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Community satisfaction demands interaction

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.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCity and Community·DateOct 1, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Compound improves social interaction in autism mouse model

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2018

Smiling doesn't necessarily mean you're happy

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.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalJournal of the ACM·DateSep 7, 2018

Pathology and social interactions: Safety in numbers

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.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2018

Can social media networks reduce political polarization on climate change?

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Macaws may communicate visually with blushing, ruffled feathers

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 22, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Robots have power to significantly influence children's opinions

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.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalScience Robotics·DateAug 15, 2018

Dealing with digital distraction

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.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 10, 2018

Tracking the trends of online dating in major US Cities

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 8, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Are boys more cliquey than girls?

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.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2018

Paper: Email incivility has a ripple effect on households

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateJul 16, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Engineering cooperation

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.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2018
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.

Black + white = Not white

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJun 14, 2018

Negative vs. positive social media experiences and depressive symptoms

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateJun 7, 2018

Brain circuit helps us learn by watching others

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateMay 3, 2018
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.

Caribou drone study finds 'enormous variation' within herd

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.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 26, 2018

LSD blurs boundary between self and other

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.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMar 19, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Not enjoying your dinner out? Try putting the phone away

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.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Therapeutic riding programs help veterans cope with PTSD

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMilitary Medical Research·DateFeb 8, 2018
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.

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

Reach out and feed someone: Automated system finds rapid honey bee communication networks

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.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2018

Why do we trust, or not trust, strangers? The answer is Pavlovian

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2018
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.

Unlike people, bonobos don't 'look for the helpers'

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 4, 2018

Don't step on my heels: Scientists teach robots how to respect personal space

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.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateDec 21, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Being treated unfairly at work increases risk of long-term sick leave

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBMC Public Health·DateDec 7, 2017

UTSA researcher studies how professional sports fans use mobile phones

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalInternational Journal of Mobile Communications·DateNov 28, 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

Social mobile gaming boosts rehabilitation for physically impaired patients

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.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·DateNov 19, 2017
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.

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

Pumas found to exhibit behaviors like social animals

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.

SourcePanthera·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 11, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Cannabidiol benefits and mechanisms shown in mouse study of Dravet syndrome

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 9, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The 'reality' of accent change

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.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·DateSep 1, 2017

Lively tunes boost sales in crowded stores

Researchers found that fast-paced songs stimulate spending, while ballads have little effect, as social density increases. In crowded stores, up-tempo music boosts average spending by 8% and motivates customers to buy more low-priced items.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateAug 29, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Both chimpanzees and humans spontaneously imitate each other's actions

A new study from Lund University reveals that both humans and chimpanzees engage in similar levels of imitation in zoo settings, suggesting a more complex understanding of ape cognition than previously thought. The study highlights the social and communicative role of imitation in these species.

SourceLund University·JournalPrimates·DateAug 21, 2017

So lonely I could die

Research suggests that loneliness and social isolation can significantly increase the risk of premature mortality, with effects comparable to those of obesity. The American Psychological Association reports that approximately 42.6 million adults in the US experience chronic loneliness, which can lead to a 50% reduced risk of early death.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 5, 2017
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.

Why humans find faulty robots more likeable

Researchers found that humans take a stronger liking to faulty robots, which helps them understand and correct their own behavior. This finding has exciting implications for the field of social robotics, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections in robot design.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateAug 4, 2017

Designing soft robots: Ethics-based guidelines for human-robot interactions

Researchers Thomas Arnold and Matthias Scheutz outline three general guidelines for developing soft robotic technology within the context of social human-robot interaction. The guidelines aim to address potential risks such as misplaced emotional attachments and personally destructive behavior by users.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalSoft Robotics·DateJul 25, 2017

Brief interactions spur lasting waves of gene activity in the brain

Researchers found that brief social interactions can alter gene expression for hours, affecting genes related to immunity, hormone regulation, and metabolism. The study reveals the brain's response to social threats, suggesting a potential mechanism for learning and memory.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 17, 2017
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.