ScienceDaily: Society - June 04, 2024
Top society research news
Sunshine spurs spending: Investors bet big on sunny days
New research has found a connection between pleasant weather conditions and higher investment in lottery-like stocks.
Researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration
Researchers call for strengthening existing planetary protection policies beyond the space surrounding Earth to include requirements for preserving the Lunar and Martian environments.
Traffic speeds decrease when bike lane is present
Researchers conducting a study at a high-traffic intersection in a Jersey Shore town have found that the installation of a bike lane along the road approaching the convergence reduced driving speeds.
Image: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com
Urgent need for action now for increasing threat from invasive alien species
Urgent action now is needed to tackle the major and growing global issue of invasive alien species, says a team of 88 experts from 47 countries. The paper follows the (IPBES) thematic assessment report on invasive alien species and their control. The experts say co-developing management actions with multiple stakeholders including government and private sector stakeholders, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities will be critical to achieving success in addressing biological invasions.
Researchers call for return of Sumas Lake following devastating 2021 floods
A new proposal has emerged in response to the November 2021 floods that swept Sumas Prairie in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, causing mass evacuations and millions in damages. Instead of rebuilding the dykes to manage water flows and prevent future floods, scientists, along with members of the Sumas First Nation and other research partners, suggest an alternative: let Sumas Lake, which was drained in the early 1920s and converted into the farmland known as Sumas Prairie, return to its natural state. This can be done by buying out properties on the lakebed -- a solution that is projected to cost around $1 billion, less than half of the estimated $2.4 billion cost of repairing the dykes and installing a new pump station.
Moving beyond cubicles: How an active workplace design can drive workers' behaviors
Activity-promoting workplaces could boost physical activity and reduce sitting time among office-based workers. Yet, there are several gaps in the existing literature on how workplace design shapes behavior. Researchers have identified three significant gaps -- the impact of workplace culture, the role of overall building layout on workers' behaviors, and the need for accurate behavioral measures -- to pave the way for future research. Their insights are vital in developing interventions that promote active and healthy workplaces.
People are altering decomposition rates in waterways
Humans may be accelerating the rate at which organic matter decomposes in rivers and streams on a global scale, according to a new study. That could pose a threat to biodiversity in waterways around the world and increase the amount of carbon in Earth's atmosphere, potentially exacerbating climate change. The study is the first to combine a global experiment and predictive modeling to illustrate how human impacts to waterways may contribute to the global climate crisis.
AI saving humans from the emotional toll of monitoring hate speech
A team of researchers have developed a new machine-learning method that detects hate speech on social media platforms with 88 per cent accuracy, saving employees from hundreds of hours of emotionally damaging work.
The AI paradox: Building creativity to protect against AI
Cultivating creativity in schools is vital for a future driven by artificial intelligence (AI). But while teachers embrace creativity as an essential 21st century skill, a lack of valid and reliable creativity tests means schools struggle to assess student achievement. Now, a new machine-learning model is providing teachers with access to high-quality, fit-for-purpose creativity tests, that can score assessments in a fraction of the time and a fraction of the cost.
Rapid urbanization in Africa transforms local food systems and threatens biodiversity
Urbanization in Africa is accelerating quickly, showing no signs of slowing down. An international team of researchers addresses critical gaps in our understanding of how this urbanization affects local food and ecological systems, emphasizing the importance of recognizing shifts in dietary patterns.
New anti-counterfeit technique packs two light-reactive images into one material
Growing concern about data theft and counterfeiting has inspired increasingly sophisticated security technologies, like hologram seals, that can help verify the authenticity of currency, passports and other important documents. However, as security technologies evolve, so do the techniques criminals use to get past them. To stay one step ahead of these bad actors, researchers report that they have developed a new photopatterning technique that creates two light-reactive images on one material.
Local disparities may prevent national vaccination efforts for rubella
An international team developed a new model, based on a case study of Nigeria, that may help public health officials accelerate the introduction of rubella vaccination in countries that have yet to do so.
The average age at menarche -- the first menstrual period -- has been decreasing among younger generations in the U.S., especially those belonging to racial minorities and lower socioeconomic statuses, according to a new study. It also found that the average time it takes for the menstrual cycle to become regular is increasing.
Risky path to meeting climate targets for Stockholm
The Swedish capital Stockholm aims to capture more carbon dioxide than is emitted by 2030. Therefore, the city is investing in new technology at a combined heat and power plant. But it is a strategy that has been adopted without sufficient discussion of the risks.
More than just social media use may be causing depression in young adults, study shows
Over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of depression in adolescents and young adults -- and a simultaneous uptick in the inclusion of technology and social media in everyday life. In a new study, researchers investigated the association among social media use, depression and other health-related behaviors of young adults over time.
Quality over quantity for screen time -- study
It is what we are looking at, rather than how much time we are spending our time online that influences our health and wellbeing, according to a new report. The study is a comprehensive examination of the latest scientific evidence on screen time and mental health.
Health risk from global warming predictor of city climate action during COVID-19, study finds
City officials were more likely to maintain climate action during the pandemic in places with more climate-related health issues affecting residents.
Wild megalopolis: Study shows unexpected pockets of biodiversity pepper Los Angeles
Researchers, in partnership with the city of Los Angeles, have developed the urban association index to help identify how well or poorly individual wildlife species are doing in the city. The researchers found unexpected pockets of biodiversity deep in the city, but they say it will still be a challenge to elevate Los Angeles' overall level of biodiversity.
Research to uncover the impact of water use in the Colorado River Basin
Persistent overuse of water and long-term drought has depleted the Colorado River and highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of how waters are allocated and used to develop effective management strategies.
Marine Protected Areas don't line up with core habitats of rare migratory fish, finds new research
62% of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) designated to protect rare migratory fish species are outside of their core habitats, according to a new modeling study.
Wind farms are cheaper than you think -- and could have prevented Fukushima, says global review
Offshore wind could have prevented the Fukushima disaster, according to a review of wind energy.
A new study concludes that nearly half of the food waste, about 620 million metric tons, could be eliminated by fully refrigerated food supply chains worldwide. At the same time, fully refrigerated supply chains, or 'cold chains,' could cut food waste-related emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases by 41% globally, according to a new study.
Pharmacists prove effective, less costly care option for minor illnesses
Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in health care costs, according to new research. The findings also indicate a way to improve healthcare access by expanding availability of pharmacists' clinical services including prescribing medications, amid an ongoing shortage of primary care providers. The study found that care for a range of minor health issues -- including urinary tract infections, shingles, animal bites and headaches -- costs an average of about $278 less when treated in pharmacies compared to patients with similar conditions treated at 'traditional sites' of primary care, urgent care or emergency room settings. Follow-ups with pharmacy patients showed that almost all their illnesses had resolved after the initial visit with a pharmacist. Notably, if all of the illnesses in the three-year study that were treated at a traditional site of care had been treated by community pharmacists, it would have saved an estimated $23 million in health care expenses.
'Lean In' messages can lower women's motivation to protest gender inequality
Women in leadership are often told to 'Lean In', designed to be motivational messaging demonstrating that they are more confident, strategic and resilient to setback. However, new research indicates that such 'lean in' messaging can hinder women's motivation to protest gender equality.
Close to 1 in 2 surveyed say they would use air taxis in the future
Through a study of 1,002 participants, scientists have found that almost half (45.7 per cent) say they intend to use air taxis when they become available, with over one-third (36.2 per cent) planning to do so regularly. According to the findings, the intention to take autonomous air taxis is associated with factors such as trust in the AI technology deployed in air taxis, hedonic motivation (the fun or pleasure derived from using technology), performance expectancy (the degree to which users expect that using the system will benefit them), and news media attention (the amount of attention paid to news about air taxis).