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Study Reveals How Socioeconomic Inequality Weakens Local Governance
Local governments play a critical role in developing countries, providing essential public services that enhance human development and tackle pressing issues like extreme weather, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure. However, these governments often struggle to implement programs that effectively address the diverse needs of their citizens, especially in regions plagued by significant socioeconomic inequalities. A recent…
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New Study Highlights Vital Role of Neutrality in International Relations Over 192 Years
Neutrality, an often-overlooked element in the study of international relations, has a far greater impact on global stability than previously understood, according to new research led by Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, analyzed 192 years of international relations data from the Correlates of War…
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Ancient Bacterial Domestication in Swiss Cheeses Unveiled by UNIL Researchers
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) have uncovered evidence of ancient bacterial domestication in the production of traditional Swiss cheeses like Gruyère, Emmental and Sbrinz. This pioneering research, published in Nature Communications, offers a fresh perspective on how human societies have harnessed microbes to improve food preservation and safety for…
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New Study Reveals Personalized Gifts Enhance Emotional Bonds and Boost Self-Esteem
There’s a unique joy in giving, but new research suggests that personalization can elevate a gift from a simple object to a deeply meaningful experience. The study, published in the journal Psychology & Marketing, demonstrates that personalized gifts not only boost recipients’ self-esteem but also make them feel more cherished. A team of researchers from…
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New Study Reveals Mothers Handle 71% of Household Mental Load
The holiday season, with its myriad of tasks from planning dinners to choosing gifts, often underscores a broader trend affecting families year-round: the uneven distribution of household mental work. According to a study from the University of Bath and the University of Melbourne, mothers overwhelmingly bear what is known as the “mental load,” managing 71%…
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Soda Taxes Drive Major Shift in Public Attitudes Toward Sugary Beverages
In recent years, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages have done more than just curb sales; they’ve initiated a significant shift in public perception, similar to the era of anti-smoking campaigns. A new study led by the University of California, Berkeley uncovers the profound impact these taxes have had on societal attitudes toward sugary drinks. The research,…
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Long-Distance Friendships Boost Conservation Efforts, Study Finds
Maintaining friendships over long distances can be challenging, but a recent study indicates these relationships offer substantial benefits to environmental conservation. A study led by Washington State University, published in Conservation Letters, has uncovered that social connections across distances have a positive impact on community-based conservation. Although the study focused on fishing villages in northern…
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Late Gifts Are Not As Harmful to Relationships As Believed
Feeling guilty about sending a belated gift? A new study, published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, offers some comforting news: recipients aren’t nearly as upset about late gifts as givers assume. Researchers at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business discovered that the anxiety surrounding late gifts is largely unnecessary. “Go ahead and…
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Quality of Social Network Friendships Can Combat Loneliness, New Study Finds
Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States, affecting one-third of Americans who report experiencing “serious loneliness” in recent years. Notably, a lack of social interaction has been associated with a higher risk of depression, self-harm and even suicide, contributing to a record 50,000 suicides in 2023. As modern life becomes more…
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Researchers Reveal Startling Trend: Most Shares on Social Media Happen Without Clicking the Links
If you’ve read this far, you’re in the minority. According to a new study led by Penn State researchers, the vast majority of social media users share links without reading the articles first. This alarming trend was unearthed through the analysis of over 35 million public posts on Facebook between 2017 and 2020, revealing that…
