news 2017
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Innovation - Social Sciences - 21.12.2017
Social Sciences - Career - 20.12.2017
Social Sciences - Health - 19.12.2017
Life Sciences - Social Sciences - 18.12.2017 
Birds learn from each other’s ’disgust’, enabling insects to evolve bright colours
A new study of TV-watching great tits reveals how they learn through observation. Social interactions within a predator species can have "evolutionary consequences" for potential prey - such as the conspicuous warning colours of insects like ladybirds. We suspect our findings apply over a wide range of predators and prey.
Social Sciences - Career - 15.12.2017
Health - Social Sciences - 11.12.2017
Health - Social Sciences - 08.12.2017 
Heart disease linked to depression, loneliness, unemployment and poverty
Social stress factors such as loneliness and being unemployed, in addition to conventional risks such as smoking and high blood pressure, are associated with higher risks of developing heart disease, according to a new UCL-led study. The study, published by PLOS Medicine this week, analysed cohort data from three eastern European countries and found that heart disease incidence is more likely among people who rarely see their friends and relatives, are single, unemployed, less wealthy, and have depression-like symptoms.
Social Sciences - Law - 07.12.2017
Social Sciences - Religions - 05.12.2017 
Storytellers promoted co-operation among hunter-gatherers before advent of religion
Storytelling promoted co-operation in hunter-gatherers prior to the advent of organised religion, a new UCL study reveals. The research shows that hunter-gatherer storytellers were essential in promoting co-operative and egalitarian values before comparable mechanisms evolved in larger agricultural societies, such as moralising high-gods.
Social Sciences - Life Sciences - 04.12.2017 
In mongoose society, immigrants are a bonus-when given time to settle in
Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. The study published today in the journal Current Biology shows that, initially, recent immigrants rarely serve as lookout, which means they provide little information in this context to help the rest of the group.
Social Sciences - 04.12.2017
Health - Social Sciences - 29.11.2017
Social Sciences - 29.11.2017
Social Sciences - 28.11.2017
Health - Social Sciences - 21.11.2017
Social Sciences - 17.11.2017
Social Sciences - Life Sciences - 15.11.2017
Health - Social Sciences - 13.11.2017 
Society’s excluded people ten times more likely to die early
People excluded from mainstream society in high-income countries have a tenfold increased risk of early death, according to research from UCL, homeless health charity Pathway and an international team of experts. The researchers found the mortality rate among socially excluded groups including homeless people, people who sell sex, prisoners and people who use hard drugs, was nearly eight times higher than the population average for men, and nearly 12 times for women.
Social Sciences - 10.11.2017 
Study highlights how community violence fosters antisocial behaviour in kids
Children and adolescents who are regularly confronted with violence in their communities have a greater tendency to show antisocial behaviour according to the authors of a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience . The research, from psychiatrists and psychologists at the University Psychiatric Hospital Basel (Switzerland) and the Universities of Bath, Southampton and Birmingham (UK), examined the link between exposure to community violence and antisocial behavior in over 1000 children and adolescents from seven European countries.
Social Sciences - Computer Science - 07.11.2017 
Modeling social interactions to improve collective decision-making
How are we affected by other peoples' opinions' To answer this question, scientists 1 at the CNRS, Inra and Université Toulouse 1 Capitole conducted a study in France and Japan, quantifying this impact on our decisions. They identified five behaviors common to both countries: a majority of subjects make a compromise between their opinion and that of others (59% of people in France), some hold to their opinion (29% in France), whereas others follow faithfully, amplify or contradict the information they receive.
Social Sciences
Results 1 - 20 of 133.
Technology not taking over children’s lives despite screen-time increase
New Oxford University research has revealed that as digital past-times have become intertwined with daily life, children have adapted their behaviours to include their devices. Much like adults, they are able to multi-task and do all the things that they would do anyway, such as, homework and playing outdoors with friends.
New Oxford University research has revealed that as digital past-times have become intertwined with daily life, children have adapted their behaviours to include their devices. Much like adults, they are able to multi-task and do all the things that they would do anyway, such as, homework and playing outdoors with friends.
Five Chicago sports franchises partner with UChicago Crime Lab to address violence
For the first time, five of Chicago's professional sports teams are joining together to work on a vital social issue, lending their broad reach and resources in support of solutions to decrease violence in the city. The Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, operating collectively as the Chicago Sports Alliance, today announced they will be donating a total of $1 million in one-time grants to support three programs addressing this critical issue.
For the first time, five of Chicago's professional sports teams are joining together to work on a vital social issue, lending their broad reach and resources in support of solutions to decrease violence in the city. The Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, operating collectively as the Chicago Sports Alliance, today announced they will be donating a total of $1 million in one-time grants to support three programs addressing this critical issue.
LGBQ Adolescents at Much Greater Risk of Suicide than Heterosexual Counterparts
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning are much more likely to consider, plan or attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to research from the University of Pennsylvania , the University of California, San Diego , and San Diego State University published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning are much more likely to consider, plan or attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to research from the University of Pennsylvania , the University of California, San Diego , and San Diego State University published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association .
A new study of TV-watching great tits reveals how they learn through observation. Social interactions within a predator species can have "evolutionary consequences" for potential prey - such as the conspicuous warning colours of insects like ladybirds. We suspect our findings apply over a wide range of predators and prey.
Gay relationships can be happier than hetero, study finds
Hot on the heels of the same-sex marriage bill, new research shows that gay and lesbian couples tend to have higher-quality relationships than their heterosexual counterparts. Professor Janeen Baxter, Director of the Life Course Centre (LCC) led by The University of Queensland, said the quality of intimate relationships of gay and lesbian people was high, if not higher than the quality of heterosexual couples' relationships.
Hot on the heels of the same-sex marriage bill, new research shows that gay and lesbian couples tend to have higher-quality relationships than their heterosexual counterparts. Professor Janeen Baxter, Director of the Life Course Centre (LCC) led by The University of Queensland, said the quality of intimate relationships of gay and lesbian people was high, if not higher than the quality of heterosexual couples' relationships.
Babies born during famine have lower cognition in midlife
ANN ARBOR-Hunger and malnutrition in infancy may lead to poor cognitive performance in midlife, according to a new study. Researchers at University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Columbia University have found that child survivors of China's 1959-61 famine that killed millions appear to be haunted by their past, as their cognitive performances go downhill in their early 50s.
ANN ARBOR-Hunger and malnutrition in infancy may lead to poor cognitive performance in midlife, according to a new study. Researchers at University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Columbia University have found that child survivors of China's 1959-61 famine that killed millions appear to be haunted by their past, as their cognitive performances go downhill in their early 50s.
Social stress factors such as loneliness and being unemployed, in addition to conventional risks such as smoking and high blood pressure, are associated with higher risks of developing heart disease, according to a new UCL-led study. The study, published by PLOS Medicine this week, analysed cohort data from three eastern European countries and found that heart disease incidence is more likely among people who rarely see their friends and relatives, are single, unemployed, less wealthy, and have depression-like symptoms.
New study analyzes recent gun violence research
Consensus is growing in recent research evaluating the impact of right-to-carry concealed handgun laws, showing that they increase violent crime, despite what older research says. Researchers from Stanford and Duke University examined recent studies on the causes of gun violence in the United States in an effort to find consensus in a body of research that often covers different states or different time periods, making conclusions difficult to draw.
Consensus is growing in recent research evaluating the impact of right-to-carry concealed handgun laws, showing that they increase violent crime, despite what older research says. Researchers from Stanford and Duke University examined recent studies on the causes of gun violence in the United States in an effort to find consensus in a body of research that often covers different states or different time periods, making conclusions difficult to draw.
Storytelling promoted co-operation in hunter-gatherers prior to the advent of organised religion, a new UCL study reveals. The research shows that hunter-gatherer storytellers were essential in promoting co-operative and egalitarian values before comparable mechanisms evolved in larger agricultural societies, such as moralising high-gods.
Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. Researchers from the University of Bristol studying wild dwarf mongooses have provided insight into what happens when immigrants join a new group. The study published today in the journal Current Biology shows that, initially, recent immigrants rarely serve as lookout, which means they provide little information in this context to help the rest of the group.
Replicating peregrine attack strategies could help down rogue drones
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that peregrine falcons steer their attacks using the same control strategies as guided missiles. The findings, which overturn previous assumptions that peregrines' aerial hunting follows simple geometric rules, could be applied to the design of small, visually guided drones that can take down other 'rogue' drones in settings such as airports or prisons.
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that peregrine falcons steer their attacks using the same control strategies as guided missiles. The findings, which overturn previous assumptions that peregrines' aerial hunting follows simple geometric rules, could be applied to the design of small, visually guided drones that can take down other 'rogue' drones in settings such as airports or prisons.
Disability discrimination affects one in seven Australian adults
One in seven Australian adults with a disability reports experiencing discrimination due to their impairment and this discrimination can affect their health, a new study has found. Rates were higher for those who were younger, unemployed or in low-status jobs. The University of Melbourne-led research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health , was Australia's first population-level study of self-reported interpersonal disability-based discrimination and its relationship with health.
One in seven Australian adults with a disability reports experiencing discrimination due to their impairment and this discrimination can affect their health, a new study has found. Rates were higher for those who were younger, unemployed or in low-status jobs. The University of Melbourne-led research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health , was Australia's first population-level study of self-reported interpersonal disability-based discrimination and its relationship with health.
Why some European countries are more hostile to immigrants than others
By Katherine Gombay Anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe today is influenced by a country's past experience of war and conflict. Countries with a history of war, loss of territory, sovereignty or a past of significant conflict (either external or internal) are more likely to develop a form of nationalism that is ethnically-based - i.e. based on a common language and culture as well as on shared ethnic identity.
By Katherine Gombay Anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe today is influenced by a country's past experience of war and conflict. Countries with a history of war, loss of territory, sovereignty or a past of significant conflict (either external or internal) are more likely to develop a form of nationalism that is ethnically-based - i.e. based on a common language and culture as well as on shared ethnic identity.
After Another Mass Shooting, Let’s Consider Masculinity
Just one month after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, we find ourselves pulled back into an all too similar story. This time, the tragedy unfolded at a church in a small Texas town. As details emerge, perhaps the only thing that can be said is that such tragedies will continue to take place.
Just one month after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, we find ourselves pulled back into an all too similar story. This time, the tragedy unfolded at a church in a small Texas town. As details emerge, perhaps the only thing that can be said is that such tragedies will continue to take place.
Women’s health has worsened while men’s health has improved, trends since 1990 show
Researchers at Umeå University and Region Norrbotten have studied health trends among women and men aged 25-34 from 1990-2014. In 1990, 8.5 percent of women self-rated their health as being worse than peers in their own age group. At 2014, this trend had increased to 20 per cent of women. In contrast, a bigger part of the men self-rated their health as better at the end of the study period compared to the start.
Researchers at Umeå University and Region Norrbotten have studied health trends among women and men aged 25-34 from 1990-2014. In 1990, 8.5 percent of women self-rated their health as being worse than peers in their own age group. At 2014, this trend had increased to 20 per cent of women. In contrast, a bigger part of the men self-rated their health as better at the end of the study period compared to the start.
In a post-truth world, who can we believe?
In our new normal, experts are dismissed and alternative facts flagrantly offered, writes Professor Nick Enfield. Those who prevailed have exploited the tension between ideals of equal access on the one hand, and deference to expertise on the other. While we might debate the wisdom of trusting political insiders, the suspicion of specialists and experts has begun to contaminate a much bigger ecology of knowledge and practice in our society.
In our new normal, experts are dismissed and alternative facts flagrantly offered, writes Professor Nick Enfield. Those who prevailed have exploited the tension between ideals of equal access on the one hand, and deference to expertise on the other. While we might debate the wisdom of trusting political insiders, the suspicion of specialists and experts has begun to contaminate a much bigger ecology of knowledge and practice in our society.
It’s (not) complicated: relationships may be simpler than they seem
New research sheds light on how social networks can evolve by showing that complex social patterns observed across the animal kingdom may be simpler than they appear. Image credit: Shutterstock New Oxford University research has shed light on the complexities involved in forming social bonds, and suggests that the process is much simpler than first thought.
New research sheds light on how social networks can evolve by showing that complex social patterns observed across the animal kingdom may be simpler than they appear. Image credit: Shutterstock New Oxford University research has shed light on the complexities involved in forming social bonds, and suggests that the process is much simpler than first thought.
People excluded from mainstream society in high-income countries have a tenfold increased risk of early death, according to research from UCL, homeless health charity Pathway and an international team of experts. The researchers found the mortality rate among socially excluded groups including homeless people, people who sell sex, prisoners and people who use hard drugs, was nearly eight times higher than the population average for men, and nearly 12 times for women.
Children and adolescents who are regularly confronted with violence in their communities have a greater tendency to show antisocial behaviour according to the authors of a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience . The research, from psychiatrists and psychologists at the University Psychiatric Hospital Basel (Switzerland) and the Universities of Bath, Southampton and Birmingham (UK), examined the link between exposure to community violence and antisocial behavior in over 1000 children and adolescents from seven European countries.
How are we affected by other peoples' opinions' To answer this question, scientists 1 at the CNRS, Inra and Université Toulouse 1 Capitole conducted a study in France and Japan, quantifying this impact on our decisions. They identified five behaviors common to both countries: a majority of subjects make a compromise between their opinion and that of others (59% of people in France), some hold to their opinion (29% in France), whereas others follow faithfully, amplify or contradict the information they receive.
