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What makes rats relapse

A recent study published in JNeurosci found that activation of the anterior insular cortex is a key predictor of relapse after abstinence in male rats. This finding has implications for understanding the neurobiology of relapse and may inform preventative strategies for alcohol use disorder in humans.

Boys with social difficulties most susceptible to early substance use, study finds

A new study found that boys with social skills problems, anxiety, learning and conduct issues are at the greatest risk of developing aggressive behavior and using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana by the end of eighth grade. The study identified four distinct patterns of co-occurring social-emotional learning and behavioral problems among...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Early Adolescence·DateDec 3, 2018

The power of social support

A recent study on wild spotted hyaenas found that females dominate males because they receive more social support. The research revealed that social support is a key factor in determining dominance relationships between the sexes.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 19, 2018

It pays to be nice to your employees, new study shows

A new study from Binghamton University found that benevolent leadership styles have a positive impact on employee performance, while authoritarian leadership has negative effects. The researchers discovered that showing compassion to employees motivates them to be better workers and increases job satisfaction.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateSep 11, 2018

Healing after harm: Addressing the emotional toll of harmful medical events

A multidisciplinary group of leaders has established a consensus-driven research agenda to create a path forward for health care organizations. The 'do now' recommendations include broadening organizational approach to harm, involving patients and families in solutions, and establishing patient liaison initiatives.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalThe Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety·DateAug 22, 2018

Mice individuality is influenced by their relations

Researchers study mice living in 'Souris City' device to identify distinct personalities based on behavior differences. The study reveals that dopamine-producing neurons play a key role in shaping individuality, with mice exhibiting radically different strategies for navigating the maze.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2018

Racial diversity increases student leadership skills, especially for white students

A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that racial diversity in student leadership programs leads to a measurable increase in lasting leadership capacity. White students showed significant gains in leadership motivation, while non-white students benefited across all metrics.

Blood pressure-regulating hormone may be a key marker of sociality in monkeys

Researchers found a potential biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in monkeys with low social behavior, which had lower arginine vasopressin concentrations in their cerebrospinal fluid. This discovery suggests that AVP may be a target for developing new drugs to alleviate social impairment in ASD patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 2, 2018

New study improves 'crowd wisdom' estimates

A new study developed a mathematical correction to improve crowd estimates by accounting for individual bias and social information. Researchers found that collective intelligence is highly predictable and can be improved with the right rules for collective estimation.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 18, 2018

Researchers develop the first model to capture crosstalk in social dilemmas

Researchers developed a new framework to analyze the effects of crosstalk on cooperation dynamics in groups. The model shows that crosstalk hinders the evolution of cooperation and requires strategies with the correct level of forgiveness. This has significant implications for understanding human behavior in social dilemmas.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2018

Mixed-use developments may actually reduce housing affordability, social diversity

A study by the University of Waterloo found that mixed-use developments in Toronto neighbourhoods led to increased costs and reduced social diversity, disproportionately affecting low-income groups. The study suggests that good policy, such as inclusionary zoning and affordable housing trusts, is needed to address these issues.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateFeb 5, 2018

Babies' babbling betters brains, language

New research shows that babies' babbling has a significant impact on their language development, with mothers responding more often to speech-like sounds. The study found that infants who babble more effectively learn words and vocabulary earlier in life, highlighting the importance of social feedback in language acquisition.

SourceCornell University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 18, 2018

How teens learn about others

A new study reveals that teenagers are slower to learn about their peers' preferences due to underdeveloped brain regions. The fusiform cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, responsible for understanding mental states, show ongoing development during adolescence, which may explain these differences.

When friends become objects

Researchers found that Facebook users with strong materialistic values use the platform more frequently and engage deeper, objectifying their friends. The Social Online Self-Regulation Theory proposes self-regulation as the key to social media usage, aiming for a neutral attitude towards platforms.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalHeliyon·DateNov 23, 2017

Study: Non-fearful social withdrawal linked positively to creativity

A new study by University at Buffalo psychologist Julie Bowker suggests that unsociability, a form of non-fearful social withdrawal, is linked positively to creativity. The research findings indicate that individuals who enjoy spending time alone and engaging in solo activities may have the potential for enhanced creative thinking and ...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateNov 20, 2017

Modeling social interactions to improve collective decision-making

Researchers analyzed social interactions in France and Japan, identifying five behaviors that influence group decisions. They developed a mathematical model that reproduces the results and predicts group performance based on information exchange, which can lead to improved cooperation and collaboration.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 7, 2017

New conservation method empowers indigenous peoples

A new study published in Ecology and Society explores a conservation method that empowers indigenous peoples by focusing on their traditional skills and knowledge. By adopting an assets-based approach, researchers found that local communities can manage natural resources sustainably, protecting the rainforest ecosystem.

SourceField Museum·JournalEcology and Society·DateOct 11, 2017

Face value

A new Harvard Medical School study suggests that brain regions key to facial recognition form only through experience and are absent in primates who don't encounter faces. This finding sheds light on neuro-developmental conditions such as autism and developmental prosopagnosia, where individuals struggle with recognizing familiar faces.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 4, 2017

How the brain recognizes familiar faces

Researchers discovered two previously unknown brain areas involved in face recognition, which integrate visual perception with memory and social knowledge. The brain's response to familiar faces is distinct from visually familiar ones, with a sudden 'aha' moment when recognizing a long-known acquaintance.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateAug 10, 2017