Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

When it comes to learning, what's better: The carrot or the stick?

The study found that participants are more confident when trying to win money, but this confidence rapidly evolves into over-confidence. In contrast, learning in a loss context mitigates these errors of judgment. The fear of losing money makes individuals more flexible and accurate in their decision-making.

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.

Prisoners who are sanctioned more are more likely to re-offend

A new longitudinal study found that prisoners with greater exposure to formal sanctions were more likely to re-offend within three years of release. This is because formal sanctions reduce social freedoms and access to prosocial opportunities, leading to an increased likelihood of reincarceration.

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.

How the brain hears and fears

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that brain cells in mice associate sounds with emotions through experience and learning. The amygdala, a key brain region, shows specific patterns of neuron activity when animals are trained to fear or anticipate rewards.

Spanking in developing countries does more harm than good

A new University of Michigan study suggests that spanking may be more harmful for children in developing countries than previously thought. The research, which analyzed data from 62 countries, found a link between physical discipline and lower social development among young children.

Youth violence lower in countries with complete ban on corporal punishment

A cross-national analysis of over 400,000 adolescents in 88 countries reveals that complete bans on corporal punishment are associated with reduced physical fighting among young people. The study found a 42% decrease in female youth violence and a 31% reduction in male youth violence compared to countries without such bans.

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.

People love to hate on do-gooders, especially at work

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that cooperative individuals are more likely to face social punishment in competitive environments, even if it harms the entire group. In egalitarian societies, this dynamic has prevented dominant individuals from dominating the group.

Black children subjected to higher discipline rates than peers

A new study reveals that black children are more likely to be suspended or expelled from elementary school due to factors such as school characteristics rather than behavior problems. The researchers found that about 40% of African-American boys were suspended or expelled, compared to 8% of white boys or from other ethnic groups.

Study examines tax compliance behavior in small business owners

A new study surveyed 330 UK micro-business owners, finding that internalised motivation (fair fiscal system) and extrinsic motivation (severe penalties) predict self-reported tax compliance. Internalised motivation but not extrinsic motivation predicts tax compliance when considered together.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Men willing to punish more than women to get ahead

A Chapman University study reveals men are more likely to punish others to advance their interests. The research found that men will impose greater costs on others and destroy groups to rise in the hierarchy.

Eliminating injustice imposed by the death penalty

The Black Lives Matter movement argues that capital punishment is a racist practice that devalues Black Lives. Research shows that Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by the death penalty, with specific racial biases affecting jury perceptions and decisions.

How the brain responds to injustice

The study found that participants were more willing to punish a wrongdoer when they experienced injustice directly, associating with brain activity in the ventral striatum. Participants receiving oxytocin chose less intense punishments, suggesting the hormone's role in maintaining fairness.

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.

Is punishment as effective as we think?

A social dilemma experiment found that punishment is ineffective in promoting cooperation among players, with players instead replacing defection with punishment. The study suggests that punishment has a demoralizing effect and reduces the incentive to choose cooperation over competition.

High-stress childhoods blind adults to potential loss

Researchers found that adults who experienced high stress in childhood have difficulty attending to cues that indicate a potential loss or punishment, leading to poor decision-making. This biological response may be linked to an underactive brain region responsible for processing risk and reward.

Discovery could lead to new treatment for anxiety, addiction

Researchers identified a specific network in the brain tied to risk assessment, which can lead to anxiety or impulsivity. The study found that when there was no risk of punishment, coordination between dopamine neurons and prefrontal cortex activity was high.

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.

Past incarceration and future re-imprisonment

A study analyzing over 100,000 individuals sentenced for felonies in Michigan found that those with a history of imprisonment were 20 percentage points more likely to be re-incarcerated than those on probation. Intense parole supervision may contribute to increased incarceration rates among parolees.

Physical abuse and punishment impact children's academic performance

Research suggests that physical abuse and punishment negatively impact children's academic performance, with harsh corporal punishment increasing peer isolation. Parent education on alternative forms of punishment may be a solution to prevent physical abuse and promote children's cognitive development.

FSU researchers find school board diversity reduces school suspensions

A more diverse school board can lead to more equitable school punishment among students of different races, according to a new study. The researchers found that schools with larger minority populations tend to suspend more black and Hispanic students, while white students in these schools are less likely to be suspended.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Condemned prisoners prefer formalwear at executions, UC study finds

A UC study analyzed newspaper accounts of executions from 1800 to 1965, finding that condemned prisoners often wore formal attire, including suits, shaven faces, and adorned clothing. This choice reflected a desire for dignity and respectability in their final moments, as well as resistance against the state's authority.

Researchers study factors predicting school corporal punishment

New Penn State research reveals that Southern natives and average education level are key predictors of school corporal punishment use. The study found a correlation between parental corporal punishment and SCP, highlighting the potential negative impacts on children's social and behavioral well-being.

Motivation through punishment

Researcher Andreas Eder found that punishment alone does not suppress undesirable behavior but can even facilitate it. The brain uses behavioral consequences to trigger actions more easily, even if the consequences are disagreeable. Providing clear feedback for desired behavior is crucial in educational practices.

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.

Building trust, not hate

When anonymity is lifted, cooperation increases significantly due to mutual understanding. Participants who knew each other were more likely to cooperate rather than engage in retaliatory sentiments or punishment.

SHSU study examines death penalty support in Mexico

A recent study by Sam Houston State University researchers found that Mexican citizens are more likely to support the death penalty than previously thought. Contrary to U.S. studies, Catholics in Mexico were found to be more likely to support capital punishment, while older Mexicans and those living in states bordering the U.S. were le...

Switching to daylight saving time may lead to harsher legal sentences

A study published in Psychological Science found that judges in the US tend to give defendants longer sentences on Mondays following daylight saving time transitions. The researchers analyzed data from 1992-2003 and discovered a consistent trend of harsher sentencing, suggesting that sleep deprivation may influence legal decisions.

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.

Simple reward-based learning suits adolescents best

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that adolescents are more receptive to rewards than punishments of equal value. The researchers suggest using positive reinforcement methods in education and parenting to encourage desired behavior, as reward-based systems may be more effective for this age group.

Simple reward-based learning suits adolescents best

Adolescents outperform adults in choosing rewards but struggle with punishment, leading to the development of a new model for learning during adolescence. The study suggests that incentive systems based on reward rather than punishment may be more effective for this age group.

Risks of harm from spanking confirmed by analysis of 5 decades of research

A meta-analysis of 50 years of research on spanking found that it is associated with increased anti-social behavior, aggression, mental health problems, and cognitive difficulties. Spanking was linked to detrimental outcomes consistently across all types of studies, including those using strongest methodologies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

When punishment doesn't fit the crime

Research reveals that people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have difficulty judging the severity of crimes and assigning appropriate punishments. This impairment can affect their social skills, such as empathy and rational judgments, leading to poorer prognoses for resuming normal work and family life.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Most states don't think ignition interlock is severe enough punishment

Most states do not consider ignition interlock devices a severe enough punishment for first-time DUI offenders, despite their effectiveness in reducing arrest rates and fatalities. The study found that only less than half of states mandate the use of these devices for first-time offenders.

Pinpointing punishment

A new study has pinpointed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a critical brain region responsible for coordinating punishment decisions made by judges and juries. The DLPFC integrates information from other parts of the brain to determine punishment, with disruption leading to reduced punishments for morally responsible agents.

How your brain decides blame and punishment -- and how it can be changed

Researchers found that disrupting brain activity in a specific area can change punishment decisions without affecting blame judgments. This study suggests that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex integrates information from other parts of the brain to determine punishment and moral responsibility.

Uniquely human brain region enables punishment decisions

A recent study revealed that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) integrates information about a suspect's blameworthiness and harm to others, enabling humans to decide on appropriate punishment levels. The DLPFC is specialized for integrating multiple streams of information to select responses.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

'Targeted punishments' against countries could tackle climate change

New research suggests that targeted punishments could provide a path to international climate change cooperation. By devising rules for small groups of 'defectors' to focus pressure, cooperation can build up gradually, ultimately leading to collective action against climate change.

What can 3-year-olds teach us about justice? Plenty

Researchers found that young children prefer to return lost items to their rightful owners and prevent a third party from taking what doesn't belong to them. This suggests that a concern for others is a core component of a sense of justice, likely central to human cooperation.

Three-year-olds help victims of injustice

Researchers found that three- and five-year-old children are just as likely to respond to the needs of another individual as they are to their own. This suggests a core component of a sense of justice based on empathy, which is central to human prosociality and punishment.

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.

Carrot or stick? Punishments may guide behavior more effectively than rewards

A recent study found that losses had a measured impact two to three times greater than gains on behavior, leading researchers to suggest using negative feedback as an effective teaching strategy. This approach may help students avoid making the same mistake again and could provide insights into learning behaviors.

Calling your bluff: Supervisors easily sniff out what drives a worker

A study suggests that supervisors can distinguish between selfless and self-servingly motivated employees based on their organizational citizenship behavior. Selfless employees are more likely to contribute positively to the organization, while self-servingly motivated employees focus on personal advancement.

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.

Psychopathic violent offenders' brains can't understand punishment

Research reveals that psychopathic violent offenders have abnormalities in brain regions related to learning from punishment, leading them to prioritize rewards over consequences. The findings suggest that punishment may not be an effective deterrent for these individuals, highlighting the need for alternative interventions.

Carrot or stick?

Researchers found that a sequential use of reward and punishment can promote cooperation in collaborative endeavors. The study suggests that initially rewarding minor cooperators and then punishing free riders can lead to better outcomes.

Less reward, more aversion when learning tricky tasks

A new study at Brown University reveals that conflict in learning tasks biases the brain to reduce the influence of reward and increase the influence of aversion to punishment. The researchers used EEG scans, genetic tests, and manipulation with a dopamine-related drug to gather evidence for this link. They found that people who learn ...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The 2011 English summer riots: Courts accused of 'collective hysteria'

A study by the University of Manchester and Liverpool John Moores University found that courts imposed excessive and arbitrary punishments during the 2011 English riots. The research suggests that both courts and law enforcement agencies were influenced by a desire to restore order, leading to a 'collective hysteria' approach.