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Sibling bonding is stronger when dad's around

A study published in Springer's Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that paternal half-siblings in olive baboons develop stronger bonds when their shared father is present. This challenges the long-held assumption that maternal kin dominate primate social behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJul 18, 2017

UTHealth receives $2.4 million grant to drive action-oriented research on healthier cities

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has received a $2.4 million grant to create the Healthy Cities Research Hub, exploring drivers of diabetes and other chronic diseases in urban settings. The hub will facilitate knowledge exchange and evaluate community-based interventions aimed at improving public health in cities.

Researchers develop new approach for better big data prediction

A new approach to analyzing big data has been developed at Columbia University, Princeton and Harvard University. The Influence score, or I-score, is a statistic that can identify highly predictive variables in large datasets. This method has potential applications in predicting diseases, social science phenomena, and financial markets.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2016

Ants communicate by mouth-to-mouth fluid exchange

Researchers discovered that ants share proteins and hormones through trophallaxis, allowing them to collectively influence colony growth and development. This process enables ants to cast 'quantitative ballots' for their colony's future by administering different amounts of growth-promoting components to their larvae.

SourceeLife·DateNov 29, 2016

Experts urge rethink on health target

A University of East Anglia academic and experts argue that the premature mortality target sends a clear message that prioritizing younger groups over older ones is necessary. They propose redefining or abandoning this target to avoid ageism, saying it distracts from palliative care challenges for older people.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 30, 2016

Children less likely to trust ugly people

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children's perception of trustworthiness is linked to attractiveness, with more attractive faces being deemed trustworthy. The ability to make this judgment develops with age, becoming more consistent as children approach adulthood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 13, 2016

Why are blacks at higher risk for cognitive impairment?

A national study led by Michigan State University sociologist Zhenmei Zhang found that blacks are 2.52 times more likely to develop cognitive impairment than whites due to childhood disadvantages and lower socioeconomic status in adulthood. Reducing racial gaps in socioeconomic resources is crucial to addressing this issue.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateMay 31, 2016

Greater social media use tied to higher risk of eating and body image concerns

A study found that frequent social media use is associated with a greater risk of developing eating and body image concerns in young adults. Participants who spent more time on social media had a higher risk of reporting these issues. The research suggests that preventative messages should target a broad population.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateMay 11, 2016

Videogame addiction linked to ADHD

A study of over 20,000 participants found that videogame addiction is associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression. Younger, single men are particularly at risk, using gaming as an escape from unpleasant feelings and restless bodies.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateApr 25, 2016

'Conspicuous conservation' a factor in socially responsible product innovation

A new study suggests that companies are more likely to invest in developing socially responsible products when they can tap into the social status boost associated with such choices. Key findings indicate that brands have a greater incentive to innovate in mature categories where consumers are most concerned about environmental impact.

Infants born prematurely may show less interest in others

A Kyoto University study found that premature infants, aged 6 and 12 months, showed reduced interest in social stimuli compared to full-term infants. This could be an early indicator of atypical social development, including autism. The research used eye-tracking technology to assess gaze patterns and social interaction skills.

SourceKyoto University·JournalInfancy·DateMar 31, 2016

Social anxiety is highly heritable but is affected by environment

Research suggests that social anxiety disorder has a high genetic component, with environmental factors playing a significant role in its short-term development. The study found that while the risk of developing social anxiety is strongly influenced by genetic factors, environmental events have little impact on stability over time.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateJan 20, 2016