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How Social Media Algorithms Shape Our News Consumption and Worldview
A new study has unveiled the profound impact that social media algorithms have on the type of news we consume and how we perceive it, especially on platforms like X/Twitter. This research sheds light on the intricate ways these algorithms shape our information environment, potentially influencing political polarization and voter behavior. To investigate the effects…
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New Study Reveals Evolutionary Basis for Conspicuous Consumption
A new study conducted by researchers from Athabasca University and Vancouver Island University suggests that conspicuous consumption — often deemed irrational and driven by marketing — is actually deeply rooted in evolutionary biology and environmental conditions. “The desire to display or be seen with these products is triggered by an interaction between environmental conditions and…
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UPenn Researchers Uncover Secrets of Baseball’s Magic Mud
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have unveiled the scientific properties that make Major League Baseball’s “magic” mud so effective, revealing insights that could extend beyond the sport. This mud, used on every ball in MLB games, including the World Series, has long been praised for its ability to enhance ball grip and performance. Now,…
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Impact of Ownership Changes on Home Health Agencies: Increased Medicare Spending, Reduced Staffing Levels
Medicare-certified home health agencies, essential for enabling older adults to age comfortably at home, are increasingly experiencing ownership transfers. This shift raises significant concerns about health care expenditure, workforce dynamics and care quality, according to new research led by UTHealth Houston. “The ownership change in health care sectors — including various forms of acquisitions by…
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How Gentrification Leads to Emotional Displacement
A recent study sheds light on the nuanced impacts of gentrification in East Asia, particularly in Seoul, revealing that residents often feel emotionally displaced and alienated in their own neighborhoods. This groundbreaking research, conducted by Kon Kim of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Blaž Križnik of the University of Ljubljana, compares state-led urban regeneration with property-led…
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Study Finds Education, Wealth and Occupation Impact Cognitive Health in Seniors
Socioeconomic factors, such as education, occupation and wealth, significantly influence the risk of developing cognitive impairment and the likelihood of recovery, a new study by University College London (UCL) researchers reveals. The study, published in Scientific Reports, tracked 8,442 adults aged 50 and above in England over a decade, from 2008 to 2019. It examined…
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New Study Reveals How Social Observation Influences Risky Decision-Making
People adjust their choices between safe and risky decisions based on their perception of an observer’s opinion, according to new research from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). Published as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, the study presents a nuanced understanding of social decision-making. Unlike previous studies suggesting that people universally make…
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Airbnb Rentals Linked to Higher Crime Rates in London: Cambridge and Penn Study
A comprehensive study by the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania has revealed a troubling correlation between the proliferation of Airbnb rentals and increased crime rates in London neighborhoods. The research, published in the journal Criminology, presents compelling data indicating that a surge in short-term lettings may contribute to higher incidents of robberies…
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University of Michigan to Study Impact of School-Based Firearm Storage Campaign
In an effort to combat firearm injuries and deaths among children, researchers from the University of Michigan are set to evaluate a school-based secure firearm storage campaign. The initiative, funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the National Institute of Justice and led by End Gun Violence Michigan, aims to ensure firearms are stored…
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Breakthrough Study Reveals How Couples Can Better Cope With Rheumatoid Arthritis
A new study led by Flinders University has unveiled critical insights into how couples manage life when faced with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), revealing that those who cope together experience reduced psychological distress and enhanced relationship quality. The findings, published in The Journal of Rheumatology, emphasize the significance of dyadic coping — where couples collaboratively address…
