Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Mental math helps monk parakeets find their place in pecking order

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that monk parakeets use a complex system of mental math to determine their place in the pecking order. By analyzing aggression patterns, researchers discovered that birds can infer rank based on chains of interactions and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mental math helps monk parakeets find their place in pecking order

A study by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis found that monk parakeets develop an understanding of rank after about a week of interactions. They use social feedback to refine their behavior, avoiding fights with higher-ranked birds while targeting those closely matched in rank.

The more the merrier for animals that synchronize their behavior

Researchers discovered that larger groups of animals synchronize their behavior, with social interactions playing a key role. The study found that even without external cues, internal mechanisms are regulated by social presence, leading to increased synchronization in group settings.

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.

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.

Doing good deeds helps socially anxious people relax

A study published in Motivation and Emotion found that performing acts of kindness can help socially anxious individuals reduce their desire to avoid social situations. This intervention showed a greater reduction in patients' avoidance goals compared to those only exposed to social interactions without engaging in good deeds.

How do toddlers use tablets?

A team of University of Iowa researchers analyzed over 200 YouTube videos to understand toddler tablet use. They found that by age two, most children can moderate their ability to use a tablet, while younger toddlers require more guidance.

The majority rules when baboons vote with their feet

A new study found that individual baboons can contribute to a troop's collective movement and that decision-making is largely a shared process. The majority rule suggests that the subgroup with the most initiators determines the direction of movement, reducing conflict in complex societies.

Infants' superior perception linked to later autism symptoms

Researchers have discovered that infants with superior perception skills are more likely to develop autism symptoms later in life. The study found that enhanced visual searching ability at 9 months old predicted more emergent autism symptoms at 15 months and 2 years of age.

Social networking against cancer

Researchers used social network analysis to identify cancer biomarkers in patient genomic microarray data, dramatically decreasing the number of features to analyze. The approach has been successfully demonstrated for three types of cancer: lymphoma, colon cancer, and leukemia.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study finds those who believe in pure evil support more harsh criminal punishments

A Kansas State University study found that individuals with a strong belief in pure evil are more likely to support harsh sentences, including life in prison without parole and the death penalty. This belief overrides stereotypes about the offender's character, suggesting that perceived retribution and demonization play a significant r...

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.

Game played in sync increases children's perceived similarity, closeness

A new study shows that playing a synchronized game on a computer increased children's sense of similarity and closeness immediately after the activity. The findings suggest that time-based synchronized activities, including in music, dance and sports, could be useful tools in bringing children closer together.

Extraversion may be less common than we think

A study by Daniel C. Feiler and Adam M. Kleinbaum found a 'network extraversion bias' in the emerging social networks of MBA students, where extraverts are over-represented. The effect is more pronounced in the networks of socially outgoing people, suggesting that introverts may be better socially calibrated.

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.

Crowdsourced tool for depression

A new peer-to-peer networking tool has been developed to build online support communities and practice therapeutic techniques for depression. The tool, called Panoply, yielded better outcomes in training subjects to use cognitive reappraisal and improving mood in those with severe symptoms.

Understanding loneliness through science

The special section reviews current scientific research on loneliness, exploring its biological, genetic, social, and behavioral aspects. Studies demonstrate a link between social isolation, loneliness, and mortality, as well as the effectiveness of various interventions to prevent or mitigate loneliness.

It's sound -- Bristol Pound encourages community unity

Research on the Bristol Pound found it fosters social bonds by shaping interactions and feelings of trust among users, promoting local business support and community cohesion. The study's findings have implications for designing future payment systems that prioritize social connectivity.

Sexism -- it's in his smile

A study by Jin Goh and Judith Hall found that men who display benevolent sexism are perceived as more approachable, warmer, and friendlier, while those with hostile sexism are less friendly. The researchers also discovered that men with benevolent sexism use positive emotional words and are more patient, despite appearing harmless.

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.

Newly discovered neurons predict the cooperative behavior of others

Researchers have identified a set of neurons in the frontal brain region that predict an opponent's cooperation in strategic decision-making tasks. This discovery sheds light on the neuronal basis of cooperative interactions and may lead to new treatments for autism and antisocial personality disorder.

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.

Looking for love? Use Reddit to give Cupid tech support

Users of popular dating services OKCupid and Tinder rely on Reddit to learn tips and strategies for online dating, including how to cheat the system and avoid common pitfalls such as trolling and catfishing. The study highlights the importance of social norms and effective matchmaking techniques in online dating.

Babies can identify complex social situations and react accordingly

Research shows that 13-month-old babies can comprehend complex social interactions by using their understanding of others' perspectives and social evaluation skills. They exhibit reactions to different scenarios, including friendly and hit-witnessed characters, indicating the beginnings of assigning meaning to social situations.

Simple strategies lead to improvements in 1 year-olds at risk for autism

Researchers found that a parent-coaching intervention called Adapted Responsive Teaching (ART) can significantly improve the outcomes of one-year-old children at risk for autism. The study, published in Autism Research and Treatment, compared ART to early intervention and monitoring, showing promising results.

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.

Penn professor shows how 'spontaneous' social norms emerge

A new study led by Penn's Damon Centola reveals that social conventions can emerge spontaneously, with no centralized leader or media source, through the normal interactions of people in social networks. The research used a web-based game to test how large populations come to consensus, and found that random mixing allowed for the emer...

Reducing work-family conflicts in the workplace helps people to sleep better

A new report published in Sleep Health found that reducing work-family conflicts in the workplace can lead to better sleep outcomes. Workers who participated in an intervention aimed at reducing conflict slept an hour more each week and reported greater sleep sufficiency compared to those who did not participate.

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.

Uncovering complex network structures in nature

Researchers discover that most typical networks are robust to both random and deliberate attacks, contrary to previous thought. They propose a simple method to explore the mathematical space of all interesting networks with a particular node degree distribution.

Does your boss find you proactive ... or pushy?

Employees who take personal initiative but lack social acumen may be seen as troublemakers. A study found that proactive behavior is only beneficial if combined with social skills and sensitivity to favorable opportunities. Employers are looking for employees with both personal initiative and political skill.

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.

Social sensing game detects classroom bullies

A new social sensing game created at Illinois detects bullying behavior and identifies classroom bullies more effectively than traditional research methods. The game analyzes students' interactions in real-time, revealing behaviors like private messages and negative nominations.

Liberals are more emotion-driven than conservatives

A study found that emotions have a greater influence on leftists' positions than on rightists', even with induced negative emotions. Real-world scenarios showed Jewish-Israeli leftists' policy support was more related to empathy and anger than rightists'. Future research aims to investigate how emotions motivate changes in rightists' p...

Study shows why cliques thrive in some schools more than in others

A new study published by the American Sociological Association finds that schools with limited social choices and prescribed formats lead to less clique formation and segregation. In contrast, larger schools with more freedom and choice tend to foster cliquishness and self-segregation among teens.

Framework may help improve use of social media during disasters

A new analysis identifies 15 distinct social media uses during disasters, including providing preparedness information and reconnecting community members. The proposed framework aims to standardize and organize disaster social media practices, potentially protecting lives and aiding recovery

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.

Whites of their eyes: Study finds infants respond to social cues from sclera

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that infants at 7 months old can distinguish between fearful and non-fearful eye expressions, indicating an early ability to detect social cues. This suggests that brain processes for automatic eye recognition develop during infancy.

Study shows sharks have personalities

Researchers found that individual sharks possess social personalities, determining how they interact with group mates in the wild. The study revealed that socially well-connected individuals remained connected under different habitats, while less social individuals camouflaged alone.

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.

Tipping the balance of behavior

Researchers at Caltech have discovered a seesaw-like circuit in the mouse amygdala that controls whether animals engage in social or repetitive asocial behaviors. The discovery, led by Weizhe Hong, may have implications for understanding neural circuit dysfunctions underlying autism in humans.

Diverse neighborhoods may help infants' social learning

A new study found that hearing diverse languages in infancy can make babies more open-minded in their social learning. Infants from diverse neighborhoods were more likely to imitate actions from a non-English speaker than those from less diverse areas.

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.

In our digital world, are young people losing the ability to read emotions?

A UCLA study suggests that excessive digital media use is linked to declining social skills in children, as they spend less time engaging in face-to-face interactions. The research found that sixth-graders who went device-free for five days showed significant improvements in recognizing human emotions compared to their peers.

Study identifies 'bonus effect' for certain multiracial daters

A new study has identified the 'bonus effect' for certain multiracial daters, where they are viewed as more desirable than individuals from all other racial groups. Three multiracial groups - Asian-white women, Asian-white and Hispanic-white men, and black-white daters - were found to be on the receiving end of this preference.

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.

Can fiction stories make us more empathetic?

Research suggests that exposure to narrative fiction can enhance our ability to understand mental states and empathize with others. Studies have shown that children who read fiction regularly develop better theory-of-mind skills, while adults who engage deeply with stories report higher levels of empathy.

Study shows role of media in sharing life events

A new study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that nearly 70% of social sharing took place via media, with participants preferring texting and Twitter for positive events. However, sharing negative news led to increased feelings of sadness and anxiety, highlighting the importance of considering emotional well-being when sh...

Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting opened

The 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting brings together 37 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from around the world. They will engage in discussions on topics such as immune system defenses against infection, advances in cancer research, and intelligent drug development.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Your genes affect your betting behavior

Researchers found that genetic variants in dopamine-regulating genes influence strategic thinking, with three genes linked to belief learning and two genes linked to trial-and-error reinforcement learning. The study's findings have implications for understanding diseases like schizophrenia and social interaction disorders.