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A new study from Flinders University found that feeling connected to a social group can lead people to make healthier food choices. The research tested the idea that people are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits if they feel like they belong to the same group as those promoting healthy eating.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAppetite·TypeSurvey·DateMay 22, 2024

Cardiovascular burden of the V142I transthyretin variant

The V142I transthyretin variant is associated with substantial risk for heart failure hospitalization and death in Black individuals, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. Further investigation into the complex interplay between the variant, ancestry, social determinants of health, and biological factors is warranted.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 12, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Bonobos aren’t as peace-loving as we thought

A new Harvard study reveals that male bonobos engage in more acts of aggression than chimpanzees, contrary to their peaceful reputation. The researchers found that bonobos exhibit less sexual coercion and violence towards females, but more frequent 'squabbling' among males.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

Tourism planning as a social practice in times of change and uncertainty: views from a troubled Latin American country

This study examines tourism planning practices in Ecuador using social practice theory, revealing traditional and emerging approaches. The findings highlight the importance of considering the knowledge, experience, and context of consultants in shaping tourism planning processes.

SourceEscuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral·JournalCurrent Issues in Tourism·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 2, 2024

Vervet monkeys follow different social “norms” and respond to “peer pressure,” new long-term study shows

A new long-term study has found that vervet monkeys in neighboring groups have distinct social traditions, with some exhibiting more affiliative behaviors than others. The researchers observed that males adapted their social style to match their new group, suggesting a phenomenon akin to social conformity driven by peer pressure.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Disadvantaged children’s struggles at school have “little to do” with character, attitude or a lack of ‘growth mindset’

A global study of 240,000 students challenges the widespread policy conviction that bridging the academic gap hinges on improving socio-emotional skills. Despite high levels of socio-emotional skills among disadvantaged children, their relative underperformance at school remains largely unchanged.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalSociology of Education·DateDec 18, 2023

Love thy neighbor: Cooperation extends beyond one’s own group in wild bonobos

A new study on bonobos finds that they form strong alliances and share resources across groups, paving the way for pro-social cooperative behaviors. Unlike chimpanzees, bonobo interactions are characterized by remarkable tolerance, allowing them to cooperate with members of different groups without conflict.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 16, 2023

Forget social distancing: House finches become more social when sick

A study of house finches found that sick birds are more social than healthy ones, preferring to eat with their flock. This behavior may be driven by the benefits of group living for sick birds, but also poses a risk to healthy birds due to increased disease transmission.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateNov 15, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Despite denouncements, conversion practices remain prevalent for sexual and gender minority individuals - with estimates centering on 1 in 10 - and prevalence differences by country, race and sex assignment at birth

A systematic review found conversion practices affecting approximately 1 in 10 sexual and gender minority populations, with significant variations across countries, racial groups, and sex assignments. The study's results highlight the need for increased awareness and support for individuals experiencing these practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 4, 2023
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.

Swimming lessons often discourage kids from just having fun in the pool

Researchers from the Netherlands found that traditional swimming lessons in the country often discourage children from having fun in the pool. By adopting a teaching style based on self-determination theory, instructors can nurture autonomy, competence, and relatedness, leading to improved swimming skills and increased enjoyment. The s...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

Europeans may be more willing to help Ukrainian refugees than those from Syria or Somalia in part because they consider Ukrainians less threatening

A study found Europeans are more willing to assist Ukrainian asylum seekers than Syrians or Somalis, largely because of the perceived lower threat level associated with Ukrainians. The research suggests that emotional factors and prejudice play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards helping refugees.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 13, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Experiencing negatively-perceived emotions might prompt people to withdraw from a social group - specifically, shame for individualistic societies, but anger for more collectivistic cultures

A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that experiencing shame leads to disidentification in individualistic societies, while anger triggers this effect in collectivistic cultures. The findings highlight the distinct emotional responses to social withdrawal in different cultural contexts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 6, 2023

Attitudes toward minorities with dual social identities appear to be driven more by the positive influence of the shared identity than the potential negative influence of the unshared foreign identity

A new study found that exposure to groups with dual social identities improves intergroup attitudes, especially when individuals identify strongly with both parts of their identity. This suggests that embracing both identities can be beneficial for minorities in terms of intergroup relations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 16, 2023

Male killer whales protected by post-menopause mothers

New research shows that post-menopause female killer whales protect their sons from fights with other whales, reducing the incidence of socially inflicted injuries. This unique behavior suggests that females prioritize helping their male offspring, who have more genetic potential for passing on their mother's genes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 20, 2023

How positive contact with diverse groups reduces conspiracy theories

A new study from UEA found that friendly interactions with people from diverse groups can significantly reduce the endorsement and tolerance of conspiracy theories. Positive intergroup contact has been shown to decrease prejudice towards targeted groups, including Jewish people and immigrants.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 17, 2023
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.

Focus on state as ‘problem parent’ rather than care-experienced mothers – new research

Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·TypeCase study·DateJul 10, 2023

Helping virtual reality reflect social realities

A nationwide VR research project is working to create diverse groups of participants to reflect real-world social dynamics. The Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) aims to provide researchers with access to large, reliable, and diverse groups for various VR research projects.

SourceLehigh University·DateMay 25, 2023

Roadmap to fair AI: revealing biases in AI models for medical imaging

A team of experts identified 29 sources of bias in AI/ML models for medical imaging, including data collection, preparation, and deployment. The study provides a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating these biases and ensuring fairness, equity, and trust in AI/ML models.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateApr 26, 2023
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.

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Neanderthals hunted elephants: Earliest evidence found of humans killing elephants for food

Neanderthals deliberately hunted down and slaughtered European straight-tusked elephants over 125,000 years ago, providing a significant source of nutrition. The study reveals that Neanderthals came together in larger social groups than previously assumed, with adult male individuals being overrepresented in the assemblage.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 2, 2023

Predicting human group sizes with physics

Researchers at Complexity Science Hub developed a model using physics principles to predict group sizes in humans. By analyzing social stress and homophily, they found that group sizes can be predicted with relatively small information, revealing new insights into human behavior.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPhysical Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2023

Female monkeys ‘actively reduce’ social network as they age

Researchers found that female rhesus macaques become increasingly selective in their social interactions as they get older, focusing on relatives and established friendships. This trend suggests that females play an active role in shaping their social networks, rather than being shunned by society.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2022

Sex roles in the animal kingdom are driven by the ratio of females to males

Research suggests that the ratio of adult females to males influences sex roles in animal species. Variation in this ratio can lead to differences in mate competition, parental care, and social behavior among species. The study proposes that understanding these dynamics can inform conservation efforts.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalBiological Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 29, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Having good friendships may make for a healthier gut microbiome

A new study on rhesus macaques reveals a strong link between social connections and the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria. Monkeys with more sociable behavior have a higher presence of microbes like Faecalibacterium, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2022

In organizations, group dynamics influence individuals’ likelihood of blowing the whistle on wrongdoing

A new study at Carnegie Mellon University found that group cohesion reduces whistleblowing tendencies within an organization but increases them outside of the group. This challenges prevailing views on whistleblowing and highlights the importance of considering relational dynamics in organizational interventions.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalOrganization Science·DateNov 3, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

One of the crowd or one of a kind? New artificial intelligence research indicates we're a bit of both

A new study published in iScience found that humans tend to follow a two-step process when in a crowd, with an initial reflexive imitation followed by a more deliberate strategic decision. The research suggests this influence affects not only social norms but also immediate actions and underlies behaviors such as rioting and mass panic.

SourceAston University·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 24, 2022

Family ties give animals reasons to 'help or harm' as they age

A team of scientists studied how relatedness to a social group changes with age in seven mammal species, finding that incentives to help or harm shift depending on the species' social structure and gender. This understanding can explain differences across species and sexes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2022

An audiovisual journey with the MEMEX travelling exhibition

The MEMEX project promotes social cohesion by using AI and interactive tools to share community stories linked to cultural heritage. The exhibition features audio-visual stories from Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris, and Genoa participants who co-created their own digital content.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·DateSep 15, 2022
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.

Would helping only the least advantaged benefit society as a whole?

A study by Hun Chung questions the assumption that helping the least advantaged benefits society as a whole, finding potential gaps in Rawls' theory. The research suggests that even with an optimal state, further improvements can occur without worsening the situation of the least advantaged group.

SourceWaseda University·JournalThe Journal of Politics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2022

UNLV research: No, the human brain did not shrink 3,000 years ago

A team of UNLV-led researchers questions the hypothesis that modern humans experienced an evolutionary decrease in brain size during the transition to complex societies. They analyzed a dataset of early human fossil and museum specimens, finding no reduction in brain size over 30,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 5, 2022
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.

Oxytocin spreads cooperation in social networks

Administering oxytocin to central social network members spreads cooperation via increased punishment of uncooperative behavior, Li et al. found in a new study published in JNeurosci. Cooperation can conflict with individual goals, but oxytocin may have evolved humans' need for group living.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022
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.

How humans evolved to get along (to extent that we do)

A new study on bonobo social structure may hold clues to understanding human cooperation. Researchers found four neighboring groups of bonobos maintaining exclusive and stable borders, showing they interact regularly and peacefully with each other.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2022

Loneliness, shame and other effects on people with disabilities at mealtimes

Researchers found four large groups of social and emotional effects resulting from difficulty eating in groups among people with disabilities. Difficulty eating can lead to feelings of loneliness, shame, and reduced self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of considering these issues in healthcare.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeCase study·DateJun 13, 2022

'Democracy' governs mass jackdaw take-offs

A team of researchers found that jackdaws use a form of 'consensus decision-making' to decide when to leave their roosts en masse. By combining recorded calls with tests in which pre-recorded calls were played, the team discovered that birds effectively 'cast a vote' through calling out to reach a consensus.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2022
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.

Social connections influence brain structure of rhesus macaques

Researchers found that rhesus macaques with more grooming partners had larger brain areas for social decision-making and empathy, specifically the mid–superior temporal sulcus (STS) and ventral-dysgranular insula. The study suggests that social connections influence brain structure in nonhuman primates, with possible implications for h...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 13, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

How the brain encodes social rank and “winning mindset”

A study by Salk researchers has identified an area of the brain responsible for encoding social rank in mammals, including mice. The discovery sheds light on how the brain represents social hierarchy and its impact on behavior, particularly in competitive situations.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

No time to nap in nature

A study on wild baboons reveals that they prioritize socializing and safety over sleep, even after poor sleep quality. The research used non-invasive technology to monitor sleep patterns across a group of individuals, showing that animals in the wild face competing demands that disrupt sleep homeostasis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2022

Savvy sheep: new research explores flexible decision-making for bighorn sheep migration

Bighorn sheep use a combination of past experience and visual information about habitat quality to make informed migratory decisions. The research found that these perception-informed decisions allow the species to better adapt to changing environmental conditions, increasing their chances of survival.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 24, 2022
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Disliking music: what’s the point?

A study explores why people dislike certain music, identifying five main reference points: music composition, lyrics, performance, artist, and social environment. Musical dislikes serve similar functions as preferences but are expressed less openly, fulfilling roles such as maintaining mood or expressing identity.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2022

Disadvantage impacts white men’s perception of privilege

A study by Cornell University researchers found that white men who have faced disadvantages at work, particularly those related to social identities such as disability or sexual orientation, are more likely to acknowledge their own racial privileges and empathize with the experiences of other groups. The research involved 5,124 white m...

SourceCornell University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateFeb 2, 2022

Hippos recognize each other’s voices, respond differently to calls of strangers

A study in Current Biology found that hippos recognize individual voices, responding more aggressively to strangers than neighbors. The researchers hope to learn more about what hippos communicate through their calls, exploring how they recognize sounds and whether voices reveal characteristics like size or sex.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022