Now they fear it was a scam

Sleep-deprived and anxious about feeding their babies, tens of thousands of moms in Illinois and elsewhere recently turned to a variety of Facebook groups offering support for breastfeeding, pumping breast milk and postpartum care. Direct responses were often remarkably prompt from the creator and admin of these groups, a Facebook user named “Cathy Marie Chan,” whose profile featured a smiling picture of a woman purporting to be a board-certified lactation consultant and founder of Chan Lactation LLC. Via Facebook Messenger, “Cathy Marie Chan” would request photos and video recordings of Read More

The end of the package holiday provider? Blockchain technology could revolutionize travel experiences

Credit: Tourism Management (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104871 Forget the middleman—blockchain technology could lead to the end of the traditional package holiday provider, putting power back into the hands of customers, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. The research looked into user acceptance of blockchain-based sharing platforms similar to Airbnb. The study found that blockchain technology could eliminate intermediaries, such as holiday providers, potentially slashing costs by bypassing booking platforms. The study also suggests that property owners stand to gain from blockchain adoption and gain more direct income, Read More

AI systems are already skilled at deceiving and manipulating humans, study shows

Example of premeditated deception from Meta’s CICERO in the game Diplomacy. Credit: Patterns/Park Goldstein et al. Many artificial intelligence (AI) systems have already learned how to deceive humans, even systems that have been trained to be helpful and honest. In a review article published in the journal Patterns on May 10, researchers describe the risks of deception by AI systems and call for governments to develop strong regulations to address this issue as soon as possible. “AI developers do not have a confident understanding of what causes undesirable AI behaviors Read More

Can I take your order—and your data? The hidden reason retailers are replacing staff with AI bots

You might have seen viral videos of Wendy’s drive-thru customers in the United States ordering their fast food from the firm’s generative AI bot Wendy’s FreshAI. Most show a very human-like transaction punctuated with cries of amazement at how fast, accurate and polite the system is. While the system and others like it are in their infancy, and some still rely heavily on human assistance, retailers are investing huge sums in AI to replace human workers. Why the rush to automate? It might seem like it’s all about slashing the Read More

AI film festival gives glimpse of cinema’s future

Credit: AI-generated image With fantastical characters including mud people and giant grandmothers, an AI film festival is giving a glimpse of the storytelling made possible by the novel technology. Nearly 3,000 short films were submitted to the festival organized by Runway AI, one of the leading start-ups in the field of AI-powered video generation. The 10 films selected put the filmmakers’ vivid imaginations on display, with their stories set in aesthetically stunning universes. “There is a perception of … AI- driven filmmaking and creation as having a very specific style,” Read More

Since Tesla recalled its vehicles in 2023, there have been 20 accidents and investigators are asking why

Tesla is yet again undergoing scrutiny from federal regulators in the United States. The issue at hand now is whether the automotive company did enough in response to the 2023 recalls by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada. The recalls were issued after several collisions resulting from using Tesla’s proprietary Autopilot system. Tesla’s Autopilot—alongside systems like Cadillac’s Super Cruise and Volvo’s Pilot Assist—falls in the category of partially automated systems. These systems can take control of the vehicle’s acceleration and lane position however, they require Read More

Research shows VR poses privacy risks for kids—parents aren’t as worried as they should be

New research finds that, while an increasing number of minors are using virtual reality (VR) apps, not many parents recognize the extent of the security and privacy risks that are specific to VR technologies. The study also found that few parents are taking active steps to address those security and privacy issues, such as using parental controls built into the apps. “In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of minors using VR apps that have social interaction elements, which increases security and privacy risks—such as unintended Read More

AI technology is showing cultural biases—here’s why and what can be done

AI expert Professor Kevin Wong from Murdoch University’s School of Information Technology says in order to deal with the problem of cultural biases in AI, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of different AI techniques. “Machine Learning techniques, including Generative AI, require a huge amount of ‘representative’ data to train the complex system,” Dr. Wong said. “Data-driven machine learning techniques rely on the data to establish the intelligence of the system—which means bias can occur when the data used is not comprehensive enough, or there is an imbalanced distribution.” He Read More

Digital human model aids design of motorcycles, based on riding posture

Justin Davidson, Biomechanics Ph.D. candidate in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, using a digital human model to analyze the posture of a motorcycle rider. Credit: University of Waterloo Motorcycles are designed to accommodate the average-sized rider, leaving taller and shorter riders vulnerable to discomfort. A new study from the University of Waterloo used software that predicted realistic motorcycle riding behaviors, considering human factors and ergonomic trade-offs. It found that shorter and taller statures require joint adjustments to achieve their preferred riding posture. The study was Read More

Hundreds of cities have achieved zero road deaths in a year—here’s how they did it

It’s National Road Safety Week and it comes on the back of a year in which 1,286 people died on Australian roads. The rising road toll—up 8.2% for the year to March—included 62 children. Tragically, road deaths remain the number one killer of children in Australia. Road deaths are not inevitable. In 2022, at least 180 cities worldwide recorded zero road deaths. More than 500 cities with populations of more than 50,000 have achieved zero road deaths multiple times. So cities can eliminate road deaths, or greatly reduce them. At Read More

Researchers develop a biomechanical dataset for badminton performance analysis

The dataset proposed by the researchers captures badminton players’ movements and responses, aiding AI-driven coaching assistants to improve stroke quality for all skill levels. Credit: SeungJun Kim at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) In sports training, practice is the key, but being able to emulate the techniques of professional athletes can take a player’s performance to the next level. AI-based personalized sports coaching assistants can make this a reality by utilizing published datasets. With cameras and sensors strategically placed on the athlete’s body, these systems can track everything, Read More

Bolster safeguards after health care cyberattack

Unfortunately, hackers didn’t need sophisticated skills to pull off one of the nation’s most alarming and consequential health care ransomware attacks. Instead, the cybercriminals who crippled a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary earlier this year took advantage of a basic and obvious security oversight, a revelation made public Wednesday at two congressional hearings. The subsidiary is called Change Healthcare. It acts as the Visa/Mastercard payment system for wide swaths of health care and is entrusted with patient data. Disturbingly, it did not have multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place across all of its Read More

Commercial jet maker Airbus is staying humble even as Boeing flounders. There’s a reason for that

An Airbus A350 prepares to land at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2023. In the latest round of their decades-long battle for dominance in commercial aircraft, Europe’s Airbus has established a clear sales lead over Boeing as the American company deals with the fallout from manufacturing troubles and ongoing safety concerns. Credit: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File In the latest round of their decades-long battle for dominance in commercial aircraft, Europe’s Airbus established a clear sales lead over Boeing even before the American company encountered more fallout Read More

Researcher explains why we should care more about converging technologies

Professor Dirk Helbing of ETH Zurich and Austria’s Complexity Science Hub expects future digital technologies to penetrate the human body even more in the future. However, he believes that society is not prepared for the risks involved. In a new article, he puts forward a new legal framework to protect our most intimate data from misuse. The work is published in the journal Ethics and Information Technology. “In my research, I deal with the consequences of digitalization for people, society, and democracy. In this context, it is also important to Read More

New large learning model shows how AI might shape LGBTQIA+ advocacy

Researchers Pat Pataranutaporn (left) and D. Pillis. Credit: Jimmy Day / MIT Media Lab “AI Comes Out of the Closet” is a large learning model (LLM)-based online system that leverages artificial intelligence-generated dialog and virtual characters to create complex social interaction simulations. These simulations allow users to experiment with and refine their approach to LGBTQIA+ advocacy in a safe and controlled environment. The work is published in the Proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces. The research is both personal and political to lead author D. Pillis, an Read More

New software trained on photographic database may allow facial recognition beneath the mask

During the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks became almost ubiquitous and still are in some environments. There is a need for face recognition to be able to “see behind the mask” for security and safety. Research published in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics discusses the potential of new software that might be trained on a large database of photographs of individuals in different poses and holding different facial expressions, where a simulated mask has been superimposed on the image, to allow facial recognition to work despite the mask you Read More

Smartphone app can unmask forged documents

Credit: ETH Zurich/Nicole Davidson Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a smartphone app that can be used to check the authenticity of documents and other items. Extracts from the debt enforcement register of the City of Zurich are being made forgery-proof as part of a pilot project. Expensive watches, bank statements, degree certificates and official documents: there are many things that can be forged and even more reasons for forging them. Researchers from the Information Security group under David Basin have developed a smartphone app to put a spoke in Read More

A second life for discarded lithium-ion cells

Jörg Moser (left) and Christian Ellersdorfer from the Vehicle Safety Institute at TU Graz. Credit: source: Lunghammer – TU Graz In 2030, around 1.2 million lithium-ion batteries of electric cars, buses and construction machinery will be decommissioned worldwide because they will reach the end of their planned service life, their warranty will expire or the entire vehicles will be scrapped. In 2040, around 14 million discarded batteries are expected to be discarded. Recycling the materials makes sense, but is expensive and technically demanding. It would therefore be better and more Read More

Research casts new light on bike safety in the age of self-driving cars

Credit: University of Glasgow Equipping self-driving cars with external displays that use colored lights to communicate their next maneuver could help keep cyclists safe on the roads of the future, researchers say. With autonomous vehicles becoming more common, reducing active human involvement in driving in the process, researchers from the University of Glasgow have been working to investigate new ways to help self-driving cars speak the language of cyclists. Their suggestion is that external human-machine interfaces, or eHMIs, could be the key to quickly and reliably signaling self-driving cars’ intentions Read More

Electronic music with a human rhythm

Demonstration of fractal temporal deviations in a simple drum recording. A professional drummer (inset) was recorded tapping with one hand on a drum synchronizing with a metronome at 180 beats per minute (A). An excerpt of the recorded audio signal is shown over the beat index n. The beats detected at times Sn (green lines) are compared with the metronome timing Mn (red dashed lines). (B) The deviations dn = Sn—Mn fluctuate around a mean of -16.4 ms, i.e. on average the subject slightly anticipates the ensuing metronome clicks. Inset: Read More

Turing test study shows humans rate artificial intelligence as more ‘moral’ than other people

A new study has found that when people are presented with two answers to an ethical question, most will think the answer from artificial intelligence (AI) is better than the response from another person. “Attributions Toward Artificial Agents in a Modified Moral Turing Test,” a study conducted by Eyal Aharoni, an associate professor in Georgia State’s Psychology Department, was inspired by the explosion of ChatGPT and similar AI large language models (LLMs) which came onto the scene last March. “I was already interested in moral decision-making in the legal system, Read More

Fake US school audio stokes AI alarm

The fabricated audio clip of the Maryland school principal underscores the ease with which widely available AI and editing tools can be misused to impersonate celebrities and everyday citizens alike. A fabricated audio clip of a US high school principal prompted a torrent of outrage, leaving him battling allegations of racism and anti-Semitism in a case that has sparked new alarm about AI manipulation. Police charged a disgruntled staff member at the Maryland school with manufacturing the recording that surfaced in January—purportedly of principal Eric Eiswert ranting against Jews and Read More

Call for safeguards to prevent unwanted ‘hauntings’ by AI chatbots of dead loved ones

A visualisation of a fictional company called MaNana, one of the design scenarios used in the paper to illustrate the potential ethical issues in the emerging digital afterlife industry. Credit: Dr. Tomasz Hollanek Without design safety standards, artificial intelligence that allows users to hold text and voice conversations with lost loved ones runs the risk of causing psychological harm and even digitally “haunting” those left behind, according to University of Cambridge researchers. “Deadbots” or “Griefbots” are AI chatbots that simulate the language patterns and personality traits of the dead using Read More

Here are four red flags to watch for in your chatbot ‘friend’

It’s been seven years since the launch of Replika, an artificially intelligent chatbot designed to be a friend to human users. Despite early warnings about the dangers of such AI friends, interest in friendships and even romantic relationships with AI is on the rise. The Google Play store shows more than 30 million total downloads of Replika and two of its major competitors since their respective launches. With one in four people around the world reporting being lonely, it is no wonder so many are drawn to the promise of Read More

Want to be an influencer? Our research shows what you need to know first

You’re hard at work, lying in a hammock, composing the perfect selfie on the beach. The turquoise sea sets off the idyllic sunset, and just visible though the fronds of a palm tree is the logo of the hotel which is paying you to promote it to your millions of followers on Instagram. Click. The perfect shot. And another typically perfect day in the life of an influencer. Or is it? Certainly a career as an influencer can seem appealing. The work generally involves promoting products or services through sponsored Read More

For some Indigenous Southern Plains tribes, an original flute song is the first step toward marriage

“Warrior with flute” by Timothy Tate Nevaquaya. Used with permission. Credit: Timothy Tate Nevaquaya Every love story is unique, and in traditional Indigenous Southern Plains culture, it begins with an original ballad performed on the flute. In order to win a lover’s affection, and respect among the tribe, each pursuer must compose one good flute serenade. Paula Conlon, a former music professor at the University of Oklahoma, has researched the history and cultural significance of the Indigenous flute since the 1980s. Conlon presents her work Tuesday, May 14, at 9:45 Read More

Using computer models to understand the debate about climate change

Different types of noise and how they act inside or outside the social interaction process. Credit: Royal Society Open Science (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231071 Cognitive biases are among the most important factors that prevent people from changing their minds. Climate change deniers and climate activists often tend to accept only information that confirms their respective opinions on the matter. However, opinion dynamics are also influenced by a factor that the researchers call “ambiguity noise.” Unlike biases, ambiguity noise is variable, depends on many random factors, and leads to inconsistent judgment. Is Read More

Study finds avoiding social media before an election has little to no effect on people’s political views

In the weeks before and after the 2020 presidential election, researchers ran a number of tests to try to understand how much Facebook and its corporate cousin, Instagram, may be contributing to the nation’s political divide. One of those experiments—led by Matthew Gentzkow and Hunt Allcott, economics professors at Stanford University—centered on more than 35,000 Facebook and Instagram users who were paid to stay off the platforms in the run-up to Election Day. There’s a lot that researchers could glean from the social media hiatus, including whether people’s political attitudes Read More

Researchers develop algorithms to understand how humans form body part vocabularies

An example of the study’s language sample and the words for arm/hand and leg/foot in English and Wolof. Credit: Dr. Annika Tjuka/MPI-EVA Human bodies have similar designs. However, languages differ in the way they divide the body into parts and name them. For example, English speakers have two words for foot and leg, whereas other languages express the concepts foot and leg in one word. The study of the variation in body part vocabularies across diverse languages has attracted the attention of researchers in linguistics, anthropology and psychology for many Read More

Researchers show ways to propel product success

New research from ESMT Berlin explores the key strategies that firms should adopt when launching a new product. The researchers say that these strategies depend on the current market view of the product and the firm. Employing the correct one, which might sometimes be collaborating with overtly demanding reviewers or instituting rather challenging pilot tests, ensures that the product launch will go as successfully as possible. The paper is published in the journal Production and Operations Management. Tamer Boyaci, professor of management science, and Huseyin Gurkan, assistant professor of management Read More

New study reveals the potential of coaching employees to drive new strategic ideas

In the landscape of modern business, inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a strategic imperative. Companies like IBM, Volkswagen and Starbucks are moving to more participative strategy development approaches that reflect a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in fostering innovative and creative strategic ideas. Yet the outcomes of inclusive strategy processes often fall short of expectations. A new study in the Strategic Management Journal sheds light on why that may be. In their study of an inclusive strategy process in a large insurance company, Violetta Splitter, along with co-authors Read More

When consumers would prefer a chatbot over a person

Actually, sometimes consumers don’t want to talk to a real person when they’re shopping online, a new study suggests. In fact, what they really want is a chatbot that makes it clear that it is not human at all. In a new study, researchers at The Ohio State University found that people preferred interacting with chatbots when they felt embarrassed about what they were buying online—items like antidiarrheal medicine or, for some people, skin care products. “In general, research shows people would rather interact with a human customer service agent Read More

How AI is shaping the future of sales strategies

Colleen McClure, Ph.D. Credit: University of Alabama at Birmingham In the fast-evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence, or AI, is taking center stage in transforming sales processes, making them more efficient and responsive to the dynamic market demands. A new University of Alabama at Birmingham study titled “AI in Sales: Laying the Foundations for Future Research” highlights the pivotal role AI is playing in reshaping the sales sector. UAB Collat School of Business Professor Colleen McClure, Ph.D., and her colleagues provide insight into how AI tools have permeated the sales function, Read More

Students with dyslexia face challenges transitioning to the workplace, but with support they can thrive

Transitioning from university to the workplace is a critical period in anyone’s life, but it can be especially challenging for students with dyslexia. While academic settings often offer accommodations for people with dyslexia, professional environments often fall short on such support systems. Fortunately, there are strategic interventions that can be established in workplaces to help individuals with dyslexia not only adapt, but excel in their careers. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population has dyslexia and 80% of people with a learning disability have dyslexia, making it Read More

How entertainment brands are adapting to Generation Alpha

Growing up, did you play with hyper-sexualized Barbie dolls, boys-only Thomas the Tank Engine trains, or slim, white Disney princesses? If so, you’re not alone, but this is no longer the case for Generation Alpha. Brands like Mattel, once criticized for promoting unrealistic body standards and gender stereotypes, now portray themselves as feminist and progressive. The recent Barbie movie serves as a prime example of this shift. Millennial parents are actively seeking out toys, books and movies to educate their children about life and teach them values that align with Read More

How do mindfulness, compassion and need fulfillment affect satisfaction in midlife married couples?

Many people practice mindfulness or self-compassion techniques in their everyday life as part of their normal self-care routine. Although many studies support the individual benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion, few have focused on romantic relationship outcomes. A new study published in Personal Relationships has examined how mindfulness, self- and other-compassion, and need fulfillment relate to relationship and sexual satisfaction in midlife married couples. The study involved survey results from 640 adults aged 40–59 years who were residing in Canada and were married. Mindfulness is the nonjudgmental attention and awareness to Read More

Report on provision of therapists for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

The NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce published a report from a scoping study titled “The Demand and Supply of Therapists for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities,” by Prof Ian Kessler and Prof Annette Boaz. The provision of therapies for children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can be an affectively challenging, sometimes procedurally complex, process for the various stakeholders involved. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of this process, are crucial to various outcomes, in particular Read More

Our research shows children produce better pieces of writing by hand. But they need keyboard skills too

Our research on children in early primary years, show they are better are writing with a pen or pencil than a keyboard. Credit: Cottonbro Studio/ Pexels, CC BY Children today are growing up surrounded by technology. So it’s easy to assume they will be able to write effectively using a keyboard. But our research suggests this is not necessarily true. We need to actively teach students to be able to type as well as write using paper and pen or pencil. Our research Our research team has published two recent Read More

Places with more college graduates tend to foster better lifestyle habits overall, research finds

Study authors David M. Cutler (left) and Edward L. Glaeser. Credit: Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer Having more education has long been linked to better individual health. But those benefits are also contagious, say the co-authors of a new working paper. “It’s not just that the individuals who have more years of education are in better health,” said David M. Cutler, Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics. “It’s that even people with fewer years of education—for example, people with just a high school degree—are in better health when they live around Read More

How we can fool ourselves when we are into someone

Can we truly assess whether someone finds us attractive? Cognitive psychologist Iliana Samara conducted her Ph.D. project on romantic attraction and discovered that men, in particular, tend to overestimate the interest of their date. She explains why this may be. “Imagine you walk into a packed bar, looking for a date. Your eyes are naturally drawn to attractive faces. If you’re a man and find someone attractive, you’re more likely to assume they’re also interested in you. “Then, when you approach them, whether you’re a man or woman, you tend Read More

Most crime has fallen by 90% in 30 years—so why does the public think it’s increased?

Seventy-eight percent of people in England and Wales think that crime has gone up in the last few years, according to the latest survey. But the data on actual crime shows the exact opposite. As of 2024, violence, burglary and car crime have been declining for 30 years and by close to 90%, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)—our best indicator of true crime levels. Unlike police data, the CSEW is not subject to variations in reporting and recording. The drop in violence includes domestic violence Read More

Reducing distrust in social media is not straightforward, computer scientists warn

Trust and distrust in social media coexisted in the study participants. Credit: Emmaline Nelsen Are anti-misinformation interventions on social media working as intended? It depends, according to a new study led by William & Mary researchers and published in the Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’24). Their study surveyed over 1,700 participants in the United States, revealing that anti-misinformation features increased users’ awareness of misinformation in social media; but did not make them more likely to share information on social media, or more Read More

Why students cheat in online exams

Media psychologists at the University of Cologne have studied how students’ individual needs, conceptions and reasons relate to cheating behavior in online exams. Online exams have become a more common type of exam at universities, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are advantageous because they save time and offer flexibility. However, cheating attempts present a big challenge for lecturers. This is why universities have been working on ways to thwart cheating in online exams by putting organizational and technical measures into place. According to the psychologists Dr. Marco Rüth and Read More

Have smartphones killed the art of conversation?

Once upon a time, human relationships unfolded without smartphones. The reality may be hard to recall, so profoundly have these devices transformed the way we relate to the world and others in fifteen years or so. As an anthropologist interested in modernity, I am particularly preoccupied by the impact of these devices on our conversations. In my book, “The End of the Conversation? Words in a Spectral Society” (French original: “La fin de la conversation? La parole dans une société spectrale”), I investigate the pernicious effects of this technology on Read More

New research reveals just how few LGBTQI+ people play sports

The topic of homophobia in sport has recently made headlines in Australia, with a series of homophobic incidents involving men’s AFL players. These homophobic incidents are usually well-reported in news media, but research has rarely explored the impact on participation for LGBTQI+ people. Fresh research into the problem Our new research is one of the first pieces of academic research in Australia to document how many LGBTQI+ people play and engage with sport. We also explored current levels of discrimination across sport in Australia, and the barriers and enablers of Read More

Singing researchers find cross-cultural patterns in music and language

Study co-authors Latyr Sy (Senegal), Gakuto Chiba (Japan), Neddiel Elcie Muñoz Millalonco (Chile), and Aleksandar Arabadjiev (Macedonia) singing and playing their traditional instruments. Credit: Latyr Sy, Gakuto Chiba, Neddiel Elcie Muñoz Millalonco, Aleksandar Arabadjiev Are acoustic features of music and spoken language shared across cultures? Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen have contributed to a global study of music and speech, published in Science Advances. An international team of researchers recorded themselves performing traditional music and speaking in their native language. In all 50+ languages, the Read More

Mechanistic model shows how much gossip is needed to foster social cooperation

Credit: Keira Burton from Pexels Gossip often has a negative connotation, but imagine you are part of a group deciding on a job candidate to hire or a local political candidate to back. Candidates who get a good reputation by helping others may be more likely to receive help in the form of a job offer or endorsement, a feedback loop known as indirect reciprocity. Gossip can facilitate cooperation. Previous research has shown that people tend to cooperate more when they think their peers are gossiping about their behavior, gossip Read More

Research links voter behavior in presidential elections to housing market performance

If the 21st century has proven anything to the United States electorate, it is that presidential elections are notoriously unpredictable affairs. The seeming randomness by which the country’s electorate chooses its next president has only emboldened polling outlets, talking heads, and amateur psephologists to scrutinize every conceivable variable to give their respective electoral forecasting models a much-needed edge. However, Sherwood Clements, collegiate assistant professor of real estate in the Pamplin College of Business, had an electoral theory that, to the best of his knowledge, had never been explored with regards Read More

Research links voter behavior in presidential elections to housing market performance

If the 21st century has proven anything to the United States electorate, it is that presidential elections are notoriously unpredictable affairs. The seeming randomness by which the country’s electorate chooses its next president has only emboldened polling outlets, talking heads, and amateur psephologists to scrutinize every conceivable variable to give their respective electoral forecasting models a much-needed edge. However, Sherwood Clements, collegiate assistant professor of real estate in the Pamplin College of Business, had an electoral theory that, to the best of his knowledge, had never been explored with regards Read More

What professionals expect from future employers

IU Study on diversity and inclusion: What professionals expect from future employers. Credit: IU Internationale Hochschule Employers who want to attract new talent should recognize diversity and enable inclusion. This is confirmed by a representative study by IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), which surveyed more than 1,200 trainees and students across Germany. The results clearly show that 75.1% of prospective employees consider it very or somewhat important that companies implement measures to promote diversity and inclusion. This suggests that companies that communicate these measures openly and transparently have Read More

Access to gardens and citizen science helps encourage conservation among children, study shows

Access to gardens and citizen science projects at school can help promote pro-conservation behavior among pupils, a new study shows. Offering children the chance to take part in authentic scientific ecological work and gardening encourages an interest in plants. This can change behavior—to spend more time gardening or to pursue a botanical career—and fuels a positive attitude towards safeguarding the environment, experts found. Dr. Bethan Stagg from the University of Exeter and Professor Justin Dillon, from UCL, have assessed the evidence around teaching conservation and ecology. Their findings are published Read More

What’s in a name? A linguistics expert explains why some baby names dominate the charts year after year

What do names like Noah, James, Mateo, Mia, Evelyn and Luna all have in common? They’re not only some of the top baby names in the United States, but they also seem to flow off the tongue. And that’s exactly why parents love them. On May 10, the Social Security Administration released a list of the top baby names in the United States in 2023. Liam and Olivia maintained the number one spot in their respective categories for the fifth consecutive year while Noah and Emma also retained second place. Read More

Businesses unintentionally discourage diverse ideas, finds study

Businesses influence the ideas they receive from external contributors by unintentionally signaling which ideas they like, finds research from ESMT Berlin and INSEAD. This leads to a narrow set of nondiverse ideas. Prof. Linus Dahlander from ESMT Berlin, alongside Prof. Henning Piezunka and Ph.D. candidate Sanghyun Park from INSEAD, analyzed 1.44 million ideas to understand how organizations unknowingly shape the ideas they receive. Data came from organizations that asked visitors how they could improve their websites before choosing which ideas to use. Chosen ideas were communicated for all to see. Read More

How does the US know that forced labor is happening in China? A supply chain expert weighs in

Shawn Bhimani, assistant professor of supply chain management at Northeastern, says it is imperative that the U.S. companies comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to eradicate abuse. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University The Biden administration has added 26 more companies to the list of Chinese textile traders and manufacturers whose goods are blocked from entering the United States because of their alleged ties to forced labor. The banned imports, known as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, names businesses that are said to be involved in exploiting Read More

Technology is changing how companies do business

In the fast-paced world of modern business, technology plays a crucial role in shaping how companies operate. One area where this impact is particularly significant is in the organization of production chains—specifically the way goods are made and distributed. A new study from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business advances understanding of the U.S. production chain evolution amidst technological progress in information technology (IT), shedding light on the complex connections between business IT investments and organizational design. Advances in IT have sparked significant changes in how companies design their Read More

Pickleball courts in a legal pickle over the associated noise

Experts recommend HOAs and communities consider the “popping” noise associated with pickleball when deciding to build courts near homes. Credit: AIP Pickleball Legal Consultant is a job title that likely did not exist a decade ago, but as pickleball courts infiltrate neighborhoods to satiate an appetite for a sport whose namesake is a snack, communities take issue with the resulting influx of noise. Now homeowners’ associations and city councils face litigation by those whose lives are disrupted by pickleball’s din. Charles Leahy, an attorney, retired mechanical engineer, and former HOA Read More

Researchers discuss current state of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia

Annie Pullen-Sansfaçon. Credit: Amélie Philibert, Université de Montréal Gender-neutral bathrooms, conversion therapy and Quebec’s advisory committee on gender identity have been in the news lately. These are polarizing, hot-button issues. While there have been legislative and social advances for LGBTQ+ rights, ignorance and discrimination persist and continue to negatively affect the lives of many. On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, UdeMNouvelles asked two Université de Montréal professors and researchers who are experts in the field to share their views. Annie Pullen Sansfaçon, a professor in Read More

Military rank affects medical care, offering societal insights: Study

Credit: RDNE Stock project from Pexels Human relationships are inherently shaped by power dynamics, yet quantifying their impact has remained a scientific challenge. Now, a large new study published Thursday in the journal Science reveals that military doctors give more attention to higher-ranked patients, providing concrete evidence about the privileges that come with elevated status, frequently at the expense of the less powerful. “One of the things we are trying to show is that this is not a military-specific analysis,” said co-author Manasvini Singh of Carnegie Mellon University, arguing the Read More

Study finds saying ‘please’ may not be so polite in everyday requests

Credit: Ann H from Pexels By kindergarten age, most children have been taught that “please” is a magic word. “Please” is an expression of politeness that shows courtesy and respect, turning a potential demand into a request that will—poof!—magically be granted. But a new study on the ways people make requests of one another suggests that “please” might not be an all-purpose marker of politeness, but rather a more focused, strategic tool to manage frictions or obstacles among family members, friends and even coworkers. The study, published in Social Psychology Read More

Allyship is essential to new mothers returning to work, says study

Credit: Sarah Chai from Pexels Returning to work after parental leave can be one of the most challenging experiences for any parents, especially mothers, to navigate. Fortunately, there are simple, kind and thoughtful ways in which organizational members—regardless of formal status, parental identity or gender identity—can help mothers feel supported as they return to work, which can also benefit job satisfaction and maternal well-being. New research published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes by Carlson School of Management Professor Nitya Chawla, leading a national team of researchers, examined the Read More

How ‘ethical influencers’ engage their audiences about saving the planet

Have a quick think back to the last time you scrolled through social media. Maybe it was this morning, last night or a few minutes ago. What do you recall? One thing you’re bound to remember is the continuous stream of influencers showing off their latest content. These could be videos of influencers discussing the latest skin-care products, the trendiest places to eat, their latest shopping haul or the PR packages they received from various brands. Much of social media influencing is about getting consumers to buy more products. However, Read More

Researchers say automated news video production is better with a human touch

AI-generated videos for short messages are only as well received as manually created ones if they are edited by humans. News organizations—including Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Economist—have been using AI powered video services to meet growing audience demand for audio-visual material. A study recently published in the journal Journalism now shows that the automated production of news videos is better with human supervision. Technology providers like Wochit and Moovly are allowing publishers to mass produce videos at scale. But what do audiences think of the results? Researchers led by LMU Read More

Swipe right or left? How dating apps are impacting modern masculinity

What it means to be a man is changing. Critical men or masculinity studies is an emerging robust research field that explores how men and masculinity are being transformed by shifting socio-economic, sexual and political conditions in our post-industrial world. Fascinating new male-identifying sub-cultures and communities have emerged, like mushroomcore and dandies. Yet heteronormative masculinity is typically framed as threatening, toxic or maladaptive, as in the case of fragile masculinity. In my years of swiping on dating apps, I encountered different kinds of masculinities, as well as some very offensive Read More

How to reward employees fairly and improve team dynamics

A recent study by researchers from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University has shed light on how to reward employees more fairly and improve team dynamics. The study found that when less skilled employees report their performance voluntarily, they often exaggerate their achievements and ask for higher bonuses. These employees also tend to put in less effort and are less concerned about fairness when sharing their contributions voluntarily. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that requiring employees to explain their contributions leads to fairer decisions about bonus allocation and improves Read More

Why nightmares and 'daymares' could be early warning signs of autoimmune disease

Why nightmares and 'daymares' could be early warning signs of autoimmune disease

New research finds antidepressants may help deliver other drugs into the brain

Since the 1980s, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants have been the backbone of treatment for depression and other mental health conditions worldwide, with tens of millions of annual prescriptions in the UK alone. Yet their mechanisms of action—and their wider effects across the body—are still not fully understood.

New research finds antidepressants may help deliver other drugs into the brain

A SIGNIFICANT PART OF CANCER CARE

  A cancer diagnosis is an emotional experience. Learning that you have cancer can create feelings of hopelessness, fear and sadness. This is especially true if your cancer is advanced or available treatments are unable to stop or slow its growth. “Often, when patients are diagnosed with cancer, they feel hopeless and scared. Clinical trials are one way patients can be proactive. They can make a choice in how their care is going to be,” says Matthew Block, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic medical oncologist. Cancer Read More

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STUDY SHOWS PHONE USE BOOSTS MOOD OF TEENAGERS

 A pair of pediatric psychologists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has found evidence that use of smart phones may boost teenagers’ mood slightly. Matt Minich and Megan Moreno published their results in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Social media and some mainstream media have been reporting in recent years that phone use by young people may be stunting their emotional and/or social maturity. In this new effort, the researchers, noting that little research has been done on the topic, conducted a study to better understand the impact of phone use Read More

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MEDITERRANEAN DIET TIED TO ONE-FIFTH LOWER RISK OF DEATH IN WOMEN

 Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital have identified and assessed underlying mechanisms that may explain the Mediterranean diet’s 23% reduction in all-cause mortality risk for American women. The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been reported in multiple studies, but there is limited long-term data of its effects in U.S. women and little understanding about why the diet may reduce the risk of death. In a new study that followed more than 25,000 initially healthy U.S. women for up to 25 years, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found Read More

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INFANTS HEAR SIGNIFICANTLY MORE SPEECH THAN MUSIC AT HOME, STUDY FINDS

 Speech and music are the dominant elements of an infant’s auditory environment. While past research has shown that speech plays a critical role in children’s language development, less is known about the music that infants hear. A new University of Washington study  is the first to compare the amount of music and speech that children hear in infancy. Results showed that infants hear more spoken language than music, with the gap widening as the babies get older. “We wanted to get a snapshot of Read More

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TIPS FOR SAFER PICNICS

 Picnics can be a fun way to enjoy the summer season. But improper handling of the food can mean trouble in the form of food-borne germs. Before you fill your cooler, review these tips for safer picnics. Picnic tip No. 1: When you open the cooler, keep an eye on the clock “The general rule is to have food out only two hours,” says Kate Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist. “However, on a hot day—90 [degrees Fahrenheit] and above—you want to limit the Read More

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ENJOYING THE SIGHTS AND SMELLS OF A VIRTUAL GARDEN

 The research draws inspiration from the experiences of technology could also bring relief to individuals with mobility issues or older patients in hospitals for extended periods. Credit: Texas A&M Engineering As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the significance of the seemingly ordinary things around us. But imagine the profound impact of the absence of the sound of birds, the scent of flowers, or the sight of trees swaying in the gentle breeze. For those living in isolated environments, these sensory deprivations are a stark reality, Read More

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SLEEP MODERATES THE LINK BETWEEN BULLYING AND SUICIDE IN TEENS

 A new study   found that sleep duration significantly moderates the association between bullying and suicide attempts among adolescents in the U.S. The research abstract was also published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep. The study revealed that 15% of adolescents reported they were bullied at school, and 16% were bullied electronically; 10.2% reported they had attempted suicide during the past year; and 77.3% did not adhere to sleep duration recommendations. Adolescents who reported four hours of sleep or less Read More

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RADIO WAVES FROM MOBILE PHONES DO NOT AFFECT COGNITION

 A World Health Organization-commissioned systematic review finds that radio wave exposure from mobile phones does not affect learning, memory, attention span and other cognitive functions like coordination. The work is published in the journal Environment International. Co-led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s (ARPANSA) Health Impact Assessment Assistant Director, Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, the review addresses a long-held community concern. “One of the motivations for this research was to assess effects on the brain because mobile phones are usually held close to the head during calls,” A/Prof. Read More

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STUDY FINDS THAT BETTER SLEEP IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER LONELINESS

 A new study  found that better sleep health was associated with lower levels of loneliness, and this association was stronger among younger adults. Results indicate that better sleep health was associated with significantly lower total loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. While better sleep health was associated with lower total and emotional loneliness across ages, this association was stronger for younger adults. However, age did not moderate the association between sleep health and social loneliness. “Loneliness is an urgent public health  

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COULD ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR INSOMNIA?

 Ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be associated with insomnia experienced by an estimated one-third of adults. An analysis of dietary and sleep patterns reported in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shows a statistically significant association between consumption of UPF and chronic insomnia independent of sociodemographic, lifestyle, diet quality, and mental health status characteristics. Lead investigator Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Ph.D., Division of General Medicine and Center of Excellence for Sleep & Circadian Research, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, explains, “At a time when more and more foods are highly Read More

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The proteins that domesticated our genomes

The proteins that domesticated our genomes

Online program to combat OCD

Students who are bullied because of sexual orientation have willing defenders in their classmates – motivated by leadership, courage, their beliefs in justice, altruism and having lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender friends, …
Source:Online program to combat OCD

How breast cancer cells avoid cell death

Two new papers from the lab of Zach Schafer, Coleman Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Notre Dame, offer insights into how breast cancer cells avoid anoikis, which is cell death induced by detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM). “Metastasis, the s…
Source:How breast cancer cells avoid cell death

China considers ban on infant formula ads

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China is considering a ban on advertisements for infant milk formula in a bid to tackle low levels of breast feeding, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, a potential headache for firms targeting the country’s near $18 billion market. The dra…
Source:China considers ban on infant formula ads