Articles tagged with Society
A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that potential harms co-exist with opportunities for crisis support on social media platforms. Researchers are calling for more control over content and safe spaces for connection and support, with a focus on empowering young people to make informed online choices.
A new survey finds that opposition to local data centers has risen sharply among US adults, with 61% opposing construction in their areas. Meanwhile, views on artificial intelligence remain stable, with 39% expressing concerns about its impact.
Despite scientific progress, public faith in science is collapsing due to the proliferation of digital platforms and the democratization of access to information. This erodes trust as people rely on expert opinions without evaluating scientific claims for themselves.
Teaching children emotional regulation and healthy friendships can provide a crucial buffer against social media's risks to mental health and self-worth. Strong childhood friendships are better equipped to navigate digital spaces, reducing the likelihood of online validation-based identity and self-worth issues.
A study by Goethe University found that zoo education programs can genuinely strengthen people's sense of connection to nature, especially among those with low or moderate connections. Programs with direct animal encounters and longer durations showed the strongest effects.
The American College of Chest Physicians has appointed Julie Captain as its new Director of Philanthropy, building on the organization's $1.9 million in donations and 530 engaged donors in 2025. With her expertise in legacy and charitable gift planning, Captain aims to grow CHEST philanthropy and expand its impact.
A study of over-50s in Brazil and Europe found aging-related decline begins a decade earlier in Brazil due to social disparities. The findings highlight the impact of socioeconomic factors on healthy aging.
Research found that social media influences travel plans across all age groups, but millennials were the most impacted. Younger generations, especially Gen Z, gravitated toward posts about less common locales.
All 50 US states have introduced bills to regulate social media and digital platforms for minors. A new public database, the Youth Digital Policy Repository, categorizes state legislation by location, year, and topic, providing a centralized source of regulations to inform future legislation.
Researchers have developed a mathematical model that predicts relationship outcomes by accounting for forgetting rates, attraction levels, and reaction patterns. The model identifies three key ingredients determining long-term stability: mutual attraction, emotional erosion, and individual reactions.
The University of Texas at Arlington has launched an online Doctor of Social Work program to prepare experienced social work professionals for leadership and educational roles. The three-year, part-time program emphasizes practical relevance and incorporates emerging instructional approaches.
A study from Technical University of Munich found that people perceive AI hiring decisions as unfair when the avatar resembles them in terms of gender or skin color. After receiving a rejection, trust in AI is shaken if the avatar's appearance differs from their own.
A new study by Boston College researchers found that experiencing educational opportunities in all stages of childhood and adolescence is the best predictor of higher educational attainment and earnings for disadvantaged American youth. This includes living in an enriching home environment, attending high-quality childcare facilities, ...
A new study published in PLOS One found that slower maternal vocal responses at 12 months may predict later childhood behavior disorders such as ADHD. The study analyzed data from 158 mother-infant pairs and found associations between slow maternal responses and increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses by age seven.
A new study by Keio University researchers explores the association between residential environments and subjective well-being, finding that better living conditions are linked to higher satisfaction with important life domains, which in turn is associated with greater overall well-being. The study suggests that housing design and poli...
A new study by Lancaster University found that the final vowel in words like 'happy' varies clearly by social class across Manchester. Middle-class speakers tend to use a more closed 'ee' sound, while working-class speakers use a more open 'eh' sound.
A new study by UT Arlington's Research Enhancement Program investigates how technology is used to control and monitor victims of intimate partner violence. The research team aims to identify warning signs and develop strategies to protect survivors from digital abuse.
A psychologist warns of the profound psychological implications of gifting or taking a DNA test, including identity disruption, acceptance challenges, and data security worries. The decision requires careful consideration to ensure recipients can cope with unexpected outcomes.
A new study from the University of Tokyo finds that a one-off training session increased time spent by fathers on childcare and housework, freeing up mothers to use for their own work. The training corrected common misconceptions about paternity leave and led to significant behavioral change.
A new Oxford study documents the hidden systems of emotional control sustaining Georgia's transnational surrogacy market, where intermediaries govern emotions and discipline conduct. Most women enter surrogacy through advertising on Instagram and TikTok, while staged payments reinforce financial control over their mobility.
Leading child psychologist Dr. Barish argues that grandparents have a crucial role to play in helping children develop a sense of purpose beyond personal success and in providing emotional support. He recommends practices like volunteering together and frequent family conversations about kindness and understanding.
A large meta-analysis has consistently shown that social inequality, such as poverty and racism, accelerates biological aging measured by epigenetic clocks. Newer biological aging measures are most sensitive to social conditions, with second- and third-generation clocks showing stronger associations with socioeconomic conditions.
Research by Lancaster University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur found that vulnerable families coped with food insecurity by limiting food diversity, taking loans, and temporarily withdrawing children from school. The study highlights the importance of local social networks and government support in mitigating crisis.
A new study found that social connections can help compensate for the loss of mentally stimulating interactions linked to work, with different types of relationships benefiting women and men. The researchers used data from 27 European countries and found that strong social networks appear to buffer the cognitive disadvantage of not wor...
A study analyzing the Donlin Gold deposit finds that Alaska Native communities hold multiple roles in mine development, including subsistence activities and corporate shareholders. The research highlights the tension between economic opportunity, sovereignty, and environmental stewardship on traditional lands.
A new study found that DNA methylation aging biomarkers, such as GrimAge2 and DunedinPoAm, significantly mediate the relationship between social disadvantage and mortality risk. The findings suggest that epigenetic aging measures capture the cumulative effects of multiple social and environmental stressors.
A small study of 100 Italian college students reveals that discussing fake news in a group enhances its identification, thanks to collective critical thinking and social cues. The research suggests that shared discussions can improve fake news detection, making it easier for individuals to distinguish between true and false information.
Decades of research on UK birth cohorts suggest a 'generational health drift' where more recent generations experience poor health earlier in life, particularly obesity and mental ill health. This trend is driven by worsening social and environmental exposures rather than improvements in healthcare.
Research shows that adverts featuring people with a disability increase consumer attitudes towards brands and their products. Key findings include the benefits of disability inclusion and the importance of representing individuals with disabilities as capable advocates for a product or service.
New research reveals that see-through or cut-out product packaging on a shelf increases the psychological desire to own it. Customers rely on various cues when making purchasing decisions, with visibility of a product influencing choices.
A study published in PNAS found that faster decision-making in complex strategic situations leads to better outcomes. Researchers analyzed professional chess games, correlating speed with quality and suggesting intuition plays a key role in human decision-making.
Sociologist Mona Sloane argues AI's prediction paradigm reorganizes social relations and relationships. Her book 'Predicted: How AI Is Restructuring Social Life' advocates collective governance of AI as a form of infrastructure.
Researchers found that humans are extremely selective when choosing friends and partners, evaluating all identity characteristics positively before entering a relationship. The study used data from high school friendships and marriages to validate its findings, revealing that factors like grade level, ethnic background, and age play a ...
A new study by the University of East Anglia reveals that refugees who entered the UK as unaccompanied minors experience relentless cycles of intrusive memories, loneliness, and physical pain. Social connection emerges as a powerful buffer against distress, with many participants finding comfort in activities like cricket or prayer.
A study by Associate Professor Bettina Gildenhard explores the tensions between personal initiatives, national language policies, and professionalism in volunteer-led Japanese language classes. The research highlights the need for a balanced approach, increasing investment in professional language educators while supporting volunteer i...
Research reveals that pedestrians in Phnom Penh prefer shorter, simpler routes with fewer turns due to factors like path efficiency, street vitality, and perceived comfort. The study also found that high-traffic streets are often preferred over crowded footpaths, reflecting a desire for clarity, predictability, and ease of movement.
A study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion found that over 40% of Japanese respondents identified as nonreligious or atheist yet still participated in rituals and believed in gods and the afterlife. The researchers highlighted the need for flexible tools to capture diverse forms of religiosity, particularly i...
Research on the 'Ndrangheta mafia network reveals that matrimonial ties between lesser-known clans play a vital role in maintaining the entire network's resilience. The analysis found that marriages between less influential families are significantly more critical to the network's cohesion.
A recent study reveals that individuals with higher education or income are more aware of and use AI tools, exacerbating social inequalities. The researchers recommend increasing engagement with AI-related topics through outreach campaigns, educational programs, and community workshops to reduce this new digital divide.
A new report highlights the catastrophic risks of nature loss on food systems, economies and societies. Chronic pressures like soil degradation and water scarcity are already reducing crop yields and increasing food prices.
A new UN Women report reveals that online violence and deepfakes are pushing women out of public life, with alarming rates of mental health diagnoses and self-censorship. The study also found that law enforcement is often failing to provide justice for survivors, highlighting the need for effective education and training.
A new study found that Catholic men are the most likely group to engage in sports gambling in the US, contradicting the long-held assumption that religion discourages such behavior. Researchers also discovered that people who infrequently attend religious services are more likely to gamble on sports than those who attend regularly.
Private firms with potential family successors in Sweden grew faster and invested more after the abolition of inheritance tax, which led to higher corporate taxes. The study suggests that rents from the tax abolition were shared with society through taxes and employee salaries.
A new study found that in-aisle displays can increase spatial crowding, leading to reduced sales and purchase-related behaviors. For cart users, this effect is stronger, with increased crowding and reduced control while shopping.
A new book calls for urgent action to address digital accessibility gaps, which harm over 1 billion disabled people worldwide. The Digital Accessibility Ethics Framework aims to guide governments and organizations in creating inclusive digital environments.
A new study by Bournemouth University found that the brain reacts to emojis in a way similar to seeing real human faces, with neural responses occurring within 145-160 milliseconds. This suggests that emojis can be processed by the brain as meaningful emotional signals during online interaction.
A study by the University of Turku reveals that assistance dogs actively contribute to their human's care through continuous interpretation and trust. They anticipate health status, provide mobility assistance, and offer emotional support in ways that humans cannot.
Research in Malawi finds that attempts to combat child marriage often neglect local perspectives and cultural norms, leading to challenges in implementing effective solutions. The study proposes an African feminist lens to address the issue, considering relationality, community, and cultural embeddedness to understand the problem.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that living with friends may alter your gut bacteria, with social closeness driving the exchange of anaerobic microbes. The research suggests that daily interactions at home, such as hugging and sharing food prep spaces, may encourage the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria.
A new study by the University at Buffalo reveals that unequal access to recycling facilities plays a key role in shaping plastic waste management practices in the US. Wealthier and more college-educated communities are more likely to have convenient access to large-scale industrial recycling facilities, making recycling easier and more...
The report proposes new strategies for digital safety, including AI-powered tools to detect and intervene in harmful situations. Experts also recommend involving children and youths in the design process, particularly schools, to promote agency and well-being.
A new study finds that over a quarter of countries won't reach the UN's 2030 child mortality target on time, with sub-Saharan Africa heavily burdened. The global rate stands at 36.72 deaths per 1,000 live births, projected to meet the target until 2035.
Researchers propose incorporating local knowledge into nature conservation through a biocultural approach. This involves collaborating with local people, considering traditional land-use practices and their impact on protected areas.
Research shows that targeted interventions highlighting personal impact on others can alter behavior among partisans. Both Republican and Democratic voters reduced risk-taking when presented with a simple message asking to choose the safer option for themselves and others.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo created a system that turns spoken impressions into personalized makeup colors, combining AI and projection technology. The system shows realistic makeup previews on real skin under natural light, making it easier for users to find suitable colors.
A new approach for welfare states updates policies to prioritize social investments and effectiveness, combining theoretical contributions and comparative studies. The approach aims to generate long-term benefits for individuals and society, with a focus on targeted solutions and systematic monitoring.
The federal disability benefits system has become more difficult to navigate due to staffing reductions and administrative changes. Researchers found that 16 million people, including those in severe medical crises or on the edge of homelessness, are facing increased barriers to accessing desperately needed cash assistance. The report ...
A new report from the University of East Anglia warns that charities using AI-generated images risk breaking the fundamental bond of trust with the public. The study found that when AI images are used, the humanitarian cause disappears from the conversation, and the public engages with charity rather than the cause itself.
Research from the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations reveals that hairdressers can prompt climate conversations and inspire change. Salon owners reported successful conversations with clients about sustainability, leading to changes in habits such as water and energy usage, and even dietary choices.
A study found that consistent routines in the home can reduce the likelihood of children struggling with school transitions, but harsh parenting can undermine these benefits. Parents who demonstrated flexibility in their parenting style were less likely to parent harshly.