Heriot-Watt University has launched its Professional Academy, a comprehensive online learning platform that will be offering over 50 university-credited courses designed specifically for busy professionals seeking to upskill rapidly in their current roles. The innovative platform addresses the growing demand for flexible, accessible professional development in an increasingly competitive job market. Users can start anytime, study anywhere and learn at their own pace.

Girls who are dissatisfied with their bodies receive lower grades in Physical Education in sixth grade, while pupils with strong confidence in their physical abilities perform better. This is shown in a study from the University of Gothenburg.

Virginia Tech researchers received a grant worth more than $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to expand robot theater, an after-school program that helps children explore robotics through performance-based learning. Funding will help researchers refine the program, add artificial intelligence ethics components, and share the curriculum more broadly.

The recently released book Dream Schools examines what students and parents should look for when deciding where to continue their education and lists 75 colleges and universities that Selingo wrote should be on the radar of college applicants. Binghamton University is the only institution under the SUNY umbrella to be featured on the list.

Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a leading technology company specializing in AI-powered solutions, expert services for the scholarly publishing ecosystem and global enterprises, is pleased to announce the appointment of Siddharth Bhatia as Chief Growth Officer, Institutional Sales (West).

Study reveals workplace decision-making crisis: Professionals overconfident but undertrained

Summary: New research from the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists reveals a critical gap between confidence and competence in workplace decision-making. While 91% of professionals believe they have above-average decision skills, 45% lack structured decision habits and 85% never received formal training. The study of 105 professionals across sectors identified 24 specific decision-making challenges and found widespread organizational barriers. Co-led by behavioral decision scientists from University of East Anglia, London School of Economics, and Warwick Business School, this first-of-its-kind workplace decision research shows strong demand for evidence-based training, with 84.8% wanting decision-making development from employers.

Key Finding: The "decision paradox" - high confidence paired with poor processes and poor preparation - suggests organizations are expecting sound decisions without providing the tools or training to make them.

Implications: Results challenge the assumption that experience alone builds decision expertise and highlight urgent need for systematic decision science education in professional development.

Institution: Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists (GAABS), Zurich, Switzerland

In a groundbreaking study that explores the ecological consequences of forest fragmentation, researchers are examining the degradation of edge forests and the associated carbon loss. The study, titled "Degradation in Edge Forests Caused by Forest Fragmentation," is led by Prof. Wei Li from the Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and the Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds. This research offers a detailed analysis of how forest fragmentation impacts edge forests, highlighting the importance of understanding these effects for effective conservation strategies.