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Marmoset monkeys eavesdrop and understand conversations between other marmosets

Researchers used thermography to measure marmosets' emotional responses to call interactions, finding they distinguish dialogues from monologues. Marmosets also prefer cooperative over competitive interactions, aligning with their natural behavior as cooperative breeders.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Mathematical Sciences Advances and Applications·DateFeb 3, 2021

Social interactions after isolation may counteract cravings

A UNSW study in rats shows that social interaction can reverse food and cigarette cravings triggered by social isolation. The study found that socially isolated rats relapsed to nicotine seeking but showed no interest once returned to group housing, highlighting the importance of social interaction in treating substance abuse disorders.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·DateFeb 2, 2021
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.

LSD may offer viable treatment for certain mental disorders

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a possible mechanism that contributes to LSD's ability to increase social interaction, activating serotonin receptors and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex. The findings could lead to the development of novel therapies for anxiety and autism disorders.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2021

Do I know you? Researchers evaluate how masks disrupt facial perception

A study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers found that wearing masks reduces facial recognition accuracy by 15%, making it harder to identify people we know. The altered processing style, focusing on individual facial features instead of the entire face, can cause significant errors.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 21, 2020

Study IDs four things that make people feel good about using chatbots

A recent study identified four attributes that predict user satisfaction with customer service chatbots: convenience, useful information, pleasant interaction, and social presence. The researchers found that companies investing in AI-driven chatbot services must prioritize data protection to boost user loyalty.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media·DateDec 15, 2020
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.

How much does the way you speak reveal about you?

Researchers found that listeners can accurately identify regional dialects and racial backgrounds from audio clips of English speakers. The study used 144 unique audio clips to categorize speakers into Midland, New York City, Southern U.S., Asian American, Black/African American, or white groups.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 10, 2020

Studying trust in autonomous products

A Stanford University study reveals that users' moods play a significant role in shaping their trust in smart technologies. The research found that participants trusted devices more when they were in a positive mood, regardless of the experiment's intent. However, user trust also differed by age group, gender, and education level, with...

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of Mechanical Design·DateDec 8, 2020

A study predicts smooth interaction between humans and robots

A study by Tampere University found that making eye contact with a humanoid robot evokes strong physiological reactions, including arousal and positive emotional responses. The results suggest that interaction between humans and social robots may be surprisingly seamless, as people treat robots instinctively as if they could see them.

SourceTampere University·JournalBiological Psychology·DateDec 7, 2020

Unexpected similarity between honey bee and human social life

A team of researchers discovered detailed similarities between the social networks of honey bees and humans, which can be explained by new theoretical modeling. The study reveals individual differences between honey bees, just like humans, and shows that these patterns are universal across species.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 30, 2020

Like humans, some bees are more social than others

A study on honey bees found that individual differences in social interactions lead to universal patterns of behavior across species. Genetically related bees show fewer individual differences than humans, but still exhibit some variation in interaction frequency and food sharing.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A hunger for social contact

A new study from MIT finds that long periods of social isolation activate the brain's substantia nigra region in a way similar to food cravings. The researchers used an innovative isolation method to induce strong feelings of loneliness, and found that the resulting craving signal was correlated with self-reported levels of loneliness.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 23, 2020

Study: Countering hate on social media

A new paper offers a framework for studying online hate and counter speech, analyzing millions of Twitter interactions. Researchers found that organized movements are more effective than individuals in countering hate speech.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·DateNov 20, 2020

Understanding the spread of infectious diseases

Researchers created a new model combining SIR theory with dynamical density functional theory to describe the spread of infectious diseases. The results show that social distancing significantly decreases infection rates, reproducing the 'flattening the curve' effect.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2020

For vampire bats, social distancing while sick comes naturally

Researchers found that vampire bats with activated immune systems and feeling sick interacted with fewer bats, spent less time near others, and were less well-connected to the social network. This behavior helps reduce the spread of disease in highly social animals like vampire bats.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateOct 27, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Battling with neighbors could make animals smarter

According to a study published in Nature Communications, interactions with outsiders may drive the evolution of intelligence in animals. Big-brained animals have adapted to contend with rival outsiders, requiring considerable brain power to defend territories, find mates and compete for resources.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2020

'Social cells' related to social behavior identified in the brain

A research team at Kobe University has identified 'social cells' in the brain related to social behavior, including Social-ON cells that activate during social interactions. The study found that these cells were active when a stranger mouse was present, regardless of location.

SourceKobe University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 1, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Bus drivers more likely to let white customers ride for free

A recent study published in The Economic Journal found that bus drivers are more likely to grant free rides to white passengers than Black passengers. The researchers tested the drivers' willingness to provide discretionary favours and discovered a strong racial bias against Black customers.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateSep 2, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

When learning on your own is not enough

Researchers found two unique learning signals computed in distinct brain regions, one for direct learning and the other for social learning. This integrated brain network supports social influence in human decision-making, particularly in uncertain situations.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 20, 2020
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.

Trust is key to effectiveness in virtual communities, researchers find

A team of researchers from Italy has proposed a new metric to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual groups. By analyzing interaction data from two Italian-based social networks, they found that trust plays a crucial role in forming cohesive and productive groups.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateAug 19, 2020

Social connection boosts fitness app appeal

A recent study found that social components of fitness apps facilitate motivation and beliefs in physical activity, leading to increased engagement. The study highlights the importance of social support in promoting exercise behavior.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·DateAug 17, 2020

Electrons obey social distancing in 'strange' metals

Electrons in Planckian metals exhibit high-temperature superconductivity due to their desire for social distancing. By adjusting the ratio between kinetic energy and interaction energy, researchers created a model that captures the system's behavior down to absolute zero.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Looking for better customer engagement value? Be more strategic on social media

A new study by University of Vaasa researchers highlights the importance of strategic social media use in creating customer engagement value. The study identifies four distinct social media marketing strategies: social commerce, content, monitoring, and CRM, which can foster collaborative conversations and enhance customer relationships.

SourceUniversity of Vaasa·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·DateJun 25, 2020

Paleolithic mortuary rituals

Researchers analyzed remains from a 30,000-year-old burial site in France, revealing sorted bones and elaborate cave art. The study provides new insights into complex mortuary dynamics of the Gravettian culture.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020
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.

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health: Experts call for more awareness of the potential impact of physical distancing on adolescent peer relationships and social development

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health experts call for policymakers to prioritize young people's social development and wellbeing during the pandemic. Research suggests that reduced face-to-face interaction with peers may have detrimental effects on brain development, mental health, and self-esteem in adolescence.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateJun 12, 2020

Will lockdown loneliness make us loners?

Zebrafish studies reveal that isolation causes sensitivity to stimuli and increased brain activity related to stress and anxiety. The results suggest that social isolation can result in a decreased desire for social interaction, contradicting the assumption that loners are simply anti-social.

SourceSainsbury Wellcome Centre·DateJun 10, 2020

Could hotel service robots help the hospitality industry after COVID-19?

A new research study investigated how service robots in hotels could help redefine leadership and boost the hospitality industry. The results showed that while service robots increase efficiency, they also pose challenges like high costs and skill deficits.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalInternational Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management·DateMay 6, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Who's a bot and who's not

Researchers found trends in human behavior absent in social media bots, including increased social interaction and decreased content production over time. The study suggests these differences can be used to develop more sophisticated bot detection strategies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physics·DateApr 22, 2020

Trust in humans and robots: Economically similar but emotionally different

A study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology found that people extend similar levels of trust to humans and robots. However, social emotions such as anger, gratitude, guilt, and pride vary depending on partner type, with participants experiencing more intense emotions when interacting with humans.

SourceChapman University·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·DateApr 16, 2020
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.

Infants prefer individuals who achieve their goals efficiently

At 15 months, infants take into account the efficiency of others' actions to identify rational individuals and predict preferences. They exhibit a preference for interacting with efficient over inefficient individuals.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateMar 31, 2020

Vulnerable robots foster teamwork

A study found that robot vulnerability fosters teamwork by encouraging humans to spend more time talking to each other, leading to more positive team dynamics. The results suggest that designing artificial agents to promote social engagement can lead to improved human collaboration.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Illness won't stop vampire bat moms from caring for their offspring

A study on vampire bats found that mothers continued to groom and feed their healthy offspring despite feeling sick, suggesting a strong family connection. Social grooming among unrelated bats decreased when they were ill, but food sharing remained consistent, highlighting the importance of social behavior in survival.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateMar 5, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

On eve of Super Tuesday, study sheds light on how people make choices

Researchers used mathematical models to simulate social interactions and found that people's decisions can be influenced by others' indecisiveness. The study's findings could inform strategies to combat misinformation on the internet and provide insights into how people make choices in real-world scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateMar 2, 2020

Hunter-gatherer networks accelerated human evolution

A study of Agta hunter-gatherers in the Philippines revealed that their complex social networks accelerated cultural evolution and innovation. The researchers found that sharing knowledge and combining individual insights led to faster development of medicinal products, with an average of 250-500 rounds of interactions required.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 28, 2020

Professor works to reduce fake news dissemination

Etesami aims to develop a platform that simulates human behavior in dynamic social networks like Facebook or Twitter. By analyzing data from these simulations, his team plans to build a richer model to predict and control the spread of false news.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateFeb 26, 2020
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.

When coronavirus is not alone

A team of complexity scientists have developed a 'meme' model for multiple diseases, revealing that interacting contagious diseases follow the same complex spreading patterns as social trends. The study found that even one more contagion can dramatically shift dynamics and trigger macroscopic jumps in epidemic size.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 24, 2020

Breaking the communication code

Researchers identified precisely which mouse is making which sound in a study published in Nature Neuroscience. Mouse calls are different depending on the position of the mouse and relate to dominant signals.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 17, 2020

How social media makes breakups that much worse

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that social media makes breakups harder to get distance from due to constant reminders and encounters with exes. Even when users take measures to remove their exes from their online lives, social media returns them multiple times a day.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateFeb 14, 2020

Literature online: Research into reading habits almost in real time

A new study analyzed reading behavior on the digital platform Wattpad, finding that young people intensely engage with both popular and classic literature, but differ in their interaction styles. The research sheds light on the impact of social media on our understanding of culture and literary habits.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 6, 2020

Cooperation after eye contact: Gender matters

The study, conducted at FiraTàrrega market in Tàrrega, Spain, found that women are more likely to cooperate and have a better understanding of their partner's intentions. Men, on the other hand, tend to be more impulsive and less cooperative when interacting with someone of the same gender.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 30, 2020
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.

What makes fear decrease

A study by Professor Grit Hein found that the presence of an unknown person can reduce anxiety and physiological tension in individuals. The effect was strongest when the test subject perceived the other person as less similar to themselves.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·DateJan 30, 2020

APS tip sheet: Network dynamics of online polarization

Researchers developed a model to study online polarization and echo chambers, finding that discourse becomes less stable when like-minded groups form. The model accurately replicated Twitter data on polarization and debates, providing insight into social network dynamics.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 27, 2020

Digital athletics in analogue stadiums

A study by Aalto University researchers reveals that fans attend live esports events primarily for social interaction and excitement of being near sports stars. In contrast, fans watching online rated 'drama' and 'enjoyment of aggression' higher than live attendees.

SourceAalto University·JournalInternet Research·DateJan 17, 2020