ScienceDaily: Society - August 13, 2024
Top society research news
Ships now spew less sulfur, but warming has sped up
New findings document fewer ship tracks, reduced cloud cover, and boosted warming after ship emissions regulations took effect in 2020.
AI poses no existential threat to humanity, new study finds
Large Language Models (LLMs) are entirely controllable through human prompts and lack 'emergent abilities'; that is, the means to form their own insights or conclusions. Increasing model size does not lead LLMs to gain emergent reasoning abilities, meaning they will not develop hazardous abilities and therefore do not pose an existential threat. A new study sheds light on the (until now unexplained) capabilities and shortcomings of LLMs, including the need for carefully engineered prompts to exhibit good performance.
Balancing technology and governance are key to achieving climate goals
Despite advancements in clean energy, global CO2 emissions continue to rise. IIASA researchers contributed to a new international study that underscores the importance of integrating technological advancements with robust institutional capacities to formulate effective climate policies.
Just say 'climate change' -- not 'climate emergency'
The familiar terms 'climate change' and 'global warming' are more likely to resonate with people than other commonly used phrases.
Babbling babies need timely responses to learn language, social norms
New research shows the timing of others' reactions to their babbling is key to how babies begin learning language and social norms -- a process evident in infants' interactions with a robot.
Image: fizkes/Shutterstock.com
Redefining the computer whiz: Research shows diverse skills valued by youth
Researchers have uncovered a more nuanced view of what makes an 'ideal' computer science student, challenging long-held stereotypes of geeky, clever, detail-oriented men, who lack social skills.
Prioritizing the elderly for COVID-19 boosters reduces overall deaths
When COVID-19 booster vaccines are in short supply, prioritizing the elderly over other age groups for booster vaccination results in the lowest loss of life, researchers report.
Nature at risk in the hunt for the perfect selfie
The need for a dramatic selfie or the perfect landscape photo is proving detrimental to nature, a new research collaboration has found.
'FoMO' is a key risk factor for mental health and burnout at work
Fear of missing out (FoMO) is a key risk factor for employee mental health and, along with information overload, may increase burnout, according to new research.
The threat of misinformation runs rampant in our digital age, where a single repetition of a climate-skeptical claim seems more true even to the staunchest of climate change endorsers, according to a new study.
Exploring the impact of attentional uniqueness and attentional allocation on firm growth
Researchers posit that a balance between attentional uniqueness and allocation can positively impact a firm's growth.
Amazonians are as genetically different from Andeans as Europeans are from East Asians when it comes to genetic variants that affect the response to certain drugs, according to a recent commentary. These genetic variations can affect what side effects an individual experiences and influence drug dosage recommendations. Taking the genetic diversity within indigenous groups as an example, the scientists highlight the need to address the diversity gap in genomics research.
A novel educational program for clinicians provided a foundation about climate change and the impact of fossil fuel-related pollution on individual health, and how healthcare systems contribute to carbon pollution and can address these challenges.
Study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters
New York City subway commuters who are economically disadvantaged or belong to racial minority groups have the highest exposure to fine particulate matter during their commutes, according to a new study.
Work-from-home success might depend on home office setup
In a new survey study, Dutch employees who worked from home tended to report higher levels of productivity and less burnout if they were more satisfied with their home office setup. The study also linked more air ventilation in the home office to higher self-reported productivity.
When is too much knowledge a bad thing?
A new study finds an increase in knowledge could be a bad thing when people use it to act in their own self-interest rather than in the best interests of the larger group.
Pesticide exposure linked to stillbirth risk
Living less than about one-third of a mile from pesticide use prior to conception and during early pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirths.
Your best friend from high school? Here's why their genes mattered
The genetic makeup of adolescent peers may have long-term consequences for individual risk of drug and alcohol use disorders, depression and anxiety, a groundbreaking study has found.
Most existing heat wave indices fail to capture heat wave severity
Even though climate change is bringing more frequent and severe heat waves, there is no standard, global way to measure heat-wave severity, and existing indices have different thresholds for defining dangerous heat-stress conditions. Researchers report that five out of six existing heat-wave indices were unable to capture the severity and spatial distribution of recent lethal heat waves in India, Spain, and the USA. The sixth index -- the lethal heat-stress index -- was better able to identify dangerous heat-stress conditions, particularly in low-humidity regions.
New York City's fireworks display prompts temporary surge of air pollution
In 2023, roughly 60,000 firework shells exploded above Manhattan's East River as part of Macy's Fourth of July show. The resulting air pollutant levels were many times higher in the hours after the display than those seen when smoke from a Canadian wildfire had blanketed the area a month before, according to the results of a new study.
People's moral values change with the seasons
A new psychology study has revealed regular seasonal shifts in people's moral values. The research analyzed survey responses from more than 230,000 people in the U.S. over 10 years and revealed that people's endorsement of moral values that promote group cohesion and conformity is stronger in the spring and fall than it is in the summer and winter. This has potential implications for politics, law and health -- including the timing of elections and court cases.
A new way of thinking about the economy could help protect the Amazon, and help its people thrive
To protect the Amazon and support the wellbeing of its people, its economy needs to shift from environmentally harmful production to a model built around the diversity of indigenous and rural communities, and standing forests.
New research into life-threatening birth defect of the diaphragm
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a dangerous malformation of the lungs and diaphragm that causes almost a third of affected babies to die from underdeveloped lungs. Medical researchers made important progress in understanding the disease. The team has discovered that the dangerous malformation of the newborn lungs is associated with inflammatory processes involving the increased presence of immune cells. In another study, the researchers show that components of amniotic fluid stem cells can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
We can be heroes -- Research reveals how ordinary people can become 'situational heroes'
How we view real-life 'heroes' is changing according to new research, with more of a focus on acting heroically in certain situations, rather than being a heroic person.
Anxiety reframed can make business pitches more effective
It may be possible to turn anxiety into a superpower in some scenarios, recent research indicates. The study found that if entrepreneurs preparing to make a funding pitch connected their pitch anxiety to their passion for their venture, judges ranked their performance higher. Perhaps even more importantly, the judges were also more likely to recommend them for funding. This emotion reframing involved the entrepreneurs recognizing that they were feeling anxious partly because the project means so much to them. Entrepreneurs who tried other strategies to deal with pre-pitch anxiety, including suppressing or distracting themselves, did less well.
Visiting an art exhibition can make you think more socially and openly. But for how long?
A new study aimed to address the questions of whether art exhibitions can make us more empathic or even change our attitudes and behaviors? The researchers were able to show that, indeed, looking through the exhibition reduced xenophobia and increased acceptance of immigration. Even more, by employing a new cellphone-based experience sampling method, they could track how long these changes last.
Work emails, calls on golf course worsen performance, study finds
Checking your work-related emails or taking business calls while playing golf could prevent you from hitting that elusive eagle or birdie.
Researchers are in the midst of conducting a first-of-its-kind study to better understand the drivers, demographics, and dynamics of development in the Wildland-Urban Interface, where close proximity to natural areas puts residents at higher-risk for climate-related disasters like fires, flooding, and landslides. A new article explains what trends the research team expects to find and why. Researchers say they hope to demonstrate interconnections between the housing crisis and the climate crisis and between issues in urban areas and the rest of the state.
Study analyzes potato-pathogen 'arms race' after Irish famine
Researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.
Natural bacteria compound offers safe skin lightening
Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, a pigment that shields human skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. However, issues arise when the mechanism for renewing dead cells, which helps regulate melanin accumulation, malfunctions. In a study, researchers discovered that the metabolite cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) from Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum effectively inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme crucial for melanin synthesis. These findings suggest promising applications for cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) as a safe additive in cosmetics.
If somebody complains that it hurts to think, they may be onto something, as mental exertion appears to be associated with unpleasant feelings in many situations, according to new research.
An assistant clinical professor developed a specialized dance and movement therapy (DMT) program to meet the unique needs of youth from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to foster a sense of community and connection.