ScienceDaily: Society - November 19, 2024
Top society research news
It turns out gaming is good for you! New research indicates massive multiplayer online gamers learn by gaming and their skills in the workplace are enriched by those seemingly endless hours previously thought of as frittering away time.
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Plastic bag bans have lingering impacts, even after repeals
A new study found that policies to curtail the use of single-use plastic bags in grocery stores and other retail outlets in Austin and Dallas, Texas, resulted in people buying more plastic bags, a behavior that continued after the rules were no longer in place.
Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. more than double from 1999 to 2020
Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled from 1999 to 2020. The sharpest spike occurred among 25- to 34-year-olds (nearly fourfold), while individuals aged 55 to 64 had the highest rates. Men consistently had higher rates but women saw the largest proportional rise, with deaths increasing 2.5 times. Asian and Pacific Islander communities experienced the steepest ethnic increase, while the Midwest saw the greatest regional rise (2.5 times), followed by the Northeast, West, and South.
The women and stress behind rural farming in America
Recent research suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running.
Redefining net zero will not stop global warming
An international group of authors who developed the science behind net zero demonstrate that relying on 'natural carbon sinks' like forests and oceans to offset ongoing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use will not actually stop global warming. The science of net zero, developed over 15 years ago, does not include these natural carbon sinks in the definition of net human-induced CO2 emissions. Yet governments and corporations are increasingly turning to them to offset emissions, rather than reducing fossil fuel use or developing more permanent CO2 disposal options. Emissions accounting rules encourage this by creating an apparent equivalence between fossil fuel emissions and drawdown of CO2 by some natural carbon sinks, meaning a country could appear to have 'achieved net zero' whilst still contributing to ongoing warming.
A new study has found that 34 percent of mothers said stay-at-home orders facilitated easier breastfeeding at home, stronger mother-child bonding, and extended breastfeeding duration for many women. However, the pandemic also presented significant barriers, including limited access to lactation support and heightened maternal stress.
Decline in West African coastal fish stocks threatens food security and livelihoods
Fish stocks along the West African coast have declined significantly over the past five decades, threatening food security and the livelihoods of the fishing communities that depend on them, according to a new study.
'Jekyll and Hyde' leaders do lasting damage, new research shows
Employees struggle when supervisors swing between good and bad behavior
A new study shows that the past 30 years of globalization have brought fundamental shifts in some aspects of family interaction among Indigenous people in Guatemala. But families have still maintained a unique level of harmony in their interactions.
Mountain lions coexist with outdoor recreationists by taking the night shift
Mountain lions in greater Los Angeles are proactively shifting their activity to avoid interacting with cyclists, hikers, joggers and other recreationists, finds a new study.
How next-day responsibilities influence cannabis use
A study found that people are less likely to consume cannabis if they had an upcoming activity, which is consistent with other studies, and would reduce use the most for job interviews and caring for children. However, people who rated the suitability of using cannabis in each situation more highly also were more likely to consider using the drug.
Resilience index needed to keep us within planet's 'safe operating space'
Researchers are calling for a 'resilience index' to be used as an indicator of policy success instead of the current focus on GDP. They say that GDP ignores the wider implications of development and provides no information on our ability to live within our planet's 'safe operating space'.
Time in nature benefits children with mental health difficulties
Researchers found that spending two hours a week of class time in a natural environment can reduce emotional distress among 10- to 12-year-olds who had the most significant mental health problems before the program began.
Cash is King: The surprising truth about spending habits in a cashless world
Physical cash not only influences how much we spend but also fosters a profound sense of psychological ownership that digital payments cannot replicate, according to new research.
Post-traumatic stress disorder comes in many forms and affects each person differently. Some patients benefit more from residential, in-treatment programs, while others are more suited for outpatient care. Others may thrive best in a system that mixes elements of both. A team of researchers found intensive outpatient programs, in which a patient consults with a health professional daily while staying at home in their community, are as effective as inpatient treatment, where patients can be isolated for weeks at a time.
New study sheds light on language development in children with hearing loss
Researchers find a link between early vocabulary composition and later language development in children with cochlear implants.
It's my brain's fault! Why teenagers make often unwise decisions
Adults exhibit a general tendency to make better decisions than adolescents, and this improvement drives an increase in specific and more sophisticated choice behaviors, according to a new study.
A new study determines that just four policies can reduce mismanaged plastic waste -- plastic that isn't recycled or properly disposed of and ends up as pollution -- by 91% and plastic-related greenhouse gasses by one-third. The policies are: mandate new products be made with 40% post-consumer recycled plastic; cap new plastic production at 2020 levels; invest significantly in plastic waste management -- such as landfills and waste collection services; and implement a small fee on plastic packaging. This policy package also delivers climate benefits, reducing emissions equivalent to taking 300 million gasoline-powered vehicles off the road for one year.
New study reveals half a century of change on Britain's iconic limestone pavements
Fifty years of change on iconic limestone pavements has revealed mixed fortunes for one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK. The findings, which reveal large changes since the 1970s, are from the first national assessment in half a century of plants and vegetation in Britain's rare and iconic limestone pavements.
Revolutionizing biology education: Scientists film 'giant' mimivirus in action
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all the importance of educating the public about viral infections. Besides educating the general public, we need to equip the next generation of scientists by bringing viral education into the classroom. Now, researchers have filmed the 'giant' virus Mimivirus in the process of infecting a cell, creating a fascinating film that can help educators teach biology in a more engaging manner.
Land-use policy rethink vital to hit net zero
Changing how land-use subsidies are implemented would give UK taxpayers better value for money and improve chances of meeting environmental targets such as Net Zero.
New study emphasizes the importance of arts and humanities in neurology training
Researchers have found teaching artistic observation to neurology residents contributed to the development of well-rounded physicians with the capacity to be both skilled clinicians and compassionate healers.
Texting abbreviations makes senders seem insincere, study finds
If you want to seem sincere and receive more responses to your texts, spell out words instead of abbreviating them, according to new research.
Long covid could cost the economy billions every year
Working days lost to long covid could be costing the economy billions of pounds every year as patients struggle to cope with symptoms and return to work, finds a new study.
Plugged wells and reduced injection lower induced earthquake rates in Oklahoma, study finds
Wastewater injection resulting from oil and gas production in Oklahoma caused a dramatic rise in seismic activity in the state between 2009 and 2015. But regulatory efforts to backfill some injection wells with cement and reduce injection volumes have been effective in lowering the state's induced earthquake rate, according to a new study.
Only certain paranormal beliefs may be linked with more stress and distress
In a new study, feelings of distress and reduced ability to cope with stress were associated with traditional paranormal beliefs, but not with new age philosophy.
When it comes to corporate climate action, a single policy isn't enough
Climate-conscious investors should consider supporting companies with a wide range of climate policies, rather than companies that cherry-pick specific individual policies, according to a new study.
Depression rates in LGBTQIA+ students are three times higher than their peers, new research suggests
New findings uncover an alarming rise in depression rates among all higher education students in the United States, but especially among sexual and gender minorities.
Organ donation: Opt-out defaults do not increase donation rates, study finds
A recent study shows that switching to an opt-out organ donation policy, where all adults are presumed organ donors unless they explicitly opt out, does not increase donations from deceased donors.
Anti-fatberg invention could help unclog city sewers
Engineers have invented a protective coating for concrete pipes that could help drastically reduce the formation of fatbergs in sewers.
Can we live on our planet without destroying it?
How much land, water, and other resources does our lifestyle require? And how can we adapt this lifestyle to stay within the limits of what the Earth can give? A new article tackles these questions.
How to reduce social media stress by leaning in instead of logging off
Young people's mental health may depend on how they use social media, rather than how much time they spend using it. Psychology researchers tried an experiment with three groups. They asked one group to stay off social media. They taught another group how to use it more constructively. The third group stuck with their usual routine. The group that stayed away, AND the group that used it differently, both reported improvements in their mental health.
Building a diverse wildland fire workforce to meet future challenges
Wildland firefighters are under significant strain, often overworked and underpaid despite the growing need to respond to larger, more destructive fires. Building a more resilient and effective workforce will require improving pathways for diverse applicants, strengthening commitments to health equity, and investing in workplace culture, according to a new Stanford University report.
Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024
Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record high in 2024, according to new research.
Grabbing pizza with coworkers isn't just fun -- it could boost your teamwork skills
Forming memories around shared experiences, whether something fun like grabbing a pizza or as emotionally straining as an employee strike, has a way of binding people together. But it could also motivate those performing different roles within the same company to socialize more and strengthen their working relationships, according to new research.
Experts urge complex systems approach to assess artificial intelligence risks
Scientists point out that a coherent approach to understanding the threats posed by artificial intelligence is still elusive. They call for a complex systems perspective to better assess and mitigate these risks, particularly in light of long-term uncertainties and complex interactions between AI and society.
Debunked: Children aren't quicker at picking up new motor skills than adults
Contrary to popular belief, children aren't better at learning new skills than adults. Indeed, young adults seem to learn faster than kids -- but also tend to forget more quickly. Here, better sleep seems to advantage children.
Possible to limit climate change to 1.5°C, if EU and 17 other countries go beyond their own targets
A new study finds that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible, but some countries require support to meet their climate responsibilities. An 'additional carbon accountability' indicator is introduced, revealing that the EU and 17 other countries must exceed their own current targets to achieve this global goal.
Machine learning predicts highest-risk groundwater sites to improve water quality monitoring
An interdisciplinary team of researchers has developed a machine learning framework that uses limited water quality samples to predict which inorganic pollutants are likely to be present in a groundwater supply. The new tool allows regulators and public health authorities to prioritize specific aquifers for water quality testing.
Pandemic-era increase in alcohol use persists, research shows
A new finds that heavy drinking among adult Americans increased more than 20 percent during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued for the following two years.
Fear of another heart attack may be a major source of ongoing stress for survivors
Fear of another heart attack was a significant ongoing contributor to how heart attack survivors perceive their health, according to a study. While anxiety and depression are recognized as common conditions after a heart attack, they did not explain the impact of fear of recurrence in this study. The researchers suggest that fear of another heart attack should be evaluated and addressed separately from depression and anxiety.
While more is better, even moderate amounts of exercise may reduce risk for common heart condition
Adding an extra hour every week of physical activity may lower the chance of developing the most common type of irregular heartbeat (arrythmia) by 11%, a study shows.