Two new studies suggest that smiling and positive interactions with caregivers help babies develop emotion regulation skills and physiological foundations of emotional well-being. Researchers found increases in heart-rate variability when both the baby and caregiver were positively engaged, indicating a unique effect of mutual positive...
Dolphins use acoustic cues to navigate and find food, with whistles associated with social behavior and echolocation linked to sound-producing fish. The study reveals distinct patterns in dolphin communication, suggesting dolphins favor different habitats for socializing and hunting.
A substantial global study finds strong social connections are associated with better perceptions of overall mental and physical health. Childhood relationships also play a role in adult well-being, but adult friendships may be more influential.
A new study at the University of California, Davis found that an adolescent's brain response to a face may predict their social health two years later. High activity in the amygdala when an adolescent looks at a face showing emotions predicts more involvement with peers for girls, but less involvement for boys.
Research shows men and women exhibit similar performance in multitasking ability, except for conversational tasks where men ignore conversation more often. This difference influences how others perceive their performance, contributing to the persistence of the stereotype.
A new study suggests that environmental factors can influence which bird songs are passed down through generations. Common song types, with higher frequencies and broader frequency bandwidths, traveled more effectively through the environment than rare songs. This makes it easier for young birds to hear and learn these songs, potential...
The RESINA project, launched by three Spanish universities, aims to identify and transfer sustainable ways of living from rural Spain. The project will document practices based on neighbourly cooperation, agroecology, and communal resource management, making them publicly available through an Open Methodological Toolkit.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University and Mykolas Romeris University found that maternal disapproval is a significant factor in the demise of best friend relationships. Children who reported their mothers' disapproval were more likely to abandon those friendships, even if they initially persisted.
A new study by Professor Chris Dawson found that childhood disadvantage is linked to lower levels of trust in others, with intelligence having half the effect on social benefits. The study analyzed data from over 24,000 people across the UK and suggests that stable childhood environments may be crucial in shaping life chances.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
A new study finds that widowed men experience poorer physical and mental health, while widowed women show resilience and improved well-being after losing their spouse. The study highlights the need for gender-specific strategies to support recovery after spousal loss.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that early puberty is associated with an increased risk of general psychological distress, psychiatric diagnoses, and the use of psychiatric medication. Girls who enter puberty early may have twice the risk of receiving psychiatric medication for mental health conditions compared to their peers.
Children across the globe exhibit similar cooperative behaviors, such as fairness and trustworthiness, that align with adult norms over age. As children get older, their behavior reflects local norms, but younger children tend to be self-interested.
Researchers found that psilocybin reduced novelty-seeking in control mice, but heightened it in anorexia model mice. Inflammation levels were also altered, contradicting expectations based on human studies. The study's findings have implications for understanding anorexia nervosa and the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics.
A cross-sectional study found increased global social isolation, particularly in lower-income populations, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted interventions are needed to mitigate high isolation levels and reduce inequities.
A new, free screening tool was designed to help kindergarten teachers quickly identify students who need extra academic or social-emotional support. The tool takes just 10-15 minutes per class and provides a baseline of what each student might need, helping teachers pinpoint areas for additional resources and training.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers in the US experienced slightly fewer emotional and behavioral problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 children, suggests that some toddlers may have shown resilience during this time.
The Center for BrainHealth's Charisma Virtual Social Coaching has been selected as a Top 3 Finalist for the 2025 GIMI Innovation Award. The platform offers real-time social-emotional coaching, immersive role-play, and data tracking to help youth and young adults build social confidence and perspective.
Researchers found that siblings, friends, and extended family play crucial roles in helping parents keep their children safe on online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft. Online safety risks include scams, anti-social behavior, and adult roleplays.
A new study shows that higher levels of hope are linked to reduced bullying and cyberbullying, with students with more hope being less likely to engage in these behaviors. Strengthening hope could be a powerful strategy in preventing bullying by helping young people build resilience and invest in their futures.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Kentucky found that employees assigned to more complex projects during their first two years had higher levels of learning, professional certifications, and promotion rates. This suggests that early career experiences play a crucial role in shaping future career development.
The PEERS for Preschoolers program is an evidence-based solution designed to help young children on the autism spectrum learn fundamental social skills needed to form lasting friendships. The program focuses on key areas such as turn-taking, sharing, cooperative play, and good sportsmanship.
Research by University of Zurich reveals African young adults prioritize communal values over individual exploration in transition to adulthood. Education and family support are key factors in achieving full adult status, as seen in the study on Ovambo people of Namibia.
A new study analyzing US data from over 27,500 participants reveals that retirees show more signs of depression than working individuals, with binge drinking exacerbating the issue. Moderate drinking appears to have fewer depressive symptoms compared to abstaining completely.
The PEERS Clinic at UCLA offers a 20-week dating program called PEERS for Dating, aiming to demystify social rules and empower participants to form lasting connections. Participants will learn practical strategies for initiating and maintaining romantic relationships with support from trained coaches.
A study of 367 parents found that two-thirds recalled watching diverse media with their children, and their racial-ethnic identity predicted their attitudes but not their beliefs. Parents were more open to diverse content than previously thought.
The University of Missouri's College of Education and Human Development is giving free online training and coaching to 110 middle school teachers in rural Missouri. The goal is to create a safe learning environment, with the potential to reduce stressors for teachers and improve student engagement.
A study of 12,000 Canadian respondents aged 65+ found that socially independent older adults born in Canada are most satisfied when living solo, while socially dependent immigrants who live alone experience lower life satisfaction. Personality-based social dispositions play a key role in how older adults feel about their living arrange...
Research at Kobe University and University of Sussex reveals that self-presentation evaluation shifts from positive for usually poorly performing individuals to less positive around age 10. Younger children tend to view self-presenters as more competent and nice, while adults evaluate false statements more negatively.
A new study found that social media platforms restrict user-generated content and advertising related to illegal muscle-building drugs but offer few restrictions on legal dietary supplements. This has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of these products on young people's health and behavior.
The new research project examines the associations between relationship events and partners' personalities, focusing on socialization effects. Couples will be asked about their everyday lives to understand how situations evolve.
Researchers found that childhood adversity can reshape an individual's moral development, leading to a 'deformative experience' that pulls them away from their true nature. This asymmetric sensitivity to life history information affects judgments of praise and blame.
A new study finds that people who adhere to a Mediterranean lifestyle have a lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality. The study, led by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from 110,799 participants and found an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean lif...
A study found that babies watching live music had higher heart rates and were more engaged than those watching recordings, even with identical audio. The researchers tracked the babies' responses using heart monitors and tablets, and noted that the live performance captured their attention for 72% of the show.
The study found an association between COVID-19 pandemic exposure and delayed childhood development in children aged 5. Variations in development widened during the pandemic, regardless of age, emphasizing the importance of identifying and supporting affected children.
A new study found that homophobic name-calling, even from friends, has a negative impact on teenagers' mental health, including depressive symptoms and decreased sense of belonging. The research highlights the importance of clear anti-bullying policies, teacher education, and supportive interventions to prevent such behavior.
A study published in Health & Place found that walkable neighborhoods foster social interactions with neighbors, promoting a sense of community. Researchers analyzed data from 1,745 adults living in Seattle, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., revealing that these environments encourage active behaviors like walking and socializing.
Research suggests that lonely people process information in unique ways, differing from their peers, even with large social networks. This difference may lead to a reduced sense of understanding and further challenges in achieving social connection.
A new study found that high physical activity does not offset obesity risk among preteens with high screen time, highlighting the importance of limiting screen time. Parents are advised to encourage physical activities, such as sports and outdoor play, to help combat childhood obesity.
Research from the University of Houston suggests that digital technology can enhance learning in young children by leveraging mind-wandering moments. When toddlers exhibit attentiveness and persistence while playing educational apps on an iPad, it leads to positive creative problem-solving skills and improved learning outcomes.
Researchers found that differences in epigenetic DNA methylation predict behavioral differences between dogs better than genetic markers. Epigenetics are more informative for behavior than genetics, and the results open up new possibilities for screening and selecting desired behavioral traits in companion or service dogs.
A new study demonstrates how anonymized smartphone data can monitor public use of parks and green spaces, shedding light on relationships between people and nature. The findings highlight potential for GPS data to inform management and optimize benefits for both recreation and biodiversity.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022
A new national study found that excessive screen time, especially video gaming and watching videos, is linked to an increased risk of developing OCD in US preteens. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions or compulsions.
A UNIGE team found an increase in altruism among children returning from summer camps, compared to those who did not participate. These results suggest that holiday camps can be a valuable tool for developing socio-emotional abilities in children.
Research shows that children learning to navigate complex social situations are often given mixed messages about honesty and dishonesty by their adult caregivers. The study found that adults judge blunt truth-tellers more harshly when they lie to be polite, but reward subtle truths that protect others.
A new study conducted by Swansea University explored 20,000 children's opinions on play pre and post-COVID-19 school closures. The research identified five themes, including the importance of having space to play, time with friends, and protected time to play in school and at home.
A new study is providing training to mothers of infants at the Linda Ray Intervention Center, equipping them with a critical caregiving skill. The program focuses on infant-directed singing, which has been shown to help babies regulate their emotions and develop self-regulation skills.
Youth substance use declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, as teens had limited access to peers and substances due to stay-at-home orders. This reduced risk of substance use is attributed to increased social isolation from peers, which may have a negative impact on mental health.
Researchers found that care coordinators identifying illnesses early and providing timely care allowed most residents to 'age in place,' reducing need for nursing home care. Exercise and socialization opportunities also improved physical and mental health outcomes.
A study of over 4,000 US high school boys found a strong association between muscle-building exercise and physical fighting, as well as carrying weapons. The research highlights the importance of addressing gender equity and violence among adolescent boys.
A study by Jeffrey Hall found that face-to-face interaction has declined uniformly across the US, Great Britain, and Australia since before the rise of social media. This decline is attributed to increased work hours and media consumption, rather than a displacement effect.
Researchers identified that 10% of students were recognized as relationally aggressive by peers but not teachers. Students with higher levels of academic competence and female students were more likely to be recognized by both groups. The study suggests that better identification of these students is crucial for effective interventions.
A new Penn State study found that Black youth with high BMIs reported fewer weight concerns when they had a strong sense of racial identity. Fathers also played a role in shaping their daughters' body image, particularly when involved in teaching about Black culture. The findings suggest that services promoting youth racial identity an...
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that individuals focused on their appearance are more prone to social physique anxiety, which leads to fear of negative evaluations and social distress in dating contexts. The research involved 501 young adults and discovered associations between body image attitudes and dating anxiety.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that robotic pet cats improved mood scores and cognitive function in adults with mild to moderate dementia. The intervention involved 12 visits with the robotic cat, where participants interacted with it and reported positive emotions.
Public health officials can use storytelling to resonate key messages with their audiences, taking into account social determinants of health and empathetic creativity. Effective storytelling highlights complexities, leading to strategies like outdoor firepits to address issues.
A new study found that unusual visual inspection behavior in infants aged 9 months and older is predictive of a later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This behavior, characterized as an over-focus on objects, was most prominent and present earliest in infants who developed ASD.
A new study found that early socialization of dairy calves does not negatively affect their behavior, performance, or health, and may even benefit their early-life health by reducing scours. Calves housed in pairs after birth showed greater comfort with pen-mates and a reduced risk of diarrhea.
A new longitudinal study published in Child Development found that African American youth who receive positive messages about their racial group in school achieve better grades one to two years later. The study suggests that a positive sense of community and interdependence is key to success for these students.
A new study suggests that positive messages about being Black can decrease symptoms of depression in Black girls, while negative messages increase the risk. The research highlights the importance of avoiding negative stereotypes about Black women and incorporating gender-specific messages into mental health programs.