Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

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.

Female monkeys with female friends live longer

Researchers found that adult female capuchin monkeys who are well-integrated into social networks with other females survive longer. In contrast, heterosexual relationships showed no survival-related benefits to females, but may still provide benefits for some individuals in specific circumstances. The study also reveals complex behavi...

What Harry Potter can (and can’t) teach us about economics

A new study finds that Harry Potter's economic model is distorted from professional models, influencing readers' views on economics. The paper highlights key aspects of the 'Potterian economy,' including its critique of market-based systems and government corruption.

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.

Social-sexual education for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities

A new curriculum called Relationships Decoded shows promise in teaching adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities about healthy romantic relationships and preventing sexual abuse. The program, tested with diverse professionals from California, improves knowledge and understanding of social-sexual relationships.

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.

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.

Even in a virtual classroom, preschoolers can gain reading skills

A new study by the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences finds that children can develop key reading skills in a virtual classroom with other students. The 'Reading Camp' program demonstrates not only its effectiveness but also its potential to reach larger numbers of students remotely.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Child masking associated with reduced COVID-19 related child care closures

A Yale study found that child masking in child care programs reduced closure rates by 13-14%. Child masking was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19-related closures, keeping children in safe learning environments and allowing parents to remain employed. Masking rates were higher for staff members than children.

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.

Can we unlearn pain? Helping make sense of chronic pain

A mixed-methods survey found that pain science education helped people recover from chronic pain by understanding it was not tissue damage and that stress and emotion could heighten perceptions. The study also identified seven learning objectives to help teenagers better understand pain, including reframing perceptions of pain as an 'o...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How children integrate information

Researchers developed a computational cognitive model to explain how children integrate information during word learning. The model simulates what should happen when different information sources are combined in a rational way, and its predictions align well with real-world data.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

When power is toxic: Dominance reduces influence in groups

A new study shows that dominant individuals can actually reduce influence in groups, especially when individuals have a choice about who to follow. In contrast, passive individuals wield the greatest influence in bringing a group to consensus.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Marmoset monkeys can learn a new dialect

Researchers found that common marmosets learn and adopt new dialects when moving to a new colony, suggesting socially learned dialects. The study provides insight into the origins of language in primates.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

What's more powerful, word-of-mouth or following someone else's lead?

New research found that word-of-mouth referrals from the platform community drive anime watching decisions and behaviors, outperforming following someone else's lead or observed adoptions. A person's community network is the primary source of information driving their decision-making.

Scholars weigh in on new ideas about autism

A new paper proposes that behaviors common to autism, such as low eye contact and repetitive movements, may not be indicative of social aversion but rather a desire for social connection. Autistic individuals share their experiences, expressing frustration with misinterpreted stereotypes.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Value of climate conversations

A survey of 1,263 people found that discussing global warming leads to increased learning of key facts about the scientific agreement on global warming. This knowledge in turn influences beliefs and promotes more climate-related conversations.

Social interactions impact climate change predictions, U of G study reveals

A University of Guelph study found that including social processes in climate models can alter predictions and may hold the key to reducing global warming. Researchers developed a new model that accounts for social learning, finding that higher rates of social learning are needed to meet the 1.5-degree target.

Researchers outline how humans reduce uncertainty in social situations

A team of Brown University scientists has developed a framework to apply mathematical models of uncertainty to social scenarios, proposing three interrelated methods people use to reduce social uncertainty. The first method, automatic inference, involves predicting another person's behavior based on appearance and social norms, while t...

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.

Mind melding: Understanding the connected, social brain

Researchers found that neural synchrony between mothers and infants predicts social learning, while eye contact is associated with increased synchrony. The study sheds light on the human social brain and its importance in learning and development.

Meditation enhances social-emotional learning in middle school students

A new study found that middle school students practicing meditation as part of a Quiet Time program showed significant improvements in social-emotional competencies and psychological distress. The study demonstrated the value of such programs in enhancing social-emotional learning and mental health in middle school students.

Human impacts erode behavioral diversity in chimpanzees

Research on 144 chimpanzee groups found that high levels of human impact significantly reduce behavioral diversity, including the loss of unique tools and hunting behaviors. The study suggests population size and social learning play key roles in maintaining cultural traits.

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.

Social threat learning influences our decisions

Researchers found that social threat learning, such as watching a video or receiving oral instructions, can influence decision-making just as strongly as first-hand experience. Participants who learned a certain image was dangerous continued to avoid it, even when it led to more shocks, indicating irrational behavior.

Imperceptible movements guide juvenile zebra finch song development

Researchers discovered that adult females guide juvenile zebra finch song development through wing gestures and 'fluff ups', encouraging the baby birds to mimic their favorite versions. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals socially-guided vocal learning in zebra finches, similar to human babies.

Boys with social difficulties most susceptible to early substance use, study finds

A new study found that boys with social skills problems, anxiety, learning and conduct issues are at the greatest risk of developing aggressive behavior and using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana by the end of eighth grade. The study identified four distinct patterns of co-occurring social-emotional learning and behavioral problems among...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.