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Teachers want support to embrace nature play in primary education

A new Australian study reveals that despite growing interest in nature-based learning, teachers need professional development to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. The research found that seven out of ten teachers felt limited by their knowledge and confidence in using nature play areas to support curriculum goals.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning·TypeSurvey·DateAug 24, 2022

Social connection drives learning in bird brain

Scientists at OIST Graduate University discovered the neural circuitry that enables juvenile zebra finches to learn songs through social interaction with a tutor. The locus coeruleus-caudomedial nidopallium circuit plays a crucial role in attention and arousal, guiding the bird's focus on the tutor's song.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2022

Implicit bias and concern about appearing racist predict teachers’ reluctance to discuss race and racism in the classroom

A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Safety first: How stigma may impact health

A new theory suggests that lack of perceived safety in marginalized communities can have a direct impact on physical and mental health. This concept challenges decades-old thinking that minority stress is the primary cause of health disparities in the LGBTQ community.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 6, 2022

Unique blend of comics and humor is key to success of public awareness posters in Singapore, finds Singapore-US researchers

The study found that the use of comics for humour, visual-verbal interplay, informality, simple narrative plots, and exaggerated personalities contributed to the campaign's enduring success. The researchers argue that humour is a powerful discursive strategy to educate the public, making content relatable while addressing taboo topics.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalDiscourse Context & Media·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 28, 2022

The power of kindness in improving brain health

A kindness training program adapted from Children's Kindness Network improves both parents' resilience and children's empathy. The study found that teaching kindness at home boosts parental resilience and enhances emotional intelligence in preschoolers, supporting overall brain health.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 11, 2022

Female chimpanzees avoid humans

Research shows female chimpanzees tend to avoid villages and farmland, while males are more likely to encounter humans, leading to smaller social gatherings for females. This sex difference in risk perception could have significant consequences for the survival of chimpanzees.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateMar 2, 2022

Researchers from the GIST use artificial intelligence to identify potential unsafe locations in cities

GIST researchers propose a new strategy for crime prevention using artificial intelligence, trained on a large-scale dataset of deviant incident reports and corresponding images. The model, called DevianceNet, can accurately classify and detect deviant places, making it a useful tool in urban safety development.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2022

Study reveals strong demand for open-access science

A new study from Georgia Tech's School of Public Policy found that nearly half of the reports were downloaded for academic purposes, while even more were accessed by people outside educational settings. The analysis revealed strong demand among users for open-access scientific information to improve their lives, with downloads categori...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Some birds sing the same song for hundreds of thousands of years

A recent study by UC Berkeley and Missouri State University scientists found that East African sunbirds have retained their songs for over 500,000 years, with some changes occurring in pulses. This discovery suggests that environmental stability may constrain the evolution of social signals like song.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Study: Brain mechanisms involved in learning also drive social conformity

Researchers found that the same brain systems involved in learning from trial and error are also engaged when people conform to social norms. The study used electroencephalograms to track brain activity and showed that participants' behavior was influenced by their peers' actions, leading to changes in generosity and selfishness.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPsychophysiology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021

Extensive use of smartphones by parents might damage toddler’s development and have far-reaching consequences

A recent study from Tel Aviv University found that mothers' smartphone use reduces toddler interaction by a factor of four. Reduced interaction can have far-reaching consequences on child development, including language and social skills. The study also found no significant difference between browsing smartphones and reading magazines.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalChild Development·DateDec 15, 2021

Students engaging in COVID-19 distance learning were more motivated and persistent – and less likely to procrastinate – when they perceived themselves as autonomous, competent and socially connected

A multi-country study finds that students performing COVID-19 distance learning exhibit increased motivation and perseverance when they perceive themselves as self-motivated and connected to others. The study also reveals lower procrastination rates among these students.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 6, 2021

What AI analysis of 100 million social media interactions can teach product managers

A new study in the Journal of Marketing uses big data from over 100 million social media user engagements to derive marketing insights. The research captures latent relationships among thousands of brands and across many categories, revealing a highly precise market structure. This allows product managers to identify potential threats ...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 9, 2021

Science-backed tips for maximizing play time with kids

Research highlights six core pillars of learning: active, engaged, meaningful, socially interactive, iterative, and joyful. Experts offer practical advice on transforming everyday spaces into playful learning environments that support children's growth.

SourcePenn State·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeCase study·DateAug 26, 2021

Jackdaws don't console traumatized mates

Male jackdaws don't provide consolation to their mate after a traumatic experience, focusing on self-preservation instead. Researchers found that males decrease their nest visits and time with the female after an attack, suggesting they prioritize their own safety over comforting their partner.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 29, 2021

Young orangutans have sex-specific role models

Young male and female orangutans exhibit distinct preferences for role models, with males learning from immigrant adults and females from their mothers. These differences reflect the animals' ecological needs and adaptability, highlighting the significance of social learning in shaping behavior.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 20, 2021

Transcultural literacies and meaning-making through fanfiction

A study by Liudmila Shafirova, Daniel Cassany, and Carme Bach examines the creation and sharing of fanfiction, highlighting how fans develop transcultural literacies through amateur translation of a Russian novel into English. The research reveals the importance of online spaces for social practice and language learning.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalInternational Journal of Language Translation and Intercultural Communication·DateNov 25, 2020

Is zoom increasing the demand for plastic surgery

A study published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine suggests that Zoom's increased usage has led to a rise in plastic surgery requests, particularly for nose and wrinkle treatments. The 'Zoom Dysmorphia' phenomenon is characterized by individuals seeking surgical interventions due to perceived flaws on video calls.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalFacial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine·DateNov 13, 2020

'No, you go first'

A study published in Biology Letters found that house sparrows can learn from each other's behavior and become more daring when approaching new objects. After being paired with a more confident partner, cautious birds were 2.6 times more likely to feed near a new object.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 2, 2020

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

UT human development specialist recognized with National Excellence in Extension Award

Matthew Devereaux, a UT human development specialist, has been honored with the National Excellence in Extension Award for his visionary leadership and innovative programming that positively develops youth in afterschool settings. His research on social-emotional learning programs has shown significant gains in student grades and stand...