ScienceDaily: Society - June 25, 2024
Top society research news
Facial recognition linked to close social bonds, not social butterflies
Do you have trouble recognizing faces, or do you never forget a face? The better you are at facial recognition, the more supportive relationships you are likely to have, regardless of your personality type.
Boosting biodiversity without hurting local economies
Protected areas, like nature reserves, can conserve biodiversity without harming local economic growth, countering a common belief that conservation restricts development. A new study outlines what is needed for conservation to benefit both nature and people.
Changing climate will make home feel like somewhere else
The impacts of climate change are being felt all over the world, but how will it impact how your hometown feels? An interactive web application allows users to search 40,581 places and 5,323 metro areas around the globe to match the expected future climate in each city with the current climate of another location, providing a relatable picture of what is likely in store.
Image: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com
Embryo and organoid models do not threaten the definition of personhood, bioethicist says
Advances in organoids and embryonic models of human development have the potential to prompt social and existential questions --e.g., what defines human individuality? However, bioethicists say that these models have the potential to strengthen rather than weaken the concept of human individuality when considered within the philosophical frameworks of 'personhood' and sentience.
Rigorous new study debunks misconceptions about anemia, education
In low- and middle-income countries, anemia reduction efforts are often touted as a way to improve educational outcomes and reduce poverty. A new study evaluates the relationship between anemia and school attendance in India, debunking earlier research that could have misguided policy interventions.
Tight-knit communities can prevent environmental progress
New research indicates that strong community bonds could hinder rather than help environmental initiatives.
At-camera gaze can increase scores in simulated interviews
Eye-contact has a significant impact on interpersonal evaluation, and online job interviews are no exception. In addition to the quality of a resume, the direction of the interviewee's gaze might help (or hinder) their chances of securing the job.
Origins of cumulative culture in human evolution
Cumulative culture -- the accumulation of technological modifications and improvements over generations -- allowed humans to adapt to a diversity of environments and challenges. But, it is unclear when cumulative culture first developed during hominin evolution. A new study concludes that humans began to rapidly accumulate technological knowledge through social learning around 600,000 years ago.
Effective hurricane risk messaging
Forecasters can use images in social media to better communicate weather related hazards of hurricanes, according to a pair of new studies.
Study finds US does not have housing shortage, but shortage of affordable housing
A new study has found that the United States does not have a housing shortage, contrary to popular belief. An analysis of Census data shows the majority of the nation's metropolitan and micropolitan markets have enough housing units for the number of househoulds in the area. However, median incomes indicate many people cannot afford the housing available in the area, indicating policy needs to address income and housing prices instead of trying to build out of the problem, authors argue.
Polarization and risk perception could play important roles in climate-policy outcomes
Times of crises often call for strong and rapid action, but in polarized societies, strong top-down policies can backfire. Scientists present a conceptual model of how these dynamics could play out in efforts to decarbonize our energy supply.