A recent study published in The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality documented the exchange of social support within incel forums. Incel forums, online spaces for men experiencing involuntary celibacy, are often examined through the lens of misogyny and radicalization. However, these forums also function as sources of social support, where...
For decades, scientists believed that magma chambers beneath volcanoes were transient, forming before an eruption and then dissipating as the volcano quieted. However, new research suggests that large magma bodies persist beneath volcanoes for much longer than previously thought. These findings could reshape how scientists monitor volcanic hazards. Recent advances...
A new study published in npj Science of Learning sheds light on the psychological factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The research found that an individual’s interest in mathematics is a stronger predictor of STEM career choices than either their confidence in their...
Donald Trump’s political rise has been closely tied to the grievances of White Americans who feel left behind by societal changes. A 2021 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin provides insight into one source of this discontent: the perception that workplace diversity initiatives disadvantage White employees. Through...
New research from South Korea has found that for every 1°C increase in average annual atmospheric temperature (from the average temperature in the 1961–1990 period, due to climate change), the odds of having at least moderate depressive symptoms increased by 13%. These increases were 14% for adults between 19 and...
The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration has achieved the highest-resolution Earth-based observations to date, detecting light at 345 GHz from the centers of distant galaxies. This breakthrough marks the first time the EHT has imaged black hole environments at this frequency, offering an unprecedented view of these cosmic phenomena. By...
New research suggests that paranoia and excessive teleological thinking—two forms of distorted beliefs about intention—are associated with specific errors in visual perception. The findings, published in Communications Psychology, indicate that individuals with high levels of paranoia are more likely to misperceive non-threatening movements as chasing, while those with strong teleological...
A new study published in Personal Relationships provides insight into how the age gap between romantic partners changes when people enter relationships at different life stages. Researchers analyzed data from 29 countries and found that as men grow older, they are more likely to form relationships with younger partners. Women...
Agriculture across the United States is facing significant challenges from climate variability and change, with specialty crops like apples particularly vulnerable. Apples, the most consumed fruit in the U.S., are vital to food security, nutrition, and the economy, generating nearly $3.1 billion annually. However, a changing climate poses growing risks...
Life relies on the storage and transmission of information. In complex organisms, this information exists in two primary forms: the genome and the epigenome. While genetic information remains largely unchanged throughout life, the epigenome is dynamic, responding to environmental factors and aging. Aging results from various biological processes, including genetic...
Millions of individuals rely on effective medications to manage diseases like cancer and diabetes. For those with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), advancements in treatment selection could significantly improve outcomes. CML is a blood cancer linked to a genetic mutation known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This mutation drives uncontrolled cell growth...
Quantum entanglement, a cornerstone of quantum mechanics, allows particles to remain connected across vast distances. This phenomenon fuels quantum computing and cryptography, but entanglement is fragile, easily disrupted by environmental interference. Noise, long seen as an obstacle in quantum technologies, is typically managed using complex error correction techniques requiring extensive...
A recent study published in BMC Psychology has found that while dog owners tend to be more physically active than other pet owners, it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dogs and their general exercise habits that are associated with better mental health. Previous research has suggested...
A study published in Travel Behaviour and Society explores the role of gender associations in the adoption of electric vehicles. The research finds that countries with a more feminine cultural orientation tend to have higher rates of electric vehicle adoption. Additionally, a psychological test conducted in Germany shows that consumers,...
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 36 children in the United States and one in 100 worldwide. Early diagnosis improves access to interventions that enhance quality of life. However, distinguishing ASD from other conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains a challenge. ADHD co-occurs with ASD in 50% to...
A recent study published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies sheds light on how Danish high school students use chatbots for social interactions. The study found that while most students do not engage in friend-like conversations with chatbots, a small proportion do use chatbots to seek emotional support or...
Why do podcast listeners feel so connected to hosts they have never met? A new study published in the Journal of Radio & Audio Media sheds light on this question, finding that authenticity plays a key role in forming these parasocial relationships. Through interviews with podcast fans, researchers identified specific...
Life on Earth extends far beyond the vibrant rainforests and sunlit coral reefs. Deep below the surface, an extraordinary microbial world thrives, challenging previous assumptions about where life can persist. Microorganisms have adapted to extreme conditions, from deep-sea trenches to underground rock formations, surviving in environments with crushing pressures, extreme...
A neuroimaging study found that men and individuals with psychiatric symptoms who experience more pronounced anhedonia tend to have increased functional connectivity between the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus and the nucleus accumbens—two brain regions involved in reward processing. The paper was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Anhedonia...
What exists at the core of a black hole? A research team led by Enrico Rinaldi, a physicist at the University of Michigan, has leveraged quantum computing and machine learning to analyze the quantum state of a matrix model, providing new insights into the nature of black holes. The study...
A recent study published in the Journal of Sleep Research provides evidence that sleep, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, enhances problem-solving ability through analogical transfer. The researchers found that participants who took a nap were more successful at solving complex problems after sleep than those who remained awake. This...
A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that the long-standing stereotype of women being significantly more talkative than men is largely overstated. By analyzing the daily word use of thousands of participants across a diverse range of contexts, researchers found that while women spoke...
Anonymity serves as a cornerstone of democratic life, ensuring freedom of expression and safeguarding digital rights. It emerges naturally in the absence of identification or surveillance and has been upheld through legal frameworks and normative definitions. However, advances in computational power and machine learning are increasingly challenging traditional notions of...
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men globally, with diagnostic methods and risk assessment remaining a challenge despite decades of research. For years, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test has been a cornerstone in detecting prostate cancer. However, while PSA testing has been shown to reduce prostate...
The boundaries of computer technology are being redefined as biology merges with electronics. At the forefront of this evolution lies an innovative concept—a liquid computer powered by DNA. With the capacity to support over 100 billion unique circuits, this revolutionary system might soon reshape medical diagnostics and disease detection. DNA,...
Movement is a complex process governed by a network of neuronal circuits spread across multiple regions of the nervous system. These regions, including the cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebellum, form a collaborative system that selects and refines movements. These supraspinal structures send information to the spinal cord, which acts...
The search for water on the Moon has captivated scientists for decades. Beyond its implications for understanding planetary science, lunar water could play a pivotal role in humanity’s ambitions to establish off-world colonies. By examining the origins of water within the Earth-Moon system, researchers aim to uncover how and where...
Your brain can still make new neurons when you’re an adult. But how does the rare birth of these new neurons contribute to cognitive function? Neurons are the cells that govern brain function, and you are born with most of the neurons you will ever have during your lifetime. While...
Climate change and human activities are causing significant disruptions to Earth’s natural systems, including the global water cycle. These disruptions have introduced variability and irregularities that challenge assumptions about the stability of geophysical processes. As a result, water resource management strategies and risk assessments based on outdated assumptions are increasingly...
A recent study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience sheds light on how childhood maltreatment may leave lasting impacts on brain structure, particularly in young adults who experience romantic relationship breakups. Researchers found that the combination of childhood maltreatment and the stress of a romantic breakup was associated with...