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Brain's 'social enforcer' centers identified

The study found activation of specific areas in the prefrontal cortex when subjects knew they could face punishment for non-compliance. People with Machiavellian traits showed higher brain activity in these areas, suggesting a link to their selfish behavior.

Capital punishment has no place in the 21st century

The Lancet Editorial argues that capital punishment is a cruel practice with no place in modern society, citing declining support worldwide. The use of lethal injection is facing major legal challenges in the US, further eroding its legitimacy.

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Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists taps Sarah Chayes

Sarah Chayes, a former NPR correspondent, has been awarded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Ruth Salzman Adams Award for her work on the impact of US actions in Afghanistan. The award recognizes emerging writers who can translate complex ideas into everyday language and images.

Parents who punish antisocial kids penalize themselves

Children with 'callous-unemotional' temperament show a lack of empathy and guilt about their actions, making them less responsive to traditional discipline. Researchers found that increasing punishment can exacerbate behavioral problems in these children, who respond better to incentives and rewards.

Avoiding punishment is its own reward

A new study published in PLoS Biology found that avoiding punishment activates the same brain reward centers as receiving a reward. Researchers used fMRI to scan the brains of humans performing an instrumental conditioning task, where participants could either lose or win money. The results showed that the medial orbitofrontal cortex (...

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.

Now is a pivotal point in history to abolish state execution

A Californian judge has ruled that the state must ensure a qualified individual confirms unconsciousness before the injection of pancuronium and potassium chloride in executions. This decision follows concerns raised by anaesthetists and a drop in public support for capital punishment from 80% to 64% over the past decade.

How elasticity affects the market for illegal goods

The elasticity of demand is key to understanding the effects of punishment on suppliers, who pass costs to consumers, leading to lower consumption when demand is elastic. In contrast, excise taxes and persuasive techniques are more effective in reducing illegal drug spending.

UC sociologist traces the evolution of the execution

A recent study by a UC sociologist examines how audiences have shaped the evolution of capital punishment. The research highlights four areas where audiences have influenced contemporary conflicts in the death penalty: pain and technology, procedures and professionals, publicity and public access, and witness and psychological closure.

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Execution by lethal injection is not humane or painless suggests study

A recent study by Leonidas Koniaris and colleagues found that lethal injection methods in the US are often inadequate, leading to unnecessary suffering. The study analysed data from executions in Texas and Virginia, as well as autopsy toxicology reports, revealing low concentrations of thiopental in the blood of executed inmates.

Witchcraft, God's punishment or just malaria in West Papua?

In West Papua, patients often initially choose indigenous treatments for illnesses, but switch to biomedical options if they don't work. After initial failure, individuals focus on finding the cause of their illness, attributing it to factors like ancestral spirits, magic, or biological responses.

Revenge motivates tribal warfare

The behavior of punishing others for their injury is widespread in the animal kingdom, with humans adding a conscious sense of what to achieve through revenge. This leads to complex social rules governing who can be targeted and when, often prioritizing balance over personal relationships.

Is corporal punishment an effective means of discipline?

A meta-analysis of 88 studies found strong associations between corporal punishment and child behaviors, including aggression, antisocial behavior, and physical abuse. The research suggests that corporal punishment may actually cause negative outcomes for children, such as increased aggression and mental health issues.

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