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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…
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Study Exposes Racial and Gender Price Bias in NFT Marketplace, Suggests Solutions
The United States has a long history of gender and racial disparities in wealth, education, employment and consumption, which has been mirrored in various modern marketplaces, including online rental and labor markets. Now, a groundbreaking study has turned its focus towards the non-fungible token (NFT) market, shedding light on deep-seated biases and recommending strategies to…
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Study Reveals Increased Misinformation Vulnerability Among Latinos Using Spanish-Language Social Media
Latinos who predominantly consume news from Spanish-language social media are significantly more likely to believe false political narratives compared to those who use English-language platforms, according to a revealing study published in PNAS Nexus. Conducted by political scientists from the University of California, San Diego and New York University, the research underscores rising concerns about…
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Short-Lived Soda Tax Offers Surprising Insights on Consumer Behavior and Revenue
Tax policymakers commonly assume that raising taxes will increase government revenue. However, a new study focused on Washington state’s soda tax presents a more nuanced picture. The research, published in the journal Marketing Science, reveals that consumer opposition can significantly mitigate the expected revenue boost, as demonstrated in a natural experiment in Washington. Co-authored by…
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Researchers Unveil Cognitive Blueprint for Forming and Undoing Habits
In a significant breakthrough, cognitive neuroscientists at Trinity College Dublin have unveiled a new approach to effectively form and break habits. Spearheaded by Eike Buabang, a postdoctoral research fellow in Claire Gillan‘s lab, the study delineates a cognitive blueprint that promises to improve personal development strategies and revolutionize clinical treatment for compulsive disorders, such as…
