A study found that mice raised in an enriched environment with social interaction and mental stimulation can transmit the brain benefits to their offspring through changes in gene expression. Despite being raised in the same impoverished environment, the offspring maintained lifelong visual cortex plasticity.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that activating social brain circuits can suppress feeding behavior in mice. The study used optogenetics to target specific neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex and found that stimulating fewer than two dozen nerve cells linked to social interaction was enough to inhibit feeding behavior.
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.
A new USC study explores how virtual assistants can facilitate cooperation between humans and buildings, leading to improved energy efficiency and environmental outcomes. The researchers found that small talk and social dialogue help people connect with AI-powered avatars, resulting in better behavioral changes.
Researchers discovered that simulating human cooperation with machine-actors can significantly enhance human-machine interactions. The study involved over 100 volunteers and showed improved performance comparable to human-human collaborations.
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.
A York University study found that young women who compare themselves to more attractive peers on social media experience decreased self-esteem. The research highlights the importance of educating young people about the potential negative effects of social media use on body image.
The study surveyed nearly 400 consumers about their shopping habits and perceptions, finding that most agreed that physical stores are part of the social fabric of society. Respondents preferred online shopping for convenience and accessibility but prioritized tactile experiences in-store, while favoring social interaction with family ...
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Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers found that the brain recognizes familiar faces more uniformly across the visual field through repeated social interactions. The study suggests that early visual processing is tuned for consistent recognition of personally familiar faces.
Valentin Dragoi of UTHealth receives $1.6M NIH BRAIN award for studying visual cortex and executive control in social interactions, which may help address autism-related social awkwardness.
A study published in PNAS has reversed symptoms of Smith-Magenis syndrome in mice by reactivating the RAI1 gene. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for this neurodevelopmental disorder. Researchers used optogenetic stimulation to restore social interaction deficits, providing hope for improved patient outcomes.
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
A new study by Indiana University found that online social forums for class networking improve physics students' success in calculus-based physics courses. The study analyzed data from a course where students participated in an online forum and found that those who were most central in the network achieved higher final grades.
A University at Buffalo sociologist's new study shows that neighboring interactions can positively affect residents' attitudes and behaviors, even in highly disadvantaged communities. The research reveals that community matters in the 21st century, with consistent interactions snowballing into neighborhood investment.
Scientists have discovered a compound that promotes social interaction among laboratory mice with autistic traits, offering new hope for treating autism. The finding builds on previous research showing oxytocin's potential benefits and develops a drug candidate to overcome its limitations.
A study by Dr Harry Witchel at Brighton and Sussex Medical School found that smiling is linked to subjective engagement, not happiness. In one-to-one Human-Computer-Interaction experiments, participants smiled more when answering questions incorrectly.
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Researchers found that social isolation accelerates tumor growth in sick flies, while healthy flies avoid sick individuals with advanced tumors. This study suggests that social interactions play a substantial role in cancer development and progression.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that exposure to anonymous, bipartisan social networks can lead liberals and conservatives to improve their forecasting of global-climate trends. In the study, 88% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats correctly analyzed climate data after interacting in social media networks.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that macaws use facial displays such as blushing and ruffling their head feathers to convey positive emotions during social interactions. The researchers observed that these behaviors were more common when the birds were interacting with humans, suggesting a form of visual communication.
A study at the University of Plymouth found that children aged seven to nine are more likely to give the same responses as humanoid robots, even if they're incorrect. This highlights a potential concern about the influence of robots on vulnerable young children.
Studies find that even minor phone use during meals can make diners feel distracted, reducing enjoyment. Compassionate people spend less time on social media than those with narcissistic tendencies. Digital distractions undermine face-to-face interactions, causing decreased bonding and emotional intelligence.
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A new study analyzing online dating website interactions in four major US cities found that both men and women pursued partners about 25% more desirable than themselves. The authors discovered a consistent hierarchy of desirability based on age, education, gender, and race/ethnicity.
Researchers propose a four-factor model for online engagement, including physical interaction, interface assessment, absorption, and digital outreach. This model can lead to the development of content that encourages sharing and websites that promote learning and memory.
Researchers identified brain cells crucial for zebrafish socialization, mirroring human social behavior problems seen in autism and schizophrenia. The study's findings provide a new avenue for research on the biological underpinnings of social behavior.
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A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that boys tend to form tighter-knit groups than girls in secondary school, with factors like location and schedule influencing their social networks. The research surveyed over 1,200 year 7 pupils across four UK schools, finding that popular children remain popular over time.
A new study finds that email incivility has a ripple effect on households, causing stress and withdrawal among employees and their domestic partners. The negative effects of rude emails extend beyond the workplace and can lead to physical symptoms and emotional strain.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found structural and functional abnormalities in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway in children with autism. The research supports the social motivation theory of autism, suggesting that social interaction is inherently less appealing to those with the disorder.
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers study the impact of self-assessment accuracy on daily functions and treatment in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The goal is to generate empirical evidence about impaired self-awareness and its effects on functional ability.
Researchers from IST Austria introduce a new framework to overcome social dilemmas and foster cooperation, considering feedback that affects players' actions. The framework extends the theory of repeated games, enabling the design of systems that maximize cooperation.
Researchers identified specific parameters required to manage a conflict-prone system, which can be controlled to create conditions for preventing social conflicts. The model uses diffusion equations to simulate social systems' behavior and identifies characteristic stable modes of functioning.
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study by University of Utah professor Jacqueline M. Chen found that observers categorize black-white multiracial individuals as non-white, influenced by a powerful minority bias. This phenomenon has significant implications for multiracial individuals' social experiences and race relations in the US.
A new University of Pittsburgh analysis found that negative social media experiences carry more weight than positive interactions in predicting depressive symptoms. While positive experiences were not strongly related, negative ones were consistently associated with higher symptoms.
A PLOS ONE study found that listening to an aggressive conversation nearby increases a person's comfortable interpersonal space by up to 2.5 seconds
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Researchers pinpoint neural interactions that allow us to learn from observing others' experiences. The ACC and BLA regions in the brain are found to be active when we learn by watching others, and a specific circuit is identified that enables this type of learning.
A new system using infrared light tags monitors face-to-face interactions with fine granularity, providing a more precise understanding of social interaction. The technique can increase the effectiveness of communications coaching and support real-time feedback during interviews.
A new study using drones to track caribou movement found significant variation in sociality within herds, challenging the classic assumption of uniform behavior among group members. The research also showed that caribou follow isotropic interaction rules, with individuals influenced more by those in front of them than beside them.
Research published in BMC Public Health found an association between increased social media time and reduced wellbeing in later adolescence among girls. However, the study did not find a similar association for boys.
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A human brain imaging study found that LSD reduces activity in areas important for establishing one's sense of self, blurring the line between self and other. The serotonin receptor system appears to be a target for treating social impairments in disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.
A field experiment by researchers found that people report less enjoyment from meals with friends and family when phones are present, compared to phoneless conditions. Frequent phone use may chip away at well-being over time.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia suggests that using smartphones during dinner with friends and family decreases enjoyment. The researchers found that participants who used their phones during meals reported feeling more distracted and experiencing less enjoyment compared to those who kept their devices away.
Researchers propose a practical approach to understanding interplay between social and ecological spheres using causal chains. Causal chains can help break cycles of degradation and promote sustainable development goals.
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Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A University of Missouri study found therapeutic horseback riding to be a clinically effective intervention for alleviating PTSD symptoms in military veterans. Participants experienced a significant decrease in PTSD scores, dropping by 67% after three weeks and 87% after six weeks.
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.
Studies show kids with autism may not be rewarded by social interactions as typically developing peers, but can still benefit from understanding reward value. Researchers also highlight importance of sensitivity to sensory experiences in clinical interventions.
Researchers developed an automated system to monitor honey bee interactions, revealing a network structure that facilitates fast information spread. The study found that the bees' social network exhibited a 'bursty' pattern similar to human networks, but with rapid information spreading.
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Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers at New York University found that our brains use a Pavlovian learning mechanism to make judgments about strangers' trustworthiness based on past experiences. The study suggests that moral information encoded from previous encounters guides future choices, influencing how much we trust or distrust strangers.
A study on bonobos reveals they consistently prefer hinderers over helpers, unlike human infants who naturally favor helpers. This finding suggests that the motivation to cooperate may be uniquely human and could have evolved after our species diverged from other apes.
Researchers develop methods to regulate robot movements and human interactions, aiming to improve social acceptance of robots in mobile robotics. The proposed control improves the robot's ability to emulate human-human dynamic behavior, reducing collisions and improving its acceptance by humans.
Wild-derived house mice produce complex ultrasonic vocalizations during social and sexual interactions, exhibiting features similar to bird song. Researchers found that calling rates and frequencies were higher in both males and females when paired with the opposite sex than with the same sex.
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New research by the University of East Anglia and Stockholm University found that staff who feel treated unfairly at work are more likely to be off sick for longer periods. The study also discovered that higher levels of job insecurity increase the risk of long-term sickness absence.
A study by UTSA researcher Seok Kang found that instrumental motives, such as purchasing tickets or buying merchandise, predict behavioral loyalty among fans. Ritualistic motives, like relaxation and social interaction, are associated with attitudes toward teams or players.
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 ...
Researchers at Imperial College London designed a video game called Balloon Buddies to enable physically impaired patients to engage in rehabilitation through collaboration with healthy volunteers. The study found that this type of engagement boosts performance and increases motivation, leading to better physical outcomes.
A new study at Boston Medical Center is testing a two-part intervention to engage parents in early intervention services and training. The goal is to improve social communication skills, development, and reduce ASD symptoms in children with autism.
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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.
A new Panthera study reveals complex social strategies in solitary carnivores, challenging long-held assumptions about puma behavior. Pumas were found to share food, recall past interactions, and form networks of individuals with whom they co-fed, indicating a level of tolerance and cooperation.
A mouse study shows that cannabidiol treatment effectively reduces the severity and duration of seizures and their frequency. The study also found improvements in social interactions and reduced autism-like symptoms in mice with Dravet syndrome.
New simulations show that limiting local coordination between swarming animals improves group survival and information spreading. Researchers at SUTD discovered a parallel between collective evasive maneuvers and the spread of information in social networks.
A new study reveals that shy children with high social communication skills are more popular among their peers, regardless of language vocabulary skills. Developing social communication skills is key to increasing popularity in shyness, not just expanding vocabulary.
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A prototype Google Glass app, Holli, recognizes conversational prompts and provides suitable responses, improving social skills for children with autism spectrum disorder. Children find it easy to use and enjoy interacting with the technology.
A recent UC Davis study found that early adolescents with cross-ethnic friendships had significantly higher GPAs and teacher expectations. Students who interacted with peers from other ethnicities experienced an average grade point increase of one-third of a point, corresponding to a B-plus to A-minus average.
A recent study on reality TV contestants found that accents change in a complex manner, with large daily fluctuations but rare longer-term changes. The research suggests that the degree of accent change is influenced by individual differences and sound characteristics, rather than social interactions.