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New study reviews decades of findings on effects of physical work environments on firms’ organizational processes and outcomes

Researchers analyzed decades of findings to understand how physical work environments influence organizational processes and outcomes, including employee health and motivation, as well as a firm's resource position and reputation. Effective design can enhance task accomplishment and shape intangible assets.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Management·DateApr 8, 2025

An app can change how you see yourself at work

A study from the University of California, Riverside, found that a smartphone app can subtly reshape a person's self-image at work. The app, called MindTAPP, uses associative conditioning to pair users with positive affirmations, leading to more favorable views of their workplace abilities and a heightened sense of self-efficacy.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalComputers in Human Behavior Reports·DateApr 2, 2025

Why our reasons for pursuing goals either help or hinder wellbeing

A new study by Edith Cowan University found that people who pursue goals for reasons connected to relationships experience greater happiness and wellbeing, while those driven by external pressures report lower levels. The study also suggests that personally autonomous motivation is generally associated with personal wellbeing.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 31, 2025

Calorie-free sweeteners can disrupt the brain’s appetite signals

A study found that consuming sucralose alters brain activity related to hunger and increases appetite, especially in people with obesity. The sugar substitute changes how the hypothalamus communicates with other brain regions, including those involved in motivation, potentially leading to cravings and eating behavior changes.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2025

Smartwatches may help control diabetes through exercise

A new study found that smartwatches paired with a health app can encourage people with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes to start and maintain purposeful exercise, leading to improvements in blood sugar levels and systolic blood pressure. The programme also helped participants lower cholesterol and improve their quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 26, 2025

Virtual reality videos increase environmental awareness

A study by University of Cologne found that virtual reality videos increased feelings of being intensely involved in the narrative, leading to a stronger positive emotional affect and greater willingness to donate. This immersive experience was found to have a significant impact on personal attitudes and behavioral intentions.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateMar 26, 2025

New study reveals 'all or nothing' business strategies can backfire

A new study co-authored by Matthew Lyle finds that 'all or nothing' strategies can weaken employee support for future initiatives if they fail to meet their objectives. Instead, framing new initiatives as chances to improve upon past mistakes while building on successes is more effective in motivating employees and achieving success.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalOrganization Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2025

Type 2 diabetes may suppress reward

A rat study found that type 2 diabetes can suppress the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex, a region critical for cognition and emotions. This weakening affects reward signals and leads to altered behavior, highlighting a potential link between T2D and psychiatric disorders.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 24, 2025

People select feedback to flatter others, except when they dislike them

Researchers found that people prefer to share information that enhances others' positive self-views, especially if the other person has a likable or neutral personality. However, this tendency disappears when the other person is perceived as dislikable or when the goal of providing accurate information is emphasized.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

Tools to succeed: Learning support for new nurses

A new self-assessment questionnaire has been developed to evaluate the progress of novice nurses during on-the-job training. The Modeling Scale for Novice Nurses assesses four subscales and 21 Likert scale questions to understand the nurses' behavior and growth, enabling senior nurses to provide targeted support.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalBMC Nursing·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2025

‘I Will Vote’: Using future-oriented frames to motivate voters

Researchers at Annenberg Public Policy Center found that using 'I Will Vote' stickers significantly enhances voting intentions and attitudes towards voting. The study suggests that a future-oriented perspective promotes thoughts about outcomes and planning, strengthening citizens' capacity to successfully perform the intended behavior.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalPolitical Communication·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2025

New research sheds light on breastfeeding barriers in rural communities

A study from the University of Missouri found that rural first-time moms are more likely to stop breastfeeding due to a lack of practical knowledge, community support, and access to lactation consultants. The research aims to improve support and resources for new mothers in rural areas.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Obstetric Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2025

WVU research shows buyers believe karma, not boycotts should punish brands for bad behavior

Research by West Virginia University expert Kylie Vo found that consumers who believe in karma are more likely to forgive companies that behave immorally and less likely to boycott them. In contrast, non-moral transgressions like defective products or misleading claims can severely damage consumer-brand relationships and brand value.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateFeb 17, 2025

Scientists find that a playful approach to life activates ‘lemonading’, which helps people cope with adversity

Researchers discovered that highly playful individuals are more resilient in the present and optimistic about the future. They were more motivated to seek fun, less inhibited, and took creative steps to cope with challenging situations. Playfulness was found to be a vital resource for maintaining wellbeing during difficult times.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2025

New research can help luxury brands counter the appeal of counterfeit goods

New research suggests that educating low-knowledge luxury consumers about the appeal of counterfeit goods can help combat the trillion-dollar counterfeit market. Consumers with high subjective knowledge in this domain are less likely to partake in counterfeits, while those with lower knowledge are more drawn to them.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Motivational interviewing techniques and reframing universal screening for patients with alcohol abuse or risk reduces stigma

The AHRQ EvidenceNOW initiative reduces stigma by training primary care practices in universal screening, brief interventions, and medication-assisted therapy. Motivational interviewing techniques help clinicians address unhealthy alcohol use, promoting person-centered communication and empathetic interactions.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 27, 2025

Brain inflammation alters behaviour according to sex

Researchers found that neuroinflammation in the hippocampus significantly alters motivation and behaviour in mice, particularly in females. This study suggests that treatments targeting hippocampal neuroinflammation could help reduce cognitive and behavioural symptoms in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Depression.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2024

What social rejection teaches your brain

A USC study reveals that forming social ties relies on learning from positive outcomes, such as rewards, and tracking relational value. The findings help explain why we are drawn to certain people and how we navigate relationships, with implications for mental health and social behavior.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2024

Entrepreneurs who take funding from close family and friends are more likely to pursue lower-risk growth options

New research from Indiana University finds that accepting funding from family and friends can lead entrepreneurs to make more conservative venture growth decisions. This 'funding-source-induced bias' can result in anticipated guilt, prompting founders to prioritize lower-risk strategies.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Business Venturing·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Providing performance information of peers as a management tool?

A recent study found that when employees are given information on their colleagues' performance, many continue to operate in a way that is not necessarily more efficient or innovative. Instead, they may ignore negative feedback or reinterpret it in a positive light due to their own self-image and tendency towards self-enhancement. To f...

SourceKühne Logistics University·JournalOrganization Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2024

Can podcasts create healthier habits?

Researchers found that podcasts significantly improved health knowledge, increased exercise levels, and boosted healthy eating habits. Engagement with health-related podcasts was generally high, suggesting they could be an effective medium for health information and behavior change interventions.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalDigital Health·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 18, 2024

It’s my brain’s fault! Why teenagers make often unwise decisions

A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that teenagers often make suboptimal choices due to limited cognitive resources. As they grow older, these 'noisy' decisions decrease and are replaced by more sophisticated choice behaviors. This improvement is linked to increased performance across learning tasks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

Grabbing pizza with coworkers isn’t just fun — it could boost your teamwork skills

A new study by Binghamton University Assistant Professor Matthew Lyle highlights the benefits of shared memories among employees from different departments. The research found that such experiences can motivate cross-occupational coordination, foster a sense of belonging, and ultimately improve teamwork skills.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Management Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2024

Are autistic adults more vulnerable to criminal exploitation?

A recent study by Flinders University researchers challenged the common assumption that autistic adults are more prone to criminal exploitation due to difficulties in reading others' intentions. The study found that verbal intelligence and Theory of Mind were critical factors influencing vulnerability to crime, not autism diagnosis.

SourceFlinders University·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2024

Hoarding disorder: ‘sensory CBT’ treatment strategy shows promise

A novel sensory CBT treatment strategy has demonstrated its potential in a pre-clinical study, improving participants' ability to discard items and reducing anxiety and distress. The study found that imagery rescripting was more effective than other techniques in promoting discarding behavior and reducing negative emotions.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 3, 2024

Environmental quality of life benefits women worldwide

A global study reveals that women's environmental quality of life explains a substantial 46% of their overall health and well-being. The study found that younger women report poorer environmental quality of life, while older women experience improved quality of life after age 45.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateOct 2, 2024