Articles tagged with Social Change
A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers finds that crime risk assessment tools, such as machine learning models, are prone to cohort bias when ignoring social change dynamics. This bias can generate inequality in the criminal justice system, distinct from racial bias.
A new study reveals Asian colobines living in colder regions underwent genetic changes and alterations to their social structure, forming larger, more complex societies. These adaptations allowed them to cooperate and survive in environments with low oxygen levels and extreme temperatures.
A recent study found that adolescents across various ages, genders, and geographies are aware of and concerned about the potential impacts of abortion restrictions. The study, led by Dr. Bianca A. Allison, used a nationwide text message poll to gather responses from over 800 adolescents between 14-24 years old.
A team of researchers at Lancaster University developed accessible ways to communicate sustainability research using fairy tale characters. The 'Telling Tales' project aims to make complicated arguments more engaging and understandable for policymakers and the public.
A study from Swansea University and the University of Cape Town tracked the movements of 13 chacma baboons in Cape Town, South Africa. The data revealed that female baboons stopped using urban space after giving birth, suggesting they adapt to reduce risks for their newborns.
The University of Virginia Health System has developed a plan to improve the use of electronic health records, reduce clinician workload, and enhance patient care. The plan outlines three 'essential' steps for improving electronic health reforms, including implementing unique personal safety identifiers to streamline operations.
Anita McGahan, a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School, has been recognized for her outstanding service to the field of strategic management. She will receive the William D. Guth Distinguished Service Award at the Academy of Management's annual meeting in August.
Current global methane emissions policies are inadequate, covering only 13% of emissions, and are often based on inaccurate data. Stronger social support and political consensus are needed for effective methane mitigation to slow down climate change and improve air quality.
Researchers found that modern dog breeds, which are genetically more distant from wolves, have relatively larger brain sizes compared to ancient breeds. This increase in brain size cannot be attributed to the roles or life history characteristics of the breeds.
A new study reveals Homo species' preference for diverse habitats over the last 3 million years. Early African hominins like H. habilis and H. ergaster lived in open grasslands, while H. erectus adapted to temperate forests and colder habitats.
The study analyzed 45 copper objects from Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia, revealing changes in distribution networks across prehistoric Europe. The findings suggest that copper artefacts originated primarily from southeast Europe before 3500 BC, with later sources including the Eastern Alps and British Isles.
Researchers found that highly work-relevant personal information from an AI agent elicits greater empathy in users, while less or no disclosure leads to suppressed empathy. This study suggests self-disclosure could be used to improve people's acceptance of AI technologies.
A new study found that social support, sense of community, and depressive symptoms played a role in changes to an online gaming site's social structure over time. Members who reported more social support and a greater sense of community were more likely to form communication ties and connect with others.
Experts urge clinicians to adopt a whole-of-person approach to medical care to address chronic disease and mental health issues related to child abuse and neglect. A trauma-informed biopsychosocial model of health can help reduce the negative impacts of exposure to serious child abuse and neglect.
A recent study found that the police murder of George Floyd led to a three-week spike in firearm assaults on U.S. police officers, but this trend quickly subsided. The researchers caution against using the term 'war on cops' and instead suggest focusing on evidence-based solutions to reduce violence.
Researchers found that most people perceive climate change as an important and timely issue, contrary to the assumption that it is a distant problem. The study suggests that focusing on leveraging this perception can help drive climate action.
Research explores how social norms and culture influence food preferences, physical activity behaviors and future hopes for community development. Key themes include the importance of creating interventions aligned with cultural norms to create effective and sustainable programs.
A recent study by England Hockey star Tess Howard found that 70% of teenage girls in the UK dropped out of sports due to body image concerns related to their clothing. The research led to the introduction of new, more inclusive uniform policies allowing athletes to choose between skirts and shorts.
A study published by the University of Washington found that a community-based prevention system called Communities That Care (CTC) reduced handgun carrying among adolescents growing up in rural areas. By the 12th grade, adolescents in CTC communities were 24% less likely to report carrying a handgun than those in control communities.
A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...
A new UC study reveals that participating in a civic leadership program empowered refugees and immigrants, increasing their perception of civic engagement. The program, designed by the refugee community, improved participants' consciousness about power, rights, and opportunities.
A new analysis of innovative approaches to project economic impacts along climate mitigation pathways reveals near-term emissions reductions are globally economically optimal, with central estimates for 'optimal warming' around 1.8-1.9°C by 2100. The study estimates that one euro invested in climate solutions saves the world about 1.5 ...
A recent study published in Communications Biology used thermal imaging to capture the social dynamics of 'pee-shy' mice, revealing that males adjust their urine marking behavior based on their past interactions. The research provides insight into how animals manage their social signaling, a crucial aspect of their survival and evolution.
A new study reveals that cross-sector coalitions can create effective policies, systems, and environments for change in addressing early childhood obesity. By bringing together individuals from government, public health, healthcare, and other arenas, coalitions can diffuse knowledge into social and professional networks, leading to inc...
A study reveals a rapid increase in ocean plastics since 2005, with an estimated 170 trillion plastic particles in the world's oceans by 2019. The researchers predict that without policy changes, plastic pollution will accelerate sixfold by 2040.
A new study from George Mason University College of Public Health found that mental health symptoms worsened in Black youth who interacted with the juvenile justice system during transition to adulthood. Connectedness, particularly to family and community, was a protective factor against declining mental health.
A new study from the University of East Anglia finds that most people migrate short distances within their own country to adapt to climate change. The research reveals that everyday mobility is a crucial aspect of managing different shocks and stresses, including increasing climate variability.
A new study by Northwestern University found that the absence of legal protections for sexual minorities increases stigma among both allies and those who reject homosexuality. Even fully accepting individuals may reject their gay neighbors, highlighting the importance of legal inclusion in reducing prejudice.
Researchers analyzed 304,242 #StopAsianHate tweets to understand the role of reflection in social justice activism. The study found that reflection is an essential element, informing both individual involvement and overall movement progress.
A new study of rhesus macaques found that older female macaques have fewer friends, reducing their ability to transmit knowledge outside their social circles. This decline in cohesion and connection has significant consequences for network structure, potentially affecting information transmission and cooperation.
A study published in a book highlights the concentration of land ownership in Brazil, which leads to rural conflicts and violence. The authors argue that the rural population is drastically underrepresented in politics and lacks formal representation to defend its interests.
Researchers from the University of Queensland found that humpback whales have shifted their mating behaviour, with males giving up singing and instead fighting for dominance. This change is believed to be due to the increased population size after whaling cessation, as larger groups may deter other males from approaching potential mates.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers examines the connection between political regime changes and social mobility during the Meiji Restoration. The results show that social mobility increased before the consolidation of a new political power, with meritocracy playing a key role in this period.
A new USC Dornsife study comparing national law enforcement databases with the Fatal Encounters open-source database found significant discrepancies in reporting of officer-involved deaths. In California counties where sheriffs also serve as coroners, these incidents are underreported more often than in separate agencies.
A novel study found a direct relationship between belief in race as a cultural phenomenon driving health disparities and the use of race in care among family physicians. The study suggests that using race without recognizing social, political, and economic factors can stigmatize racially minoritized people and worsen health disparities.
A new study by Jonas Peisker found that favorable economic contexts, such as high income levels and low inflation, foster environmental concern. Social cohesion also played a significant role in prioritizing environmental issues. Regions with greenhouse gas-intensive industries had lower environmental concerns among locals.
This project aims to identify conditions necessary for abandoning climate-damaging social norms and test their effectiveness on representative samples in different countries. The goal is to find solutions for large-scale sustainable changes in individual and social behavior.
A recent study found that nearly half of older adults receive no dental care and half lack dental insurance. After becoming eligible for Medicare, the percentage of people receiving restorative dental care decreased by 8.7%, while complete edentulism increased by almost 5 percentage points among those aged 65 and above.
Research finds speaking up to competent managers leads to a 12%-15% increase in sales performance, while speaking sideways to peers decreases performance by 10%. Employees should critically assess who they direct their voice to when proposing changes.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that day-long implicit bias-oriented training programs for US police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing. Despite increased knowledge and motivation among officers, actual policing behaviors showed little change just one month after the training session.
A new study reveals that online hate speech is frequently conveyed through subtle and modified wording, allowing it to evade detection. Covert methods of expression are being used by haters to avoid detection, highlighting the need for increased attention to implied ways of expressing hate.
A study found that communities experiencing sudden and significant job losses in manufacturing are less likely to engage in sustainability planning and meet sustainability-related goals. This is attributed to deep-rooted connections between industry and community identity, making it difficult for these communities to transition.
Researchers conclude that social changes, such as consumption patterns and climate protests, are crucial in meeting the 1.5-degree goal, but current efforts are insufficient. A new approach to adaptation is necessary to address the impacts of global warming.
A recent study found that social support has a significant impact on depression risk, particularly in individuals with high genetic risk scores. The research used data from two groups: first-year doctors and recently widowed older adults, showing that those who gained social support during stressful times had lower depressive symptoms.
Researchers at Indiana University found that the average age of human conception is around 26.9 years, with fathers averaging 30.7 years and mothers averaging 23.2 years over the past 250,000 years. The study also suggests that the age gap between fathers and mothers has narrowed in recent times.
A study of 169 students found that habitual social media checking is linked to increased sensitivity in adolescent brains. This increased sensitivity may be an adaptive behavior to navigate the digital world, but also poses potential long-term consequences for brain development.
Researchers suggest that societal training shapes gendered perceptions of domestic tasks, with women more likely to see 'to be done' affordances. Men can improve their sensitivity to these affordances through conscious effort and habit formation.
A study published in The BMJ found that people who believe in conspiracies and reject the covid-19 vaccine are more likely to endorse mythical causes of cancer than non-conspiracists. However, awareness of actual causes of cancer is generally higher among these groups.
The study suggests that increased demand for energy transition metals could be more disruptive to some communities than winding back production of thermal coal. An additional 115.7 million people would be at risk from disruption by ETMs.
The study found that fact-checkers in the US primarily assessed existence claims, while Australians focused on solutions. Effective fact-checking presentations included visual information, concise summaries, and clear verdicts. Researchers hope to expand their research to cover the role of fact-checking in COVID-19 and other topics.
A new study found that suicidal ideation increased by nearly five times during the pandemic, particularly among people living in low-income households and those struggling with loneliness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs providing financial and social support to vulnerable populations.
Researchers argue that cognitive transformations are crucial in understanding desistance from crime. Individuals' cognitive shifts, such as attitudes and intentions, serve as foundations for social development, including behavioral changes related to criminal behavior.
A group of international scientists transformed a top-down process into one that provides electricity to remote Amazonian communities. The "Inclusive engineering" approach engages with local values and preferences, ensuring the system is maintained by the community.
Researchers created a Facebook-like prototype platform, called Trustnet, where users rate posts as accurate or inaccurate before sharing. This approach showed that people effectively assess misinforming posts and share their assessments with others.
A decades-long effort to lower the US stillbirth rate has stalled, with no progress made in reducing disparities between Black and White women. Despite advances in prenatal care and maternal health, excess stillbirths experienced by Black women have remained unchanged since the mid-2000s.
The INSPIRE project aims to close the gender gap in research careers and promote inclusivity. It will create a sustainable centre of excellence, set the worldwide standard for research on inclusive gender equality, and provide practical support for institutions implementing gender equality plans.
Research suggests that social norms can be harnessed to bring about collective climate action and policy change, but requires deep contextual knowledge to be used effectively. Social norm interventions aim to increase adoption of sustainable behaviors, while social-tipping interventions disrupt unsustainable norms.
A decades-long study found that cash changed the Ju/’hoansi economy, allowing individuals to keep their earnings and fill their own needs. The study also revealed a decline in the traditional system of gifting and sharing, which had previously distributed possessions throughout communities.
A Northwestern University study found that physicians may deny care to people with disabilities due to bias and lack of knowledge about accommodations. The study's results suggest a need for changes in medical education and approach to improve accessibility for patients with disabilities.