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Children with autism may learn from 'virtual peers'

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that children with high-functioning autism produce more contingent sentences when interacting with virtual peers. This suggests that virtual peers can be a useful tool in helping children with autism develop communication and social skills. The study aims to generalize these skills to m...

Sniffing out insider threats

Researchers developed a technology to spot insider threats using data mining techniques on email interactions. Individuals with latent interests in sensitive topics or those feeling alienated within the organization are potential threats.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Security and Networks·DateFeb 19, 2008

Babies prefer good Samaritans

Babies as young as six months old showed a preference for individuals who help others, while hindering was met with disdain. This early ability to evaluate people suggests that assessing interactions is central to processing the social world.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2007

10 minutes of talking has a mental payoff

A University of Michigan study found that conversing with others for just 10 minutes can improve memory and cognitive function. The research suggests that social interaction is an effective way to boost mental abilities, comparable to traditional mental exercises.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateOct 29, 2007

Friends help friends avoid drug use

A USC study found that social network-tailored prevention curricula can significantly reduce substance use among teenagers, with a 15% decrease in high-risk teens. The program's success depends on how peer influence is channeled, with positive influences boosting participation and negative influences hindering it.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAddiction·DateOct 8, 2007

Nurtured chimps rake it in

A new study reveals that raising chimpanzees in a human cultural environment enhances their cognitive abilities, particularly in understanding how tools work. The researchers found that enculturated chimpanzees excelled in using rakes to retrieve rewards, demonstrating a deeper understanding of tool functionality.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJun 13, 2007

DALYs system for 'measuring' disability

The DALYs system, widely used to measure public health interventions' effects, fails to account for the complexities of disability. Critics argue that this approach undervalues the lives of disabled individuals, instead prioritizing those without disabilities.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 10, 2007

Your mom was wrong: Horseplay is an important part of development

Rough and tumble play in animals has been linked to improved social competence and coordination. The study found that deprivation of peer interaction led to impaired movement coordination and perception of social cues in rats. These findings suggest that horseplay is essential for the development of social skills in humans.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMar 19, 2007

Landscapes and human behavior

Researchers at Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus conducted a landscaping experiment to examine the impact of environmental surroundings on human behavior. The study found that individuals living in areas with lush landscapes preferred more recreational spaces, while those in desert environments barely knew their neighbors.

Lefties have the advantage in adversarial situations

Researchers found that left-handed snails are less frequently attacked by right-handed crabs, leading to increased survival rates. This advantage is likely due to the specialized tooth on the crab's right claw, which is designed for opening shells, making it harder for the crab to access the left-handed snail's shell.

SourceYale University·JournalBiology Letters·DateMar 23, 2006

Cutting middle management kills productivity

A study from McMaster University suggests that cutting middle managers can actually decrease a company's productivity, as one-on-one social exchanges between bosses and employees are crucial for building trust and loyalty. By investing in reciprocal interactions, employers can boost employee commitment and superior performance.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateFeb 8, 2006

Long-term ecological research should include studies on how social science interacts with ecosystems

A new report emphasizes the importance of studying the intersection of social science and ecosystems in long-term ecological research. The study suggests that a more integrated approach will improve our ability to forecast future scenarios and understand the impact of humans on biophysical systems. By examining how social and ecologica...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateJan 18, 2006

Alone in the aisle

Researchers found that consumers prefer a balance between social interaction and non-interaction, becoming uncomfortable when the experience becomes too intense. The study utilized Social Impact Theory to demonstrate the influence of mere presence on consumer behavior in retail contexts.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 18, 2005

Obese shoppers more likely to experience discrimination

Research found that obese shoppers face subtle interpersonal discrimination in stores, with professionally dressed obese shoppers experiencing less discrimination than average-weight shoppers. The study suggests that by removing justifications for prejudice, manifestations of interpersonal discrimination can be curbed.

The blotchier the face, the better the wasp

Researchers found that wasps with broken-up facial patterns signal their quality and status. Those who don't signal honestly receive social sanctions, including harassment from dominant wasps. The study provides conclusive evidence that dishonest visual signals have a social cost in the wasp world.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateNov 10, 2004