooperation

Researchers create unified model of direct and indirect reciprocity, demonstrating how cooperation can be a successful strategy. The study reveals that reputation and experience significantly influence willingness to cooperate, paving the way for new insights into human social norms.

Focus on outliers creates flawed snap judgments

Researchers found that participants overestimated minority groups and looked more often at these groups, even in quick visual scans. This bias occurs regardless of social context and is driven by a fundamental feature of human perception

The oldest human burial in Africa

Researchers have uncovered the oldest known human burial in Africa, dating back to 78,000 years ago. The discovery, made at Panga ya Saidi cave site in Kenya, reveals evidence of an intentional burial and suggests that Homo sapiens practiced mortuary rites similar to those of Neanderthals.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Virtual avatar coaching with community context for adult-child dyads

A new study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that virtual reality avatar-based coaching programs can spark dialogue about dietary habits and behavior among children and adults. The program showed promise to increase access and extend the reach of nutrition education for lower-income kids and families.

Marmoset monkeys have personalities too

A study published in American Journal of Primatology found that common marmosets exhibit distinct personality traits, such as explorativeness, boldness, and extraversion. These findings are consistent across captive and wild settings, suggesting that personality is a stable trait in these animals.

New research about emerging 'COVID-19 personality types'

A new study identifies 13 emerging 'COVID-19 personality types' in humans, including Deniers, Spreaders, Harmers, and Worriers. The research highlights the importance of recognizing individual diversity to foster societal resilience and an ethical COVID-19 agenda.

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.

New perspectives in human behavior and culture

ASU researchers Kim Hill and Rob Boyd advocate for a new, fully integrated evolutionary theory of human behavior, combining adaptive behavioral ecology and cultural evolution approaches. Recent studies show that cultural history plays a significant role in shaping human behavioral variation, persisting for hundreds or thousands of years.

Child marriage is legal and persists across Canada

A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriage remains a practice in Canada, with the majority of marriages being common-law unions. The study highlights the need for innovative approaches to address the issue and sheds light on the persistence of child marriage in the country.

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.

UH Mānoa researcher examines why people choose to wear face coverings

A recent national study found that factors such as perceived importance of others, confidence to wear a face covering, and personal importance of use positively associated with intention to wear a face covering. The study suggests that messaging strategies targeting individual intentions and social norms may be more effective than focu...

Two genes regulate social dominance

Scientists have identified two paralogous androgen receptor genes that control social status in African cichlid fish, shedding light on the molecular basis of social hierarchy. These findings suggest independent mechanisms for regulating coloration and behavior, providing a framework for studying human social dominance.

Violent encounters between gorillas slow population growth rate

A new study found that violent encounters between social units hindered the growth of a high-density mountain gorilla population. The researchers analyzed five decades of data and discovered that infant mortality resulting from these interactions contributed to a dramatic slowing of the population growth rate.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Fossils reveal mammals mingled in age of dinosaurs

A new study reveals that mammals developed social behavior much earlier than previously thought, interacting with dinosaurs in tightly packed clusters. The fossils, which are about 75.5 million years old, show evidence of multiple mature adults and subadults congregating, indicating a complex social structure.

Nudges fail more often than is reported, experts warn

Researchers found that certain types of nudges, such as social norming and information-based interventions, were more likely to fail. The study suggests that understanding the reasons behind these failures can help develop successful behavioral interventions.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Special Issue - Democracy: In Flux and Under Threat

A series of Insights pieces examines democracy's current state, highlighting key findings on political campaigns, gerrymandering, and racialized governance. Experts propose reforms to better serve marginalized populations and improve democratic governance.

Understanding the psychological aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic

This study aims to provide suggestions on how to ensure compliance with health-promoting behaviors and manage negative feelings associated with the pandemic. The research project focuses on three sub-studies: message framing, coping with negative emotions, and social distancing messages.

Scientists discover a social cue of safety

Researchers found that when flying alone, individual fruit flies freeze as a response to an imminent threat, but this behaviour changes in the presence of others. When other flies begin to move after the threat has passed, it signals safety and causes the freezing fly to exit its frozen state.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists discover a social cue of safety

Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown have discovered that fruit flies freeze as a social cue of danger, but also resume movement when others start moving again, signaling safety. Group size plays a crucial role in this behavior, with smaller groups freezing less and larger groups showing a more complex response pattern.

Shifting public health messaging about face coverings could improve uptake

Researchers argue that protracted debates about face coverings as a medical intervention have delayed implementation of a valuable preventive tool. By framing face coverings as a social practice, the public is more likely to wear them regularly, according to Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen and colleagues.

Community and law enforcement partnerships best help kids who witness home violence

A Rutgers-led study found that community and law enforcement partnerships can significantly improve PTSD screening and treatment for children who witness home violence. The Child Trauma Response Team model, which provides immediate outreach and victim safety assessments, showed a three-fold increase in child PTSD screens among families...

Is not helping a bad person good or bad?

A recent study challenges previous theoretical predictions on justified defection, a mechanism that ensures benefits are returned to cooperative individuals. Researchers found that people have a neutral attitude toward justified defection, unlike cooperation with a bad person, which is viewed as good.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Predicting mortality with nonbiological factors

Researchers identified six domains of nonbiological factors that contribute to mortality risk, including health behaviors, psychological characteristics, and socioeconomic conditions. The study highlights the importance of behavioral, psychological, and social factors in mortality risk assessments.

Monkeys appreciate lifelike animation

Researchers found that Rhesus monkeys avoid lifeless monkey faces but show social facial expressions towards a natural-looking avatar with fur and details. The study suggests using this type of avatar in social cognition studies for standardization and replicability.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Older men worry less than others about COVID-19

A new study found that older men are less worried about COVID-19 than women their age or younger people, despite being at higher risk of severe or fatal infections. The study suggests that accurate perception of risk may be more effective in predicting preventive behaviors than worry.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Binge drinkers beware, Drunkorexia is calling

A study found that 82.7% of female university students had engaged in Drunkorexic behaviors, including skipping meals and exercising after drinking to reduce calorie intake from alcohol. Researchers identified two key social norms driving these behaviors: consuming alcohol and thinness.

Researchers offer ways to address life under COVID-19

A new analysis from NYU researchers outlines ways to manage life under COVID-19 by combating racially driven bias and fake news. The study suggests using pre-bunking approaches and social norms understanding to reduce misinformation and increase cooperation.