Extreme rituals: What"s the social role of violence in these cultural events?
Published in the journal Religion, Brain & Behavior, a study led by the D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) evaluated and mapped the perceptions of over a thousand spectators participating in the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods, a cele.....»»
Scientists reveal strigolactone perception mechanism and role in tillering responses to nitrogen
"How is plant growth controlled?" and "What is the basis of variation in stress tolerance in plants?" were among the 125 most challenging scientific questions, according to the journal Science in 2016......»»
Australians who think inequality is high have less faith in democratic institutions, according to study
Central to Australia's cultural and political identity is the notion of a "fair go." But recent elections, including in the United States, have highlighted the challenge of maintaining shared norms and support for institutions when many voters don't.....»»
The natural environment is declining—are companies doing their part to save it?
The natural environment across the globe is deteriorating, leading to crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Companies and industries play a major role in this decline, and they are expected to take responsibility for thei.....»»
Employers hold sway in immigration bureaucracy
Prioritizing unique and more educated applicants for temporary work visas, employers play a central but understudied role in the U.S. immigration bureaucracy, with implications for careers and American innovation, new Cornell research finds......»»
Asset owners could drive investment in climate change mitigation, research suggests
Asset owners who control substantial capital in the financial system through pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individual holdings can play a crucial role in driving investments in climate change mitigation, according to a new Yale School o.....»»
"Shallow" sports and "deep" social hierarchies: Not all pecking orders are created equally
University of Michigan researchers have added a new dimension to the mathematics used to predict the outcomes of all manner of competitions, including sports, games and social hierarchies in both humans and animals......»»
Struggling with relationships? You may be too materialistic
Digital technology and social media have revolutionized communication, making people more connected than ever. Yet many developed nations are struggling with loneliness and data has shown that while we have more ways to connect with others, the quant.....»»
Balancing quantity and quality: How X/Twitter"s algorithm influences our consumption of news
Are we only seeing the kind of news we want to see on social media? What effects do personalized algorithms have on our perception of news quality? Do algorithms help us serendipitously encounter information that we didn't expect? These are the quest.....»»
Microbial slime: The ultimate system to understand our planet
Billions of years ago, Earth was home to extreme environments, including intense UV radiation, frequent volcanic eruptions, and very high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Yet, under these conditions, biofilms formed and within thes.....»»
The extreme floods that devastated Spain are hitting more often. Is Australia ready for the next one?
Spain is still reeling from recent floods in the Valencia region. In some areas, a year's worth of rain fell in a single day. Sudden torrents raced through towns and cities. More than 200 people are dead. Rapid analysis suggests daily rainfall extrem.....»»
Extreme weather already cost vulnerable island nations US$141 billion—and 38% is attributable to climate change
Two years ago, when the curtain fell on the COP27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, developing nations on the frontline of climate change had something meaningful to celebrate......»»
Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan"s cultural capital of Lahore
Record-high air pollution in Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics, doctors said Wednesday as authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and fol.....»»
Study shows commercial ties influence ESG ratings and highlights need for regulation
An analysis published in the Journal of Accounting Research uncovers evidence that conflicts of interest arising from commercial ties lead to bias in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings......»»
Downward mobility from top backgrounds in the UK is even rarer than previously thought
Only a tiny fraction of children from the most privileged backgrounds will end up in working class jobs, suggesting that social mobility in the UK may be even more limited than previously thought......»»
Text and facial expressions drive success in charitable crowdfunding
A study conducted by researches from Ocean University of China, published in Financial Innovation, presents a novel model to investigate the role of emotions in charitable crowdfunding. Grounded in emotional contagion theory and language-mediated ass.....»»
Decadal climate patterns reveal new insights into tropical cyclone formation and El Niño-Southern Oscillation link
A new study has revealed how decadal-scale climate fluctuations impact the ability of climate models to simulate tropical cyclone frequency in response to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. This finding offers an improved understanding of t.....»»
Is the election making you feel adrift and wobbly? That"s "zozobra," and Mexican philosophers have some advice
Ever had the feeling that you can't make sense of what's happening? One moment everything seems normal, then suddenly the frame shifts to reveal a world on fire, struggling with war, climate change and political violence and upheaval......»»
Helping the most vulnerable stay cool in extreme heat
The health effects of heat waves hit some communities harder than others. People with preexisting health conditions, as well as those who have low income or are physically or socially isolated, very old or very young, from racial or ethnic minority g.....»»
Africa"s cities are growing chaotically fast, but there"s still time to get things right, say experts
Cities are vital engines of economic growth, innovation and social progress. They shape the futures of nations and the lives of millions......»»
Deaf male mosquitoes don"t mate, researchers discover
Romance is a complex affair in humans. There's personality, appearance, seduction, all manner of physical and social cues. Mosquitoes are much more blunt. Mating occurs for a few seconds in midair. And all it takes to woo a male is the sound of a fem.....»»